Tornado Sirens in the Night

Another night of severe thunderstorms. In fact, this time we had tornado warnings tossed in, too. Mindy and the kids even got up and headed to the basement. I’m thinking that was near 330a. Bella is hyper sensitive to any weather remotely capable of producing tornados. She was in our bed at least twice through the night in a downright panic. Then, when the sirens went off she flipped out, insisting that Mindy go to the basement. Mindy eventually drug herself from bed. I remember hearing Bella insist that she get Jacob up too, and then Frankie. They didn’t bother asking me more than once. When originally asked, I said no and rolled over and went back to sleep.

I laid there half awake for about five minutes listening to the tornado sirens. The weather quieted down completely – eerie even. I remember thinking, great, I refused to get up and go to the basement with the others and now I’m gonna die here in a tornado. I got up and turned on the TV to check the weather and radar. Channel 4 had the best coverage. Said the tornado threat was now all the way out in Newark, well past us. Looked like a doosey though. And the pounding against the windows and house earlier was crazy wicked. The sirens continued despite what I knew. It was well past us. I quietly went back to sleep.

Turns out, I slept right through my normal rise time, oversleeping by 20 minutes. I was frustrated with myself for doing so. What could I do other than hit the gas pedal? I quickly brushed my teeth and headed downstairs to whip through my routine. It was still raining but only lightly. No more lightning either.

I hurried through sit-ups then checked the forecast. It was warm and cloudy. Most of the threatening weather appeared beyond us. I went to do push-ups but my left wrist was hurting so bad I decided to forego them and in their place did curls. I took Frankie out at 605a. The rain had all but stopped. She took care of business quickly and efficiently. We were back by 615a. I poured and enjoyed some coffee then did a quick meditation and stretch. It was after 630a when I prepared Mindy’s coffee.

Frankie and I headed up where Mindy was already mid-shower. I headed back downstairs to ready for a run. My running clothes were in the dryer after getting soaked in yesterday’s downpour. I wore two wicking shirts but no fleece. Actually, though, that proved a tad too warm, but I simply dealt with it. Lightning struck nearby again. And a second flash was close enough that the thunder was only a second behind. At the time, I was just one quick loop from the three mile mark, and the farthest point from our house. Figures! I clipped that final loop and turned towards home, not wanting to risk life and limb. I made it back home safely.

Mindy was up and ready for work. Both kids were up and alert too. I teased Bella about making sure that her mom, Jacob and Frankie were safe while neglecting me. Said she gave me one chance. I then shared that reacting to the siren was 10 minutes too late. They still had no idea. We laughed it off that the siren is nothing more than telling you that had there been a tornado heading towards us, we’d have been dead.

Mindy made scrambled eggs topped with cheese. Said she made enough for Frankie too. I ate most of mine but had some left to add to what was already set aside for the dog. Meanwhile, Eiknarf expressed unbridled anxiousness for her share. She was making sounds I've never before heard. I gave them to her just before heading up for a shower.

Shower felt great. Was back downstairs packing my lunch by 745a. Mindy again had one of those yummy salads already prepared and setting in the fridge. I threw together a fruit medley, cheese and a banana. The kids and I headed out for the bus at 757a. Jacob didn’t have his jacket on or with him. I made him run back home and get it as the forecast was calling for dropping temps through the afternoon. By the end of the school day it was expected to be around 40.

After some last minute preparations, I headed off for work. It was somewhere near 830a. Work started off fine. We had our weekly staff call at 9a. It lasted no more than 30 minutes. Discussed ideas for process improvement.

I know I say it almost every day, but once again it was crazy busy. I ate my packed lunch from my desk. The salad Mindy packed really hit the spot. Being so busy made the entire day go by in a snap. Mindy called mid-afternoon to let me know that soccer practice was canceled due to wet fields. She also mentioned that my dad was joining us for dinner, having inferno chicken. She said he also agreed to cover the kids’ late start Thursday morning after I told Mindy that I couldn't due to previously planned department meetings that I just couldn’t miss.

I left work somewhere close to 530p. The lawn looked even greener than it did earlier that morning. All this rain is certainly good for our lawns, but we could sure use mid-70’s and sunshine. Greeted dad and Mindy as soon as I was inside the house. Both kids were off in their rooms. I asked if that was for punishment or play. Mindy confirmed for play. Good!

Dad and I chatted about who knows what while Mindy dished up dinner. The inferno chicken was exceptional. Mindy made baked potatoes & tater tots, too. I went with the tots. Oh yeah, there were green peas as well. During dinner dad shared that he transported Vicky to her second eye surgery appointment, cataracts, I think. Said everything went well. He also shared the details surrounding Archie’s latest vet appointment at Banfield. As I gathered, he’s in good overall health. Just not sure why he’d send his son to a veterinarian in lieu of a real doctor. 

I shared that Banfield sent me a reminder that Ykraps was due for his rabies vaccine. I joked that I called and asked if they were sure he still needed it. After receiving a confident yes I dug him up and took him in. Really? No, not really. That story morphed into the horrible odor emanating from near his pond side burial site. I wondered if it was his body decomposing. Mindy chimed in that he’d almost certainly be fully decomposed, now some 15 months removed.

The kids were dismissed from the dinner table and ran off to play. I’m thinking Bella headed off to Makayla’s and Jacob off on his bike. After clean-up, Dad, Mindy & I enjoyed some Jeni’s ice cream (what was left from our cookout two weeks ago). We each had some of the chocolate jalapeño and the black coffee. We offered to send what was left of the buttermint home with dad. Mindy & I don’t care too much for it. Dad accepted.

Dad started telling stories from his youth. While listening, I slipped over to the sofa and laid down. I wasn’t trying to kid anyone. I was tired and likely going out for a nap. The story he was telling was of particular interest to Mindy. You see, he was sharing a story about his interactions with her aunt - her father’s sister - who he was friends with as a youngster. I must’ve drifted off quickly. Next thing I knew Dad was heading off for home. Said he’d see me around 8am for the late start.

It was almost time for Idol. The kids now home, we all gathered in the family to watch. Haley didn’t disappoint, but her performance was not the strongest, that I’ll admit. Instead, James Durbin was best. He did a Muse tune. I think it was called, Uprising. My thoughts: Jacob, Lauren and Scottie were the three worst.

The kids headed to bed after Idol. Mindy and I stayed up watching Break In, starring Christian Slater. Very funny, although I fell asleep before the very end. Headed to bed immediately afterwards. Tucked Bella in on my way to bed. Found a roll of scotch tape tucked under her pillow. Strange??? You just never know what you might find under there. Happens frequently. I went right to sleep. My shoulders were bothering me quite a bit.