Little did I know when I started this blog that the title would expand, requiring me to ask this question of so many new situations in my life....

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Well, the first rain bands are here.

They arrived sooner than I thought. They always seem to. Tornadoes six miles away. Power will probably be gone by in the morning and it normally stays out for three and 1/2 days. We have a generator so maybe I can get on to update after the storm passes.

Take care and see you on the other side.

It was a lovely day....




hot, but pretty.


A picture of my backyard just before we took down the swing.





We're as ready as we're going to be. We even managed to have Chinese delivered. The WalMarts in the area were mostly closed by noon, which was an odd feeling. Now we sit and wait -- enjoying the electricity while we have it. Gustav should be here in a few hours -- the first rain hit about an hour ago and the storm bands have started passing through. They are saying now that Baton Rouge will experience sustained hurricane force winds. First we heard Gustav would be here around midnight, then around 1 am, then midmorning. He hasn't made up his mind yet. The path is so tight now that 5 or 10 miles will make a big difference in the weather we experience. But....we're still on the wrong side of this storm.

This time tomorrow, I hope the worse will be about over. I hope.

What a difference three years makes....

Our interstates are (so far) not clogged with cars just sitting, waiting to move. I understand that roads heading north and east are pretty much full-up, which makes sense because if the storm does turn it'll be toward the west so why would anyone want to head west (unless you have a free place to stay)? Last night we were wondering why contraflow is always west. I'm sure there are explainations -- I just don't know why.

We're staying. I tried to talk J into heading to sweet home Alabama but....it didn't work. Oh, well. (BTW: LSU & BAMA -- both were winners yesterday and looked pretty dang good!) But....back to the situation at hand. I think we're about as ready as we can be. (I do wish I had thought to buy PopTarts, tho....) We have a generator and gas. If you are passing through Baton Rouge (or most of Louisiana) be aware that we have little or no regular gasoline left -- premium only. So, there's that.

Storm impact should start tomorrow so tonight I think I'll boil some eggs and make tuna salad. I just don't want to think about it for a while. One good thing -- they don't think Gustav will grow to a 5. That's good. One of the bad things about Katrina was that when she was a 5 in the gulf, this huge wall of water built up and didn't diminish when she hit. So, even tho she hit as less than a 5, the water was still there. And that's the really bad, bad part. The water. Remember: hide from wind, run from water.

It is reassuring to hear alllll the comercials with State Farm, AllState, Demco, Entergy, Cox -- basically all the services -- reassuring us they will be here to help. Once the power's back on. Those power guys are veeerrrry important in times like these.

So, all in all, I'm proud of us this time around. Lots of people left early. Crews have been trimming trees all over town. Lots of generators being bought. Shrimp boats being towed inland. Three years ago Rita hit Louisiana's west coast shortly after Katrina hit our east coast and so many shrimpers were wiped out. Their story hasn't really been told. So many stories from Mississippi and Louisiana after Katrina and Rita haven't been told because of the impact of Katrina on New Orleans. A city wiped out pretty much eclipses other things.

We learned. This time around we're better prepared. I pray it shows on the other side of the storm.

It's a beautiful day today. Blue skies. A few fluffy white clouds. Hot. Humid. Just don't look at the Gulf....

Saturday, August 30, 2008

An odd kind of day....

There's a football game going on and LSU is doing quite well. Okay, truth be told, they did quite well in the first half but the second half's starting kind of slowly. It is @ 95 degrees and the humidity's off the scale. (For the last few days you can't walk to the mailbox and back and stay dry.) The game will be over soon and there won't be much to deflect thoughts turning to Gustav.

Friends are supposedly coming over for the BAMA game (the guy's a BAMA fan like us --we have to band together), but they live east of us and if contraflow is called before the game's over they'll have a hell of a time making their way home. It's frustrating not knowing how much food prep to do. But, that's part of life. I guess.

Nothing new to say about Gustav. Nothing good, that is. It keeps getting worse. As of now, it looks as if it could be like Andrew. We had more damage with Andrew than with Katrina because we were on the bad side. And we just got a nice new roof. Oh, well. I'll think more about it after the game.

