A Shocking Wednesday Medley

1.  It may be a little shocking, but National Static Electricity Day is January 9!!  Do you often get shocked often when you touch metal?  Here are some things to avoid!  Yes! I hate the dry winter months as I am one who gets zapped every time I get in and out of the car, every time I get up from the sofa, and in a new development...nearly every time I touch a resident at the home. I feel so bad for them! (and me!) Metal isn't even required to get zapped except for the car. With the car, I am very careful to always do like the directions at the gas station say and touch the car to get rid of the charge before I start pumping gas.

How to Avoid the Shock of Static Electricity

• The drier air of winter months is a better insulator than the more humid air of summer.  To help prevent static electricity, use a humidifier to put moister back into the air in your home during the winter months.
• Our skin is drier in the winter months, too.  Putting on moisturizer before getting dressed is recommended.
• Synthetic fabrics are better insulators than natural fibers. Wearing materials made from natural fibers such as cotton will help reduce the amount of static electricity that’s stirred up.
• While walking around the house, at work or shopping, holding a key or a metal pen in your hand will help discharge the build-up of static electricity painlessly.
• Switching to leather soled shoes versus rubber-soled shoes will help reduce the amount of static that is built up.

2.  There are actually two "National" days worthy of mention! It is also National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.  Our men and women working in many areas of law enforcement put their lives on the line for us daily.  Do you know someone working in law enforcement who you can thank today?  I don't think I personally know anyone these days. I did know a couple, but one has retired and the other went to a career that paid more. I would gladly thank an officer I don't know if I saw one, but that is unlikely. I'll just say a prayer for all law enforcement.

3.  At our house right now it is all about football.  Joe's Philadelphia Eagles barely won their game on Sunday to move forward in the playoffs and another chance to play in the Super Bowl this year.  Do you have a favorite team in the playoffs or does football make you yawn?  Is there a Super Bowl party in your future, no matter the teams playing?  No Super Bowl excitement here. My Steelers didn't make the playoffs. Tim grew up in a home where sports weren't watched and he continues that tradition. I like to watch the Steelers and a little college football now and then (Sooners and Crimson Tide), but otherwise I don't really care too much. I think Super Bowl weekend is a working one for me, anyway. 

4.  Speaking of parties, there is always lots of food at parties I attend.  Tell us a weird food combination that you really enjoy (or have enjoyed).  It doesn't have to be party food.  I'm drawing a blank this morning. I can't think of anything that seems weird...to me, at least. I like to eat my sauerkraut on mashed potatoes, which is normal around here but was seen as weird when we lived in Florida. I learned to eat my ham and bean soup on a thick slice of homemade bread on a plate from my dad. He also taught me to put sugar on cottage cheese and tomatoes. Sorry, that's all I can think of.

5.  Since we are on games and parties, what game have you spent the most hours playing?  Lately, that honor goes to UNO and bingo. Those are definitely the two most popular games at the home. We run bingo three afternoons a week for the residents and UNO is played most evenings and now and then during the afternoon.

6.  Tell us something random about your week so far.  I got a call from one of Tim's sisters yesterday. His sister who lives in Mississippi is back to stay with her oldest daughter while her husband is away for military training. They invited me and Megan to meet up with them on Saturday for lunch and to visit the cemetery where Tim's parents and both siblings who have passed on are buried. Megan and I kind of hate the group cemetery thing, but the sisters get kind of put out if we don't go, so go we will. Tim isn't planning to work, but he will not go. He doesn't care how much it upsets his sisters. He hates the family visits to the cemetery. In looking at the weather forecast for Saturday, Megan and I better dig out the long underwear. It's supposed to be in the 20s for a high and possibly be snowing!

Well, I am off to get ready for work. If you thought this was fun and would like to join in with Terri today, you can do so at her blog, Your Friend From Florida. Have a wonderful day!