Once Again...Crazy Indiana Weather

March always has surprises for us Hoosiers.  I can remember wearing shorts in March... and I remember wearing coats in March.  We always have our rain boots ready for March, and sometimes we get to pull out sandals.
You just never know in Indy.

Yesterday was my daughters first "evening" of Spring Break.  It also is the first Spring Break whereas my Girls are not running off to some warmer climate such as Florida or Texas to "celebrate SB".  College Spring Break Style... But not to be for them this year. While many of their buddies loaded up for some fun in the sun, my girls will be home in Indiana.  Annie will be working in Muncie, as her Summer Abroad Program to London nears.  Emily is also working, as a Student Teacher here in Indianapolis, with her 1st graders that will not have Spring Break for a few more weeks.

Back to the weather...
Yesterday was one of those CRAZY  WTH? kind of weather days.  The sun didn't shine much and when it did peek out it was eerie.  We had wild thunder storms, strong winds and big booty hail.  And the tornadoes ripped across the Southern part of our state as well as Kentucky, Ohio and Illinois.

Henryville IN 3.2.12

The photos circulating are amazing.  I can't even imagine what it would be like to capture such strength on film. I so appreciate them sharing their talent with us to see.

We have been close to tornadoes but never in a devastating situation like you see on the news.
I remember a few years back, Tornadoes ripping within a mile of us, tearing through a nearby neighborhood as well as shopping area. Damage everywhere.  That day I was doing laundry. I had the windows opened and remember a strange hot breeze coming through (in March). I returned into the laundry room, where I heard a faint train sound... reappearing into the kitchen to see that our trampoline was gone. The weights were still in our yard, but the trampoline was completely gone, as well as the top of three of my neighbors pine trees.  We later found the trampoline two doors over, mangled into twisted metal. We were so lucky.
I also remember as a child, a friend being caught in the middle of one.  She was hiding in the hall closet... the hinges of the door ripped across her (scarring her), but not as badly as the sight she saw of their rabbit pins flying as well as her dog...

Living in the Midwest, we do get a variety of weather changes. We get 4 seasons, in which I very much appreciate..

Today in Indy we had a high of 37 and a low of 27.  Annie and I saw snow earlier on the north side.  Last week, I didn't even need a jacket! My tulips and daffodils started raising their little green stems and I am hoping this cold front doesn't destroy them.

I am so ready for Spring!

Only in the Midwest!

Spring Break is Upon Us

 

Emily left yesterday. By car, with her girlfriends, for her last SPRING BREAK, to Florida. Ironically, she is heading to Daytona Beach, Florida, home of her Mom & Dad's last Spring Breaks of youth. I got a text about an hour ago saying they are in Florida now. 

Annie left this morning at 5am. Hubby took her to the airport, where she and girlfriends are flying to South Padre Island, Texas. The ironic thing here, is I use to go to SP as a child, with my Grandparents. I had a Great-Aunt that owned condominiums in this little vacation town. Annie texted me a few minutes ago to let me know she is in Chicago, her stop & plane change, to head on down to Texas.

My sweet girls still text me, giving me piece of mind, when they are here or there. I got texts from Emily as she crossed into Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and finally Florida.

They both yearn for the ocean air. This they get from their Dad. He craves it as well. They will brown their skin, Emily's hair will poof, and they will soak in the sun. They have loved it since they were babies. They come alive on the beaches. 

Emily's first trip to the beach, she was just 16 months old.  I was pregnant with Annie. We have gone just about every year since then. When you live inland in the middle of nowhere, you crave the warmth and beauty of the sea.  {Personally, I could be happy anywhere, as long as I have loved ones!}

The tiny flip flops in the picture are the girls first pair {hand me down for Annie}. I discovered them recently while starting my baby clothes project. They are so tiny! And were worn so much!

I sit here anxiously waiting for Emily's text that they safely arrived in Daytona Beach, and Annie's text that she has safely arrived to South Padre Island {Annie will have to take an hour shuttle from the airport to SP, once she arrives}. I am grateful they have this opportunity. Worried, as any Momma, but my girls are smart, and they are good girls. But still I worry. They deserve the break, a week to put the school stress out of mind. To have some fun, and to make some memories.

But, I'm gonna worry till they are home safe and sound!

Blessing # 10... Annie's Home!

Well Spring Break is over for my Baby Girl.

Yesterday, my Tanny Annie, bid farewell to her beach, and loaded the plane with her buddies bound for Home.

She looks gorgeous! (sorry, no pics, maybe later) My girls tan so beautifully (thanks to Dad's genes). Annie has a sparkle. The sun, fun, and week off from school & work did her good.

We have this thing I have always done with them. High point, low point. I always ask what the best thing about the event, trip or whatever was (the high point) and what was the worst part (low point). Annie told me the high point was just having the whole group (her classmates as well as other seniors spring breakers) getting along so well, drama free every day & night hanging out together. The low point was it having to end and head back.

