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!

Bye Bye February!

I ended this month with a nice weekend. Finally. A nice weekend.
I got to see my Girls. Yesterday was Mom's Weekend with Chi Omega.

This is the back of my new T-Shirt. Great Lincoln quote. Emily, my Chi-O, and I enjoyed our craft project. We painted a pottery margarita glass. (I will have to show you after it is fired and back). Here is Emily & some of her Sorority Sisters.

Emily is 2nd row, 3rd from right (w/ glasses)

I could kick myself for not getting a picture of us together or one of Annie & Emily when we had lunch first. {What kind of a Mom, forgets to take pictures???}. I am glad my girls choose to do the Sorority thing. It has been a great opportunity for them both.

I also got to see a couple of office friends on Saturday. We met up at my favorite little pie & coffee spot. Grand Traveres Pie Company. Yum Yum! Love this little shop! So glad it isn't closer as I would stop too often!

Here is sweet Airam & me.  I love Airam. She is my sweet substitute daughter that I enjoyed so much working with and developing a friendship. I miss her and working with her allow me to see her daily.

This is Sarah and her precious little Emma. So glad Emma was able to join us as well. Sarah is just an adorable little Momma. I miss her daily as well. When you are thrown together in a work pool, sometimes the friends you make will impact you forever. These gals have done so with me. I do hope to remain lifers with them.

Last night, we had a heck of a storm or two pass through. We fell asleep to the distance sounds of thunder and lightening which always makes for delightful sleep. However, this morning, I awoke at 2:30 to the SIRENS alerting us to severe weather. Checking the television I was alerted to Tornado Warning in my area. Wait a minute... warning vs watch... It's the middle of the night, I cant remember which is the one you take cover.. so I google and YIKES! one has been sighted and could be heading toward my area. YIKES!! Another is sighted close to where my daughters live! OMGosh! Do I take cover? Call the girls? Why is Sergio asleep? He is such a light sleeper! Why isn't all this waking him up??? I sat up watching the reports tracking it, and kept vigil to what was happening outside. The temperature rose to 66 degrees rather quickly... then dropped back to 54. As it dropped I was relieved. I remember when a couple of tornadoes passed through prior. The intense rise in temperature is classic. One afternoon, it missed our neighborhood by a hair, but tore up neighboring neighborhoods. Quite a fright. Then on another evening, as the girls slept, Hubby out of town, I was up late doing laundry, watching and wondering if this was a Tornado. My dryer went off and I stepped into the laundry room. I heard the FREIGHT TRAIN that many mentioned and stepped out in time to see our trampoline twist into the air. It severed two neighbor trees and landed a twisted mess of pieces a few house away.
As a child my friend lost her home, and pets in a horrific storm. She received massive scars from the closet door hinges that torn through her leg.
Last night Hubby did wake when I returned to bed. The sirens were off, and the storms were heavy. We did not get hit, however, with the mast amounts of snow that melted yesterday as well as the heavy storms, we have a lot of flooding around us. My yard is a soggy mess, but no damage.

Annie standing in her flooded parking

Also my girls are fine. It hit south of their area. Annie sent me this picture of her in her parking. Luckily her truck sat high enough. {I think she is standing in a trash bag?}

Today I bid good riddance to February.

Don't let the door hit you in the behind on your way out, February! You were not kind to me. Not a favorite month.
You made me say good bye to a dear friend, and I am still painfully missing him.
Hubby has been not  been feeling up to par all month. He can't kick this throat virus, his back pain has been intense, and his mental being has been challenge from work stress, as well as our loss in Ron.
My youngest was in a serious car accident, and while overjoyed that she and her friends are safe and for the most part okay, I am still concerned about her head injury, and the fact that it still hurts. I think we need to re-visit the Doctor.
February has been unsuccessful for me to find a job... not a real biggy as I have now been unemployed for 4 months now.
Our Indiana governmental situations and the widely splitting of our state, as to who's side you are on. Is very laboring. It makes me sick to think that loved ones can't see this for what it is. Then again, this will be up for discussion, as it really depends on how you see it as to how you feel. Rare is the neutral person. It is a Black or White side. No Gray in between. It is dividing friendships. Regardless it has been difficult, particularly for us and our disposition.

As March Roars in, I am going to embrace it. Bring it on! I can't wait. I am going to be stronger, wiser, and more positive. It's gonna be a great month!
{peace in the valley}