Shoes and Tornadoes

Yesterday Trista got birthday money from Grandma for new shoes, so when J.T. got home we headed out to Kohl's, our favorite shoe shopping spot. (Great sales, cute/nice shoes.) The weather had been a little rough all over the state for most of the day but we had only seen a small amount of rain, no thunder even. It wasn't even raining when we left the house.

Well, we'd only been at Kohl's for about 10 minutes when a lady comes over the loud speaker and informs us that we are currently under a tornado warning which means conditions are right for a tornado to develop. If our risk changed she said she would notify us and have everyone head to the center of the store at the back.

Kassy went into a small amount of panic.
"Mom what did she say?"
I repeated the announcement.
Kassy asks, "Did she say a tornado warning?"
"Yes, Kassy, she said warning."
"Are you sure she said warning? Mom isn't a warning-"
"Kassy, it's okay."
At this point I was a little annoyed because I was trying to try shoes on Trista, Ava kept running away, J.T. is off getting a price check, and Kassy's asking me the same questions over and over.
Finally, she quickly adds, "But Mom, you said a tornado warning was when there was already a tornado. A tornado watch is when there might be one."

This stumps me. I decide I must have told them wrong and Kassy feels better until about 2 minutes later. We hear the speaker click on and in a slight panicked voice, that we can tell is trying very hard to stay calm, the Kohl's lady makes a new announcement.

"Attention Kohl's customers and employees. We are currently under a tornado warning. Please proceed quickly to the back of the store in the center. Thank you."

As we "quickly proceed," we hear the rumbling roar that is eerily similar to a freight train. An employee who is heading to the back freezes, looks up and asks me, "Is that it or is that hale?" "That's it," I say. Then we hear the pelting hale. "That's hale," I add. His eyes got a little wide.

So, I have to admit, I have a horrible fear of tornadoes. I ALWAYS dream about running and hiding from tornadoes. I felt a little safer in the comfort of the giant, strong-walled department store than I do in my home during a warning. I managed to stay calm, but I carried my 2 little ones and made the older 3 stay right by my side.

J.T. laughed at me and went to look at ties.

They ended up putting the store in lockdown and shepherding us back to the customer service area. I kept everyone close, or tried to. J.T. looked at movies, Ava managed to find and open every musical greeting card, Aria was trying to slide down out of my arms. Kassy, Bella, and Trista were browsing through cards as well. I was frozen in place. It was only about 10 minutes before we were given the all clear.

Turns out that a rotation had passed right over us, but luckily, had not touch down. We were luckier than a lot of other areas in Georgia. What a night!

Finally, one good point for El Paso: no tornadoes. Right?