Saturday, 30 April 2011

Wednesday, 27 April 2011

Today has been one more day.  I woke up normal and did my normal morning routine.  About 5:45, it started raining...really hard.  Then the wind started blowing....really hard.  In 10 minutes, it was over.  During this "storm", I lost cable and Internet.  I had to listen to the radio.  They told about problems, but they were way worse when I came upon them.  I travel the busiest road (US 280) in the state.  There were trees down in areas and the traffic lights were out.  In Alabama, when the traffic lights are out, the intersection becomes a four-way stop, which means a nightmare on 280.  Traffic crawled.  Then when I got past the Summit, there were several trees and power lines laying across the outbound lanes. I finally got to work at 8:45.  It took me 1 1/2 hours to get there. 

Our offices closed at 1:00, due to the expectation of bad weather.  I knew that we were due, but hoped that it was a false alarm.  When I got home, I still did not have cable or Internet, but I was able to get weather on the radio. 

BFF MAB called a little bit after 5:00 to tell me about a tornado that was passing through Tuscaloosa, which is less than an hour away.  The tornado was over a mile wide. There was a tremendous amount of damage in Tuscaloosa.  It moved through the Birmingham area, but was on the north side.  I live south of town, aka "Over the Mountain".  Even though it was north of here, it was still scary.  As soon as it left, here came two more.   Right now, there are still tornado warnings in various parts of the state.  These storms are extremely dangerous.

I tried to call my sister and mother for over two hours, but could never get them.  I then tried to call my brother-in-law and couldn't get him.  I finally got in touch with my brother-in-law and he said that they have been dodging bad weather and the power was out.  He was at the grocery store trying to find food that didn't need to be cooked.  I finally got a call from my sister. My mother, sister, sister's children, and Bo were in the bathroom waiting out the storms.

I will probably be awake for a couple of more hours.  I don't want to go to bed until the bad weather is gone for the night.

Please keep the people of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Cullman, Alabama and Pleasant Grove, Alabama in your thoughts and prayers.  From the news reports, there were multiple fatalities (at least 25).

I hope everyone has a good Thursday.  Please stay safe during this horrible weather.

Tuesday, 26 April 2011

I hope everyone had a great Easter.  I did.  It was busy but nice.

Saturday, my sister and I took her 19 month old to an Easter egg hunt at the church.  He loved playing with the games that they had to occupy the children while the eggs were being hidden.  He immediately figured out how the egg hunt worked, but after finding five eggs he found the playground equipment.  That was all she wrote.  He and some other little boys played on the equipment and then played in a sand pile.  He had a good time.  After the egg hunt, my mother and I attended an open house at a neighbor's house.  Her daughter was in town with her new baby and she wanted everyone to come see it.  It was sort of like a Sip and See.  That night, our supper club went to eat at a new restaurant.  The service was great, but the food was just okay.  To all events, I wore my LL Bean khaki capris and a pink with green fleece Brooks Brothers polo.  I also wore my pearls, a small gold heart pendant and RL goldtone button earrings.

Sunday, we got to church at 10:25 for the 11:00 service.  The church was packed by 10:45. I wore a navy Brooks Brother sleeveless dress and a light blue Lands End cotton cardigan.  I also wore pearls, pearl stud earrings and navy Ferragamo Varas.   After church, we went to my sister and brother-in-law's house for lunch.  I think it was hard for my brother-in-law and his brother and sister, but they made it through it just fine.  After lunch, there was an Easter egg hunt.  My sister's 19 month hold found several eggs, but was more interested in the candy that was inside.  My mother bought him a light blue and yellow plaid outfit to wear.  By the end of the egg hunt, it was covered with chocolate and jelly bean juice.  Luckily she has a full spray bottle of Shout.  To lunch and the egg hunt I wore my LL Bean khaki capris and a coral Lilly Pulitzer polo.

I hope everyone has a great Wednesday.

Sunday, 24 April 2011

HAPPY EASTER!!!

I hope everyone has a Happy Easter.  I also hope you find the prize egg!!!

Thursday, 21 April 2011

I haven't posted this week.  I forgot and left my wireless router at my mother's house.  I have been using my old computer.  It is sooooo slow.  I finally cleaned out a few files, so now it is a little faster. 

My sister's father-in-law's funeral went well.  It was sad, but nice.  A grandson did a fantastic job with the eulogy.  The music was great also.

