Yet Another Gas Update & more .....

On Saturday, we received a phone call from other Auburn fans. We have been trying to get together to watch a game without success. I spoke with Courtney last Sunday in church about getting together for this past Saturday's game because it was early and wouldn't interfere with bedtimes. Mark and Courtney have two little girls: 4 years old (I think) and a year old.


Well, my mother raised me right (somewhat). I don't usually go to any one's house without taking something to contribute to the menu. I had already planned to make some spinach & artichoke dip for Myron and I to munch on during the game. So I fixed that. Then we needed to make a dessert. Myron asked that I make a Butterfinger cake which I don't think I have made since we were in Florida. Off to the grocery store he goes, while I get the cake baking. While he was at Ingles, he noticed they had gas and there was no line. Promising, right? We really kind of felt like we were coming out of this gas crisis. Well, we head out to Mark and Courtney's with our two little girls and our food donations. Myron says to me to stop at Ingles to top my tank off even though I had a half a tank. When we pull in, there are bags on the handles and the drives are blocked. We head back across the street to the Shell station where a tanker has just pulled in. There were a few people there but no line. I was glad we stopped because the only two stations at the exit Mark and Courtney lived off of were empty. This is getting so frustrating. One good thing was the D&D just down from our house got gas late Saturday afternoon. And it is much cheaper than some of the other places like the Shell station we filled up at earlier in the day.


Even today, there was only one station with gas out of the six stations I pass going to school. Last week, AB Tech canceled classes from Thursday until Sunday. Buncombe county and Asheville city government offices closed Thursday and Friday (if I remember correctly). Then today Buncombe county and Asheville city schools closed for the day. Some businesses in the area even went to 4 day work weeks. I also heard the all the gas stations were supposed to close yesterday but I don't think they did. I know the D&D was open and I think the Shell station in Weaverville was too.


On a good note, Auburn beat Tennesse on Saturday. On a bad note, Alabama beat Georgia. Alabama is turning out to have a very promising team this year. That is very scary for the Auburn team who is not having a promising year so far. They just cannot seem to get their act together. Better luck next week when they play Vanderbilt.

Sarah turns six on Saturday. We will be traveling to Opelika, AL to have a big family birthday party for her. Myron's family drives up from South Alabama, we drive down, and we meet half way at my parent's house. My parents have been working very hard to remodel parts of their house. They pulled all the carpet, except what is in the bedrooms, and put in hardwood flooring. The whole kitchen received new cabinets, granite counter tops, new appliances and tile flooring. Plus, Mama has been very busy painting all the rooms. Oh, and the bathrooms also got tile flooring and granite counter tops. It will definitely be a transformation for us when we get there Friday night.

I have not had a lot of time to plan Sarah's party. Things have been so stressful. The biggest stress being the gas situation. I have not been driving back and forth between school and home so my house is a total disaster. I can't tell you the last time I dusted, vacuumed, or cleaned the bathrooms. I have swished the toilet but that is all. I am so embarrassed and can't seem to find a way to get out of all this mess. So the party has been the least of my worries this last week. I guess I just think it is going to take care of itself. Luckily, all I have to really do is make sure the pizzas are ordered on Friday. If that is not enough, then oh, well. Because that is about all I can do right now. I still have to go get her a present and party plates. I guess I will take care of that on Wednesday (fingers crossed).

Another Gas Report

So Myron got home around 9 p.m. last night. He waited almost 2 hours for gas. Of course, he was one of the last. They were yelling to shut the lines down when he pulled up.

I still had half a tank this morning so I wasn't worried about getting back and forth to Asheville. But I knew I was going to be searching for it tomorrow. I felt somewhat hopeful as I drove in this morning. I saw a tanker getting off the interstate at the New Stock Exit and a line of cars behind it. Then when I got off at the next exit, there were cars backed up at the Hot Spot which had gas yesterday but ran out. They must have gotten another truck last night. Then I drove down a ways and there were cars backed up at the Citgo. I had talked to a friend who was at the BP next to the school waiting. So three out of the five gas stations on this little strip had gas ... promising, right? NOT!!! All the stations were out by the time I came through to go home this afternoon.

