Weight Watchers, Week 2

I have lost another .6 pounds!

It may be a SMALL loss, but it is STILL a LOSS, and that is a GOOD thing! :-)

I have now lost 4 pounds total, with 19 to go.

Wish me luck!

Home

FINALLY back home, and exhausted.

We had SUCH fun and spent lots of time with good people.

But now, I need to unpack, and get things ready for work tomorrow.

And get some SLEEP.

I'll post about the trip a little later . . . *yawn*

But as always, thanks for stopping by! :-)

Missouri Bound

Dear Hubby Steve and I are going to the St. Louis area this weekend. Some family friends are having a Graduation Party for their oldest son, and it should be a good time - - these people, like Steve and I, are just a little "off center", which always makes for a fun time!

We are pulling out Saturday morning at 5:00 (yes, that is A.M., unfortunately!) and heading down to Perryville, Missouri first, on a little 'shopping trip' to Stoney's Meat Market, and then heading up to our hotel in Festus, Missouri, then heading to the party in Arnold, Missouri.

Unfortunately, we will not have a chance to visit my favorite place, The Hill (the Italian neighborhood) this trip, but there will be other chances this summer for that.

On the way back, we will stop by Dad's and take him to dinner for Father's Day. I'm looking forward to spending some time with my Daddy! Yes, I definitely AM a "Daddy's Girl! :-)

I'll write all about the trip when we get back. As always, thanks for stopping by, and your comments are always welcome! :-)

1st Week's Results

Tonight marks the end of my first Weight Watchers week. Meeting and weigh-in time was 5:30.

I was a nervous wreck!

All I could think is, what if I didn't lose any weight? What if I had actually GAINED weight? What if still being on this medicine prevents me for seeing any progress? (more on the meds later).

As it turns out, there was really nothing to fear. I had followed program all week, watched my portions, counted my points, got all the foods in all the categories like I should . . .

And it paid off.

I lost 3.4 pounds!!! YIPPEE!!

Yesterday at my Dr. appointment, we decided it actually was time to wean me off the meds. He, like me, did not like the excessive weight gain they caused. So over the next 2 weeks, I will be cutting back the dosage until I am totally off them.

I'm hoping that will also assist my weight loss!

I'll post my results every week - - and as always, THANK YOU for stopping by, and please feel free to comment!

Love and Hollyhocks

There is an Amish settlement near where I live, and I noticed there are always lots of Hollyhocks on the Amish farms.

When I once asked one of my Amish friends about them, this is what I was told:

"Where the Hollyhocks are in bloom,
There is love in the home."

WELL THEN - -

All I can say is - - there must be LOTS of love in my home! :-)

More Scenes From the Vow Renewal Ceremony

I have finally gotten to the point where I have been able to go through all the pictures, do so cropping, resizing, etc., and now finally have some to post for you!

Cindy and Jerry hamming it up before the Ceremony.
I don't want to tell you what Jerry has in his hand - -
It was a joke gift we all gave him, and is a story in itself!


Bishop Jerry Wood of the Diocese of St. Francis,
United Independent Catholic Churches of America



Bishop Wood officiating the Ceremony
Left to right: Curt, Steve, Liz, Bishop Wood, Judy



Another picture of the Vow Renewal party



View from the other side of the Garden Arch



Another picture from the back of the Garden Arch


Jan (left) and Cindy (right) looking on



The Vow Renewal party


Another picture of the party


Bishop Wood (left) with the happy couple



Steve, Bishop Wood, and Liz


Cindy, Jan, and Judy even gave us a Wedding Cake,
complete with topper!


The traditional cutting of the cake

So there you have it - - it was a wonderful ceremony, with our special friends there with us to help us celebrate.

Looking back over these pictures, I'm reminded all over again how truly blessed Dear Hubby Steve and I to have these wonderful people as friends. They enrich our lives in an undescribable way. Our lives would not be near as good without them!

Thanks to my dear friend Judy for standing up with me; to her husband Curt for standing up with Steve, to Cindy and Jan (and Judy also) for all their hard work making a beautiful reception for us, and of course to our dear friend Jerry, who did a wonderful job of officiating the Ceremony. It was heart-warming and touching, and we could not think of anyone else we would have wanted doing it.

Steve and I love you all!!

Time To Get Serious Now

I am overweight.

