Winter Storm Update Part Two

Yesterday morning at 4:00 a.m. as the tornados were rolling through our area it was 71 degrees.  This morning when I was getting ready for work the wind chill was 17 degrees.  Somehow "crazy" doesn't even come close. 

The National Weather Service today confirmed that a tornado hit just about two miles from The Compound.  Once again, we thank the Lord for keeping us safe.  But I will say that was way too close for comfort.

Tonight's forecast is for an inch or two of snow, with tempteratures in the single digits tomorrow morning when we head to work. 

Of course we know that this means in 2 or 3 days the temps will probably be back up in the 60's.

Winter Storm Report

TWIT would like to give the official Thumb's Up to the weatherazzi for their accuracy and coverage of the early morning mega storm that blew threw.  They said it would hit Louisville between 2 and 4 a.m., and they were on the money.  The winds started long before that, but it was 3:40 in the morning when the first round of civil defense sirens went off to warn us of tornados in the area.  Also, it was 71 degrees when the storm moved through.

The 'Rents stayed up until 2:00 in case the storm hit earlier, but I went to bed at 11:00.  The key phrase is "went to bed"; note I did not say "went to sleep."  Sleep is something very few people in Kentucky did last night as the very long and wide storm front moved through. I got out of bed at about 3:30, and turned on the TV in my room to watch the weatherazzi's coverage.  When the siren went off, I moved on to the family room to watch the coverage on the big TV.  The 'Rents got up, and we hunkered down in the family room. We didn't go to the basement, but we were prepared and ready to head down. 

We were very, very lucky once again.  As the front moved through, we had maybe two minutes of storm and then just some rain.  But we were pretty nerved up when a tornado was reported on the Indiana side just directly across from us.  We must be living right.

Hardly anyone got any sleep last night, so I know there were cranky adults and kids all over the state today. I don't think I was cranky, but I sure was sleepy.

Wacky Winter Weather Update

The weatherazzi has all of Louisville in a tizzy over the forecasted straight-line winds of 70 mph tonight as the big storm front passes through the 'Ville.  As I type this, the temp is currently 66 and will rise as the evening goes on to the low 70's, breaking the record high for this date.  The warmer the temps are tonight, the worse the storms will be.  From what I've seen on Dopplar radar, this front is massive, and stretches from the middle of Texas well northeast into Lake Superior. 

They predict the storm will move through Louisville between 2 and 4 in the morning, bringing with it the previously mentioned 70 mph winds and a lot of rain.  After the front moves through, the temps will plummet from the 70's early morning to the 30's by late afternoon.

I'm planning on going to bed early tonight, because I know as soon as the storm starts I'll be up and watching the weatherazzi live on the TV coverage.  As always, I'll keep you posted.

Birthday Reflections

I don't like surprises, so the 'Rents told me a few weeks ago that they wanted to have a birthday party for me since they didn't have a party for my second Master's Degree.  I was only happy to oblige.  They asked who I wanted to invite and I told them my work family.  Sure, we disagree at times, and are even mad at each other at times, but like it or not, we're still a work family.  We put together a list of people to invite, and along with my family-family (the Rents and Diva Stacy) we gathered together yesterday evening, 25 strong.

I was nervous at first, but when I saw everyone talking to everbody else and not being click-ish, I eased up.  It was without a doubt the best birthday party that I've ever had.  And this morning at work, the party goers were talking about what fun they had. 

There was a great mix of my work family at the party - some that I've only known for a few years; some I've known since the day I started at ZCO in 1989, and the rest all in between.  We had great food, fellowship and lots of laughter.  I could not have asked for a better party.  Add to that the 100+ people that wished me a happy birthday on Facebook or by phone or email, and it was one hell of a birthday. 

And here people complain and whine about turning 50.  Hah!!!

Happy Birthday To Me

Instead of posting a Link Of The Week, I'm going to get off of this computer and enjoy my birthday.  It's not everyday that you turn 50, and I'm going to has as much fun today as I can stand.

