DDA Chapter 12

[Mommy2EmMoLu]

go to the end and see what they found

That was fun!! Too bad they didn't become millionaires though.

hope you feel better in the morning, Robyn

I do, thanks. Lots of motrin and a bit of sleep.

Elin, John mowed this afternoon.
Our predicated weather for tomorrow is 84º, with a chance of rain in the morning, followed by partially cloudy skies in the afternoon. Winds - SSW at 10 to 15 MPH.

Sounds a lot nicer. We're getting the same type of weather as Elin and Tammi

Hi, everyone,

Thank you so much for all of your prayers and PD. The pictures and reports out of Galveston and Houston are astounding, but it could have been so much worse. Our families are safe, as are their homes (relatively). Where my parents and in-laws live, amazingly, it sounds like they only saw trees and power lines down, lots of vegetative debris, etc. According to their one neighbor that stayed, my parents lost their fence, some limbs are down on trees, etc. My in-laws lost a large pine tree, but thankfully it fell away from their home (on some power lines). Their area is without power, and estimates are that it could be 2 weeks before it is back. Apparently the creeks got really high, but are receding. My in-laws said the wind sounded like a freight train all night long - much worse than Hurricane Alicia 25 years ago which we all rode out.

Jonathan's brothers and families are okay, too. Just lots of wind and rain; one of them lost their fence, and has a minor leak in their roof. The other's street was flooded, but they didn't suffer any damage to their home. Everyone was w/o power, but Jonathan's brother that lives furthest inland got their power back around 8 p.m. tonight.

Again, thank you so much for all of your prayers. I know the coverage of this has been pretty exhaustive on the national cable channels, but if you have DirecTV and just can't get enough, you can watch one of the local Houston channels (CBS) on channel 361. They're doing 24/7 live coverage - it's helpful when you know what you're looking at, and looking for reports on certain areas.

I really hope that Karen and her family are okay. I was thinking of her and her family last night - I hope it's just that they're w/o power, but are okay. Many prayers, Karen!!

Here in Dallas, we just had rain, and a bit of wind - it was a bit of a Catch-22 - the closest it got to a direct hit on Houston/Galveston, the further east it was going to trend away from the Dallas/Fort Worth area. We should have pretty nice weather early next week across the state (highs only in the very low 80's, and nightly lows in the high 50's and low 60's), which will be a welcome relief for all of those w/o power. My parents bought a generator yesterday, and are planning on buying a window a/c unit to take home with them, but the question is if there will be enough gas in the area to be able to keep the generator running for extended periods of time. I just can't imagine being w/o electricity for several weeks, but I know they're eager to get home to assess and clean up the damage.

Again, thank you so much for all of your thoughts and prayers - I know the power of the DDA certainly helped!

Kristine - I hope you're doing okay - your street certainly looked like it belonged in SE Texas today! Please let us know if you're okay - and it's so sweet of you to take care of your neighbor. That is the reassuring thing when things like this happen - to see that people can still care for and help one another.

Many blessings and thanks to each of you tonight - I will check in again soon.

Thanks for checking in Lindsay. I am happy to hear that everyone is safe and that the damage is only minimal. Everyone in that region will be in my prayers this week.

 

[tinknme]

Tom what a beautiful dress & Leighanna is so pretty!

Lindsay thanks for checking in. Glad to here all is well with everyone with minimal damage. that the power is restored soon!

Robyn hope you feel better today!

It is still raining here, I swear my yard looks like a jungle! After today it looks pretty good for the week though.

 

[tinknme]

Good morning

 

[PNO4TE]

Hi, everyone,

I am glad that your family and friends escaped relatively unscathed yesterday, Lindsay. I hope the clean-up is not too daunting for them.

 

[PNO4TE]

Good morning, DDA!

 

[Mommy2EmMoLu]

At the party last night were a bunch of former co-workers, my aunt and I worked together for 2 years right before and after I had Emma. Anyway, Emma was sitting downstairs with a few of them watching the coverage of the hurricane and TX. She mentioned that she hoped Dallas was not under water as she'd be going there in a few weeks. Two of the co-workers had just returned from Dallas and mentioned having taken their daughter, Maddie, to the American Girl store there and asked Emma if she was into AG. So later, I was talking to the co-workers and they were giving me all sorts of ideas and thinking maybe they could sneak another trip down there while we were down there too.

