Good morning friends!
... and a big hug to those of you who expressed concern for our safety after Thursday's big blow. Honestly, it's a comfort to realize folks all over the country hear "Alabama" and "tornado" and think of us.
Personally, I think storm chasers like this fellow are a bit nuts-o, but each to his own.
Again, we consider ourselves incredibly blessed. Most of the destruction and loss of life occurred (in Pelham) only 69 miles north of Chapman Road.
Unfortunately for Janet and Andy, they lost another tree. I hated to be the bearer of bad news. But in Janet's usual resolute-but-sunny manner, she texted: "I'm really trying to believe this is all going to be good in the end, but goodness. It is like once we bought the lot, the trees started falling! I look forward to the day when we are sipping coffee on my porch and remembering these days."
In other news!
I was sure surprised -- but relieved when Tom agreed to let me hire someone to clean our home's gutters.
I put out an inquiry on Nextdoor.com Sunday morning, and by 3:30 a fellow was here. He even acidic pressure-washed those areas where he discovered black mold.
Normally Tom would have gotten up on the ladder and done this himself -- but I put my big size-9 down. As it happened, even the young man doing the job fell to the ground when the ladder slipped.
That's OK. The following day, the thingie I pull to release the foot rest on my love seat snapped nearly in half. Tom wasted no time grabbing his tool box. It took turning the whole thing upside down, but he got it working again. His dignity's intact and my legs are happy again.
So, as part of my 'new year' resolutions, I've decided to start taking better care of myself. (Ha!)
Thanks to son and DIL's generosity, I decided to get a pair of 'good' shoes. Figure all the lower-back exercises in the world won't do much good if I keep wearing these crummy cheap sneakers.
(How do you know you're old? When someone says running shoes and Myra thinks 'PF Flyers.')
So glad I didn't order on-line, because one of my three finalists actually hurt when I tried them on.
In the end I went with Brooks.
Unfortunately, wearing them for a couple hours around the house, my right foot began tingling. Thankful to Anne, whose son is a professional runner and helped trouble-shoot my issues. Who'd guess the right pair of socks could make such a difference!
Anyway.
It's a beautiful day in the Southlands. I could go out front and pull weeds -- or, bungee jump over the Alabama River. Odds are about the same.
Stay safe ... and have yourselves a great weekend!
Hugs, Myra
I'm so glad to hear all is well there, and I can't believe Janet and Andy lost another tree. They must feel like they are living in the movie Groundhog day! So glad you got someone to clean the gutters, Tom does not need to be getting up on a ladder any more. You'll have to start breaking more stuff in the house for him to fix if necessary lol. Enjoy the new sneaks :)
ReplyDeleteHahaha! I'm going to share your Groundhog Day quip! Would you believe, I've never seen that movie?
DeleteA prayer of thanx that you are safe from the storm. Take care and stay indoors. Break a few more chairs so that you both have something to do fixing them again.
ReplyDeleteI hate going up ladders to clean the gutters. Luckily my 90 years-old friend does it for me. We wrap her in bubble-wrap sheets so when she falls off the ladder she just bounces around. The bubbles pop noisily when she rolls into the rose bushes with thorns. It's great fun and she enjoys it so much. She says it's the best exercise she has. Better than bungee jumping over a coal-fired barbecue.
God bless.
Splendid idea, Victor. That actually sounds like great fun!
DeleteI've been wondering and praying. So glad to hear all is well in your neck of the woods, and that even your gutters are clean! LOL. Yes, good comfortable shoes are a must. I like Skechers myself. I have a house pair that I wear all day in the house, and then I have outside pairs and Sunday pair too. Glad your love seat is okay now too. Gotta go. bye for now.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Pam! That's a great testimony for Skechers!
DeleteSO glad the worst of the storms missed you, but falling trees are just down-right scary. Shoes... my size 12W makes me nuts. I can't buy shoes in a shoe store so have to order and hate sending them back. Glad you found a pair you like. xo
ReplyDeleteI hear you, Terri! When Troy was in middle school he wore a size 13. It seemed everything that fit was down-right ugly.
