August 24, 2004

Cleaning up after Hurricane Charley costs one man his job.

----------------------------------------

A Sarasota man says he was unfairly fired for not returning to work after Hurricane Charley. He says he had to tend to his storm-stricken family in Charlotte County, and his boss said he'd taken enough time.

ABC 7 talked with Bruce Palmer-Smith's boss at the Badcock Furniture in Sarasota. Kent Williams didn't want to go on camera, but he did say he gave Bruce the weekend to clean up after Charley and he couldn't afford to give him any more time away from the business.

Bruce Palmer-Smith is loading up what's left.

Bruce Palmer-Smith: “Just trying to salvage what we can, get it all out…the house is about to collapse, so we're working every single day.”

But when the work around the house is finished, Bruce won't have a real job to head back to, because he's been at his home.

Bruce Palmer-Smith: “I told him this is why I can't work Monday…I need to be here and help…he told me, "if you don't come back to work, don't bother coming back at all."

Bruce says he was shocked when his boss at Badcock Furniture fired him.

Bruce Palmer-Smith: “Every time it rains, water comes pouring in.”

The couple is separated. Bruce hasn't lived in Harbour Heights with his wife and three kids for a while, but he says he still expected more compassion from his boss of two and a half years.

Bruce Palmer-Smith: “He knows the children…when he calls to ask for a key, he doesn't even ask, "is the family ok, is there anything I can do…nothing.”

When we talked with Bruce's boss, Kent Williams, this afternoon, he told said while he doesn't plan on giving Bruce his job back, he does understand the devastation Charley left behind. His mother lives in Polk County. She didn't have power or water for days after the storm. Williams says he would have liked to go check on her, but because Bruce was gone he had to stay in Sarasota and mind the store.

August 23, 2004

Pictures.

The road all the way to Arcadia and pretty much all the roads in Arcadia, had downed power lines, snapped poles and the lines in the road. It was kind of nerve wracking driving over them to get out to some of the farm houses.
----------------------------

I am posting the pictures I took down in Arcadia with my posts whether they have anything to do with what I'm writing about or not.
I just want to show them to you.
I have a cheap Aiptek Pen Cam Trio that I got for $29.99 about a year and a half ago now. It works well for what I need. No zoom, no LCD screen, no memory card. Just 2 triple A batteries.
I don't want anyone thinking I was being rude posting that destroyed house and talking about how yummy my house smells. And all pictures are clickable for bigger.
I just want to share them with you.

August 21, 2004

We've been back for a few hours

but I have a splitting headache and my back is just freaking killing me.
I will upload the pictures I did take later tonight or tomorrow.
I will say though that it's not pretty down there.
I guess you would have to see it for yourself to understand what it is like down there.
It's really fucking hot. I mean really fucking hot and they have no air and no water and no lights and the mosquitoes are fucking everywhere and I can just see a major health crisis very soon if they don't get the lights back on soon.
People have to leave all their doors open for what ever breeze may come by and there wasn't a single fucking one.
People lined up for hours for food and water and 6 houses on one street perfectly ok, meaning fixable, and one on that same street just leveled to the ground.
I feel guilty taking the pictures I did. I felt like a tourist snapping my little camera.
Some people didn't even speak english but they smiled just to have the water and the ice cold sodas and beer my sister packed.
I'm feeling overwhelmed emotionally. I can't even really explain it to you. I just feel like guilty for driving around in the air conditioned car and knowing that I was going to come home to lights and AC and a hot meal.
People were guarding their homes and scared and tired and hot and sweaty and you could see the toll this was taking on them in their eyes.
Downed power lines everywhere. Tons of trucks from out of state trying to fix the downed lines.
I saw Ohio and Michigan and Louisiana.
I saw the national guard trying to keep order in a very chaotic situation.
I saw little old ladies sweaty and dirty and waiting in that heat for whatever they could get.
It's a little too much.
I implore you, if you can help in any way, send it. It is going to be a long time before life gets back to even some what normal down there.

