I’m expecting the blog-police to show up and arrest me for neglect. I used to write on my blog almost daily.Yeah, it’s been quiet around here. I’ve been a little preoccupied. Why do I have this lovely white stormtrooper helmet over here? I’ll share why in a minute. For now…
Ready for a few excuses?
- Our oldest daughter is graduating from college in a few days.
- Our oldest son is graduating from high school in a few weeks.
- I’ve been speaking at MOPS groups, women’s conferences and the likes.
- Working on my next book proposal. My agent has been extremely patient.
- We’re moving.
- Far away.
- I have to have my house packed and ready to leave in 55 days.
But, who’s counting?
Our family is leaving the west coast and moving south – Tennessee to be exact. There’s quite a bit I’m looking forward to. And, as you can imagine, quite a bit I’m not looking forward to…like saying goodbye to my family and friends.
Still, there’s a little something that has me a teensy bit concerned.
Tornadoes.
I’m a fourth generation-Californian. I know an earthquake when I feel one. Growing up only thirty minutes from San Francisco, I was around for the “big one” in 89′. As a matter of fact, I know people who were first-responders to the collapse of the Cypress structure in Oakland. It was a very sad thing. But, to be honest, I’ve probably felt two dozen earthquakes in my forty-four years. Earthquakes aren’t scary.
Seriously. They’re not.
What I find scary is a black vortex of death racing towards your home and sucking up everything in its path. Sure, you get a little notice. But, who cares? It’s not like you can do anything except listen to your house exploding and imploding. However the wind decides to beat up your home.
My husband thinks I’m overreacting. I told him recently, “Have you checked out those YOUTUBE videos of the Nashville area I sent you?”
“No.”
“Why not? You need to see that tornadoes are very real down there!”
“Because, you’re worrying over nothing. And, I for one, don’t want to take a ride on your anxiety-train.”
How he can be so calm? After researching how many tornadoes have touched down in Tennessee since 1856, I decided to google “mom blog Tennessee tornadoe” because I knew for sure I would find a reliable, truth-telling mom-blogger source. And, I did.
Except, what she shared made my stomach flop.
When the tornadoe sirens sounded, I grabbed my little ones and ran into the pantry, grabbing our bicycle helmets along the way.
Did she say bicycle helmets?
“Paul! Hey, I just read a mom-blog from Nashville. This gal puts bicycle helmets on her and her kids when they take cover, on her dog too. I think it’s time I get a few new bike helmets.”
Silence
“Did you hear me, cutie? I’m going to purchase a big ol’ bicycle helmet and I’m going to wear it…”
Paul shouted from the other room, “You’re seriously going to wear a bike helmet when we’re living there? Would you like to guarantee our kids will be beat up at school?”
“Yes. I most certainly am. I plan on wearing that thing as soon as tornadoe season begins.”
“Oh brother…” He huffed.
If you happen to be in the Nashville area next tornadoe season, I’ll be the one wearing this white helmet to the grocery store, the library, and even my kids sports events. One can never be too careful.
…and don’t you dare bring up floods. I’m not even going there.
Oh girl… you’re made for this stuff. I’ve lived through floods and tornadoes. But face it, the sweet tea is a good trade. My latest favorite is found at Dunkin Donuts… peace, sweet tea. Oh my… just what you need when the vortex starts bearing down.
Love you. Prayers. Seriously. You’ve got a lot on your plate.
peace~elaine
We don’t have many dunkin’ donuts around here. It’s one of my favorite k-cups for my Keurig machine.
WOW. That sounds SO Californian doesnt it?
The things you say to the hubs CRACKS me up, and if ANYONE is suited for adventure, it’s you 🙂
Thanks friend!
Jo, my friend, Melissa lives close to Oklahoma City, OK. I’ve been on the phone with her while she’s looking at a tornado in the distance. She’ll casually say, “well, I’d better head out and pick up Ciara, the alarms are going off….” and we’ll hang up. Traffic is a mess, she’ll get her daughter, bring her home and life is back to normal. I guess one got pretty close and when I went to visit her, she showed me the regrowth of the trail left by that infamous “F6” (I guess there really aren’t any ratings for it – it was so big). She has told me that she’d rather live there, through all of that than to come to CA and experience an earthquake. Having lived in CA myself since 13, I’ve only felt one, and then it was the hanging boston fern rocking back and forth that gave me a clue something had happened. Melissa doesn’t wear a helmet, but she’s very aware of the seasons. She’s never on the phone for long periods of time during the season, she sleeps with one eye open during tornado season, and she’s very familiar with the “what to dos” and “routes to take” in case something gets close. Homes out there are very inexpensive, too, just like they are in Nashville. You need to start FBing Melissa – she’ll either calm you down or intensify your fears. Either way, she’s a darling Christian woman that will most certainly keep you and the fam in prayer. Love you girl! I have boxes. Let me know. XO
Yep…me and Melissa might just have to meet. And, YES…I would SO LOVE some boxes, Katie! ;O)
I’ve been in both earthquakes and tornadoes and I’m with you… I choose the earthquakes. Glad you’re moving closer to me!
Joanne, I can so relate! Although I’ve never moved cross country, this Texas girl is used to hurricanes and floods. But tornadoes? As I was speaking at an event in Oklahoma two weekends ago, I experienced my first tornado scare. The sirens had gone off the night before (I’d slept through them, though woke up at stuff hitting my window), and our venue was on alert mode. But you know what? I just followed their lead. The event coordinators had the weather channel tuned in and a contingency plan to move all 300 of us to the basement in an orderly manner. They were calm and matter-of-fact. Tornadoes were their earthquakes. You’ll be fine. Just listen and follow those with experience and all will be well. Houses and stuff can be replaced. You, my Friend, cannot. 🙂
Donna, you are such an encouragement.I can’t imagine speaking during a tornadoe alert. God has blessed you with MUCH peace!
But, dontcha think I should still wear my helmet?
Donna, you are such a sweetheart. I don’t know whether your story makes me feel peace or not, though. ha!
What a professional you are…speaking during tornadoes, God’s gifts never cease to amaze me. ;O)
Girl…I’m just glad you are coming a bit closer to me! That’s all. Don’t worry about the little bitty wind that blows…it happens that God made the wind…and you’ll be fine.
We love it here…but honestly, if HE told me to move to Cambodia (I’m sorta wishin’ it) or Bolivia (yep, wishin’ it too) then I would…and I won’t EVEN look up the bugs, weather, tormenting things they have ‘cuz I know WHO is sending…and so do you.
OH I LOVE THE FACT YOU’LL BE CLOSER!!!
Girl…the sweet tea will FAR outweigh the tornadoes!! AND, you will be all that much closer to moi! 🙂
Sweet tea & biscuits. Wow. I better start praying my pants don’t grow along with my love of those two back there.
I’m with you on the earthquakes over tornados. Bring your ruby slippers. BTW you’re not moving south. You’re moving east. Otherwise you’d be moving to Mexico and then you’ll just have to worry about killings and kidnappings.
I’m gonna start crying now, I’ll miss you so <3