Friday, August 29, 2008

This is when hurricane fatigue can start setting in.

You've pretty much done all you can to prepare, and now all that's left is -- to wait. Emotions swing from anxiety to calmness to fear to acceptance to suspended belief. You listen and watch. You see the storm lessen, then intensify, head straight at you, and then veer to the east or west. You realize you're completely helpless. You could leave, of course. And if you stay and the storm hits, at some point you know damn good and well you'll be wondering why you were stupid enough to stay. You'll swear you'll never stay through another storm....ever. But, then, you do.

It's also when you don't know what to eat or drink. All those supplies. Should I save those cookies? That candy bar? Should I drink another Diet Dr. Pepper? Should I open that bag of chips? And, on it goes....

But...this time (unlike Katrina) there seems to be a plan in place. This may end up as a dress rehersal (God willing), but, so far, most everyone seems to be taking things seriously.

And tomorrow LSU will play App. State at 10 o'clock am. Bright and early. Ug! And then, everyone will be told to leave the stadium and head north.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

A friend from Mississippi sent me this....



There's still a bit of hard feelings because while Mississippi had entire zip codes wiped out by Katrina, New Orleans got all the press. I guess that was because the area hit in Mississippi was not nearly as populated as New Orleans, and....Mississippi didn't have a port like New Orleans does, and then there are the refineries, and then there was/is Nawlin's reputation and all that.

But, in the end, Mississippi's offering help -- if needed. And they have agreed to initiate contraflow on I-55 to help New Orleans evacuate -- if needed. So, there's that.

Pulling the trigger a little too quickly?

Gun shy?

Those questions are being asked, even as we go about our business of hunting and gathering hurricane supplies. I'm tellin' you, just try and find a generator, or batteries, or water, or canned goods, or bread, or crackers, or.... (you get the picture.) The store shelves began emptying Tuesday because Jindal and our mayor told us to prepare. And....because three year old memories are still fresh.

If you were to visit here, you'd think Gustav was arriving tomorrow. And, now there are two more disturbances to keep an eye on. I really, really, really don't like this time of year.

Today, Gustav's shifted a bit west -- but Louisiana's still dead center in the cone. That's one of the things that doesn't bode well for us -- we are staying in the center of the cone of probability no matter how Gustav's shifting. And today, if things stay the same, we'll (New Orleans & Baton Rouge) be on the dreaded noth-eastern quadrant. Not good. Not good at all.

I had my CCK HIDA scan this morning. Fun! (Not really.) It didn't hurt -- thank you, Bonnie for easing my mind on that. The only discomfort I had (other than the teeny sting when the IV needle went in) was when my legs started cramping. Laying (still) under a camera for an hour without a cup of coffee or a couple of Tylenol wasn't my favorite way to spend the morning, but, it's over now.

So goes life down my way. I hope everyone else is having a smoother week.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

All together now....

Let's all join together and fearfully scream say:
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
(you can click on the *no*)

We didn't worry too much about Fay, but....Gustav's turning out to be another matter. I even picked up a 24-pack of water at Target today. I hated to do that, but....

On a lighter note, there's a football game to be played Saturday. LSU & Appalachian State. On ESPN. At 4:00 PM. Yep, you read that right. 4:00 PM. In the blazing heat that is south Louisiana at the end of August. Does ESPN have no sense at all?

So. After Saturday, Gustav will receive our undivided attention -- if needed.

I try not to get political on this blog but, having said that, I'd like to share the following editorial from our local paper. I know many will not agree with what's said, but it does express a viewpoint that needs to be heard (and one with which I agree).


Our Views: A whitewash on recovery


Advocate Opinion page staff
Published: Aug 23, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.


As President Bush views the scars of one of America’s great cities, destroyed on his watch, we can only wonder what he feels about the realities before him.

We hope the “hopeful signs of progress” the president sees are not a mirage, or just a willful obliviousness to the facts.

Perhaps a president, as several ordinary folks told reporters in Arabi, just doesn’t have the time, or is so blanketed by security that he cannot appreciate the consequences of this administration’s failure on the Gulf Coast.

But the president is supposed to have a federal government working for him.

