Tornado that hit Rayne

This past weekend was horrible but we were spared from the tornadoes. One did touch down in Crowley, but it was about 12 blocks from our house. Rayne was not spared and it is one of the poorest areas in Rayne. It's really sad to see the damage done and the loss of a young mother saving her child. The results were in about her death and much was speculation until the final report. The tree that fell on her as she craddled her little boy (22 months old) broke her neck, but she died at the hospitall from a heart attack and that's the final report. Al was knocked onto a porch when lightening struck by and the tornado went over his head and spared him, but he said the rain was a circular motion and he was really scared and came home shaking. When he heard one hit Crowley, he called to see if I was okay, but except for the loud noise from the rain, I basiclly slept through it. Over 100 people are now homeless and over 20 people were injured, some just minor injuries. Every one said the tornado was white, so they must have been inside the tornado, but when it picks up a lot of rain, it usually is white, at least around here. One mail carrier had his truck picked up and spun around then flipped about 3 times, but he was not injured---just a little scared. Another rural carrier had to get out of his jeep and jump in a ditch to avoid the tornado, so he is okay also. Al doesn't know what to expect at work today, because an entire section has been closed off, so there will be no mail deleivery today.

In better news, we had a dinner Saturday night with some of my high school graduates and it was wonderful seeing old friends, even though it had only been 5 years since our last reunion. We are now planning our 45 reunion for next year. Time sure has flown by and I must say, hardly any of my friends have changed. At first I wasn't going to go, because the main topic when we got there was how I was doing after the heart attack, so we found a corner to sit in and enjoyed our meal and talked about other things, like our children and what we have been doing lately. It was a fun night for everyone. I am going to download some pictures from my friends facebook, she put them there for all of us to see and take.

To those who are facing flooding on the East Coast, I hope you stay out of harm's way. Will be praying for everyone as it seems there is bad weather to be found every where. Have a great week, Love and hugs, Pat

This could go on Forever

I am having the time of my life and I wish it would last longer, but this has been one of the best weeks I've had in a very long time. The guys are gone to watch the Saints play, so I have a day to myself.
Last night Donnie and I went to play bingo and he won $150. He was so excited because when he would go and play with his mawmaw and pawpaw, he never won. He will be leaving in the morning and visit his friends in New Orleans, then fly out New Year's Eve. From there he will be leaving on a train for Montreal for New Years. He took lots of pictures and I am hoping he downloads them to my computer before he leaves---I still haven't found mine.
We did a lot of talking about things and he has helped me make some big changes, so the New Year will be a good one. We are looking forward to taking a train ride to Washington in May. This will be new experience for me and on my Bucket List. Next will be Niagra Falls when I go to NYC.

The only thing that could have possibly made Christmas better was having Chris and David here, along with my parents, but they were all with us in spirit.

Chris sent me a box full of vintage pillow cases and doilies, plus an Ole Soul Angel that she and David picked out when they went on a weekend trip to a Bavarian town. I always believed I was born with an old soul, so she knows me well. Also got a gift card to Micheals and some vintage wrapping paper. I will post pictures as soon as I locate my camera.

My hope this year is for people to pay it forward if you have received many Blessings.  My wish for everyone is to enjoy Life to it's fullest, because it's gone in the blink of an eye. Our friends across the street lost 2 cousins that were brothers, just 20 days apart and both were very young. So please keep Steven and his family in your prayers.

Not sure if any of you watched the weather, but Tornadoes ripped through here on Christmas Eve morning. We were lucky because it just passed above us and touched down on the other side of the I-10. Donnie and I both heard the roaring and the winds were blowing things around the  backyard like crazy. We went to bed with them saying it was only a watch, so we didn't worry about it. Please pray for these families. Donations were picked up quickly and 2 huge trucks with wrapped gifts were delievered, while men were up on roofs trying to cover up empty attics. If you are interested you can go the Crowley Post Signal and see the devastation it caused. Minor injuries, so no deaths except in Scott where a tree fell on a young man's trailer.
Well got to get going and get dressed. I hope you all continue to enjoy the rest of the holiday. Love, Hugs, Prayers, and Peace. Pat