The difference a day makes.....

Yesterday brought our 9th straight day of rain. Prior to yesterday, we had received 7" of rain in the month of February. Last I heard yesterday evening, we received between 5" - 7" MORE in 24 hours. That would mean a total of 12" - 14" for the month of February. Our normal average is 3.9" for February....and we still have a week to go with more rain returning on Wednesday. 

This was some of the pictures shared on Facebook from yesterday's rain which caused over 100 roads to be closed due to flooding. Local businesses were closing early to allow their employees to return home and because the water was getting close to their doors. This is the river behind my work, but it has a big parking lot between us and the water. This was at 8:48 a.m. yesterday morning. It got even higher than that before the day was over. 

Many of you may have heard of or even visited the Apple Barn and Applewood Restaurant when you visit the Smoky Mountains. Here is the creek in front of it. You can see the restaurant sign to the right of the picture. The two lane road is in front of that sign. You can see  how it is completely under water. The road was gone. 

And the famous Old Mill and Old Mill Restaurant was another one who had to shut their doors and go home. 

Just some random pictures of creeks and little rivers rising out of their banks. 

More flooding near homes.

This is at the end of the road my son lives on. It definitely came out and up over the road. He can get out on the other end, but the river on the other end is even closer to the road. I don't know if it flooded or not.

More swift water running down stream.

It was everywhere. And it came up fast. We had just had so much rain and the ground was so wet that there was no place else for it to go.

This is the other end of my road. If you turn left, it takes you to the interstate, but it looks like nobody was going anywhere on that road yesterday. And that is just a little creek that came up and over the road.

So many roads were covered. Many were closed, but some were still passable for part of the day.

The rain left around 4 or 5 p.m. But came back a little after 7:00 with thunder and high winds. It is still a little windy this morning, well windy enough that you hear it whistle. The rain has all moved out but the wind could get gusts from 20 - 40 mph. Maybe that will dry things up. But I did wake up to see the sun slowly coming up along the ridge. But what made me happier was the blue sky and white fluffy clouds.

It looks like it is going to be a beautiful day. It is supposed to get up to 59 or 60 degrees today. Bring it on!

Is that rain I hear?

Is that rain I hear? Of course it is. Every day. All day. This whole month just about. The month of February in our area averages about 3.19" of rain per year. As of 2/22/19,  we have had 7" and it hasn't quit yet nor does it show any signs of quitting. If I was blogging every day about weather, I could write. It rained. I got wet. Wet, rinse, repeat. It's ridiculous. I went to bed with pouring rain and woke up with pouring rain. I thought to myself "how are we not having flooding". Went on Facebook and local weather channel predicts flooding today. I am talking it is flat out putting down the rain. 

The National Weather Service said yesterday that we were under a flood watch until 7:00 a.m. today. Okay, here is a question for you. If you are under a flood watch until this morning and it is raining harder today and not predicted to let up but to actually get worse, would you not be under a flood watch all day?

On top of the hard rain all morning, the weather also shared the lovely, wonderful news that as this weather pattern moves out this afternoon, a worse one is behind it with even MORE rain, strong wind and thunderstorms. She said, "This is not a day you want to be away from weather updates." Oh joy! Please pray that we get some relief soon. It has been doing this for most of January and what feels like all of February. 

The local newspaper reported this yesterday "And even more rain is likely in Knoxville on Saturday, Eisentrout said, meaning the possibility for nine straight days of measurable rainfall. "

My response to all this gloom and doom knowing I have to go out in it to work.....

Just sayin'

I. AM. TIRED. OF. RAIN. Just so you know.

Looking forward to a change....

Late last year, the company behind The Stampede purchased The Fee/Hedrick Family Entertainment Group which consisted of the following shows in Pigeon Forge, TN. 

Comedy Barn

 Smoky Mountain Opry

Magic Beyond Belief

Frizzle Chicken Restaurant 

and The Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Show

Since I do group greeting at the Stampede, I get the honor of going down on Friday and Saturday to the Hatfield/McCoy show and do their group greeting and train a few new greeters. At the Stampede, my uniform is a red sweater over a black t-shirt and black pants and black shoes. We switch the sweater and t-shirt to a royal blue short sleeve shirt in March. So I am excited that my Hatfield attire is a plaid or flannel shirt, a pair of jeans and just my tennis shoes. I have a flannel shirt about like this one so that is what I am wearing. And we don't even have to tuck it in. After all, it is about hillbillies so I have to look the part. LOL.

