Quick trip to the lake

We got up yesterday to make a quick trip to the lake to check on things there.  We knew power had been out since sometime Wednesday and had no idea how long it might be before power was restored.  The problem wasn't so much the power lines from Cullman Electric Cooperative.  The problem was that Brown's Ferry Nuclear Plant was down and until they got everything operational, the CEC couldn't do much to restore power. 

We had left some meat in the freezer, so we knew we had to get it cleaned out.  We really expected that we'd have to throw everything away, but luckily, the freezer had stayed cold.  Everything was almost completely thawed, but it was still cold.  John decided to fire up the grill and go ahead and grill it all.  While he was doing that, I dozed in the hammock.  I know...lazy!!

Since we have a generator there, we decided to go ahead and stay the night.  The temps were cool enough that we weren't miserable without the AC.  John opened the bedroom window before we went to bed, and it made me think of the many nights I spent at summer camp...the smells, the sounds...I love it.  We got up this morning, and since we still didn't have power, we headed on home fairly early.

I "liked" the CEC page on Facebook so I could keep up the progress.  I know that many people have many reasons for wondering when their power was going to be back, but I was really frustrated by the people who made comments like "When will [insert community here] get power.  I want to take a hot shower."  I didn't comment, but I wanted to.  I wanted to tell them they needed to be happy they even HAD a shower to stand in!  Enjoy the fact that you CAN take a shower, cold or hot, in your own home.  I'm sure that the people in Tuscaloosa, Hackleburg, Cordova, Argo, Pleasant Grove, Cullman, and any other place I may have left out would LOVE to be able to take a cold shower in their homes instead of wondering when and where they would eventually find a place to call home once again. 

I understand how it is to be without power for an extended time.  When Hurricane Opal came through, we were without power for almost a week.  Taking cold showers wasn't fun.  Eating peanut butter sandwiches got old.  Having no TV or lights to read by made for some boredom.  I'm sure I complained, but I hope that if I am ever in that situation again, I will stop and say a prayer of thanks for the blessings I have.

As the days have passed since the storms, I have realized how dependent on life's conveniences I am.  Without power outages, stores have had to close.  Gas can't be pumped.  For stores that have been able to open, they have been able to accept cash only.  Because of power outages, ATMs can't operate.  Cash only...no ATM access...Trina would be SOL.  I rarely ever have cash.  Lesson:  always keep some cash hidden for emergencies.  (Note to self--go by the bank tomorrow!!!)

Slowly, power to the North Alabama areas has been restored.  I called the trailer because I knew if the answering machine picked up, we'd have power.  It did. 

I just wish that those who have faced horrible tragedies would be able to be "normal" with the flip of a switch.

Please PRAY for ALABAMA!

Disaster strikes

On Wednesday, April 27, 2011, disaster struck the great state of Alabama.  Numerous tornado-filled storms tore through the state, leaving behind a path of destruction and death.

Storms had already taken lives and property in states to our west before beginning to show their power in Alabama.  The storms began early in the day in North Alabama.  Places such as Phil Campbell, Cullman, Arab, and Hackleburg were affected.  Around 5:01 PM, a large tornado began making its approach to Tuscaloosa, AL.  The Weather Channel and local stations provided live streams of the tornado as it bore down on the city I once called home and still love.  To hear the meteorologists describing what was happening was unbelievable. 

"Krispy Kreme has been demolished." 
"Full Moon Barbecue is no more." 
"You can stand in the parking lot of University Mall and see Coleman Coliseum." 

Words cannot describe how I felt once I was finally able to see pictures of the McFarland Blvd.,/15th Street area.  It was completely unrecognizable.  A poster on www.tidefans.com said his/her son saw pictures and wanted to know if they were of Japan.  In the picture to the left, you can see DCH in the background. 


I later found out that Rosedale Courts, a public housing neighborhood, was essentially wiped from the face of the earth.  Two elementary schools---gone.  Two UA students were among those who lost lives.  So far, 194 deaths in Alabama have been reported. 


As the storm left Tuscaloosa, it headed toward Birmingham.  Again, live, streaming video was being shown, and again, I could not tear my eyes away from the screen.  As the tornado traveled to the east, it grew to a massive size.  The approach was to the north of Birmingham.  At one time, it was believed that the airport would be hit, but the storm went just north of it.