Not by choice, mind you - - almost 2 years ago, my family doctor put me on a medicine to help with anxiety attacks I had been having. They started a year after my Mom had passed away, and that, combined with worrying about Dad, things at work and at home, losing a dear friend to a particularly nasty form of cancer, and other dear friends with serious health problems, really did a number on me. The medicine really did the trick . . . unfortunately, the side effect was weight gain.

About a year ago, the doctor tried to reduce the dosage, but apparently my body was not ready yet, because the attacks starting coming back, and they had to increase it back to my original dosage.

We also tried another med for about 6 months that would not make me gain weight. It didn't, but it also didn't help the anxiety attacks. I was ALWAYS "edgy", and not sleeping well at all; when I finally DID get to sleep, I had terrible nightmares and wake up exhausted. So we went back to the original med. *sigh*

I have been fortunate to have such an understanding spouse through all this! Dear Steve, thank you for standing by me during this time - - love you, babe! :-)

Now, here it is, another year later. For the first time in 2 years, I am actually feeling like it is time to try standing on my own two feet, and taking back control of my life. I have an appointment with my doctor next week, and I am going to tell him how I am feeling about this - - that this is the first time I have felt confident in myself and my ability to "handle things" in life, and the first time that I have felt "ready" for it.

Things in my life are SO much better than they were back when I started taking the meds. Dear Hubby Steve and I are at the best place in our lives that we have ever been. I have gotten to the point at work where I don't let all the lousy stuff bother me any more I am so blessed with the best friends anyone could have. Dad still misses Mom terribly, of course, but overall is doing well, and is getting out and actually enjoying himself with friends and family members, and some short trips periodically.

SO - - it's time. I'm ready.

AND - - another big thing I'm attempting - -

I rejoined Weight Watchers tonight.

I achieved my Lifetime Member status in October 2001, when I lost nearly 25 pounds. I kept most of that weight off ever since then. Well, there was about a 3-4 pound fluctuation that was always going on - - first I would put it on, then take it back off, but I kept off 20 or more of the pounds I had lost.

Until recently, that is.

SO - - since I am talking to my doctor next week about getting off this medicine, I also decided that now was the time to start getting those blasted pounds BACK OFF MY BODY!

I will be going to my meetings on Wednesday evenings, and will share my weekly progress with you on here. It's not going to be easy, but I'm determined to do this, and be successful.

Wish me luck . . .

The Next 20 Years

I have gotten lots of good comments from friends about my post about our 20th Anniversary vow renewal. Most of them have been very complimentary.

But then there are some of the other comments . . .

The following is the vision of one of the "cast of characters" in my life (who has too much knowledge of computers, and obviously wayyyy too much time on his hands!) of Dear Hubby Steve and I in another 20 years:


Apparently we never got our house built, hence the trailer ("It Ain't Home Till You Take the Wheels Off") - - and don't you just love Dear Hubby's hairstyle??? And MINE???

Ahhh, friends - - what would I do without them?? :-)

Thanks for the laugh, Paul! :-)

Away From the Rest of the World

Everyone needs their own little hideaway - - a place where they can get away from all the stress and pressures of the world around them.

For Steve and I, it's our patio and garden.

A couple of years ago, our dear friend Jerry (yes, the same Jerry in the previous post - - who married us again) helped us design a garden off our patio. He worked many long hours - - digging, hauling dirt, and getting the design "just so". He and Steve and I then made sure the walkways were laid out straight, and were evenly set in the ground. We set around concrete benches, a wrought iron archway, and a fountain. Jerry then helped me select planters and flowers, and we had our garden!

I then picked out patio furniture, added a few more planters to the patio, and our own little personal paradise was complete.

Here are some pictures of our "hideaway" - -

View From the Patio:

This shot shows the walkways and the layout of the archway,
the fountain, and planters along the retaining wall.

Hollyhocks:

My Mom and Grandmother always loved Hollyhocks,
so I planted some in their memory.
They are doing great! A couple of them are as tall as I am already!

The Fountain and Fu-Dogs:

This is an Antique Cauldron Fountain, complete with river rock accents.
It's a beauty - - and believe it or not, I found it on "Clearance" at K-Mart!

An Angel for My Mother:

My Mom absolutely loved angels, and had quite a large collection of them.
I put this angel statue in my garden in her memory.