I had to stop in Weaverville to drop off movies we had rented and I saw the Ingles across the street was pumping. Hope once again. There was only one way in and one way out. So I got in the "in" line and waited. But I didn't have to wait long at all. I probably waited 15 minutes if that. There were store managers, police officers, and firemen (I think) out directing traffic. There were two lines. When I pulled up to the first Manager, he saw I had children in the back. So he put me in the shortest line. How considerate of him to even notice. I was absolutely amazed at how well the whole process went. I can not sing their praises enough.

I have to say that I feel so much better with a full tank of gas in my car. Some people have been complaining because people with half a tank of gas are "topping off". Well, I have to say ... I am one of those people. If people didn't wait until the last drop of gas was in their tank to fill up, they wouldn't be in such a tissy about the "Toppers". They too could be a "Topper". And the other thing is: I put less than 8 gallons of gas in my car, which left a lot more for others. I'm not waiting until desperation sets in to get gas.

Tomorrow is a new day. This eventually has to work itself out.

Gas Report

Okay, Myron called and the Shell station in Weaverville does have gas. But he is in a very long line. Hopefully the station will not run out before he gets his turn. He probably got there about 7:10 p.m. tonight. I will be curious to see what time he gets home.

What a mess!!!!

I am so scared, frustrated and confused. I feel like our area is slowly dying. We have been in a gas crises for two weeks now and it is getting worse ... not better ... WORSE. Second grade went on an all day field trip, which should have been canceled. It was about 30-45 minutes drive to get there. Every gas station was empty. I tell you ... that is one scary sight. A few of the ladies were getting close to empty. The gas stations that do have gas have so many cars waiting that it's unbelievable. I think in the 35 miles we traveled, we saw two stations that had gas and saw 15 to 20 that are empty. But we could not wait in the lines because we had to get back to the school.

Poor Myron, had enough gas to get to work this morning and barely enough to get home. There is nowhere I can tell him that has gas. There was one station in Weaverville that had a tanker in front of it at 3:30 this afternoon, but the pumps were not open. That was the only ray of hope for gas I could give him. So tomorrow he will probably have to take my car, which has 1/2 a tank of gas, and I will have to drive around town looking for gas for his truck. The only down side to that is I won't have enough gas to drive very far.

I wonder how everyone else is fairing. My Mom (in Opelika, AL) tells me their area has gas just at unsightly prices. Right now, I will take the unsightly price over nothing at all. My Mom-in-law (in Foley, AL) told Myron they are not having any problems getting gas either. So why is it our area is suffering so much.

Oh a happy note, Sarah went on a field trip yesterday to an apple orchard. She got to go on a hayride, walk through a corn and sunflower mazes, and pick apples. She seemed to have a very good time. Today, Bethany went on a field trip to the Pisgah Forest. It was very beautiful there. I got to go along also. We went on a hike, played games, learned about bats and fed the trout. We had a really good time. I will try to post pictures. I just wanted to get my thoughts down while I was thinking about it.

Sunday Happenings

We went to 11 a.m. Mass this morning. And when we came out Myron said "let's go to Tupelo Honey Cafe for lunch." I was all over that suggestion. You know how you go visit strange towns and you are not sure where to eat. So you ask the locals where to go and of course they suggest places like Texas Roadhouse or Mellow Mushroom because they have no clue that these are actually chains (that is what happened to us when we moved up here). We wanted to try some place that was only in Asheville, you know, a signature place. Well in Asheville, we have found it to be Tupelo Honey Cafe. And if you ever watch the Travel channel and they are talking about Asheville, they almost always mention Tupelo Honey Cafe (THC). It is very yummy.

Anyway, I got off track. The bad thing about THC is the wait. When we get there at almost 12:45, it is an hour wait. So we head up the street a little ways to Mayfels. Which is very good, don't get me wrong, but it is not THC. It is very, very different. But I can say, I am branching out on the things I eat. I had a muffalata (?) with an olive salad on it ... different, but good ... with sweet potato fries. It was very good.

