Update

The way things are going, this will probably be my last post before our two-week tour of Italy.

In between doing routine chores, spring cleaning, watching the grands, and working out, I've mostly been focused on trip research as well as trip prep such as making lists and purchasing and gathering items to pack. The last time we were gone for two weeks was when we went to South Korea for my son's wedding eight years ago. Let me tell you, two weeks out of the country takes a lot of planning and organizing!

One thing that wasn't planned, but turned out to be lucky, was hubby's iPhone dieing last week. We quickly learned we were both eligible for new phones under our Verizon plan at no additional cost. And because, on this trip for the first time, I had planned to primarily use the camera on my phone, the timing couldn't have been better. The iPhone 7 has a much better camera than my old iPhone 6s.

Here's hoping all else with this trip goes as well. If not, it won't be for my lack of excessive planning and preparing – LOL!

Midwest Extreme Weather

The weather here has been extreme. We had several straight days of pouring rain, which is now causing major flooding. The flooding is so bad schools are closed today and will probably be, again, tomorrow. Some school buildings are flooded and several streets are impassable, making untouched roads traffic nightmares.

The heavy rains have also caused a lot of residential problems. It's evident by the trucks and trailers filled with piles of miscellaneous stuff sitting outside people's homes that many basements have sprung leaks. Ours isn't that bad, but we're definitely dealing, again, with a wet basement. We were aware of one foundation crack, but it now appears there are at least a couple more. It's a chronic problem in our area due to the clay-like soil. But, fortunately, no water seeped into the area we just finished and decorated. And I'm so glad we just did a massive basement purge. Less stuff to move or try to save.

The sun game out yesterday and is shining brightly today. But the temperatures are in the 50s and 60s, and in the 40s at night. This morning I finally caved and turned on the heat. Just a couple of weeks ago we were running the air conditioning.

I've lived in this area all my life. I should be used to our crazy spring weather, high and low temperatures, tornadoes, and severe rain. But every year I'm surprised. I think it's because when the weather finally warms after winter, I'm just so grateful and want to enjoy every minute before the crazy midwest summer heat and humidity hits.

As Missourians say, "if you don't like the weather now, just wait five minutes." It could be worse. But it's often better. And or spring and fall colors are hard to beat.