Happy Independence Day!

The Summer From Hell

There are wild fires in the west, drought in the South and floods in Iowa and Missouri. What do we get her in the Big O? Huge, unpredictable tornadoes and wind storms.

The first Tornado flew through our neighborhood at about 2am on a Sunday Morning several weeks ago. We were lucky to only have some tree damage, but were reminded just how lucky we were when we drove 4 blocks north. Homes with no roofs, homes without any exterior walls and total destruction.

Ten days later another tornado - this was the one responsible for the deaths up in Little Sioux. It was a long night in the basement and the closest touchdown was about 5 blocks to the south of us.

This past Friday we had straight line winds up to 125 mph fly through our city at about 5pm. Just in-time to terrorise those sitting outside at Memorial Park waiting for the free concert to begin. Many more were in Downtown Omaha at the Summer Arts Festival. Thousands of trees were tossed to the ground (roots and all thanks to the ungodly amount of rain we've had the last month). Homes and cars destroyed by fallen trees. Nearly 130,000 residents were without power (many are still in the dark). There were two fatalities in Council Bluffs (just across the river).

I spent the several hours after the storm drinking with some friends at Grandmothers. We're pretty sure they were the only place in a 40 block radius that was open: they still had power. The drink special: Hurricanes!

I think we are all ready for some calm weather.

Sorry I missed your Birthday Mike!

Party on!

Sweet Smell of Success

I've been trying to figure out what my definition of success really is (at least for today) and how to achieve it. The first step in letting go of perfection and being being perfectly flawed is being honest with yourself. Something I must admit hasn't been a strong point for me. So for right now, my definition of success is being completely honest!


So here are some things I'd like to get off my chest:

• I am a horrible housekeeper (and cubicle-keeper, and car-keeper)

Really, I am. I'm good at cleaning, and I like to have a clean house, but the act of cleaning itself has just never been appealing! A magazine-ready home is fine, but really who does that? Do people really live in these homes?

• I smoke

That's right I am an eviiiil smoker. For those of you who thought I had quit - I did - I really did. Life got ugly and I am weak. I know that I always have 20 friends that don't judge me and don't lie to me. I'm married to a former smoker -you know the kind I mean - they think smoking is the most horrible, evil, disgusting thing I could be doing. I like to explain that I was a smoker when he married me - he knew what horrible, evil, disgusting life laid ahead!

• I don't balance my checkbook

Bad, I know - the consequences have proven that, but does anyone still balance their checkbook when online banking is available? At one point I knew someone who thought that the balance on the ATM receipt was correct. Never mind those 4 checks I mailed yesterday! This is probably my worst habit and one I have vowed to conquer!

• My family eats out 4 times a week

I love to cook, but trying to be perfect all day is simply exhausting! Who wants to come home and cook and then clean (see the first bullet point)?

• I'm not as tough as I try to appear

Physically - I'm not real tough and I don't try to be. At 5-foot-nothin', there isn't the option of looking too tough. I do however try to talk a big game, but rest assured, I'm not always as self-confident as I sound. My meow is bigger than my bite!




So there you have it. I've come clean! These lies won't plague any longer!