Momentous Thunderstorm Complete With Rain

I know all of ya'll have been following the floods in the Mississippi valley area.  I just can not imagine scope of  devastation of all that water.  Seems Mother Nature delivered not only record amounts of snow this passed winter and spring but as it melted; has joined with all the rain in the region.  All that water has to go somewhere; especially down hill/river.

http://www.nab.usace.army.mil/Business/Contracting/COEoffices.htm

Here in my part of South Texas; we had not received any rain since the 14th of March.  This has caused our area to be in a drought situation and under a burn ban since mid Febuary. No joke, we have cracks in our property from lack of water.  This passed Thursday, we had answered prayers in the form of a lovely mid-morning of rain.  Let me tell you, it was such music to our ears -- we turned off all the lights and television to hear the sound being drummed on our metal roof.

One and one-half inches of beautiful life sustaining rain!  

Here is our latest observation of the natural world.  Lady Bug land, I had no idea their larva stage had them looking like alien alligators.  Soon, they will crawl to the top of the habitat and begin their pupa stage.

This weekend, Sid came down so he and his father could replace the leaking radiator in his car. Let me tell ya, those two men were cut from the same cloth.  It has been a blessing for my hubby to have some male bonding time this weekend. 

Well I have some grass to mow, thankfully.  I plan on visiting all I have been following this week since, I now have time to breathe and slow down. 

With the new school year starting on this Monday, I am excited to get our new curriculum under way so Saenz, Zephyr and I will stay busy this summer. 

What are ya'll going to do? Any summer vacation (holiday) plans?  My holiday plans are to have lasik eye surgery this Friday.  I am so excited at the prospect of not wearing glasses; I am fit to be tied. 

OH SPECIAL NOTE: Next Saturday, our Cubby Bear will be awarded his Kindergarten diploma.  We are so excited for him and his accomplishments. YEAH ZEPHYR!

The Thaw @9:30

'Here comes the sun.'  Sounds like rain outside; everything is all glistening.  No trucks or cars out on the road.  Good thing, that pavement up front is covered in a layer of ice.  I am guessing around noon most of the ice will be gone and we will thaw out. 

 Note to self: Get new lettering.

At least is it something to look at eh?

Baby Its Cold Outside

We noticed snow light flurries last night around 10:30.  Saenz and I could not sleep and kept vigil until around 3 a.m.; hoping to see our first real snow in South Texas.

 So out we went this morning for chores to find a crackling lawn, creaking trees, and slippery way.

 The ice on the feeders weighs a couple of pounds.

We had tried to put our older guineas inside but, they had other plans.  This morning we found this male crying next to his frozen mate.  Sometimes you just can not tame guineas.  So sad! :O( 

 All you can walk on is a thick layer of ice.

Ice Ice everywhere. 

Shiny equals slippery. 

We have just seen the sun for the first time in about five days.  Saenz got up with me at 6 -- took a look outside at all the ice and went back to bed.  Banjo kept me company until hubby woke up; then we went to do our chores.  Happy to say both nannies have not had their kids.  Zephyr is upset because we saw no snow but, what can you do? 

There is another artic front moving in and will be here by Tuesday.  I doubt snow will fall because it is no where near as big and lingering as this one.  For those peeps who are in the path of this one in the Southern United States please be prepared.  We are walking on about 1/2 to 1" of ice so ya'll may just be in trouble.

Off to take a nap and spend time with my menfolk.

Our Cold Event Has Started

The boys are thrilled with the prospect of snow; it is supposed to start sleeting this afternoon.   I will tell you; I am a bit nervous for two of our nannies; Pices looks about ready to kid.  Aries our nanny has issues with her knees and is full as well.  Keep saying a prayer they make it to Sunday before giving birth.  Feathers crossed here.

Hubby took off the last two days this week and used his leave.  He did not want to drive on icy roads.  Yes, we have already had ice --- he drives in the early morning so, black ice is hard to see at 4 am on unlit I37 or side roads.  I feel so fortunate to have him home with us. Many blessings to have him home safe.

Zephyr is doing his SOUL MAN immitation.

This little chunk of ice was formed yesterday.

Can you say..........stuffed?

Seems we missed a spot and now no water at the kitchen sink.  Oh well, I guess my dishes will pile up a few days or I will hand carry water from the tub & heat it on the stove.  Doesn't matter, we are safe and warm.  Yesterday, we experienced rolling blackouts for the first time ever. 

Next Friday, our beautiful boy will become an official teenager.  We haven't quite decided what to do for his birthday because of this weather.  If it warms back up into the 60s; I vote for camping Choke Canyon.  We haven't camped since, I retired from the Air Force.  I kind of miss it.

Please all in this storms path.  Prepare now, ensure you have enough water, gloves, clean dry clothes, emergency lighting / heat, and food.  I know some Texans this far south will be caught off guard. Those up North who will be getting this system; I will tell ya my hands became burning red after only 20 mins outside 'with gloves.'  The winds are biting cold and the humidity makes the chill even worse.

If it does snow, I will be back with some pictures for you viewing pleasure.  Please stay safe out there!