Memories of Hurricane Katrina

We moved to Louisiana just 6 weeks before Hurricane Katrina. During one of the most active Hurricane season in History. Five all together. I remember listening to the sisters talk in Relief Society about a hurricane that came in just before Katrina. I'll never forget the expression I had when they smiled and said, this is what you need to do. They told of rushing to the store and the stores being empty of things like bread, canned lunch meat etc. I got that lovely experience a few times while living there that year. Lines at the grocery store. People lined up at the bank trying to get cash to get out of town. People lined up at the Gas Station to get extra gas for their generators etc. The week of Katrina we debated on what to do. Saturday we had taken the Elders to Slidell on a missionary split. That afternoon the Elders got word to evacuate. We called the Elders and heard the news. That's when we decided, "If the Elders are leaving town, we are leaving town" The final straw was when our home teacher (Bro. Marcotte) called to tell us if we stayed to make sure we covered ourselves with a mattress if we didn't evacuate! NOT ME I'M TELLING YOU!So we prepared to hit the road. So we got our home ready to evacuate. Two of our neighbors were staying home to protect the neighborhood. So we gave our house key to one neighbor. It was eery to see the people "BOARD UP" which is just routine during Hurricane Season. We traveled towards Shreveport because our former owners of our home called to let us know the best route to go. I had packed a lunch and I remember eating a "SPAM" sandwich at a rest stop on the way. We were not grid locked with traffic but several areas were. We experienced the "no room at the inn" feeling. We finally found a place heading toward Houston. I remember going to our room and hearing a young wife talk to her husband that was stationed(with the police force) in the "SUPER DOME" and watching her be frantic when she couldn't get her husband on the phone. Leaving on Monday Morning we were talking to a black family who owned a car dealership right in New Orleans. Their son's were staying behind to guard it. We were light heartedly saying shew made it through that one! And then the levees broke and the chaos began. I often think of that family. I'm sure they had a lot of loss. We went to stay at a hotel in Texas City for a week with Uncle Bob and Neil Savage who were working there at the refineries. Clark worked while we were there and then we went to stay with a good friend in Houston (who is now Clarks DM) for a week while we made preparations to head back to La. It was the most scary time in my life. We stayed with Clark's boss and his wife right in Laplace. It was war zone to get there. We had to have a refinery pass to even travel. We had limited cell phone service. NO DEBIT CARDS/CASH ONLY. Also no power for the first day. Our first venture out was when we got word that Wal-mart had opened. Now remember this was three weeks after the storm. When we arrived the national guard was there with their M13's and only let so many people in at a time. And remember it was CASH ONLY. Pretty crazy experience to watch the helicopters evacuate people. To see buses and buses of people being moved was surreal. Houses with no roofs, trees uprooted and areas leveled. It gave me a new appreciation for being able to be PREPARED. TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR OWN, AND TO LISTEN TO PROMPTINGS! Yes, our home was fine. Just a bit of tree damage. We watched many miracles as time went by. Like hearing about how the men in our church went from home to home checking to make sure every member was accounted for (with limited gas) and the miracle was their gas gage did not move. Or the 2 months that after Sacrament Meeting the men would be dismissed to go help others get tarps on their roofs or cut trees. A lot of service went on. I remember seeing our own Bishop wore out and exhausted because he never stopped serving. Nurses in our Ward who had horror stories. I was able to work at the Bishops Store house after the storm. It was AMAZING to see members from across the United States help in the efforts. And totally eye opening to see the out pouring of things our church does for the world. I have to say that I am so thankful we had this experience. It is life changing, and we will never forget it. We had great opportunities to SERVE others and also for so many kindnesses in our behalf. Our kids will tell you their experience was extreme FEAR and WORRY. It stinks to worry about your parents!

This Recipe is a keeper!

I spent today making Bread Sticks and Pizza for our monthly Food Exchange. Clark and I had it for dinner tonight. IT WAS WONDERFUL!!! Clark LOVED IT as well!!

