Story time with Sheila

I cannot imagine going through what the people of Moore, OK have had to endure this week. Just like the people of Joplin, MO experienced almost 2 years ago (almost 2 years exactly). You never expect something of that magnitude to happen to you, until it does. It doesn't seem real. Maybe I am just too sheltered in my little town? I have tried to put myself in their shoes these past few days...going to work and coming home to nothing. All of your belongings, gone. Your house, gone. Car, gone. Everything, gone. Can you imagine? Where do you begin? How do you begin? Something I hope I never have to experience, but if I have learned anything from the happenings in 2013, it's that you never know when the curve ball is coming. To quote the cliche, expect the unexpected. Or, a quote from the film Night of the Twisters, "Hope for the best. Prepare for the worst." 

I have had an infatuation with weather since 2nd grade, when I was the only student in Mrs. Harder's class to get a 100% on our weather/climate unit. It's one of those memories that I will never forget, because she made a big deal out of it. Admittedly, I was a very proud 2nd grader that day. To me, weather is exhilarating and terrifying. It gets my adrenaline going. Commence story time.

Grandma B's Farm: Albion, NE circa 1993: Saw my first ever funnel cloud. Mom and Dad left me with Grandma as they headed to one of Joel's games. It was a beautiful blue sky  with this perfect funnel dipping out of the clouds. Grandma yelled at my uncle John and cousin Scott to get their behinds indoors. I had to go inside into the storm cellar. I hated that place. Crickets everywhere. Not much happened that day. 

Church Camp at Camp Fontanelle: Nickerson, NE circa 1996: The first time I remember being completely terrified. We were in a tornado warning with no underground shelter. A tornado was reported on the ground near Fremont and heading directly towards us. The camp staff had us all in an interior room on the lowest floor available...singing "Kum By Yah." By the grace of God, we just got some nasty wind, lightning and thunder. We escaped unscathed. 

Working at UNL Campus Rec: Lincoln, Nebraska, 6/11/08: I know this date because it was the day an EF3 tornado hit the Little Sioux Scout Ranch killing 4 boyscouts. It was around 6pm, I was getting ready to leave for the day...severe weather looming. At the time, I lived on a 3rd floor apartment, so I didn't really want to go home because my best option for shelter was our garden level laundry room...I felt much safer at the Rec. I had been listening to our weather radio and checking radar all afternoon, and then we were put in a tornado warning. After issuing the alert on the Rec's loud speaker for everyone to take shelter, I stayed near the front to direct traffic. I turn on "beast mode" when situations like this occur at work due to my pumping adrenaline. I had no problem telling the racquetball players who were reluctant to take cover (because their game was more important) that they had 2 options: take shelter, or leave. If they didn't select an option, I would revoke their membership indefinitely. They chose to take shelter. Sheila: 1. Jerks: 0. I have never seen it rain that hard. Once the sirens went off, I made way to the locker room to take cover. We were there for about 30 minutes, and then got the all clear. I couldn't leave work, however, because there was significant flash flooding. I waited it out at the Rec...and then a second tornado warning was issues. Back to the locker room. After the second all clear, I decided to head home (it was now about 8pm). My Kia Sorento (an SUV) was parked on the west side of the 14th street parking garage. To get to my car, I had to wade through water that at one point reached my hips. I couldn't tell where the curb ended and the grass began...so I made my best guess at where to walk. I made the wrong choice. My right foot sunk down into the saturated soil, swallowing my flip flop. I managed to pull my foot up, flip flop included. I was soaking wet, but eventually made it home safe and sound. 