Perfect! I am sooo glad she had a lovely vacation! She deserved it! She needed it. A perfect memory for these Seniors to have.

Now to get through the next 9 weeks until graduation!

Spring Break '09 ...part 2

The baby just landed in Fort Myers Florida for "Seniors Spring Break 2009".
This photo was taken one of their last mornings from last years "Junior trip". (Annie's in the navy blue top in the center). Some of these kids will be together again this year, while others choose to go to Panama City, and Cancun. Although, Annie's group has a small group of parents going to the same place, this year our little eighteen year olds are on their own. Annie is sharing a room with three other friends, in one of the only hotels that allow under 25 year olds. Her sister stayed here her senior year. Trust me, not family friendly. LOUD, several wildies, oh and it is LOUD! Several of Annie's friends will be here. In fact it is strange how they all want to be together. Get away from a small town to join all those small town friends in another city. hmmm.

Anyway, I just got the text that they landed the plane safely. These four kids are good kids, They all need this break. Two are top athletics that will most likely get promising scholarships to play in college. Annie is a promising journalist with scholarships on the line. And all four of them are honor roll students. They have good heads on their shoulders and should be able to stay out of trouble. We have drilled the rules into them and worry more about someone coming to their room with trouble than them getting into some. The parentla chaperone has a key and told them she is not afraid to use it.

I said that they are eighteen, We have had our opportunity to raise them the best we could and install good sound morals and common sense. Now it is up to them to prove to us what I already believe. I am not worried about Annie making a bad decision. I worry about the regular stuff. The freak that may run across them or something of that nature.

I just hope that Annie has a wonderful fun filled memory packed week. Beautiful weather every day. And belly laughs that make you snort!

Spring Break Pt 1's Ending

Emily and her friends came back tan, tired, and taxed.

They arrived Saturday morning at 3:30am. Three left in their car to head to their own homes, and two stayed with Emily here at our home. I was so relieved that they made it home safely. Thank You God!

They seemed to have had a splendid vacation. Fun memories were made and living together in a tiny hotel room, they didn't kill each other and are still the best of friends.

Emily and the girls started back to Ball State around 5pm. Emily called me fifteen minutes later.

Em: MOM! I've been rear-ended! We are on the interstate{tears}
Me: Are you okay? Everyone okay?
Em: Taylor's mouth is bleeding, she was on her cell phone & hit it on impact. She is okay though. We got hit really hard by a van. Then another car hit them & we got hit again. I thought we would go through the windshield. Thank God we had our seat belts on!
Me: Stay right there, call 911, someone keep Isabell (her cat)contained, Dad will be right there.

I stayed at home waiting to hear from them.

Apparently, she was yielding the traffic as she merged onto the interstate and the Van driver, wasn't paying attention, and smoked Em. then a Car behind the Van, hit the Van. The police gathered information, said Emily was correct, and after giving her her paperwork sent her on her way. Her back bumper is pushed up, and hopefully no more serious damage. Even with this little bit, Sergio said it's at least $3-4,000. The Van was smashed front and back, doubtful if it was drivable. The pretty little Mustang's front end was hanging off.

Sergio sent them on to Muncie and we will retrieve the Tahoe Monday.

It could have been worse.

I am so thankful they are fine. Cars can be fixed. My baby's life, her friends, they are not replaceable.

Yeah, her Guardian Angels are working some overtime!

Thank God.

Spring Break '09 (part 1)

Well, my oldest Baby Girl (Ms Emily), has safely arrived at her destination in CrazyLand. She, and five friends loaded up the Tahoe and left this morning around 2:30am bound for Panama City Beach, Florida.

Emily, her two roommates Elle & Dana, her Little Sister (Chi-O) Taylor, AND Tony (a lifer from way back Junior high), and Taylor (guy Taylor, not to be mistaken for gal Taylor mentioned above) another cutie patuie college buddy.

Emily has been very fortunate to go to "Spring Break" alot over the years. Junior high, High School and now a second year in College. She has had a lot of fun... and a lot of drama over these trips. This year, she pretty much hand selected these friends to go with, stay with, and make memories with.

Last night when I got home from work at midnight, these six 20-21 year olds were hanging around the living room watching ET and playing...The Barbie board game! Patiently waiting for time to pass so they could get on the road. Cracked me up. I made a comment about the choice of movie and a board game, Taylor (the guy) said, "Yeah, we have gone back to 1994" Personal, I love that they were gathered around laughing and giddy. ET, Barbie, that is okay, anything that makes them have fun.

The kids are excited for some well deserved sun and fun. I reminded the two guys to take care of these four girls and to protect them. Then I added, maybe the girls could protect the guys. They are great friends. They will make great memories this week.

I pray for their safety. After all, they are at Crazyland (have you ever been there during Spring Break? Seriously!) I reminded them to stick together and don't forget the BUDDY SYSTEM at all times!