~July 2007 K-1 Filers~

[*julez* 124]

I've been thinking about StP all weekend! I do hope her experience with Hurrican Ike is limited to power outage and no real damage. It looks like it hit Houston harder that anticipated, so I am worried for her and Dave. I'm just saying some prayers for them and look forward to hearing from her. Sooner rather than later, thankyouverymuch!

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

Hi All, I can't help to put your fears at ease about StP, but my husbands grandmother is living in Houston, and though they have lost power, everthing else is fine. I hope the it's the same for StP

[Jeraly 4]

I'm pretty certain it's all ok there considering the situation - she said she was on the west side of Houston which wasn't meant to be hit so hard so I am guessing it is just power but yeah - I hope damage is minimal as well. What a lot to deal with just after moving - and just after getting all her things as well I hope everything is ok

Aww Marta - I really really hope you can make it but I understand if you can't - I am guessing it would be even less likely that you make it for New Years Eve as well!!! But we will have another party after you have the baby then you can bring him along so we can all meet him as well Yippee!!!

[Jeraly 4]

Woohoo!! Babbles is coming to the party!!!! Yippee!!!

[StillThePrettiest 4]

hello all; I'm alive, and still have all of my limbs

and most of my sanity

thank you so much for everyone's well wishes and thoughts... you were correct; while quite bad enough for a hurricane n00b like myself - the house shaking and the huge amounts of noise going on for hours and HOURS while everything in sight gets ripped apart before your eyes is not the funnest thing ever - we really got off quite lightly... our damage was:

- two fences down in the backyard (but only a few panels thereof, unlike the guy next door who lost most of his on all three sides and just had two little corners left )

- LOADS of branches down from trees - we may lose one backyard tree which I love, so that's sad, but we'll see if we can save it ...and two huge dead branches came down off the half-dead tree in the front yard - Dave and I cut off two other dead branches on Friday afternoon, just before the storm hit, and I'm SO glad we did - but they fell toward the driveway, and not the house

we got that tree cut down yesterday, for $125; we were going to have it cut down anyway, and quotes I got about a month ago were for $350, so we got a hurricane discount

- a shutter down off the front window (amazingly, it didn't break anything on its way down )

- water forced in under the front door between the slab and the flooring, which is swelling up all the laminate - it was new only a year ago, and will probably be wrecked, so that's a shame, but could be worse

- same water got as far as the carpet in the lounge room, which is starting to smell a bit, but we're airing the room as much as we can, so may be able to save it

- water forced OVER the windows in the lounge room, but clever me inspected in time and put cloths on all the sills so no water got onto the carpets

- 10 or so shingles blown off the roof

- a VERY VERY scared little birdie (who flapped and fluttered and hung up in the top of his cage for hours, while the storm was going on; I could see his little heart beating and was scared he'd die of fright... but we brought him down and hung him in his place as soon as the worst of the winds were past, and he was back to normal and playing with his toys again in less than half an hour little ####### )

we were without power for around two days, which doesn't sound like a lot (and isn't, compared to what some people on the coast are facing) but Saturday and Saturday night were really hot and humid, and it was pretty nasty in the house... plus I was worried about losing all the stuff from the fridge and freezer (though in the end we took it round to a friend's so it's all fine ), and without internet until this morning... and now I'm catching up with the dozens of emails asking how we are

which is very lovely

and ironically, now that we have power, and we so desperately wanted the aircon on on Saturday, we have had it off all day, and the windows open, because it's been cool and lovely and I think autumn might be here at last

anyway, that's my little bit of news! I took some photos and will post them some time, but Dave took my camera to his parents' to take photos of their broken window for the landlord, so I can't get to them right now

thanks again for everyone's care and concern; you're all lovely

[*julez* 124]

Yay! I am soooo happy you are all OK. Given the pics on TV, I was quite worried for you! I'm glad the damage isn't too bad.

Thank you for remembering that your VJ family was worried about you and for giving us such a detailed update.

Good luck with the clean-up!

[English Muffin 59]

Glad to hear you're ok Stp.

[weedebz 0]

Glad you ok stp. The pics I have been seeing look awful.

I had the fright of my life earlier today when I heard the tornado sirens go off then my mother in law pointed out that the twice a month testing (1pm on the 1st and 15th) started up again today for the fall tornado season.

[bakofoil 27]

Thanks for the update StP, I must admit, despite the timtam jokes, I was worried about you. So, I am really glad all was ok, apart from the damage to your house

I can't wait until Autumn sets in either. The leaves are turning here, but it is still very hot.

[Jeraly 4]

Yay!! StP is alive and so is the birdie!! I am sooooo happy!! Yippee!!!

Sounds like you got away quite lightly which is great! Obviously not everything is intact but like you say, it could be a lot worse. I heard some estimates that certain places would be without power for weeks...

As for autumn... ohh that would be lovely - it is cooling off here a bit now and most days it doesn't even hit 100f so that is a slight improvement... Can't comment on the trees changing colour though... I think Palm trees only come in green

[weedebz 0]

it's lovely here. Temp is perfect (around 80-85F). Humidity has subsided. Trees look great. AHHHH BLISS!!!!

[*julez* 124]

And here in Buffalo the leaves are already starting to fly! Its been lovely, high 60s in the day and low 50s at night. I can sleep again! I couldn't live somewhere that didn't have a "real" autumn.

On an unrelated note, my wonderful husband sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers today to recognize that it was 4 years ago today that we met.

[Jeraly 4]

Aww julez that is really sweet I am jealous of everyone having the turning leaves now... it's still distinctly summer here until the end of the month and if palm leaves start flying around I would start to get worried cause they are kinda big

I have my biometrics today and I am really excited - I just looked up Bath and Bodyworks in Riverside because I got a voucher for there and looked up directions to the USCIS and it is right around the corner. Bath and Bodyworks is in a gigantic mall with loads of stores and restaurants so we are going to use a little money from our savings and make a day of it - Sanrio and Hot Topic here I come!! :dance:

[weedebz 0]

I would say good luck with biometrics but it's not really something you need luck with. Enjoy your day out Aly.

[*julez* 124]

Have fun at the biometrics, Aly!! The good news is that they usually only take a few minutes, so that will leave you with plenty of time to go shopping!! I love Bath & Body, but am still miffed that the only way I can get my favorite fragrance (White Tea & Ginger) is online. I hate paying for shipping!