Hurricane thoughts

Walter says that our really bad weather will be here around 8pm Monday night and he estimates that it will be over by midnight. Now, i'm not talking about the heavy winds and rain because that will start tonight and last through probably Tuesday, but the REALLY bad weather that makes you question your sanity in having stayed during the storm. I remember thinking during Hurricane Katrina that I would NEVER stay through another bad storm, but the other alternative of being unable to get home for days is not very attractive either. We also were still living in the condo we were renting during Katrina and it was not as sturdy as our house, nor did we have any type of generator and survived for a week with 1 fan and 1 tv, so I feel pretty confident staying here this time. We are not under a mandatory evacuation - only suggested for low lying homes, which we are not. Walter asked me & Cameron to think about going to my mom's for a couple of days, but we both decided we want to stay here and are comfortable doing that. School/work has already been cancelled Tuesday & Wednesday, but I'm doubting people will have electricity back until closer to next weekend.

There was an article in the Baton Rouge paper today where a couple was filling up sandbags to bring to their house and the reporter asked them why they thought other people weren't out doing the same thing. The lady said, "The LSU game is on! They'll come do that later!" Yeah, priorities are in order here in Louisiana!

I am really thrilled with how our wonderful Governor Bobby Jindal is handling this storm. We learned so much that we were not doing after Katrina, so he has certainly figured out the right role in doing what we should. Things seem so well organized and that is going to make a huge difference later. He has made it clear that if you are in an area that is under a mandatory evacuation and you don't leave...you are ON YOUR OWN! Don't expect people to come help you or rescue you. And yes, he has provided transportation out if you can't afford it or have medical issues preventing you from leaving. No crying that the government wasn't there for you or didn't help you. GET OUT or deal with it. It looks like most people in New Orleans are leaving, and that is good. If you think that the levees there are fixed in any way, shape, or form, you are sadly mistaken. What happened in 2005 during Katrina could easily happen there again, so anyone who stays is a bit crazy, if you ask me.

I will try to take some pictures & videos over the next few days. If our backup generator works as planned, I should be able to get online and post some of them during the storm, so check back and see how well that works out! It is amazing how much support and prayers are coming to me and my Louisiana friends through the friends who live in our computers! We really appreciate it more than we can say!!