Chicago area Diser's - check in here Part 4

[Becky2005]

Becky, did your DD teachers get the head's up about her brace? Communication is the key that always is missing. Don't get it.

I don't know yet -- I assume so but I guess we will find out soon enough. What I'll probably do after we have our back to school night is usually the teachers give you their e-mails then, I'll probably e-mail them. OR if I get papers from the teachers with their e-mails beforehand do that. I know we already got a note home from the Science teacher that we had to sign & give our e-mail addresses. She will be sending the syllabus via that or will be on the website (hope they give a link because as of right now -- there are no links to any of the teachers on her team).

I think they are dressing for gym for the first time today -- not really sure about that, so we shall see. Everything has been so topsy turvy this week.

Becky Alex didn't get home until 5:00 also. I thought several times of going to get him. But everytime I called the school they told me they would be leaving in a few minutes. I thought I would miss him if I left the house.
I'm having issues with the school and communication. They don't seem to have any.

Yesterday I got a phone call at 1:00 to ask if Alex was sick I said no why. They said cause he wasn't at school My heart sank. I told them to check again. Long story really short there are 2 kids with similar names. Today the school office and I are going to be fast friends. I don't like them much right now. I nearly had a heart attack. How come there isn't a smilie about them(school) walking the plank.

I definitely would have been freaking out if I had gotten a phone call like that! Especially for my oldest when she's on her own to get to the bus so I really *don't* know if she's at school or not, so if they called me I would so freak out thinking she somehow didn't get on the bus and who knows what happened. At least with the grade schoolers I walk/drive them to school so I would know for a fact they were at the school.

As for the weather, yesterday AFTER everything was done, I got e-mail notices on what was going on. The problem was when the electricity went out, obviously no internet. When it came back up, we have a server in our house and it's DH's deal -- I know nothing. The internet wasn't connecting correctly so I had to wait until he got home to fix it. I *tried* to reset it and all but knew that I was either missing something or something got fried. Luckily, I just missed doing something to reset it.

However, they had taken kids that were on the busses either home or back to the schools (elementary ones) or to safe shelters -- so the busses I saw going around that I assumed were the Middle Schools were probably just the grade school ones or High School ones (since I believe Middle School was the last ones out since busses are shared). They did say that since the administrators/teachers were with the students -- they couldn't man the phones/cell phones and didn't get the messages up on the websites in a timely manner. I would have been OK if I had not seen the other busses, that's when I started freaking out wondering "where is my kid?". I thought the school office was open until 5 so waited until 4:45 to call & turns out they close at 4:30. OOPS!!!! Stuff like this is exactly why last year DD got a cell phone. In 6th grade she didn't get home until 7 pm once (normally 6 pm was the latest) and I had absolutely no way of reaching her -- I had no idea who to call, I knew the school was closed, wasn't sure about transportation department and ??? (that wasn't weather though that was late activity bus along with new bus driver that didn't know the route!). As soon as she made the cheerleading squad last year, I wasn't going through that heart attack panic again. She got her cell phone (that I took back after the season since it was a Christmas present and stuck a bow on it for her to stick under the tree! )

In general our school is pretty good with letting you know what's going on but on the one hand -- I've been at the grade school forever, so a lot of stuff I know just because I know it. The middle school I'm still figuring out -- I'm sure I'll learn a LOT more next year as my son goes -- totally different ballgame from my DD with personality and issues.

Becky - If we were walking home, and the tornado siren went off here, my DD would have freaked too I'm glad you were almost home when that happened.

Yes, that was fun to have a 10 year old practically hyperventilating and I'm strolling the little guy trying to deal with the older one (as if there was anything I could do at the moment with where we were at) and then also had the 7 year old -- who wasn't freaked out at all (but he's my mellow kid, you don't really ever know if he's freaked out because he gets rather quiet/silent when he is rather than "doomsday" screaming/freaking out) -- poor thing had to use the restroom though. He had to go at school but once we were told about the weather issue, told him he had to hold it and we would just try to get home ASAP. I ended up handing the house keys over to the 10 year old and then both the older boys ran to the house while I continued to walk fast/jog after the siren went off -- I'm just not in that good of shape to sprint, while pushing the stroller and keep up with them. ESPECIALLY since the 10 year old has energy to spare (wish I could bottle that & sell it! ). If I could just convince him that in situations like this you *HAVE* to stay calm even if you aren't on the inside because you are just going to make things worse if you don't.

