Post Ike

We all got a better nights sleep despite the heat. Without the AC having cool weather is now so important to us. It was a real treat to sleep all night long without having children wake us up. This time Glenn & I had only to deal with the two dogs (Keeko & Panda) that became wrestles as soon as the post hurricane rains and thunder storms moved into our area starting in the early 4:00 AM hours of the night.
We all woke up later then normal and were treated to Vanessa's wonderful omelette's. We planned on making our way over the Lester's parents home later to use the electricity and food resources in the afternoon. No power put a limit on what we could do. At least the cool rains gave way to cooler weather and we could leave the windows open.
Glenn and I talked about what to do with going back and so Glenn made the decision to head back today. He took Akorren with him, as he was wanting to go home. Glenn wanted to take off the plywood and make sure that things were not bad around the house. I was in no hurry to get back to a home with no electricity. I just did not want to deal with that when I was in a comfortable place, call me spoiled. Phone service was in and out and I took some time to make contact with other friends who were effected by the aftermath of Ike. Most of our friends were well.
We did have a bit of sadness today, after checking in on our squirrel Ike this morning. It looks like the storm did too much damage to his little animal body. He was sneezing up what looked like blood and was moving around his little box very slowly. Then almost not at all. We let the children take one last look at him and say good-bye. We did a brief talk about how nature works sometime and that a little squirrel spending the whole night being toss around in the rain would have a hard time surviving. And that giving him some love and warmth and comfort in death was the right thing to do. Zhivanna shed a tear or two and then Glenn made sure that Ike made it back into the recycled part of nature. Good-bye little Ike.
My cousin Sherry (a niece on my dads side) was a great out of state contact who would look up information on the internet for me and relay back to me where places had power, which schools were open, where to get to a POD for ice, etc. I would then either text message or phone in that information to my dad and Glenn. You name it Sherry was extremely eager to help in any way that she could, we love and thank you for all your help gal! Glenn made it safely back to League City with Akorren and Herman and Lois seemed glad to have someone to care for. Ice was an issue put some was found. Yes, limited stores were open.
We had a very lovely dinner of aroz con pollo followed by delicious aroz con leche, and I again charged up the needed survival items: cell phones, DVD players , ipods, etc. The children all played together this time minus Akorren. But the little ones still seemed to keep Daniel busy, chasing him all around the house. Vanessa and I were able to get glimpses of the damage done to the areas around Clear Lake. I would catch a word here or there about League City by watching the local KHOU 13 news. It was hard to see the pictures of Kemah; streets flooded and the boardwalk looking a mess like piles of popsicle sticks and rubbish. Galveston made your heart sink and then to hear about all the people who stayed, the Strand water washed, homes gone, once beach front and now part of the beach. That area is going to take a long time to get back going on there feet.
This night ended much the same as the previous one, but this time Merlova and Zhivanna fell asleep before the movie ended. I took myself to sleep shortly after. I was glad and grateful to have my family all well and my home in tact. I know that some in our church and community will not be faring as well. I am looking at going back to League City around Thurs. or Friday of this week.