September '09, 22nd anniversary at Pop. FINAL THOUGHTS DECEMBER 3RD

[racefanof88]

Yep...I had a JOB!! LOL I was Teller Supervisor down there, so I was just at work all the time!! I was about ready to kill the dog tho. We had the tub/shower combo in the ONE bathroom, and I fell coming out of that thing I don't know how many times. I got good at catching myself tho! Chris goes to Miami tomorrow, but his "green team" thing doesn't start until the end of July, so he's getting more time off!! Lucky him huh? That saves on the babysitters!!!!

Oh my, I would have been crazy. I have never been to Miami, but I will go there one day. Dale really wants to go to the Keys one day. I guess we will go there too.

 

[bouncycat]

OMG, the keys were AWESOME....LOVED it there, not much shopping, we had to go to homestead to go to wal mart, but the water was georgous, the fishing was top notch, and it was just lovely to be outside!! I got a friend that I worked with down there, she actually mentored me at the bank when I started as a regular Teller, she's coming up here for a week, and we're gonna meet her at universal for a day. I can't WAIT!!! Now to just get the day off work LOL My advice, skip Miami, and go to the Keys, you won't regret it!!!

 

[jwhtewolfd]

I know I've been to Miami and the Keys, but I don't remember much. All I recall is that when we went snorkeling, they tied a rope around my ankle so I couldn't go too far.

The first hurricane I really remember personally is Andrew. I remember watching out my window all the wind and horizontal rain. Me, my mom, my bro and my grandma left together for Georges while my dad stayed. That was We didn't leave for Isodore, Lili, or Cindi. Cindi was earlier in '05 and gave us alot of trouble with power outages. I actually interviewed for 2 jobs in buildings with no A/C b/c of Cindi (I got one of them!). We weren't going to leave for Katrina, until it got much closer and we saw how HUGE it was getting.

Check out this site:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2005atlan.shtml

Look at the map for '05. Is that outrageous? And then click and look at '06. It's really dumbfounding.

I agree with the previous comments in that it is completely different for me now. Luckily Katrina waited until 3 months after I finished college. I had just started a job and was living at home. My poor brother had just started his senior year of high school. I was lucky enough to be in an extremely flexible point in my life. I was able to go live with my aunt on the west bank and scrape together a little life for myself. I lost everything, but how much of that was really MINE. It was all my parents', and I was not self-reliant. I can't even fathom if I had still been in school and we had to manage all four of us in a camper trailer.

For Gustav, it was a whole new world of emotions for me. I own a house, I have furniture and appliances. I work for a small company. So much could go wrong so quickly. I was holding it together pretty well getting the hospital ready for evac and then getting my house ready. Until my friend from college called and asked how I was doing. I burst into tears. Oi. What on earth was I thinking when I bought a house?!

But we still have WDW to look forward to!

 

[bouncycat]

Ironically enough, I feel safer HERE, but our house is newer, we're not in a major flood zone, etc. We have our OWN house, and not have to rely on the military to get things done, that can be either good or bad LOL But, it's ours, and we have only been thru one "storm" which was fay last year, LOTS of rain, but no flooding on our street, there was places in the neighborhood that flooded, but we're in a pretty BIG neighborhood here. Most of the storms seem to miss us and go north, or go south and into the gulf, when they enter the gulf, it's pretty much over for someone, cause those storms get big QUICK!!! I do not envy ya'll for ya'lls place up there!!! BUT, we're gonna have a nice quiet season, and we'll have WDW to look forward to here soon!!!!!

 

[racefanof88]

I know I've been to Miami and the Keys, but I don't remember much. All I recall is that when we went snorkeling, they tied a rope around my ankle so I couldn't go too far.

The first hurricane I really remember personally is Andrew. I remember watching out my window all the wind and horizontal rain. Me, my mom, my bro and my grandma left together for Georges while my dad stayed. That was We didn't leave for Isodore, Lili, or Cindi. Cindi was earlier in '05 and gave us alot of trouble with power outages. I actually interviewed for 2 jobs in buildings with no A/C b/c of Cindi (I got one of them!). We weren't going to leave for Katrina, until it got much closer and we saw how HUGE it was getting.

Check out this site:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2005atlan.shtml

Look at the map for '05. Is that outrageous? And then click and look at '06. It's really dumbfounding.

I agree with the previous comments in that it is completely different for me now. Luckily Katrina waited until 3 months after I finished college. I had just started a job and was living at home. My poor brother had just started his senior year of high school. I was lucky enough to be in an extremely flexible point in my life. I was able to go live with my aunt on the west bank and scrape together a little life for myself. I lost everything, but how much of that was really MINE. It was all my parents', and I was not self-reliant. I can't even fathom if I had still been in school and we had to manage all four of us in a camper trailer.

For Gustav, it was a whole new world of emotions for me. I own a house, I have furniture and appliances. I work for a small company. So much could go wrong so quickly. I was holding it together pretty well getting the hospital ready for evac and then getting my house ready. Until my friend from college called and asked how I was doing. I burst into tears. Oi. What on earth was I thinking when I bought a house?!

