Dear Gustav...

You know, it's just something we deal with here - hurricanes. I have lived through them for 40 years, most of them nothing but some real bad rain & wind, some nothing at all after we went through a lot of effort to prepare, some pretty darn bad and scary, and then came Katrina. I don't know that I can ever casually sit through another hurricane after what went on during and after Katrina. And now here is Gustav. Please leave! Many of the kids in our school system lived through Katrina...through the bad stuff you saw on tv...and evacuated to our towns and many are still here. And when they hear rain, they get upset, so imagine when they hear a hurricane is coming, they remember and panic. And so do I. My in-laws lost 7 homes in Waveland, Mississippi and suffered a major lifestyle change. One of those homes was one that we co-owned. After the storm, we couldn't find 4 family members for several days and when we found them, we learned that they'd survived a hurricane, tornado, and water up to the 2nd floor of the 2 story hotel they were at. Walter & I were unable to help search for them because we could not find gas to get to them, and we went to every gas station for miles until we realized that we would be left on the side of the road if we continued. My mom and step-dad were driving home from a trip and got caught in miles and miles of traffic with no options of buying gas, ran out of gas on the interstate and 2 angels came by in an old beat up pickup truck and happened to have gas in a can in the back of the truck and were willing to share a couple of gallons. I will never think about an approaching hurricane the same. Will I still have a hurricane party? Sure. That's just how we roll. But I will never underestimate the power of nature. Do you know that in Waveland, Mississippi, where Katrina made a direct hit, that a 35 foot wall of water sucked every house for miles into the gulf? Seriously. There was nothing left but slabs and broken trees. And 3 years later, much of the area still looks the same. And yeah, Friday is the anniversary of Katrina. Ok, sorry about the trip down memory lane, but Gustav, please, just go away.

I've had several comments that say going on the trip would avoid the storm, and while that's true, what I learned from Katrina is that I may not be able to fly home on Monday. And assume the airline flies me to another airport, I may not be able to get a rental car or find gas to put in one. Then my pets are home alone (they can manage with extra food & water for a long weekend), and my son comes home on Monday. Now, i'm sure his dad would keep him longer, if needed (he used to REFUSE to keep him any extra time, imagine that), but I don't want to put myself in a situation where I can't get home and also miss time with Cameron for a vacation. So, while Brent & Cathy are still deciding what to do, I know I can't go after looking at the radar this morning. Landfall is expected just a few hours before we are scheduled to fly home Monday morning, and I don't want to fly on a GOOD day, much less like this, so unofficially (meaning the rest don't know it yet!), Walter & I aren't going.

Say what??? A favorite things swap??? Count me in!!!!!!

Here's how it's gonna work...
1. Let Wendi know you want to participate.You will need tp RSVP by August 30, 2008.
2. If you choose to participate, you will simply pick three (or more) of your favorite things to share with your partner.
I am sure no one would complain if you wanted to send more.
This does not have to be expensive.
It could be your favorite book, a new mascara, or a book of your favorite recipes.
It might even be some personalized note cards, or a box of your favorite chocolates.Items can be new, bought, or even homemade.
Just remember to send a package that you would be excited to receive.Be creative!
3. Email Wendi at becausewendisaidso@gmail.com with the following information.
Your nameYour mailing addressYour email address
Your website/ blog /or flickr address.(you must have one of these)
A little something about yourself.
Please let her know if you would be willing to ship internationally.
4.She will email you the information about your swap partner shortly after the sign up deadline.
The delivery deadline is September 22, 2008.
Be sure to have your packages ready and postmarked by then.
So...are you ready to join in the fun?Share this with your friends! Tell your neighbors!
Email your associates! O
kay.....are you ready to swap?Me too!*
Contact Wendi at becausewendisaidso@gmail.com with any questions

I absolutely LOVE getting anything in the mail and I think this is going to be SO fun!!! I'm doing it and I hope you will too!!! I can't wait to see who my partner will be!!