This n That Thursday

More things I love about being back in Tennessee when I'm not hunkered down during tornado warnings:

• My CSA baskets in the dead of winter.

• Walks with Dora at Berry Farms. 

• Fundraiser Songwriter Nights.  Especially when your brother is a sponsor of the Patron's Party.  And also when Lee Greenwood is there, joined by his sons, who attend BGA, and they give you chills.  Turn it up.

Why I'm Yawning Today

I knew we were in for storms overnight.

Actually looked forward to a break from this January heatwave.

But what blew over was horrific.

First of all, Dora hates storms.  Hates.

So, at bedtime, she got a little "calming" treat.

At 12:30, the howling wind woke me up.

I can hear the grass growing outside, so it doesn't take much to wake me.

I browsed the local TV stations, all of which were live.

Not a good omen.

But the front was still in Missouri.

Dora was asleep.

So I tried to sleep.

At 3 the tornado sirens started.

I turned the TV on again.

The red was close by.

The weathermen on NBC in Nashville live broadcast as their power went out
 and a roar went over the station.

This has just been confirmed as an F2 tornado that hit the ground east of downtown

 and stayed on the ground for 4 miles.

At 3:15, these same weathermen said this: "If you are in Cool Springs, and are near I-65, then you should already be in your safe place."
This is exactly where we live.

So Dora and I ran downstairs and got in the hallway bath.

Then: roaring, groaning and shaking.
Not in a fun way.

It really does sound just like a train.

And just like that, it was gone.

 We were safe.

And the all-clear sounded a little later.

So we went right back to sleep.

Just like veteran storm troopers.

We have had our first "spring" storm.

Only it's not spring.
So, all my friends east of Tennessee, be alert today.  It's ugly.

We may be spending a lot of quality time in that loo.

Maybe I should put a TV in there.

This 'n That Thursday

Things I'm sick and tired of:

• Beyoncegate.
• The actual size of a Subway sandwich.
• How cold it is.  It's winter, people, get over it.
• The Great Flu Shot Debate.
• When people get a stomach virus and call it the flu.
• When people get a cold and call it the flu.
• Conspiracy theories.
• Lance Armstrong.  
• Angelina Jolie.
• Manti Te'o.

You?  

Awesome

that's my boy billy

i wonder what's on his mind

i bet i can guess

Friday Frivolities

• Wheeee!
• I saw Zero Dark Thirty on Wednesday.  Verdict: go see it. 
• I have a surplus of kale from the farmers' market.  Anybody have a good soup recipe?  Without legumes?
• I always thought Lance Armstrong was a creep.  Now I really do.
• Fun fact: he and my mother had an oncologist in common on their respective teams.  
• I am going on a girls' night out tomorrow night with work friends.  We have hired a stretch SUV to drive us all over Nashville.  I'm a little scared.  But like the intrepid reporter I am, I will have a full report next week.
• At what age do we start ignoring birthdays?
• I have been reminiscing about my Barbie dolls lately.  Wonder what that means. Prolly related to the whole birthday business....
• Do you have an exciting plan for the weekend?  

Tuesday Text: Parentexting™

Hmmmm

Wonder what he ended up doing last night?

Monday Mashup

• I had to turn on the a/c Friday.
• We are going to have a "wintry mix" this afternoon and tonight.
• In between, we had some tornado drama during the football games yesterday.  Luckily no one was hurt. Or worse.
• I used my new pink drill and built a whole shelving system for my closet.
• I need a manicure.
• I am getting my place all Feng Shui'd for the new year.
• Today I shall finish my thank you notes.  That is a sworn statement.
• I am so happy that Argo won all those awards last night at The Golden Globes.  Most deserved.
• I need to start training for the Nashville Half Marathon.  Yikes.
• Robin Roberts on Good Morning America is a true cancer warrior.  Such an inspiration.
• The Bird informed me that we are not supposed to double space between sentences when we text.  Really?  Who knew?
• I am old.  And getting older by the day.  I consider that a very good thing.
• How's your day shaping up?

Another Day in the Tennessee Hills

And it needs a caption.

Tuesday Text: Parentexting™

Back home and planning our next visit.

Just remember that you heard it here first:

"spa" is a verb; The Bird said so.

Back to Normal?

While Dora and I were driving back to Tennessee,

we had a few challenges as we crossed through the mountains.

When the world's best dog had a bout of vomiting and diarrhea.

But we made it through, because that's how we roll.

And the Mental P Rugrats, you ask?

They were busy in Vermont:

I wonder how Augie filmed this.

I am not going to think about that though.

I have laundry to wash.

And a car to fumigate.

What are you doing?

This 'n That Thursday

• Happy New Year, people!
• Dora and I are currently on the road back to Tennessee.  We had an amazing time in Connecticut with our babies/siblings/friends.  And we are ready to get home.
• Best Western hotels are the bomb when you are traveling with pets.  The. Bomb.
• I'm gonna need a few weeks of green tea and lemon water. *burp
• Nancy Grace annoys the tar out of me.
• I just got a gmail account.  I don't know how to make folders or anything in there.  Where can I get help?!
• I am hot almost all the time now.  And I do not mean that in the good way.  gah
• I finally found a great hairdresser in Tennessee.  Great.  I am blonde.  It is good.
• Dora and I were sad to pull away from beautiful Connecticut, but we are excited for our new life and we know 2013 is going to be awesome.  For each and every one of us.
• What do you think of Vitamix blenders?
• And pressure cookers?

xoxo