Remarkably everyone is looking forward and not back. Tomorrow will be our first day back at work and I'm sure there will be some lengthy meetings but I genuinely believe that Jim will pull through.
The Aftermath
Last night I had the depressing honor of removing all confidential materials from James T. Brems, PC last night. One flood, eleven years of work and an empty semi trailer later and the files were all gone.
Remarkably everyone is looking forward and not back. Tomorrow will be our first day back at work and I'm sure there will be some lengthy meetings but I genuinely believe that Jim will pull through.
Remarkably everyone is looking forward and not back. Tomorrow will be our first day back at work and I'm sure there will be some lengthy meetings but I genuinely believe that Jim will pull through.
Traffic Jam
I figured that since it took me over an hour to get from daycare to work today (normally a 15-20 minute route) all because people were gawking at the flood waters, or lack thereof, I could take the time to get a few shots.
What else is there to do when it's just you in the car and bad morning radio?
What goes up...must come down. I honestly can't believe how much it has gone down. I mean...you can see the bridges downtown again and nearly all the streets are dry.
They are hoping the Cedar River to be below flood stage by Saturday. Let's all cross our fingers!
What else is there to do when it's just you in the car and bad morning radio?
What goes up...must come down. I honestly can't believe how much it has gone down. I mean...you can see the bridges downtown again and nearly all the streets are dry.
They are hoping the Cedar River to be below flood stage by Saturday. Let's all cross our fingers!
Blue skies...smiling at me. Nothing but blue skies do I see.
I've been humming Irving Berlin's song, Blue Skies, in my head for a few days now. And considering what the city of Cedar Rapids has been through in the last few days, I'd say it's quite fitting.
It seems the flood waters weren't enough and God decided that a few more inches of fresh rain would really make things interesting. We had not one, not two, but three severe thunderstorms this weekend. I only got a picture of the down pour from two storms because the other one was at 3:30 in the morning and looking for my camera was not my #1 priority.
Storm #1
Seriously...can you see the downpour?
Storm #2
Out of these rain storms came two good things, though. Starting Thursday, the city of Cedar Rapids had to restrict the use of water to drinking only and that meant no dishes, no laundry and definitely no bathing. So when the heavens opened up on Saturday people grabbed their swimsuits and shampoo and went outside for a bath!!
The other good thing was that after the storms passed they left some beautiful skies behind.
Against my better judgment, I agreed to take the camper out this weekend. Dustin began his pouting around Wednesday afternoon and by the time Thursday came around he was in full "toddler tantrum mode". I know how disappointed he's been with how little we've been able to go out lately but COME ON!
I was sick (physically) and extremely upset about everything happening with my place of work. So a part of me thought that getting away from the television for awhile would help me and if, in the meantime, it changed Dustin's mood...well, then all the better.
Long story short...I should have listened to my inner voice and stayed home. The whole weekend was one disaster after another. Between the storms, the power outages, the water being out, my severe sickness and the overall lack of a good time I couldn't wait for Sunday to come around. There's something about being cooped up with two kids, a large dog and husband when you're sick that makes you appreciate personal space.
I do have to give Dustin some credit, though. I haven't been this sick in a looonnggg time and I took enough antibiotics and pain medication to knock out a horse. So much like my Mother's Day, his Father's Day was a bust. What goes around comes around, wouldn't you say?
I do believe, however, that I have done my selfless act for the year. Through my misery the children did have a good time and Dustin was just happy to be in the camper. Josh got to look at the moon with Grandpa Larry and play on the playground. Lauren got to eat Oreos and sit in her Little Mermaid chair. So really, if only mom is miserable then I guess it's just a case of majority rules.
Happy Father's day to all the fathers out there!!!
It seems the flood waters weren't enough and God decided that a few more inches of fresh rain would really make things interesting. We had not one, not two, but three severe thunderstorms this weekend. I only got a picture of the down pour from two storms because the other one was at 3:30 in the morning and looking for my camera was not my #1 priority.
Storm #1
Seriously...can you see the downpour?
Storm #2
Out of these rain storms came two good things, though. Starting Thursday, the city of Cedar Rapids had to restrict the use of water to drinking only and that meant no dishes, no laundry and definitely no bathing. So when the heavens opened up on Saturday people grabbed their swimsuits and shampoo and went outside for a bath!!
The other good thing was that after the storms passed they left some beautiful skies behind.
Against my better judgment, I agreed to take the camper out this weekend. Dustin began his pouting around Wednesday afternoon and by the time Thursday came around he was in full "toddler tantrum mode". I know how disappointed he's been with how little we've been able to go out lately but COME ON!
I was sick (physically) and extremely upset about everything happening with my place of work. So a part of me thought that getting away from the television for awhile would help me and if, in the meantime, it changed Dustin's mood...well, then all the better.
Long story short...I should have listened to my inner voice and stayed home. The whole weekend was one disaster after another. Between the storms, the power outages, the water being out, my severe sickness and the overall lack of a good time I couldn't wait for Sunday to come around. There's something about being cooped up with two kids, a large dog and husband when you're sick that makes you appreciate personal space.
