Severe Storm DESTROYS My Cheap Facelift

Click photo to enlarge and see damage; compare to photo in prior post

Four days after I posted the lovely pics of my "cheap facelift", a severe storm all but destroyed my flowers. The morning glories (above, right) are shredded. Compare to the previous photo - they were quite full and lush, and they had just begun to flower. The petunias in all the pots are also shredded, particularly the pot to the far left.

I was so disheartened... I told hubby that it depressed me and made me feel like "why should I even put forth all this work to plant my flowers if a Kansas hailstorm is just going to ruin it all"? He just laughed and told me I would not make a good wheat farmer. I guess I get his point. I cannot begin to fathom a wheat farmer's depression when a storm wipes out his crop for the season -- guess it would give him a good reason to drink. LOL

I've trimmed up the flowers as best I can, so I'll just wait and see if they bounce back over the coming weeks. I hope so!

In other news, I started a new job July 8th - so if you've noticed I've been absent this past week, that's the reason why. I only had the benefit of 5 days training, then I was let loose on my own. It hasn't been as bad as I thought it might be - actually, I rather enjoy it. I'm secretary in the Rehab department of a local community hospital. The hardest part has been learning the ins and outs of insurance pre-certifications and referrals for HMOs, but my common sense and logic has now taken over any of the minimal training I received, so I'm doing pretty good. I'm enjoying my interactions with the patients and the physical therapists alike.

At this point in time, the job is only temporary for 8 weeks; the lady I've replaced had foot surgery this past Wednesday. There is, however, reason for me to believe it could possibly become a permanent position for me. I have my fingers crossed and I am hoping!

Last night, in celebration of my first full work week, I bought a 6-pack of beer and enjoyed a cold brewski after vacuuming part of the house. (I vacuum frequently with 2 long-haired girls in the house!) What I didn't realize is that one beer would hit me right between the eyes and I'd be snoozing before 8:00!!! Am I a lightweight or what?! I think a large reason was that I lost sleep the prior 2 nights - one night due to the storm (power was out all night) and the second night I just didn't sleep well for some odd reason. And whether it was obvious to me or not, I'm sure I experienced some amount of stress with my first full week at the new job, so that probably served to make me tired too.

Now I am well rested today. And ready to tackle some storm damage clean-up! I've already started a few piles of branches....


29 comments:

  1. That's such a shame your flowers got mauled by the storm! But it still looks perty from my perspective. And go easy on those intense beers, girl! :-D

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  2. 1 beer puts you out? Yep, lightweight. But talking about beer on a saturday afternoon makes me thirsty for one...hmm...hope you continue to enjoy your new job and it becomes permanent!

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  3. Sorry about the flowers, but congrats on the job.

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  4. So happy that you found a job. I know how exhausting a job can be when you aren't used to it. Sorry about your flowers, but maybe they will recover. Petunias and morning glories are very hardy. Maybe you could fill in with fakes to please your eye until they do.

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  5. It's a shame that storm shredded the flowers, but one thing about plants, they just keep coming back for more. Take heart, I bet they'll be blooming like crazy in a couple of weeks! Congrats on the job, hope it works well for you.

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  6. Man I wish I was out with 1 beer. OK well I dont like beer anyway. Just keep trying different ones to find one I like and it hasnt worked. So I guess I will stick to rum and coke....yummmm!

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  7. So sorry about your flowers, like others have said they will probably try and come back for you. Great on the job, that probably made you tired along with the one beer. Beer, blah, that's something I don't have a taste for, wine yes, beer no! LOL
    ~Jane and Gilly~

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  8. Congrats on the job! Awesome :)
    So sorry about your hard work being wrecked by a storm. The posies will come back, I promise. What a cute building to decorate for fall, too!

    Misha

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  9. Sorry about the storm and the damage. Looks like they'll come back. And good luck with the job. It sounds interesting.

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  10. Sometimes Mother Nature can be so bitchy.... I think she's menopausal. *grins*

    Di
    The Blue Ridge Gal

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  11. So glad the job's working out and completely understand how tired you must be.

