Getting back to normal

Well, last I posted we were being stared down by Ike. Now, a week after he's come and gone I am looking forward to getting back to normal.

When we first evacuated, we stayed with friends in Livingston, TX, about 80 miles north of here. The storm came through there, too, but had weakened some, still they lost power. They had a generator and we were very thankful to have people to ride it out with and to have the modern conveniences of a fridge and tv!

We left there early Sunday morning wanting to check on our house, not sure what to expect. We were very fortunate, our only losses were a small tree and part of our fence. Of course we had no electricity, like 2.4 million others in the area. I cleaned out the fridge, even pulled some weeds to pass time. We found an open gas station and filled up (2 hour line!), knowing we needed to leave again. We had little food, no electricity, no open stores, etc. We very seriously considered heading to Ohio to visit my family. We actually packed up and got up early Monday morning to start that long drive but were surprised to see various places along the freeway with power restored. We had the feeling we could be restored soon, and thought it was not smart to spend all the money on a trip to Ohio.

We returned home to brainstorm and decide what to do. After a few hours, we decided to call Great Wolf Lodge, near Dallas. They had openings, and were even offering a special rate to evacuees! We booked a room for Monday night and Tuesday night and took off. We got there and went on to the waterpark. When we returned to the room my aunt, also my neighbor, had called to tell us power had been restored! We debated whether to spend two nights but decided since things were still such a mess at home, stores not yet open, etc. it was best to stay at the lodge.

Before we left Dallas we went to Target and bought groceries, knowing our stores were re-opening but were bare, and busy. We bought cheap coolers to put cold stuff in with some ice (milk, meat, etc.) and headed home.

So now we're here, with electricity. George removed the uprooted tree yesterday and he and our neighbor worked today to mend our shared fence.

We know people, neighbors, colleagues, etc. who suffered greatly as a result of this storm and our thoughts and prayers are with them. We are so fortunate to have had our prayers answered.

Now, we're hoping for things to get back to normal. I go back to work Monday, George does too. The kids schools suffered substantial damage so they don't go back until Sept. 29. Football for Cory's league has been canceled and we're not sure when it will resume, but we hope soon! Lauren got the lead in the school play (yea Lauren!) and it was supposed to be the last week of October, but now we don't know with the kids missing almost 3 weeks of school.

Thanks to everyone who thought of us, called to check on us, sent us an email, said a little prayer for us, etc. Your thoughtfulness means so much to us!

Something I don't like today - Hurricane Ike

Well, Ike is getting too close for comfort. We're planning to evacuate tomorrow afternoon or evening. The traffic will likely be terrible. My work and the kids school are closed tomorrow and Friday. George's school has not closed - idiots. So he's gotta go to work in the morning and I'm going to start packing. Hopefully we can leave when he gets home.

We're going to stay with friends who live in Livingston, about an hour and a half north of here I guess. It will be nice to visit with them, I just wish it wasn't under these circumstances.

I really hope we're overreacting by leaving, but I don't wanna be here with no electricity, nothing open, etc. So we're being cautious...

Walt Disney World

I'll post about me and Lauren's trip later, but for now, here's a pic of us at Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM).

OK, back with the scoop. Me and Lauren flew to Florida Friday, got in around 5:30. We took Disney's Magical Express to our hotel, Disney's Pop Century Resort. We checked in, then took a Disney bus to Downtown Disney. We shopped around just a bit before heading over to Planet Hollywood for dinner. We had the Disney Dining Plan, and it worked great! It included one snack, one counter service meal, and one table service meal per night of our stay. These could be used in any order we wanted. Saturday morning we got up and ready to go to Typhoon Lagoon. We got there shortly after it opened and stayed all day. We did the wave pool, the lazy river, some slides, and their new water coaster. It was lots of fun! Typhoon closed at 5 so we came back to the hotel and rested, then got ready and went back to Downtown Disney. We ate at Wolfgang Puck express then went to the movies and saw Stepbrothers. The movie was not fit for a 13 year old, but it was still hilarious! Sunday morning we got up and headed to Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM). We had one day of water park and one day of park tickets so Lauren chose Typhoon and Hollywood Studios. We rode the Tower of Terror and the Rockin' Roller Coaster a couple times. We also rode the new Toy Story Mania ride, and it was so much fun! Lauren didn't feel very good Sunday, she had a cold, so that was a bummer. We stayed until about 7 and she was beat. We had lunch at Mama Melrose and dinner at the Sci Fi Dine In Theater so we were stuffed! Monday, we took one last trip to Downtown Disney to get some souvies and eat lunch. We had to be back at the hotel at 2 to get our shuttle to the airport. We had a really fun weekend, and really enjoyed each other's company. I was glad to be able to give Lauren my undivided attention, since on normal family vacations I'm trying to make her, Cory and George happy and it's always somewhat of a balancing act. That said, I missed the boys and all the football that is our normal fall weekend! But am so thankful for me and Lauren to have that time together and make lasting memories!

Labor Day

We had a really laid back labor day today. I am so worn out from August (busy, busy month) that I really appreciated the three day weekend. Was a little concerned early in the weekend that Gustav might come our way, but he didn't and we had a nice day today, though a little windy.

This morning George took Cory to football, they had practice 8-9:30. I got up and around and starting making a big breakfast, but George came home alone. Cory had been invited by a friend to go boating today, so he left practice with that family. I thought the bay might be to choppy to enjoy boating, but apparently not. So, George worked outside, mowing and stuff and I worked inside, laundry and paying bills. Then, we went out to lunch / dinner at Olive Garden and ran some other errands. Got home and resumed my laundry and Cory came home about 7! He called earlier today to check in, so I wasn't really worried. But, he looks burnt! I wish he wouldn't have done that! He had a very fun day today, though. And Lauren really enjoyed being the only child for the day!

Now we're watching Hanna and Ike out in the Atlantic. Lauren and I fly to Orlando Friday night for our Walt Disney World weekend. Really hope one of these storms doesn't ruin it for us!