Keeping an eye on Hurricane Irene

Two years ago I stumbled upon a local independent weather forecaster who works preparing weather forecasts for private clients , mostly in the agriculture business. I was looking for information about a possible snow storm that would have possible major impacts on travel I had planned, but the TV news was saying it would not be a big deal. Still, I wondered. I was looking at a few chat forums about the local weather and found many references to DT- so I found his private forum. He called the storm dead on- big impact on my trip and area. The local guys kept saying it was nothing until hours before it hit. DT had a new fan. I spent many hours looking at his graphs and maps and explanations about isobars and the 12z NAM and GFS versus Euro models. I learned a lot and was "in the know" about storms well before the general public. My friends at work were always asking what my weather guy had to say. DT was correct when the TV guys were not.

Last winter DT again nailed several storms. His facebook following soared. Then he got one big storm wrong- it wasn't big for us after all. Still, I felt better being prepared. I have also learned why the GFS model is usually wrong days out and why the Euro is the superior model. I like learning about this stuff.

So yesterday afternoon when the TV guys were saying that Irene was possibly going to have an impact in my area I decided to see what DT had to say. Yikes!!! He believes that Irene will make landfall around Wilmington, NC and his take on the latest models is that it will move up the coast right over my parents and then over us. Nobody else is calling this path at this time, but I'm taking this seriously. My parents neighborhood had severe damage with Hurricane Isabel. It was a few months before we moved into our home, but our area had many trees down, severe flooding and many days without power. That was a cat. 2 storm. Irene could be a 3.

Late last night I decided I wanted to go get some supplies before the general public was aware of the possible path and stores could get crazy. We needed new flashlights, batteries and bottle water and some non perishable foods. We are moving everything that could blow around off the deck and yard. We'll clear the junk out the garage in the next few days so we can park Paul's car inside. The TV guys are still saying it's "possible" but not with the intensity DT is. Thing is, the TV guys have to be cautious because they have a responsibility not to rile the masses until they know what is really going to happen. They have also been very wrong with calling all the snow storms, until they were almost upon us- then they called it like DT had days before.

So I may be a bit alarmist, but I'm going with the idea that things could be nasty around here Saturday. Doesn't look good for Norfolk, Va Beach, Williamsburg either. Good thing is it should really help dampen the wildfire still burning out of control in the Great Dismal Swamp. We have a lot of neighbors on vacation down in the NC outer banks. I'm guessing they will be evacuated in the next few days. The beach we just vacationed at ourselves on the NC coast could get pummelled. As we drove around Paul and I kept remarking that it would just take one good hurricane to destroy the tiny barrier island beach we visited. Hope that doesn't come to pass.

For now, I'll keep following "my weather guy" and learning what I can about the science behind interpreting the models. I'm fascinated.

Two more weeks

Two more weeks of summer vacation.

Hard to believe that it is the end of the summer. It has really gone by quickly.

Last week we went back to Williamsburg with the intent of a weekend of outdoor activities. The girlies and I arrived much later on Friday than I had desired due to a lot that needed to be done before we left. We arrived around 4 and unpacked at Nana and Grandpa's house, ate an early dinner, and set off for Busch Gardens. We has a beautiful evening at the park and were able to see the last of the Illuminights shows we had yet to catch this season. The girls and I really liked the Chinese yo yo performers and acrobats. We had gone to a Chinese yo yo demonstration several months ago at the library and fully understood how difficult what the performers were doing really was! The evening was capped by some amazing fireworks. Love Busch Gardens Williamsburg! We plan on making two more visits to the park before our summer passes expire.

Untitled from Kelly Winn on Vimeo.

Paul was to join us Saturday to go back to the park, but when I woke up I was discouraged to find thick smoke outside. It looked like fog. There is a wildfire (still burning!) in the Great Dismal Swamp down in Suffolk and the winds had brought the thick, acrid smoke to Willaimsburg. The girls and I had breakfast plans at my favorite dive in town, so we braved it out. Visibility driving was poor and it was stinky and tough breathing. The Colonial area was packed. Guess if folks are on vacation they'll still make the best of it and not just hang out in a hotel. For us, however, it made no sense to go to Busch Gardens in that air. The girlies and I hit a few stores for some back to school clothes shopping and headed back to Nana's. We called Paul and told him no hurry. Ugh.

My main concern was for the next day- Sunday. The reason we were in town in the first place. My monthly Second Sunday Music and Art Festival booth. Would it still be held? Would people even come t an outdoor event? Would smoke ruin my inventory? I was a ball of nerves. I really needed a decent show income. Rain came Saturday night, so I went to bed hopeful that the smoke would clear.

