Weekend Update!

Hi everyone! I hope all is well where you are at. I just wanted to give you all an update and let you know I plan on drawing for the Blog Candy tomorrow, Monday, March 14th. Friday was a really stressful day. Of course, nothing could compare to the devastation that was felt in Japan. My heart aches for the people of Japan and my prayers go out to them as they try to rebuild their lives and country. I didn't hear about the Tsunami until I arrived at work on Friday morning. I couldn't believe the images I saw that morning. Then thoughts raced through my head for my fellow CropStop DT sister Kaori who lives in Japan. We found out later that she was safe so that was a huge relief.

Later that afternoon, I started seeing huge plumes of smoke coming from miles away. I thought maybe there was a controlled burn going on (in Oklahoma, they burn the grass on the sides of the road sometimes to help prevent huge grass fires). After a few hours at work, I started receiving texts and phone calls asking if I was okay. I was like, "I'm fine, why?" Then I was told that the town I live in had a huge grass fire threatening homes. I frantically tried to find information online, but there were not a lot of reports coming out because it had just started. I left work early since my son was in school and headed to my house. I was stopped at the corner of my road and told I couldn't go to my house. They needed to get fire trucks down the road. I waited in the church parking lot in tears wondering if I had a house to go to. Finally, the sheriff let me go, but said they might be issuing evacuations soon. I turned on the TV and found that there were several fires going on simultaneously across the state of Oklahoma. I frantically started packing suitcases and important mementos. Is it bad that I grabbed my Magnolia magazines and stamps, blog candy prizes, and the projects I'm working on?!?! My friend and husband thought I was crazy, but I know you Maggie lovers feel me!!

The fires raged across our state and many people lost their homes (the Governor had to declare a state of emergency). I am so thankful and relieved because I happen to be one of the fortunate ones. Although I kept seeing black smoke behind my house, I never got the knock at my door to evacuate. Yesterday, my husband and I drove down the street (in the opposite direction from the way we usually leave our Addition) and we saw for the first time how close the fire was to our house. It was only 1 block over. There was only one more row of houses between us and the fire.

So, of course, this weekend, we spent a lot of time as a family. It was even more important quality time because my husband was out of town all week. He was flying back home when the fires were raging, so I was dealing with the drama on my own. This weekend, we had a lot to be thankful for, but at the same time I could not get the tragedy happening in Japan out of my mind. I pray the Lord brings them some comfort and peace soon.

I am also blessed by the number of you who entered my blog candy. I had almost 100 entries. I decided I'm going to do two drawings....one for the main blog candy and another drawing for a Magnolia Ink Magazine with some stamped images. So yes....that means there will be TWO WINNERS!

Thanks for listening to me today.

Hugs,
Rosemary