Later, Tallapoosa county was placed under a tornado warning, so John and I got the pups and headed to the basement.  I took the laptop, too, so we could continue to watch the weather.  We didn't stay long because the storm was headed toward the northern part of the county, but we did end up going back down because another storm was headed toward Dadeville.  The path was heading toward StillWaters, a subdivision on the lake not more than a five miles from us.  About the time the meteorologist said that, our power went off, and we heard a distinctive roar.  Within seconds, the power came back on and the roar was gone. 

When I got to work yesterday, I found out that Ed, one of my co-workers, had some damage to his place.  He and his family don't live very far from us, maybe a couple of miles "as the crow flies."  Huge pecan trees were uprooted.  In another part of the county, million dollar homes were decimated at The Ridge subdivision.  One picture shows a pick-up truck thrown on top of downed trees right on the water.  (I can't post any of them but you can view them at http://kennethboone.smugmug.com/News).

I would guess that it is gong to take months for many places to even come close to being "normal" again, and some may end up with a different kind of normal.  For some people--those who experienced the tornadoes first hand or who have lost family or friends--normal may never happen again.  For those, please keep them in your prayers.

And the doctor says...

Surgery is definitely needed for John's shoulder.  It's scheduled for next Wednesday (the 4th), but we don't know what time yet.  It was around this time last year that he was having his wrists operated on.  I think next year, I'm going to put him in a bubble.  A bubble wouldn't have helped with his wrists, though.  :)

He said that the surgeon told him that he should be able to return to work in about a week and a half.  Working with a sling shouldn't be too hard for him.  Or at least I hope not. 

What will be a challenge will be learning to use his left hand to do all the things he is used to doing with his right one.  For the next few days, I should try brushing my teeth, washing my hair, or shaving my legs left handed just so I can have an idea what he'll be going through for six weeks.  Oh goodness!  I just thought about trying to do my hair with only my left hand.  Heck, doing my hair with only my right hand would be next to impossible.  No, I'm sure it would be impossible.  If I were incapacitated, a visit to Lynn for a SUPER short 'do would be in order!

In other, EXCITING news...

Jess and Lance have bought a house!  YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!  They haven't closed yet, and the bank wanted to do it on July 1, but they are going to try to get it earlier.  Jessi is just afraid July 1 is cutting it a tad too close to Mr. Layton's arrival.  It would be their luck that right in the middle of the signing, her water would break.  LOL

John and I haven't seen the house in person yet, but from what we've seen on the website, it looks great.  It's a nice size, it looks like it has been kept up well, and it has a very nice fenced backyard.  To me, that is probably one of the nicest features because they have 3 dogs AND because it will give Layton a nice place to play.  Distance wise, I don't think it will be any farther away than what they are now, but it will probably be a little more convenient to swing by since we are usually in Opelika a few times a month.  Hopefully, they'll get the closing done and moved in something mid- to late June. 

Tonight is bunco, and honestly, I wish I had a sub.  I am tired (my left eye has been twitching like crazy), and I have a headache.  I just want to go home and sleep.  Maybe I can nap for a while before I have to leave to meet the others.

That's it for me today.  Have a GREAT day!

I guess that's about it for now. 

Just stuff...

I didn't realize until just now that my last post was my 500th one!  Woo Hoo!!!  This calls for a celebration!  Ah, nah...who am I fooling?  I'm too sleepy to celebrate.  It's gonna be time to go nighty-night before long.

Out of my 52 students, 50 turned in rough drafts.  (Now THAT is cause for celebration!)  This is the first time I've ever had almost everyone turn in a paper.  The two who didn't...one has quit school according to some of his friends, and the other, sad to say, probably should quit.  The first guy hasn't been to school in weeks now.  I want to look at him and ask, "WHY?  Why give up when you are only a few weeks away from graduation??"  I know some students have situations beyond their control (and far too often we aren't aware of them.)  I don't think that is the case with this guy.  He is simply one of those kids who doesn't realize the value of an education.