    I hate it when I get my garden just so and then it's wrecked by either a tropical storm, hurricane or I just can't keep up with Florida's brutal sun. I've all but given up. I guess I wouldn't make a very good wheat farmer either. :-)

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  12. Mmm...a nice cold brewski. I'm a lightweight, too. What's your favorite brand/type of beer. I like Dos Equis and Corona, but my fave is any type of dark, chocolatey, rich port with about an inch of froth on top. Mmmm!

    Sorry about those flowers. Did the beautiful ones in the cool steer pot bite the dust, too? I hope not!

    Congrats on the new job. I hope it becomes permanent, if that's is what you are wishing for.

    ~Lisa

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  13. Congrats on the new job! I am so sorry about the flowers, but hey, the good news is, they have some time to make a good comeback before our Midwest season is over for this year! Best wishes in the clean-up. I know it's not fun, but looks like you're making headway already! -Tammy

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  14. The storms have wrecked things here too but I don't even care. I do, however, care that your steer pot is missing. I swear, I didn't take it. Not that I wouldn't have if I could have.....but I didn't. i swear. really

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  15. "I'm sure I experienced some amount of stress with my first full week at the new job"

    I'm thinking, yes. I'm sorry about your flowers. Doesn't seem right for them to get trashed when you're working a new job. Take good care and don't give up the beer!

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  16. Hail you say, sorry about your plants. throw them some fertilizer and in a couple of weeks they will be right as rain!
    Congrats on the temporary job! Hope it all works out for you, I am sure it was a little stressful.
    Half a beer and I am asleep, thats what happens when you get old:)

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  17. I am so sorry that the storm took out your beautiful flowers! It is so frustrating, I am sure!
    Congrats on your job! I bet it is very stressful. I have been unemployed for 8 weeks now, and am not looking forward to starting over. After 18 yrs at the same place, it will be very hard.
    I hope it does turn permanent for you though!

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  18. Oh, I do hope you get employed permanently! Congrats on the job.

    And so sorry to hear about the loss of all those flowers. Hope your gorgeous dog didn't get blown away, too! ;-)

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  19. Hope your flowers bounce back before too long.
    Congratulations on the job!!!

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  20. Sorry about the flowers, but with a title of Severe Storm Destroys(and this being Kansas), I scrolled up and down your blog looking for a picture of the building knocked down. :-)

    Anyway, welcome to Kansas, Oz Girl! And hang on, this is a wild place we live in.

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  21. Congrats on the new job--that must be a relief after all of your efforts searching.

    Yes, those plains storms in the spring and summer are nasty.

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  22. Yeah, I hear you guys get some pretty intense storms. Too bad about the flowers. You did a nice job decorating that cool old building
    (barn?). Maybe try silk flowers next time, hee, hee!

    Good luck with the new job. Hope it turns into something permanent if that's what you're looking for. I'm on summer break. It's heavenly! But classes start up in mid August again. Just thankful I'm employed!

    Thanks for your comments on my road trip. Looking forward to seeing some future shots from your trip if you're able to take one. Love those road trips!

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  23. Guess you will have to get used to those storms. I hate it when you work so hard and it's all wrecked in moments - happens here, too sweetie - I'm so happy your job is working out and I hope it stays permanent! Hugs!

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  24. Think of it as a test. It's saying 'How much do you want this facelift? Enough to have to do it over twice?' Yes of course you do - you'll be fine

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  25. OHHH I am SO sorry about your flowers! I understand! With the winds and the monsoons we get here OMGosh! I know why you were in bed that Friday night, working!!! I bet you didn't know you were exhausted!!! I can relate! Congrats on your new job! I've missed you!

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  26. Congratulations on the new job! I have no doubt that in 8 weeks time you will be able to "WOW" them with your brilliance and expertise. They'll be begging you to stay on full time! You go, girl!

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  27. Congrats on the new job, but sure have missed you! Sorry the storm came through and messed up your pretty facelift. Don't worry, your flowers will be beautiful again soon :-)

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  28. Congratulations on finding work! I have my fingers crossed for you that it turns into full-time for ever work. I would think being in Healthcare it would be more stable than other things right now.

    Linda
    http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

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  29. lots going on for you. i think the flowers will come back.

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