View From the Garden:

This is the patio, as seen from the garden.
You can't really see the umbrella table very well, because it's a little dark in that corner.
We usually have the gas grille to the left of the umbrella table, up near the retaining wall.
We like to cook out during the summer months,
and it's nice to eat outside in the shade of the big umbrella!

The twin swing on the left also has a canopy that goes over it,
but it's inside for repair at the moment - - a slight tear that is being mended.
The seats on the swing also fully recline!!

Another View of the Patio:

This view shows the steps leading up to the yard.
The yard is higher than the patio and garden,
and the retaining wall goes all along the back of the garage and house.

The pole light (center) was an actual street light
from the Square in Downtown Taylorville, Illinois,
where I spent a lot of time when growing up
(we had family friends that lived there, and visited often - -
I also lived there after high school).
It's really bright, and lights up the whole back yard!
It really sets off the park bench and hanging plants up there.

Well, that's our little private personal space. We love it, and enjoy entertaining friends and family members back there.

Thanks so much for stopping by and going along on my little "garden tour", and as always, comments are ALWAYS welcome!

Will You Marry Me . . . Again?

ABSOLUTELY!!

Twenty years ago on May 24th, Dear Hubby Steve and I professed our love to each other in front of our loved ones. We promised to love, honor and cherish each other, in good times and bad, in sickness and health, for the rest of our lives.

The past twenty years have shown me that LOVE and MARRIAGE are not for the faint of heart - - it takes real effort and a willingness to work hard to make it all work out. There have been some bumps and rough patches along the way, but our deep love and respect for each other have gotten us through. We are stronger now than we have ever been. And when we look back on the past twenty years, it is totally amazing to us just how much we have grown - - how far we have come - - how much we have accomplished . . . TOGETHER.

So here we are - - twenty years later. Steve and I decided to do something special for our Anniversary . . .

We decided to renew our vows, and re-affirm our love for each other.

So, Saturday evening, in the formal garden in our back yard, in front of a small group of dear friends, we did just that.

Our dear friend Jerry, who is a bishop in an independent church in Springfield, officiated the ceremony. He did a wonderful job, and made it perfect for us.

Our dear friends Curt and Judy were our witnesses. Steve and I could not imagine anyone else we would want standing up there with us. Their presence made it perfect.

Our dear friends Jan and Cindy created a wonderful reception for us, complete with a wedding cake (with a topper and everthing!), punch, nuts, mints, candles - - the works. It was absolutely beautiful, and their efforts made it perfect.

Jerry's parishoner Jeff, and Jan's friend Don, also were in attendance, and their presence and friendship helped make the evening - - well - - perfect.

What else can I say? The WHOLE EVENING was a dream come true - - we were there with dear friends who love us, and we love them. Steve and I are truly blessed to have these wonderful people in our lives!

So - - in closing, I have a couple of pictures to share with you:

THEN - -

And NOW- -



Here's to the NEXT twenty years - - I'm looking forward to the journey. As long as Dear Hubby Steve is by my side, I know it will be perfect!

Happy Anniversary, Babe!

Today is a very special day - - it is the 20th Wedding Anniversary for Dear Hubby Steve and I.

TWENTY - - LONG - - GUT-WRENCHING - - YEARS . . .. :-)

(Sorry, just had to do that!)

Actually, it hasn't been all that bad . . . I mean, there have been some bumps and rough spots along the way, but who hasn't had them??

The important thing is, we are together, and we are happy, and even more in love than we were 20 years ago. That's what happens when you are married to your best friend.

Twenty years - - doesn't seem possible . . .

Looking forward to the next 20 years! I love you, Steve!

BREATHE . . .

It's been over a month since I posted here. I know - - and I'm sorry.

It's been a rough trip down a very bumpy road this past month. A lot has happened. I'll try to summarize it and make it as short as possible.

The last part of April is always a pretty rough time for Dad and me. Mom passed away three years ago the last week of April, so I try my best to spend even more time than usual with him, because it hits him harder than usual at that time.

For some reason, it was harder on me this year. It's always pretty rough, but for some reason this year was worse. It was pretty difficult keeping on a "brave face" for Dad when I felt I was just dying inside. And what made it even more difficult is Dear Hubby Steve's extended work hours, including weekends. SO - - I was feeling pretty much like the "Lone Ranger", and it wasn't too easy.