The other one had a 20something average for my class last semester.  She was out two or three days a week every week (and she still is.)  She rarely makes up any assignments she missed, and she only half does the ones that she is in school for.  A couple of weeks or so ago, she was in an accident.  Supposedly, she was trying to get into a vehicle when the driver decided to take off.  She was knocked down and I think a trailer that was behind the truck ran over her or something like that.  Of course, rumors were rampant that she'd been run over and was in serious condition.  Not that she didn't have some injuries, but the rumors were much worse that reality.  She finally showed back up this week.  I saw her earlier in the day today, but by 4th block, she had left.  Considering the fact that she was out of school for a couple of weeks, I will give her an extension on her paper, BUT she has to put forth some effort.  Again, she is one who doesn't realize the value of an education.  What does one do?  Not a whole lot!

Our interns were kind of shocked at the apathy/lack of motivation/uncaring attitudes.  The ones who are preparing our college students to become teachers are, too many times, out of touch with the real world.  They tell them to use these cutesy ideas, but honestly, for the kids who don't care, not a whole lot will work.  They tell us to try to find out exactly what does motivate these students, but who has time?  I mean, we already have 25+ students per class (and we teach four classes a day), and by the time we try to cram everything we are supposed to cover, not a whole lot of time is left to get to know our kids.  And usually, the ones who I'm talking about aren't the outgoing extroverts who make it easy, but I do make the effort.

Right now, I'm just counting down the days until the end of the year.  I'll do what I can, but for some of the kids, that may not be enough.

Speaking of the end of the year...in exactly 5 weeks, the class of 2011 will be nearly through with their commencement ceremony.  That means we have 4 full weeks of classes.  The final week will be exams.  Monday will be a normal day.  Tuesday will be 1st and 2nd block exams for seniors and a normal day for 9th-11th grades.  (It will be a completely normal day for me since I don't have seniors until 3rd and 4th blocks.)  Wednesday will be exams for 3rd, 4th, and 5th blocks for everyone, and it will be a half day.  Thursday will be 1st and 2nd block exams for 9th-11th grades, and it will be a half day.  Friday was originally a professional development day, but we're having to use it for our weather make up..from January 10th because we didn't have ANY time built in during the 2nd semester.  It will be a half day for students who come (and we are not encouraging them to be there!)  We have our make up PD day on May 31.  (Cough cough sniff sneeze hark...I think I'm getting sick.)

The last Friday will be ca-ra-zy!!!  All seniors, all administrators, the band (I think), the counselors, the senior sponsor, and who knows who else will have to be at the Sportplex that morning for graduation rehearsal, so IF any students show up for school that day, we won't have any "official" people there.

John goes Tuesday for the consult with the orthopaedic specialist about his shoulder.  The radiologist feels that surgery can't be avoided, but I guess we'll wait to see what the ortho says.  I just hope he can get relief because he is miserable.

Allergies have kicked in this afternoon/evening, and I've taken Benadryl, so I'm thinking it's about time to call it a night.

Have a GREAT weekend!

Rough drafts

I've seen this look quite a bit over the last 4 weeks, and I know I'll see it quite a bit more over the next week.

Senior rough drafts are due today, and the final papers are due next Friday.  I have a handful who haven't had many questions.  You know, the really conscientious students who usually have everything pretty close to perfect anyway, but they just want clarification.  Then, I have a handful of students who have had lots of questions, but they are all good, relevant questions, and they are asking because they truly want to know so they can get things right in their papers.

And then there are the majority of the students.  These are the ones who have done as little as possible and have been content to just squeak by all semester.  I could probably count on one hand the number of questions they have asked (and I'd have fingers left over.)  These students are the ones who make me want to scream!  Most of the time, they are quite capable, but they just do not see the value of an education.  For a few of them, this paper could be the difference in whether they receive their diplomas on May 27.  For a couple, I honestly believe that their mommas may have written their papers.  (Just for the record, if I didn't do what I was expected to do in high school, my parents wouldn't have done it for me.  It would have been a lesson learned!)

Yesterday, I have a few students who were stressing out because they weren't able to access their works cited information because easybib was down.  I told them to keep trying, and IF it didn't go back online so they could get their saved documents, I would make an exception and print THAT for them.  I won't penalize them for something that is beyond their control.  (I refuse to print anything the day the paper--rough or final--is due.  Otherwise, I would spend the entire day printing papers.)  Technology is wonderful, but it can be a pain when it isn't working correcting.

Let's get this day started!  One week down and only FIVE to go!!!

Have a GREAT day!!!!!!!!!!!!!