So I will share it with you. I altered the sauce a tich. Just added more oil, a little sugar and I didn't use fresh herbs. YUM! Oh and it makes TONS of sauce like the review says. I made three pizza's with one recipe. I can see that it would make a great marinara! For the Crust, I added 1 tbl. yeast instead of 1 tsp. And I did NOT add the flat beer!! Just added water instead! It made it a THICK CRUST so if you like it thin follow the recipe. Let me know if you try it!

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Pizza-Sauce-and-Dough/Detail.aspx

Nie

I don't know how many times I have read Nie's blog and weeped. I have followed here for the passed year and seeing her progress is incredible. SHE IS INSPIRING! And now she gets to do all the Mom things. Wow! Check out the before school party. What a clever idea! So today, after reading her entries I have a renewed spirit to ENJOY LIFE! EACH MOMENT. And make the BEST OF IT... SO HERE IT GOES! Here is her link:http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/

Silence on Sunday!

The house is empty...Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Well this weekend I cooked, cooked, cooked! Made a Meat Pie, barbecued steaks and salmon, made 4 batches of rolls and 8 dozen cookies so I guess for me it will be a break from cooking. Just today I was already thinking, who are we going to invite over for dinner? I'm sure it will be hard to cook for two for awhile. So if your in the neighborhood stop by! Oh but call first. LOL just kidding!

Finally FRIDAY!

YEAH IT'S FRIDAY, although it means a busy weekend. We have Megan this weekend and the missionaries are home for their farewell party at the branch. So happy just to have Mr. Clark home he needs the weekend to re-coop from a crazy week. Not even a evening this week to wind down. Why is life so crazy! I have to celebrate that he is able to do more than usual. Shew he has some strength back.

MOVIN' ON MONDAY!

Woo hoo, I'm a movin' on Monday. LOVIN' THE RAIN TOO! Think I'll put on a pot of STEW!

Got the Laundry going, the bathrooms cleaned all the floors mopped. Now I can get down to the business of cleaning out the cupboards! I was going to post a picture of my bra hangin' on the door knob.(first time in almost 2 years!) I'll save myself some embarrassment! LOL! I'M HOME ALONE!

GOOD BYE TO OUR MISSIONARIES!

Our Missionaries that live with us are going to INDEPENDENCE. After 21 months at our home they are hitting the road to finish their mission in the office. So I guess I'll recap the last almost 2 years! We've had a lot of missionary opportunities because of housing the missionaries. One- we have made a lot of new friends. Lisa and Rodney Henson, Katie and John Rice, Richelle and Dane Phillips and MEGAN (our adopted daughter) Many Dinners at our home for investigators and members (that we hope to continue!) Stepping out of our comfort zone a little. Mr Clark will tell you that it has helped me be BOLD in sharing the gospel! At times we wondered if the missionaries came just to help Clark and I! Yes it was a rough 2 years for Clark, Health Wise.... And I would have had several come apart's if it hadn't been for Sister Albaugh having a good listening ear! She helped me be brave when it came to wound care. Ahhhhh ever packed a cave in your skin. Never thought I could but I did it. WoooHOOOooo! AND let alone giving and changing IV's everyday for 2 months. The last little episode with Mr Clark shows how much help they were to us. The 10:30 knock on their door asking Elder Albaugh to give Clark a Priesthood Blessing and assistance to the car as we loaded him up and went off to the ER. Oh, or the assistance at the hospital when Mr. Clark had his Heart Cathe. When family wasn't available they were there. We were talking last night about all our fun at the dinner table when the girls ganged up on the guys or visa,versa! We will miss our meal conversations! All the times when I went to Utah and Sister Albaugh pampered Mr. Clark. Making sure he was fed and had taken his meds. AND surviving the tornado threats together. With Elder Albaugh hooking up our house to our generator with his ELECTRICIAN EXPERTISE. We never went without any inconveinence We have been blessed by having them here. Mr Clark is already getting emotional. He says, "I'm ready to go home" to Utah that is. I never realized what comfort Mr. Clark felt with them in our home. (I think he's just worried to be alone with me) LOL! Seriously, we have recognized so many miracles. And God's hand in other people's lives. Including our own. Thanks to the blessing hosting the missionaries. And now we are gearing up for the next set of missionaries. Wondering, what experience's they will bring. We will miss the Albaugh's but pretty sure we will continue to share friendships for a life time. For that reason it was worth it! Today Sunday, the missionaries had a couple they have been working with this entire time come to church. It was a good goodbye tribute to their friendship they have built with the Knisley's. What a way to say goodbye... The missionaries were so thrilled. And our house is QUIET...

