Getting Back to "Normal"

BTW - "normal" is always a moving target.  (family joke)

So yes, things are getting back to normal around here.  It is Monday, I've been up and moving since around 5:30.  Did all the usual morning stuff and then some extra that came up.  Les got up and on the way to play golf.

It is currently 80 degrees and 81% humidity under cloudy skies.  There is just a slight breeze.  There was a gorgeous sunrise this morning!  I took this picture while sitting at a red light on the way to Starbucks this morning.

I spent some time on the phone following up on some things.  Virginia Green says they will be here this week to do the aeration and all that was scheduled for last week.  Joel, our arborist, says he is having a problem finding the tree that we would like to have to replace our dying red maple out front.  All he has been able to find is very small ones.  He will look some more and either give us new info or new ideas to choose from.

And then the longest call was to the Newport News Waterworks office.  They have recently gone to monthly billing.  I am fine with that, but we get our bills online and have not been getting them.  And their website is not up to date.  That issue is being worked on.

I have a couple errands to do and a couple chores around the house to take care of.  One of those is going out and cleaning a huge splat of bird poo (I think) that is on the siding above the garage door.  I had been hoping the predicted heavy rain would wash it away.  That did not happen.

Les and I are going to get our flu shots tomorrow morning. 

As always, life is good!  Stay safe and God Bless America!

Fini. Done. Over It.

Evidently our area is done with Florence.  Everyone is still very concerned for the people in NC and SC though.  I wish them well and a speedy recovery.  I do admit though that I have absolutely no sympathy for the not-so-smart people who refused to evacuate when told to and are now whining about no one coming to rescue them.  As Les says, "what part of mandatory don't they understand?"  If you are told to move out and choose not to, you put others at risk.  And there is no way that the emergency crews should be put at risk to go after someone who didn't listen.

Well, anyway, here we are.  Our area is cloudy and gray, temperature is around 80, and it has been spritzing rain off and on so far today.  During an "off" time Les went out and moved the furniture and grill back onto the deck and patio, picked up branches in the yard, and put the "yard art" back in place.  I moved things back on the porch and then cleaned off the porch and walk. Then I went to buy more bird seed.  The shop I use had a flash sale - got a text notice - and they were giving a free small bag with any purchase.  And we needed seed anyway.  😊

I  noticed a few folks working in their yards doing the same things we had done.  Some were mowing.  People had their kids at the playground flying kites.  (it's still breezy here)

Les and I started our day by going to breakfast at First Watch.  Very good!  This is the best place for what I like ever since Lunch Bell closed. 

So, as always, life is good!  Stay safe and God Bless America!

And here is a smile for you . . . .

P.S.

It's been a couple hours since my previous post.  Thought I'd give a quick update and post a picture.


It is cloudy, 79, and 90% humidity here. Wind at 16 mph, with some gusting.  So, so far, this has been a whole lot of prep work and getting ready, and then waiting.    They are still calling for the rain and winds later.

I had to take a picture of this lovely blooming azalea before all the blooms get blown off.

Stay safe!  Life is good!  God Bless America!

Today's Update

I won't be posting a picture update today, just go back and look at yesterday's.  😊  Things are pretty much the same but with the addition of some tree bits and branches and leaves that have come down in the yard.  It is cloudy and breezy, with only little spritzes of rain here so far.

And this is just the way it goes sometimes with the storm forecasts.  There's a big one out there, it's heading to the coast but no one knows exactly where until it gets close, so you have to prepare and be ready.  God and Mother Nature could send it any which way! You spend days getting ready, then the storm shifts and hits somewhere else.  But you still have concerns and you will still prep the next time.  You need to be responsible and safe!

Florence is pounding North Carolina and South Carolina now.  We are holding good thoughts for our friends there.

I had been looking forward to getting the latest news from Al Roker on the Today Show this morning and our local station preempted them for the whole time.  I really want to see what is going on in the  Myrtle Beach area.  Going to see if I can find any reports later.

Nothing much going on here right now.  Stay safe!  Life is good!  God Bless America!

P.S.  Just in case you need a smile.......

Carolina's on My Mind

We've secured all our outdoor items and are just waiting for the heavy rain and winds to come later.  The forecast for us is now just that and not a direct hit from Florence.  The forecasters are calling what we expect a "tropical storm".  And while we are all relieved about that, my mind is on the Carolina's, especially South Carolina.

Les and I lived in South Carolina years ago and we look forward to our yearly trips to the Myrtle Beach area.  We have friends who live in South Carolina.  Our first baby was born there.  We considered moving there when Les retired.  For several different reasons we didn't, but I do love it there.  I find peace just sitting and watching the ocean.

But for here and now, things are calm for us.  Here is the latest picture update 😊

The wind is picking up and it has been raining off and on this morning.  (not from Florence yet)

So, time to check on the laundry and then settle in to read a while.  In closing, here are two of my favorite pictures from South Carolina.

Sunrise

The dunes

Stay safe and remember life is good!  God Bless America!

The Calm Before the Storm

Yesterday was a glorious, sunny, calm day.  It was also hot and humid, but the sky was clear and the birds were singing.

Right now the sun is out with a few clouds, and it is 81 with 84% humidity.  As of the last report it looks like Florence is going to make landfall around the NC and SC border.  But there is still time for that to shift.  And Florence is so large that it is going to affect a huge area.  The last forecast for us is very heavy rain and high winds.  The areas closer to the water will have storm surge and flooding; all made worse if it coincides with high tide.

We are keeping an eye on the updates.  Sometime today we will go out and secure the deck things and take in the small pieces of yard art in the backyard and the potted plants on the porch.  All the necessary things on the checklist have been done.  Now it's just wait and see.

Cancellations started Monday afternoon.  Cutie Girl's school is closed until further notice.  Jordan's classes are cancelled for the rest of the week.  People living in Zone A are under mandatory evacuation. 

Our friends in South Carolina are all in evacuation zones and they have moved to safety.

I just took this "before" picture.

I had an early morning dental appointment yesterday.  All was well except for one "very small" area that needs some work.  That is scheduled in a couple weeks.  The dentist and some of the staff all live in evacuation zones so we thought we'd just wait.

Then I did a couple errands and some odds and ends around the house.  The yard finally got dry enough for Les to mow.  Things look pretty good out there right now.  We've decided the yard guys won't get here this week to do the aeration, seeding, etc.  Honestly, that is fine.  Even if they did get here, the predicted rain will wash the seed away.  As for marking the sprinkler heads ----- no sense in having the flags blow away so Les is waiting for their call on when they are coming.

I got a call to reschedule my eye appointment that's been on the calendar for Friday morning.  The nice stressed lady said the office will be closed.  😊  Surprisingly she had a time for me in a couple weeks.

Remember, life is great!  Take care of yourselves and stay safe!  God Bless America!

Remembering

Stay safe and God Bless America!