Then we headed to Best Buy because, now that Myron has a working radio in his truck, he wants to listen to good music. While we were there, the girls got to play the Wii. I told Myron that has got to be our together Christmas gift this year. I think we would all benefit and enjoy that game system.

As the weekend comes to an end, I have to start thinking about the week and all our happenings. Monday, Sarah has an all day field trip to the apple orchard. They are going with their big friends ... the 6th graders. Tuesday, Bethany has an all day field trip to the Pisgah Center. They will be hiking, learning about habitats, and learn about bats. Wednesday, I have to work. Thursday, I have to have another part replaced on my car. Friday, the school is having a Rummage Sale on Saturday so I will be helping get everything organized. So already a busy week and it hasn't started yet. Plus tomorrow is the weigh in ... YIKES, not after eating a muffalata for lunch and blackberry cobbler for dessert. I may have to pass on the weigh in.

AU vs. LSU

What a bummer!!! Auburn lost to LSU 26 to 21 (I think). I was so bummed I really can't remember the score. But I have to say Auburn didn't go down without a fight. It was definitely a fight to the very end. WAR EAGLE!!!!

Happy Birthday, Nana!!!

Today is my Mom's birthday. I'm sad I am not with her to celebrate. The girls are out of school today and tomorrow so we called Nana bright and early this morning to sing Happy Birthday to her. I am still going to try to talk to her again tonight. I want to see what she has to say about her presents. It would have been a great weekend to go see my parents but we are going to be down there in two weeks. Maybe we should have planned Sarah's party for this weekend. But we will be celebrating her day on her actual Birthday. That will be much better.


Of course, the house is totally destroyed because the girls are home. Not that it was in good shape before. But it is MUCH worse now. Tomorrow is definitely going to be a cleaning day ... not only putting things away but throwing things out. It is amazing how much mess they can pull out in just a few minutes. And yes, Mama, I know it is my fault because I don't stay after them to pick up when they are done. But they are playing so well together and it is hard to fuss at them when they are being good. But tomorrow is a NEW day. There will be lots of fussing and complaining coming through these lips.
Here are a few pictures to show how bad the girls' room is right now. I just want to take a huge vacuum cleaner or shovel and get rid of all of it. Of course, I know I am not helping. I took the sheets of their bed to wash today and haven't gotten them put back on. So their covers and pillows are all over. But how overwhelming is this:

"Turn the Radio On..."

I posted on Sunday, I think. And forgot to tell a somewhat funny little story. As some of you may know, Myron has been commuting from Mars Hill (where we live) to Flat Rock, NC every work day since December 11 (or so), 2007. This is about an hour drive for him down and an hour back. That is two hours on the road every day ..... without a RADIO!!!! (HA HA HA) Can you imagine two hours stuck in your car with no noise, except maybe the wind blowing through the window if it happens to be down. The funny thing is that it will come on ... just out of the blue for no reason and will play for a few days or hours and then go out again. He spent one afternoon taking it apart and trying to figure out what was wrong. It worked for a few days, then went out again. So, finally a few weeks ago, he decided to replace the radio. We went to Wal-Mart on Sunday, and he bought one. Came home and installed it. Wa-la, it works. He is now jamming out and listening to the radio again. I guess his commutes are a little easier on him. I haven't thought to ask. He has been coming home so late. All these months.......

Drum Roll Please......

And the final result is .... 3 pounds lost. I know that is good and all. But considering I lost 7 pounds the first week the first time I did this, it was a little discouraging. Plus, it would have been nice to go below a certain mark on the scale (of which I am not going to disclose). I just have to try harder. I got the walking down last week but I guess I cheated a little too much on the eating. Or maybe it was the lack of weight training. I don't know. All I know is that I have to change something this week.

Goings On...

I am surprised to see that my friend, Tonya, has not been after me to update my posts. But after reading her blog, I realized why. Her life is crazy as always.