August 21, 2004

We will be heading out soon

to get some supplies and deliver them down south and east of us.
Considering all the red tape which has held up truck loads of stuff, I'm glad we're going.
Pet food, personal supplies, canned food and baby formula and diapers. That's our goal.
How can I do this some of you may be wondering cuz you know my financial status, the government paid us double in food stamps because of the hurricane. They paid us all because it was easier to just pay everyone rather than have to figure out who got hit by the storm and who didn't.
So I'm taking that extra amount and using it the way it was intended. For the hurricane.
I even called the office twice when I noticed the double amount. Thought it was a mistake and didn't want to get in trouble for it if I just spent it. They said they gave it to everyone because of the hurricane.
These people need it.

Looking for away to help? Go to wwsb.com, click the button on the right that says local donation information and just take your pick.
They need everything from hay for horses to duct tape and tarps and saws.

P.S. Site notes* A post was placed back in draft mode and comments were closed on a very dull entry that turned into a playground for 12 year olds with ReeAAllY BaDD WaYYss of TyPPinGG ShiTT and I was getting very fucking annoyed.

August 20, 2004

Update on baby stuff again.

Charlotte Co. Donation Stations
The Charlotte County Sports Complex in Port Charlotte (formerly Ranger's
Stadium) is the main distribution center for supplies being run the the
Florida Jaycees. The complex is located on State Road 776, 4 ? miles west of
US 41.

Donations of baby formula & diapers and women's personal hygiene products
are urgently needed to assist the residents of Charlotte County who have
been displaced from their homes due to Hurricane Charley. Other items
needed: camping supplies, cleaning supplies, batteries, am/fm radios,
flashlights. The station will be accepting donations seven days a week from
7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

August 20, 2004

Formula updates.

WWSB is reporting that the state Department of Health reports several formula companies have made large donations to feeding stations in Southwest Florida.
But then channel 8, TBO, says that Hardee county still needs formula.
Just passing it along.
Just keep helping.
They say it could take months to get this area back on it's feet.

August 19, 2004

I know people are getting tired of all the hurricane blogging but...

If this was you and it was almost us, you'd want people to help you out.
I want you to imagine for a minute that you are a mom to a baby or two and I know I get a lot of mommies reading here so pay attention, and you may have other kids and you're still child bearing age.
The hurricane has ripped your home apart. All your stuff, your babies crib, playpen, stroller, diapers, clothes, formula, your clothes, your feminine products, your kids toys, your everything, is gone. All gone.
The volunteers are bringing water and ice and immediate food but what about diapers and formula? What about your period that you know shows up at the worst possible time and you have nothing?
Try to imagine this please. Just think if this was you.
Now, I want you to spread the word about what these people need.
Quit playing in photoshop or some silly web game and copy that letter below and email major corporations.
We can't do this alone. We need as many people sending email after email asking for help. Email your stores in your area about sending help here.
Post about it in your blogs and spread the word.
I was going through the list of FLA blogs that I had made and couldn't believe how many blogs are out there in just my state that I didn't know about. If I post a message asking for help and you see it, then you post a message asking for help, how many people will see it and post a message too?
We don't know but that's what we need. We need to spread it across the country and ask for help.
It's fucking hot here people. It's like 95 degrees with a heat index of like 103.
We, and I mean every single person sitting reading this blog, is in their comfy home with AC and food and shelter and running water and lights and toys and everything we need.
These people could be without for a very long time.
Think about that. We are on 1 week and looking at many more.
Just post the message. Email stores and corporations and ask for help.
A couple thousand people or more emailing asking them for help is pretty hard to ignore.
Thank you.

August 19, 2004

With a little help from the blogosphere.