Security Tip Saturday

I hate to keep sounding like a broken record, faithful readers, but I have to stress once again the importance of not posting personal information on Facebook.  Doing a status update of where you are is even more popular than ever on Facebook these days - everybody wants to let everyone else know where they are.  But I have to say again to be very careful and resist the urge to let all of Facebook know you're at the Cheesecake Factory.  I know, I know - there are settings that you can filter so only certain groups can see your updates; most have it set for only friends or friends of friends.  But within the past two weeks, two dear friends of mine have had their homes broken into and all of their jewelry and other vaulables stolen.  Both of the robberies occured when the two ladies had posted on Facebook that they were at a U of L basketball game.  They had their privacy settings set where only friends could see their updates.  But we all know that people can easily get into Facebook and and hack into anyone's wall and news updates. 

So please, please, please be more careful about posting "We're having dinner at California Pizza Kitchen" because you truly never know who will be reading it.

Flashback Friday

This week in the 'Ville, we've had some of the coldest temps in years.  As I drove home today, I noticed that our 'hood Mill Creek was frozen over.  But I'd venture a guess that there's barely a skim of ice on the Creek; not like back in the day.

When I was a kid, before Riverport moved in behind us all, there was a swamp.  This area was at the back of all of the proptery along my section of the road.  It was pretty big.  And in the winter, the water would freeze and it would turn into a big skating and sliding place for us in the 'hood.  And it would stay frozen till well up into March. 

I remember lacing up my skates and going all through the area that was frozen over. Some of the other kids would play a variation of hockey, but most of us would just skate around, just because we could.  I was a pretty good skater back in the day.  Yeah, this means that we had our own ice skates back in the day.  That's because year after year the swamp would always freeze over and we could skate.  And we always had supervision; there were always adults around at the big metal barrels-turned-fire-pits providing warmth, and mothers would always send Thermoses full of hot chocolate for us. 

Flash forward to today.  Riverport has moved in and there is no swamp. There hasn't been a swamp for 25 years or more. And  Mill Creek is still there, but it rarely freezes enough where a person could even walk on it, much less skate around on it.  Thank you global warming for taking that childhood pleasure away from us.

Something You Don't See Every Day

This is truly something you don't see every day -- the Pope using an iPad.

I wonder if he was on Facebook updating his status?

Guitar Update

My fingertips were sore and tender, but I stuck with it and played for about 30 minutes last night. I'm going to make myself pick up the guitar every day and play for at least 10 minutes.  While I was playing last night, I remembered how much I used to love it.  It didn't take long for that feeling to come back. 

It's Time

At supper tonight, my sweet mother said her current prayer was that I started playing the guitar again.  Your prayer is being answered tonight.  If that wasn't enough to shame me, I don't know what else will.

I'm signing off of the computer right now and will pick up my beloved Takamine and will play tonight.  Tomorrrow in TWIT, I will give a full report of my practicing tonight. I promise.

Hat's Off Monday

I don't normally single anyone out in TWIT, because everyone that reads my blog is special to me.  But today I need to give a shout out to Suzie Q Woo.  Hat's off to you, my friend.  

She helped me out of a major bind today, and saved me a lot of time and trouble.  You rock, Suzie Q Woo.  And I thank you for helping me out tonight.  Anytime I can repay the favor, all you need to do is ask. 

Link Of The Week

One of my friends at church started blogging last year, and on January 1, 2012, he started a blog titled Leap Year Lessons.  He limited each post to 365 words - one word for every day in the year. I love his blog, and I was very honored to be a guest blogger for him a couple of times last year. 

I'd like you to take the time to read his blog at http://jeffrossblog.com/author/jeffkross/ and join as a follower.  He's a great guy, and every blog I've read so far has a lesson for me.

Security Tip Saturday

Identity theft seems to be as big of an epidemic as the flu right now, and I'd like to give a tip that could help you if your information is compromised and your credit/debit card info is stolen. 

If you shop online (like most of us these days) please use your credit card.  If you don't have a credit card and you like to shop online, please get a Capital One or Chase or whatever bank credit card just for online purchases.  If your info gets hacked and someone steals your debit card info and uses it, you will be responsible for the first $500 worth of charges.  If your credit card info gets hacked and someone uses it, you will only be responsible for $50 worth of charges.  That's a HUGE difference. 

I'm borderline anti-credit card, having been raised by parents and grandparents who paid cash for everything. I do have a credit card; actually two - one for me and one in my company name.  But I've paid both off and have zero balances on them.  I use my personal credit card to shop online.  As soon as I order something, I immediately go to my credit card payment website and I pay the amount from my checking account.