But we still have WDW to look forward to!

It is strange how our priorities change as we get older. That is one reason we don't want to buy a house. Our first house was "The Money Pit" so we got out of it asap. Any plans we make we have to consider our 4 legged family member.

Ironically enough, I feel safer HERE, but our house is newer, we're not in a major flood zone, etc. We have our OWN house, and not have to rely on the military to get things done, that can be either good or bad LOL But, it's ours, and we have only been thru one "storm" which was fay last year, LOTS of rain, but no flooding on our street, there was places in the neighborhood that flooded, but we're in a pretty BIG neighborhood here. Most of the storms seem to miss us and go north, or go south and into the gulf, when they enter the gulf, it's pretty much over for someone, cause those storms get big QUICK!!! I do not envy ya'll for ya'lls place up there!!! BUT, we're gonna have a nice quiet season, and we'll have WDW to look forward to here soon!!!!!

We are lucky to be across the street from the coast guard base. If power goes out we are some of the first to get it back on because of them. We are also in a pretty flood proof zone so that is helpful. I am going to have to take a picture of the helicopter as it flies over my house so I can show you how close they come to my roof. It sounds like they are going to land on my roof.

 

[racefanof88]

my sleeping pill is kicking my but tonight, and I wanted to watch every body loves raymond.

 

[abbadabbadoo]

Just joining in, but I wanted to tell u that I've enjoyed your PTR so far! We are going to be there part of the time you're there -our dates are 9/19-27. Can't wait to read more!

 

[JamieH]

I also remember a time when hurricanes were "excited" and I used to get disappointed when they'd turn and go somewhere else! I grew up on the Westbank just like the PP. I was 7 months pregnant with my son and my DH and I lived with my parents when Katrina hit. DH was getting his MBA from Tulane at the time. Luckily, we have family in Lafayette that we lived with for about 6 weeks until my son was born. My parent's house was flooded and we lived in a FEMA trailer for a couple of months after Hayden was born.

Strangely, I was also 7 months pregnant with my DD last year for Gustav and Ike. My family jokes that I can't get pregnant anymore b/c it causes hurricanes LOL They seriously follow me, it seems ... I live in Morgan City now, which is where Gustav hit. We evacuated to Charlotte where my ILs live; they haven't had a hurricane in years and ironically, Hanna headed that way when we were there ... once we headed back to LA, Ike set his sites. So weird LOL It is completely different once you have your own home and responsibilities. I was so overwhelmed and stressed about having to leave my house, that I didn't really pack up or try to "save" anything ... I grabbed a file of important papers, packed up my computer and left. I had my family with me and that was all that mattered!

 

[racefanof88]

Just joining in, but I wanted to tell u that I've enjoyed your PTR so far! We are going to be there part of the time you're there -our dates are 9/19-27. Can't wait to read more!

Thanks for coming over, and I am glad you are enjoying my PTR. We may run into each other while there. Meets are so much fun .

I also remember a time when hurricanes were "excited" and I used to get disappointed when they'd turn and go somewhere else! I grew up on the Westbank just like the PP. I was 7 months pregnant with my son and my DH and I lived with my parents when Katrina hit. DH was getting his MBA from Tulane at the time. Luckily, we have family in Lafayette that we lived with for about 6 weeks until my son was born. My parent's house was flooded and we lived in a FEMA trailer for a couple of months after Hayden was born.

Strangely, I was also 7 months pregnant with my DD last year for Gustav and Ike. My family jokes that I can't get pregnant anymore b/c it causes hurricanes LOL They seriously follow me, it seems ... I live in Morgan City now, which is where Gustav hit. We evacuated to Charlotte where my ILs live; they haven't had a hurricane in years and ironically, Hanna headed that way when we were there ... once we headed back to LA, Ike set his sites. So weird LOL It is completely different once you have your own home and responsibilities. I was so overwhelmed and stressed about having to leave my house, that I didn't really pack up or try to "save" anything ... I grabbed a file of important papers, packed up my computer and left. I had my family with me and that was all that mattered!

It sounds like they follow you . Bless your heart. We have made it one month without anything so far, I hope it stays that way. It wasn't that long ago we were spared because they were all going up the East coast. I don't wish them on anybody, I just wish they would wonder off in the Atlantic and "poof". When we left for Ivan I walked around taking pictures of everything and I took all my papers with us. The thing that bothers me the most is pictures. There is no way I could pack up and take all of those.

 

[racefanof88]

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT. WE ARE GOING TO DISNEY THIS WEEKEND . I found someone to trade days with me. I traded days with my friend Allison. She is working for me Saturday and I am working for her tomorrow, and another friend is working for me Sunday. Now, I will have to pack when I get home from work tomorrow night and we will pull out at 4am Friday morning. I am still in shock .

