|
- Gulf States Disaster -
|
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
|
Wow, what a mess. We in Florida are so fortunate that storm did not take it's original path, as there is a very good chance Florida would be a "once was" state! Now don't get me wrong, I'm very sad for the people in LA, MS and AL.
I remember back when the 4 hurricanes hit here in Florida last year and how devistating I thought it was. It was. I know it was worse for others than it was for me, but here's this Michigan girl who wanted to see a hurricane. I wanted to know first hand how the wind blows, the feeling, the excitement, the nervousness, the sights of people and businesses boarding up windows. I mean, what's the worst that could happen? A little water in the house is no big deal! HUH! Right. I remember being at home and seeing water seeping through the ceiling of our "office/playroom". First it was one leak. Then another, then another. Pretty soon there were so many leaks that the 5 gallon buckets filled so fast I had to dump one and the other would be full, on and on. I did what I could- covered the computer monitor, computer office files and waited. I watched in disbelief that it was raining in my house! I called Chris, who was working that night and he said to salvage what I could, otherwise that's what insurance is for. We had no power, so that wasn't a big concern. I turned the power box off and left for the night to go to Chris & Robin's--they had power still. The boys were with my grandma and thought it was pretty cool since they got to eat peanut butter and crackers for every meal! :-)
Once I got home from Chris and Robin's that morning I walked to the back of the house to assess the damage. I called Melissa on my cell phone to joke (since that was all there was left to do) that it was raining in my house when all of the sudden my ceiling collapsed. It looked like someone took a big bucket of water and just dumped it over the room then disaster. We had soggy isnsulation, nails, boards--you name it, all over the floor. Water was seeping through the walls into the bathroom, boy's room, our room, kitchen and laundry room. It was a MESS! But--within a week or so our power was restored, debris was cleaned up, roofs were tarped and insurance claims were filed. Our county was back on it's feet and ready to go. All in all our "devistation" in this county lasted maybe 2-3 weeks. And the only thing that actually ended up hitting us were tropical storms!
So, looking at what could happen, in comparison to what did happen, would probably wipe out or eliminate Florida as we know it. Just as it's doing to New Orleans, Gulfport, Biloxi and other cities.
People ask me when we get these storms if I'd rather be in Michigan (you know, because Michigan doesn't ever get storms!). I don't think they realize that we do in fact get storms up there too and though most are not of this magnitude, they don't realize how easily they could be. The areas I'm from in Michigan have never seen a "major" tornado. The forecasters compared this storm to an F-3 tornado. Michigan hasn't seen that. But what about blizzards? What about them? We got a few. Was there major destruction? No. Was there significant loss of life? No. Was there significant loss of property? No. Most of the problems we got from blizzards were power outages for a few days and flooding when it melted. Flooding not even closely comparible to what's happening in the south.But CAN it happen? Absolutely! We've just been extremely fortunate in Michigan that we've been "missed". So...no I wouldn't rather be in Michigan. I'm happy and thankful I'm at where I'm at, because someday, sometime it's bound to happen where ever you live...you just hope it doesn't happen in your time!
| |
|
|
|
- It's Official -
|
Thursday, August 25, 2005
|
Scott leaves for his 1 year stint in Northern Iraq on September 11th, of all days.
To my avid and loyal readers (ha ha), please keep him, as well as Kelly & the kids, in your prayers!
:(
Ps. This is in reference to the Anxiety and Update posts.
Pss...this is an updated post, I must have been having a blonde moment!
| |
|
|
|
- UPDATE -
|
Monday, August 22, 2005
|
There have been no coincidences during the past couple of weeks (see the Anxiety post). Maybe that means this is really meant to be. Things are falling in place and prayers are being answered thus far.
More details to come.
| |
|
|
|
- They can be sooo cute sometimes! -
|
Friday, August 19, 2005
|
 This was taken about 2 months ago. Austin fell asleep while eating his dessert, a chocolate chip cookie.
| |
|
|
|
- Party Poopers -
|
Thursday, August 18, 2005
|
 The 3 of us look so amused. I think this is shortly before Kelly and I went to take a short nap!
| |
|
|
|
- Gaining Weight Sucks!!!!!!!!!! -
|
|
| |
|
|
|
- -
|
|
 Melissa and I last weekend.
| |
|
|
|
- -
|
|
Holly and I in 1999 (if my memory serves me correctly) at a Michigan State football game. Good times!
| |
|
|
|
- The Headache and Weird Feeling -
|
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
|
Ok--if you read the last post, you learned that for the past, well, 48 hours I've had a headache and a weird feeling. I thought it was because of a situation with a friend.
