As the crow flies, as they say. A little over one mile by the road. That's how close last Thursday's EF2 tornado was to my home. *shudders* I really dodged a bullet on that one...The tornado just missed the local synagogue (it's in that subdivision). I knew I heard it, I just didn't realize how damn close it was! And the season is just beginning, folks...

Whoa. I've been watching the news reports about the tornado in Stafford County- there were about 100 houses damaged, several almost completely destroyed. And those were less than three miles away...Counting my blessings here tonight! A few branches down, some plants knocked over, and garbage can moved about 100 feet away! I didn't get to sleep until 3 a.m. last night. The Late Show was mostly preempted for weather coverage...and that damned tornado watch lasted until 3. Plus there was a lot of thunder and lightning, and heavy rain and wind. Not fun.

In other news, I went back to the doctor for a follow up- I've lost ten pounds, and she seemed pleased with my progress with Effexor (it is getting better). So I'm going to continue what I've been doing, and hopefully will lose more weight and get even less depressed!

Finally caught up with Doctor Who, though I missed the Pompeii episode. I watched my tapes of Voyage of the Damned and Partners in Crime and enjoyed them a great deal- I want one of those cute little fat eating creatures for a pet! Of course, they'd make a buffet out of me... :p I watched The Planet of the Ood tonight on Sci-Fi. That was pretty good, too.

I missed Lost tonight- because I was hiding in the basement. There was a tornado warning that lasted about an hour, and there's still a watch until the middle of the night! It sure sounded bad out there. Lots of rain and wind, and trees were bending. I'll probably find a bunch of branches on the ground in the morning!

Tonight was just not fun! I had a bad headache, too. Weather related, I'm sure.

ETA- new warning issued. Oh noes...

...and other disasters! It's snowing and raining. And it's cold! There's going to be ice later.

Choir was cancelled tonight, but not because of the snow. There was a gas leak that caused an emergency evacuation! Yikes. As far as I know, the building is still closed. Well, that's one more choir practice shot to hell. I think the carol service will have to be cancelled. It's in two weeks, and we don't have any idea what we're supposed to be doing. Merry Christmas. Arrrgh!

It was sunny today for the first time all week! Hot, too. But we got great rain...Mom's garden LOVED it.

More stuff, sort of long, so under the cut...

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...beautiful, wonderful rain! It's pouring out right now...hitting the roof, making splashy noises on the ground...I haven't heard a rain like this in weeks! We've been so desperate for rain.

On the other hand...I hope "Dean" stays the hell away from Mexico. That storm looks like it will be worse than Katrina when it makes landfall.

My new toy, the coolest spice rack I've ever seen.



It was a last minute birthday present (and I still have one more gift coming!). I'll never lose my spices again!

It is too damn hot. It hit 104 F in Stafford today, and the humidity was pure evil. It's going to be this way the rest of the week. Poor garden...just when the tomatoes and peppers are really producing.

*whines* I still haven't been approved for the nevillosity community. I have so many Neville stories I want to write...I hate it when communites have to approve you before you can join. 

Still planning to see Order of the Phoenix in IMAX, but it's not going to happen this week. Hopefully, it will be around for a while longer.

Man, I am TIRED. I had to get up at 5:30 this morning to get the dogs walked and fed so I had plenty of time to get to church. The handbell choir had to ring this morning, even though my sister is out of town. She passed her duties on to a young fellow named Brian, one of her former youth choir members! He's about to graduate from college with a degree in music education (I think) and plans to teach in the area. I really think Katie is grooming him to take over her job someday. It's possible to teach full time and work as a church choir director! He did a good job with us and the junior choir.

The dogs were very, very, good this weekend! No accidents, and only a few spots of insane barking. The cat was a little stand-offish this time which kind of bugged me. I had a lot of time to cross stitch. I nearly finished a project, and got a big start on the huge Royal Holiday picture!

It's actually very peaceful at my sister's house. Her property is large, so there's no one around. There's hardly any street lights, so I can see the stars very clearly. I wish I owned a telescope. There were perfect stargazing conditions on Friday night.

It's raining cats and dogs now. There were sheets of rain coming down when I got to church. Fortunately, it didn't start until I was finished with the dogs this morning.

My weekend still isn't over! My sister just got back, so we have an extra long practice tonight. The bell festival is next week!

It's frickin' freezing here in Virginia. We're going to get an ice storm. So my power will probably go out. Some Valentine's Day I'm going to have tomorrow. Cold and probably dark!

My nephew actually gave me a Valentine. A cute card and a box of Lindt truffles. They're almost gone already.   Sam has a girlfriend! I feel so old. He turns 15 on Friday.


Cut to spare the f-list from yet another fangirl post...



I'm suffering from puppy love after watching the Westminster Dog Show. I. Want. An. Italian. Greyhound. NOW!! I just fell in love with that doggy last night. Such a sweet face...and I loved its delicate little feet! And it lost to the stupid toy poodle. If I got a dog, though, the cats would never forgive me.