On June 19th, my computer started messing up - turning off and on, and off and on, and off and on, etc. I haven't been able to use it since then. I've put off taking it to get repaired because I'm afraid it might cost a lot and we've had some other expenses to take care of. (Of course, it could also not cost as much as I'm afraid it will cost.) Anyway, it's been sitting in my office (which has become more of a storage room than anything) since then. I've been afraid that my blog would get deleted (unlikely, since my first blogspot blog still exists) and since Charlie brought a laptop home from work, he's letting me use it to check and update my blog.
A lot has happened since June. I've tried to keep notes on my phone. I'm going to try to keep this as short as I can, but that could be difficult.
--------------------
Sean had training with FedEx from July 31st to August 4th, started working for them August 7th (deliveries), and was fired the next day because he said the job was hard and wasn't sure he could handle it. (Long story there involving 2-3 different people training him, each with their own method.) A couple weeks after that, he was diagnosed with acute bronchitis, mild intermittent asthma, and something else. He had started getting sick a few days before getting fired. He thinks that may have made the job harder because he was feeling weak and coughing.
Sean began searching for a new job soon after getting fired. He applied many places. It was frustrating when jobs that said "little to no experience necessary" or said they would train would then tell him that he didn't have enough experience. :-/ Ashley works, but doesn't make enough to cover everything. My mom gave Sean money every week (I didn't know this for awhile; I didn't know they were struggling that much because they didn't say anything to us) to help with food, gas, tires, etc.
Finally, at the end of October, he was hired by Napa to work in parts. (A warehouse or distribution center.) He started on October 30th. He should be getting health insurance through his job and a raise by the end of January. He seems to like his job so far.
--------------------
On August 4th, Sean and Ashley told us that they're having a baby. Due April 12th - 3 days after Sean's birthday. They've since found out it's a girl.
Still feels weird that I'm going to be a grandma. I don't feel like a grandma. lol
---------------------
Sometime in July, my brother married Shari. She's originally from Canada and has two kids from a previous relationship. A girl (Sofia) and a boy (Remi). Del and Shari are trying to get partial or full custody of Del's son Drake from his previous marriage. A long story I don't want to get into, but I'll just say that his ex is being difficult. Apparently, even her lawyer is frustrated by her tantrums/defiance. There's a court date in January, I think, and they want me and Mom to be there.
--------------------
On August 15th, a bad storm hit our area. I was outside with Milo waiting for him to potty when I saw dark, angry-looking clouds coming our way. I let Milo in and then went back outside to record it, not realizing how bad it would get. After a few minutes, the wind picked up and got so bad that I quickly went inside and closed the door. The wind had already blown the bird feeder off one of our trees and the look and sound of the wind was so scary I thought a tornado was about to hit.
Kelly looked out the window and saw that both of our trees had cracked in half and fallen. One of the trees fell on my car. I handed Milo to her and told her to get in the bathtub. I ran around for a few seconds trying to find Loki, but I couldn't find him and ran into the bathroom and closed the door. I was shaking so bad and terrified that the roof was going to get blown off.
When the wind finally stopped, I went outside and recorded the damage. I was crying, not so much from the damage to my car, but I think from the panic and fear I had felt. I was afraid my car had been completely smashed in, but it wasn't. The windshield was busted, a small dent on top of the car, a couple dents on the front above the driver side tire, back wiper broke off, scratches all over the top and sides. (Of course, I couldn't see all of this until the tree had been removed.)
After I finished recording, I called Charlie and told him what happened. He came home with a chainsaw and he and a few of our neighbors got to work. We got it the worst in our neighborhood. About 4 or 5 of the homes on our street (all in a row with our house) lost a tree. No one's home or car was damaged.
Pleasant Garden, and a few places between our neighborhood and Pleasant Garden, had quite a bit of damage as well. The meteorologists said that it was a down burst with some rotation and the wind speed of an F-1 or F-2 (can't remember which) tornado. It was so scary!
Our trees have been completely cut down, with just stumps remaining. Charlie said he's going to get rid of them, but he hasn't yet. Our yard looks so weird with no trees.
--------------------
My friend Phyllis (called "Sis") died on September 3rd. We first became friends online in March 1999. She was quite a bit older than me (early to mid 70s) and had had a stroke. While in the hospital, she had a heart attack and they couldn't save her. I'm glad I was able to visit her in the hospital before she passed. I cried quite a bit when she passed. Especially for her husband Steve.
Sis and Steve were originally from Minnesota and moved here in the summer of 2020. (After having lived in NY and VA.) When Steve retired, they decided to move here after visiting and loving the location and our church. Steve didn't stay fully retired for long though. He teaches music at NC A&T and is also in a local orchestra.
I sometimes forget that she's gone and then I remember and feel sad. I miss seeing her at church and sometimes feel sad seeing Steve there without her.
--------------------
Kelly's friend Rene (aka, my "second daughter") and her husband had a baby on September 18th, 19th, or 20th. (Can't remember which. lol) A boy they named Anthony. He is so freaking cute!
--------------------
On October 3rd, Charlie brought my car to a repair shop. (Took long enough for the insurance!) Our insurance company decided it was totaled and we picked the car back up on October 6th. They sent us a check (we used part of it to pay off a couple doctor bills) and Charlie is slowly fixing the car himself. The windshield and back wiper have been replaced and Charlie is in the process of getting rid of dents and scratches and preparing it for paint. Not sure how much longer it's going to be. My car looks rough! lol Sanded, stuff put on it where it's been sanded, many of the pieces that can't be painted have been removed.
--------------------
Kelly went to her first therapy appointment on October 4th. She wasn't able to make her second one in November and the next available appointment wasn't until January 4th. So, she'll go back on that date. Hopefully, they can figure out what's going on with her.
--------------------
Charlie, Kelly, and I (and Milo) went to the mountains on October 18th. The color was gorgeous! We went a different route this time instead of our usual. Instead of 40-W to 52-N to Fancy Gap to the Parkway and then head south to Boone, we took 40-W to near Mt. Mitchell, went to Mt. Mitchell, then got on the Parkway. We were going to take the Parkway to almost the Linn Cove Viaduct and then take a different road to Boone, but somehow we got turned around and ended up heading back south and didn't realize until we were near Asheville. lol
So Kelly and I went back to the mountains on October 23rd. We got on the Parkway near Mt. Mitchell and I made sure we went north this time. lol We went to overlooks we had never been to before and loved it. We got off before the Linn Cove Viaduct, went into Blowing Rock, went to Shoppes on the Parkway to get cherry cordials at Kilwin's, drove into Boone to eat supper at Dan'l Boone Inn Restaurant (the mashed potatoes were delicious!), and then came home.
Sean and Ashley went to the mountains on October 28th.
--------------------
I think that's all of the main things that have happened. There have been clothing purchases since May, but it may be easier to add pictures from my computer. If I even bother. I'd also like to post pictures of our mountain trip, storm damage, and maybe ultrasound of Sean and Ashley's baby.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
*~*Nocturnal Queen*~*
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