The biggest thing going on with me is trying to be a healthier me. I am not going to call it a diet because it is not. It is a new eating plan. A plan that is going to help me be a healthier person. I did get on the scale Friday and was 3 pounds lighter. Which is very good. Monday is the official weigh-in. The number that gets reported in my book. I will be interested to see what the scale has to say tomorrow. Anyway, I did get 4 days of walking in this week which I am very proud of. My Chiropractor will be very excited to hear this news since she has been asking me to walk for about 6 months now.

I do want to talk a little about a football game that was played yesterday: Auburn vs. Miss State. I have to say that game actual sucked and that Auburn really deserved to lose (although, they didn't). The did win 3-2. I will be greatly surprised if my parents still have a TV the next time we visit. I am sure my Dad had a few words to throw towards it if not a shoe. And the 2 points Miss State did get was given to them by Auburn. Because there was a holding penalty in the end zone. Holding... this is a penalty I don't really understand. But these boys know they are not supposed to do it yet they do. I can't tell you how many yards Auburn lost yesterday for "holding". I mean, really, how else are they supposed to stop the defense if they don't put their hands on them to stop the guy from getting by. I just don't get it. But WHATEVER, no on asked my opinion. And the other thing that "got my goat" is there would be a flag on a play that was awesome. Chris Todd threw some amazing passes yesterday and the receivers ACTUALLY caught them (that was a miracle in itself). But then it would be called back because one of the offensive lineman would have a penalty called on him. Sometimes holding; sometimes something else. Just pure stupidness.

So next Saturday, Auburn plays LSU. I do not hold out much hope that Auburn will win. In fact, I believe they will get creamed. There is a teacher at the girls' school that is an LSU fan. So we do lots of talking. Just today we ran into her and hubby at Wal-Mart. One good thing I heard out of their mouth today is that LSU has never won at Jordan-Hare. But there is always a FIRST. And there is the fact that Auburn will plan and practice a little differently for this game than last week's. I will still cheer them on and throw a few of my own words at the TV if I have to. It's a shame I can't call someone up and yell in their ear ... someone that it would matter to ... like the COACH or even a player.

One more thing, I don't know how gas is in your area, but it is unreal here. I do believe I remember someone saying that it would get over $4 before the end of summer. This is definitely the highest it has been for us. It was a little amazing and scary to see how fast it all went up. We had an article in the local paper on Tuesday saying the pipeline would be shut down and that if you hadn't gotten gas that day, expect the prices to be higher on Wednesday. But they weren't. They didn't go up until Friday. I have to share this because it absolutely blew my mind. We have a little gas station, actually two, just down from our house. But there is only one I want to mention right now. On Thursday gas was $3.75 a gallon at this little store. Friday after walking, I came home to shower. When I passed the station at about 9:20 a.m., gas was at $3.84 a gallon. Okay, so that wasn't so bad. When I passed the station less than an hour later around 10:15 a.m., gas was at $4.75. OUTRAGEOUS!!!! I was shocked, totally shocked. I couldn't believe that they would go that high. Now I understand the whole supply and demand thingy from economics but that is taking it a little too far. No one else has gotten that high. The next highest is $4.39. I don't know how they determine who is price gouging, but it would seem to me that this little store might be pushing the boundaries. Just my thoughts.

Okay, enough for tonight. I have got to finish dinner and get my girls ready for bed. Back to school for just three days this week.

Healthier Me And More

Well, I am finishing up Day 3 on a healthier me. I walked yesterday and today with a friend who makes me really work to keep up. I always feel so much better after walking with her. My face was so red. It has been a bit humid up here in the mountains, so I was really sweating at the end of the walk.

My eating has been pretty good. Of course, Monday we went to the fair ... need I say more. I did eat a few chips and salsa yesterday and some cheese bunnies today. But I did walk for an hour each day. And when I exercise, I am supposed to eat more carbs (yes, I am justifying). The scale will have the final say about those mistakes.

I made the mistake of getting on the scale yesterday and today. Yesterday there was no change which I really wasn't expecting there to be. But today it went down 1 pound. I can't very well snub my nose at one pound. But I would have been a little happier with something more, like 30 (ha ha ha). I will try to hold off a few days before I get back on. I will try to give my metabolism a chance to kick in.

