I always thought the term 'Monsoon' related to periods of heavy rain only, but since we have been here in Phoenix I have learnt that it actually relates more to the strong winds which originate from the South West, bringing with them not only torrential downpours and flash flooding, but also dust storms and severe thunderstorms .. Yikes! Monsoon season here in Arizona is officially recognised as June 15 to September 30 and this week it got well and truly underway!
Around 6.30 on Sunday evening Mr B and Ethan had just popped out to pick up some food, when I heard a loud siren noise coming from the kitchen ... what the hell is that?!! After a moment or two of sheer panic ... Where is it coming from?! What the hell does it mean?! Should I evacuate?! Or cower under the table maybe?! ... I soon realised that it was coming from my mobile phone which was flashing with an 'Emergency Alert!' ... OMG! OMG!!!! **Frantically grabs phone whilst adopting Ninja Warrior pose **... 'A dust storm warning is in effect until 8pm ...' Oh. Not a nuclear attack or an alien invasion then. Phew. OK people, stand down.
Within about 5 minutes a howling wind appeared from nowhere blowing everything across the garden, including the sun beds (which helpfully have two wheels on the back!) which I just managed to rush out and rescue before they trundled into the pool, grabbing a cushion as it flew from the sofa
en route ... bet Linda Carter never had this trouble (who incidentally was from Phoenix in case you're interested). Thankfully the boys had just got back when the sky became dark and ominous and within minutes a violent thunderstorm with some of the most spectacular lightening that I have ever seen was in full force. This pattern was repeated over the next few evenings and whilst unnerving, no damage done where we were however one of Mr B's colleagues was not so fortunate and lost everything when her house was struck by lightening and set on fire!! Scarey stuff.
en route ... bet Linda Carter never had this trouble (who incidentally was from Phoenix in case you're interested). Thankfully the boys had just got back when the sky became dark and ominous and within minutes a violent thunderstorm with some of the most spectacular lightening that I have ever seen was in full force. This pattern was repeated over the next few evenings and whilst unnerving, no damage done where we were however one of Mr B's colleagues was not so fortunate and lost everything when her house was struck by lightening and set on fire!! Scarey stuff.
In other news, Ethan's orthodontist follow up went well and 18 month treatment plan agreed. Braces top and bottom to push back his teeth to where they should be, and two false ones on a retainer to fill the gap until he reaches 21 when he will need two implants. What have I missed...? Oh yes. The cost. A snip at just $5,500 ladies and gents. $2,000 covered by insurance so just $3,500 to find!!! Think I might have to sell a kidney. And I don't even want to think how much implants will be by the time he is 21. Still, maybe by then they will have learned how to grow a new tooth ... or a money tree.
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