Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Cleaning up after the ice storm

To start, please forgive the outdated blog header.  I have not reinstalled photoshop on my laptop yet so haven't been able to make a new one.  And I have not been blogging or Facebooking or reading blogs for some time.  My attentions have been focused elsewhere.  So, don't think I've forgotten about you, my blog-friends.  I've just been a bit AWOL.  


Partly due to the storm cleanup.  Bryan's dad and mom, and his uncle and aunt came this past Saturday to help with cleaning up limbs.  Bryan lucked up and found a portable bucket lift in Clarksville to use to reach the tops of the trees.  Unfortunately, most of Saturday's effort was a wash-up, literally, because it rained the better part of the day.  They only got a few hours in on Saturday.  His mom and dad stayed that night and Bryan and his dad worked like madmen all day Sunday to get the trees done.  Bryan's mom (aka "Nana") helped with the kids and we both kept everyone fed and helped the guys
 whenever they needed something.

It got dark before they got the trees done, but they got a flashlight and chugged on.  I helped them move limbs so they could access the last couple of trees.  On the last tree, the controls up in the bucket stopped working, so I had to stand by the main controls on the base, flashlight held with my chin, while they told me which buttons to push.  Finally, around 7:30 pm that night, they finished, both guys worn out, but it's done.  Now, we just have to clean up the aftermath, but the hard part is over. 

I'll sure miss the shade this summer, but at least we'll have no leaves to rake in the fall :)








                                                

Friday, February 13, 2009

What a Valentine's Surprise!

Just when I think my hubby couldn't get any more awesome, this morning he sent me a gift basket tied with two balloons, and filled with chocolates for me, and candy, cookies, and a stuffed animal for the kids.


The chocolate itself would have been enough to win me over, but he also sent a dozen red roses, and on each one was a note with a Bible verse, each related to the numbers 1-12.  Here is an example:

"THREE:  You have brought into our home three wonderful, loving children that have completed our lives and left an admiration in my heart that I can scarcely describe.  Thank you.
Genesis 3:20--Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living."

I'll never be able to top this year.  I sent him flowers and an e-card yesterday, but wow--what did I do to deserve such a great man who goes out of his way to show his love for me?  I really don't feel worthy right now.  And I'm teary-eyed.  It takes a lot to make me teary-eyed when I'm not pregnant or otherwise hormonal :)  

Thank you Bryan, for being you, my soulmate, my best friend, my husband.  I LOVE YOU!!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

What My Faith Means to Me

When I say, “I am a Christian”

When I say, “I am a Christian,” I’m not shouting “I've been saved!”
I’m whispering, “I get lost! That's why I chose this way”

When I say, “I am a Christian,” I don’t speak with human pride
I’m confessing that I stumble - needing God to be my guide

When I say, “I am a Christian” I’m not trying to be strong
I’m professing that I’m weak and pray for strength to carry on

When I say, “I am a Christian,” I’m not bragging of success
I’m admitting that I've failed and cannot ever pay the debt

When I say, “I am a Christian,” I don't think I know it all
I submit to my confusion asking humbly to be taught

When I say, “I am a Christian,” I’m not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible but God believes I’m worth it

When I say, “I am a Christian,” I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache which is why I seek His name

When I say, “I am a Christian,” I do not wish to judge
I have no authority -- I only know I’m loved

~by Carol Wimmer, 1988


Tuesday, February 10, 2009

I'm thankful...

For all the people who have worked so hard to restore power to our area, our state, and surrounding states.  


For a hot cup of tea and a quiet hour while 2 are napping and one's on her way home from school.

For a loving family who fed and sheltered us for a week while we waited out the ice storm damage and who came to help us top our trees this past Saturday.

For my husband, who works very hard for our family, our church, and our community, and who loves us so much.

For 3 healthy, happy children.

For wonderful neighbors who pitched in to clean up a huge pile of tree limbs.

For God's unconditional love and gift of salvation, that surpasses all other blessings.

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Tuesday, a week after the ice storm

Bryan is supervising the organization of one of 40 "tent cities" that are being put up in Kentucky.  This particular one will house 300 linemen, providing beds, meals, showers, and supplies.  They're setting up in one of the high school parking lots.  He is coming in at 5:30-8:30 am to work there, then to work at the power plant, then back to the "tent city" from 5-10.  Not sure how long he will be doing this, but I do know he's going to be worn out. 


He also says our power is off again, so he has to keep the generator going.  And I think he said our water is out again too, so we may be here in Adair County longer than I hoped.  I was hoping to go back home tomorrow, but it doesn't look like that will happen.  At least we're warm and well cared for here.  

I had the opportunity to take 2 of my neices and my 2 daughers out to Mc'D's last night for supper.  I had a great time with them, though they were a little loud, well, a LOT loud actually :)  But I loved having them all with me.  I don't get to see them much because we live so far away and they're all in school and such.  I'm not happy that we had an ice storm, but I am happy that I've gotten to spend time with my neices and my dad this week.

Sunday, February 01, 2009

Sunday ice storm update

The kids and I are still holed up in Adair County, eating my in-laws out of house and home :)  Bryan says our power is back on, and our neighbor Harold, but only because we share a line with the water company.  Lucky us I guess.  It seems sporadic, however, so we're still waiting it out here until things stabilize.  


There is a boil water advisory for our county, and I saw on the local news that our schools will be closed until further notice.  So, no rush in going back.  Though, I just talked with Bryan and he says we may be able to come back mid-week.  

Our church is still a shelter, though they now have power, since they share a line with the hospital.  Bryan took their generator and helped wire it up to First Baptist church last night.  He's also helped a few friends wire up their generators for home and business.  

I'm wondering when we'll get back into having Meg's Upward basketball games and practices.  I guess that'll be cancelled until further notice as well, since it's held in our church.  It's like the whole county is just on hold until further notice.  

Well, at least I have my laptop and a wireless connection here, so I can play Everquest and blog to my tens of readers, most of whom don't have power and can't read it anyway :)