I did drive everyone to school today. DD just to the bus stop and sure enough, just as I suspected, the bus comes EARLY again this year (6 minutes earlier than the time listed). She definitely needs to leave 5 minutes earlier this year than last because the bus time was listed earlier. We had been having her do that but I wasn't sure if it was really too early to leave but now I'm convinced it's not. This way even if she has to stand and wait, better than missing it. No way she would make it if she left the same time as last year. I will probably drive to pick up the boys today (depending on what it looks like at dismissal time but since it's still supposed to be yucky most of the day today, that's what I'm thinking).

At least this weekend is supposed to be nice right? We are having our Back to School picnic/fun fair on Saturday. I wonder if anything will be dry by then.

Maybe next week will be normal for weather (yes, I know, it's Chicago - the weather is completely unpredictable. ).

 

[Becky2005]

Hi everyone Hope everyone is alright!!!!

Becky, I heard it was pretty bad by you guys for a bit??!!! My parents are in the process of having their roof and their siding re-done and this happened while it was all half way done!! The guys pretty much have to start all over again

Yes, my brother called me *right* as the electricity came back on in our house so talk about confusion. I was talking to him things are starting back up making lots of noise & then the electricity flickered again, so I thought we were going to lose it again.

Anyway, he had said he heard a tornado touched down on one of our streets across town & to turn on the news -- which of course, I'm trying to find the remote and figure out the TV as it's the one in the basement that I don't usually use. By then they were way off our area and into warning the closer cities to Chicago. So, I try to turn on the internet which wasn't working. I never did find out anything about the street he was talking about though.

I know I talked to my neighbor as I was out in the drive being a paranoid mom watching down the street for DD's bus and she had said Route 31 was flooded, to the point that cars were stopped. I've never seen that *ever* and I've lived here all my life. Of course, the river is probably as high as it has ever been (or at least in my lifetime).

I never could find anything about the supposed touchdown but things I have read now say that lots of funnel clouds were spotted but no official tornados happened.

Oh, my DD was telling about the damages she saw on the way home, besides the forest preserve -- seems the west side got hit pretty bad. She was convinced a tornado touched down when I said nothing official she couldn't believe it was just wind that did all the damage.

We were lucky here that I didn't see any damage in the neighborhood other than a few small branches here & there. I can see how it would be that your parents would have to start over

 

[jedi_librarian]

Crazy weather, huh?

The thing is, I didn't even realize it was supposed to rain yesterday So, I'm sitting at the Reference desk helping a patron and the power goes out, and I'm thinking "What's the deal??" Then I heard the winds and rain. HOLY! I looked out the windows and the trees were blowing so hard, they looked like they do in hurricane weather!! So, we're all standing around dumbfounded (staff and patrons) and finally, the director announces that there was a tornado warning in Evanston (we're in Glenview) and so everyone must go into the library's basement. One patron came up to me and asked if I knew when the power was coming back on, because she was in the middle of an email. SERIOULSLY???

So, after a bit, we get the clear, patrons are allowed to leave at their own risk and then they finally closed the library. It was about 4 so no way did I want to venture home to have a long commute, so I hung out at a co-workers house in Morton Grove. Well, she didn't have power either! But we went to a nearby Wendy's for dinner and then got hit by the 2nd storm on the way back to her house. It was crazy! Flooding, and entire trees down and blocking the street! I finally made my way home after 8. I had power thankfully. Now, I have today off. It was my day off anyway, but the library is closed still. And we're supposed to get more today???

I thought of you all when all the reports were coming in from different areas of the city/burbs!


Oh, yeah, someone asked about the Blue Bayou?? I've been there several times. I love it. I was just there when I went in the Spring on my solo trip. It's pricey, but the ambiance is nice. The food is pretty, good, too!

 

[piglet too]

Morning all! Glad to see we have made it through the storms, and now we get to prepare for today's round.

We lost power right when our first set (had three total) of alarms went off at 3:20 and got it back just after 7:00 this morning.

So glad that the elementary school had not yet released the kids, they were just lining up to get on the busses. Called the school and got "kids are not on the busses, everyone is fine, will be released when there is an all-clear" The vice-principal was with the kindergartners and I guess he gave them all a big thumbs up and "great job" for how well they did. They had not even practiced a drill yet, so this was pretty nerve wracking for them.

My oldest was at cross country, thankfully they had known storms were coming so already had them running inside. Called that school and got "everyone is under cover, will have students call when they can be picked up."

Managed to get supper cooked on the grill before round 2 came through. Was driving down my street to go to the "code of conduct" meeting for Kevin when the third siren went off, so turned around and came back home. Once it was clear we took most of the stuff in our freezer up to my folks. Had gone to Sam's this past weekend, so had over $100 worth of food in there.

No school today, as the elementary and intermediate schools also had no power this morning.

Stay safe through this next round due today everyone!!!

