I love this style of posting. Come to think of it, the last time I saw it was written by first and second graders. So I'm in a simple mindset this morning, apparently.
Good thing: Contraflow (where they turn the south bound lanes into north bound lanes)
Bad thing: They're not using them. In their defense, we really don't need it right now, but that's not very comforting for those who are sitting in traffic, even for the 4 mile back up in Conroe.
Good thing: Opening toll roads for free to all for evacuation
Bad thing: Only the EZ Tag lanes are open like that. All the rest have the arms down. So only two lanes get through every time there's a toll booth.
Good thing: Storm shutters of corrugated steel
Bad thing: They get HOT when left in the sun. HOT!
Good thing: Storm shutters of corrugated steel
Bad thing: It's awfully dark in the house right now. Awfully dark. Which overnight isn't so bad. You sleep pretty good in a house with storm shutters on, blinds down and closed, and curtains. It's awfully dark. But during the storm I'd rather peek out the window occasionally and see outside. That is impossible with this system. Did I mention it was dark?
Good thing: Neighbors who are also staying
Bad thing: Neighbors who are staying but are freaking out. I actually said "This storm isn't so big. It's really not that big." Do I feel guilty about lying to them? A little. I did mean it wasn't as powerful as it could be. But Ike is big. Big. Those folks from California don't really understand a hurricane.
Good thing: Hurricane stores of food and water
Bad thing: Food is not Weight Watchers approved. But when you're looking in the store for food you can keep for 6 months in your pantry, food that can be opened with a manual can opener, and you don't have to heat or cool for it to be yummy, you're left with Dinty Moore Stew and Chili. We bought crackers at the store this week to help us get down the stew and chili.
Good thing: Evacuations went very, very well for those who left.
Bad thing: It took Rita to get us where we could say that.
Good thing: 24 hour Ike watch on all channels.
Bad thing: 24 hour Ike watch on all channels. Seriously, I don't need to see a reporter lashed to the pier as waves crash around him and his camera man can't stand. But it is cool to see Galveston with waves crashing over the Seawall Blvd on the south side of the island. How many times have I driven that? It's under water now, with every wave that comes in. Freaky. And it's low tide.
And now, I have to tell you of Ike's first morbidity. That's just where folks get hurt, not killed. I still get those confused. I think it's even used just for illness, but we're gonna use it for injury too, here. Go with it, people. Jeremy is sunburned on his neck and arms. Not because he had no access to sunscreen, but because he failed to avail himself of it. AND, I am sunburned. Only on my legs though. And my face. And my neck. I wore my hat! But apparently the sun bounces off that steel. . . . AND, I have a rash on my feet where I got into something in my yard. I think it's the weeds in my fern bed. I did actually board up in flip-flops. AND I have a HUGE blister on my right thumb from taking the protectors off the bolts and tightening the wing nuts to the shutters. It's pathetic really. I almost took a picture, but you wouldn't believe it was actually my thumb.
Keep praying!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Hurricane's Eve
What does one do on the eve of a hurricane? Well, let me tell you.
I went to work, came home, ate, put up all my storm shutters (all by myself!), mowed the grass (because I want my lawn to be manicured on the insurance photos), cleaned out the yard, cleaned out the truck, calmed down the next door neighbor (who was freaking out!), fixed my exhausted husband a sandwich, and fell into bed exhausted after tracking the hurricane until 11:00 pm.
My husband went to purchase and cut plywood for a family with disabilities who weren't able to take care of this themselves. Then he took the extra plywood to some elderly folks house and did the best he could to secure the southside of their house. Then he came home and our (nonfreaking out) next door neighbor helped us to rethread the few bolts that weren't working well. He also tracked the hurricane until 11:00 and is still enjoying his well deserved sleep.
My plans for today, you ask? Laugh if you will, but laundry. Clean sheets and towels for everyone. Also, study for boards, continue some projects, scrapbook, keep watch at my doors with a mop for leaks.
For those who are anxious about our decision to stay, we're not crazy. And if we thought we were going to be in trouble, we wouldn't be here. The storm is weakening, I believe thanks to prayer.
I told my mother I wanted to live through, and see, the eye of a hurricane. I want to watch the eye go over me. This midnight landing is not conducive to that. Oh well. I'm sure she's just wishing I wouldn't have an apparent death wish.
We will board up the doors this morning. To be perfectly honest with you, I'm more concerned about pottying for our dog than the storm. We may have to deal with messes later. But that's okay. I think taking a lab on a leash in the middle of this may be more like flying a kite than a potty break.
