Preparedness

Gustav is knocking at our door and we are being told to be prepared. Walter & I are actually more prepared than we've ever been and I'm glad. We have never owned a generator of any sort. We made it through Katrina with no electricity for a week, with only 1 fan and 1 tv. When we built our house, we installed a backup generator that runs on propane and will run most of the lights in the house, refrigerator, freezer, etc. It will not run the air conditioner, but we bought 3 small window units that we can put in different rooms if needed. We have gone and bought cases of bottled water, batteries (for what, i'm not sure), filled up our cars with gas, bought some canned food, although we will be able to cook on the stove or bbq, and should even have internet access, if we hooked everything up right. So, now we just wait. It is my understanding that busses are beginning to bring people from New Orleans to shelters north of Baton Rouge today/tomorrow. Skeery.

Tonight is STEAK NIGHT!!! For my new readers, a restaurant near my house, Hilltop, has the best steak ever and they have a steak special on Thursday nights. Walter & I go nearly every Thursday night with our neighbors/friends, Cathy & Brent. I am excited to go tonight because this was not in our plans! Cathy & Brent were supposed to leave for New York this morning, so we were skipping it and would have been joining them in New York tomorrow. Steak night isn't as exciting as going to New York, but I don't have to fly there and it is really pretty darn good!!

My shirts that I ordered with my birthday gift certificates from Land's End came today! They took a little longer than I thought because I never actually SUBMITTED the order online!! The biggest part of placing an order is actually PAYING for the stuff!! I realized what I'd done and went back and placed the order and it got here really fast! My sista, Kimi, always likes to see my new shirts, so here they are!

I bought a white & a beige shirt like this to wear under other shirts & blouses when it's cooler.

And here is my ever faithful, giant cat, GoGo, guarding my new possessions!

Questions & Comments:

Chelle asked if we could postpone the New York trip and go later this year. I would think so since Brent's boss owns the house. He seems to let them use it whenever they want, so maybe we can go some other time.

Lula asked if I am safe re: Gustav, and I would have to say yes. We don't ever get evacuated from our area, although if there was an evacuation order, I would surely go. I don't think Walter would want to, but if I whined enough, I know he would. I usually start to worry that we should have left during a storm, but our house is safe and I think we'll be fine here. We do live on a river, but that has not caused any flooding or problems in the past. Our house is up on a hill from the water, but there are many low lying homes that will flood in our area. And thanks for asking!

And for Joe...my beloved friend in real life, Joe. Thank you for clarifying that Walter is not a drug dealer or something. I laughed at your comment, but then realized I really didn't know what he gave you! I remember the story and how bad your head was hurting, and it seems like you kept taking that afterwards cause it worked so well. And yes, I remember the other bad story that weekend. I'm not sure I could ever forget! That's a post for another year! LOL

Have a nice night!!

Name it something normal and maybe it will go away

Gustav - why would you even name a storm something stupid like that? With a ridiculous name like that, this storm is likely to come after us with a vengeance just for naming it that! According to Wikipedia, (which I might add is NOT an actual real source, but one that people like me & you put information into), Gustav means "staff of the Gods." What happened to naming storms things like Robert and Julie?

I have to say it is really cool, and a bit scary, how serious our wonderful Governor Bobby Jindal is taking this storm. Before Katrina, nobody really did anything when hurricanes were looming, and we all learned some serious lessons about that. However, the storm wasn't the real problem. Most people weathered that (no pun intended) just fine, at least in New Orleans. It was when the levees broke that things fell apart. Mississippi was a different story, but I'm not really talking about Mississippi's state of preparedness right now. And it is important to be proactive about these things, and Bobby Jindal is. And I love him.