 

[Debbie6221]

Good morning hope everyone is ok. I'll make a fast post since I think it will be interesting to be driving this morning and I want to get a head start.

Becky Alex didn't get home until 5:00 also. I thought several times of going to get him. But everytime I called the school they told me they would be leaving in a few minutes. I thought I would miss him if I left the house.
I'm having issues with the school and communication. They don't seem to have any.

Yesterday I got a phone call at 1:00 to ask if Alex was sick I said no why. They said cause he wasn't at school My heart sank. I told them to check again. Long story really short there are 2 kids with similar names. Today the school office and I are going to be fast friends. I don't like them much right now. I nearly had a heart attack. How come there isn't a smilie about them(school) walking the plank.

Ok off to the shower after checking if the school is closed or open.

I would have had steam coming out my ears! That is after I was done being sick from panic! People need to THINK sometimes!!!

Glad everyone is OK.
Debbie

 

[slo]

I'm glad so many of you are checking in and doing okay

Update on our house......
When I went outside to put Stephanie on the bus, I decided to go in the backyard and make sure all the pool furniture was on the deck and not in the pool. But what did I find instead............one whole side of our fence is completely down It's the forest sides fence, which isn't good because now all the forest critters can get into our yard I called Kevin right away, and he wasn't happy He just put that fence up earlier in the year It's going to be awhile before it's replaced, because the ground is like soup, and it's gotta dry out before he can do anything It's always something!!!!!!!!!


Now I sitting here at work, to tired, and to unexcited to do anything I probably should have never sat down, because now it's to hard to get back up I do have some things to do today, so I need to find the energy and start doing that


I hope to see more of you checking in, and I'm glad we are all doing okay

 

[macraven]

Morning..

well yesterday was interesting.. I was in Milwaukee at a client's site left about 4:30.. the drive home was bumper to bumper on the expressway once I hit Ill..but I did wave to you MAC.. and then once I got off and starting driving on street - trees down, streets flooded, power out.. it was a mess took me until 8 pm to get home..

Mac what time did you Dh make it home?


.

yes and i waved back to you!
if you took 94 you wouldn't have had water problems or flooding.
most of the flooding is on the sheridan rd/east side.
mr mac 's ride on the metra last night was 2.5 hours and minutes.
2x as long as usual.

my youngest son is doing his police internship with the Deerfield police department. his hours change weekly for the shifts.
this week he leaves 5:30 am and gets home by 3:00pm. yesterday it took him 2 hours and 35 minutes to drive home. the rain and wind was horrendous on 41. it normally only takes him 35-40 minutes for the drive.

Poor Mr Mac he is going to be one tired hungry puppy when he gets home.

he was mr cranky pants.
i slept on the couch.......
i just gave him his space

Good morning hope everyone is ok. I'll make a fast post since I think it will be interesting to be driving this morning and I want to get a head start.

Becky Alex didn't get home until 5:00 also. I thought several times of going to get him. But everytime I called the school they told me they would be leaving in a few minutes. I thought I would miss him if I left the house.
I'm having issues with the school and communication. They don't seem to have any.

Yesterday I got a phone call at 1:00 to ask if Alex was sick I said no why. They said cause he wasn't at school My heart sank. I told them to check again. Long story really short there are 2 kids with similar names. Today the school office and I are going to be fast friends. I don't like them much right now. I nearly had a heart attack. How come there isn't a smilie about them(school) walking the plank.

Ok off to the shower after checking if the school is closed or open.

that is horrible!
i would have wet my pants....

a few years back while i was at the high school teaching, i went home on my lunch hour for a sandwich. there was a message on the machine from the high school i was working at. message said, we are calling as todd did not come to school today.

i immediately left the house before fixing my sandwich and went to the attendance office. todd was with me that morning when i went to work.
he was at school. they said.....oops......sorry

then i was hungry all day...


it is a very scary thing to get a call like that. it disrupts everything

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Morning all. Checking in from the boonies out here. I was up til nearly 2 as well. Kids got up once. We never lost power. Had a few surges that the surge protector beeped about, but never lost any. My in-laws, mom and sisters are out of power since 6pm last night.
Lots of tree branches down around here and lots of water. DH let some water out of the pool again last night or it would have gone over for sure. I am going to go let some more out this morning. Knew I should've taken it down already.
Thankful all of you are faring well so far. Hope to hear from the rest of you soon. Bunchkin, worried about you. Your area usually gets hit hard.
Well, gonna go get some done before round 49 of storms comes through and DS wants to use the computer.
Later all.

