Hello, May!

Well, I have to say just five posts in a month might be a record low for me! But April is gone, done and over - Praise the Lord! I'm so happy it is May, although I've still got a ways to go!

I've had a lot more hits on the blog lately, and I'm thinking some of it is because my Old Navy post from Crowdtap got posted on their Facebook page. Kind of exciting, right?

I've missed a lot while I was sick, but I have a few things that will require posts of their own. Emotionally, I'm too spent to go into our April 27. It marked one year since a tornado tore through our town, changing a lot of life as we know it for so many.

This is a field I drive by every single day, near the heart of our shopping areas. It was a neighborhood, full of houses. Today you would think nothing had every been there. It's just a field. Progress is moving slowly. McDonald's just reopened. There are a few businesses finally under construction. Each day is a reminder of what we lost, including 53 people.

Each day is a reminder to remember, to hold tight to what we love, and to never, ever forget.

On a happier note, I had to run a few work errands yesterday, so I stopped and got the husband a little surprise for his lunch. Gigi's Cupcake! I got him Merry Margarita, and he was a happy man. He said we were even. Somehow, I'm not sure even a $4 gourmet cupcake can equal the three weeks he has spent taking care of most everything for me, but I'll take it. Such a sweet man I married!

And then, there is the gratuitous puppy picture. My sweet Eve Belle has been a doll, and I love her snuggles. She's gotten a little unhappy we're back to an almost-normal schedule, because she's back to being alone for most days. She'll get over it. But that face..... oh I just want to squeeze her!

That's all for today.... Much love lovelies!

XOXO,
Mrs. Jones

Six months later...

I thought it'd be easier to describe how I've felt today. I drive the path of the storm each weekday morning on my way to Starbucks and the office. 

It's a different world on so many fronts in different sections of our town. But life has gone on. Sometimes you forget what has happened.

It's hard to imagine that at 5 today, I stood outside my house and stared the same direction, with the same type sky in the background - minus a funnel cloud. 

Bad things happen. I know that. But I also know that the aftermath has shown the giving nature of a state and the generosity of strangers across the country. It has shown the strength and heart of a city. 

#WeAreAlabama

#TTownNeverDown

XOXO,

Mrs. Jones

It's more than football...

Sometime today, I'm going to sit down and write for tomorrow. Oct. 27 will mark six months since the tornado hit Tuscaloosa. I have a lot to say. But one of those is that right now, so many hopes and dreams  are tied to the Alabama football team.

I am and always have been a die-hard Bama girl. But think that given all that has happened, this year's team is a special one, and they are fighting for more than just a win each week.



Have a great day everyone. Until tomorrow,
Mrs. Jones

Time marches on...

It's been more than 100 days since April 27. That's hard to believe. I hope you all will indulge me. I don't mean to return so often to tornado topics. But I shot a picture of this view on my way to Starbucks the other morning. The sky is fluffy. The grass is a beautiful green. But it's wrong.

The beautiful grass covers up what is broken. This was one of the hardest hit areas, close to a main street. The grass is green because the destruction of homes (you're looking at what was basically a rental neighborhood) was so bad, they just had to raze it all. A few structures are still left near the road.

It's odd to see the rebuilding and the growth next to destruction that still hasn't been touched. You can tell where insurance battles and indecision rage easily.

It's easy to forget as things slowly begin to look more normal. But I know there is still so much to be done. I'm anxious for our sweet city to continue to heal, to rebuild and to grow. Football season will certainly bring more eyes to see what is needed and hands to help.

Thanks for reading lovely. Sometimes you just feel better when you write it out.

XOXO,
Mrs. Jones

A simple song....

All the lonely people crying
It could change if we just get started
Lift the darkness, light a fire
For the silent and the broken hearted

Won't you stand up, stand up, stand up?
Won't you stand up, you girls and boys?
Won't you stand up, stand up, stand up?
Won't you stand up and use your voice?

There's a comfort, there's a healing
High above the pain and sorrow
Change is coming, can you feel it
Calling us into a new tomorrow?

Won't you stand up, stand up, stand up?
Won't you stand up, you girls and boys?
Won't you stand up, stand up, stand up?
Won't you stand up and use your voice?

When the walls fall all around you
When your hope has turned to dust
Let the sound of love surround you
Beat like a heart in each of us

Won't you stand up, stand up, stand up?
Won't you stand up, you girls and boys?
Won't you stand up, stand up, stand up?
Won't you stand up and use your voice?

Won't you stand up, stand up, stand up?
Won't you stand up, you girls and boys?
Won't you stand up, stand up, stand up?
Won't you stand up and use your voice?

Won't you stand up?
Won't you stand up, stand up, stand up?
Won't you stand up and use your voice?


-- Sugarland


I love this. Hope you'll go download it if you love it too. Just wanted to share today!


XOXO,
Mrs. Jones

Bama Rising!!!

It's here! It's tonight! I couldn't be more excited. Forgive my absence, but tonight I'll be rocking out in Birmingham to raise money for tornado relief while listening to:

Alabama

Rodney Atkins

Dierks Bentley

Bo Bice

Luke Bryan

Sheryl Crow

Sara Evans

Taylor Hicks

Little Big Town

Montgomery Gentry

Martina McBride

David Nail

Jake Owen

Brad Paisley

Kellie Pickler

Darius Rucker

Ashton Shepherd

And I couldn't be more excited! I've always wanted to see Alabama. Martina McBride. Sara Evans. Sheryl Crow. Brad Paisley. I've seen Little Big Town before. Love them..... Oh I'm so excited!!!!!!!!

More after my fabulous night!

XOXO,

Mrs. Jones

It's the simple things...

Our local Starbucks is back to normal. There are still some lights missing in the parking lot, but the store is back and better than ever. Gotta celebrate the little things, right?!