 

[jwhtewolfd]

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT. WE ARE GOING TO DISNEY THIS WEEKEND . I found someone to trade days with me. I traded days with my friend Allison. She is working for me Saturday and I am working for her tomorrow, and another friend is working for me Sunday. Now, I will have to pack when I get home from work tomorrow night and we will pull out at 4am Friday morning. I am still in shock .

holy cow! and and

have a great time!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT. WE ARE GOING TO DISNEY THIS WEEKEND . I found someone to trade days with me. I traded days with my friend Allison. She is working for me Saturday and I am working for her tomorrow, and another friend is working for me Sunday. Now, I will have to pack when I get home from work tomorrow night and we will pull out at 4am Friday morning. I am still in shock .

Say it ain't so! You lucky duck you! Are all of you going? How long are you staying? Just the weekend? Where are you staying? Look at me firing off all these questions when you totally don't have time to answer them.

By the way, I was able to change our resort to the CBR for just over $450.00!

 

[racefanof88]

holy cow! and and

have a great time!

Thank you . I called every nurse I knew today at work and of course with it being a holiday no one wanted to work, until I called Allison, I love me some Allison she is so sweet, and I guess being from England the 4th really isn't that big a deal to her.

Say it ain't so! You lucky duck you! Are all of you going? How long are you staying? Just the weekend? Where are you staying? Look at me firing off all these questions when you totally don't have time to answer them.

By the way, I was able to change our resort to the CBR for just over $450.00!

I am jumping up and down like a kangaroo on a pogo stick. I just got all our clothes packed and now all I have to pack is my makeup and stuff and I will do that tomorrow night after I get home from work. It is Dale, Dallas, and I going. We are staying at the Rodeway inn on International Blvd. We have stayed there before and it is an ok place to stay when all you are doing is sleeping and showering. I am still in shock and can't believe we are going back so soon. We are leaving Friday morning at 4 and we will come home Sunday. I have such wonderful family and friends.

 

[bouncycat]

Okay, details, where ya'll staying, ya'll going to the race or just disney? I think we're heading to universal on Sunday, going out in the boat tomorrow. Don't forget to pack your patience, that place gets SUPER packed on the 4th....and over anything else, HAVE FUN!!!!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Lucky dawgs!!!! Have a great weekend!!!!

 

[3princesses+aprince]

Oh, SO AWESOME!!!! Have a blast, can't wait to hear all about it. And when you get back, I started up my pre trip report, come check it out!!!!!!!

Ooooo, you're so lucky!!!

 

[racefanof88]

Okay, details, where ya'll staying, ya'll going to the race or just disney? I think we're heading to universal on Sunday, going out in the boat tomorrow. Don't forget to pack your patience, that place gets SUPER packed on the 4th....and over anything else, HAVE FUN!!!!

I am just so excited . We are staying at the Rodeway Inn on International Drive. I couldn't get a room a value resort on such short notice, but we have stayed at this Rodeway before and it is fine for sleeping. I tried to find someone to come in for me at 3pm today, but I couldn't find anybody. I guess I shouldn't be so greedy, I did get this weekend covered. Dale isn't going to get off till late anyway. As far as plans we are just going to Disney. I haven't looked at the ticket situation for Daytona yet, but Dallas isn't a huge race fan. I hope we have fun. I looked at weather.com to check out temps and it is acutally going to be cooler there than it is here. Y'all have a good time at US. I wish we lived close enough to go every weekend.

Lucky dawgs!!!! Have a great weekend!!!!

Thanks. I sure hope we do. I prolly won't sleep a wink tonight .

Oh, SO AWESOME!!!! Have a blast, can't wait to hear all about it. And when you get back, I started up my pre trip report, come check it out!!!!!!!

Ooooo, you're so lucky!!!

I am going to try and get some DRY pictures.... I will have a mini trip report to do when we get back!! I will go check your PTR out.

 

[racefanof88]

The car is packed, the reservation confirmed and ONE change made. We will have an extra guest..........................................................................

Yep, I added him to the hotel ressie at Rodeway ($10 a night and booked him a day only kennel at DHS for 2 days). I knew Dale wouldn't leave without him . I wish we could have left tonight, but Dale and I were both tired after work today so we probably wouldn't have gotten but a couple of hours under our belts anyway. On the way home I stopped at Winn-Dixie and picked up some snacks and Gatorade(yuck) for the trip.


I looked into the Dessert buffet at MK and was at the price. The cost of $17.99 each, for the three of us, for dessert was just more than I felt like I wanted to spend.

So, I am trying to get sleepy and I'm not EVEN a least bit sleepy. I don't want to take a sleeping pill because I am getting up at 3am. Hmmmmmmmmm maybe a benadryl. I don't want to over sleep.

 

[3princesses+aprince]

Oh, man I am so excited for you guys. LOVE the pic of the dog!!!! Have a wonderful time, hope you're getting some sleep!

 

[bouncycat]

Ya'll have fun!!! Take some better DRYER pictures!!! Should only be scattered storms, and tomorrow is the better of the 2 days...so ENJOY!!