I just got and email from Robyn about the need for baby formula in the areas affected by Charley and we need your help. Please read the following and then help us out by sending the pre-written email off to big stores that she mentioned.
Thank you.
From Robyn:
I was watching ABC Action News today and they put out the call for liquid
formula. I had actually mentioned that to Todd the other day that I
couldn't believe I hadn't seen it on donation list requests yet -- because I
bought two boxes with eight 6 oz. bottles for our "hurricane kit" (our son
drinks six 6 oz. bottles a day) -- and they're $13.49 each at TRU and BRU,
and $17.99 at Walgreens. In a hurricane, you could only really use the
individual ready-to-feed bottles and cans with the lack of water to make the
powdered formula, and the inability to refrigerate the larger quart sizes
that we normally buy. So basically I spent $27 on what is less than a 3-day
supply for him. And these people have been without power a week now!

I typed up the following letter (since modified to remove all formula
company references) and I've already sent it to Enfamil, Similac, Nestle
Good Start, and Bright Beginnings. Wasn't sure if you'd want to make the
text available for your site -- but if people have the time and want to help
me out on my mission, they could also start contacting companies with
formula supplies on hand like Publix, Wal Mart, Target, Walgreens, etc.

----------------------------------------------------

Our local Tampa Bay ABC News affiliate, together with the Red Cross, is
putting out word that relief workers desperately need individual serving
liquid baby formula bottles and cans for the victims of Hurricane Charley.
I thought I would contact a corporation I trust the most and beg for your
immediate response to the need at hand.

It would be wonderful if your company could donate several cases of
ready-to-feed bottles and cans to the relief efforts. The victims are still
without electricity, and have a very limited bottled water supply, making it
near-impossible to refrigerate larger ready-to-feed containers and make
bottles with the powdered versions of formula.

Just two "eight-pack" boxes of nursettes or cans will last less than three
days for a six-month old and run well over $25, and these families are going
on a week now without power and no end in sight...

If you are interested in helping out WFTS ABC Action News and the Red Cross
with this donation drive, the contact information is as follows:

http://www.tampabaylive.com

WFTS ABC Action News
4045 N. Himes Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33607

Toll-free number: 1-877-833-2828
Main switchboard: 1-813-354-2828

Thank you so much for your time and consideration in this matter! It's why
I trust and purchase from companies like [insert company name here].

Sincerely,
[insert your name here]

August 19, 2004

For an incredible gallery of hurricane Charley,

Check out the amazing aerial photos taken by MJ of 93.3 WFLZ at this link: MJ/The Schnitt Show.
Nod to Strentghen the Good.

Send whatever help you can to any of the organizations listed in the extended entry.

August 19, 2004

Red Cross Donation information.

This was sent out by the school board.
"Just so you know, the Red Cross has told us that to ensure that the money
stays local, please make donations to the "Charlotte Chapter of the Red
Cross." Otherwise, the money goes into a large national pool, and might
not be spent here. That's just FYI.

Thanks-- and don't forget Arcadia."

So make donations to local florida chapters and not just the red cross site.
Thanks.

August 17, 2004

Volunteers.

Saturday, my sister, myself and ex-roommate and the 2 boys are going to go to the store and buy tons of food and take it out to Arcadia.
Arcadia is one of the hardest hit areas but because they only have a population of 7,000, the work crews aren't heading out there as fast as the big cities.
We will be taking diapers, pre-mixed formula, personal hygiene products, and canned goods and water.
We decided that we couldn't just sit here with all of our stuff, safe and sound knowing that it was meant for us and it hit them.
Please consider volunteering if you live in the area. They need help cleaning up, making sandwiches, handing out water, talking to people.
Call 941-954-4673 to find out more about volunteering and help out.

August 17, 2004

Please help.

The outpouring of offers of help is greatly appreciated and I am glad that people are leaving comments here on how they can help but please, if you have a refrigerator/freezer, please consider donating it's time to help rather than renting it. The areas that are hit are hit hard and money is SUPER TIGHT. Please be kind and generous with your supplies.
Sure, you could make money and have some profit but these are your fellow human beings in a dire situation with very limited financial resources.
Thank you.