I can recall hurricanes where we didn't do a thing to prepare and then just waited to ride it out. We've had so many false alarms, that you really had to scream and yell for anyone to get nervous or even leave home during a hurricane. I remember one hurricane that hit here about 10 years ago, can't even remember the name. Some of my real life blogger friends probably remember this and were probably even there too! It was before Walter & I were dating, but were both with a large group of friends partying out of town at a hotel/bar. There was news of a hurricane, but that didn't phase us at all!! News reports were on telling people to be prepared. What did we do? We kept on partying all weekend! When it was time to go home, we were barely ahead of the storm. Then we found out that New Orleans was being EVACUATED!! Yikes! And people with us were from New Orleans and couldn't go home, so Walter brought some of them home with him for a couple of days and some went home with me. And now, here I sit FIVE DAYS before a hurricane could possibly come this way and I'll be honest, i'm worried! I'm not so worried about myself, my family, my house, etc. I just don't know how we could survive the damage caused by Katrina & Rita in our state (and others) again, especially since there is still so much suffering going on. And do you think our levees are somehow fixed now? Ha Ha. No, i'm sure they aren't, but luckily (or unluckily) not many people live in the areas now that flooded so bad. And that is because they lost EVERYTHING and can't live there anymore. So yeah, it's a viscious cycle that we don't need to repeat.

And yes. We are cancelling our trip to New York! We will likely lose $300 for cancelling the tickets unless the area is put under a hurricane warning before our flight Friday morning, but that's ok. They will credit the rest toward another flight at a future date. And there is a bright side! Cathy & Brent will be in town for STEAK NIGHT tomorrow night!! Yay!!

Ok. Enough of that. Today was a very hectic day at work. I had several meetings that took up most of my time, and only had time to meet with 1 student. I did get permission slips sent out for 4 Why Try groups that I am going to do. My co-worker has been trained in the program and will co-lead 2 groups with me, then I will do 2 on my own. I'm excited about getting those started and see how they work out!

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!!

Some more love...

Yes, it's true!! Two more blog awards for me!! This time, they came from Nik at Exceptional Voyage! The first one is the "You're looking at a kick-ass blogger" award! So yeah, I am a kick-ass blogger! Woohoo!!! And I have to pass it on to 5 bloggers who are as kick-ass as me!

1. Kimmy at MBKimmy's Krazy Thoughts

2. Scott at Our Life...

3. Tara at Living a Dream

4. Tonya at Small Town Louisiana Girl

5. Lynda at Art on a Limb

The second award is the "Sharing the Love" award. This award was created by Crystal at Memoirs of a Mommy and you really have to go and read the story behind the award! How incredible! And here are the rules: SHARE THE LOVE!!! Share this award with all those blogs out there that you love. All the people who make you smile. All those that make you laugh. All those that make your day. All those that leave uplifting comments on your blog. **All I ask, is that you include a link to this post with the award and ask your recipient to do the same**

Now, I am only going to pick one, but she is a very special one!!

Chelle at Chelle's Writings

We are going to dinner with Brent & Cathy tonight to discuss our New York plans for Labor Day weekend! However, we did not have any intentions of inviting GUSTAV, and it looks like he may interfere with our trip!!!

Incase you can't tell where I am on the map, just look RIGHT IN FRONT OF IT!!! Yikes!! Now, I'll just go ahead and say that i'm not going to cry if I don't have to fly on that plane, but I will cry if our tickets are non-refundable!!! But it looks like we could get a credit to fly somewhere else within a year if we had to cancel now. I'll admit, I have been quite nervous about the flying part, being that the only time i've ever flown was when I was 7 years old. I am neurotic enough to have already given my sister instructions (she is my beneficiary on my life insurance policies for my children) and well, I really am worried about this flying thing! And then I get an email from CNN breaking news tonight: Communications problems at an FAA facility that processes flight plans are causing flight delays at airports across the U.S. Alrighty then. 3 days before I am supposed to get on a plane! I'm just sayin...

And the winner is.......ME!!

Yay! I received not one, but TWO awards from a new friend, Maricris at Zen Ventures! The first award is the "I LOVE YOUR BLOG" award! What a cute award it is too!

The rules of this award are:

1. The winner can put the logo on his/her blog.
2. Link the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of the people you’ve nominated

I just have to go with the first blogs I look for every day, cause I LOVE their blogs! But, there are plenty more I love too!!! I had to pick 7!
Lizzy at Journey to the Hot Tub
Lesley at Na-Na's Cozy Kitchen
Tam at Momma Song
Kelley at My Life With my Love
Susie at Bienvenue
Joe Joe at Bella's Daddy
Amy at Escape into my Thoughts
I would put my friend Chelle, but her blog is private and nobody can see it!!! But I love your blog too, Chelle!

Half of them are my real life friends, so i'm a little partial!! Enjoy the award!!

