Power, No Power....

The electricity can't seem to make up its mind.  Woke up to candles lit everywhere and, before you go all Harlequin romance on me...no. The power was out due to the storms that hit us around 4 this morning.

Then, after I got the kids ready by the glow of my phone flashlight,  it came back on. Then it went back off.
Sigh. But hey--no laundry.  There's an upside to everything. :)

Worry

"Let not your heart be troubled..." I'm really not doing a good job of this today.

I'm on my way up to the hospital in Atlanta where my friend Cindy's mom was taken back to the ER last night after doing so well at a local rehab facility. She had been hospitalized for over 2 months following a post surgical illness but had been recovering and doing so well for the past few weeks. I got to spend some quality time alone with her a couple weeks ago and it did my heart good to have that pseudo mother-daughter time with such a dear friend that has see me through some very difficult times as well. I'm praying this is just a small setback and that she will once again be on the road to recovery.

I've also been keeping my eye on the weather as a line of really strong storms move towards Central Tennessee. Having worked in the aftermath of the tornado outbreak this same week 3 years ago, I can't help but worry for their safety.

Just a lot on my mind today.

Me and the J-Rock

There's rarely an opportunity to sit in silence with my youngest and just "be." But that's what we did down by the lake this morning. I watched the ripples in the water as he dug in the dirt with a stick. A rare treat.

One Strep for Mankind

The D-man has strep throat so we're awaiting his prescription and then it's onto the homestead for rest and healing (aka he gets to veg out and watch tv).

Can't go back to school till Monday :( When it rains it pours!

A Sad Day

We regret to inform you that we lost Katie Bodiford under a mound of laundry earlier today. "The load of towels was the final straw," witnesses report.

She will be remembered for her athleticism, her graceful dancing ability and her superior math skills.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Save Ferris Bueller fund at Coweta County Bank.

Breathing a Sigh of Relief

Today has been one of those days.

The dark sky loomed with clouds and it rained on and off throughout the day. Normally, I would relish this kind of day but my mind was twisted into knots-- one of which centered on my golden retriever Cassie and the lump we'd found behind her left front leg. We had not noticed the growth until we had her shaved for the summer. Knowing that goldens are predisposed to cancer, I made her an appointment for this afternoon and waited (not so) patiently for 3:30 to get here.

But it's not just me I was concerned about...my 6-year overheard me mention "the C-word" when explaining the reason for my trip to the vet and I was suddenly under an official interrogation that would rival any tense Senate hearing:

"I know what the C-word is, Mommy. It's cancer.
Does Cassie have cancer?"

"If Cassie has cancer, will she die like people do
when they have cancer?"

"Does she know what we're talking about?
Will it make her sad?"

"If she dies, what do we do with her body? And how will I
give her hugs and let her keep me warm if her body is not here?"

The last one got me as tears welled up in my eyes. I answered best I could and tried not to break down in front of him making the situation worse.

Jacob was somber as we waited for our turn to see the doctor and it seemed as if he were the one being checked out instead of her. The doctor came in, loved on her, evaluated her and then aspirated the lump to see whether or not it was something we should be concerned about. Cassie, unaware of the results we were waiting on, laid patiently on floor at our feet.

After a little while, the vet came in with a big grin and said "it's just some fatty tissue! Nothing to worry about! Cassie will be just fine!" Jacob, overcome with relief, dropped on the floor, embraced Cassie and just laid his head on her in silence. The doctor even teared up at that point and remarked about his obvious love for her. "You have no idea," I told her.

So even on a day of knot-twisted thoughts and dark, rainy clouds, we found a little bit of sunshine. Looks like the Cass Cass will be with us for a while longer and that is enough to brighten any kind of day.

Won't Take Me Long to Pack

Click here and take me with you. Please.

Got My Golf Fix

Bubba Watson

Well, the 2014 Masters Tournament is now complete and I must say I'm pretty excited that Bubba Watson won again. He has a bit of a renegade personality (like driving the General Lee up to Augusta) but his reaction was truly touching. His flood of emotions with both his caddy and his wife and son really endeared me to him.

Other official and maybe-not-entirely-sports-related observations of this year's tourney:

• I still love my boy Adam Scott even though he didn't play at the top of his game this year. No one can rock the light blue pants like that fella. Just sayin.
  
• 20-year old rookie Jordan Spieth almost brought it home with an impressive two-stroke lead early Sunday. But when it started falling apart he went a little John McEnroe and beat his club on the green. Keep it in check buddy. Never let 'em see ya sweat!
  
• Jonas Blixt--another rookie--played like a champ but unfortunately those blue pants were just a little too blue and would clash with the green jacket. The Fashion Gods of sports knew this and caused him to bogey one too many to take home the title.
  
• Bless Miguel Angel Jimenez's hair. Is he a retired wrestler? Checking Wikipedia now.
  
• Matt Kuchar is so nice and was wearing really sensible shoes. Like deck loafers you'd wear on a casual sailing excursion. He's like the really nice guy a few doors down that cuts your lawn when you go out of town. He couldn't find the fairway this afternoon to save his life but I like him. Kooooooochhh!
  
•  Bubba's pal Ricky Fowler played really well today coming in two under but oh-my-heavenly-day that orange get up he was wearing with that thug-looking wide-brimmed hat was killing me.
  K-i-l-l-i-n-g me.
  
• And finally, this is directed at the fans attending the Masters. No matter who you are or how much you paid for your ticket, a red diamond pattern on your pants is never a good choice. You are there to watch golf and to eat $1.50 pimento cheese sandwiches and to post selfies from the game on Facebook. But please for the love of everything that is good and holy look in a mirror.

Till next year, folks.