CUCUMBERS

Another favorite sign of the Season! Cucumbers.... YES, YES, YES and from my measly two plants under my porch, we got TWO cucumbers. So THANKGOODNESS for FRIENDS that share there harvest! WE ARE IN CUCUMBER HEAVEN.The FRESH FARMERS MARKET is another supplier. Not as much fun as "BERRY TOWN" in La. But love the bottles goods and fresh baked pies of the MENENITES in our area.

Last night Mr. Clark and I enjoyed 6 cux cut and set in vinegar. WHAT A FEAST!!

WE LOVE SUMMER!

OUR COURAGEOUS GRANDAUGHTER!

This is our 4 year old Granddaughter Kylie climbing a rock wall. Isn't she brave! When I asked her if she had loved climbing that wall she said. "OH YES, I TOUCHED THE BELL( or buzzer?) AT THE TOP" She is pretty COURAGEOUS!!!

The Missionaries are leaving US!

The You can tell Elder Albaugh loves his new job.

Missionaries are packing it up. After 21 months in our home they are getting transferred to the mission office. Elder Albaugh will be in charge of the mission cars and Sister Albaugh will be in the office handling referalls. Bitter Sweet time. Clark is having a really tough time. They have been like family. We will miss them.

CORN FEAST!

The kids having fun with Williams New Dart Gun!

The fun of the season is CORN ON THE COB. We have had an abundance of yummy sweet corn. We have included our friends the Triers in our feast. Trading off feasts at each others homes. WHAT FUN! Especially when little Sariah just squeals with enthusiasm at every bite! William can about out do us all. Ellie just enjoys it all! We've purchased close to 8-10 dozen ears. NOTHING LIKE SUMMER AND FRIENDS THAT ENJOY CORN ON THE COB AS MUCH AS US!!

My New FAVORITE recipe! WHITE SAUCE BUTTER BALLS

This recipe came out of the "MORE MAKE A MIX COOKERY" BOOK

Make the balls ahead of time. FREEZE and pull them out as needed. I have already made the sauce for "New Peas and Potatoes" but you can use them for ANY White Sauce Recipe.

I love popping them right out of the freezer

These white sauce balls just melt in the pan. They already have all the seasoning you need so you just add 1 C. milk to three balls (or more milk depending how thick you want it. And WALLA you have a thick white sauce.

You can add cheese to make a cheese sauce for cheesy califlower etc. I added cheese, ham chunks, onion, and potatoes for a QUICK Potatoes Augratin. YUMMMMMM

I LOVE THESE BALLS! THEY ARE SO EFFICIENT!! 2 cups all-purpose flour

2 Tablespoons salt

1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper

2 Cups butter (or margarine) --I used butter SOFTENED Line 2 baking sheets with waxed paper, set aside. In a sifter, combine flour,salt,and white pepper. Sift into a large bowl. Use an electric mixer to cream in butter or margarine until smooth. Drop by heaping tablespoons onto prepared baking sheets. Place in a firm freezer container with tight-fitting lid or in a heavy duty plastic bags. Use within 6 months makes about 28 WHITE SAUCE BUTTER BALLS

Temple/Baptism

Picture stolen from Brittany--need more!!

Awe so sad that we missed Mitch's Baptism. CONGRATULATIONS MITCH. I thought of him and all the fun that we missed not being there with family on Mitch's Day. My only consolation was that I was able to go to the Oklahoma Temple with my friends in Relief Society. TOO FUN, along with as always a peaceful day! As always my spiritual batterery is charged. I was able to concentrate my prayers for the people that I love and better FOCUS on what matters most. Where else in the world can you feel heaven. I LOVE TO BE IN THE TEMPLE.