So fast forward to the time we are about to leave and Emma starts telling me all about the AG store in Dallas. I asked her where she found out about it (I hadn't told her as I was planning on surprising her!) and she replied from Maddie's moms. She went on and on about what we needed to do in Dallas why we were there and then her eyes got real big and she asked me "Why does Maddie have 2 moms? Since we were on our way out the door I told her I would tell her in the van on the way home. "Ok Mom, but it's not fair that I only have 1 mom and she has 2. Why can't I have 2 moms?"

So needless to say I had to explain all about how some women love men and how some love women. And also how some men love women and some men. I felt it necessary to tell Emma that Joe was gay as I didn't want her to find out about it later and feel like I kept something from her. It's not something we hid but it just never came up. We talked about families that are different but it doesn't matter if that family looks different than ours because they love Maddie the same way that her daddy and mommy love her. And then she asked why Maddie was Chinese and her moms weren't. So we also talked about adoption as well. It was a long car ride home! And Mo was there too but all she got out of it was that her Godmother and Godfather love her because they play good games with her!! I don't even know how they came into the picture.

It's been a week with lots and lots of discussions!! I'm tired, this mothering stuff is exhausting!

 

[PNO4TE]

At the party last night were a bunch of former co-workers, my aunt and I worked together for 2 years right before and after I had Emma. Anyway, Emma was sitting downstairs with a few of them watching the coverage of the hurricane and TX. She mentioned that she hoped Dallas was not under water as she'd be going there in a few weeks. Two of the co-workers had just returned from Dallas and mentioned having taken their daughter, Maddie, to the American Girl store there and asked Emma if she was into AG. So later, I was talking to the co-workers and they were giving me all sorts of ideas and thinking maybe they could sneak another trip down there while we were down there too.

So fast forward to the time we are about to leave and Emma starts telling me all about the AG store in Dallas. I asked her where she found out about it (I hadn't told her as I was planning on surprising her!) and she replied from Maddie's moms. She went on and on about what we needed to do in Dallas why we were there and then her eyes got real big and she asked me "Why does Maddie have 2 moms? Since we were on our way out the door I told her I would tell her in the van on the way home. "Ok Mom, but it's not fair that I only have 1 mom and she has 2. Why can't I have 2 moms?"

So needless to say I had to explain all about how some women love men and how some love women. And also how some men love women and some men. I felt it necessary to tell Emma that Joe was gay as I didn't want her to find out about it later and feel like I kept something from her. It's not something we hid but it just never came up. We talked about families that are different but it doesn't matter if that family looks different than ours because they love Maddie the same way that her daddy and mommy love her. And then she asked why Maddie was Chinese and her moms weren't. So we also talked about adoption as well. It was a long car ride home! And Mo was there too but all she got out of it was that her Godmother and Godfather love her because they play good games with her!! I don't even know how they came into the picture.

It's been a week with lots and lots of discussions!! I'm tired, this mothering stuff is exhausting!

phew! But aren't you glad you have now had this discussion with Emma? She will take in as much as she needs and ask more questions later. She may also have questions for Joe!

 

[Mommy2EmMoLu]

Yep, I do. Thanks Janet.


I need to scoot. Church/Sunday school start back up today and I gotta be out of here by 8:50. Good morning.

Tom what a beautiful dress & Leighanna is so pretty!

Lindsay thanks for checking in. Glad to here all is well with everyone with minimal damage. that the power is restored soon!

Robyn hope you feel better today!

It is still raining here, I swear my yard looks like a jungle! After today it looks pretty good for the week though.

 

[Mommy2EmMoLu]

Oh yeah!! And with the 9/11 talk I think we've covered a lot for a while. At least I hope so!! Eric says he's glad that I got to do all of this and not him. I could only imagine how he would have explained it all!

