Today’s story is a little different than my usual Friday posting. Why, do you ask? Well, if you DIDN’T read the title, we’re expecting a visitor to swing by Houston late this evening.
This is Mr. Ike.
And, this is Me.
My apologies for having “raw” pictures through out this “drier than normal” post. I didn’t have much time yesterday to play with photos. Today we’re in a “what you see is what you get” mode. Just tough it out, if you would be so kind.
Ike is the 2nd hurricane I’ve experienced since living in Houston. Rita (remember Katrina’s sister?) proffered the introduction to Hurricane Central. It was not the most wonderful of experiences — 13 hours in a car took us exactly 60 miles away from Houston. 13 hours. It was awful.
This time, as we are not in one of the mandatory evacuation zones, Hubby and I have decided to stay in town. We’ll still get the wind and rain, but we won’t bear the main brunt of Ike. To be honest, the decision is a bit nerve-wracking now that we have the Little Lady. But, I think we’ll be alright.
In anticipation, the Little Lady and I did a bit of shopping today. I woke up early, knowing the potential for crowds and long lines at the gas stations. The Little Lady was definitely not happy when I woke her, vehemently protesting from the moment I took her out of her crib. But, a quick promise of a bottle and a grocery store balloon had an amazing vanishing effect on her crocodile tears.
As we watched our local meteorologists and reporters give the latest news, she was in awe of the graphics flashing on the television. I guess it did all look a little bit like a Baby Einstein video — bright colors rotating, odd people smiling for no apparant reason, and loud voices over-ennunciating simple words. She was still this serious when we loaded the car and drove to the grocery store.
I thought we would arrive early enough, but I was wrong. Already, water was limited to a few last cases and there was only one loaf of bread left. How do I know there was only one loaf? Because I’m the one that grabbed it just in time, much to the consternation of the woman who followed me. She cussed quite a bit when she realized the fate of the bread shelves. Thankfully, the Little Lady was too busy staring at other things or I would have heard some interesting renditions from a squeaky little voice!
(chilling in the empty water aisle)
(scoping out the empty bread aisle)
(the last loaf at HEB)
Despite the fact that she did not get a balloon (it seems Ike drove away the store’s balloon lady), the Little Lady much happier by the time we left — perhaps from the knowledge that she wasn’t going to run out of diapers, thanks to Mommy’s morning shopping jaunt. Whatever the reason, she found enough energy and joy to muster one of her new, cheesy grins.
At least, I think that’s a grin. It’s hard to tell.
So now we wait, watching and listening to the updates, nailing plywood over our windows, and filling our bathtubs with extra water. If you get the luxury of a safe and dry weekend, be thinking of us as we welcome Ike to Houston.