Those officials appear to be spending their time blaming the victims of Katrina and Rita for the slow pace of the recovery almost three years after the hurricanes.

A retired Marine general, Doug O’Dell, is the second disaster recovery official for the White House. He appears to seek to improve upon the lamentable tenure of Texas banker Donald Powell by making more apologies for the U.S. government.

O’Dell says the Gulf Coast has federal resources, but it’s the responsibility of state and local governments to make use of those resources.

“When I look at the energy and the commitment that has gone into the federal response over the last three years, I find it really difficult to understand why anyone could … say that it has been inadequate,” the general said. “Because that’s just patently untrue.”

Gen. William Westmoreland never penned a happier fantasy of a progress report from Vietnam than this one from Bush’s generalissimo of recovery.

O’Dell is doubtless a bright man, but clearly he is out of touch with the immense difficulties that the state and local governments have had in dealing with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and its ilk.

For every structure to be rebuilt, there is a mountain of federal paperwork. For every dime spent on recovery there appears a dollar spent on federal bureaucracy. For every time the White House has backed Louisiana on recovery issues — and there have been some, including some key decisions in our favor by Powell — there has been a long struggle to get the government to face up to the need.
Nothing, Gen. O’Dell, has come easy for us in this recovery.

Not from your office, nor from FEMA.

The least efficient local government in Louisiana — and that’s saying something — would have been better at using recovery money for the good of the people than the eminent bureaucrats O’Dell cites.

Friday, August 22, 2008

Here comes Fay....

Fay is an example of why people living in hurricane prone locations don't just pack up and go each time a hurricane (or tropical storm) looks as if it's headed your way. Last Friday, as we were packing for the beach, Fay was headed to where we were headed. Thankfully, she veered away and we had a lovely week. But....as we're packing to leave the beach and head home -- here comes Fay, again. It goes to prove that storms have a mind of their own. I think we'll just barely miss the heavy rains that are getting closer and closer. I want to go on and leave tonight but J wants to stay and leave in the morning. I told him if it's raining, he's packing the car on his own.

We've had a lovely week. J got his usual Irish tan -- (can you say "red as a lobster?) -- so that meant less time on the beach for a day or two, which sucked, but we spent most of the day in the sand and water today. The two days we laid low we investigated some interesting options for spending more time down here. More on that later, if it comes about.

We also managed to catch a couple of songwriter open mic nights. I love the trop rock played down here. Of course, it probably helps if you're here when you hear it. It was nice sitting and drinking and listening. There are some really odd people down here, but I guess that's true wherever you are.

Well, the wind is howling around the corner of the condo and I just can't concentrate so I'm going to go and pack a little more. Hopefully we'll get out of here before Fay blows us out....

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Seniors, seahorses, and sunsets....




You can find them all here. Yesterday we spent the day in Pensacola. J had some business to take care of over there, and since one of our favorite Chinese restaurants is also there, we decided we could kill two birds with the proverbial one stone and -- away we went. It was a good day. It only sprinkled rain -- it never fails to rain on us in Pensacola. We took care of the business in short order and had the rest of the day to wander through historic downtown Pensacola stopping to browse art galleries and a couple of museums. Then....on to pig out on some of the best Chinese food we've found.

It was a good day, and it melded into a good night -- an odd night, but a good night. Through a quirky set of events that I won't confuse you with, we ended up in Seville Square listening to live jazz. The music was pretty good, but....it was the crowd that surprised us. It was a mixed age group crowd (college aged and up), but I'd say most of the crowd consisted of senior citizens, and they were a lively group. It didn't take long for some of the senior couples to take to the dance floor. Here's what was so very sweet: They were very careful going down the two steps to the dance floor but once on the dance floor they were something to behold. I'm telling you they had some moves! The couple in the picture below are an example. How the guy managed to barely move yet look so cool, I don't know. He showcased his partner perfectly. And let me tell you, she played the crowd.







It was like that with each couple. They put on a show, yet at the same time it was so touching to see how they smiled at each other as they locked eyes. It was their music and I couldn't help wondering what memories they shared as they looked at each other. It was a good feeling and a good night.