DeleteROFLMAO at the last sentence. that would be the same odds for me to, and I wear a size 9, and sometimes have to get wide 9.. OF COURSE I googled Brooks since have not heard of them. the first thing I saw was running bras, did you get that one that says wear without a shirt? 😁
ReplyDeletethey looks good and I wish I could wear shoes like these, but can't because of my right ankle. what a great gift.. what color? where is the photo?
about the falling trees, i think it is good they are falling before the house is built because what if the house was there and it fell on it.. weeding out the weak trees is good. how would i get on the elephant is my question
I didn't realize Brooks made running bras. Nope, nuh-uh, no way! I just added a pix of the shoes (above).
DeleteGood point about trees falling on their home. YIKES! 😲
Nothing like a solid pair of shoes, along with decent socks, to create comfort for the feet, Myra. Like you, I can't buy shoes over the internet either. So glad Tom did NOT get up on that ladder and that someone else could help you out with the gutters. And yes, I was praying for you all during those storms!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
In my high-heel wearing days, I didn't much care so much about foot pain as I did looks. Sooo glad those days are behind me.
DeleteAlways good to hear you came safely through another storm. We've not had any tornados here in a while, but have had some high winds that had the power out for many in our area, not me, but others. Spring does tend to bring a lot of changes. Finding a good pair of shoes is hard for me. When I finally found some, I bought 2 pairs for when the first wore out. I didn't know socks could make a difference. We have a lot of rain coming down right now, but so far no wind. Glad you have a beautiful day. Happy Sunday !
ReplyDeleteBuying two pair of something that WORKS for you is a great idea! I never knew that about socks, either. So far, it seems Nike 'dry-fit' is a winner.
DeleteAs you know, we spent 21 yrs in Tuscaloosa, and are thinking about coming back somewhere down south...but, like hubby mentioned, "ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO MOVE BACK SOUTH TO THAT NONSENSE?" SIGH
ReplyDeleteAs for shoes...I am on my feet for 8-9 straight hours a day at work. I went with Sketchers and yes, the right sock matters. I have since learned what does and does not work. Now, that doesn't mean my feet don't hurt, because they do. Like I snapped yesterday, "You try standing in one place for 9 hours!" Yeah, I lost it...I also blame the rude folks who come in and act like Karen's (lololol)...ANYHOO...
Thanks for the last laugh; "I could go out front and pull weeds -- or, bungee jump over the Alabama River. Odds are about the same."---big grin...about here too, Myra...lololol
I was telling my son a little while ago, if someone had told me 5 years ago I'd live in 'Torando alley' on purpose, I'd have laughed in their face. Priorities!
DeletePS - Does your employer at least provide a stress-relief mat on which to stand?
Wow - the storms have been incredible these past few days. I'm glad you were unscathed (except perhaps your nerves...). It's really a shame to see so many grand old trees being toppled.
ReplyDeleteThe wind was incredible here on Thursday night - but I think the surrounding forest provides some semblance of protection (at least that's what I keep telling myself).
I tried to clean my gutters once, but the ladder kept toppling over because the terrain is SO incredibly hilly. Doing anything here is a near-impossibility.
Oh Jon, do be careful! I used to roll my eyes when we were made to take ladder safety classes. Nowadays there's little that could persuade me to try -- even on a level playing field.
DeleteI cannot figure how I am so late. But I did get here. I was thinking of Bro Tom and the sax today and trying to put a blog together.
ReplyDeletePF Fliers YEP! Love it. Glad the gutters got cleaned without you getting you leg broke from putting your foot down. LOL
Glad you guys dodged the bullet with the storms. Tornadoes are the worst. And YES we did think of you guys.
Love from Florida...
Sherry & jack
Yeay ... I was wondering if anyone else would get the PF Flyer reference. 🙂
DeleteAs ever, thank you for being great friends!
Interesting posts. Lot's going on. Glad you were safe. Glad you got your shoes worked out. Also glad the gutters got cleaned.
ReplyDeleteHoping all is well with you and the weather. Nick is Mrytle Beach. The water is two minutes from the door of where they are staying. The house is magnificent. I hope the weather behaves until he turns home this weekend. (Praying). I love all my Brooks but right now the Ghost 13 feels the very best on my feet. I do have a couple pairs of Springtime Skeechers. I love good and comfy shoes. Hoping yoiur weke is turning out wonderfully. HUGS
ReplyDelete