I'm writing posts for future post time. So if I blog more after I sign off, I'm not lying. I am just that prepared. Keep praying!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
About Ike
We're staying. (insert your exasperated sigh here). There. We're weathering through a category 2-3 in our house and it's going to be fun. Just like camping. With 120 mph winds. And storm shutters. We're going to be fine. Plenty of food, water, and work to do. It's like a vacation. That's camping.
I know our God is bigger than a category anything storm. I know it can dissipate in an instant with just a word from the Big Guy. I am trusting that He will keep us in His hands.
Pray for those who are going and those who are staying. Traffic is already at a stand still down here in the WAY south, and there are more people trying to hit the roads later today. There will be deaths if these people can't get off the roads. And for those who are staying, pray that the storm goes away. Pray that electricity is maintained, and that tornadoes aren't a factor at all down here. Pray for the storm surge, that it is small, that creeks don't flood, and that rain has a place to go. Pray that the hurricane is timed for low tide (not that it matters too much, it's a big storm) so water can run off. Pray for our animals, that they will be okay. And pray for those who are left that there won't be a mob mentality like there was in NO 3 years ago. (We do have guns. And ammunition.)
One final thought. If we're this terrified of a hurricane, even a medium sized one, what should that tell us about what our attitude ought to be toward God. He's bigger than any old storm.
This will be my primary update site, since the phones are spotty at best now. I will keep this going as long as I can.
I know our God is bigger than a category anything storm. I know it can dissipate in an instant with just a word from the Big Guy. I am trusting that He will keep us in His hands.
Pray for those who are going and those who are staying. Traffic is already at a stand still down here in the WAY south, and there are more people trying to hit the roads later today. There will be deaths if these people can't get off the roads. And for those who are staying, pray that the storm goes away. Pray that electricity is maintained, and that tornadoes aren't a factor at all down here. Pray for the storm surge, that it is small, that creeks don't flood, and that rain has a place to go. Pray that the hurricane is timed for low tide (not that it matters too much, it's a big storm) so water can run off. Pray for our animals, that they will be okay. And pray for those who are left that there won't be a mob mentality like there was in NO 3 years ago. (We do have guns. And ammunition.)
One final thought. If we're this terrified of a hurricane, even a medium sized one, what should that tell us about what our attitude ought to be toward God. He's bigger than any old storm.
This will be my primary update site, since the phones are spotty at best now. I will keep this going as long as I can.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
About Grief
Well, if that isn't a cheery title. I've been thinking alot about this subject recently because my friend is losing her father, and I am losing my mind. Ever so slowly.
What is it about grief that sends us into a emotional fetal position? I think it's the unpredictability of the whole matter. There's no linear progression through the Kubler-Ross five stages of grief. You memorized it in Abnormal Psychology in college. Or maybe just experienced it first hand. Denial-Anger-Bargaining-Depression-Acceptance. There. Linear on paper. All loopy-loop in real life.
My friend got word 5 weeks ago that her father had 24 hours to live. (Note: he's still with us) I got really tired of listening to her explaining to acquaintances that her entire month of June had been spent with her father and mother, and she had her two teenaged boys and husband to care for here, and her mother was cared for, blah, blah, blah. Nunya business why she's not on a plane immediately to be by her father's side. Why does she need to explain to everyone who asks? Why do people feel the need to ask? Concern, I suppoose.
Then I noticed a trend. Those of us who know her better moved on to other subjects. Children, car wrecks, school, life. Oh, and by the way, how is your dad? No disrespect. Just simple acknowledgement that while her grief and impending loss were acute, we also knew that good things, normal things, everyday things were also happening. And we could comment on those just as easily as we could slip into chatting about her father and how this last phone call went.
I think, and here I am editorializing, that you can tell alot about a relationship by the way people handle stressors. Deep friendships know there's another side to a person besides that acute grief. Sometimes the griever needs to talk about it, and sometimes just needs to talk about the fabulous scrapbook pages or card she made today. And that is just as valid.
Take it from someone who has a brain around here somewhere. Some days I just need a normal day. Which is when I stalk around here and read posts, and catch up on old friends newly found. And some days it's emotional fetal position for me. That's okay. Because it's a loopy-loop life.
What is it about grief that sends us into a emotional fetal position? I think it's the unpredictability of the whole matter. There's no linear progression through the Kubler-Ross five stages of grief. You memorized it in Abnormal Psychology in college. Or maybe just experienced it first hand. Denial-Anger-Bargaining-Depression-Acceptance. There. Linear on paper. All loopy-loop in real life.
