I never thought I would experience an earthquake living in central Virginia but on Tuesday 08.23.2011 I did!! It's hard to express exactly how I felt except that it was probably the scariest thing I have ever experienced in my life. I was alone at work in my office when the walls and windows began to shake and stuff just starting falling to the floor. WOW.... I ran outside only to see everyone else running outside too. My whole body was shaking and a feeling of nausea hit! At first I was not sure what it was...maybe an act of terrorism (of which I remember all to well on 09.11.01 and I might have been just as scared then as I was on Tuesday). The first thing I did was try and call my family ... NO PHONE SERVICE...so I began to text!! Everyone was ok (My Mom, Dad, daughters Abby and Bailey never even felt it because they were driving and My Sweetie was on a tractor moving hay and never felt it either). I was getting texts from friends from other states too, some had even felt it there. WOW... the outpouring of concern!! Offices and schools closed, buildings evacuated and some buildings will be demolished as they are unsafe. As I rushed through the office trying to clean up the mess the earthquake had left, I began to worry about my house. So I headed home, worried about my house,my chocolate lab Bella who was home alone and the aftershocks every news station was talking about. When I got home, there were a few pictures that had fallen but all else looked well...until I saw the bricks scattered in my front yard!! The chimney on my circa 1880 farmhouse had suffered some damage.(Well a bit more than expected after My Sweetie got on the roof and it affected 2 of my chimneys). I have felt a few aftershocks but nothing compares to what I felt Tuesday although the last one did scare me enough that I really never went back to sleep. But overall we were all lucky as there were no serious injuries or deaths.
Now they are saying "Irene" is going to "whip" us with her wind gusts and rain. So to everyone out there: Be safe!!! Stock up, board up and suck it up because I think we will be getting some of "Irene" this weekend.
So in life's journey, I would not recommend experiencing an earthquake or hurricane BUT if one comes your way, just remember you can say you were shaken, rattled & rolled!! Oh and by the way, don't think I will be going to see Foreignor, Journey and Nite Ranger this weekend!! Instead I will be singing at home "I've been waiting for a hurricane like you..."
Be safe my friends!! Love to you all
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Life's Journey: Tears
As I watched my dear friend and her family say goodbye to her mother, I saw lots and lots of tears!
Tears come in all different sizes...big crocodile tears, fake tears, small tears that take forever to run down a cheek,tears that make your mouth twitch, tears of laughter and tears of sorrow. I also wonder if there are Tears in Heaven...Eric Clapton thinks not but I am not sure!!!
Some people hold back tears as though it's a sign of weakness and others seem to cry over the least little thing. I cry most of the time in private when no one can see me. Not sure if I don't want others to see me or if it's that I am alone with nothing but my own thoughts. Sometimes it has been a night time ritual only to wake up the next morning with swollen eyes and little black mascara "butterfly kisses" all over my pillow. My Sweetie used to think tears were only for the weak or a way to get pity...over the last year he has seen tears in a different light.
I cried this weekend as I moved my daughter to college for her senior year. I cried at my friend's Mother's funeral. I cried as I read The Help. I cried when I had to make a tough decision that affected my family.I cried watching a movie. So I think it's safe to say it was a weekend full of tears!! They were not all sad and I don't regret any of them. Sometimes we just need to have a good cry...just like we all need a weekend of rest.
Will I cry today? Not sure but if I do I am sure it's what I need.
So as we go through life's journey, do not be afraid to shed some tears ... Big Girls (and big boys) Do Cry!!!
Tears come in all different sizes...big crocodile tears, fake tears, small tears that take forever to run down a cheek,tears that make your mouth twitch, tears of laughter and tears of sorrow. I also wonder if there are Tears in Heaven...Eric Clapton thinks not but I am not sure!!!
Some people hold back tears as though it's a sign of weakness and others seem to cry over the least little thing. I cry most of the time in private when no one can see me. Not sure if I don't want others to see me or if it's that I am alone with nothing but my own thoughts. Sometimes it has been a night time ritual only to wake up the next morning with swollen eyes and little black mascara "butterfly kisses" all over my pillow. My Sweetie used to think tears were only for the weak or a way to get pity...over the last year he has seen tears in a different light.
I cried this weekend as I moved my daughter to college for her senior year. I cried at my friend's Mother's funeral. I cried as I read The Help. I cried when I had to make a tough decision that affected my family.I cried watching a movie. So I think it's safe to say it was a weekend full of tears!! They were not all sad and I don't regret any of them. Sometimes we just need to have a good cry...just like we all need a weekend of rest.
Will I cry today? Not sure but if I do I am sure it's what I need.
So as we go through life's journey, do not be afraid to shed some tears ... Big Girls (and big boys) Do Cry!!!
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Life's Journey: Choices
This morning as I was fixing breakfast for my family, I was thinking "what if I had made different choices in my life?" Where would I call home, what would my profession be, would I be alone, would I live in a big new house and would I have plenty of money?
31 American soldiers died this weekend fighting for our country....what if they had made different choices? Life is full of choices....some good and some not so good. Sometimes choosing poorly the first time makes you strong and allows you to make good choices in the future. Sometimes making a bad choice only spirals your life into turmoil forever.
There are choices that I wish I had not made and choices I wish I had made but like the hands on a clock, we only go forward...no do-overs from the past!
Without the choices I made, I would not have the wonderful family that I have, the friends that are always there when I need them or a job that I dearly love!! A big new house and lots of money???..... well maybe one day!!! I guess you could say that my big old farmhouse is a comfy home which is filled with all the riches I could ever ask for!!
Life is a journey, full of choices!!! There is no book or manual for making the right choice....remember each choice you make will forever effect your life!!!
Big choices set our direction and the little ones get us to our destination....our lives are the sum of all of our choices be it good or bad!!!
31 American soldiers died this weekend fighting for our country....what if they had made different choices? Life is full of choices....some good and some not so good. Sometimes choosing poorly the first time makes you strong and allows you to make good choices in the future. Sometimes making a bad choice only spirals your life into turmoil forever.
There are choices that I wish I had not made and choices I wish I had made but like the hands on a clock, we only go forward...no do-overs from the past!
Without the choices I made, I would not have the wonderful family that I have, the friends that are always there when I need them or a job that I dearly love!! A big new house and lots of money???..... well maybe one day!!! I guess you could say that my big old farmhouse is a comfy home which is filled with all the riches I could ever ask for!!
Life is a journey, full of choices!!! There is no book or manual for making the right choice....remember each choice you make will forever effect your life!!!
Big choices set our direction and the little ones get us to our destination....our lives are the sum of all of our choices be it good or bad!!!
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