Ice Storm of 2007

Winter has decided to slam into us again this year. It's funny because every 4 to 5 years we seem to get hit with a major ice storm! The last one was in November of 2002. During that particular storm we were without electricity for 10 days. It was truly a hard thing to go through.

Luckily, this time is no where near as bad! There are only a couple of similarities this time, the sound of the tree limbs snapping and the off and on flashing of transformers blowing up in the middle of the night. I have to admit as scary as it is to see, it is quite beautiful! The sky lights up with a brilliant blue and then you hear a surge in the power, everything flickers and either you lose your lights or they come back on. You just never know...

This year, I have managed to keep my electricity. I have heard it is because we are on the same circuits as the fire station next door so I am very thankful. Although this morning we kept losing the power and we lost our phone for about 5 hours. My sister and my parents aren't more than 2 minutes from me and they have been without power since 5:30 this morning. They have all decided to check into hotels for the night. I am extremely thankful for not having that expense. I offered to let them crash here but they want their privacy and I cannot blame them.

Tonight is supposed to be another brief round of the stuff. It has been raining all day long and it should be freezing so there should be quite a bit of ice come tomorrow morning. So driving to work tomorrow should be loads of fun!

Well I am off, but I will leave you with this poem I found and some pictures I took off of my balcony this afternoon! I love the way the ice looks on the trees... You would never guess something so peaceful and beautiful could be so deadly...

An ice storm in the night
Reveals in morning light
A dazzling, wintry sight
Of frozen droplets bright

That cling to shrubs and trees
And glisten where they freeze –
A sight that’s sure to please
The one who looks and sees.

Still others will complain
About the freezing rain;
Indeed it is a bane
And something of a pain

For those who slip and slide
And wobble side to side
Or cannot get a ride –
Their patience can be tried!

But soon it will be past;
The thaw will come in fast.
The ice just cannot last.

~By Mary T. Hoffman

Have a fantastic Week Everyone!

Life Has It's Lessons And Everyone Should Be Informed!

Here are a few lessons in life we should all learn and live by... In the Immortal Words of 'School House Rock', remember "Knowledge is Power!"

LESSON #1
A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing up her shower, when the doorbell rings. The wife quickly wraps herself in a towel and runs downstairs. When she opens the door, there stands Bob, the next-door neighbor.

Before she says a word, Bob says, "I'll give you $800 to drop that towel, "

After thinking for a moment, the woman drops her towel and stands naked in front of Bob After a few seconds, Bob hands her $800 and leaves.
The woman wraps back up in the towel and goes back upstairs. When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, "Who was that?"

"It was Bob the next door neighbor," she replies.

"Great," the husband says, "did he say anything about the $800 he owes me?"

Moral of the story:
If you share critical information pertaining to credit and risk with your shareholders in time, you may be in a position to prevent avoidable exposure.


LESSON #2
A priest offered a Nun a lift. She got in and crossed her legs, forcing her gown to reveal a leg. The priest nearly had an accident. After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand up her leg.

The nun said, "Father, remember Psalm 129?" The priest removed his hand. But, changing gears, he let his hand slide up her leg again.

The nun once again said, "Father, remember Psalm 129?"

The priest apologized "Sorry sister but the flesh is weak."

Arriving at the convent, the nun sighed heavily and went on her way.

On his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129

It said, "Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory."

Moral of the story:
If you are not well informed in your job, you might miss a great opportunity.


LESSON #3
A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp. They rub it and a Genie comes out.

The Genie says, "I'll give each of you just one wish."

"Me first! Me first!" says the admin clerk. "I want to be in the Bahamas, driving a speedboat, without a care in the world."

Puff! She's gone.

"Me next! Me next!" says the sales rep. "I want to be in Hawaii, relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas and the love of my life."

Puff! He's gone.

"OK, you're up! ," the Genie says to the manager.

The manager says, "I want those two back in the office after lunch."

Moral of the story:
Always let your boss have the first say.


LESSON #4
An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing. A small rabbit saw the eagle and asked him, "Can I also sit like you and do nothing?"

The eagle answered: " Sure , why not."

So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle and rested.
All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.

Moral of the story:
To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.


LESSON #5
A turkey was chatting with a bull. "I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree," sighed the turkey, "but I haven't got the energy."

"Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?" replied the bull. "They're packed with nutrients."

The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree. The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch. Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree.

He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.

Moral of the story:
BullShit might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there.


LESSON #6
A little bird was flying south for the Winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field. While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him.

As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was. The dung was actually thawing him out! He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy.

A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate. Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.

Morals of the story:
(1) Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy.
(2) Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend.
(3) And when you're in deep shit, it's best to keep your mouth shut!


Have A Most Wonderful Day Everyone!
xoxo
Chalice

Blah...

Okay so I have disappeared for a brief time but I am back. :)

I have been sick over the last few days. Not just me but my family has been sick too. Everything from vomiting and diarrhea to double pneumonia and ear infections. I have had to deal with the 1st two which has made life very unpleasant. I hate throwing up more than anything in the world. It gives me a horrid headache.

So over the last few weeks life has just been life. Nothing exciting or new. Well my son did turn 14 a couple of weeks ago. Damn that makes me feel old :) All he wanted was a bunch of Mizzou stuff so that is exactly what he got. And then he got to go to the movies with some of his friends. He was happy though and that's all that matters.

I am just ecstatic though. My son has been doing great in school! Last year this time he was failing everything but with all of the changes in our lives over this past year he has improved greatly. A's and B's. He did have 2 C's but I can deal with those! Life is good in that respect!

Here are a couple of pictures of my nephews on Santa's lap.




I love seeing screaming kids on Santa's lap :) It reminds me of a picture of me and my sister. She was screaming her head off while I was looking perturbed! I need to find that picture cuz its a classic!

Well that's about all for now. I am going to head for my couch and stare at my tv as I feel like complete crap! Take care everyone!