Gustav

This isn't exactly what or how I wanted my next post to be - especially since I've been "gone" for so long, but here it is.

Bob and I were planning a get away vacation this week, which has now turned into a major deal because of Gustav.  Never fear - our house should be water tight and protected - (except my workshop which is now flooding every time we have a hard rain...but never mind that) and ok and we'll be safe and sound away from New Orleans.

The dogs threw a wrench into the pile though, because our vet will charge you $200 per animal if they evacuate them, so, we are just going around that and boarding them for a few days in Jackson, just in case. Jessie has been so busy that she didn't even KNOW about Gustav! She'll evacuate, if necessary, to Jackson and the safety of Andy's apartment.  Then she'll bring the dogs home on Wednesday.

This is an awful time - so close to the anniversary of Katrina.  As if people weren't tense enough. There is an attitude of relaxed immediacy about the newscasters – you know, don’t be alarmed, be prepared (read as alarmed!) that I find annoying, but you have to watch the broadcasts to know what’s going on. Everything is compared to Katrina (“Tell me Bob; what is the difference between this hurricane and Katrina…” “Well, it’s much smaller for one…”).  If we weren’t planning on leaving already, I wouldn’t.  All of the forecasts now have it going to the west (Mexico and/or Texas), but then that is how so many people stayed for The Storm.  You bust your ass getting the house ready etc, go through the aggravation of horrendous traffic with the kids and pets to a cramped little place that is NOT HOME - then it hits some place else and you just get into that mind set of, well, I’ll get prepared but nothing will happen, it “never” does… and we have to be careful about that...since it didn't seem to work out so well during 'The Big One".

The broadcasters tell us that the doctors are telling us to relax, but the doctors neglect to tell us how. They want to keep it low key, but treat it like a HUGE major deal. It's not even like there's a fine line here - it's a scribble scrabble one made with extra wide Marks A Lot. I understand the responsibility of keeping us informed, I just wish there was a way to do it with out the dire urgency and sense of impending doom that seems to surround it all. It's just so Chicken Little.

On the one hand, I'm glad I won't be here to be bombarded with the constant storm info (no matter where it goes) - on the other hand, I'll probably have a panic and/or anxiety attack (or maybe both) the day it's suppose to hit landfall. This is the first real hurricane approaching since Katrina and I think most people in the area with go bonkers to some degree.  It leaves me wondering if my fear of leaving home will return.  I had real issues with traveling the first year or so after Katrina - but then y'all know I've over come that!

So kids, I'm off again.  I'll post when I get back. I really do have a pectoral planned for the 3rd year remembrance - so for those few still out there reading - Thanks and stay tuned!!!

xoxo