August 16, 2004

Updated desperately needed items for Charley survivors.

WWSB has an updated list of desperately needed supplies for the hurricane victims.
The Salvation Army says the donations needed include duct tape, work gloves, plastic silverware, paper products, extra duty garbage bags, tarps, feminine hygiene products, water, diapers, canned goods, bread. They also need 4 giant freezers to deliver ice.

The Salvation Army also needs volunteers. You can call 941-954-4673 for more information.

You can drop off items right at the TV station if you live in the SRQ area and the SA will take them down to the people who need them.
The address to drop off is:
ABC 7
1477 10th Street
Sarasota, FL 34236

August 15, 2004

Help out if you can and spread the word.

I have teamed up with Strengthen The Good to help spread the word not only on the Florida hurricane situation, but future situations where someone or whole communities may be in need of help.
Please go to the site and help out the hurricane victims if you can, even a single dollar. Send it to one of the many organizations listed or if you live in the FLA area, consider dropping off needed supplies at one of the locations listed here.
Thank you to everyone who is helping out.

August 14, 2004

Please help the victims if you can.

Apparently, there is another storm on the way too. I think they named this one Earl. To read the story you must sign in. onecattykat@yahoo.com password-earl21.
yeah, I'm nice like that sometimes.

Over at TBO.com, they have a whole page (linked) with information on how you can help out if you live locally in Florida. They have a list of items sorely needed and drop off locations to make it easy to drop off what you may have.
Here is a list of numbers and places to call if you want to help or need help.
WHO TO CALL:
Offer Help:
Salvation Army (money, supplies, volunteers): 1-800-725-2769
Red Cross (Port Charlotte): 941-629-4345
Red Cross (Hillsborough): 877-251-0921
Red Cross (Polk): 863-294-5941
Red Cross (toll-free): 1-800-741-1444
Metropolitan Ministries: 813-209-1000

Need Help:
DeSoto County EOC: 863-993-4831
Highlands County EOC: 239-477-1900
Charlotte County EOC: 941-505-4620
Polk County EOC: 941-534-0350
Lee County EOC: 239-477-1900
Orlando EOC: 321-235-5437
Hillsborough County EOC: 813-272-6900
Pasco County EOC: 727-847-8137
Pinellas County EOC: 727-464-3800

FEMA for Charlotte, Sarasota, Manatee and Lee: 1-800-621-FEMA
Florida Highway Patrol (road problems): 813-632-6859
Florida Power and Light (outages): 1-800-4-OUTAGE
Insurance Companies and Adjusters: 1-800-22-STORM
Price Gouging: 1-800-646-0444
TECO: 813-223-0800 (local); 800-223-0800 (toll-free)
Progress Energy: 1-800-228-8485 (toll-free)

August 14, 2004

Irresponsible.

Here's a little bit of hurricane news to chew on sent to me by fellow Floridian blogger Robyn that I missed catching.

John Winter said on
Channel 8 this morning that he and the National Weather Service had a phone
conference at 8 a.m. yesterday morning, starting to notice that Charley
might go ashore where it did instead, but they didn't report it because it
would have been (QUOTE) "irresponsible" by possibly making Tampa Bay
residents think they were in the clear if it didn't go ahead and make that
final turn. I can imagine the Punta Gorda, etc., residents are so happy NOT
to have had the extra 6-8 hours warning that they might be in MASSIVE
danger. Irresponsible my ass -- I think it's irresponsible they got about 2
hours warning in the end because the news station wanted the "4 million
people" story! Tampa Bay residents had already been ordered to be out by 6
a.m. -- two hours before that phone conference.

Nice huh?

August 14, 2004

TBO, Channel 8 news,

is reporting that (unconfirmed numbers) that a possible death toll in 3 mobile home parks in Punta Gorda has reached 60 people.
They will keep us updated as to the exact numbers and get us that information as time goes on.