I'm going to call Joe today, he'll get a big kick out it!

phew! But aren't you glad you have now had this discussion with Emma? She will take in as much as she needs and ask more questions later. She may also have questions for Joe!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

good morning everyone

 

[bear74]

Tom what a beautiful dress & Leighanna is so pretty!

Lindsay thanks for checking in. Glad to here all is well with everyone with minimal damage. that the power is restored soon!

Robyn hope you feel better today!

 

[bear74]

good morning everyone

 

[bear74]

PD needed here.

Yesterday Virginia started vomiting, this morning we have the other end. Prayers that it goes away very fast and the rest of us don't get it as we leave Sat.

 

[Pooh67_68]

Good Morning.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

How was your weather, Elizabeth?

We just had some rain and a little wind. Even the gusts weren't that bad.

I have to tell you that I am beyond exhausted. The dessert party was fabulous although the site of 50+ desserts really makes you rethink how much you really like sweets. I have a story to share with you but it will have to wait for tomorrow. My head is pounding from all this humidity.

Have a great night.

Hmm. Even 50 desserts wouldn't make me rethink sweets, but if you say so.

Tom what a beautiful dress & Leighanna is so pretty!

Lindsay thanks for checking in. Glad to here all is well with everyone with minimal damage. that the power is restored soon!

Robyn hope you feel better today!

It is still raining here, I swear my yard looks like a jungle! After today it looks pretty good for the week though.

Ditto! Lindsay, I'm glad things are OK with your family!

PD needed here.

Yesterday Virginia started vomiting, this morning we have the other end. Prayers that it goes away very fast and the rest of us don't get it as we leave Sat.

Eek! The Disney curse! I hope everyone is well in time for departure!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Robyn - Lots of teachable moments at your house this week!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

So what is everyone up to today?
All i NEED to do is run to the store and make copies of some pictures for work..other than that, nothing needs to be done!!

 

[bear74]

Eek! The Disney curse! I hope everyone is well in time for departure!

thanks so do I

 

[bear74]

So what is everyone up to today?
All i NEED to do is run to the store and make copies of some pictures for work..other than that, nothing needs to be done!!

hmm not sure,
was supposed to work. It depends on how Virginia feels as to what I get done. I need to check my packing list and make sure I have everything to pack on friday

 

[tinker1bell]

Good Morning DDA

Here is hoping those that went thru bad weather yesterday are doing better today.


Last night was such a big success. Hal was completely surprised. He had no idea at all. Over 50 people showed up.

We even talked about how there were little things leading up to last night and he still did not figure it out. He said he just did not even think about it at all. Even when one friend said he was sorry to have to miss last night. A neighbor said H-Bday and Hal didn't even wonder why is this neighbor saying that cause we all go our separate ways and just wave coming and going from home to work and back. He didn't notice Stephanie's car or even his father's car right outside the place

We had started walking to the restaurant which is a block down from Guenna's home after having a drink and cheese and crackers and he noticed a favorite watering hole was looking busy and commented that they must be having a private party. Guenna says lets see but he didn't want to go in but she pushed him inside.

Sitting right inside the front door was his childhood friend that he has known since they were 9 years old. We hadn't seen him and his wife for over about 12 years or more. Howie got some really good pictures of the surprise on Hal's face. Then he started to look around the room and he is seeing everyone that means something to him in his life. Family, friends from all of the things that he loves to do, neighbors and even friends of our kids that have known him for so many years. Our son Steve even came up from Florida. He was completely flabbergasted. Four hours went by so fast.

Guenna's DH put together a cd of music that Hal really loves. Every other song was a Beatle one. He started it off with three Sousa Marches which were Hal's favorites, ending with Louie Armstrong's--It's A Wonderful World. You could see tears in his eyes because he was remembering a trip to Scotland with his brother Bob, Bob's son and daughter and how much fun they had. When he opened Bob's gifts, he started to cry when he saw a little plaque of the Pub here they had listened to It's A Wonderful World.

He was still on such a high from the evening and he said that if he had to rate where it stood on the top ten, it would be number two--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



number one being when he married me. By then we were both crying. But it was a very good cry. I could not have asked for a better evening if I had had someone write the script for it.