Sunday morning brought clearer skies, but the smell was still intense. The organizer sent out an email saying that the event could not be rescheduled, much advertising had been done- who was willing to still show up? She's make a final call based on interest. I replied that I would come, but bring a small portion of my inventory that wasn't susceptible to smoke. Thirty minutes later I got the response that 8 of the 20 vendors were willing to come, so it was on and we'd just line one side of the street so that we still lined the two blocks of the street. I usually arrive at 12:30 and am fully set up by 1:30. The event officially begins at 3, but most vendors are selling by 2. This time, we didn't leave the house until after 1:30. We packed 75% of my stuff, just in case. It still smelled heavily of smoke, though the visibility was not that bad at all.



By the time we had parked and began unloading the car, the air was smelling clearer. We unpacked all my tubs and after my tent was up and tables all arranged it was surprisingly clear...and folks were out in full force. I set up everything I had and began selling immediately. Answered prayer. No doubt about it! I did better than June, but quite as well as July. Still a good day! Hours earlier I wasn't even sure I'd be able to set up. God cleared the skies at exactly the perfect time!

My dental adventure

A month ago I broke a tooth while eating dinner.

I have never had a cavity and have not had any dental issues, and without dental insurance have put off going for several years. No issues equaled no need to go when the budget was tight. I also had an awful experience the last time I went. The dentist was horribly rude to me. So I don't have anywhere to go to have this broken tooth fixed.

A friend is a dental hygienist out of town. I saw her briefly a week after it broke and she looked at it for me and said it felt huge, but was not bad, and likely just needed a filling. Several hundred dollars at her practice. She suggested I look into the dental school in the city for discounted care.

I called and the dental students were on vacation. I could call back in two weeks to make a screening appointment. Done. Two more weeks until I could get screened to see if they would accept me as a patient.

That appointment was yesterday.

Wow!

The city campus of the medical school, dental school, hospital, cancer center, children's hospital is huge and crazy!

The receptionist when I called to see what building I needed to go to told me "Honey, don't mess with the garages. Parking at that time of day is impossible. Do the valet."

Convinced! So I arrive at the city corner where the valet is located.... and see a big "Closed" sign! I panick for a few seconds and then I navigate the one way streets and find an sign that says patient parking garage. It takes me almost 20 minutes to navigate through the garage, snaking down 8 levels before I come to the booth at the bottom, not having found a spot. It was insane! The booth attendant asked for my ticket and requested $5. I told her I was looking for a spot. She gave me a receipt for comped parking (duh!) and a voucher for $3 off valet for my trouble of facing a full parking garage. I told her that the valet was closed and in English that was difficult to understand she told me to head toward the cancer center- left, left, right.

I began the process of figuring out the one way city blocks, immense traffic and pedestrians (most in scrubs) all over the streets out for lunch. I had left myself plenty of time, but it was quickly ticking away. About ten minutes later I was able to find a sign for another valet and I got in line. They took my voucher, $2 fee, and handed me a claim ticket and I was on my way. Only I had no idea where in the vast complex I was!

I walked on the streets for a block and found a big map with a red "you are here" sticker. Looked up the dental school- there are 3 buildings- and picked the closest one. It was a muggy 97 degrees as I walked the four city blocks to find my way. Thankfully, I picked the correct building and took the elevator up to patient registration with twenty minutes to spare.

I have never been in such a crowded facility before. There were students in scrubs with their name and class of 2012 or 2013 everywhere! I got forms to fill out and took my seat and waited a half hour for my group to be called. I then registered, paid my fee, and waited again. I was in group B. Another thirty minutes passed and we were called to follow a student back to radiology for an xray. After our group of 15 had all had xrays, we were escorted to the exam hall. There were about 20 dental chairs set up in fancy cubicle like areas. I was told three doctors would be examining me. Each one came, looked at my xray, spent about 10-30 seconds looking in my mouth, and left to view the next patient. A nurse came and said congratulations, I had been accepted as a patient of the dental school. A student would be contacting me within two weeks to set up a treatment plan appointment. Then we would schedule actual work at a 1/3 to 1/2 price discount. The entire evaluation process took less than five minutes!

So now I wait to do it all again. At least I know the lay of the land a bit better. I hope this turns out to be a savings over what just going to a local dentist would have been. One of the ten second examinators said he thought I'd need a root canal and crown. When I said "Really? I have no sensitivity or pain at all." He replied, "Hmmm? Maybe not. Your student evaluation will let you know, but if I were a betting man I'd say root canal." Praying that's not the case. Guess I'll know in a few weeks when I make the adventure back.

