I had my appendix out on Monday morning. This was after Michelle and I spent all night in the ER doing tests and such to determine that my appendix was the problem. Above, I am drinking that wonderful tasting dye so I can get a cat scan. Anyway, I am on my way to recovery now and getting better each day.
There is nothing like having Michelle to giggle with all night long before a surgery. She is absolutely the best person to have in a crisis. She would question the nurses and the doctors when we did not understand something. After the surgery, she would not leave me and took care of me 24/7. She slept in the most uncomfortable chair all night (even though I told her to go home, even though I did not want her to) just to stay by my side. I have no reason to be blessed with such a caring, fantastic daughter but I am, so I am just going to be thankful every day of my life for it. I might have gotten through all this without her but there would have been lots of tears instead of lots of laughs. So Michelle, thanks for being the BEST daughter ever and taking care of me. I love you so much.

This is not snow, this is one inch of hard packed ice. We have been iced in for two days now. I am just loving this northern place! On the bright side, we still have electricity.
So I have been cooking. Last night I made some hamburger steaks with a recipe Jenna gave me the last time I was home and thinking about Christine, I made warm brownies with ice cream. That is our favorite desert. In fact, I think I will go have some more right now. Stay warm!

Update

Our house in Prattville is fine. The tornado hit about 200 yards away. So, we were lucky again. I do feel bad though for all the people that lost their homes in Prattville.

For those of you who haven't heard, Prattville, AL had a F3 tornado hit them. We are still waiting to see if our rental house was in the path. It definitely hit in our neighborhood. If you look at the video, it shows some apartment buildings that got hit and our neighbhorhood is right behind it. After scouring many news footage, we think we are ok but our management company has still not given us the 100% guarantee we want. This will be the 3rd tornado bullet we dodge if we do dodge it. First, OK city, then here, now Prattville. I hate me a tornado.

Smothered Chicken
Crawfish Etoufee'
Shrimp Po'boy from Old Tyme
Meche's Donuts

Keith, these are 4 really good reasons to move home as soon as possible. You know, not counting family and friends!

Kristy is working it for the band in the Kings parade.

Michelle is showing off her mardi gras skills!

Happy Mardi Gras. I went to 3 parades today. My friend Carolyn's daughter, Kristi, was marching in the King's parade and she was terrific. I have a video but that will have to wait til I get home to put it on here.
This is shrimp on a stick and it was good. Right here is a reason to move home, meat on a stick.
The King's parade is the first one of the day. Here is the King's float. I will put up more pics later. I am sooo tired.

Connor is getting to be so big and he laughs so cute.
I just know Michelle is practicing so I can be a grandmother one day!!! Just joking, Michelle.

Our first parade was a lot of fun. Michelle caught lots of beads and a boa from Brandy!
Going to the parade with Carolyn was extra special. We didn't do so bad ourselves.
Brandy was rockin' this wig but ended up wearing a green one instead on the float.
This guy was driving this recliner 4 wheeler everywhere. How coonass is that?

Here is Michelle doing her "throw me something, mister" dance!

Here we are again, buried under snow. Living in the north is for the birds, except even they have the good sense to go south.
I shoveled that whole driveway by myself. I am practicing to be an emptynester. The boys can dig themselves out. Today is February 1st and it is one year since Keith left to go to training. Shoveling that driveway really makes me realize how much he is needed around here.

I can't wait to head south and get warm. Happy Mardi Gras.