News years day turned out to be a stormy, even with the green house cover no one felt like swimming in fact we all felt like warm oatmeal, it was dark and gloomy hope that isn't a omen for the year.
We all head to the living room, dad turns on the t.v. to check the weather station, doesn't look like any warnings just a watch, he turns it to cartoons for the girls.
I head back to the kitchen as I left my phone in there as I wanted to start looking at wedding websites. I ask if anyone wants hot chocolate as I felt like one myself and I was in there already, a resounding yes came from the living room, better add more water.
Before I sit at the island counter I grab mugs for every one, two scoops hot chocolate mix, hand full of small marshmallows and its just needing the boiled water, so I type in wedding venues on Google in the meantime, narrow it down to the area we are in.
I heard the kettle whistle, placed the phone down and poured the water in the cups leaving room for milk and more marshmallows, especially my nieces.
I can see the storm is getting worse, I take the drinks in two at a time until it's just mine, my battery is low so I put it on the charger in the kitchen and help dad with bringing out the camping lanterns and flash lights just in case we do experience a power outage.
We are all cuddling watching cartoons, we got out the extra blankets so we have them and they already have some body heat, it's nice to have a blanket chest as a coffee table.
Something tells me to close the shutters and the sliding barn door we have to seal off the windows, the girls still haven't really noticed all adults are sealing windows and locking down everything.
That is until the alert on t.v. comes on, from watch to warning, we finished before the warning, our Intonation was right on.
It isn't long until we do have the power outage, we turn on our battery operating camping lanterns, Vanessa picks a board game from the shelf, we all play.
I know in these journals I usually just say Tony's wife and the girls but I have to highlight her right now, her skill of keeping everyone calm, she was the one that did the editing for the video, and this whole time since leaving Bali not one complaint about how she is still with out a job and hasn't made that many friends, never really seen her without a gracious smile on her face.
All this time I have noticed that she did take to Amber, I wonder if Amber will ask her to be a part of the wedding party, in fact maybe we can ask if she is interested in maybe being hired as a wedding planner? It would be practice for when she is mother of the brides but that is way off.
Everyone has noticed I am lost in thoughts and not really present playing monopoly, Dad and Tony joke "not getting cold feet already are you?" I shake my head no and look at Amber, she's really into the game and Chloe and Clara have really taken to her, pretty much from the start and not even sure when they started calling her Auntie but it is so sweet, I finally leave my thoughts for a moment to reply, "I was just thinking about how maybe you may have advice for wedding planning, we talked about maybe valentines day".
Vanessa looks over at us after her turn "I would be happy to help" now is the time to ask " I was thinking that if you were interested and I am sorry for not taking to Amber about it yet but to pay you for it as a wedding planner, not sure if Amber had other plans like you in the bridal party but that is why I am quite and not fully in the game, my heads in the wedding ideas."
Vanessa just shoves Tony to the side playfully "This one just wanted to elope" he smirks "I admit I was more planning the honeymoon", awe look at those two lovebirds still so in love, hope ours last like that.
"I admit I miss making a income, Amber since he brought it up and you didn't talk about yet, how do you feel about the idea?".
Amber's finishes her turn, does that cute thinking face and looks at me, looks at every one.
"Eloping is tempting but it would still be all of you with us, I like valentines day idea of playing with the gift of love and each other and I fully support Vanessa as wedding planner, but only if you can balance it with maid of honor as I would be honored to have you beside me, you welcomed me like a long lost sister"
Chloe and Clara turn to see their mom crying, " yes, thank you" the girls hug mom, tony hugs his wife, yup group hug.
A loud burst of thunder, a large smash, I feel like the neighbors tree may have crashed through the greenhouse covering the pool, but no one wants to move out of this family hug right now, but then we hear screams for help, can't ignore that, the ladies stay put us guys go to the front door, the house on the right of us has that huge backyard tree in the middle of the house, her husband can't get out, he had her go to the garage just before the crash for more batteries, she can't get to him and fears the worse, we get her in our place so she can have support, the others neighbors come out to see, this is why I love this community we come together to help.
We all work together and mange to reach him, he is in bad shape but alive, the ambulance just arrived, the let her go with him, the storm has kept them all busy, at least the sky is looking like it's clearing. There is that sense of guilt again that we are ok and their not.
Tomorrow is another day and hopefully we will hear he is fine and recovering, but it never hurts to pray.