So be safe when you shop online and use your credit card, and be sure to pay it off before you get any interest charges.

Flashback Friday

Let me preface by saying I wish I had pictures to accompany this post, but I don't.  That having been said, let's get on with Flashback Friday.

Today, I reminisced to January 18, 1994.  It was the morning that we awoke to a foot and a half of snow.  The night before, the weatherazzi was only calling for a chance of a little sleet.  I had already called our old friend and company CEO Uncle Don to tell him that if the roads were too bad, to don't bother stopping by and giving me a ride to work.

We woke that Monday morning to the electricity being off. The 'Rents and I were up before daylight, trudging through the 18 inches of snow to bring in firewood to heat the house.  After Dad had a good fire going in the fireplace, we heard a distant noise of a car horn honking.  The sound got closer, and then we looked out and saw two headlights.  It was none other than Uncle Don pulling into the driveway in his company car, a 4WD Blazer, aka The Teal Taxi.  He trudged into the house, and while we were still in front of the fireplace, he rummaged and got a plastic grocery bag and started grabbing some food from the pantry.  At that time it was unbeknownst to me that he intended on bringing me to work with him. 

I realized what was going on, and put on some clothes and Uncle Don and I headed to ZCO down the Greenbelt.  We were the only car on the road.  At one point, we were on the median.  But it didn't matter very much since we were the only car on the road. 

When we got to work, we discovered that the pipes had burst on the first floor of the office building.  He immediately went to work on that task while I went upstairs to my department.  Imagine my surprise when I saw snow on the desks, floor and filing cabinet tops where parts of the roof had collapsed.  I got as many garbage bags as I could find and cut them open and spread them out over all of the files and computers, and then found a small shovel to get rid of the snow what was in the building.

Uncle Don and I had a good lunch a few hours later - leftover chili that Mom had made the night before, with cheese and crackers and some Little Debbie cakes. 

He was able to fix the pipe issue, and I was able to secure the 2nd floor from any more snow.  And when the clock struck 4:30, we headed home.  We took the long way home, down Dixie Highway.  We had a good laugh on the way home when we saw every liquor store and bar parking lot clear of the 18 inches of snow.

When people mention the record snow of 1994, I will always remember Mr. Toad's Wild Ride in the Teal Taxi and all of the manul labor after we made it to the office.

Something You Don't Hear Everyday

During lunch today, a coworker opened up a fruit/grain bar.  He sure didn't like it one bit.  From my viewpoint I could see that the top of the bar was covered in oats.  I'm assuming he didn't read the label very well because after taking one bite he started complaining.  Here's the transcript.

Coworker with fruit/grain bar:  "I wonder what's that on top of this?"

Coworker sitting across from the fruit/grain bar coworker: "The wrapper said it's an oatmeal fruit bar."

Coworker with fruit/grain bar:  "I still don't know what that is."

Quote Of The Week

I learned a new word today - and I didn't even need one of those "learn a new word everyday" calendars, either.  I learned the new word during our daily conversations at the lunch table at work.  The word is "polyandry". Polyandry means when a woman has two or more husbands.  After we were told the definition, a female coworker (who is married) said (and I quote) "Why?"

Welcome To The Tropics

With it being rainy for a few days and then cold, the 'Rents were restless today so they bundled up and got outside. While outside they gathered up limbs and brought them in for firewood and as I type this, there is a roaring fire in the fireplace.  I am not kidding you when I say that my sweet mother who is cold-natured went and put on a short-sleeved t-shirt.  At least we can't complain about being cold in the house.

A Letter To Craigslist Sellers

Dear Craigslist sellers:

Hat's off to you for taking the time to post the information and price about an item you want to sell. A specific price helps us buyers.

Two thumbs down (and I've give more thumbs down but I only have two), however, to all of the sellers who sell an item and who are not courteous enough tt take 30 seconds to email or text back interested buyers to let them know that the item has already been sold.  In the past two days, I've emailed and texted over 25 buyers on Craigslist about used-but-like-new iPads and out of the 25, only one took the time to email me back and say she had just sold the item. 

You reap what you sow, so some of you sellers might face this same frustration in the future when you try to buy an item on Craigslist.