August 14, 2004

For local Charley updates

with picture galleries (bottom of page) go to TBO.com I know that the Command Post is denouncing the story of the deaths at the mobile home park, the stacks of bodies have not been confirmed but you can read about it here. There was significant loss of life there. And local tv stations are still reporting it as police guarding the bodies. There is no online link for that story but local tv is still stating that story.
Those of you in it's path now, please prepare yourselves.

August 14, 2004

I have some pics for ya.

Like I didn't take enough yesterday right?
Here is my freezer full of ice in case the power went out we'd be able to keep it and the fridge cool for a few hours.

And here is the junk food and water filling the fridge because you can't really eat normal food during a hurricane.

And here is all the ice I made in tupperware containers and stuff that is now sitting outside thawing in the 89° temps today.

Still looking for online links to some of the news that happened south of me.
There is a mobile home park where authorities are guarding bodies while they wait for the fire department and morgue workers to come.
It's very sad how none of them were warned properly and actually told they would be safe where they lived and here I am with all this stuff that was never even used and has to be thawed out.

**UPDATE** I just talked to Solonor by phone. The emergency blogging system does work!!
He and his family lost power last night around 10pm and still don't have it back yet. He said there is very little yard debris. A few trees here and there and fence came down so all his neighbors could see all the junk in his back yard. (heh) But he said he and his family are all fine and not to worry. He will post as soon as the power comes back on and not to worry. They are good.

August 14, 2004

I am watching the news

this morning and it's full of apologies from local news.
They are apologizing for being so over dramatic and over encouraging people to go to the shelters.
In Acadia, (still looking for an online link for this one) people went to the shelter. Lot of them.
The roof came down on top of them during the brunt of the storm. Not sure how many dead there yet.
They are estimating that about 1 million (not confirmed yet this morning) are without power.
There are mobile home parks in places like Ft. Meyers and Port Charlotte where they didn't have enough time to get out where lots of people are injured and homeless.
It was catastrophic damage in other parts of this state directly south of me.

I know many of you thought I was making light of the situation compared to what you were seeing on tv but as I said, what they were calling Sarasota was actually the cities to the south of us.
Such horrible misinformation problems yesterday.
Relatives and friends up north looking at the footage on CNN and other major news channels thought we were in severe peril and people who have relatives in the hard hit towns and cities that weren't even warned, now face the dreadful news late last night and this morning.
We here in SRQ were warned for 5 full days. That storm was coming at us and so the people to the south, the EOCs in those towns and cities, were not warned early enough.
You can't predict these things with any amount of accuracy. This is nature and nature goes and does what it wants.
The whole western seaboard should have been warned and all the cities to the east of the seaboard should have been warned.
They always so say go east, beyond I-75, and that is where it slammed.
They sent people to shelters in the east and the south of us.
There is catastrophic damage in those areas.
The news anchors here are just yapping and yapping about how sorry they are and how lucky we all are and yes, I do feel lucky but damn, why the hell weren't those cities prepared for anything at all?
I don't understand.

August 13, 2004

I know people are seeing on the news stations

like CNN and MSNBC that Sarasota got hit hard but I am here to tell you that we didn't. Or at least where I live in SRQ did not get anything at all.
We had rain and some wind and that one tree fell down. We never lost power or even got a flicker from it.
The problem with the satellite images they were showing you and calling it Sarasota, is that the areas that got hit, Ft. Meyers and Port Charlotte, are right below SRQ.
When you look at a map of Florida, you see the major cities like Tampa, Orlando, Miami and Sarasota is what you see so when they talk about these storms, they say Sarasota but it was really Port Charlotte that got nailed and Ft. Meyers, which only got a 6 hour warning that it was coming, were hit horribly bad and they are without power and probably will be for about a week.
There were some downed trees in SRQ but nothing major at all so we are perfectly safe here and now we have all this water and ice and canned stuff.
This has been an interesting day to say the least.
This is actually the sky over SRQ right now.

Ended the same way we began.