Last night we went to dinner at a local Italian restaurant about 1/2 mile from my house. It was good, but the service was crappy, as usual. We always order the same thing, Chris and I get baked ziti with meatballs (homemade meatballs, yum) and order a small ham pizza for the boys. For whatever reason, everytime we go they bring mine and Chris' food out first, then about ten minutes later bring the boy's pizza. That gets on my nerves so much, because we can't eat until we get their food. Well, we could, but we don't, that wouldn't be very nice. Anyway, I ate about half of my food and decided I was waaaaay too full to finish the rest. Odd, because usually I do finish it. Later that night it felt like I ate a rock, literally. I couldn't decide if I wanted to throw up, or well...throw up. Sparing you the details, I ended up spending most of my night in the bathroom until about 4:00 this morning. Needless to say, I didn't go to work. This sickness continued most of the day. I recon (ha ha, had to say that word!) it's probably the flu, since Austin had the same thing Saturday, which would explain the headache and weird feeling I had yesterday. Even though I liked to blame it on other things at the time.
Being sick sucks. Sure does! Maybe I'm just a baby, but everytime I'm sick I just want to cry. I hate throwing up and could never be bulemic. So last night as I was thinking about why I'm such a baby when it comes to throwing up, I was thinking of Austin. He was SUCH a big boy. The first time was when we were on our way to Wal-Mart. Luckily I had extra clothes with me, but I pulled over, stripped him to his underwear, stripped his booster seat and put him back in as we headed home. He was so good, he whined because his tummy hurt, which now I know why because it does in fact hurt everytime a wave comes through, but he never cried as he was throwing up! I baby him too when he does, get him a wet wash cloth, wipe his face, hug him and sit with him in the bathroom, but he acts like such a big boy. Now, only if I could act that grown up sometimes! :-)
| |
|
|
|
- Anxiety -
|
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
|
I'm feeling a bit of anxiety. One of my closest, very best friends just gave me some disturbing news. News that is probably good, looking at the light at the end of the tunnel, for her and her family, but not without paying a price, potentially. I can't really go into what it is at this time, but I think it explains the headache and weird feeling I've had for the past 24 hours. I've been saying my prayers that God is leading them down the right path, but it's hard to understand this path, if that's the case.
I came across a sign last night at a church in Spring Hill. "Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous". I'm going to start looking for "coincidences" in the next couple of weeks.
| |
|
|
|
- Meet Your Teacher Day -
|
Monday, August 08, 2005
|
So we went to "meet your teacher" day at school today. Tyler was so nervous, it was cute. He was biting his fingernails stayed close the whole time. Chris didn't think he was going to show up but he did, in uniform, Tyler was so proud! I thought it was going to be confusing for him, so I was trying to point things out like the library and cafeteria so he would be more familiar when he starts. Wednesday....er, maybe not. It turned out more confusing for me!!!
You see, Florida has some bas-akwards ways of doing things. For example, the kindergarden students only go to school one day during the first week of school, and four days the second week. Their reasoning behind this is so they can average 5 students per classroom attending, per day for the first 5 days. Technically, his first day of school was supposed to be Wednesday, but instead, it's Friday. He'll go a full day on Friday, have the following Monday off, then return to school for a "full" week on Tuesday.
I was going to sign him up for before and after care at school. Basically, since he starts school at 9 I would be dropping him off at 8, instead. And, they get out of school at 3:30, so we'll be picking him up between 4 and 5--except for the first day of school. I'm going to take him to school on his first day and pick him up. Oh--and when I pick him up I have to have this handy dandy blue paper in my windshield so they know I'm at school to pick him up (it has his name on it). Then, Tyler will have to wear this color coded owl (since that's their school mascot) around his neck to show that he will in fact be picked up by a parent. BUT...since I'm only picking him up one day (or occasionally) I need to send in a note to pick him up that day and he will be issued a light green owl to wear that show's he will go to before/after school care. EEEK! I should have taken notes!
