Hosted by Peggy @ The Simple Woman
Outside My Window…The ‘sun’ is just coming up and casting that ‘there is a storm brewing’ glow across the sky. If you have never experienced a Hurricane it is difficult to describe how the ‘calm before the storm’ looks, smells, and feels. It is eerily quiet. As many of you may have heard, we are under a Hurricane Watch here in the Sunshine State.
I am thinking…that I will have to take down all the bird feeders by this afternoon. I will also have to take the patio furniture off the front and back porch and load it into the garage along with the wooden bench from the side yard and all the plants. Oops, and I can’t forget the wind chimes.
I am thankful that…through the years I have kept our Hurricane Supplies Rubbermaid Bin stocked and all I have to go out and get today is bottled water and a few miscellaneous things like bread, milk and eggs. Even our propane tanks for the grills are full. I remember one year we were cooking our spaghettio’s and franks over a tea light on my tart burners (giggle).
From the kitchen…I am taking stock in our non-perishables. Today I will cook up some Mac and Cheese and also extra noodles to go with the left over spaghetti sauce from yesterday. We have plenty of hotdogs and frozen chicken breasts for the grill.I have my list for my run to the grocery store this morning – two loaves of bread in case we have to live on PB&J for a few days. I may get an extra can of beans too.
I am wearing…a sweater over my nightgown. My favorite robe finally made it’s way into the wash and now it is in the dryer. However, I will be getting dressed soon to get to the grocery store ahead of the crowd.
I creating…a’safe’ place in our walk in closet. Complete with fresh blankets/pillows/sheets/our Supply Bin (which includes flashlights, weather radio, dry clothes, etc). When we are under this kind of alert there is also a potential for tornadoes.
I am going…to get our home insurance papers/dogs shot records and rabies tags/all meds/bank account papers/ etc. together and into a Ziploc bag.
I am reading…Blues in the Night by Rochelle Krich. I am really enjoying it so far and I like the idea that it is a series. Which I already got the second in the series from the library.
I am hoping…that the college cancels classes for Tuesday. The college where I teach is in the middle of the state whereas I am smack dab on the west coast. Therefore, the threat is greater for our area than where I teach. I also have to go over a bridge on my way to the college and it is over a river that easily floods. I already have a plan to let classes out early tonight as the rains are scheduled to be coming in by early evening. I don’t mind driving in the rain while it is light out, but due to the country roads I travel into and out of the big city, there is little light and no possible way to see a tornado coming.
Around the house…just getting into Hurricane preparedness mode.
One of my favorite things…is the blue swirled gazing ball that my neighbor has in her front garden. She is moving today to go back up north to live near her children and guess what…..she gave me her gazing ball!!!!! Of course, I have to put it in our garage for now to protect it from the predicted winds and rain that are headed our way. But I love. love. love. it.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Due to the Hurricane Watch all plans have been put on hold. I was going to begin my counseling schedule this week but that will have to wait until next week. This is good however, it will give the little ones a chance to get used to their new Head Start routine.
The only plan not put on hold is getting Miss Sam started on her academic schedule. School starts fast and furious today. I spent last night getting her ‘weekly planner’ together so she knows what she needs to complete by the end of the week. I like doing it this way because if she feels particularly ambitious she can learn to manage her time well and end up not having to work on Friday – or even Thursday if she is particularly ambitious (grin).
Here is picture thought I am sharing…
Miss Sam’s structured curriculum August through December.
19 Comments
What an EXCITING daybook!!! I have lived in FL twice in my life, once as a teen with my family near Orlando and once as a single near Ft. Lauderdale. FL is my favorite spot on this planet!
Anyways, I moved back to MN just before Andrew hit – but just before that, I had considered moving down near it’s epicenter – God was watching over me! Wishing you safety this week!! Keep us posted if you can! Have you ever been through a Hurricane before where you received much damage?
Praying for you! May God bless and protect you and your family. I grew up in Jacksonville and remember only too well the hurricane and tropical storm warnings. Fortunately, we were far enough inland that we never experienced any of the more serious repercussions of the storms.
