Life After 50: January 2025

Ceiling Repair - Lightening Strike of Home

Our home was struck by lightning on June 15, 2024. We weren’t home and neither was my son and grandson who were here visiting. They had ventured off for some dinner. They weathered the storm downtown. We were out of town!

The boys got home and texted me that shingles from the roof were in the driveway and yard. I’m like well looks like we need a new roof. After more investigation the boys found the garage door wouldn’t open. We received a phone call from the boys. They started with "Hey how do we get in the house and put the golf cart away?" We gave them instructions. When they finally got in the house they saw water and debris on the floor and furniture. The solar tube was broken letting water from the storm in. Phone call - Mom I think

your home was hit by lightning! There was no electricity in part of the house and he went up to the attic and saw roof trusses had been splintered and 4 holes in the roof. He could see daylight.

Thank goodness we have amazing neighbors ( Walt & Joe & Chuck) who came and took care of business. They called the Fire department who came and put plastic over the holes. They also made sure my boys were ok

. Everyone is safe and that’s all that matters!! The main roof support beam in the home is split. Anywhere from 3 months to 6 months for repairs. We will be living someplace else during repair time.

We are finally back in our home after 5 months. It's been a long journey getting our house back to normal. The first ceiling that was put in was so lumpy and not acceptable. It had to be cut out and another group of contractors started the job all over again. The ceiling was finished again at the middle of Jan. 2025. We still have some cracks in the ceiling in the kitchen from all the pounding when our new roof was replaced and also the beams that hold the roof on. That will be repaired Feb. 1, 2025. We had such a mess to clean up from all the drywall dust. We still need cleaning done, ceiling and walls painted.

When we moved back in the house I lit a bundle of sage and walked with a bundle of burning sage. I said a prayer, hoping the sage's energy would absorb and transmute any negativity, allowing positivity to take its place." I did this in December. From the looks of things, the new contractors are doing a great job and getting the ceiling in right.

Jacksonville Colors of the Wild

I had a wonderful day visiting Jacksonville to see Emma, Marlon’s daughter. I met them at the Jacksonville Zoo to see Colors of the Wild, and I had a great time hanging out with them! The zoo was amazing. I saw a girl shoot a balloon with a bow and arrow using her toes to bust a balloon.

Daddy & Daughter swinging. When they swing it makes the wings of the butterfly move.