A Tragic Day in Alabama

My heart is breaking over the loss of life and horrific destruction that has taken place here.

As mile long, dangerous tornadoes swirled in counties to the west and north of me, I watched the horror unfold on my television. ( I was one of just a few fortunate people who still had power!)  It was absolutely amazing to see and I couldn't seem to stop witnessing it all.

In the days ahead the tragic, heart wrenching stories of survival and loss will begin to unfold.  People will come together to help one another.  Funds will be set up to take care of those who were left with nothing but the clothing on their backs.

We, humans, do this in the face of adversity....and, it always touches me to observe it.

My heart and prayers go out to those people who are searching through rubble to find pieces of their lives.

May the healing begin.
xoxo

Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore....

I am sitting here at the computer as I am one of the few lucky ones in the area who still has power.  It is very dark and oppressive outside with occasional strong gusts of wind as we are preparing for possible strong storms and tornadoes this afternoon and evening.

It is an eerie feeling as I listen to the weathermen (on every channel) reporting that large and dangerous tornadoes that are all around Birmingham.  So far, most of them are a bit north of us...but, they are saying that that will change soon.

Reports of destruction in cities to the north of me are pretty frightening.  I know that there have already been 5 fatalities in Alabama.  Hopefully, this number will not grow.

I have pillows, a blanket, a flashlight, bottled water, cell phone, my ipad (!), and some magazines down in my basement where I will head if the sirens begin to go off in my county.  I am thinking that I should maybe add some wine to my list of "supplies"!

There go the sirens as the tornado seems to be heading to Jefferson County which is where I live.

So, I will end for now.  Head downstairs....and, who knows? I might even see "The Wizard"!

Be safe everyone.

The laundry is done....the guest beds are re-made....the dishes are put away.....

...but, the memories remain....what a wonderful week!

Thanks for making the trip, Mom, Karen and Marty! : )

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More severe storms are headed our way today and tomorrow!  It looks like it is going to

be a "memorable" spring....not the kind of memories that one wants, however!

You can actually feel it in the weather today...that heavy, oppressive feeling right before a front

moves in and churns things up.

Time to batten down the hatches, I guess.

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As part of the never-ending post-flood work being done on my house, today I had my ducts cleaned out.  This is an interesting (!) process as their humongous machinery is set up in my garage to begin vacuuming

out dust and other debris.

Then, once their machine got going... they kept blowing a fuse causing my phones to stop working and the lights downstairs to go out.

After they "sucked" out the stuff in the ducts, they began to show me how very dangerous dirty ducts can be.

By the time that they were finished giving me their "song and dance" about what else I needed to have done.... I was almost afraid to breathe in my own home.

I told you that it was an interesting process!  : O

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A week from Friday, Dave and I will be taking our annual trip to the Kentucky Derby.

He got tickets for the Oaks which is the Ladies Race on Friday.  We land in Louisville early Friday and will head right to Churchill Downs. We head to Lexington for the actual Derby on Saturday where we will stay with his friends....sip mint juleps and bet on the horses at the Lexington Track.

Always lots of fun.....just hoping that the weather holds out this year for all of these outdoor events.

More on all of that later.

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Doorbell is ringing.

It must be the alarm system technician.

Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention that my alarm system is on the fritz....

and, did I mention that my ice maker decided to stop making ice cubes all of a sudden....

and......



Hating good-byes...

With every "hello" comes a "good-bye".... and today was no exception. 

Mom and Karen left at noon to head back to Florida and I miss them already.

I miss the laughter, the spontaneous singing, seeing them come down the stairs every morning, staying in our pj's all morning, eating, eating, eating!, playing Mah Jongg together, toasting each other with our glasses of wine every night, sitting outside and just talking about anything and everything, shopping, and just "being"..........together. 

I am counting the days until I fly down there the first of June for Karen's son's engagement party...

Love you both!

Me and Mom

Having my mom here for a week is such a joy for me...and yesterday I was able to spend some one on one time with her.

My sister was visiting her son at the U of Alabama in Tuscaloosa....and, my brother-in-law had flown back to Florida....so, the day was ours.

First stop was the nail place where I treated Mom to a pedicure.  I watched her slowly relax as she got comfortable in the cushioned seat and placed her feet in the warm, fragrant water. It gave me such pleasure to be able to do this little thing for her.

We talked and laughed as I "teased" her about life in "The Home" and all of the male admirers that she has accrued since living there. Her "one special friend" (very special!!) makes her act like a silly schoolgirl once again and I love it!  When he calls her at night  I can hear her giggling on the phone as he makes her laugh.  What a gift this little "later-in-life" romance is for them both.  She is 88 and he is 90....both lost spouses with whom they shared a long, and happy marriage.  How lucky they are to have found warm companionship in each other...