The other fun part is my name. Since it is about two feuding families, our names tags don't just have our name. We are all listed as cousins. And some positions you don't even use your real name. So they have a Cousin Bob, Cousin Susie, etc. Well, when I got to pick out my name, I decided with that many cousins around I wanted to be the Aunt because I am older than most of the cousins. Since my first niece who is 43 couldn't say Brenda, a friend started her calling me B. So I have been B (just the letter) for 43 years. All my nieces and nephews call me that. So here is my new name tag for the times I go help out with groups at the other show. 

Having all these new shows is going to be exciting. It's weird, but the older I get the more I can adapt to changes. Especially at work because it makes for a life that is never boring.

A fun evening.....

Last night after work, I went to dinner with some of my friends to see see the Hatfield & McCoy's Dinner Show. 

First person I saw was a gal that used to work with me that I just thought the world of. It was great to see her again and get to catch up.

Two of my best friends went with me. We always have a great time when we get together.

The show was different than anything I had ever seen. I'm still reeling from all the action it contained.

The other day my daughter was cleaning out some things and found some extra St. Patrick's day decor she wasn't going to use so she passed it my way. I love this place mat.

An adorable rock and wood clover.

She also gave me this cute Easter arrangement. 

Well, that's it for today. 

Weekend wrap up.....

My three day weekend started when I got off work Friday night and picked up the three youngest grands to spend it with me. First thing I did was give them a box. I had wrapped it inside layers of saran wrap and they had to take turns unwrapping the layers. The last layer ended up being Alexis so she got to open the box which had a Valentine's day card and 3 tickets to Dolly Parton's Stampede.

They were super excited. They love going to the Stampede as much as I do.

Saturday, we got up and went to Hobby Lobby because I needed some things for Children's Church. We checked out the Easter decor while we were there. I fell in love with this vintage can. I am waiting till Easter goes on 40% off around the first of March to get it. 

I also fell in love with this little rabbit holding a flower. I am definitely going to go back and get it.

I just had to take a picture of the white rabbit to show you. Doesn't he look like he is in attack mode and could jump on you at any minute. I have to admit I never saw a evil looking rabbit until then.

As we turned one corner of the store, I just had to come to a complete stop. Pink Flamingos! Lots and lots of pink flamingos. Oh I am definitely going to have to go back to Hobby Lobby soon.

Saturday night they wanted a fix-your-own-pizza bar. So I put everything on the table so they could do just that.

Alexis went first. She was very precise with how she places everything. She's my "I want all toppings" girl.

Shelby was next. Ms. Plain Cheese Pizza didn't take long since she just smothers with cheese and she's done.

Colby did his with pepperoni and sausage. He kept giggling because he put on a pepperoni. Ate a pepperoni. Repeat.

They all turned out great and we had so much fun making them.

Sunday we went to church where we made a robot named Bob from "lost" items I hid in one of the spare rooms and they had to find it. We covered Bob with aluminum foil and made him hands, facial features, a bow tie, and decorated him with the lost items to make him "whole". The story was about the Parable of the lost sheep and how God makes us whole when we are lost and come to him. It was a great class. I will get a pic of Bob this Sunday as I forgot to last week.

Then finally, the moment they had been waiting on. Sunday evening came around and we made it to The Stampede. Of course they wanted their picture made with our pretty princess, Kelsey.

We headed into the pre-show and enjoyed some popcorn. They always get mugs so they can get them signed by all the performers after the show.

They like to dance along to the train song as they get to move around the whole saloon with the waitresses. It's always a fun time.

Then the big moment came and we made it to the arena and settled in to watch the show. It was an awesome evening.

It was cold and rainy when we left to head home. By the time we got settled in the warm house, I was so relaxed. I reclined back in the recliner and just closed to my eyes to rest them. I was wide awake and was listening to the movie they were watching. Listening to Shelby and Colby get the giggles as they were playing on the couch. Then I hear Colby say, "Best impression of Mamaw ever." I opened my eyes to see what he meant and the little squirt was reclined back with his feet on the table and his eyes closed mimicking me. It was a great way to end the day.

Monday, we just hung out around the house and I did laundry. They helped me fold it because they had to tell me who's socks were who's so I sent the right clothes home with the right kids. We packed as we folded so there wasn't any rush the rest of the day. It was the best three days I have had since Christmas. Now it's back to work today. Tonight I get to go see one of our new sister shows, Hatfield and McCoys. I am going with a few of my couple of my best friends and some fun co-workers so I expect to have a great time. I am looking forward to it.