 

[macraven]

if you can, check out the waukegan sun times on the net.
you can see the pictures of the flooding in this area and the sandbagging that is going on.

gurnee lays lower than zion and they have been hit harder than us.
only my back yard is flooded and part of our street. its drivable and not an issue for us like it is for others around here.

hope you all stay safe

 

[Debbie6221]

Hi again....Just thought I would share a thread I started in Big Ben's honor......
Stop by and discuss Fat March......
Support a fellow diser........

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=20463128#post20463128

 

[Debbie6221]

Hi again,
A couple more things…
1)My Mom and I are having a debate over whether Bolling Brook is included in tornado alley or not….thoughts….
2)Also……We are in the middle of trying to finalize our November dates and get airfare! Right now airfare is bad! We are just not going at a good time with Veteran's weekend and/or Thanksgiving around our vacation dates. Oh well. I have to decide by the end of the day whether it's worth another $230.00 added to the already $800.00 in airfare to stay another day. What do you guys think??????
Wish me luck!

 

[piglet too]

Well, I have always thought all of our area, up to Chicago, was considerd the far northern section of Tornado Alley.

 

[slo]

Kevin is at the firehouse, which is next to the town hospital, which both are next to a town creek. Kevin called and said the creek has gone over the banks, and the hospital ER is getting flooded out (the hospital is lower than the firehouse). The water is going straight into the lobby/waiting area There are many slab houses in this area that Kevin feels may need to be evacuated. They have the rescue boat ready, and will take action when needed. This is going to be a very long day and night for the firefighters/EMTs , if all this rain they are predicting truly does come, which it probably will

 

[macraven]

debbie, try and use yapta.com for the best air fares.
the site will remember everything you list into it and you will get alerts.
it works best with internet explorer.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Oh wow Sandy, that's horrible! Those poor people!!

 

[piglet too]

Oh no! Sandy, I hope everyone will be OK, and that the damage is not too bad.

 

[Disneynut71]

Hello all,

What a day yesterday. I work at a bank and my brach lost all power. Even our alarms where out. It is fun trying to secure the center with no lights. Going home was a nightmare. No traffic lights most of the way and some people were not paying attention to the stop signs and just driving through.

It took me 1 hour and 15 mins for a 20 minute drive. So far it looks good out hopefully it will stay that way.

My part of Naperville never lost power. It was fun "swimming" home.

I hope everyone is ok and no major problems.

Slo- I love the picture of your shop. I wish you were closer I have some great pictures of my daughter I would like framed. I am tired of using Walmart specials.

I would love to post my Photopass from Disney. How do you do it?

I should get back to work. I will check in soon.

Stay Dry

 

[Crissup]

Carol is back at the hotel watching Eva Longoria film an episode of Desperate Housewives in the lobby. She's taking lots of photos.

John, hope you are enjoying a "dry" CA stay. I also hope you enjoy your time at DL. Try to get a ressie at the Blue Bayou if you have never eaten there before. Bunchkin can clue you in about the food. We weren't able to eat there-no advance ressie, but the ambiance is awesome. Candlelit and on the water of Pirates.

Been there a couple times. We've even had a small DIS meet there once. Yes, is very good with great ambiance. Will probably meet up with two or three DIS'ers this trip.

Well, I have always thought all of our area, up to Chicago, was considerd the far northern section of Tornado Alley.

Kinda. The really is no *official* definition of tornado alley, but the few times I've really dug around, the closest thing I can find to official is tornado alley starts in Texas and makes a wide arcing swoop up across Illinois into Michigan. The entire state of Illinois falls into it. It's because we fall between the two jetstreams.

 

[slo]

The evacuation has begun

Kevin called me and said he was waist deep in water, and it's getting nothing but higher He also said that they just called for a car fire somewhere, but there's no one to respond to that, so I'm not sure what's going to happen with that. Pretty scary stuff!!!!!! I just hope that we aren't next




edited to add:
Please keep Kevin and the rest of the firefighters in your thoughts and prayers. It's times like these that make me very nervous because these guys and gals on the FD are very tired and stressed out, which plays such a toll on them. They've had so many calls these past couple of days, heck, these past couple of weeks, and they are exhausted. They are a great bunch of people, and this town is so lucky to have them!!!!!

 

[macraven]

Kevin is at the firehouse, which is next to the town hospital, which both are next to a town creek. Kevin called and said the creek has gone over the banks, and the hospital ER is getting flooded out (the hospital is lower than the firehouse). The water is going straight into the lobby/waiting area There are many slab houses in this area that Kevin feels may need to be evacuated. They have the rescue boat ready, and will take action when needed. This is going to be a very long day and night for the firefighters/EMTs , if all this rain they are predicting truly does come, which it probably will

sandy, i watched the local news and saw the hospital in dyer.
it really looked bad.

thoughts and prayers as you requested.

keep us posted on kevin and what is happening in your area