Ever since we moved here to "The Alley", I have made it a point to pay extra close attention to the weather, especially during the spring.  Storms can quickly form without any warning whatsover; they can quickly turn severe and throw anything at you, including the kitchen sink.

The storms down here mean business.

The storms do little to ease my StormFear.  In fact, the StormFear has only intensified since we located to Texas five years ago.

One of my biggest fears has always been thunderstorms, especially since Dad took us all to see "Twister" at the movies.  That scene, where the man gets sucked up by the tornado, still gives me screaming nightmares, especially during the spring season.  It is not unusual for me to rip my family out of their peaceful slumber when I have that dream.

I had my husband build a storm shelter (okay, a safe room) right in our backyard, last year.  Good thing, too, because on April 3, 2012, tornadoes merrily skipped across the DFW (Dallas-Fort Worth) Metroplex, damaging homes, businuesses, and property from Forney to Arlington to Lancaster.  There were a total of 17 reported tornadoes that day .... and meanwhile, we were huddled in our safe room for a good part of the afternoon and evening.

It was absolutely terrifying, to say the least.

Our home had damage as a result of the storms, but not nearly as bad as some.  We, at least, survived the storms.

~To be continued!~