On to Target to get a few things.  Mom had forgotten her cane, so she used the shopping cart to help steady herself as she walked.  It is sometimes difficult for me to see how the aging process has taken away some of her physical abilities...but, she doesn't let that get in her way.  You would never know that this woman can barely see (because of her macular degeneration) or hear (she is in the process of getting some much-needed hearing aids).

In fact, Mom played several rounds of Mah Jongg with me and my sister....and, one day, a friend.  With a huge magnifying glass in her hand and thick magnifying glasses on...she kept up with us.  Actually, she put us all to shame as she won one of the games on a very difficult (closed) hand.  We all cheered when she did that remarkable feat.  It was a great moment.

I am finding out how very stubborn Mom is.  I wanted nothing more than to treat her to a few things while we were shopping...but, she did not want me paying for anything so she clutched her "items" to her chest as she went to a different check out counter than me.  Unfortunately, she dropped half of her things en route...so I was able to "admonish" her as I went and found her dropped "treasures" all over the produce department. Then I paid for them.

My sister and I have introduced my mom to the world of Internet games on our i-pads.  The bright screens are easier for her to see and she was able to play Boggle quite proficiently.  Of course, her generation is still not really comfortable with computers so one time when I walked in on her playing the game the screen was black....and she looked up at me and said, "I think that I killed it!".  I assured her that she hadn't and play continued as I got her Boggle screen back. : )

Walking Mom out of the nail place yesterday with her newly-painted pink toenails.... several of the women patrons watched the two of us go out hand in hand.  One of the ladies said to me how very lucky I was to still have my mother around to spend time with.  The others all nodded their heads affirming her statement.

And, believe me, I couldn't agree more......

If you are wondering why I haven't been posting much this week....

...it is because my mom, sister and bro-in-law are here visiting until Monday.

Such fun.

But, little time for blogging.  : (

My first-born turns 37 today!!!!!!

                                                        (Adam and Jenny-2010)

My dear Adam,

I'm not sure where the years have gone...but, today you are actually turning 37 years old!!! How did that happen so quickly?

You epitomize JOY with that huge smile that is always on your face.

You are an incredible father to Owen and Audrey and I see you passing all of your good traits down to them. How lucky they are.

Your optimistic, kind, and enthusiastic personality makes you beloved to all who are fortunate enough to know you...

I wish you all good things as you celebrate your special day!!

Happy, happy birthday, Sweetie....have a big piece of cake on me!  : )

I love you,
Mom

Good-bye beach....hello real world....

                                                                              *sigh*

Relaxing is so exhausting....!!!

(one of the Girlies relaxing on the beach)

Another lazy day at the beach with the Girlies....
The weather is absolutely gorgeous here in Destin. 
Low humidity...temps in the high 70's....lovely breezes.
The first night was shrimp and crabmeat.
Last night was pizza.
Tonight is bar-b-que.
And, in between is "Dancing with the Stars" and "American Idol".
Staying in bed for as long as we want.
It's pure heaven.

I may never go home.

Leaving the stress behind....

There is something magical about being here at the beach.
It is hard to explain....but, it happens every time that I am here.
The warmth of the sun.
The pleasant breezes.
The ability to take deep breaths while letting go of the stresses in the past.
Being with the Girlies....laughing, talking, sharing.....being in the moment.

If this is a dream....please don't wake me up...

It's 'Girlie Time' again! : )

I have been so looking forward to Monday getting here in that I am going away on another beach trip with the Girlies!!!!

This much needed break from the craziness of the house will be so wonderful....I can't wait to get my toes on that beautiful white sand....and toast the sundown with a cool glass of wine!

Talking, playing Mah Jongg, eating, eating, eating, wine drinking, laughing, reading, relaxing, breathing, etc. etc.

....just what the doctor ordered!  : )

(I will post from there when I can....xoxo)

Done!

Home Sweet "Repaired" Home!

: )

The view from here?

Notice anything in this photo that I took today?

Yep.  It is one of the painters working here today in an effort to get things finished up sooner rather than later. This has been a "beat the clock" effort as I am trying to get my house back together before leaving town in eight days.  When I return, some of my family will be arriving for a week as soon as I return..... : )

The painters drove in from Athens, Georgia, and have done an amazing job....but, there is soooo much more to do.  Shoe molding. Doors painted. Second coats on the walls. Etc. Etc.

Dust needs to be cleaned out in every nook and cranny....furniture and rugs moved back in....pictures hung back on the walls....all items returned to the shelves, etc. etc.

Will all of the etceteras ever get done?????

: O