The Guardian

A lot of you know already, but after Maggie got lost on the cruise, she has become incredibly insecure about being apart from us. Like I can't even go upstairs without giving her a detailed description of which room I am going to and what I will be doing there and for how long. Not kidding. Really. Even at bedtime she gets worked up if we are not going to stay upstairs. Guess what helped her feel safe and secure at bedtime? Puntzel, the giant stuffed tiger. Puntzel stays on her bed all the time now, often collecting stuffed animals in his curled up arms, and Maggie does much better at night. The best part is when other people go in Maggie's room - he always gives people a start! Ha ha!

Got to see Uncle Zach

My brother, Zach, has been working for a military contractor in Kuwait for the past year. He came home for vacation at the beginning of May and Maggie and I were able to come home for a quick visit.

Walking to the car at the airport. (My mom had neck surgery about a month before, and had to wear this crazy brace all the time!)
My (step)dad has taken up playing the bass in his old age. He's putting on a concert here with friend Janet. It was a lot of fun, and some revenge for all the years he made me whip out my saxophone and play concerts when friends and family stopped in. maggie insisted in staying up to watch the whole thing.
Halfway through the night Maggie decided she'd had enough of not being the center of attention, and proceeded to sing several songs to Janet. Here's part of one of them:

We also drove up to see more of my family. Classy at dinner. This is Maggie, Grandma Margaret, Uncle Dick, cousin Brady and brother Zach.
Maggie and her Grandma Margaret.
It was a quick trip, but fun.

Nashville Flood

Here are some of the pictures I took during the flood as I tried to get home that Saturday from our annual women's church retreat. I didn't make it home, but i got to see a lot of the flash-flooding firsthand.

You can just make out a white-sided building on the right side of the picture. It was a small hispanic church that was completely ruined. They are meeting on the lawn right now as they try to rebuild.
This is Mill Creek. The wast was about a foot high over the road. Normally this creek is just a trickle.
The grocery store where I shop. The water was just about up to the loading dock.
The parking lot of our church. Luckily we did not sustain any damage.
This is a road close to our old house. That is the roof of a car stuck in the middle of that pond!

Getting Caught Up

Took this picture the day before the flood here in Nashville. It was a beautiful Friday! My friend, Kara, made this tutu for Maggie afer I suggested the color combination. You can visit her shop at www.hopseydaisy.com.
(Mom, I loaded this full-size, so if you click it then you can copy and print).