Happy Saturday lovelies!

Mrs. Jones

Date night done right

Last week, Mr. Jones and I went on a pretty awesome date. We haven't had "us" time (out of the house that is!) in months. We're not the best about getting out of our comfort zone, but when my sweet mom offered us tickets to see a favorite artist perform, I said YES and  my dear husband agreed to tag along. :-)

That's how we wound up out on the town last Wednesday night to hear Kenny Chesney!

It was incredibly enjoyable, as was the yummy Mexican we had on our way to the show after work.

After dinner, it was on to the show! I was pretty excited, because our new ampitheater opened a few months ago, but I hadn't been to an event at it yet. I was very impressed with everything about it. And our seats weren't bad either!

The concert was unique in so many ways. I've seen Kenny Chesney perform 6-7 times, but he came to Tuscaloosa a month after the tornado hit, keeping his schedule, and donating all of the proceeds to relief efforts in the area. That was one big thing that made the concert pretty cool and very special. But I was touched hearing him talk about how much he loved playing in Tuscaloosa and how it was a privilege to come back and play again. It had been a few years since his last "Keg in the Closet" tour that stopped here.

"Back Where I Come From" brought a smile to my face when he played it with Mac McAnnally - another surprise for us. But "My Home's In Alabama" was his final treat to us, and it brought tears to my eyes. This is my home. This is a special place to me. It was a fitting tribute, and the scenes of post-tornado Tuscaloosa moved the entire crowd of more than 7,000.

It may have just been a concert, and a fun date night with my husband, but for our town, it was so much more.

XOXO,

Mrs. Jones

More headlines, more tears....

Sports Illustrated

May 23, 2011

Cover story HERE

It is one of the most moving pieces I have read. I cried, for so many things. For what has been lost, but also for the way so many have responded. For the people left hurting, but for the hope that has been born. The hardest thing is still realizing just how far we have to go. So many things, so many people, will never, ever be the same.

XOXO,

Mrs. Jones

Little changes.... Starbucks

There have been many things to get adjusted too since the tornado hit town. It really damaged Starbucks, across the street from where buildings were totally leveled. One of the things it's nice to see on it's way back is my favorite morning stop....

Odd site, right? Well, never fear, this week a Starbucks mobile unit showed up so they are open, functioning and making us VERY happy again. Ever seen one of these?

I'm grateful for the little things as our sweet city rebuilds. Thanks Starbucks!

XOXO,
Mrs. Jones

On my mind, in my heart...

Forgive my silence this week. I haven't had a whole lot to say. While my family and our homes are all safe, I have friends who - while all safe and well - suffered a great deal of damage. I drove through one of the affected areas for the first time yesterday, and it tore at my heart.

I'll show you a little bit of what has been on my mind and in front of me both in person and on the tv and computer screens.

We hid in our bedroom when we knew the tornado was close, but Mr. Jones realized it was passing us, and called me out to look out our front door. This is what I saw from our front steps:

When the power came back on, these were the images others had captured:

The aftermath has put our city and state in a national spotlight. There is a pride and a sense of togetherness that is unlike anything I have ever seen.

It's still hard though. Help is pouring in, there is a (new) sense of normalcy returning across the community. We're all trying to help, to find ways to make life a little easier for one another.

I drove through an impacted area, one of our main intersections, on Wednesday for the first time. It broke my heart. I can't believe the death toll isn't higher. We've been lucky. But when this is what lucky looks like, sometimes it's hard to remember.

It's the little things now that jar you. I forgot my lunch and needed to grab something. Half of my favorite restaurants are gone, wiped off the map. Starbucks is closed. It was in a shopping center that was at the edge of the tornado. It will be closed for a month. (That's another post for another day... You all know how I love my Starbucks.) I guess we will get used to this new normal. I just don't like it very much.

If any of you are looking to help, let me know and I can give you specific information. I've been touched already at the number of friends who have reached out to help those in need. You guys are all one of a kind.

XOXO - and many blessings,

Mrs. Jones

Highest of heights, depths of the sea

Five days ago, my city was devastated by an EF5 tornado. We were shocked and stunned and heartbroken.

Four days ago, Mr. Jones and I packed our bags and headed to North Alabama for the long-anticipated wedding of my sweet brother-in-law. We left knowing North Alabama had no power. We left knowing there might not be a wedding.

Three days ago, we sat and waited. Power came on in our section of North Alabama. We watched the news continue to unfold. Our hearts continued to break. Good news rolled in and even without power, a wedding would take place. We kicked things into high gear to make a wedding happen, as close to what the beautiful bride had planned and worked for for more than a year.

Two days ago, I ran errands, helped the bride relax, and attended the most wonderful makeshift cancelled-rehearsal-dinner party you could have imagined. The love of friends and family was overwhelming.

Yesterday, Mr. Jones and I stood up as members of the bridal party as his brother and new sister-in-law said their vows in a darkened church, lit by candlelight. It was smaller than planned. But the number that came was astonishing. The reception moved to a small cafe, but it was more than beautiful.

We went to sleep last night absolutely exhausted, emotionally and physically. Many, many people have it so much worse, but I certainly felt like a yo-yo on the high-low pattern we were working.

This afternoon we headed home to Tuscaloosa. I am unloading, unpacking and trying to get ready for the week. I want to be able to volunteer my free time. I want to see my family.

Tomorrow I will see the devastation. I'm not sure I'm ready, even 5 days after knowing what happened. I need to see some friends who've lost so much. I need to help.

Tonight, I will decompress. I will write. I will check Facebook. I will plan how I can help. I'll have more information in days to come.

Thank you for being there and for all the prayers for our beautiful city.
It needs them now more than ever,

Mrs. Jones