Where I've Come From

Sometimes I find myself having the best time when I go back and read some of my old posts. I was stumbling around looking for an old post (never did find it...) but I did find some old favorites. And because I think it is always appropriate to take a minute and reflect on just where you've been and how far you've come I've linked some of my favorite old posts. So, if you're new to my blog or simply want to see what you might have missed then dive in!

Also, it might be a few days before I take up blogging again. I heard today that power is restored at my home. Let's all take a moment to say Amen.......did you say it?.... Anyway, I'm planning on heading home on Sunday morning. School is supposed to resume on Tuesday pending power restoration. We'll see how that goes. Anyway, that is the latest Hurricane Ike news.

Now get to diving....

Things I'd Tell Her If I Could...
Deck The Halls (Part 1)
40/60
Hi...This Is Steffany...Blah Blah Blah
Because I Just Can't Resist

So, there you go...now you know (or have remembered) just a little bit more about me!

Mini Vacation

One of the good things...perhaps the only good thing...to come out of Ike was that I'm getting to enjoy some unexpected time with my family. As you may have gathered, I'm still in Abilene. School was cancelled for the rest of the week with our projected date of return Monday. As of now, there is still no power in Spring and one of my friends and fellow co-workers said that judging by the looks of things in Spring it might be the middle of next week before we return. So, more waiting and seeing...

In the meantime, I'm getting to spend my days hanging out with my mom. Now you all know how much fun I have with my mom. Today we met up with some friends of hers for lunch. After that, we spent the afternoon in her craft room. While we don't share the same paper crafting hobbies, I really enjoy getting to help her make cards and such. It is just a relaxing way to spend time together. I'm reminded again just how lucky I am to have such a great relationship with my mom.

Thanks for all your kind and caring thoughts! You blogger friends of mine are the best!

In The Aftermath

I survived...though not as I would have liked. Let me first say that I am alive and well! Thank you for all the well wishes, thoughts, and prayers too. I'm not still in the Houston area, but rather decided to evacuate myself to my parents' home further north. Something I'm now wishing I had done Friday morning...

In my last post, I said that I was prepared, but this wasn't one hundred percent true as I soon discovered. I had my batteries for my lantern (though just enough to start it working...not enough for when those would have eventually ran out), batteries in my radio (but again...not enough), and some crackers, water, pudding, and beef jerky type things to eat. I'm sure anyone else that has endured the damages and fall out of a hurricane are smiling smugly. I was so totally unprepared. I admit it and believe me...learning from my mistakes.

I had power (which I was so taking for granted) all day and night Friday. I went to bed about midnight Friday with the thought of sleeping through Ike and waking up Saturday morning to it being mostly over. Around 4am Ike was hitting Conroe. Looking out the window was very interesting. I'd never seen trees bend so far over and the rain looked like it was literally blowing in sideways. As I watched, the power went out. After checking that my make shift sandbag was holding, I got back in bed. Saturday morning the eye had passed us, but we were still in for the southern eye wall. While I didn't have power at my apartment, I did have service on my cell phone. At some point in the morning that went too and the day became quite miserable.

I was bored beyond belief and getting pretty sick of beef jerky and cheezits. Saturday night was pretty rough on me. When the sun went down and all went dark, I sort of lost it. I should say that one of my worst fears is being alone in the dark. Every time I tried to lay down (even with the portable radio...which was starting to run low on battery juice) and turn the lantern out, I'd start to feel like I couldn't breathe. It was a miserable night. I'm not sure I slept very much. I was up and dressed as soon as the sun was starting to rise. I was having to drive almost five miles outside of town just to get service on my cell phone. As soon as I talked to my principal who confirmed we'd not be having school Monday, I called my mom and told her Toby and I were heading to our safe place...home.

So, here I sit...in my safe, lighted, cool air blowing place. School is out until at least Thursday with the possibility of longer so for now I'm staying put. Believe me, if this happens again...and I'm sure it will given where I choose to call home...I'll be making the evacuation trek along with everyone else. But, for now I'm safe and supposedly my home is safe. And in the end...that is really all that matters.

Please continue to send up thoughts and prayers for those still down there or still being effected in some way by Ike. It truly is a mess down there and the recovery probably won't be quick and painless. I have pictures to share once I'm back home and can upload them.