Frustrated,
Puddin

Link Of The Week

It's been 20 weeks since I started posting info about 20 Weeks To Preparedness.  Each week I posted a list of recommended items for you to buy to put in your family's emergency kit.  I hope that at least a couple of you have followed the posts and have taken steps to get your family's emergency kit together. 

Here's a link to the full 20 weeks worth of lists so you can print it out and start buying and gathering.  Like I've said a few times, the people in the northeast probably wish that they'd had an emergency kit for their families when Hurricane Sandy moved through.  Don't be caught unprepared.

Visit http://www.marshallcounty.ky.gov/Departments/Emergency/20%20Weeks%20to%20Preparedness.pdf

Security Tip Saturday

It's been my pleasure to bring you 20 Weeks To Preparedness for the previous 19 weeks.  Today is the 20th and final list I will be posting.  I urge you to take the time and make a conscious effort and get all of the items I've listed in the past weeks to help you and your family make it through an emergency.  As I mentioned previously, there are thousands and thousands of people in the northeast that would have paid good money for an emergency kit for the family when Hurricane Sandy moved through.

If you've been diligent for the previous 19 weeks, after you get the items on today's list you can rest a bit easier because you and your family will be prepared.

Week 20

Utility or camping knife
Work gloves
Safety goggles
Disposable dust masks

Flashback Friday

This past Tuesday would have been Elvis Presley's 77th birthday. It reminded me of a birthday party that some friends and I had in honor of The King.

The year was 1990.  Grandma had been in the nursing home over in Paoli for a bit over half a year.  Two friends from my department at work and I went over to visit her on January 8, 1990 to celebrate the King's birthday.  We even brought a pretty bix sheet cake, completely decorated, and even had party hats.  After a few minutes of explaining to Grandma what the part was about, we started partying.  The friends from work had even brought some Elvis' birthday presents for Grandma to open.  Needless to say she was pretty happy -- a visit from her granddaughter and friends, cake and presents, all in the same evening. 

If my memory is correct, one of us brought along a boom box and played an Elvis CD (or possibly cassette tape) while we partied in Grandma's room.

For years after, Grandma would mention the Elvis birthday party from time to time.  The King would have said thank ya, thank ya very much.

Overheard At The Store

Let me preface by saying this was overheard as I was walking through the shopping center headed to the library.  It was spoken by a young mother to her young daughter as they were walking out of the library, obviously very disgruntled.  And I quote:

"It used to be the Louisville free public liberry."

BMW Update

I am very happy to report that the BMW is once again road worthy and is back in action.  I picked it up from the shop on Monday, and after 3 days of testing pretty much everything in the car, my mechanic said the problems were from the battery being drained from not driving the car.  He said that makes sensors and the computer go haywire, making you think the transmission, power steering, etc. are going out.  And he only charged me $40 for all of the testing.  And that included topping off all fluids, too. 

I drove it home Monday and vowed I would drive it every other day until the wheels fall off or I buy a new car, whichever comes first. 

File Under: WTF?

Man arrested after fighting officer over stolen ice cream on Bardstown Road, police say


Jan. 07 courier-journal.com

A 59-year-old man was arrested after getting into a fight with an officer over a pint of stolen chocolate ice cream, police said.

An employee of ValuMarket, 1250 Bardstown Road, called police when Donald G. Doran left the store with the ice cream at about 4:34 p.m. Monday, a Louisville Metro Police report said.

When police caught up with the Doran at the corner of Bardstown Road and Patterson Avenue, Doran threw his belongings on the ground and took a “fighting stance,” the report said. Doran became aggressive, but fled when the officer pulled out his Taser, the report said.

The officer chased Doran into Bardstown Road. Doran became aggressive toward the officer again and the officer shot him with his Taser, which had no effect, the report said.

Doran fought the officer and was finally subdued after the officer struck Doran’s legs with a baton, the report said.

The pint of Prairie Farms chocolate ice cream was recovered.

Doran, who the report said had no known address, was charged with third-degree assault, second-degree fleeing or evading police, menacing, resisting arrest, shoplifting, and second-degree disorderly conduct.

All I can say is Prairie Farms ice cream must be the shit.

Breaking News, Sorta

I am excited to report that my beloved "All My Children" is coming back.  After 15 months of petitions, emails, letters, and calls, AMC is coming back.  At first, it will be available online, most likely through the Hulu website.  Then, if there is still enough interest, there is a chance it could be back on TV. But regardless, this shows the mighty power of petitions, emails, phone calls, and snail mail letters. 