Becky's house: Lincoln, NE: Summer of 2011: When I lived in Lincoln at my friend Becky's house, another friend of mine, Danielle, had come to visit Lincoln. We went out to eat, and watched a movie. She left around 10pm and headed to her sister's house for the night. I wasn't quite ready for bed, so I watched one of the 5 channels that we received with our bunny ears. Severe weather was heading out of Seward County into Lancaster. Just thunderstorms, but then I saw the screen flash from yellow to red. Tornado warning for Lancaster county. I turned up the TV so I could hear it as I took shelter in another room. I had my phone with me looking at the radar. Then I heard Ken Siemek from 10/11 say that a funnel was sighted near the Lincoln airport...which just so happen to be Becky's back yard. I started freaking out, the wind picked up and hail was pelting the front door and windows. I was spooked. It was almost midnight...but I needed to talk to someone to try and calm me down. Becky wasn't home, so I think I was freaking out more because I was alone. I tried calling my mom. Ring ring ring.......no answer. Called Becky who answered. Thank God. I'm sure she called me a freak or something...but I was glad to talk to another human being. The tornado warning expired, and I went to bed, my heart still pounding. The next morning I try to call my mom again. Finally, an answer. 

Me: "Thanks for answering the phone last night when I tried to call you!"

Mom: "Well, I thought I heard the phone ringing...but I just didn't get to it in time.Then I looked at the caller ID and saw you tried to call and figured you would call back."

Me: "YEAH, I KNOW! I was freaking out because Ken Siemek said a funnel was spotted by the airport last night! I needed someone to calm me down!"

Mom: "Oh honey! I'm so sorry! I feel so bad!"

Me: "Next time call me back! I don't call you at midnight unless I really need you!"

--But, I made it out alive, again. Mom felt pretty bad, and I had no problem letting her feel that way for a while. Ha ha. 

That's the last noteworthy story I've got. I'd love to hear of any close call stories you have. 

Weather: GOOD. Stories: GOOD. Weather stories: GREAT. :)

But in all seriousness, you just can't underestimate the power of Mother Nature. Warnings are issued for a reason. Maybe I take things a little too seriously sometimes, but I know the ONE TIME I don't, I will be wishing I had. As the adage goes, better safe than sorry! Please keep the people of Moore in your thoughts and prayers as they try to restore some order to their lives, once piece at a time.

-S

Thong weather and BG purchases

No, not that type of thong....perhaps the more appropriate term would be flip-flop. When I was growing up, they were called thongs. Now thongs have a whole new meaning (butt-floss has got to be my favorite definition), and in order to avoid weird looks and raised eyebrows, I have altered my vocabulary to use flip-flops instead of thongs. Anyway, with the rising temps, more and more people dig out their flip flops. Every foot doctor's nightmare, every girl's dream (unless you're my mother and can't stand the feeling of something between your toes). I love flip flops. So many styles and colors, so simply designed. But that simple design is also the flip flop's demise. They are terrible for your feet. But so are high heels and women wear those too. I just don't think I'd ever be able to kick my flip flop addiction. Especially now that warmer weather has arrived.

As expected, Nebraska has skipped right over Spring, much to my dismay. Today's forecast has predicted a high near 90 degrees, tomorrow around 96 degrees. That is too hot for May. I want a month of 70-80 degree weather before we hit this 90 degree crap. That's July weather! Nevertheless, the fine people of Albion have dusted off their garden tools and brought their mowers out of hibernation to get their fix. Myself included. I will be leaving my rental in the next few months to move into my grandma's house. Outside she has a yard light surrounded by a brick planter. I have planted some annuals there to spruce up the curb appeal. Today the grass will get its first cut of  the year. The place will look great.

Not only will the place look great on the outside, but it will also look great on the inside as I purchased some new furniture this weekend! I am in love. I got everything in this pic, minus the ugly coffee table in the center.

Check out that ottoman! The top comes off and there's storage underneath! L-O-V-E! I can't wait! I haven't done a lot of furniture shopping in my day, so I'm not too familiar with what brands are out there, but this is England. I got it at Deets in Norfolk, NE. Thank you to Brenda at Deets for being so helpful! I love how modern this looks, very ME. I am considering returning to the store and getting a recliner as well. Might as well, considering they have 50 months no interest financing right now. Financing is the best, as long as you don't go crazy. But, I am excited. I like to call these BG purchases (big-girl purchases). Other future BG purchases will include new flooring throughout the main floor of the house. Got some samples picked out, now to get the measurements and estimates! The home improvement never ceases. 