While walking the beach Sunday evening I found a seahorse. I've found sand dollars and even a starfish, but that was the first seahorse I've ever seen alive and up close. It was pretty much out of the water so I scooped it up and let the waves take it back to sea and safety -- hopefully that's what happened. I wonder if that's a good luck omen or something....

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Long, easy, lovely, day....



So far, so good with the weather. Fay's supposedly heading east of us. It looks as if she's going to be a Florida storm. But, you never can tell with tropical storms or hurricanes, so we'll keep a close eye on her.

I never gloat when a storm decides to go to someone else instead of us -- I may be thankful, but I don't gloat. I know how it feels before, during, and after. Not fun. But, with Fay, if she stays basically a rain-maker, they say the Carolinas need the rain she'll bring them to help with the drought. I told my kids in North Carolina that it looks as if they are taking one for us.

So, with things looking better weather-wise, I fully unpacked my suitcase today and we bought some more goodies to stock up the condo. We were able to get in some good beach and pool time. Even though the season has peaked here, the beaches are more crowded than we're used to. When you come in the fall (or Christmas like last year) you get spoiled having things almost to yourselves. But, I like people and there's always room for a couple more towels and an umbrella.

And, if you noticed the picture up top (how could you not), you'll see we had time to visit a couple of our favorite souvenier shops. To get inside these stores you have your choice of walking through a ship, a shark's mouth, or a purple octopus. Fun, huh -- more so if you're under ten years old. Today we were visiting these shops looking for a bathing suit for J. Can you even believe he manages to always forget his bathing suit? He must have a dozen different ones at home (because he has to buy a new one each time we go to the beach) but he can't manage to arrive at the beach with a swimsuit. I guess I'm going to have to start making him a checklist. He hates that, but....I'm just saying....

Look at the clouds below. They fit the definition of ominous, don't they. Thankfully, so far, they blow right on over. We've had only sprinkles so far. We'll see how the rest of the week goes -- one day at a time.

I will tell you that on our way down here I was afraid that I'd regret not taking the trip insurance they are offering now. Fingers and toes still crossed.




Saturday, August 16, 2008

We're here....



..and so are the clouds, but who cares?

Take a deep breath and say -- Ahhhh....

We're off....

All I need to do is get the cat in her carrier !!!! and dropped off at the vet's and we're out of here.

The weather is looking iff-ier and iff-ier. Tropical Storm Fay looks as if she's making a b-line for where we'll be. But....by tomorrow things could be different -- better or worse. Who knows. We'll just have to deal with it.

Now I'm going to put on my protective gear and try to corner that cat....

Friday, August 15, 2008

Packing....



Well, I should be packing, but for one reason or another distractions keep popping up (or ringing the doorbell -- or the phone). That fuzzy picture you see above this post is the music I'm listening to. It's funky Alabama Gulf Coast music by a unique Gulf Coast singer/songwriter -- Rusty McHugh. The title of the CD is "Down and Out in Paradise." It's hilarious. Of course....it helps if you have intimate knowledge of (and experience with) Alabama's beautiful gulf coast area. It's definitely music you have to be in the mood for.

Here's a paraphrase of one of my favorite lyrics (for today at least): a wandering husband/lover is trying to weasel his way back into his wife/lover's good graces and she says, "I'm not takin' you back, Party Boy. Just head on down to WalMart. They take anything back." (See what I mean about "having to be in the mood for this music?" If these songs (along with a glass of wine) don't get me to packin', I don't know what will.

For J's Father's Day I got him this CD I'm listening to, along with another one titled "Tequila Makes My Clothes Fall Off" -- it has one of my all time favorite beach songs, "On a Bus Back to Birmingham." See. I warned you all (Click here) a while back that I do tacky well.

So, let me get back to it. We'll never get out of here tomorrow if I don't.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

The appointment best not kept....

So. Here's my dilemma. Yesterday, I kept that appointment with the *gastro guy* (as my rheumatologist called him). I had debated canceling because I didn't think it was really necessary. I didn't think it was necessary because my rheumatologist didn't think it was necessay. My rheumatologist didn't think it was necessary because *gastro guy* didn't think it was necessary when my rheumatologist had taken my chart upstairs (while I waited in the exam room) for *gastro guy* to look at the test results. But, before I could make my escape from the exam room, the rheumatologist said -- Let's get you an appointment with *gastro guy* anyway so when if you have any gallbladder problems down the road, you'll have a head start with your tests.