This week, I have been busy running around getting ready for Easter.  I was going to get things done last weekend, but the funeral plans took up two days.  My sister and I are going to take her 19 month old to an Easter egg hunt at the Church.  He has to provide 24 filled plastic eggs.  I got the supplies at Target.  My sister reminded me that we can't have chocolate because it is going to be warm Saturday.  I hope he has fun.  I know we will.  It will be fun watching the children, especially the little ones.

I will finally be able to wear my sandals Monday.  I didn't wear them last summer because I was still recovering from a broken foot.  I spent the summer in Tretorns.  I even wore them with nice dresses.  I did wear my sandals to a wedding, but they came off as soon as the ceremony was over. I've tried to walk around in them and am doing fine.  Can't wait to shed the loafers for a few months.  When I lose a few more pounds, I will be able to get into my Lilly shifts.  They fit okay now, but I would rather them be a little bit looser.

I hope everyone has a great Friday.

Saturday, 16 April 2011

Yesterday was a horrible weather day.  There were tornado warnings and thunderstorm warnings most of the day.  I planned on leaving work at 4:30, but was unable to leave until 5:20.  Every time that I would start to leave, they would issue a new tornado warning.  Finally, I decided to leave between storms.  I made it home safe.  I then ran and go dinner and went over to BFF MAB's house to spend the night.  Another friend spent the night also.  We got up at 4:00 to drive to Mississippi to an auction.

The auction was fun.  We really had a good day.  I bought a lot that contained about 5 pieces of silver for $20.  There were several bowls and a butter dish.  Three of the bowls were sterling.  I also bought a tea cart for $35.  BFF MAB bought a secretary.  She brought the base of it home today, but has to go back tomorrow to get the top.  It wouldn't fit in her SUV.  I would ride over there with her, but I have to go to my mother's house.  My sister's father-in-law passed away unexpectedly last night.  Her mother-in-law passed away about 14 months ago.  We think he probably grieved himself to death.

I hope everyone has a good Sunday.

Wednesday, 13 April 2011

The storms that came through on Monday night were not too severe.  I think the weatherman just wanted some drama.  We are expecting more on Friday.  I hope they make their way out on Friday. 

BFF MAB and another friend are going to an antique/estate auction in Mississippi on Saturday.  I'm not really into high Victorian furniture, but I am really excited about going to this auction.  I'm curious to see how much everything goes for.

I'm trying to figure out what to wear on Saturday. The high will be in the upper 60's. My experience in this area of Mississippi has been everyone dresses really nice.  I think I may wear khakis or jeans, a pink OCBD, and a kelly green with pink monogrammed Lands End cardigan.  Or, I may wear my LL Bean navy birds eye cardigan.  I think I want to get one more wear out of it before Easter.

I hope everyone has a great Thursday.

Monday, 11 April 2011

As I sit here writing, I am trying to figure out what type of storm warning I'm under.  Is it a severe thunderstorm warning or a tornado warning?  The weatherman says something different in every sentence.  Also, I have no idea where some of these places are that he mentions.  At least he didn't mention my area. 

For those of you who have never lived in the South, this is what we experience every year at this time.  It is either severe thunderstorms or tornadoes...or both.  It can get fairly scary.  Tomorrow, when I walk out my front door, the air will be fresh and clean.  I guess the bad storms blow and wash the bad air away.

If you are in a storms path, be safe.

I hope everyone has a great Tuesday.

Sunday, 10 April 2011

I hope everyone had a great weekend.  Mine was fairly good.  I had planned on a nice lazy weekend, but my sister was sick.  She thinks she got food poisoning off of some undercooked chicken fingers.  My mother and I had to keep her 19 month old.  He was really good Friday night and Saturday.  We took him home about 3:00 Saturday afternoon. 

Today, we kept him for a couple of hours while my sister got caught up on some work.

Today at church, we had a visiting minister.  Our minister was out of town for a wedding, so a minister whose family has been in our church for five generations filled in.  The visiting minister is a little bit silly, but he is very well educated and always delivers an excellent sermon.  Right before we got there, a woman rushed out to go to another church.  I thought this was a little bit rude. Why show up at all?  What was even ruder was the woman that was put in charge of the children's portion of the sermon showed up late and left immediately after the children's sermon.  If she couldn't stay for the entire service, she should have gotten someone else.  I was always taught to be on my best behavior for church.  I think class and good manners are part of our best behavior.  I feel good that my mother and I chose to support this man.  He did not disappoint.

Tomorrow is Monday already.  I hope this weekend does not drag. 