But I made it through - - *whew*

Getting into the first part of May is always quite an adventure. Spring Semester is always the most hectic at the College, with faculty receiving tenure status, faculty promotions in process, the Institutional Data Book (my 185-page baby!) being readied for presentation to the Board, Outstanding Student Awards in each discipline, starting end-of-year budget close-out AND starting the next year's budget process . . . and of course the Reception for the graduates, followed up by the Commencement Ceremony.

This past week was a lot of those things - -

The Reception for the graduates was Monday, with 2 sessions - - one in the early afternoon, and one until 6:30 p.m. Of course, then there was clean-up, so I didn't get home from work until close to 8:30.

The Data Book was presented to the Board on Tuesday, which meant there was a HUGE last-minute push to make sure everything was accurate and looking "pretty".

There was a Committee meeting on Wednesday, which I had to take minutes for and then work on getting everything completed before the faculty members of the Committee took off for the summer.

I was in Springfield for an all-day training workshop on Thursday, which was actually pretty interesting. It was a PIC workshop (Political Involvement Committee), and was to train us how to find out more about our legislators and how to approach them about issues important to us and our community, such as our State-funded Pension Plan, which has been "raided" so many times to pay other bills, I'll be lucky if anything is left by the time I retire! SO - - instead of sitting on my dead backside and bitching about it, I decided it was time to get involved and try to do something about it. If I expect somebody to help me out in this situation, I better be willing to help myself, right? :-)

Commencement was on Friday. We were down at the Civic Center by 10:00 a.m. to help set up the stage, place program booklets on over 2,000 chairs, and make sure everything was a "go". Then at 11:00 a.m., the usher volunteers and a good-sized group of graduates came in for rehearsal. That was all finally finished up around 12:15 p.m., so a bunch of us headed off to lunch before heading back to Campus. I left work around 4:00 p.m. and headed home to change clothes (including COMFY shoes!) and headed back to the Civic Center. We all met there around 5:15, and got ready to help the students, faculty and staff with their caps and gowns. Those things are a ROYAL PAIN to get on right - - and the fabric doesn't "breathe", so by the time they march in, they are already sweating profusely!! Then you pack them in that already crowded arena . . . it's a VERY uncomfortable time! They are SO happy when the ceremony is over and they can peel those things off!

After Commencement, we cleaned the dressing room, went back to the arena and helped clean up signs, discarded programs, etc., and finally headed home.

My day had started at 530 a.m. I finally got home from work Friday night at 9:30 p.m.

My feet STILL hurt!

But - - I made up my mind last month that I was just going to keep my head down, concentrate on what needed to be done, and do it. I knew there must be a light at the end of the tunnel - - once I made it around that long curve. Once I reached it, I would be able to catch my breath and get on with other things.

I can FINALLY breathe. It feels good.

Thanks for stopping by. The next post won't be so long in coming as this one was. Promise.

Well, Here It Is - - Finally

Yes, I am FINALLY able to get some computer time and catch you all up on how our Indiana trip went last weekend! *whew* It's been quite a week!

SO - - here we go - -

We left last Saturday morning, pulling out at 6:00 a.m. *yawn* But we figured we needed that much time for stops along the way for breakfast, gas, maybe an antique shop or three, so evern though I was looking through an early morning fog (inside my head, that is), off we went.

We stopped in Sullivan at a little cafe on the Square called "The Spot", which is the local gathering place for all the farmers in the area to drink their coffee and talk about the weather. It also has great food. Our waitress was a cute little thing, and she knew it. She kept giving Dear Hubby Steve the eye when she thought I wasn't looking. He kept denying it, but couldn't any longer when she brought us our check, and had drawn a heart next to his order! (heh heh heh). When we finally got out to the Jeep, he looked REAL uncomfortable, and I couldn't quit laughing. What can I say? He's an attractive man, and I would be crazy to deny it, or get mad if someone else notices it. But his reaction was priceless.

HOWEVER - -

As we got ready to pull off, I turned around and noticed the sign above the front door of the cafe, that advertised their specials - - which gave us an idea of what kind of weekend this was going to be . . . . .
Folks, you can't make this stuff up . . . . wonder if the local police noticed . . . . :-)

The next stop was in Charleston - - at the Rural King store, of course (yeah yeah - - the FARM STORE again!). And, as usual, I found whole lots of nifty "stuff". It also gave us time to stretch our legs and walk off a bit of our breakfast.

Then it was time to get back on the road and head for the Indiana border. The weather was beautiful, a little cool, partly sunny, and we made very good time. We stopped again in Terre Haute at a great Antique Mall, run by a very nice young couple. After wandering around and finding a few little "treasures", we got back on the road again.

