Ooh it's hot up there

After the ravages of the hurricane our church meetings were cancelled today. There were too many people with hurricane aftermath problems that needed attention.

I got a call today from Brother Bleazard who needed a ladder to work on the Gillett's roof. So I spent an hour or two on the roof with Br. Bleazard putting tarps over holes. I did it barefoot because I could get a better grip on the steep roof - was great idea until the sun came out. Br. Bleazard used to work on roofs so was very good with safety and making sure we were roped and tied to prevent falling off. But even still I was very glad to get down and be done with it.

While I was on the roof I got another war wound on my thumb. The first was from my shelf wood-work (see earlier blog) and mashed my thumb with a hammer, the second was when I was splitting some hamburger patties and whacked the same thumb with the spatula, and the last was with a hammer on the roof. The last one split it open - it was pretty gross. And for those who know how well I do with the sight of my own blood, I got a little nervous standing on the top of a 2-story roof with my blood drops staining the shingles and tarp everywhere... I worked through it and made it off the roof in one piece.

What a blessing to have nothing better to do that help out my neighbor with his roof problems. How could I refuse that opportunity? I just keep thinking about how little damage we had to our house and in our neighborhood in general - we are so blessed!

Saturday night and all is well

I just want to report quickly that all appears to be well with the Jason and Karen Welker family. The kids slept well last night despite the scary howling winds. The power started going in and out sporadically from around 1:30 a.m. until about 5:30 a.m., when it went out completely. What made that fun is that our bed mattress is an air mattress (Select Comfort) and during the night whenever the power would go out, it would beep at us. What a ridiculous idea for a bed alarm! Let me sleep for crying out loud! Other than loss of a/c it was almost a relief to have it out.

The kids had a rough time today without a/c, t.v., computers, Wii, etc. By about 2 p.m. we decided it was time to solve the lack of power. A couple of our neighbors had purchased generators and they hummed smoothly all day long. We weren't able to find a generator within 300 miles. My parents called and volunteered to bring us one from Flagstaff (they're on a wedding anniversary trip). So they bought one and we agreed to meet them halfway (Lubbock Texas). After a 20 minute drive we got a call from Ned, our neighbor, telling us the power was back on. We came home and called Mom and Dad and aborted the trip to Lubbock.

What a blessing! No real house damage (bent exhaust chimney pipe and a loose piece on the roof but that's about it). The dog survived and the fish are still swimming.

I'm thankful for the prayers and thoughts of our friends and family. I know those prayers were heard and am grateful for the power of prayer.

I do not like Ike; no, I do not like him, Sam I am

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Would you like them here or there?

I would not like them here or there.
I would not like them anywhere.
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I'm going to agree with the unnamed guy from "Green Eggs and Ham" on this on. I'd just as soon not taste the effects of a hurricane. But, if we must then I think we're about as ready as we're going to be.

We should be okay I think. Good news is that depending on where Ike makes landfall we should have a good bit of land to slow it down before it hits us - between 50 to 90 miles most likely. We are in the direct path depending on which model you look at. Yesterday the "favored" model showed the eye of the hurricane going directly over our community, but today that model tracks Ike further east (by about 15 miles). Some models show the hurricane passing us to the south then west, which would not be as good. Being on the west side of a hurricane is usually better because the rain and debris has dissipated somewhat. The east side is typically where the accumulation of debris and heavier rain bears down, and is often called the "dirty side".

We've filled the bathtubs with water, put up our trampoline and other outside stuff, clean and cleared rooms, and made a place in Karen's closet for the kids to sleep tonight through the storm (no windows). The kids are excited. My only real concern is that we didn't board up the windows. Then again, most of the neighborhood didn't do it either.

Wish us luck!

Et tu Gustav?

I've been working in New Orleans pretty much all summer now. I have a team from all over the eastern U.S. who fly in every week to lend a hand to the project. On Wednesday it was decided this week to stay home and avoid the hurricane. So it strikes me a little funny our fine little storm is ever so slowly tracking closer to Texas. I wonder, if it continues to track further west, should we pack up and drive to New Orleans to avoid the hurricane? And while I'm there, maybe I can get some work done...

It appears Gustav is heading more or less our way, and by Labor Day we may be packing it up. I actually don't think we'll be leaving home unless the perfect situation emerges so that the size and bearing make even inland Katy at serious risk. After hurricane Rita and our 8 hour trip to San Antonio I think we've learned quite a bit about running from the weather. One is that these storms are difficult to predict. Another is how to prepare, and another is when to run.

So far, it's not tracking close enough or predicted to be large enough for Katy, Texas to worry too much. I've always said that coming from the desert, even the rain is a fascinating event I never tire of. But I have to admit hurricanes are a little over the top, even for me.

So, after our bout with Rita, I have to wonder...