August 13, 2004

We have tree.

It was boring at our house so we took a walk up the street to see the downed tree.

This is Sebastian getting all rained on.

This is my backyard.

Playing in the puddles. Woo hoo!!

Talked ex-roommate into leaving the house to see the tree. She was a bit nervous. First hurricane and all.

This is the tree.

Exciting eh? I am bored to death and I am getting a headache.
I am trapped in the house with bored antsy people.
Feel my pain please.

August 13, 2004

This is actually very boring.

I just took these and we have some wind but not much. It's mostly rain but not heavy at all.
I guess we'll have no use for that emergency blogging system after all.

August 13, 2004

Here we go.

All pictures are clickable for bigger.
It's starting to get a bit windier and more rainy.

Sebastian hanging in the rain.

Here's Mark just hanging checking it all out too.

Even if we lose power, which more than likely we will, I'm going to keep taking pictures and post them later.
It's about 1 hour away from making landfall so it won't be long now.

Just want to say hello to all you coming here from Metafilter.
We are going to stay online as long as FPL (florida power and light) holds out for us.

P.S. Stay safe blog daddy from those tornadoes. Find your safe room and get in there.

August 13, 2004

They may upgrade to a category 4.

It may get really nasty here.
I'm still good.
The news makes it sound really really horrible and I hate that.
We only have slight rain here and some minor wind.
It is nothing as of right now.
I'm gonna head back outside to check it out.
Later days.

August 13, 2004

We have rain.

It's begun raining here, not hard though. More like a drizzle. No wind yet. The sky hasn't changed all too much either.
I really hate how the news make people panic.
Like panicking is gonna make it stop.
I have also, and please don't get mad, had people say they are praying for us.
While I do appreciate the sentiment that you care, praying isn't going to stop nature.
Charley is going to come no matter what you do.
You could get out there and do the happy sun for florida dance to the gods of your choosing and it ain't gonna do jack shit to stop it.
You just have to take this as it comes. Make sure you have an emergency bag packed that contains your id, papers, toothbrush, deodorant, medications if you take them, and anything else that you may need should you have to leave.
But once this hits, it's really too late to go anywhere. The safest place is in your home in the room with interior walls.
ex-roommate's room is that room and she has been prepping it should the windows in the living room blow out, we can all hang there.
We have made tons of ice in tupperware containers and we will stick some of them in the fridge when the power shuts off to save the ketchup. (heh)
Our fridge basically has water, soda, snacks and condiments right now so we won't lose too much.
Cooked all the frozen food I had last night (it was just chicken) so I won't lose much in there either.
Please don't worry too much. We are all prepared with emergency evac bags and water etc.
Hang tight florida people.

August 13, 2004

I just called Jenni

to test the emergency blogging system and got her voice mail so I left the following message:
This is a test of the emergency blogging system. If this were an actual emergency, this message would be followed by screams of panic, high wind noises, rain, thunder and lightning and death..
I'm just having fun.
So far, still good.
One report, which hasn't been confirmed, is that they may upgrade to a category 4.
This has NOT been confirmed.
Will do my very best to stay online and posting or Jenni will take over the reigns when the power goes out.
I had to go tell my neighbors to the right to pick their shit up. They weren't going to.
Bastages.
All the barrier islands have officially been closed. If you have left, there is no going back and if you chose to stay, that's it, that's where you'll be.
The sky has now gone from bright and happy to grey and flat if you can understand that.
I'm going to go take some more pictures soon for your viewing pleasure.
Later days.

August 13, 2004

You would never believe

that a hurricane is coming.
It is absolutely gorgeous outside. It's bright and sunny, hot as always, beautiful.
The boys and I just did another sweep of the yard to pick up more rocks and clothespins etc.
I really wish my neighbors to the right, would pick their shit up cuz if that recycle bin comes through one of my windows, there will be hell to pay when the storm dies down.

August 13, 2004

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.

