Survivor

This here is a Crepe Myrtle. They are a quintessential symbol of my growing up in the South. I bought it from a nursery here in the Midwest about 5 years ago. They assured me it was cold hardy for zone 5.  I don't believe I've ever let it sit through a flood - I think I pulled & potted it during the 2009 flood. But here she is sprouting leaves after 2+ weeks under 6+ foot of water.  I'm gonna take this as a sign of a good summer to come!

Tweet

Happy Mom's Day

I don't really talk much about my family. Here or there in generalities. Yes there are the outrageous tales of me & my siblings. And the constant references to my "diddy". But I hardly ever talk about my mom.  Just never really have.
My mom passed away 7 years ago this August. She was way too young to die as far as I've ever been concerned.  My relationship with her was cliche complicated.   We had a very typical push pull relationship - she would always try to pull me closer & I would always push her away.  I'm like my  Daddy's family that way.  But it never meant I didn't love her.  I'm just extremely hard to love..much like my  Daddy's family. 
But I am the walking talking embodiment of my mother.   I have all her physical features.  Crazy multi-personality hair, long fingers & no fingernails, thin lips & baggy eyes.  I even have the same freckel on my thigh that she had.  I also have her same mental/emotional struggles.  I suffer from the same self doubt & criticism that she did.  At times I suffer from the same depression that she did, just not to the same depths.   But I also have her tenacity.
Since her passing I've tried to come home each year for Mother's Day & hang with my family.  I find it reassuring, recharging & sometimes frustrating, but always a blast!  This trip I stopped in to visit with my mom's best friend, Miss Nancy.   Sidenote:  In the South all women are referred to as Miss & their first name.  I love Miss Nancy like a mother.  There are things about Miss Nancy that I wished my mom had possessed but since she didn't so it would be pointless to mention here.  As Miss Nancy & I were catching up, I recounted a particularly difficult circumstance I'd had to navigate in the last couple of years.  Something where I'd really had to stand on my own & defend myself.  I'd never second guessed what I'd done or how I'd handled it, but when I told Miss Nancy the specific ferocity with which I'd done so she said "That right there was Sandra & she would have been so proud!"  Well it may not have come from my own mother's mouth, but it was just as good. 
Happy Mother's Day mom & guess what, I was always proud of you too!

Tweet

Family Time

Tweet

This is the way we go to work

go to work

go to work

this is the way we go to work until the flood recedes!  EVERYBODY SING!

Tweet

these boots were made for wadin'

one of the most popular question we get during any flood is "So are you able to live in your house?"  yes we do/can.  that is usually followed by the "how".  doesn't take much to describe to people the kayaking or john boating in and out.  yes it is a pain, especially when it floods in Feb & there is ice to consider, but hey, i'd rather sleep in my own bed.
what is hard to explain to people is the equipment & logistics.  it is imperative, no matter how high or low the water, that you have a pair of these

these are chest waders.  neoprene to be exact.  they are essential & you must keep them with you at all times!  they are also apparently the perfect Christmas gift from your hubs!
so i get up & do the usual get ready morning routine.  one exception:  do not put your shoes on!  at least i don't because i cannot wear my waders with shoes.  so get all dressed up like normal, except for shoes, and squeeze into your waders.  i now know exactly what a brat feels like!
put all your ancillary stuff in a dry bag (or garbage bag if you forgot to get the dry bag down before the flood uhg!).  do not forget your shoes unless you want to wear the aforementioned waders into work!

and for good measure, maybe wrap that in an rain jacket & cram it in the back of your kayak for the paddle out/in.   have some rope handy (preferably attached to your kayak in the event you need to tie off somewhere & you will!

 lastly, lock up said kayak when you get to shore.  you can never be too careful!

it just so happens that we got these cable locks 11 years ago from my work.  they are just simple computer cable locks - remember back when companies used to literally lock their computers down?  turns out the cable is the exact size to fit through that hole in our kayaks.  not all kayaks have that but ours do.
oh, and be sure to take your paddle with you.  this year's saving grace for me is my paddle comes apart so it's super easy to store in car.  and be prepared to keep a very dirty vehicle over the next few weeks, especially if you let your hubs use your car cuz he will be oblivious to the mud mess he creates in your vehicle.
on the other hand, buy more garbage bags!  wash, rinse, & repeat 3 times a day for at least 2 weeks & you've got it made!

Tweet

Winners

in the midst of all this flood tragedy, remember, There Will Be Hockey.

Nacho's hockey team had their annual cookout on Sat.  this year, due to the flooding, we held it at Moushon Manor!  mad props to Angie & Scott for putting up with hosting us all!

 it was the usual awesome fair of ribs, chicken, pork, and this year's newcomer shrimp boil!  two words:  yum & E!

and of course there was a trophy ceremony!  

Yes Moser that is the traveling trophy!

the important thing to remember people is.....B2B

Tweet

Yeah cuz we need more rain!

Tweet

Nothing stops a hockey player

Come hell or high water! Literally!

Tweet

River Monster

nah really it's just the concrete toad i bought last year finally peeking through.  

we are starting to see more and more of the surroundings!  i can't even remotely say yard cuz we are nowhere near that but we do have the concrete patio back as of last night.  yipee skippy!  nacho says by this Sat we might be able to walk in.  no driving in yet, but i'll take what i can get.  we still have to boat the boxers in/out for bathroom breaks but maybe by Sat the top of our berm will be showing so it will give us them some relief.  haha get it?  relief?  bathroom humor rules!

Tweet