I do have to give Dustin some credit, though. I haven't been this sick in a looonnggg time and I took enough antibiotics and pain medication to knock out a horse. So much like my Mother's Day, his Father's Day was a bust. What goes around comes around, wouldn't you say?
I do believe, however, that I have done my selfless act for the year. Through my misery the children did have a good time and Dustin was just happy to be in the camper. Josh got to look at the moon with Grandpa Larry and play on the playground. Lauren got to eat Oreos and sit in her Little Mermaid chair. So really, if only mom is miserable then I guess it's just a case of majority rules.
Happy Father's day to all the fathers out there!!!
Utter devastation
I don't even know where to begin. Yesterday was a day of reckoning in Cedar Rapids. I went to work and, due to all the bridge closings, I-380 was bumper to bumper. I didn't have my camera but did get a shot with my cell phone.
Shortly after I got to work I was sent home so that people who live North of the river didn't get stuck. I quickly ran to pick up the kids and shortly after I got home they closed down Hwy 30 and Hwy 13. For anyone who doesn't know the area, that means that the only mode of transportation from one side of the town to the other is I-380.
Last night I saw some footage from our local tv station and it showed my office building. The windows were busted in due to the current of the river and the water level was above head level. I'm quite sure the pictures of my office from my previous post are the last of that office in any working order.
Once we got our Internet back, I went online and found some AP photos of the intersection I walk across every day to get to Jim's. This is looking down 2nd Street at the intersection with 1st Avenue. The brown building in the bottom right-hand corner is Wells Fargo. My office is even closer to the river than this photo: we are at the corner of 1st Avenue and 1st Street.
You can see I-380 in this aerial shot. The river is way at the top of this photo.
And I even found one of Josh's preschool teacher's daughters sandbagging.
There truly are no words.
Shortly after I got to work I was sent home so that people who live North of the river didn't get stuck. I quickly ran to pick up the kids and shortly after I got home they closed down Hwy 30 and Hwy 13. For anyone who doesn't know the area, that means that the only mode of transportation from one side of the town to the other is I-380.
Last night I saw some footage from our local tv station and it showed my office building. The windows were busted in due to the current of the river and the water level was above head level. I'm quite sure the pictures of my office from my previous post are the last of that office in any working order.
Once we got our Internet back, I went online and found some AP photos of the intersection I walk across every day to get to Jim's. This is looking down 2nd Street at the intersection with 1st Avenue. The brown building in the bottom right-hand corner is Wells Fargo. My office is even closer to the river than this photo: we are at the corner of 1st Avenue and 1st Street.
You can see I-380 in this aerial shot. The river is way at the top of this photo.
And I even found one of Josh's preschool teacher's daughters sandbagging.
There truly are no words.
500 year flood
I'm sure if you've been on the Internet, watched any TV or live in the Midwest you are aware of the catastrophic flooding. I have never seen anything like this in my life!
We were put under a mandatory evacuation at the accounting firm so we worked all day at putting up files, removing computers and preparing for the worst. We were pushed out of the building about 3:30 and told to take anything we didn't want destroyed. It was absolutely depressing.
These are pictures from today.
They have closed all bridges over the Cedar River except for I-380 and Hwy 30, thereby making traveling from one side of this town to the other near impossible. And while my commute to work tomorrow will be horrendous, I will take that over losing my house/workplace/belongings to a flood any day.
Our prayers go out to everyone in this utterly devastating time.
We were put under a mandatory evacuation at the accounting firm so we worked all day at putting up files, removing computers and preparing for the worst. We were pushed out of the building about 3:30 and told to take anything we didn't want destroyed. It was absolutely depressing.
These are pictures from today.
They have closed all bridges over the Cedar River except for I-380 and Hwy 30, thereby making traveling from one side of this town to the other near impossible. And while my commute to work tomorrow will be horrendous, I will take that over losing my house/workplace/belongings to a flood any day.
Our prayers go out to everyone in this utterly devastating time.
Sleep. Eat. Be Merry.
Between the heat and an overall lack of motivation, Dustin and I could have slept all weekend. Fortunately, we have two little people who depend on us to get out bed so even a boring weekend is never really....boring.
We had originally planned on going camping last weekend; however, due to the expected storms I didn't really think it would be wise to be stuck at a campground with 70+ mile an hour winds.
Saturday was hot and sunny for awhile so I decided to take the kids out for a little splash in the pool. I had the hard job of sitting and having a nice cool drink while watching the kids...and Dustin mowed the lawn.
Josh had a blast and Lauren loved the "Mist" setting on the hose nozzle.
But watching Josh splash in the tiny pool reminded me of when he was about Lauren's age. And I got sad....because I remember when I would take him out to play in the pool. I hate that they keep growing up. Honestly...where does the time go?
From this....
To this....