There is no official word yet on whether or not my beloved Susan Lucci will be returning to AMC, but a few of the actors and actresses have already signed on. 

I'm ecstatic - my all time favorite soap opera will once again be available for viewing.  And if Susan Lucci signs on, it will only be icing on the cake.

As always, I'll keep you posted. 

Link Of The Week

The other day I was Googling to see if I could find some more videos online of the Sweeney Sisters from Saturday Night Live.  Other than the Christmas medly link I posted a few weeks ago, there weren't any.  I kept searching and found a link to one more video.  It was from a site that is the Pakistan version of  YouTube.  But darned if they didn't have one elusive Sweeney Sisters video.  Check it out at http://www.vidoosh.tv

Just a word of warning - as I said, it's the Eastern version of YouTube, so you never know what videos you'll find on there. 

Security Tip Saturday

We're almost at the end of our 20 Weeks To Preparedness.  If you've followed the lists for the previous 18 weeks and have bought and gathered all of the items, you should rest easier knowing you and your family have an almost-complete emergency kit.  There's still time to catch up; just visit the TWIT archives for the previous 18 Security Tip Saturday posts. 

Week 19

1 box quick energy snacks
Comfort foods
Plastic wrap
Aluminum foil
Denture care items (if needed)

Flashback Friday

On this day back in 1970, the most awesome soap opera ever, "All My Children", debuted.  I didn't watch it on the day that it first aired, but I was glued to the TV on the last day it aired.  It ended on my Mom's birthday, September 23, 2011.  It's hard to believe that it's still not on the air. 

I still think on some evenings that I should be watching the day's episode and seeing what Erica Kane is up to.  But there's hope.  Rumors have been circulating that "All My Children" will be back soon.  Negotiations are currently going on and there is a very good chance that my beloved AMC will be back soon - this time, online. 

I know I'm not the only AMC fan that still misses the show.  I hope it's back soon and very soon.

Parking Lot Watch 2013

We interrupt our regularly scheduled Flashback Friday to bring you the latest edition of Parking Lot Watch.  At ZCO today, we all found out what our profit sharing bonuses and our raises would be.  And as we all know, that opens the door for a new car purchase.  So we are on the lookout for the first coworker that buys a new car after hearing what their bonus will be.

In case you're wondering - it will not be me. 

As always, I'll keep you posted.

So Much For Looking Ahead

Yesterday morning, the 'Rents started to de-Christmas The Compound.  They both bundled up and with the help of our neighbor PS, they took down and put up all of the outside decorations.  After warming up inside with some hot chocolate, they started to de-Christmas the inside decorations. 

At supper tonight, I told them "Just think - in just over ten months, you can put them all up again."  They weren't real amused with my optimism.

Cars Have A Mind Of Their Own

I didn't know what to expect when I went out to start the BMW this morning - I didn't know if it would still be charged up and start or if I would end up cussing as I dragged out the battery charger.  Believe me when I tell you that the car started with ease.  No hesitation at all.  All twelve cylinders fired right up. And on the way to work and to the repair shop, it handled and performed like it had just been driven off of the showroom floor.  I think it knew that there was talk going around about selling it.

Now to wait and see if my trusty mechanic finds anything $$$ wrong with it.  I'm not getting nerved up, and whatever he finds, I have two choices -- either fix it or don't.  As always, I'll keep you posted.

Happy New Year, 2013

TWIT and I would like to wish all of you, faithful readers, a very happy new year. 

The new year is only half a day old, and I've already been pretty busy.  In this new year,  I'll be facing a big decision - to keep the old BMW or sell it.  I know that friends are facing much bigger, and life-changing decisions, and there's no way I can compare my car problems to what some of them are going to face in the new year, but it's still a problem that I have to deal with and a decision that I will need to make.  The BMW is still having some issues with the battery staying charged (a quick trip this morning to AutoZone for some free tests determined that the battery and alternator were ok), and some gear sensors need cleaning.  I'm putting it in the hands of my faithful and honest mechanic tomorrow morning to have him check things out.  Hopefully the fix will be fairly painle$$.  As always, I'll keep you posted.