Oh I do have to say that my temptation has been challenged BIG time at work. Fr. John celebrated 25 years in the priesthood this year and was honored at church on Sunday. Someone brought a cake with butter cream icing with a picture of him on it. Lots of jokes were flying around the office yesterday ... Poor Fr. John. Anyway, that is one of my most favorite things in the world. The icing is so sweet but works so well with the cake. Mmmmmmm, my mouth is watering just thinking about it. And you know how there is always a trail of icing left around the edge of the cake? Well, I wanted so badly to just get a big glob on my finger and savor the moment. But I TRIUMPHED!!! Yes I did. I have resisted the urge to take just ONE bite. Because one bite always leads to another then to another ... well, you know how it goes. So hopefully, the scale will be nice to me for not eating the cake.

On another note, my sister-in-law (Kathy) called me tonight to inform me she won a cruise to the Bahamas. I was like "and you are calling to invite me to go with you. Sister, I am packing my bags now." But she just laughed and said "Uh, No!" But true enough, she did win and she is setting sail on December 7th for 5 days and 4 nights. Congrats, Kathy. Make sure you take lots of pictures. I want to know all the details ... well, maybe not all but most.

NC Mountain State Fair

What a blast!!! We had such a good time at the fair. The girls actually got to ride some of the bigger rides. One of them was called the Super Shot. It is similar to a Free Fall. It goes up in the air very slow then drops very fast. The girls sat there and watched it go a few times. Then went running to get on. I wish I had been better prepared with my camera to get a picture of their expressions when it came down. They both had their mouths wide open but you could tell they were holding their breath. They didn't scream once. It was so funny. But then they started smiling and said they didn't want to do that again.

We walked so much back and forth from one end to the other. We ate very greasy, nasty food. The girls each got to play a game. Sarah won a crown and Bethany won a stuffed rose. When Bethany was trying to decide which game she was going to play, she chose based on what toys were given away. Of course, she wanted the biggest thing they had but got the smallest. They have this new system now where you can trade up. For instance, two smalls makes one medium and two mediums makes a large. So we set there and figured up it would take approximately $16 to get a stuffed unicorn the size of a webkinz. I have to say the webkinz are much cuter.

So another year has gone for the fair. We will look forward to it again next year. The girls always have so much fun riding all the rides and going through all the mazes. It really is a great fair.

Here they are on the Carousel.









This was just one of the roller
coasters. There was another
one that was more fun, but this
one was faster. The little girl
sitting behind the girls is Brittany. Her
Daddy works for Myron, and she
is Bethany's age. So they had
a playmate some of the time.









This is a picture of the Super Shot.
I took it through a glass that is why
it is a little foggy.









This is the other roller coaster.
It was a caterpillar.









And we couldn't go without a
ride on the slide.









The girls take a little trip hang
gliding.

They even went through the
scary ride all by themselves.
What brave little girls!

Of course, we couldn't leave
without taking a spin on the ponies.

Kid Complaints

I guess one day I will get on here and actually praise my kids. But NOT tonight!!!

The girls played very well together today until right before dinner. You see, they have been collecting these little dogs from the machines at the grocery store. They have a lot and I don't know who got what. Does it really matter? Can't they just share them? No, which begins the fight. There is one dog that they both say is theirs. Just one. And unfortunately there isn't a duplicate like some of the others. So one is crying and heartbroken and the other is hiding it when she can get her hands on it.

Now, I don't ever remember acting like this when I was younger. I remember sharing all my toys with my brother. Yes, Mama, I know you are getting a good laugh off that one. Just kidding. I know my brother and I fought like cats and dogs growing up. He probably still has scars to prove it.

The point is: I just always have a hard time dealing with situations like this because who do you believe. So I end up taking the item away and saying "Now, it is mine!"

