Speaking of Birthdays...

Day 246/Post 90

Well, I didn't get my birthday picture up for my special day. So, I thought I would post one of those. I needed to take a break from Hurricane Ike. I'll post more of those pics later.

More school damage!!!

Day 245/Post 89

We went to Mom's school too. It was damaged pretty heavily. One of the buildings had some trees fall on it. It will take a few months to get the rooms back in order.

On another note...Today is Mom's birthday but we didn't have much of a party for her 60th! We were hoping that power would come back on for it!!! We made her a psuedo-cake out of Reeses peanut butter cups smashed between some cookies. She seemed to like it - but, I'm sure she's had better birthdays. Maybe next year will be better...:)

School took a toll too!

Day 244/Post 88

Homes were not the only thing that got damage. Schools too were hit hard. This is my school's marquee after the storm.

Where will the lines stop?

Day 243/Post 87

The gas lines are long here in Houston! Mom & I spent 5 hours the other day waiting to fill our portable gas tanks for the generator. We had already been in 5 other lines but gas ran out before we reached the pump. Eggs, milk, bread are other hot commodoties. Ice is also a rarity, but with our generator we've been making our own ice the old fashion way - with ice trays! :) The only tough part is that you have to make sure you boil your water before you freeze it. Yes, everyone around here is in a Boil Water area. I'm so grateful that we have water though. It makes the bathroom situation much nicer!!!!

Power Crews Comin'

Day 242/Post 86

Everywhere you look - there are power crews staging to go into areas that need assistance. We are still without power but thankful that we have a home still and even more grateful that other states and communities are sending help!

Not so Lucky

Day 241/Post 85

Well, we were very fortunate at our house! We had some minor damage but nothing like some of our neighbors. I've uploaded some of our more unfortunate neighbors.

When will power return?

Day 240/Post 84

I took some pics of the power lines that came down with all the trees in the area. It will take some time for power crews to get everything running. This is right outside our subdivision (on the road). It's absolutely incredible the destruction that took place so far inland.

And the rain came down...

Day 239/Post 83

The rain came down with Hurricane Ike at our door. The wind howled through the doors and whistled through the windows. This picture is taken right outside our subdivision. No-it's not a lake! We are actually driving on the road. That's a drainage ditch that overflowed its banks. I'll be posting a few more pics depicting why it took so long for power to come back on. :)

The Calm Before the Storm

Day 237/Post 82

Well, we have been preparing for the storm. School has let out for Friday & kids were being checked out all afternoon to evacuate. I decided to take a picture from our home before the storm hit. It was such a beautiful sunset. It's hard to imagine that a storm is heading this way!