Monday, October 10, 2016

Hurricane Matthew Weekend


Before Hurricane Matthew hit South Carolina this weekend, Cliff and I were at the beach. We decided to evacuate early to avoid traffic. There were already long lines at the gas stations and gas was starting to run out.  I'm glad we did because traffic the following days was extremely heavy and mama was coming with me to the lake. I knew all that traffic would make her uneasy and nervous. 

While we waited out the storm, mama was already making plans to get back home. She is such a homebody and being away from home caused her more stress than the hurricane. Mama wanted to go home Saturday, but that clearly was not an option. Matthew came knocking on Carolina's door Saturday. Since the lake is roughly 180 miles inland, we were ok, but back home the hurricane was wreaking havoc. High winds and flooding took a toll on the low country.

Accounts from family and friends told of trees down, impassible roads, flooding and power outages. Mama's home was spared as was ours at the beach. Mama has been a good sport, but she is biting at the bits to get home. Back at home, however, there are power outages and some flooding, still. She'll get home one way or the other this week and all will be well.

I don't have pictures of the aftermath of the storm because I wasn't there, but here at the lake I took a few.

Friday....light rain.

The clouds were oddly beautiful.

 Sunset Saturday and the last of Hurricane Matthew skies. 

Saturday, while the storm was bearing down along the coast, we were at Lidia and Sawyer's Tae Kwon Do festival in the upstate. As the festival opened, Lidia and Sawyer rode their unicycles as part of the exhibition. Later came the competition. Lidia and Sawyer did very well. We are so proud of their accomplishments. 




 At the end of the day.......... 
Lidia took 2nd place in Form and 2nd place in Breaking Boards.
Sawyer took 1st place in Form and 3rd place in Breaking Boards. 
And....in December, they will officially be Black Belts.

Look how beautiful !!!!!

Love my Tae Kwon Do babies !!

Sunday, we celebrated Sawyer's 10th birthday with a party at a pumpkin patch. I'll tell you all about it in a few days. For now, I'm going to see what I can do to get mama back home.

Laurie

34 comments:

  1. Your Tae Kwon Do babies are awesome!!! Glad to know your are all safe after the storm.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The storm should wrecked havoc across a large area. Of course, the worst being in Haiti, a country that had never really recovered from the earthquake. So very sad. Glad to hear all is well in your neck of the woods. Congrats to your grandkiddos on their accompishments. I wouldn't have the balance now to stay up on a unicycle. Have a good week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Tammy! My heart breaks for Haiti. The last I heard over 800 people lost their lives. They need our prayers.

      Delete
  3. Hope everything will be ok for your mom to be able to get home. So sad for the lives lost due to Matthew.
    Those skies were awesome and your grand kids are amazing! Very well done!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Christine! Yes, the loss of life is terrible. My prayers go out to their families. Mama will be so happy to get home.

      Delete
  4. Hoping all is well with your mom's and your place. Hurricanes are nothing to mess with, and our hearts and thoughts go out to all those affected so badly.

    You should be proud of your grandkids. We sure need more being brought up as they are. A skill like Tae Kwon Do must teach them self-control in both mind and body.

    Sorry your visit with your mom was impacted by the storm.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Mama Pea, for your concern and kind words! Our homes and property are ok. My sisters have told me that mama has some limbs down and has no electricity right now, but are hoping the power company will be able to get it back on today or tomorrow.

      I am very proud of L&S. Their confidence levels for just life in general is awesome, and a good part of that comes from Tae Kwon Do. It has been very important to us to make sure they have every skill possible to live a well rounded life.

      Delete
  5. Amazing re the Littles..what determination!

    Your pics are lovely.
    I understand your mom:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Monique! I think you and I share the same feelings about our grandkids. They are amazing!

      Delete
  6. Congrats to the grands....great accomplishments and they look great!

    It always seems there are the most beautiful skies after terrible storms like hurricanes and tornadoes! You captured that beauty perfectly!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Betsy! I'm so proud of L&S...they work hard for those accomplishments.

      We were mesmerized by the clouds...the color and formation was so beautiful! Just goes to show, there's always beauty in the midst of the storm.

      Delete
  7. Glad all is good with you and your family and I hope you can get Mama home safely! Your Grandkiddos are so cute and congrats to them on their achievements! Your sky pics are amazing too! Love the colors!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, YaYa, for your kind words. Good news... Mama is home, thanks to my wonderful husband.

      Delete
  8. What lovely pictures! Of course you always take fantastic photos. Get mom home as soon as you can. Bless!
    Lisa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, thank you, Lisa! Good news, Mama is home and happily back in her element.

      Delete
  9. Congratulations to your grandkids! The devastation of the hurricane is so sad. I hope your mama can get home soon! Nancy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Nancy! Natural disasters leaves lots of sadness. Our problems in SC pales in comparison to the loss places like Haiti experienced. Prayers for them! And thanks for your concern about mama. She was able to go home today and she is one happy mama.

      Delete
  10. Oh- those kids are just darling, Laurie. It is so sad to see what the hurricane did to so many of the homes and the shoreline. I am glad you played it safe and left early.
    Hope you have a great week. xo Diana

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Diana! I agree, L&S are pretty special, but I'm just a little biased. HaHa! It is so sad to see the damage along the coast. Structurewise, I think most fared well. But there are still areas that are flooded and after last year's flood, this is the last thing they need. Hope you have a great week, too!

      Delete
  11. I'm so glad you and your mother's beach homes were spared. It is so sad to see the destruction everywhere. My heart breaks for the people of Haiti and in our country who have been devastated by Matthew. Praying for all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Lynn! Flooding is still a problem back home and so is the lack of electricity. It's just going to take time.

      Delete
  12. HI Laurie...
    Beautiful photos of the clouds...love that!
    Lydia is getting so tall!
    Glad your mom is safe and sound...
    Enjoy your week...
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Linda! Lidia is almost as tall as me. They grow up too fast. Mama was glad to get home, but her power is not back on yet. After checking on her home and being satisfied that it is ok, she has gone to stay with one of my sisters that lives in her town....So she's not so far away.

      Delete
  13. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Matthew certainly was a beast! The pictures I have seen on t.v. look terrible. I am so glad that you and your family are okay! Your mom sounds a lot like my fil, he is a big home body as well. Congrats to your darling kids. A job well done!!
    hugs,
    Jann

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oh. Laurie, I have been worried about you! So happy to hear all is well. My Mother and Grandmother were the same way. the older they got the more they wanted to get home! I love that you call her Mama. So southern! Cute cute accomplished kids! janey

    ReplyDelete
  16. So glad you are safe, I have been thinking of all my blogging friends in the path of Matthew!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Laurie, Congratulations to the grandkids. They look amazing with those big trophies and metals. Your poor mom, I hope all goes well. So thankful that you had no damage. This storm has made a mess that take some time to clean up. Blessings, stay safe. xoxo, Susie

    ReplyDelete