Well, it seems a lot has happened since the last update. There was the ice storm that wreaked havoc on Oklahoma on 12/9 and the subsequent power outages and crazy falling limbs and trees that ensued. Then Christmas shopping, Christmas get togethers, and a trip to the ER. Next was New Year's Eve, and finally back to work (for the non-teachers ;).
ICE STORM
The ice storm was an insane event that most of us even as Oklahomans have never seen. Since this distro has many non-Oklahomans, it's hard to describe, but let's just say that at first it was beautiful but quickly changed to a scary and miserable event for those of us here. The storm rolled in on 12/9. Peyton, Lainey, and I were in Stroud that Sunday and hurried back to Tulsa before it hit so we'd be home. Little did we know we'd be back down in Stroud the next day because our power was out. The night of the storm was, um, scary for those of us with big trees around the house. I scurried from window to window starting at about 3 a.m. trying to see what was going on when all the limbs started falling. It truly sounded like guns going off if you stuck your head outside the door. When the power went out at 4 a.m. here, you could see the night sky lighting up in blues and greens from the transformers blowing up. In my mind, it sounded and looked like war. Then at 7:30 a.m., my big Maple lost a gigantic limb that caused a fire in the backyard. I evacuated in a frenzy and soon after came back and packed my biggest suitcase to get the heck out of here. The fire went out by itself. Shwew.
That Monday, 12/10, Dad set up the generator and soon began Hotel Quandel. We did enjoy the time with those family in Stroud without power as well. Various family members spent time at Mom and Dad's - at one time we had 9 people huddled up playing poker and eating whatever the hot bins at the convenience store had during the first few days. Uncle Jr. was the primary food provider during that time - going to Mema's to cook in the cold and bringing it back for us hungry folks. Dad was plenty busy keeping the generator gassed up throughout the night while Mom kept the household running smoothly in a trying situation. Cousin Steve (Stroud city manager) was one busy guy coordinating the effort to remedy the town's waning water supply and getting everyone's power back on. I returned to my house 11 days later - one of the last to get electricity in Tulsa. I told the linemen (from Georgia) that hooked me up I could hug them! Mother Nature is still in control no matter what we think!!!
CHRISTMAS
Christmas provided us another reason to get together with family, and we all thoroughly enjoyed Mema's pies, fried ham, and usual Southern fixins. I had no idea we had so many guitar players in the family. Cousin Chad has just learned to play, and with cousins Steve, Eric, and Scott gave us a treat by playing for us down at Mema's after Christmas lunch. I could go to a rock concert and not enjoy music as much as I did that day. Relaxing, humorous, good times. One of the most thoughtful gifts was one Cousin Mark gave Mema - a picture of Papa in an angel frame. We really do miss him during the holidays (and always).
On another note, Christmas morning I was opening Peyton's baby doll package (you know the hard plastic everything comes in now) with Jill's new kitchen knife and cut my hand good enough to get 6 stitches at the Stroud ER. Always cut away from yourself, duh!!!
JILL
Jill's had a few 'fills' which means she's gone quickly from almost nothing to about a B cup. She's feeling more normal now, I think, and looking great. Pretty soon she'll have enough hair to style. The kids are doing well, and Lainey is growing like a weed. She looks enviously at the food we eat and gets bites of almost everything. Due to the subprime housing problems, Jerry was laid off from Beneficial but has had some interviews recently. We're all praying for their situation now. Hello 2008!!!! If it's not one thing it's another, but I keep going back to the phrase: "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." - Is. 40:29
Sorry so long, there was a lot to tell!!
Love,,
Amber
========================================
PICS
A look from the porch at Mom and Dad's in Stroud after the ice came
ICE STORM
The ice storm was an insane event that most of us even as Oklahomans have never seen. Since this distro has many non-Oklahomans, it's hard to describe, but let's just say that at first it was beautiful but quickly changed to a scary and miserable event for those of us here. The storm rolled in on 12/9. Peyton, Lainey, and I were in Stroud that Sunday and hurried back to Tulsa before it hit so we'd be home. Little did we know we'd be back down in Stroud the next day because our power was out. The night of the storm was, um, scary for those of us with big trees around the house. I scurried from window to window starting at about 3 a.m. trying to see what was going on when all the limbs started falling. It truly sounded like guns going off if you stuck your head outside the door. When the power went out at 4 a.m. here, you could see the night sky lighting up in blues and greens from the transformers blowing up. In my mind, it sounded and looked like war. Then at 7:30 a.m., my big Maple lost a gigantic limb that caused a fire in the backyard. I evacuated in a frenzy and soon after came back and packed my biggest suitcase to get the heck out of here. The fire went out by itself. Shwew.
That Monday, 12/10, Dad set up the generator and soon began Hotel Quandel. We did enjoy the time with those family in Stroud without power as well. Various family members spent time at Mom and Dad's - at one time we had 9 people huddled up playing poker and eating whatever the hot bins at the convenience store had during the first few days. Uncle Jr. was the primary food provider during that time - going to Mema's to cook in the cold and bringing it back for us hungry folks. Dad was plenty busy keeping the generator gassed up throughout the night while Mom kept the household running smoothly in a trying situation. Cousin Steve (Stroud city manager) was one busy guy coordinating the effort to remedy the town's waning water supply and getting everyone's power back on. I returned to my house 11 days later - one of the last to get electricity in Tulsa. I told the linemen (from Georgia) that hooked me up I could hug them! Mother Nature is still in control no matter what we think!!!
CHRISTMAS
Christmas provided us another reason to get together with family, and we all thoroughly enjoyed Mema's pies, fried ham, and usual Southern fixins. I had no idea we had so many guitar players in the family. Cousin Chad has just learned to play, and with cousins Steve, Eric, and Scott gave us a treat by playing for us down at Mema's after Christmas lunch. I could go to a rock concert and not enjoy music as much as I did that day. Relaxing, humorous, good times. One of the most thoughtful gifts was one Cousin Mark gave Mema - a picture of Papa in an angel frame. We really do miss him during the holidays (and always).
On another note, Christmas morning I was opening Peyton's baby doll package (you know the hard plastic everything comes in now) with Jill's new kitchen knife and cut my hand good enough to get 6 stitches at the Stroud ER. Always cut away from yourself, duh!!!
JILL
Jill's had a few 'fills' which means she's gone quickly from almost nothing to about a B cup. She's feeling more normal now, I think, and looking great. Pretty soon she'll have enough hair to style. The kids are doing well, and Lainey is growing like a weed. She looks enviously at the food we eat and gets bites of almost everything. Due to the subprime housing problems, Jerry was laid off from Beneficial but has had some interviews recently. We're all praying for their situation now. Hello 2008!!!! If it's not one thing it's another, but I keep going back to the phrase: "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." - Is. 40:29
Sorry so long, there was a lot to tell!!
Love,,
Amber
========================================
PICS
A look from the porch at Mom and Dad's in Stroud after the ice came
The tree limb I ripped off when fleeing from the fire
A view of my house from the front
Amber's Backyard
Cousins Steve, Chad, and Scott
A view of my house from the front
Amber's Backyard
Mom and Cousin Mark on Christmas Eve
Cousins Steve, Chad, and Scott
Mom and Mema looking at Papa's picture - bittersweet
Checking out stocking stuffers on Christmas Day
Jill looking at Peyton's and Lainey's pic in her jewel cube
Jill's gift to me made me weepy - in a good way.
Amber's cut - 45 mins in Stroud ER
No comments:
Post a Comment