Headbands in Africa

Remember this post a few months ago?

What a blessing to watch this video of some of the beautiful orphans in Uganda who received the 4000 donated headbands and be able to identify for sure 4 precious kids wearing ones I made! One child is even pictured wearing the huge orange flower Teagan has on while we packed the box. Out of 4000 donated I got to see children wearing 4 of the 110 I made and donated. There are 3 more pictured I possibly made, but they are not as one of a kind as the ones I can identify as my creations for sure.

Pretty cool!

Crowning Princesses in Uganda 2011 from Kari Gibson on Vimeo.

Really?

Something's just wrong when it's 96 degrees when we came out of the Target at 9:30 PM tonight!!

My friend who has a house cleaning business came over today on her day off and helped me do some serious scrubbing and mopping and dusting and vacuuming in a lovely barter exchange (I'll be transporting her daughter to and from VBS and watching her for a few hours afterwards next week- I think I got the better end of the deal). We stayed inside working hard all day while her daughter and my girlies played. I was worn out, so decided it was the perfect night to use the restaurant gift card my mother in law gifted me for my birthday. We left for dinner around 7 PM. I wanted to pick up a few things at Target after dinner. When we came out of the store both girls remarked that it was impossible to believe that it was so late since it was still so hot outside.

Agreed!

It's 90 degrees at 11:49 PM. Expecting 102 tomorrow.

Really?

Blueberries!

We went blueberry picking (forgot the camera, darn!) with my parents last week and managed to pick 11 pounds in about 30 minutes between the 5 of us. I was responsible for 4 pounds myself. It was fun! My dad's rule is "pick one, eat one." Teagan had no trouble following the rule! Piper, who eats no fruit (don't ask- we are working on her- have been for years), just picked.

We washed them in a solution of 1 tsp of bleach to 1 gallon water. Mom read that that helps kill some germs and prolong their freshness. She had tried it with some other fruits, vegetables and green with great success. Also, her last round of blueberries lasted much longer with the bleach wash.

We have eaten our share by the handful, put them on our cereal, made a pie, and today Teagan and I made my favorite... Blueberry Pound Cake. This travels well, is great for a pot luck and frozen blueberries also work wonderfully.







The recipe comes from my college cookbook. It's easy and so yummy!!

2 pints blueberries
2 sticks butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 eggs

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups flour, divided (I use cake flour when I have it around)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 325. Grease and flour a 10 inch tube pan. Use mixer to cream sugar and butter; add eggs one at a time. Beat well after each addition. Add vanilla and beat until fluffy. Dredge berries with 1/2 cup flour and set aside. Sift remaining flour with baking powder and salt; fold into cake batter until well blended. Gently stir in berries. Pour into pan and bake for approximately 1 hour 1o minutes, or until a cake tester inserted near the center comes out clean. Place pan on rack and cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan.

Saturday happenings

Can you see the crack?



My windshield has cracked, and it's growing. I noticed the "L" crack behind the rear view mirror a few days ago. Seems the crack started way up high behind the mirror where I had no way of seeing it while it was still small. Now it's huge. When we went to run errands this afternoon, it was at least 10 inches longer. Ugh. It's called in and they'll let me know when the new glass is in and can be installed. To the tune of $100.

But on to the fun stuff.



We went school supply shopping. Yes, we have until September to worry about back to school stuff, but the girls are excited and it's better for me to do it in small doses. Piper got a post card yesterday from the county center for Gifted Education with a website link to her school supply list. The general ed lists came home with report cards in May. Target had a few things on sale that were on the list, and I wanted to check on beach/pool stuff that was 50% off.

I printed two copies of the lists. One went in my purse and one was taped onto the paper grocery bags that we will store the supplies in. They highlight the items as they go into the bag. Piper also hand wrote her list.








Used items from last year, ready for 2nd grade.


Piper was thrilled that she finally gets a binder, and could pick lime green!

Spent less than $30 total and each girly crossed quite a few things off her list.


Also found a big soft frisbee for $2.50. Most of the other clearance was, well, cleared out. The girls had fun trying the frisbee in the cul de sac. Works great! We'd have stayed out longer, but the mosquitoes are insane.





See their shiny hair clips? I just got the appliques in today in a handful of colors. Thrilled I finally have a new product that they deem "big kid" enough to wear.







I have to have girls who will wear some of my accessories.
After all, I am the "Bow Girl."