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!