Tornado

Since moving to Illinois, I have experienced two Tornado close-ups. I lived in Anderson, Indiana for 24 years of my life, and only heard the sirens go off once for 2 minutes. The sky was a little green, but nothing big. I didn't even go to the basement. I was home alone, and it scared me a bit, but really, it wasn't a big deal.

However, since last September, the sirens have gone off twice and I had to go below! The first time was the very week I had moved up here. The family I rent from was out of the house. So I was home alone. I will admit, being in a new place and all, it did bother me. Good thing I rent a basement apartment! :)

And the second experience: Was just this week! Yesterday actually. At work! Good thing the church I work at has a rather large basement. What started out as a beautiful sunny day, ended up with a downpour that literally came out of no where. And I was stupid enough to walk to work that day! Not cool.

We got the all call to go to the basement around 3:00. So all the church and school employees piled into the basement level Fellowship Center. What more could we want--It has plenty of space, vending machines, tables and chairs, and the kitchen! :)

The tornado did not touch down in Schaumburg. But there sure were some high winds, thunder, lightning, and too much rain! Brought trees down and everything.

We all went back to work around 3:45. When I left work at 4:30 it was still raining. I taught my voice student, then proceeded to do a little practicing of my own. It had stopped raining. However, as I continued to watch the sky, it suddenly hit me that I might want to walk home while I had the chance, as several rather large, dark clouds were moving in. I packed my bags and headed home amongst high wind and dark sky. I had no sooner hit the front door of my house, and it hit again. I believe it rained all night too.

But I do so love thunderstorms. Inside the house, I treated myself to a relaxing evening of coupon-cutting and visiting with Betty over a cup of Aztec Herbal Tea!

Vacation

Everyone should take a vacation! I took my first real one after a full year of work in a new place, new job, new, well, everything. I should have taken one sooner, but oh well! Mid-August was when it was most convenient. By the time it came around though, I was more than ready for a break. I had shoved all year long and was going nuts!

I had the greatest time! And I just went home to visit my family in good old Indiana. I had forgotten what it was like to relax! Truly relax! I literally did nothing--well, accept enjoy my family, rest, relax, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.

I left Chicago early afternoon on August 10. I drove down to Indy and stayed with my sister. She fixed me this really cool special Tomato Soup. It was ever so good! Then we watched Miss Potter and drank tea! :) Saturday was spent drinking tea, looking at food plans, and baking for my nieces birthday party that night. We made cookie tea cups filled with icing and sprinkles. They were so cute! Took forever to make, but the effect was so rewarding! My entire family came down to Indy to celebrate the party. I think that August 11 can go into my little book of memories. For the first time in a long time that I can remember, my family had a relaxed, fun, laughter-filled evening!

Sunday was church, dinner, church, then a get together with friends and family. I totally pigged out on chex mix! Haven't done that in a long time!

Monday was wonderful!!!! I literally sat all day. Just sat, drank tea, talked with my mom, organized my coupons and recipes. It was wonderful! I mean, I did get up at 7 and exercise; but outside of that, I just crashed.

The rest of the week was spent getting a haircut, cooking special meals for my family, drinking more tea, running errands for my other sister for school supplies, watching movies, etc. On Thursday we did go to the lakes. I have not tubed in I don't know how long! What a hoot! I was sore the next day, but it was worth it! And watching my niece tube was classic! At the ripe old age of 7, she really goes at it!

Friday was my birthday! My parents treated me to breakfast at Bob Evans, an eye appointment, then a party that night! I requested taco salads for dinner! Strange, I know! But I love taco salads! :) Mom and I did visit a couple shops that are significant only to Anderson---Good's Chocolates and Seasons of the Heart. I absolutely had to get the kids a chocolate treat----little chocolate shaped ice cream cones with sprinkles! And they had this coffee sample called Jamaican Me Crazy that was so good! I had two. Saturday was spent doing nothing again. We watched a movie that night and pigged out on popcorn.

I was proud of myself though--I exercised every day.

I left home Sunday afternoon to return home to Chicago. Work came a little too soon the next day! But I at least feel refreshed, somewhat. I mean, you know how it is. You go on vacation, where you relax, but don't rest. Then you need rest from your vacation. That is why I can't wait for the weekend! :) But what a time I had. And I didn't do anything huge! But I did make memories!

Stressing over Smileys

What a twist on words! "Stressing over Smileys!" I mean shouldn't this be happy? I guess it did end happy, but it sure took me a while to get there.

The other day, I was chatting with my sister over gmail. We weren't really chatting about anything----the production of Oliver! I am involved in, food, errands, my blog entries, etc. Nothing much!

I would like to take this moment to insert that one of mine and Stacye's favorite pass times over gmail is to come up with new smileys. Our most recent was the "stick-out-my-tongue-at-you" smiley. Took me forever to learn. But you merely use the colon, then the line next to the zero, then a "p." So fascinating to watch it rotate into position and stick a tongue out at you!

Stacye was about to run an errand, and sent me a new smiley. So I tried to do it. And the attempt went something like this!

"stacye: k. talk at you later. love you!!
me: lov eyou too
stacye: :-o
me: :)
:.o
that didn't work.
:.o
neither did that.
stacye: its an o not a zero
me: :o
this is stupid! :-p
stacye: use the slash by the backspace key
no you are
me: :\
no you are
stacye: :-o
me: grrrr! now i'm getting mad over a smiley face
whatever
i hate you
stacye: shellie, use the colon first then the slash by the zero then the o and not the zero
me: :-o
thanks.
stacye: WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
me: i'm an idiot
stacye: well, anyway
me: you can say that again!
i'm just tired. can't wait to come home
i think that was a blog moment
stacye: definitely!!
me: i'll let yo know when i get it up. wow!
stacye: bye
me: bya!"

Picture this: Stressing over smileys while laughing hysterically at the same time in my office at work. I cannot tell you how many "oh my word"s and "this is stupid"s came out of my mouth. And as if it were Stacye's fault. And who, other than a geek, would sit around stressing over a new look for a smiley! I definitely had a headache by the time I was done!