On another note... I weighed last week, I think it was Friday. What a scary sight!!! I started a new eating plan back in January and lost 18 pounds. Between March and now, I have gained 13 of them back. I am not too happy with myself. But I have a hard time resisting some foods. I do good the first part of the day and fall of the wagon in the afternoon. So, I got my plan out today and printed out the journal part so I can start over again tomorrow. I just haven't been feeling good lately. I was really feeling good and energized while I was on the eating plan. I would really like to get that feeling back again. So tomorrow morning (with fingers crossed), I am back on it. I am also going to try very hard to walk at least three times this week if not more.

Of course, my first barricade to get through tomorrow is my car. On Friday, the cruise wouldn't set then a light came on "ESC OFF". This is my stability control light. Then today it started shaking which is something I am not used to. So first thing tomorrow morning it is going to the shop at KIA. Maybe it has heard me saying I want to trade it. November will be 2 years. It's time don't you think?

Tomorrow night, we are going to the fair. We always get very excited about the fair. Of course, it is going to be hard to stay on my eating plan at the fair. I am pretty sure there are no fats, oils, grease or sugar allowed on the plan. That is why I definitely have to get some exercise in some time tomorrow. Mental note: take walking shoes that way if they end up keeping my car, I can always go for a walk. Easier said than done.

I will let you know if I make it.

Fashion Show

Okay, I have to say that seeing pictures of myself in my new outfits just makes me want to take them ALL back. What a WHALE!!!! I am so embarrassed that I will probably delete these photos after my very dear friends, who wanted to see the outfits on me, view the blog.

This outfit is hard to see. It was the last picture I took. For some reason the last two outftis I took pictures of are blurry. This one and the green jacket with the purple shirt. Sorry about that. This is a pink wrap shirt with brown walking shorts.





This outfit is a jean pant suit. I am not too crazy about the jacket right now.









I am not crazy about the red shirt. It is just too revealing. Although Myron liked the khaki jacket with a cream colored tank under it with these pants.










This is one of my favorites. Can you tell? Bethany told me to smile so I did. I just need to get some knee high black boots. Don't you think?










Myron nor I really liked this jacket once I got home; although, I did like it in the store. Myron and I decided it was the shirt. Like I said before, we both like it better with a different shirt.










Sorry, this one is blurry too.











There is one more outfit. But I wore it Monday. It is a grey sweater with three buttons at the top and a pair of black pants (in the dirty clothes). It's cute. I really like it too.

Sniffles

Well, it is that time of year again ... Allergy Season. Bethany is so stuffed up. I guess it started on Monday when we were heading home from South Alabama. She started sneezing. Then yesterday she came home with a red nose although she said it wasn't running, just itchy and she kept rubbing it. Then she was up at 4:45 this morning crying because her nose was running and she was tired of wiping it because her nose hurt so bad. I don't believe she went back to sleep. So when I picked her up this afternoon from school, she was very whiny and said she didn't feel good. She isn't running a fever which means she can go to school. She did inform me today that if she still feels this bad tomorrow, she is not going to school. We will just see about that, Miss Priss.

Oh, I have to share this story. Last year when Bethany was in 1st grade, the class adopted a guinea pig, Maybelle. All the kids loved her and fed her every day. Bethany's best friend, Mason, really has a love for animals. I'm not sure how she did it but Mason talked her Mom into buying a guinea pig for the 2nd grade class. Luckily, Mrs. Barcafer (the teacher) okayed this donation. So the guinea pig was delivered to class yesterday. The class voted on a name. You will never guess what it is ... Rascal ... and it is a female guinea pig. Oh awful!!!! Bethany was so upset. Today, I found out Mason was too.

In the 1st grade classroom this year, they have a guinea pig, Maybelle; a lion eared (?) rabbit, Mr. Whiskers; a turtle, Sherman (I think); and a fish (I don't remember his name). It is a regular zoo in there. Mrs. Edwards (the teacher) put the guinea pig and the rabbit in the same cage. Did you get the names? That's right... a male rabbit and a female guinea pig in the same cage together. I guess the class will be having a little biology lesson some time during the year. Ha Ha Ha. Of course, if it actually happens, I won't be laughing. I will keep you updated.