August 13, 2004

The Insomniac Update

Since I can't sleep well tonight, here's a quick summary of the current conditions near Sarasota: It's raining. There you go.

I'll talk to Kat later this morning and post for her if she's without power. I'm assuming she will be, since Charley's expected to strengthen before he hits the coast later today. She may get lucky and the outer bands might stay reasonably tame, delaying the outages.

No one seems to know where Charley will make landfall, but it's going to be near Tampa Bay, whatever it is. Official updates are available here.

Stay safe, y'all.....

-- Jenni

August 13, 2004

Jenni here.....

Just "chatted" with Kat via my blog, so she's cool -- I'm just making sure I remembered the login schtuff. Charley's still on track to hit Sarasota head-on tomorrow.....you can keep up with the news here if you're interested. The Weather Channel people are currently waiting for the interesting stuff to happen (i.e. pink flamingos embedded in houses), so their TV coverage isn't the tops at the moment.

I would like to point out that, ahem, Sarasota's under a mandatory evac. Ahem.

That is all. ;) Seriously, Kat is fine or I wouldn't start posting sarcastic shit. Really. (I'm concerned, but don't tell her that....I'm glad we're calling each other.)

-- Jenni

August 12, 2004

Ok, so the trip to the store went pretty ok.

We were actually able to get some more water, 4 more cans of spaghettios, 3 cans of tuna, crackers, film, soda, chips, pretzels, ice cream, easy cheese, um, I forgot what else.
It is crazy fucking hot here.
Like the sauna before the storm. It's nuts I tell ya.

If in the event that I lose power, I have given out my number to the way cool Jenni and she can let ya all know how we're doing.
I feel like an idiot though.
I have known Jenni for quite some time now and have never called her.
It shouldn't have taken a hurricane for me to do that.
I am Kats lack of thought.

I'm making shake n' bake chicken for dinner tonight cuz it could very well be the last hot meal we eat till Sunday and um, some chips cuz I completely brainfarted on the side dish.
So, until later, double check to make sure all your pink flamingos have been taken off the lawn.
If one of them comes through my window, I'm coming after you.

P.S. Solly, laugh now if you must but you're gonna get hit too aren't ya funny boy?

August 12, 2004

I'm sorry I am unable to respond to comments right now.

We are prepping the house right now.
Just got back from docs and need to do dishes and laundry right now in case we lose power for a number of days, we all have clean undies...lol
Don't worry about us ok?
We are good.
There are several shelters very close by should the need arise but I am going to hold out as long as possible.
It is not due to start hitting us until about midnight.
I will post as long as we have power.
No post, no power but don't worry. I will post again when we can.
We have yahtzee and monopoly and cards and candles.
Pretty much all set here, just doing a few more general pick ups and stuff like that.
Will post again later on after we make our way to the store for an attempt at canned food. (yeah right)
Take it easy all.

August 12, 2004

Batten down the hatches.

The hurricane shifted overnight and it is now headed straight at Sarasota/Manatee Counties.
It has been upgraded to a category 3 by the time it makes landfall sometime tomorrow.
This means winds of 110 miles per hour.
Some people are a bit concerned and I thank you for that but I want to assure you all that we will be fine.
This house was built a gazillion years ago out of huge cement blocks. It is not the housing of today made with plywood and 2x4s. (heh)
We have water, candles, canned food, batteries, board games, smokes, soda.
We will be fine.
There really isn't much you can do with one of these except ride it out. Panicking is stupid. It accomplishes nothing.
I will not beat people up for loaves of bread or the last gallon of water at the store. If they think they need it that bad, have at it.
We have what we need.
The animals will be secured in the back bathroom which is the safest part of the house and ex-roommate and I will clean up the patio furniture when we get back from the doctors.
We may lose power.
This could suck cuz then I couldn't blog the hurricane but if that happens, I will just take notes and pictures and blog it when we come back...lol
So you all hang tight.
It won't be that bad and I have yet to see a storm that made me want to leave Florida.