"If all mankind minus one were of one opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind." ~John Stuart Mill, On Liberty, 1859

Friday, March 21, 2008

Yo, God? Could you lay off the water for a bit? Please?

Weird weather update!

Rain! Lots & lots of rain! It started raining Monday night and we got so much rain on Tuesday that St. Louis City started getting out the flood walls and people in Valley Park were getting pretty nervous. And this is why:

Meremac river overflowed and (luckily) poured into a quarry. The link below is a video of the break.
http://www.ksdk.com/video/default.aspx?aid=71596&sid=142578&bw=hi&cat=2


This is a storm drain near Hwys 44 & 141. Yes, you are correct. There is so much water flowing into the drain that the volume has lifted the manhole cover & the water is coming right back out!

We are about 20 minutes away from the rivers and are OK. At this point, everyone we know in the affected areas have been able to remain in their homes but send out good thoughts for all the people who have been evacuated.

Monday, March 10, 2008

Wish you were here!

On Saturday about half of the Harris clan descended on my parents house to have a visit with Christal & Jackson & Max & I. We all had the best time! It was the first time I had actually gotten to meet Christal since retail hell keeps me in St. Louis most holidays and that is, of course, when most families get together. Then there was the small problem of distance. Brad & Christal have lived in Australia since they got married & I always seemed to miss them when they came to the States
Mark, Sara, Christal & Jackson

Once Max & I finally arrived (I am sooo ready for Spring! I can't take any more $#&$@ snow!) it was time to eat.

Food & Family
More Food & More Family!


Darling Boys!

I found an Easter egg!
I found chocolate!!!
Max & Jackson got along wonderfully! They had a great time running around, playing, blowing bubbles & hunting for Easter eggs. Once they figured out there was candy (thank you, Mum-mum) in the eggs, things really got interesting!


Peeps? What Peeps? We haven't seen any Peeps?



No more pictures! We're plotting to take over the world!


Max: So how do you like Peeps? They're a delicacy here in America.
Jackson: Very much! In fact, I think I'd like another. Where's Aunt Mary? I know she'll give me more!
Max: Definitely, but don't tell our Moms! They're sure to hide all the good stuff!


Sugar Giggles


Blowing bubbles with Bob


Love those kisses!

All in all, it was a great day! Everyone had a great time, kids & adults. There were a few people who would have made the day even better but I guess we'll have to wait a little while longer to get the whole family together.


We miss you Ian, Brad, Matt, Sharon & Family, Allen, Angie & Family!

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Remember when I said we were having crazy weather?

On Sunday, March 2, we had beautiful weather. It was 75 degrees, sunny, absolutely gorgeous! I seriously debated calling in sick but somehow I knew my boss would suspect something. We had the widows open all day & only closed them when it started to rain around 3 am. Monday was rainy & cooler but still in the high 50's. We woke up Tuesday to colder temperatures and a dusting of snow on the ground. As I was waking Max up for school we got the call saying that school would be closed for the day. Hmmm... By 9am it was falling fast & the forecast was for 3-6 inches. By around 12pm we had this:






This is how far I could open my screen door at 1pm:




Here's a picture of Max "helping" me shovel the front walk






And a fun little video:


I tried to post a video but the stinkin' system kept giving me an error message so I'll add it

when I figure out what the problem is.



(sorry it's a little jumpy)



Max had the best time running & diving face first into the snow. It took the promise of hot chocolate, marshmallows and that the snow wouldn't melt before he got to play in it again. How much snow did we end up with? At least 10 inches.