**sniff, sniff** I think the more time I spend with the kids the more I realize how quickly things change.
Then after Dustin was finished with the lawn I decided to share my gift card to Coldstone Creamery with the family. Josh got cotton candy with M&Ms and Lauren didn't care what anyone was shoveling into her mouth...as long as they didn't stop. Man that girl can eat!!
It was Yum-o!
Sunday I repainted Lauren's room (well, the stripe at least) and put up the kids' Uppercase Living items. Quel nightmare! Thank goodness it turned out okay because I was ready for a cocktail by the time I was finished with the entire project.
More importantly...the kids love their new rooms. I showed Lauren all the butterflies and she just kept laughing at them. Those kids are so cute!
We had originally planned on going camping last weekend; however, due to the expected storms I didn't really think it would be wise to be stuck at a campground with 70+ mile an hour winds.
Saturday was hot and sunny for awhile so I decided to take the kids out for a little splash in the pool. I had the hard job of sitting and having a nice cool drink while watching the kids...and Dustin mowed the lawn.
Josh had a blast and Lauren loved the "Mist" setting on the hose nozzle.
But watching Josh splash in the tiny pool reminded me of when he was about Lauren's age. And I got sad....because I remember when I would take him out to play in the pool. I hate that they keep growing up. Honestly...where does the time go?
From this....
To this....
**sniff, sniff** I think the more time I spend with the kids the more I realize how quickly things change.
Then after Dustin was finished with the lawn I decided to share my gift card to Coldstone Creamery with the family. Josh got cotton candy with M&Ms and Lauren didn't care what anyone was shoveling into her mouth...as long as they didn't stop. Man that girl can eat!!
It was Yum-o!
Sunday I repainted Lauren's room (well, the stripe at least) and put up the kids' Uppercase Living items. Quel nightmare! Thank goodness it turned out okay because I was ready for a cocktail by the time I was finished with the entire project.
More importantly...the kids love their new rooms. I showed Lauren all the butterflies and she just kept laughing at them. Those kids are so cute!
Shoot me.
I have a migraine and I think it's safe to say that a gun shot wound to the head would be less painful than this. I will try to post tomorrow.
It's my birthday and I'll cry if I want to
This last week has been full of important events...some of them fun...some of the depressing. I think the fact that I turned 29, days before my daughter turned one, was too much for me to handle this year. For some reason this birthday was difficult for me. I was very weepy and sullen. And it certainly didn't help that I ate dinner alone after I fed the children.
Once my birthday had passed the crazy weekend began. Josh and I had our eyes checked on Friday morning. I hadn't been since he was born and with him starting school in the fall, I figured it would be a good time to get checked. He was very scared. I kept telling him that of all medical professionals....you should be least afraid of an eye doctor!! For some reason he was freaked.
All in all the check up went well. I went first so he could see how harmless it all was but he was too busy investigating the office to care what was happening to his mother. He thought the entire experience was funny: the lights, the equipment, the doctor. And then when I tried on a bunch of different frames he thought it was funny that I was playing "dress up".
Then Friday afternoon I went to view Lauren's pictures. Oh...my...God. I bawled. There is no way that I deserve such beautiful children. I spent some serious money but didn't even bawk at the price. They are beyond anything I could have imagined and I cannot wait to show them off! The only bad thing is that now I have to take Josh there for his birthday because I don't have any pictures of him that compare to these. Cha-ching! (I'm taking donations.)
Then Saturday...Lauren's birthday and Joel's graduation.
Joel's graduation was a long time coming (jab, jab - just some sisterly ribbing!) but that by no means diminishes his accomplishment. We are all tremendously proud of him and hope he enjoys the last months before the student loan payments come due!!
And here is the moment that we had all been waiting for...
Once my birthday had passed the crazy weekend began. Josh and I had our eyes checked on Friday morning. I hadn't been since he was born and with him starting school in the fall, I figured it would be a good time to get checked. He was very scared. I kept telling him that of all medical professionals....you should be least afraid of an eye doctor!! For some reason he was freaked.
All in all the check up went well. I went first so he could see how harmless it all was but he was too busy investigating the office to care what was happening to his mother. He thought the entire experience was funny: the lights, the equipment, the doctor. And then when I tried on a bunch of different frames he thought it was funny that I was playing "dress up".
Then Friday afternoon I went to view Lauren's pictures. Oh...my...God. I bawled. There is no way that I deserve such beautiful children. I spent some serious money but didn't even bawk at the price. They are beyond anything I could have imagined and I cannot wait to show them off! The only bad thing is that now I have to take Josh there for his birthday because I don't have any pictures of him that compare to these. Cha-ching! (I'm taking donations.)
Then Saturday...Lauren's birthday and Joel's graduation.
Joel's graduation was a long time coming (jab, jab - just some sisterly ribbing!) but that by no means diminishes his accomplishment. We are all tremendously proud of him and hope he enjoys the last months before the student loan payments come due!!
And here is the moment that we had all been waiting for...
