Windy city here we come, and no one is perfect.

Today was a good day in the Spencer household, although it did have the normal ups and downs. The big up was today was Jessica’s Commencement from Towson. She is now a college graduate! It started out OK, with everyone up on time and out of the house on time. I was running point with Jess and Matt in the green Buick, Jason had the easy chair, and Linda driving my sister Denise and Hubby Randy bringing up the rear.

Everything was going OK until that old “Chicago bug” hit Linda again. She decided to follow an old black Crown Vic instead of Jason and kept on going straight on 695 rather than follow us down Charles. She had Denise call to let us know that Jason had gone off the exit and was afraid he would get lost. Of course I informed them that Jason was following me. With many loops around and back and forth, they finally made it in time for the ceremony.

We were parked in a different lot, so I gave them directions home. They decided to follow Jason instead and he then proceeded to go the wrong was on 695. He realized his mistake and turned around at the next exit, but of course they kept on going.

We finally all met at Jilly’s and had Jess’s Commencement Lunch and watch the Ravens eat the Patriots lunch at the same time.

When we got back, the second half had just started. On the coldest day of the year, Jason decided he wanted to jump start his motorcycle. He plugged in the trusty old jumper box and it immediately started burning and the power to the garage popped off. Of course that’s where the Verizon Fios is plugged in, so we were instantly without TV, Internet and phones. Jason, Randy and I were trying just about everything to get it back on, running extension cords inside, flipping switches, and to many things to mention. I finally broke down and called Mitsi because she’s the Man when it comes to getting something done around your house. I was steeling myself for the electrician’s visit, when Linda and Mitsi were talking about it and someone suggested the reset button in the upstairs bathroom. Of course, I refused to cooperate because everyone knows that an upstairs bathroom reset button would have nothing to do with the power in the garage. Linda took matters into her own hands and wonder of wonders, it worked. I guess we’re even for the day.

Two things have come out of this. My sister Denise and Randy are committed to coming to Jason’s wedding next month, but I don’t think we’ll see them in Maryland for a long while after. Randy’s hair was two shades lighter after being a passenger with Linda. Denise may come on her own, but Randy will be a little tougher.

The second is the trips to Arizona to see my aunt, Michigan to see my father’s family, and Florida to see more relatives with have to wait. I’m going to take Linda to Chicago to get it out of her system!

Today was Jessica’s day, however, and we couldn’t be more proud of her. The first college graduate of the Maryland chapter of the Spencer’s. She qualified for a Cum Laude applause but didn’t bother standing up to accept it. (3.5+GPA, Dean’s List for 7 semesters). She had her first job already lined up Wednesday, subbing at the school she’ll be a long term sub. She will be the best teacher they have every seen. Of course she has her faults, like being a Ravens fan and dying her hair dark brown. I guess nobody’s perfect.