Mother Nature Strikes Back!

When it rains, it really does pour and as per usual, it’s not in a good way. Yesterday afternoon at around 1:00pm, the skies darkened, the wind began to really blow and a few thick and heavy rain drops spattered onto the ground. Within seconds the torrential downpour began. With the high winds and heavy rain it was virtually impossible to see down to the corner of my street. There were only a few rumbles of thunder as this storm swept through the area reminding us that Mother Nature was awake and not in a good mood.

The roadway drains were plugged giving the rising water no where to go except up onto the boulevards and flood peoples driveways. The majority of vehicles were slowly crawling down the street hoping their motors didn’t get wet and stall out on them, but there were some drivers who didn’t give a flying….err I mean who didn’t really pay much attention. I guess some adults just can’t resist the childhood impulse of splashing through puddles. I’ll admit that I love to do that as well, but there are times when those impulses need to be put on hold. As I said, the road was truly flooding and the water was rising fast. Homeowners including myself were trying desperately to keep the water away from our ground level window wells since the overflow from the road was finding any drainage anywhere it could. It’s really hard to picture unless you were able to see what was happening. Some drivers began to whip down the street causing actual waves and wakes to rush up peoples driveways and gathering inside the window wells causing some flooding in a few basements. There were a group of us standing in knee deep water on the side of the road pleading to the drivers to slow down so the water wouldn’t rush towards people’s homes. We were met with drivers cussing at us and giving us the finger while they laughed and gunned their vehicles. At times like this I’m so proud to live in a community with thoughtful and helpful people…….NOT!

Just A Fun Night!

Last night was a night filled with many happy memories. We had a few friends over for dinner and drinks and with that came a lot of laughs. It’s funny what your mind seems to tuck away into a small corner and then all of a sudden it comes sneaking out bringing back all sorts of thoughts. There were memories of camping trips and fishing trips along with many “oh oh, do you remember when” stories. There were conflicting stories of our younger days when each one of us remembered the events in a totally different way filling the house with some very loud laughter. I’m sure our neighbors had some private laughs of their own since the noise level seemed to increase through out the evening. When the night finally came to and end there were tight hugs for everyone and promises to get together again. It’s always a wonderful thing to be able to laugh with your family and friends!

Well, here I am at work, the sun is shinning and the weather is beautiful. I’m not going to complain too much about being at work since Mr. Visa needs some attention after a week in Myrtle Beach. The usual Sunday rental group has just started but they are anything but “the usual”. My P.I.C can attest to the “unusualness” of this group. My P.I.C. covered for me for one Sunday, but this is my second Sunday back at work. I had to hold a straight face when one particular person poked his head into the office and welcomed me back and complimented me on my wonderful tan and how well it seems to “glow”. Again, I have red hair. I do NOT tan, but then, maybe it’s the fading “pink” tinge that seems to be “glowing”. If you ask me, I think this fellow has been carrying the P.A system on his shoulders a wee bit to long!

After work I have a few errands I have to get done and then it’s back home to clean the house after last night. Oh, by the way P.I.C., there is a song that’s stuck in my head and for some reason I think of you………………………….a camping we will go, a camping we will go, high heigh-ho the derry-o a camping WE WILL go!

Gonna slip off my shoes and run in bare feet!!!

Well the end of the school year session has just ended and if I’m to be honest with myself, I will miss going into work. I’ll miss the morning coffee and the before class gossip sessions, but I’ll be in constant contact with my P.I.C and our supervisor. Speaking of our Supervisor, I have a feeling she has now stepped over to join us on the dark side. After years of trying to crack jokes with her and having only a slight smile given in return, she now draws smiley faces on our notes and has begun to tell jokes herself. I was away on holidays last week and upon my return I wrote in the log book that I was back. I included a few joking words asking if I was missed and added a smiley face. She actually replied back in the log book that I WAS missed and not only added 3 exclamation marks but she drew a smiley face of her own! She still has her “ dah” moments but she has come along way.

It was hard to keep my emotions under control as the children were saying good-bye and the parents were thanking us for helping their child take their first steps into the world of education. There were hugs and hand shakes as well as major compliments on a job well done. It is nice to know that even though we are a small stepping stone for these children, the parents are truly grateful to us. My P.I.C and I received some very lovely thank you gifts including a very useful glass iced tea pitcher, which by the way will certainly double as a margarita pitcher!

Now that summer is upon us I’m trying to persuade my P.I.C into both of us rounding up a few girls, pull up our big girl princess panties and take a stab at outdoor living for a weekend. Hey who knows what can happen! My P.I.C has been taking more steps out of her comfort zone so it just “might” work. Stanger things have happened. And pssst P.I.C I really am serious about this!!!!