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Yesterday was one of those great days in internet history.
At least as far as my family is concerned.
My mother used Skype to talk to family in Italy.
Things like instant messaging, webcams, VOIP and Skype can be taken for granted by geeks like myself or somewhat internet savvy folk like my brother (he IMs, uses Skype at work for conference calls overseas).
We use it all the time and can't see how other people haven't jumped in the pool with us.
For years, my brother and I have tried (albeit pretty passively) to get our mom to at least try instant messaging.
Mom: "So, I type something to the person and they type a response back immediately?"
Us: "Yup"
Mom: "Oh, just like email!"
Us: "..."
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Today, my mom celebrates the 30th or so anniversary of her 29th birthday.
Cake!

Both of my grandfathers served in WWII and both were stationed in Italy at some point.
My grandfather on my mother's side passed away before I was old enough to get to know him, so everything I know about him is what my mother (and my aunts) told me about him.
I do know that if he hadn't served his country and spent time in Italy, I wouldn't be here. He met his wife - my grandmother - there (correct me if I''m wrong, Ma).
My paternal grandfather passed a few years ago. I remember my family always moaning when ...

Helped my Big Little Brother move in to his new house this weekend.
With two trucks (one U-haul and one looks-like-it-used-to-be-a-U-haul), 5 loads in each (that''s loading AND unloading) and about 6 hours, we moved the majority of his large furniture and boxes - tables, garage stuff, beds; you know - the stuff that everybody thinks they hate to move until it is actually moved and all that''s left is the little crap that everybody REALLY hates to move because there's so much of it.
Everywhere.
Very nice house. No bad memories of the past and a fresh start for ...