Morning Charley.
I took the following 2 shots just 2 minutes ago.
The first image is looking northeast from my house. Beautiful no?
This second one is south/southwest. It's just a little grey.
There is nothing major happening as of yet.
As far as the mandatory evacuation, it is mainly directed at people who live in low lying areas, mobile homes and the medically needy such as patients on oxygen or a monitor of some kind.
Yes, we could go to a shelter with the gazillion other people who are there but there are reasons I don't.
#1. No pets. I have cats who are members of my family. I wouldn't leave one of my kids alone in this house during a storm, I am not leaving Kali, Nova or Christine. They are helpless and defenseless against shit like this.
#2. There are a gazillion people at the shelters already fighting over floor space, crying, panicking, smelling badly and tons of misbehaving screaming kids with parents who won't discipline them because well, there are a gazillion people who would be watching them so they just let them run wild.
#3. If I'm going to die in a hurricane, I would rather do it in my own home.
I know this is nothing to sneeze at people. Believe me, they keep telling us just how severe this could get and that Sarasota hasn't seen anything like this in many years, but I simply cannot deal with a lot of people in one crowded gymnasium crying, panicking, pooping, screaming, worrying, freaking out and driving each other up the wall.
If it gets super duper fucking nasty, I will leave but we are gonna stay as long as possible.
Will keep updating as we go and as you can see Jenni is ready to take over when the lights go down and I will make calls to her with updates as long as the phone lines hold out.
Later gators.
Hmm.
I wonder if we'll see any gators float by like we did a few years ago.
*keeping camera handy*
It's Marks birthday Sunday. He turns the big 13 and he is so frigging pissed teh hurricane is gonna ruin his birthday. Not much we can do but watch and see.
Comments
Thanks for the update, kat. I agree with you about the evac...only if absolutely necessary. The pet thing is always an issue.
Will continue sending good thoughts your way...
Great pics!
Posted by: bakednudel | August 13, 2004 7:55 AM
Stupid cats. They won't get off their lazy asses and help you batten down the hatches. I say leave 'em for the gators! ;p
Posted by: Solonor | August 13, 2004 7:57 AM
They are pretty scared though. They keep running around teh house with their hair all standing up.
Posted by: kat | August 13, 2004 8:05 AM
I could never leave my Kali baby. She is my comfort, my buddy, my napping pal, my quiet fluffy baby. She mews like a mouse. It's just a *mew* and she's like 6 years old...lol
More pics as I can. I love this stuff.
Posted by: kat | August 13, 2004 8:06 AM
I don't blame you for not wanting to head to the shelters.....that's like tornadoes for us....we can't just leave every time there is one. But then again, people usually don't evacuate for tornadoes, they stay put.
Be safe!
Posted by: kim | August 13, 2004 8:52 AM
Be Careful... you have chocolate, right?
My mom and aunt were in North Redington Beach, stayed the night in Bradeton or Brandon or someplace like that.... at my cousins' heading out today which was their planned departure date anyway.
Whose boat is that??? in the pic... if it doesn't blow away that would be a good way to get around
YOU ALL TAKE CARE!!!!!
Posted by: Aurora | August 13, 2004 8:55 AM
The boat belongs to a neighbor up the street. I'm glad your family is out of here. People who aren't used to this stuff panic very quickly.
Posted by: kat | August 13, 2004 9:10 AM
I just can't leave my home, my pets, all my stuff and I know it's just stuff but sometimes people will loot during storms and I'll be damned if they are getting my stuff...lol
Posted by: kat | August 13, 2004 9:11 AM
Hi ya, Kat. Hope you weather this Hurricane all right. And I hope Mark's B-Day is still a good one on Sunday.
Posted by: Colin | August 13, 2004 9:17 AM
We're gonna try for a nice birthday Colin. I'm sure we'll be fine as long as it doesn't turn east....
Posted by: kat | August 13, 2004 9:27 AM
{{{hugs}}} Be safe Kat! I'm thinking of you
Posted by: Kate | August 13, 2004 9:32 AM
We'll be fine. Thanks.
Posted by: kat | August 13, 2004 10:13 AM
I can't blame you for not going to a shelter. I wouldn't either. I would refuse to leave my rats behind.
Posted by: Pixie | August 13, 2004 10:48 AM
Pets are family too. Plus, with my back, I absolutely cannot lay on a gym floor for who knows how many hours. Ugh.
Posted by: kat | August 13, 2004 10:54 AM