We stopped for lunch in the little town of Linton, Indiana, at the local Dairy Queen. We like the little locally-owned franchises in small towns, because the food is usually really good. We weren't disappointed this time, either. As we were leaving Linton, we noticed a small antique store, and decided to pull in. It was an old three-story house, with every floor full of neat stuff, and the basement was full also. We found lots of little goodies there, and had a great time talking with the owner, a really nice older lady with a delightful sense of humor.

One thing about really small towns - - you usually find some pretty neat places to see, and sometimes meet some really great folks - - but I would NEVER, EVER want to live in one - - EVER AGAIN! Been there, done that - - will NOT repeat the experience. :-)

We got to the Church for the Anniversary party right at 1:00. It was a nice time, but the only people there that I knew were my in-laws, and another couple from Highland who knew the guests of honor.

Now - - I have been told in the past that a "Bored Liz Is Trouble" . . .

SO - - not wanting to disappoint, I set off amusing myself - - at my mother-in-law's expense, of course . . . that poor lady - - she is SUCH fun to pick on! :-)

I thought I was being pretty quiet and sneaky about things, but then Linda, one-half of the guests of honor, came up to our table and asked me, "Have you been having fun playing?" I turned beet red, and Linda had a good laugh at my expense. Apparently she had been watching the antics going on at our table, and was having a lot of fun with it.

Oh well - - at least the time went faster!

After the party, we headed out to their house for a brief visit, We got there before they did, which gave me a chance to make friends with a couple of their barn cats. What lovable little things they were! Then everyone else showed up to the house, so we had a chance to chat a bit before leaving to head up to Indianapolis.

I'll tell about the second leg of the trip in the next post. Again, thanks for stopping by, and comments are always welcome! :-)

Typing Help

Is it any wonder I have so much trouble typing - - when I am getting THIS kind of help?


But - - HOW can I resist that face????? NOT possible . . . *sigh*

Carmichael is such a Mama's boy . . . :-)

Yeah, I Lied - - So?? :-)

Yeah yeah - - I know - - I promised to post about our weekend trip.

But it's been a TOTALLY hectic week, and I get home from work frazzled, and facing bunches of stuff to do in the house and the yard.

But I have a 4-day weekend coming up, so things will get caught up.

They WILL get caught up.

Really.

(I hope)

Back From Hoosier-Land

Well, we are back home.

It was a great trip, and lots of fun. Spent time with good people, saw lots of interesting "stuff", did lots of fun things. BUT - - isn't it amazing that now matter how much fun you have, it always feels so darned good to be back HOME????

The kittycats are excited - - their "people" are home, so they now have laps to curl up on!

I have lots of things to post about our trip, but - - I'm bushed. So it's off to bed for a good night's rest, and I will post about the trip tomorrow, either on my lunch hour, or after work/gym.

So stop by later to see how it all went!

Rained Out

Well, unfortunately the races this weekend at Indianapolis Raceway Park have been cancelled due to the nasty weather. We have had TORRENTIAL rains last night and all day today! And by TORRENTIAL, I mean at the rate of 2-plus inches per hour!

Nasty stuff.

But - - Dear Hubby and I are still heading to Indiana. We will still go to the 50th Wedding Anniversary party. We pondered the idea of just coming on back home Saturday evening, but then decided that since we already have the room reserved, we may as well take advantage of it!

So we will still be heading up to Indianapolis Saturday evening to stay overnight, and there are lots of things we can check out in the Indy area on Sunday before heading back home.

We're together - - so it will definitely be fun! :-)

P.S. Bill - - beg to differ with ya - - "burning rubber" does NOT mix well with my morning cup of tea . . . . *laugh*

Hoosier-Bound (again!)

We must REALLY like Indiana. I mean, we have been there more in the last 6 months than we have been the last 10 years!

Yes, this weekend, we are Indiana-bound, one more time.

Saturday we are pulling out at 6:00. Yeah, I mean A.M. *yawn* We will be heading about 2 hours southeast of Terre Haute, to a little spot-in-the-road named Odon, Indiana, for a 50th Wedding Anniversary party. Dear Hubby Steve's Dad served in the Navy with the husband, and they have kept in touch ever since they were discharged. Nice family, and it should be a good time.