URRRGGGHHHH!!!!

Okay, I know why I am losing all my hair. Her name is SARAH!!!! I just found out tonight that she has gotten her name on the board for the THIRD time. So let's think this out... Three weeks in school ... name on the board three times. I finally went by and talk to her teacher on Friday. I wanted to let her know that I would help in any way I could to get her on the right track. I think I have put a little too much blame on the other little girl. Turns out Sarah is the one getting her own self in trouble. It's at carpet time. When they go to the carpet, Sarah and this little girl start talking. When they are told to stop, the other little girl stops; Sarah does not. So now my frustration builds and builds and builds. The teacher assures me she will involve me if needed. But right now it is just a "social" thing. Sarah is just very sociable. I just want to "nip it in the bud" now. Seriously, what I want to do is be a fly on the wall that morphes into Mean Mommy when she continues to get in trouble. That way I can have a paddle handy and whack her on the backside. That's what I want to do.

I guess I should give Bethany her time as well. My problems with her are this... she has to know EVERY night where I am going to be and what I am going to be doing. And I can't just say "in the kitchen." I have to specify whether I will be on the computer or washing dishes, etc. The other thing is that if we go downstairs to watch a movie after they are put to bed, her stomach starts to hurt and she gags and is hanging her head over the toilet. So now we wait until they are good and asleep before we go down. Only sometimes it takes them awhile before they are good and asleep.

I tell you these KIDS are driving me bananas.

Heading into the Storm

Okay, so most people were heading North away from the hurricane while we were heading South right into the storm. Complete Idiots!!!! We woke up Saturday morning, and Myron decided we were going to Elberta, AL to see his family. After hearing the news about his cousin, he just needed to be with the family. So 11 1/2 hours later, we pulled into Elberta.

The craziest thing happened on our way down... We were told to fill up with gas before we got to AL because people were emptying the stations. So, when we got to Cantonment (just North of Pensacola), we stopped at a Circle K because Bethany had to use the bathroom and we needed gas. As we pull in, I see Wes Greeson. I was so shocked. (A little background information: Wes and Myron worked together at International Paper in Cantonment before we moved to Asheville. They also went to Auburn University together.) Of course, he does just live right down the road where we stopped so it wasn't highly unusual. The timing couldn't have been planned ... it was GREAT!!! We did get to talk to him for a few minutes. I just hate we weren't able to see his wife, Jennifer, and their kids. Wes' parting words to us were "Just be smart." He was talking about the storm. Wes, you let me know how smart we were...

Sunday, we went to church and got to see lots of Myron's family. And during the Mass Gene was remembered. So there were lots of tears shed that morning. After church, we went over to Aunt Trish and Uncle Gene's to see the rest of the family. We got to meet Joseph, Little Gene's son. He is, I think, 6 months old. Such a doll. And I did get my "baby" time in with him. He was so happy and easy going. He has the reddest hair. So cute.

While we were there, some people were watching the weather channel. So I got to see how close the storm really was. I got a little nervous to say the least.

After we got back to Grandma and Grandpa's house, Myron and I talked trying to decide whether to leave Sunday night or head back Monday. We decided it would be better to leave on Monday to miss all the evacuation traffic. We came to a conclusion: don't leave before the storm, too much traffic; leave during the storm, there is no traffic. So with wind gusting and rain falling and water covering roads and tornado warnings all around us, we head toward home. It was a little scary a few times. But we made it.

We were able to meet my family for lunch in Auburn. We got to spend about an hour with them. Then we were off again. It took us 10 1/2 hours to get back including the hour for lunch. We tried really hard to keep our stops to a minimum. The girls were good. They watched their movies, listened to their violin music and sang High School Musical music. But they were tired of being in the car just like Mommy and Daddy were. Our backsides were so sore.

We finally got the girls to bed close to 9:00 p.m. which is an hour later than we normally do on a school night. Unfortunately, Bethany is still awake and it is almost 9:30. I am going to have a time on my hands in the morning trying to get them up for school. I will definitely have to work hard to get them to bed early tomorrow night.