Thursday, January 29, 2010, Nashville, Tennessee, 11:41 a.m., C.S.T.~

Dear Journal~

Hello!  Louie here.  I am currently sitting in the livingroom, in my nightgown and robe, slippers upon my feet, and a hot mug of Cajun-style coffee in my little hands.  I am looking out the big picture window, watching the snow falling outside.  It is really coming down hard; you can hardly see across the street, that's how hard it is snowing!  We are currently under a winter storm warning:  2-4" of snow expected today, and 3-7" of snow expected tonight.  That's not counting the ice; probably around 1/4" of ice (or thereabouts). 

I'm just glad I got off work at seven, before the weather moved in ...  it started at nine, and it's been snowing nonstop since.  Expecting a foot of snow (or more) before this is all said and done here in the Nashville metro area! 

The kids are currently at school; they might be getting out early if this keeps up.  Seems like a distinct possibility ...  And then when they DO get out of school, it will take 'em longer to get home.  Probably won't get home until 4 or later.  *sigh*

All I can do is pray that they have a safe trip home and that God protects them if they get stuck in traffic or while on the road ...

Bill is home; he is babysitting Ian and Isaiah, giving me a well-deserved break, seeing I worked last night.  I can hear Isaiah and Ian laughing, and Bill making silly sounds; he absolutely adores his youngest sons!  And they adore their big, strong daddy!  :)  Other than that, the house is quiet.  The animals are sleeping or playing quietly with their toys or laying by the fireplace, keeping warm.

Since we knew the weather was going to get bad, we put "Sparkle", our goat, in the shed outside; we have plenty of food and water for her, so she's taken care of.  We will go out later and give her fresh food and water.  Just as long as she doesn't head-butt anyone; that will be okay by me!  Yesterday, she head-butted me, right in the butt!  My poor butt is all black and blue!  *OW!*  It hurts to sit!   LOL

Don't know why she did that:  she was in one of her moods, I guess.  LOL

I had a slow night last night:  had four patients, all in the ICU.  My usual home away from home.  LOL  The one who took up most of my time was this tiny Chinese lady who had a tumor removed from her spine.  She was in a lot of pain; nothing seemed to touch it.  I felt so bad for her!

Hopefully she is feeling better today.  I will have to call work and ask Gloria, the day nurse, how she's doing and say a prayer for her.

I knew it was going to storm:  my body was cussin' a bloody blue streak at me.  My arthritis was rearin' its ugly head.  My back was fine; it was just everywhere else!  LOL  Bill and Ronee' 's bodies were yowlin' at 'em too. 

Johnny kiddingly calls us the Human Barometers.  LOL 

We know when a storm is fixin' to come:  our bodies warn us ahead of time and very seldom lie.  LOL

Johnny's weather radio kept going off last night, announcing this warning or that warning.  Flash flood watches/warnings.  Severe thunderstorm warnings (in January??).  Even a tornado warning south of here!  Crazy weather!  Yesterday, before the storms came in, it was in the sixties; now it's in the 30's!

Maybe.  Could be even colder than that!

My sister in Burleson, Texas, called:  they had some pretty strong thunderstorms roll through there yesterday.  No damage where she lives, but west of there, in Stephenville, there was straight line wind damage.  A nursing home had about 50' of its roof blown back, and some businesses had damage, too.  They were very fortunate!

I have been keeping contact with my friends from Arkansas and Oklahoma, where the weather has hit especially hard.  They are stuck indoors; everything there is closed, and officials are warning people to stay home; if they get out on the road unless it is for emergency purposes only; if they do get out, they run the risk of getting arrested.  Power is out in numerous locations, and the roads there ere extremely treacherous.  It's really bad there, and it's fixin' to get bad here as well, if the heavy snow falling outside is any indication ...

Good, grey grief!  A big bolt of lightning just went off; and the thunder is now crashing outside!  Thundersnow!  Nice!  So it's snowing, along with lightning and thunder!  Crazy weather!  That startled me!  Sure wasn't expecting that!!!

I am sure if Ronee' heard that, she'd be ducking her head and saying:  "Make it stawwwwwp!!!!"  LOL

Bill just came in here, eyes all wild, saying, "Did you hear that??"  He had Ian on his back and Isaiah tucked underneath one arm.  They looked just as startled as he did!  Poor babies! 

Well, since it is thundering and lightning outside, I will shut this down and try to amuse myself until the rest of the gang come trudging in from school (whenever that will be!).  I will write in here again; until later, this is Louie saying so long!  Take care and God bless you!  And if y'all are out in this stuff, please stay safe!

~Love, your friend in Tennessee, Louie May.  :)