My friend got word 5 weeks ago that her father had 24 hours to live. (Note: he's still with us) I got really tired of listening to her explaining to acquaintances that her entire month of June had been spent with her father and mother, and she had her two teenaged boys and husband to care for here, and her mother was cared for, blah, blah, blah. Nunya business why she's not on a plane immediately to be by her father's side. Why does she need to explain to everyone who asks? Why do people feel the need to ask? Concern, I suppoose.
Then I noticed a trend. Those of us who know her better moved on to other subjects. Children, car wrecks, school, life. Oh, and by the way, how is your dad? No disrespect. Just simple acknowledgement that while her grief and impending loss were acute, we also knew that good things, normal things, everyday things were also happening. And we could comment on those just as easily as we could slip into chatting about her father and how this last phone call went.
I think, and here I am editorializing, that you can tell alot about a relationship by the way people handle stressors. Deep friendships know there's another side to a person besides that acute grief. Sometimes the griever needs to talk about it, and sometimes just needs to talk about the fabulous scrapbook pages or card she made today. And that is just as valid.
Take it from someone who has a brain around here somewhere. Some days I just need a normal day. Which is when I stalk around here and read posts, and catch up on old friends newly found. And some days it's emotional fetal position for me. That's okay. Because it's a loopy-loop life.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Top Five Reasons I Need Valium Today
Now, ladies and gentlemen, here are the top 5 reasons I could use valium.
5. I have been up for almost 4 hours, and it's only 9:30 AM.
4. I haven't slept well in two weeks. Could have something to do with the two Dr Peppers I drank last night after 8:30 PM. And the stress.
3. New computer system at work starts today. Everyone here could use valium.
2. My nurse didn't show up for work today. Number 10. I'm tired of this.
1. And the number one reason: My husband lost the job he interviewed for because he was letting the dog out. No, you did not read that wrong. And can you see the steam from my ears from there?
So continue the prayers for a job, for God's will for our family, and for wisdom for both of us. We're really struggling emotionally with a whole host of things, and it's not getting any easier.
5. I have been up for almost 4 hours, and it's only 9:30 AM.
4. I haven't slept well in two weeks. Could have something to do with the two Dr Peppers I drank last night after 8:30 PM. And the stress.
3. New computer system at work starts today. Everyone here could use valium.
2. My nurse didn't show up for work today. Number 10. I'm tired of this.
1. And the number one reason: My husband lost the job he interviewed for because he was letting the dog out. No, you did not read that wrong. And can you see the steam from my ears from there?
So continue the prayers for a job, for God's will for our family, and for wisdom for both of us. We're really struggling emotionally with a whole host of things, and it's not getting any easier.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Houston, we have an interview
There's a phone interview starting in 5 minutes. Please pray, even belatedly, for God's will to be done in this situation. There will be a more complete post later.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Regarding Gustav
This was sent out by my office manager (as a joke, I think). This is how we tend to view hurricanes in this part of the country. Or at least at my office.
Office Procedures Concerning Storm and Office Closings
As we watch the progress of the storm, the following are this firm's guidelines based upon the hurricane's intensity:
Hurricane Category #1 No excuse for being late. Leave earlier to give extra time to avoid fallen trees and limbs.
Hurricane Category #2 Due to the horizontal rain, you may wear jeans.
Hurricane Category #3 Whereas most of the area will be flooded we suggest you avoid wearing open toe sandals when coming to work. Canoes will be provided to get to the building safely without getting wet.
Hurricane Category #4 More than likely there will be no electricity. Given that, we will have manual typewriters available to all staff members. Please take extra caution and wear water-proof make-up if Category 4 or above.
Hurricane Category #5 Velcro will be provided to keep you attached to your chairs when the windows blow out. We will have chocolate cake at 3:00 pm in the kitchen.
Pray for those who will be in the path of Gustav and the one after it. It's been an exciting hurricane summer so far!
Office Procedures Concerning Storm and Office Closings
As we watch the progress of the storm, the following are this firm's guidelines based upon the hurricane's intensity:
Hurricane Category #1 No excuse for being late. Leave earlier to give extra time to avoid fallen trees and limbs.
Hurricane Category #2 Due to the horizontal rain, you may wear jeans.
Hurricane Category #3 Whereas most of the area will be flooded we suggest you avoid wearing open toe sandals when coming to work. Canoes will be provided to get to the building safely without getting wet.
Hurricane Category #4 More than likely there will be no electricity. Given that, we will have manual typewriters available to all staff members. Please take extra caution and wear water-proof make-up if Category 4 or above.
Hurricane Category #5 Velcro will be provided to keep you attached to your chairs when the windows blow out. We will have chocolate cake at 3:00 pm in the kitchen.
Pray for those who will be in the path of Gustav and the one after it. It's been an exciting hurricane summer so far!
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