Re: Look out Mr and Ms Ladyfish
Thanks Ken and Boomyal.<br /><br />We stayed in a tent up on a lake about 100 inland. Sitting up there in the woods with only a radio to tune in and find out if we would have a home to come back to was emotionally draining. This was the first time we had to evacuate. We left last Wednesday morning ahead of the traffic. We were in two separate vehicles. <br /><br />Not only did it take two days to prepare for the storm at home, boarding up windows and moving everything of value to the upper level of the house, I had to pack for camping.<br /><br />We had some 40-65 mph winds up where we were staying under a canopy of trees so I never slept very well the entire time. Not to mention how incredibly hot it was. Our daughter and her family and my sister also had to evacuate. We were pretty much spread out all over Texas and celluar service was very unreliable.<br /><br />The place we camped at was a natural wildlife preserve. It was really interesting to watch the deer, possum, racoon, rabbits, skunks, and armadillos reaction to a change in weather.<br /><br />We ran out of ice the third day and were in fear of losing what little food we had. Mr. LF went to the store to buy ice and of course there was none. A lady asked if we were evacuees and said, I don't have any ice, but I have a frozen milk jug of water in my freezer, you can follow me back home and you're welcome to it. When he asked her what he owed her, she said nothing, glad to do it, just do something nice for somebody else. I know these storms can bring out the worst in people as the media would have your think sometimes, but it also brings out the best in people to.<br /><br />Oh yeah and, because we stayed at a Texas State Park, they waived the $23 a day camping fee for evacuees.<br /><br />The first few days before the storm and hearing that it was a category 5 with winds in excess of 175 mph gusting over 200, made us take a serious look at what was really important to us. The thought of losing our home and all the blood sweat and tears we've put into it over the past fourteen years was devestating but as long as we were all safe, I was happy.<br /><br />We really didn't know what we'd find when we returned. I was so glad that our damage was no more than waht a category one would produce and mostly just clean up. There are missing roof shingles and siding and some houses were hurt worse than others but its SOOOOO much better than the alternative.<br /><br />We unboarded all of our windows yesterday and I have a ton of unpacking to do. <br /><br />The stress of it all is truly draining. Our 7 year old grandson suffered so much anxiety, he has an eye twitch that is way out of control with his pupils rolling back into his head and the whole bit. My daughter is trying to find a doctor this morning. Businesses are not all back up and operating yet so she's having a hard time of it. He dosen't have to go back to school until Thursday, but he is very selfconscience about it.<br /><br />The next "Rita" I see better darn well have a "Marga" in front of it.
