Aftermath of Hurricane Ike

Well...we were supposed to rent a beach house on Boliver Peninsula last weekend, since it was the first weekend of the winter rates. B-U-T...I forgot that it was supposed to be this past weekend that we were going to go, and I booked us to go to Lockhart instead. I'm sure glad we went to Lockhart instead. Everything was just nice in Lockhart. We really enjoyed the trip. Good thing we didn't go to Boliver - it was located on the "dirty" side of the Hurricane. Notice I used past tense there. Boliver has been destroyed. Nothing remains of the Peninsula. Nothing.

So, Jeff and I get home Sunday from our trip to Lockhart, and we stop at the airport on the way so Jeff can check in with his co-workers. As we drove down FM 529 towards home, it looks as if a tornado swept across the area. Shingles torn off of roofs, fences down, trees uprooted, tree limbs down, power lines down, poles snapped in half, signs either ripped completely off, bent or snapped, and no electricity.

As we entered the house, we immediately noticed a moldy, mildewy smell. The carpet in the front entry way was soaking wet, as was the carpet in the master bedroom. Our fence no longer exists, and the swing in the backyard was destroyed.

I've already ripped up the carpet in the master bedroom. I just have to find a way to get it outside the house. Next will be the carpet in the den. We'll have to get the fence repaired as well. I'm almost thinking that if Mom and David come over, then Jeff and David could work on the fence while Mom and I work on the floor in the bedroom. I don't know where everyone would sleep though. Unless by the end of the first day, Mom and I could get the floor set enough to bring in the airbed for Jeff and I to sleep on in the master bedroom that night. Right now we are sleeping out of the front bedroom.

We've wanted new floors for some time now, and I've already picked out the floor that I want. I've filed a claim with the homeowner's insurance and with FEMA, so I'm hoping to hear from either or both of them here soon to help with the funds of buying the supplies. I'm sure we could afford the supplies, but if we don't need to pay for them...

Hurricanes

So here I am, sitting in a Best Western Hotel in Lockhart, Texas. Hurricane Ike came ashore early this morning in Galveston and is currently travelling up I-45 and will likely end up somewhere in Michigan before it's all said and done. Jeff's sister and her boyfriend fled Texas City on Thursday and came over to our house. They decided to stay there in Katy while we left for Lockhart. I would call them to see how they are and how the house is but we both forgot our phones when we left. I can send text messages via email, so I've been keeping in contact with Mom and David throughout the trip to make sure they are fine. Mom rode out the storm with Mama, and David rode out the storm at home. I don't remember Mendy's cell number or else I would text her too.

I have to say though, I think we picked a really nice place to go to. There's a crapload of bbq restaurants and steakhouses here in the area, and the hotel we are staying in is VERY nice!

I just wish I knew better about the house...I don't have flood insurance, and am surrounded by bayous on 3 sides. We'll know on Sunday, when we start to head home.