Friday, May 27, 2011

5.27

HAPPY 24th BIRTHDAY TO MY BEAUTIFUL SISTER, JESSICA!


Today marks the one month date from the April 27th tornado that devastated Tuscaloosa. We have progressed a little in re-building the city, yet there is a lot more work to be done. I'm still confident we'll come back stronger and better!


On a happier note, enjoy your holiday weekend! See you all back on Monday!

Monday, May 16, 2011

l a t e l y

Hey there readers, I hope all is well! Thanks for being so patient the past couple of weeks. Get ready for a fun summer full of volunteering, spending time with family and friends, working, vacations, and lots more! I can't wait to share some of the stories with all of you over the next couple months! Let's hope I remember to pull out the camera to document.


Lately I have been keeping super busy and occupied with work. In between work and sleep, I have been volunteering with some friends at Leland Aid Center located in Alberta, a town that the tornado severely hit. We got to meet with some tornado victims and help serve them food and supplied them with daily necessities. It has been so wonderful to meet with these people, hear their stories, and share some much needed hugs and encouragement. Tuscaloosa is a strong town and is in the beginning stages of clean up. Above is a photo from last week taken on the roof of our parking deck at the apartment. Before, you could never see the houses below as it was just trees. Now, as you can see, it's just broken houses covered in tarps. I can't wait to see how Tuscaloosa will recover from this. All I know is that it's going to be great and "the storm" {as it is now referred to as} has only brought this city closer and stronger.




The Friday after "the storm" my sister graduated with her master's in counseling from JSU. I am beyond proud of her and all her accomplishments! I can't wait to see what the future has to offer her, but I know she will succeed in anything she puts her mind too . . . that being said, in a couple of years when she completes the LPC I wouldn't be surprised if she opened her own practice!


In between Jessica's graduation and today, I went to visit family in Nashville, TN. I brought along my camera, and of course, I forgot to take any pictures. But to enlighten you of the week's events, I visited my grandfather in the hospital {which luckily he is now home!}, went grocery shopping with my grandmother {which is a social event in her church community, and by the way Kroger is one neat place. They sell everything from groceries to jewelry to school supplies, and get this, furniture! I'm talking like patio furniture to living room couches}, and ended the trip meeting friends at Wildhorse! If your in Nashville, you have got to go there! Just be sure to bring your dancing shoes!


Back in Tuscaloosa, I reunited with some sweet friends! Above is a picture of Kelsey, me, and Casey. If your in need of a Saturday night pick-me-up, just gather up some friends, put on your dancing shoes, and dance the night away!


Hope you all have a great Monday!

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Update on Tuscaloosa

Tuscaloosa is still a sight to see, but now it's blue tarps, national guards, Red Cross buses, policemen patrolling areas, Tide Loads of Hope, power trucks from all over, donation drop offs with an incredible amount given to the area, men with chainsaws, and the list goes on forever.


Thank you so much for your continuing thoughts, prayers, gifts, and help!




From Tuscaloosa News as of 10:00 am 5/3/2011: Fatalities still at 40; missing 240, 771 cleared. 11 search and rescue teams.


* Updated pictures coming soon!