Putting the Bang in "The Big Bang Theory"

As I sit here wishing away the pain that is my low-grade migraine, I realize that I am falling back in old habits of not posting on my beloved blog. Most of my Monday has majorly sucked the big one, so this is a step toward making it better. So without further ado, here we go. 

I love TBS's "The Big Bang Theory." Love the comedy, the relationships, everything about it. But most of all, I love Kaley Cuoco who brings life the the character Penny. In the show, she's a Nebraska gal who moved to Cali looking for her big break as an actress after a rough breakup with her loser boyfriend. Of course, her on-screen Nebraska ties make me love her even more (even though she's a true California girl). 

Anyway, she was recently on Jimmy Kimmel talking about her appearance a the SAG Awards. She decided to rock some bangs to cover up a mishap while filming the show. http://www.upi.com/blog/2013/04/28/Kaley-Cuoco-explains-her-questionable-SAG-Awards-hairdo-I-had-a-black-eye/6491367189009/ It is definitely not traditional Kaley, but she received so much flack about this hair style. There's a video clip of her on Kimmel where she reads some of the reviews...they are funny. I was watching the TV Guide scroll yesterday and they were doing a segment on Meryl Streep, and they talked about how Meryl said, "my appearance has never defined me, my acting has" and I think this is how Kaley should approach the bang situation. She is definitely one of my top 5 favorite actresses, no matter how she wears her hair to an awards show. 

It just made me think about the things women do to keep up appearances...coloring our hair, getting our nails done, accessorizing to deal with those bad hair days, you name it. Always doing what we can to make sure we're looking our best. Wouldn't want anyone to comment on our unwashed hair, or God forbid, our decision to wear bangs to cover an unfortunate black eye. 

It also makes me think kids who want to be movie stars when they grow up. That was never a dream of mine, but life in the lime light isn't always what it's cracked up to be (in my opinion). Your right to privacy is non-existent. You are criticized every second of every day. Everything is blown out of proportion. The paycheck may be nice, but is it worth it? Maybe some people like the constant attention, but I just don't think that's a lifestyle I could handle. I enjoy my life out of the public eye. I would hate to see a headline like, "Local authorities called to Sup residence after screams heard by neighbors." When what really happened was an intense game of Mario Kart in which Cassie hits me with a blue shell as I am inches away from the finish line...I would be screaming "Hooker" or "Whore" at her or something. (Yes, we are serious about Mario Kart...especially if wine has been consumed. I can see a new headline now: "Actress promotes drunken driving.") Maybe I wouldn't be playing Mario Kart if I were famous.......nah, yes I would. Mario Kart rules. 

And as I finish these last few words, my low-grade migraine has been demoted to a headache. You see? My blog is medicine. You're welcome. 

-S

That sums it up

"It is terrible what happened in Boston, but we can't look back, we must look forward," an out-of-breath Hamerlak told The Associated Press moments after crossing the finish line. "The show must go on."
The London marathon concluded just as any marathon should. Runners crossing the finish line, spectators cheering on their loved ones, people enjoying the London atmosphere......no explosions, no bloodied bodies, no life-loss, no suspects on the run. This quote from an article I read on Fox just resonated with me. We've got to press forward. Awful things happen every day....it's been a rough week for America. I heard a quote once that I've carried with me for some time "Not every day is good, but there is good in every day." At the very least, you can consider yourself blessed that you woke up to live another day. That's better than the alternative, right?

Take a second and find some good in today. I've already found so much good in mine: the sun in shining, I bought pretzel bread from Hy-Vee and damn it is tasty, I slept in.....and I've only been awake for 2 hours.