PS...don't forget to send a check in to school for him to add to his account if I want him to eat lunch (or breakfast) at school. He will be issued a 4 digit number (his student number) to punch in as his "code" when he eats. I ask..."is he supposed to remember this 4 digit super secret squirrel code?", to which they reply "yes, mom...you'll be surprised how fast they learn it". Duh, I'm stupid I guess!?!?
| |
|
|
|
- -
|
Sunday, August 07, 2005
|
I'm extremely bored right now. There are probably a thousand things I could be doing, but I'm not. I'm watching Chris put up boards on the exterior walls of my house, so we (we, ha ha..HE I mean) can put insulation up, then drywall. Yes, same project we've been working on for....uh...a year? OK, I won't get started on that issue.
I can hear Tyler and Austin talking about the Scooby Doo episode they're watching. They're fighting over who's going to be the monster.
It's cloudy outside an has been raining off and on all day.
Tomorrow's agenda:
- Wake up in time for work (that's a grueling task)
- Stop by Hallmark store and pick up anniversary card (7 years tomorrow!!) Oh, for the record, I usually have this stuff done by now, but it's difficult picking out cards when you have 2 boys and a husband with you everytime you go to the store!
- Skip going to McDonalds for breakfast.
- Leave for lunch early to pick up Tyler for "Meet Your Teacher" day at school.
- Take Tyler to lunch. Maybe.
- Go back to work and be somewhat productive for the rest of the day.
- Take Austin to see his "new" teacher at his new pre-school. Well, it's not really new, they went there the year before last, but just Austin is returning.
- Go to dinner w/hubby for anniversary? May take a raincheck...I'm getting tired just reading my agenda!
| |
|
|
|
- 52 Days! -
|
Thursday, August 04, 2005
|
Yep, you guessed it...(well, you probably didn't but I'll tell you anyway)...52 days until the second season of Desperate Housewives and Gray's Anatomy! Can't wait!
Premier is Sunday, September 25th. C'mon Fall!
Yes, I know...I need to get a life.
| |
|
|
|
- What I hope for... -
|
|
A while back I registered for Fox News' breaking news email program. Everytime there's breaking news they send me an email with the link. Well, lately everytime I see that FNC BREAKING NEWS subject line I cross my fingers and start to, well...hope. I hope (and sometimes pray) that my email will be notification that they found Natalee Holloway. I feel very bad for her parents, friends (well, sorda) and loved ones. I even feel a little bit bad for Aruba, because I'm sure it's hurt their tourism industry. Everytime I see an Aruba sign, shirt (Old Navy) or whatever, I cringe. I hate the thought of even going over there until the Dutch/Aruban Government becomes a little more cooperative with the FBI. But, that's a whole different blog!
Anyway, keep crossing your fingers, praying, or whatever suits you best, that they find some answers regarding Natalee's disappearance.
| |
|
|
|
- Change... -
|
|
I've been in a change mood. A lot. I've cut my hair, changed my blog, re-organized my office and I'm getting ready to have a garage sale. I'm selling anything that I no longer NEED! Basically, what that means is that I'm keeping anything to do with my kids, family, very close friends, etc... Otherwise, it's being sold, given away or thrown out. Same thing with my clothes. I (well, me and Chris) have a huge walk in closet full of clothes and I can honestly say I only way maybe half of them! So, outtie they go.
Oh, my house...that's another thing. I'd like a new one. I know that we have some more remodeling to do, so basically it's very unlikely I'll be getting a new house within the next year or so. So, instead I'm going to get rid of the clutter. Maybe it's OCD, maybe I'm just growing up. Probably a little of both.
And, the last thing...I'm going to figure out how to post these damn pictures, so you can actually see them! :-)
| |
|
|
|
- Deer and Rabbits and Turkeys, OH MY! -
|
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
|
After reading Holly's blog this morning I remembered something I was going to post about our vacation this past June in Michigan. It's probably not as good now, as I can't remember all of the details, but here goes.
Me, Chris and the boys (ok, bad grammar, I know) flew into Lansing the third week of June so we could see family and help with Mandy's graduation party. We picked up our rental car and went to Cheddar's for dinner. Ok, so it wasn't the Cheddar's I remember, but it wasn't bad. We mosied (sp?) back to Duck Lake, at about dusk, windows down (can't do that in Florida in June, too hot), moonroof back, just relaxing, looking at the scenery on M-99, I see some deer in a field. Now, why is this so great you ask? Well...simply because we don't have deer in Florida. Well, we have deer, but they're small. Like the size of a German Shepherd small. Hmmpft. Anyway, I point the deer out to the boys, who were a little confused. You see, they don't quite understand that the plane we were on actually moved...north...way north, to Michigan. They still kinda think we're still in Florida. So, they didn't understand why we were seeing deer, if they weren't reindeer and it wasn't Christmas.