Peace and joy while you “batten down the hatches!”
sorry but I posted my comment for this post elsewhere, all I said was that I do hope you are OK. I hope you get all your preparations done.
My prayers are with you and that the storm abates before reaching you. Good for you, having that plan of action and a preparedness kit is soooooooooooo important. I have lived in Texas, Kansas and California before moving to the North Woods. I have survived hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes including Northridge 1994 where the preparedness kit allowed us to eat and rink for the week after when there was no commerce.
Hello, it certainly sounds like you have the preparedness under control. Don’t forget your house papers, and personal ids in case you evacuate. I remember after Katrina how people had to prove they were the home’s owner. We’ve never had to evacuate but I know it can happen and one should have a kit like you do. They evacuated homeowners out near my husband’s plant this year when a propane tank caught on fire.
What a lovely neighbor to give you this gift! I know you’ll miss her. I have been trying to bring in some of my yard art so I don’t forget it when we move. One tends to forget all that is out there.
Have a great week, good luck!
I remember Hurricane Days in the Sunshine State. My husband is in the Navy so the moment a Hurricane Watch/Warning was announced, off he went out to sea! DD (2-5 years old the years we lived there) and I would watch the news reports to see if we should head inland or just stay put. Our Hurricane Kit was always packed as well as our Safe Place made ready in case we needed it. Your blog took me right back to those days!
Here’s hoping it passes away from you and that all is well.
May you stay safe as well.
Love the blue ball, it IS beautiful…and much MUCH more fun to gaze at than all that curric!
I’ve sent up a prayer for you and all the others in the path of the storm. You sound so calm and in control, I’ve never had to go through anything like that but I would probably be panicking LOL
Stay safe!
WOW! It’s all about hurricane preparedness and concern today, I see. I guess you guys can appreciate the scare, potential danger threat, and whatever else goes with that more than we can here in TN. We don’t have those problems so far inland, but we do have tornado threats. Not many in my area though, because we live in a bowl or crater that’s surrounded by the protection of mountains. It’s not impossible for us to get hit, but we don’t live in concern or fear of one because it’s so extremely rare.
It sounds like you and the others are really prepared well. I guess you get taught this continuously when you live in coastal regions. Preparedness is good. Remember, through it all, God is in control, and He already knows the beginning from the end.
Many blessings and much safety to you and your family.
I really hope this storm isn’t as bad as they say. Congrats on being ready for it though. The gazing ball is so pretty, thanks for sharing it.
Sounds like you are ready for the storms that are coming your way. Praying for all in the path of this hurricane for safety and well being.
Oh, the fun routine of hurricane preparedness…NOT! We became quite good at it after 2004, unfortunately. As of right now, Fay’s projected path looks eerily similar to the path that Charley ended up taking. Charley ended up damaging our house…the very same house that’s still up for sale and occupied by my son. Yikes.
I enjoyed reading your daybook – it was almost like a checklist for me! All the things you have planned for today are things we did after church yesterday (grocery, water, stocking supplies, moving patio stuff to storage, etc.).
Stay safe!!
Wow, good luck getting your supplies! Praying for you & your family through this!
This has me thinking how glad I live in W. PA and wondering how my baby brother is managing.
Oh I hope you manage to get everything done. You sound so prepared.
We’ll all be praying that everyone makes it through the storm.
Everyone seems to be talking weather today.
I am trying to read everyones daybooks.
Good luck and I hope you don’t loose power you’ll miss all the cool posts!
Lifepacs! We’ve used some over the last several years, and we’ll be using some again. I hope you’ll be safe from the storm.
~Susan
I guess we are in the same path of this storm. I’m about 30 miles north of Tampa, so I’m waiting and getting prepared like you are. It’s so still and quiet outside. The calm before the storm. I’ll be praying that God keeps you safe til the storm passes by!
Cora
Ohhh I’ll be watching the weather channel…keep us updated and let us know you’re ok
Praying that God will keep you and yours safe. Thanks for sharing.
Blessings, Grandma Starr