-S

Resilient

Resilient. One of the most fitting words to describe the people of America. We look at devastation and heartbreak head-on and come together to reflect on the events, remember those who lost their lives, and hope for a better tomorrow. I came across a video this morning that was too touching not to share.
I'm not a die-hard hockey fan, although I do enjoy going to the occasional Lincoln Stars hockey game, but the actions of the Boston Bruins (players and fans alike) during the singing of our National Anthem just made me gain back the faith in humanity that I lost on the day of the Boston Marathon bombing. Check it out: http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/boston-bruins-return-to-ice-vs-buffalo-sabres-as-community-heals-after-marathon-bombings-041713
Heartwarming, right?

This morning I learned of the explosion at the fertilizer plant in West, Texas. http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/17/17800341-5-to-15-killed-160-wounded-in-devastating-texas-chemical-plant-blast?lite Though not an act of terrorism like the events earlier this week, it was equally unsettling. Innocent lives lost and many, many more injured. A devastating loss to a small Texas community. But, you know how people will respond: reflection, remembrance, and hope....resilience.

I know this is so cliche, but you really can't take a single day of precious life for granted. You never know when something is going to happen. Tomorrow is not guaranteed, it's a gift. But, I also think that you can't go through life worrying that something might happen. Just make today a good one.

-S

WTF World?!

Okay, so today is a 2-post kind of day.
Immediately following my first post, I heard about the Boston Marathon bombing. My heart rate picked up, my thoughts instantly turned to Christopher Dulak, a good friend of mine who is an avid marathon runner. Thankfully, he is out of the country (just completed the Paris marathon about a week ago) and is safe from harm.
As I viewed the clip of the bombing on MSN, my eyes filled with tears. What the hell kind of world do we live in? We are constantly living from tragedy to tragedy and just hoping we aren't in the wrong place at the wrong time. These runners woke up this morning thinking, "Focus. One mile at a time. Set a good pace...etc," not, "I hope no one shoots me or blows up the place...don't die." It's just revolting that once again, innocent lives have been lost. What can we do to change things? Someone tell me.
So many emotions....sadness, anger, disgust, fear........and yet, hope.

My most sincere thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved. Another sad day in America.

-S

$1,078?!!??

$1078.00 was the average price of _____________ in 2012. Any guesses? 

You might be surprised (I was flabbergasted) to hear this is the average amount people are spending on prom! Wow. Anyone else think that is ridiculously high? According to this article http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/story/2012-04-12/high-school-prom-spending/54224068/1

that amount is up from the average $807.00 spent in 2011. 

I've been out of high school for nearly 10 years now, and my first reaction was, "there is no way I would ever spend that much on prom! Are you kidding me?" Then I started doing my own breakdown:

Dress: $120.00 (10 years ago, the plus size gals didn't have much of a selection, so you bought an expensive dress or you wore whatever else you could get your hands on)

Manicure: $25.00

Hair: $25.00

Tanning package: ? Have no idea what I spent, but couldn't use it after 2 trips to the salon...bad reaction to the bulbs (God intended me to be pasty white for a reason, I suppose). 

Boutonniere: $10? Not sure. Pretty sure my mom paid for this.

That's just the things I can remember, but I'm sure I'm being modest. I know I didn't spend over $150 on a dress. It does add up quickly, and you don't even realize it. That's a lot of money for a high school student (assuming he/she has no assistance from the parental units). 

To you high school girls out there, let me tell you now.......it never ends. When you're in college, you'll go to formals. Then your girlfriends will all start getting married. Then you spend even more money on bridal showers, bachelorette parties, bridesmaid dresses, wedding gifts. Then those friends have babies. Then you buy gifts for their babies. Not to mention that almost every woman is programmed to think, "I have nothing to wear to _____, so I'll have to buy a new outfit." Or, "I always wear this dress, I think I need a new one." Or, "There are too many pictures on Facebook of me in that outfit. Time for a new one." It's a vicious cycle! Wow, it's kind of depressing when you stop and think about it.

Maybe you should start being a bitch to everyone you meet so they don't ask you to be in their wedding. God knows I have served my time as a bridesmaid (though each occasion was extremely fun). 

A blessing and a curse. Just found this article extremely interesting and eye-opening. Enjoy. 

-S