Saturday evening we are heading up to Indianapolis to stay the night, then Sunday morning up at 5:00 a.m. (*sheesh* I'm NOT liking the pattern that is emerging here!) so we can hit the gates of Indianapolis Raceway Park in time for the 7:00 a.m. Time Trials.

Folks, I'm NOT getting any younger here - - and these early hours are getting rough on this tired old body of mine . . . *laugh*

But what the heck - - Dear Hubby and I will have fun. I'm not really into races, but he loves them, and it's been years since we have gone over there. In fact, the last time I was at this speedway was when we were dating, so we are talking over 20 years ago!

What the heck - - I can make the sacrifice every 20 years or so for him . . . :-)

I'll let you know how it goes - - should be a fun weekend!

Thanks for stopping by!

Mini-Road Trip

Dear Hubby Steve and I had planned on going to Mattoon (about 40 miles away) to do some browsing and stuff Sunday, but when we woke up, the weather did NOT look promising. Rain, wind, thunder, lightning . . .

But then the sky cleared, and even though it was WINDY and VERY cool, we decided to head on out. The forecast called for some pretty bad storms, but they were forecast for later in the afternoon.

SO - - after shaking off the "groggies" from losing the hour from clock-resetting (curse you, Daylight Savings Time!), we finished up breakfast and the paper, got ready, and headed on out.

Our first stop was Rural King. Oh, I can hear you now - - WOW, a FARM store - - you guys really know how to live life on the edge, don't ya?

Stop that.

That is ONE FUN STORE! In fact, I always find more in there than Steve does! They have food, kitchen stuff, clothes, candles, garden and lawn decorations, and all kinds of neat "stuff".

So just stop.

And - - just for the record - - I ain't no farm girl! And I have cousins in New York City who will help me prove my point! ^-^

ANYWAY.

After Rural King, we went to lunch at McHugh's, which is kinda like a Krekel's (but if you don't live in my town, you have no idea what the helll I'm talking about!) They are mostly burgers and fries and drinks, and it's strictly drive-thru, and it's CHEAP . . .

And the hamburgers were awesome! We had never eaten there before, but Steve's cousin always raves about it. So we tried it. She was right!

If you are ever in Mattoon or Charleston and just want a quick, cheap meal, I highly recommend McHugh's.

After lunch, we went to Big Lots, where I found BUNCHES of stuff. That store is huge, and ever aisle we saw something we wanted. I bought mostly stuff for the house, and got lots of ideas for the new house.

We then went to Cross-County Mall, and looked around there a bit. They have an Elder-Beerman store there, and that place is expensive! But I managed to find some cute little clearance items (the ONLY way to buy) and bought some for gifts for friends' birthdays.

We also went to the Home Depot. We don't have one in our city, so we like to look through them when we get a chance. And Dear Hubby found a wonderful bargain - - a outdoor power washer. It will really come in handy when we start getting this place ready put on the market. The siding need cleaning badly! It will also help with cleaning the patio, and any outbuildings we will have at the new place.

AND - - it was on sale. For a GREAT price. He would have been crazy to pass it up!

Well. He IS crazy. But not that way - - the power washer came home with us. Can't wait to try it out.

We finally decided to start on our way back home, and it's a good thing we did. The closer we got to home, the darker the sky started turning. By the time we got home, it was getting darker, and the wind started picking up.

We had been home about 30 minutes, and it started looking really ominous. The cats started pacing. So did I.

Then the tornado sirens went off.

It was a pretty nasty storm. We got lots of rain and wind, but no tornadoes in our immediate area and no wind damage.

So Sunday ended on a not so nice note.

But spending the day with Dear Hubby was a blast, as always. Yes, even in a "farm store" and "Big Lots" and "Home Depot".

I spent it with him, and that's all that mattered! :-)

Thanks for stopping by!

Lucked Out Again . . .

Thank goodness - -

There was MORE bad weather this weekend. Springfield got hit AGAIN by tornadoes! And in some of the same areas!

It's only been Spring for 2-3 weeks. Those people have NOT had good luck so far.

Some of the smaller towns in the area got a lot of damage also. Taylorville (about 30 miles south of us) had lots of businesses and homes damaged. Harristown had some damage (just a couple of miles from us) and Warrensburg (a little ways down from Harristown) lost their restaurant to the storm.

I get the feeling we are in for a ROUGH Spring . . . *sigh*

Keep ya posted . . .