Yes, I have a weather obsession

Hello. My name is Julie and I have an obsession with weather.

[all reply: "Hello Julie!"]

Ok, I admit it, I have an obsession with weather, mostly of the storm variety. I am so distracted this morning with the impending storm (could be from the lack of sleep & 2, 12 hour workdays this week and the fact that Paul is on the other side of the county). We had at least 2 inches of rain at the house yesterday afternoon through last night. (our trashcan was left out with the lid open and it collected a lot of water which had to be dumped this morning - let's just say I wasn't quiet and I'm sure some neighbors were rudely awakened at 6:15am with the lound thuds, grunts and crashing sounds as I attempted to dump it while wearing my work dress clohes )

Well, I have lots of work to do so I need to get to it.

[closing eyes and dreaming of Hawaii......]

I'm not really sure what to expect today, but I have a feeling it could be something similar to Alberto (see this entry) and I am not thrilled about that possibility. I didn't feel well this morning but knew that I had a ton of work that needs to be completed before we can leave for HAWAII, so I drug myself into the office to now be stressed about getting home, ACK!

Want to read more about our local weather? There's a blog for that. I can read and understand most of it. But personally, I love to stare at the radar on WeatherUnderground. I will be spending a lot of time on there today... although they've added some new annoying rollover ads that drive me crazy.

Oh, and I didn't get to stock to fridge/pantry and my car only has 1/4 tank of gas. I'm just not prepared in the slightest! There is a Harris Teeter right across the street from my office but lord knows that it is going to be a mad house (esp. with the older people variety).

Got to get to work now...

[closing eyes and dreaming of Hawaii..........]

Tropical Storm on its way!

It would appear that Tropical Storm (and possibly "hurricane") Ernesto is on its way towards NC! Since it is only Tuesday, I'm sure there will be some change in the track and intensity, however, I am still unprepared for the possiblity of bad weather (i.e. no good junk food in the house, oh and I'm out of water & bread too). Sounds like a trip to the 'store is in order. And yeah, Paul will be out of town when it comes through, yay.

BUT, the serious countdown is ON for vacation & HAWAII.... less than a week!!! We're also taking a sidetrip to Maui, can't wait! Paradise here we come :)

Friday morning followup

My morning was lifted (and my alertness level was heightened) after stopping by the good old' Dunkin' Donuts for a large coffee and 2 munchkins (little donut holes). The guy behind that counter replied to my request for only 2 munchkins, "only 2? are you sure?"

Yes, I am very sure that 2 is all I need... although I want to eat a good dozen of them. They bring back such great memories of being with family.

Speaking of family, mom is in town visiting (Hi Mom!). She arrived around 11pm last night so we haven't had much time to talk & catch up (as I needed to hit the sack, need at least 4 hours of sleep to function). We're not sure what's on tap for the weekend, but there is this interesting 'event' on Sunday afternoon that I still haven't figured out what to do about... have a great weekend!

Friday! (note the time)

It's finally Friday and I am a zoombie here at the office (note the early hour). I was up at 5:15am and out the door around 6:15 and here at the office at 6:45... today is the first day for the majority of public schools so I knew I would need a head start.

Here's a quick list if things I encountered on my way in this morning:

-The dawn
-3 deer (which are thankfully scared off the road by my car horn)
-9 school buses (7 'regular size,' 1 'short' and 1 'flat-front extra long')
-14 kids waiting for school buses (4 were on a cell phone)
-6 parents waiting with kids for school buses
-1 fender-bender
-4 motorcycle police officers
-2 county deputies
-1 completely flat snake... it was a BIG one

I'm off to make coffee, my little one cup maker is going to be busy this morning!

UNCA in the news

TO: UNC Asheville Board of Trustees, UNC Asheville Foundation Board, UNC Asheville National Alumni Advisory Council, UNC Asheville National Parents Council, UNC Asheville Alumni Volunteers, WNC Board of Governors

DATE: August 18, 2006

We thought you'd like to know that the new U.S. News & World Report rankings came out today and UNC Asheville has again been named the Fifth Best Public Liberal Arts College in the Nation. This is the sixth consecutive year that UNC Asheville has been among the top five. The University also continues to rank among the top in the nation for its Undergraduate Research Program and Freshman Colloquium. To see the complete news release, please go to http://www.unca.edu/news/releases/2006/USNews.html

In addition, UNC Asheville was among a dozen recommended colleges and universities briefly discussed today by CNN educational expert Carlos Watson on "The View," an ABC daytime talk show hosted by Barbara Walters.

My thoughts
*In light of recent events on "The View," I'm not convinced that it was the best outlet for UNCA to be discussed ;)

Rain and [gasp!] cooler weather!!??!!

Looking drizzly in downtown Raleigh -


And the 5 day only has 1 day that it is over 90! LOVE IT!


Oh, and it is finally Friday!

Ugh, spam, it's getting really old...

In my spam email folder today - one out of about 50 that I've gotten in the past 24 hours - seriously. The sad thing is that there are at least another dozen that I find amusing, but just don't have the time/energy to post. Do you have any really funny spam? Please share!




You'll have to click to enlarge the picture to see it how I saw it, but here's what it says:

SAY NO TO DRUGS!
If you are always in good spirits, have devoted and cool friends,
stunning girlfriend, huge salary, if you never have hang-over and
you've never visited a dentist...
SAY NO TO DRUGS :) It's a joke of course...
Our offer is the following:
- cheap medications;
- all kinds of medications against
erectile disfunction;
- wide range of anti-depresants;
- 1 minute of your time;
- full privacy;
- 100% results;

That's all we offer you!
Visit the site.

Summer evening sunset

Did I mention it's hot?

It's been hot this week... and I have pictures to prove it!

The kitchen window on Wednesday (and my cute little zinnias from the garden, which is now wasting away, so sad!)

(in case you can't read it, 115 outside at 4:41pm, and apparently 82 inside)

No hanging out on the patio this week, not even in the shade!

Outside reading at 4:45pm - 100 degrees and 60% humidity



And finally, my car on the way home today. The entire 35 minute drive the temp stayed above 100. Thankfully the A/C works really well!

Um, thanks

It is currently 99 degrees, with a heat index of 114 and the governor wants all state buildings to set the thhermostats up 2-3 degrees (set around 80). Nice, you can tell he LOVES state employees, I'm sure the mansion is nice & cool. Thankfully, I do NOT work in a State building. It's fairly cool and comfy in here.

Governor's News Release from 8/2
WRAL story on the heat

Technical difficulties, stay tuned...

So… I’ve been trying to update for DAYS and DAYS, but my internet and blogger apparently no longer cooperate with one another. Thus, no update.

I swear I have pictures, stories and links I really want to share, but for now, this is all you get (IF by chance blogger will update and post this…)

Hang on, I’ll be back soon.

And there will be pictures. Lots and lots of pictures and stories and…