Back Home and THANKS!...PS SPARKS + CAS(E) this Sketch #33

The past few days have been a wreaking of havoc in my town of Canmore, Alberta, due to the unexpected flooding of Cougar Creek that runs through it. Usually a gently flowing trickle - the result of snow melt from surrounding mountains - the creek - true to its name - transformed into a ferocious snarl of wild and crazy rapids that spread quickly and with unforeseen consequences.  Below is a photo of the creek bursting its banks, tearing away the foundations of nearby houses.

The highways surrounding us were also assaulted by the water; we were, in a nutshell, land-locked - a situation that continues even today.

Glued to news of the quickly changing scenario, on Thursday, I believed we’d be spared evacuation, but my optimism was short-lived when the fire-fighters arrived and told us we had to leave.  Panic for me, as I’m such a stay-at-home person – and I had no inkling of where I’d end up, beyond being shuttled by bus to the local high school on the other side of town.  Told to travel light, I grabbed the bare-essentials, and headed off to…wherever. 

After seeing the crowds at the school - predominately families who needed space more than I did - I decided to head to my office downtown, and squirrel away there.  And so I did, heading off into the rains pouring down with renewed vigor.   

Down the hall from my office is a small timing company; a group of three men who Andy, my husband, and I have come to know because they provide the timing infrastructure we use for bike races.  I passed by their office to say a quick hi, told them I was evacuated, and faster than you can blink an eye, the two young men who share a townhouse (and who we worked closely with at last weekend’s Banff Bike Fest – talk about perfect scheduling for that event!) – offered me a room at their place.  Ecstatic?  Only YES!!   Knights in shining armor rescuing a damsel matron in distress - the lore of fairy tales came true at that very moment! 

So, Thursday, Friday and until late Saturday, I was most blessed to be with these lads!  Their home was spacious, comfortable, safe and warm; their hospitality welcoming, thoughtful and heart-warming.  They listened to me prattle on about ‘whatever’ prattling I had stored up; they made me pizza (awesome!!); they gave me a ‘home’ when I was certainly in need.  To say I was spoiled and pampered is an understatement!  I’m not sure how we’ll repay them, but we’ll find a way!

In the midst of all this, my charming  husband abandoned his decision to race in Mt. Hood, OR (and that was a sacrifice, as this was the race's last running) and ‘try’ to come home – only to discover all roads closed.  Today, we finally heard word that he could return - and so we are united!

Even though I’m safe (blessing!) and home (blessing!), I’m exhausted! Compared to those 60-70 families who lost their homes, our little discomforts are mild!  The school districts have announced that the school year is officially over (we had one more week), and even though I still have to go to deal with my tasks, this is an excellent decision.   Writing exams really isn’t a priority, at this stage!   The road to recovery will be long, indeed, but the little steps are being made.

Hugs of exponentially huge proportions to you!  Wait, make that a double amount of said hugs!!

As you can imagine, a return to card-making was important - a chance for 'normalcy' - and forefront in my mind is making Thank you cards.  

My colour inspiration is from Paper Smooches SPARK Challenge: Cool Shades (hopefully you can see the four key shades in the patterned paper) and features the PS Thanks die, the notebook die, extended (thanks to Savannah's Virtual Smooches video!) and Chit Chat.

The layout - although I took some liberties with sizing -  is Jackie Rockwell's CAS(E) this Sketch #33. 

Here's my take:

 I'm sending this one 'virtually' to all of you who left notes on my blog, or sent me messages,  THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU with all my ♥ for thinking about me. Your notes and concern over my well-being have touched me deeply.  I am blessed to have you in my life!