(That sounds like an afterthought, huh?)

So. Anywho. I go to my appointment and *gastro guy* actually spends lots of time asking me question. Lots of time. I must have said something wrong because he now wants me to have a dye test to see if there's a blockage in my gall bladder. If so, as he said so nonchalantly, we'll send you straight to a surgeon.

Here's what I'm inferring the problem is. Rheumy guy and gastro guy think something's up with my gallbaldder. But....as rheumy guy said -- "no surgeon will touch you with a ten foot pole because you're asymptomatic." So, it appears to me that these two doctors are joining forces to find some evidence that I can take (proud and smiling????) to a surgeon and say -- looky, looky! Cut away!

Now, I ask you. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? That's what I'm going to spend some time thinking about -- tomorrow. ;)

I'm not saying anything bad about my doctors. They are doing their job. As rheumy guy says so eloquently -- we don't want you doubling over in pain in three years. And....believe me. I know of what he speaks. J did just that on Thanksgiving a few years ago when he had a gallbladder attack. The nurses called it a Thanksgiving gallbladder because rich food has a way of bringing on an attack.

So I'll be mulling things over next week at the beach. Yep. We're going next week. I plan to start getting exicted about it later today. :) The weather looks very, very ify, but, who cares? Just staring at the sand and surf is healing to me.

BTW. We watched "Jumper" last weekend. It was okay. The effects got a little over the top for me at one point but overall it was a good popcorn movie. We watched "The Counterfeiters" last night. A very interesting and thought provoking movie I thought.

And....we have incoming and outgoing call capabilities on our home phone. Hip, hip, horay! (The caller id even shows up on the tv screen. How cool is that?)

So, call me.

Thursday, August 07, 2008

Did you know it's possible for your phone to work half-way?

Well, I'm here to tell you it is possible. Cox finally decided to show up and connect us to their digital phone service -- half-way. Here's the official party line: "Ma'am, for some reason your number wasn't portaled correctly so it'll take another 3-5 days for that to go through. In the meantime you can make outgoing calls but can't receive incoming calls. We can give you a temporary phone number if you want. We'll give you a call when the number's portaled and you'll know you can receive incoming calls cause....well, we'll be callin' you." (That last line was uttered with a smirk.)

So....my home phone is half-way working. And....less than an hour after the Cox guy left, after having told me I couldn't receive any incoming calls on my home phone....my home phone rang. Swear to G-d. It was a wrong number. So....I figured somehow, someway, the fates were taking pity on me and the phone was working all the way. So....I called son #3 and asked him to call the home phone. He called. He said he heard it ringing (you heard a busy signal before today). But, at home, I didn't hear anything. I then realized I could have called my home phone from my cell phone so I tried doing just that. No luck. The home phone just sat there, silent. Oh, well. I can't help wonder how that one call got through.

At least I can lay my head on my pillow tonight knowing that no repairmen will show up bright and early in the morning. At least, none that I know of.

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Let it rain....

Let it rain. Let it rain.

Yep. The roof's on and (hopefully) ready for the weather. ....Just in time for the height of hurricane season and the damages that could come with that. But, we won't think about that now.

So...come visit. You can be nice and dry. You can't yet make phone calls (so bring your cell -- or you can borrow mine), but....you can watch more than four, fuzzy, tv stations, and....best of all....you can use the bathroom. Yes, indeed. You can flush without a worry. (Now....no need to be aware that I'll be holding my breath hoping things go well. No. No need. Because, I have a feeling I'm going to be doing that for a while.)

So, come on down. ....who knows how long this will last?

Postscript: The land-line to the house still hasn't been fixed. I guess AT&T and Cox can't figure out the problem. ....I got tired of trying and turned it over to them. I'm thinking that sooner or later one of them is going to figure out their money isn't coming in, get off their butts, and get us hooked up! Until then....