Throughout the week at Duck lake we saw fish in the lake, rabbits in the back yard and low and behold...ducks. YEP! Ducks in Duck Lake. Can you believe it? Well, it happened. The boys don't realize that we can feed the ducks. So Melissa runs up to the house and gets a loaf of bread and we proceed to feed all of the little baby ducks. The boys had so much fun feeding them. They thought the alligators in Duck Lake were going to eat the bread, but after some convincing, they finally believed us that there were no alligators in Duck Lake.
So, we drive out to Chris' mom and dad's house. On the way there we see more deer. Lots more. It's kinda hard to get into "Michigan driving" gear, since we don't have to watch for deer to run out in front of us in Florida. We decided to take the back roads, through Grass Lake. As we do, we see more rabbits and deer. I have to laugh, I told Chris I felt like I was in the middle of a story book...it was just really neat to see all of the wildlife again, because we don't really have wildlife that is "cute" in Florida. Unless you think gators, sharks and armadillos are cute. Anyway, we're almost to the in-law's house when we look over and see about 20 wild turkeys in the field. I showed them to the boys, who were amused for about two seconds, and told Chris, when we get home I have to blog about all of the wildlife...it's so peaceful, perfect vacation scenery. He looked at me like I was crazy.
So, that's my story. Told ya it would have been better if I posted it back in June when I could actually remember what was so good about it!
| |
|
|
|
- Fire Alarm -
|
Monday, August 01, 2005
|
While sitting here in my office trying to give advice to a victim (who happens to be my neighbor) on the phone our fire alarm goes off. Now, I don't know for sure it's the fire alarm, but it's the most high pitched squeeling awful noise you can imagine. What do I do? Good question. I sit here and talk to my victim. Now, through the course of our conversation she asks me what that high pitched squeeling awful noise is. Gee, I reply, I don't know! It must be the fire alarm, funny because nobody is leaving the building. I don't smell smoke. WHAT??????????????????????? She screams in my ear. I CAN'T HEAR YOU THROUGH THAT HIGH PITCHED SQUEELING AWFUL NOISE IN THE BACKGROUND. Oh, you can't? Well...hold on...I'll keep looking for that phone number to that person I'm going to transfer you to....
Ok, I'm back. I found it, here it is. OK, THANKS KELLY. PS. TELL YOUR BOYS THAT IF THEY WANT TO PLAY WITH THE PUPPIES IN MY BACK YARD THEY CAN BUT THEY SHOULDN'T THROW ROCKS AT THEM ANYMORE. ??? OH AND I HOPE THAT HIGH PITCHED SQUEELING AWFUL NOISE GOES AWAY SOON SO PEOPLE CAN HEAR YOU. (not so I'll live through the burning inferno. ) Ok, sorry?! Hangs up the phone.
I now decide I can smell smoke...I think. Is it psychological, or do I really smell smoke? Hmmm...nobody is running for their life outside yet. No smoke billowing. No fire department....er, wait....here they come. Lights on and sirens blaring. Fire alarm shuts off. (FINALLY, I can hear myself think.) Patrol Commander walks in.
PC: Hi Kelly
Me: Hi Commander.
PC: Nope, no smoke smell. Did you smell smoke at all?
Me: Not sure. I thought I did, but maybe it was psychological.
PC: Sorry, you're not going home.
Me: Ok. Good try.
PC: Bye
I call Kelly, upstairs.
Me: What the heck?
Kelly: No kidding, we were all running around up here with our heads cut off.
Me: Why?
Kelly: Fire Alarm!
Me: Yeah, but nobody left the building
Kelly: Well, we waited in the lobby.
Me: Oh ok...just checking.
So...my point is...do people actually take fire alarms seriously? Do you take fire alarms seriously at your office/work? So then I start wondering, well what if it was real. What if it was in my entry/exit doorway. Even though I have 5 large 4 1/2 ft X 3 ft windows that face the parking lot, how would I get out? I guess I better follow the fire alarm next time and exit. Even if there is a lightning storm going on outside, black skies, and hurricane like weather.
| |
|
|