I hope everyone has a great Monday.

 

Thursday, 7 April 2011

Don't forget to watch Upstairs, Downstairs on PBS this Sunday. Check your local listing.  I'm going to set my DVR.  I don't want to miss it.  I've been a fan of Jean Marsh for years.

I hope everyone has a great Friday.

Wednesday, 6 April 2011

I hope everyone's week is going well.  So far so good this week.

I have to go to a meeting tomorrow evening.  Yesterday afternoon, a woman called and asked if I would bring refreshments.  Yikes!  I wasn't prepared.  I decided that I would go to Publix tonight and grab a few things.  I got layered dip and spinach dip from the deli, sugar cookies with sprinkles from the bakery, chips, mixed nuts and jelly beans.  When I got home, I realized that I had forgotten drinks.  After I did my household chores and ate dinner, I ran out to Walgreen's and got drinks.  I was so mad at myself.  I decided that everything can be served from the packages.  I'll take spoons for the dips, nuts and jelly beans.

BFF MAB is thinking about starting a blog.  She wants one that makes money.  I'm not sure if she is going to have a theme.  She doesn't know about my blog.  I guess she'll soon find out.  My theme was going to be preppy attire, but it has turned into my ramblings.  Maybe one day, I'll get back to my theme.

I hope everyone has a great Thursday.

Sunday, 3 April 2011

I don't know about where you live, but it was absolutely beautiful here.  I decided to get out and enjoy the wonderful weather.  I took a leisurely trip to the Fresh Market and Publix. 

The Fresh Market had some beautiful strawberries.  I bought a box and ate on them for snacks.  They were delicious.  I always enjoy browsing at the Fresh Market.  I saw a few things that I am going to add to my next grocery list from there. 

I hate to sound excited about a trip to the grocery store, but I have been on South Beach for a few weeks and am always looking for different things to eat.  I enjoy fresh produce, especially this time of the year.  I can't wait until blueberries are in season.  I eat about 3-4 pints a week during the summer. That is probably my favorite fruit.

Tomorrow is Monday...all day long.  I hope this will be a good week.

I hope everyone has a great Monday.

Saturday, 2 April 2011

Today did not start very well, but it ended up being a good day.

First of all, I woke up at 5:15 with a headache. I got up, ate a snack and took some aspirin. In a few minutes, it was gone. Later, I got up, showered, ate breakfast and made it to the Volvo dealership by 7:55. They open at 8:00 and I was the second one in line. I wanted to be first. When it was my turn to check in, the guy said since I had called yesterday, he would go ahead and put me first. Yay me. As I was going into the lounge, I noticed that my headache was back. It felt like sinus. I got some peanuts out of the machine to eat so that I could take some sinus medicine. By the time that they were finished with my car, I was so sleepy that I couldn't hold my eyes open. I came home and laid down, but I never went to sleep. After I felt better, I got up and did some housework. After lunch, I just laid around and watched TV. I fell asleep for a little while. I woke up when a phone rang on the TV show that I was watching. A few minutes later BFF MAB called and we had a nice chat.

Tonight, I went to a wedding reception for a coworker at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. It was a nice reception and the bride was beautiful. It was nice to visit with coworkers away from the office, along with their spouses. We have such a nice group of folks in our area. The good thing about it was that I was able to stick with my diet. I had chicken on skewers, fruit and cheese. I drank diet coke instead of wine. I wore my black Austin Reed skirt, a Barney's New York camel cashmere cardigan, a black brooch, Talbot's large faux pearl choker with matching earrings, and my Salvatore Ferragamo flats. This was the first time that I have been able to wear these shoes in almost two years. By the end of the evening, the right shoe was beginning to feel a little bit tight, but I made it.

Tomorrow, I have a few errands to run. Then it will be home to do laundry and a few chores.

 I hope everyone has a great Sunday.

Friday, 1 April 2011

I know, I know. I have been really bad about posting lately. I keep telling myself that I am going to get better, but I still fail to post. The past few weeks have been really busy at work. When I get home, I'm so tired. For a while, I was trying to dress better for work, but since we've been busy, I've been wearing twill pants and loafers. In time, I'll get better. Tomorrow, I have to take my car to the Volvo dealer to get the oil changed, then back home for housecleaning. After that, I'm going to relax. Tomorrow evening, I am going to a wedding reception for a co-worker. Sunday, I'm going to catch up on laundry, read and watch TV. I hope everyone has a good Saturday. It is supposed to be a nice day down here.