The second award is the Brillante Weblog award that doesn't include any rules, but if it's name speaks for itself, it is for brilliant blogs!! I will nominate 3 people for their brillaint blogs and hope they will pass it on too!

Blogstalker
Crazy Life of Mine
40 Shades of Pink

Work was busy yesterday, then I had my supervision meeting yesterday afternoon. We had group supervision with my friends, Courtney & Christine, so that was fun and different! I got home around 6pm and my step-son, Sean, brought his girlfriend, Kristen over to meet us and to show us his new car. It's actually a 1994 Mitsubishi Miata (sp) and get this....it's a bright red convertible just like my new Mustang!!! It's a cute car and I hope it holds up for him. He has recently gotten a good job as a computer technician/networker, so we're really crossing our fingers and praying that this works out for him. He's a great employee; he just is habitually late and usually loses jobs because of it. And his girlfriend is nice. We liked her.

Cameron is gone to his dad's this week, so that is always an adjustment for me. You'd think after 12 years, it would seem normal, but it's different. It's ok with me now that he likes going over there, but there were step-mother issues for several years that created serious problems, but things have been good for awhile now.

My brother, Kenny, posted some new pictures of my cute little niece, Daphne. Here you can see her with the giant Elmo her favorite aunt (yes, that would be me) gave her for her first birthday. Now, while I would like to take credit for the idea, Elmo was on Daphne's Amazon.com wishlist (who knew she was so smart!) and I just bought it, but still, it's her favorite toy. Kenny said that in the first picture, Daphne was bringing Elmo to take a bath with her and that when he reads books to Daphne, she sits on one knee and wants Elmo on his other knee!

Have a nice Tuesday!!!

Sunday

Walter came home around 4pm from his "brothers weekend" in Mississippi. I sent my camera with him and like a good husband, he took some pictures!! They caught/cooked fish yesterday and checked their crab traps today and boiled crabs for lunch. Boiled crabs are one of my favorite things to eat and yes, you know he loves me, because he brought some home for me! Yay!! That will be my after dinner snack!



In the picture above, from left to right - Walter, Brien, Ed, Rickey, & Tommy.

I haven't done much today. I took Cameron & Bryce to Taco Bell for lunch today - their choice! It's amazing to me that they'll pass up some really good eating for Taco Bell! Tropical storm Fay is passing through our area for a visit. It's been raining since I got up this morning and I guess that is what I can expect for the whole day! I don't mind though. It is pretty relaxing to sit and listen to the rain, especially on the metal roof. I am cooking the cajun crawfish casserole AGAIN tonight, but using shrimp instead of crawfish. Walter will love this casserole and it came out SO good, so I decided to make it again and show off my great cooking skills, since he missed it Friday night!

After having so much fun with my post last night, I couldn't help but "yearbook" my sister and brother-in-law and email them the pictures! Did they think it was as funny as I did? Probably not, but I got a good chuckle out of it!!

Questions & Comments:

MBKimmy asked if JP was older than Elizabeth - no, I sometimes confuse people because I call JP my older son, but that is just to distinguish him from my younger son, Cameron. Elizabeth was born 2 years before JP. Also, she asked if Elizabeth has said she had a good life - yes. She is very different from her adoptive parents. They are very quiet, sort of non-social people and Elizabeth's personality is just like mine - outgoing, loud, center of attention kind of girl. They have been very good to her and she was raised in a happy, stable, loving home. I think meeting me and my family helped her to see "the other side" and it's a good fit for her. Here is a picture of both of our families during Christmas the year after we met.

From left to right: Elizabeth, me, my sister Donna, my mom, a family friend, Elizabeth's mom, & Landen.

That's all I've got for now! Have a good rest of your weekend!!

Yearbook yourself!

I have just had a great time "yearbooking" myself! You really need to try this too! You can do it at www.yearbookyourself.com. I have literally been laughing out loud at these pictures. And in some of them, I really look like my parents! I included some real life pictures to show how close some of them really are to how I really looked!

1952

1958

1960 - WOAH check out those glasses!

1962

1966 - this is EXACTLY what my mom looked like around that time!!

1968

1974 - now look below for what I really looked like in 1975!

I was rocking that long hair at 11 years old!

1978

1984 - and now look below it for how I really looked in 1985! Big hair & all! And that is my little JP in the picture.



1992

1996

2000