Done

I got to watch a little bit of the debate last night, but I really just can't stand to listen anymore. I was so enthusiastic during the primaries and now I have lost my patience with politics. I think both of these men are honorable and worthy of being President. I wish that they didn't feel like they needed to stretch the truth on order to gain a vote. I can't stand the spin by each party. I am ready for this election to be over. I feel like it has gone on so long. I will vote with my party proudly, however, I am ready to get on with a new administration as soon as possible. I so wish Tim Russert was still around. I would be willing to at least listen to him.

Happy Birthday Bailey

The actual birthday was yesterday, but we were out late celebrating at Paddy's.

Surviving Ike

At 10:30 pm on Friday night I decided to go to bed, however, the winds were starting to get very loud. I layed down with Daniel as he was nervous not knowing what to expect. He wasn't the only that was nervous. I had never heard wind like I was hearing and the storm hadn't even hit yet.

At 1:00 am I decided to go ahead and get up as I wasn't really able to sleep. Cisco was out watching TV with my mom. He asked me to stay awake for awhile so he could sleep. I sat watching the reporters from Galveston and listening to the winds get stronger and stronger. The eye never passed over Katy and winds just got worse and worse. About 4:00 am the power went out. It had beens surging for about an hour. At that point I was in the dark and everyone was asleep. The winds got worse. I would sit and listen and then go and look outside. The rain was now falling sideways and the trees were being bent to the ground.

Around 7:30 everyone started to wake-up. The worse was over even though it was still raining. We were unable to use the cell phone for calling, however, some text messages were able to get through. My brother had not lost power so we headed over to his house.

At 5:30 pm last night the power came back home. All of us were exhausted and hungry. We were able to find a Dominoes Pizza place open and got some dinner. We came home watched the devastation in Galveston and downtown Houston. We realized that we had gotten off fairly well. Katy had a lot of trees down. Some on our neighborhood have minor roof damage, but other than that things are pretty good.

At 4:30 am this morning we lost power again. Luckily more stores are opening up as well as restaurants. The power was out until 20 minutes ago. While not having electricity is uncomfortable we at least have our home and each other. I know that many in Galveston have not been so lucky. At this point many in Houston are being told that power won't be restored for 2 - 4 weeks. I am not sure if our power is going to come and go or if everything is now fixed. We can only hope.

School is not going to be open tomorrow and we have heard that Cisco's office building in Sugar Land has suffered some damage. I think we will know more tomorrow when we will return to work.

9:00 PM

We still have power, however, the winds are now 30 mph here in Katy and very noticeable in the house. Cable is coming in and out and we have had a few power surges. Because of the power surges I am going to turn the computer off. It is hard to believe that we could experience wind twice or three times as strong as we have now, but it is suppose to happen. Hopefully I will be able to update everyone in the morning. We are suppose to be experiencing wind and rain almost all day tomorrow.

7:00 PM Update

Well, BK was closed. We spent the afternoon taking naps in case we don't get much sleep tonight. We went to Ross' at 5:00 for a Margarita. They are having the neighborhood Hurricane party. Anyone surprised? We had a good time, but when the winds started to pick-up I decided I wanted to be home. We've made dinner and are watching TV. The electricity has surged a couple of times, but it comes right back on. Thank goodness! We're watching TV and eating and waiting. Been waiting all day. I am ready for Ike to get here and be gone. More to come if I can continue to have internet and power.

Morning Wind

Here is a little video of the wind this morning. Things are still fairly calm, however, the pictures of Galveston are already quite amazing. The storm is not set to make landfall until late tonight. At this point Galveston will probably be completely underwater by morning. We are taking the kids out to Burger King for lunch. We might be couped up inside for the next 2 days so we think the kids need to get out for a little while.

IKE Post #2

Back Porch Window Boarded up

For my family members not here in Houston I am going to update this blog as long as there is electricity. I am going to try to video things and take pictures as long as we have electricity. For now here is the plan for all family members in the area:

As of lunch time tomorrow Mom will come and stay with us until there is an all clear. Linda will be going to Terri's until there is an all clear. Terri will also have her mother-in-law at her house as she is recovering from surgery and lives in an evacuation zone. Ross and family will stay at their house and provide all the cooking as long as we can all get to and from each other's house after the storm. Ross' grill will be in overdrive if we loose electricity.

All have planned to stay here as requested by county officials. They have indicated that only those in the evacuation areas should leave. The rest should "shelter in place". If it appears that we will go for a long time without electricity we can evacuate, however, everyone must remember that I am married to a survivor and as long as I listen to him I believe we will all be survivors no matter what the circumstances. He knows how to survive without electricity and thinks I am a wuss when I say I can't live without A/C.

More to come tomorrow morning.