Getting Back to Normal
Our power was restored Tuesday. Yay! County is coming through the neighborhoods cleaning up debris and fixing the traffic lights. Our roof will survive. Jeff's parents had some roof damage and just got their power on last night. It's just so messy up here. I'm sick of looking at dead trees, busted signs and my computer at work not working because of all the phone and power issues. Wahh!
Our vacation is booked and we are planning our days. We can't wait to get out of town.
I'm sending good moving vibes to the Hollands. I'm sure they would prefer a truck, though.
Nasty
The county came through our neighborhood and advised us not to shower or use our toilets. The lift station was without power which was causing the sewer to back up and all our nasty sewage was backing up and could come out through the toilets and showers. Nasty!
There is a leak in the roof by the skylight and we cleaned up lots of debris and broken limbs and branches. There were a few we were going to call a tree service to remove. Let's just say they're not a problem anymore. Bud is on a burning spree. He was at our house loading up his truck with our yard waste and our neighbors.
Jeff and I just look at it as it's just our turn. Through the last two hurricanes we did fine, it was about time we had some damage and loose power. We had to evacuate Cavanaugh to my sistes place. It was just to hot for him in the house.
Until next time!
Jeanne
We had no time to really think about Charley, but it was enough to not make us want another hurricane for a while. Frances was just a big four day pain in the ass, Ivan was a non issue and now we have Jeanne.
As of last night, Jeanne was supposed to hit Daytona and move up the east coast towards the Carolinas. I know this because Jeff and I were at PR's (the best hole in the wall Mexican restaurant) with some friends sipping drinky drinks and watched local coverage. My sister calls me this morning and tells me to turn on the TV to hear the latest. After I laughed hysterically because we still are waiting for the cable guy to show up to turn on our cable which should be today, but guess what. Jeanne made a left and decided to visit Disney. So tonight we are going to be hit by a category 2 hurricane.
Again, Orlando is in a panic. Jeff and I already filled up our cars last night and made one last stop at the store so we are set. The gas stations are out and there have been reported four hour wait times to get into Home Depot and Publix. Jeff is over Meg's house right now doing the best they can to secure what is left of her roof. She sustained damage from Charley and last week a roofer was able to come and check out the damage and give her an estimate. After her report, Jeff's dad went over and found even more damage. Her roof is ready to collapse and take a wall with it. So yesterday and today Bud, Jeff and Meg have been laying tar paper and smearing tar over loose shingles and soft spots to keep water out of the house. The roof is already trash, they are now just trying to save her home. She just bought it in January. After all this is said and done, we are all going to re-roof her home and tear out the damaged wall in her guest room and put up new dry wall.
I was also supposed to get the final furniture delivery from American Signature today. Along with getting the cable turned on, I highly doubt it will happen. I gave the dog a bath and am getting all the laundry and dishes done. When Jeff gets home we'll move stuff around in the garage to make room for my car and then take his car to his parents. He has gap insurance and they have no large trees near their garage.
Wish us luck tonight and tomorrow! I will blog an update as soon as I can!
Ps. Be safe on the road Chris and Christina! Call us and good luck Christina!
A Nice Weekend
See, I promised you a happy blog.
Jeff and I drove down to St Pete for Christopher's birthday and Christina's farewell bash. I must say, we had a great time.
Saturday night was all about laughing, having a few brews and catching up. We wanted to make a trip to the past when Chris and Jeff played "You Steal My Sunshine". A song that will make Christina crazy because it reminds her of a drunk weekend driving us to Taco Bell (the one with the bad drive-thru) and Chris writing Pooky on the car 's windshield while we sand a very bad and off key Happy Birthday to Mrs. Holland.
We had the great pleasure of participating in 1905 Day at the Columbia restaurant on the Pier. A day where they have a delicious menu where all the prices went back to the original 1905 price (the year Columbia opened). We had a great meal and a great time with Jyotika (is that how you spell it?), Tim and Teresa, Chris and Christina and Jeff. Good eating. Very good eating. My tummy is still full.
We said our farewell to Christina. We'll see her again in November and we are planning a trip in January. It was sad. Jeff and I hate to see them go. We have had lots of good times. Maybe more for Jeff since they went to college together. Chris will visit Orlando in a few weeks and we'll make a few trips down before he leaves. Good thing Austin isn't too far. What about the Stanfords!!!
We close on the old house tomorrow. This will end our empire. We are for the most part settled in. The new house is great. We love it here. The boys are happy. Cavanaugh loves the wood floors and Larry loves the back porch. That is the closest he will ever get to the real outside.
The dog just farted. I think I should go.
My Family and Stuff
Jeff and stopped by the old house tonight to pick up a garbage can. We could tell his parents were there. The house is clean and the remaining stuff is packed. You can't stop them! That's my family.
We survived Frances just fine. No damage to either house. Just three days of super heavy rain and strong winds. We braved it Saturday night by driving to the old house for frozen crab cakes. As long as we still had power, we wanted hot food, but left all the fridge stuff at the old place because the new house had a greater chance of loosing power. The trip wasn't all selfish, we saved a turtle on the way home. On Monday we were peer pressured by our new neighbors to clean up our yard debris.
The new house is pretty much set up. I mean, what do you do when you're shut in for a four day weekend? We close on the 15th, just in time for Ivan to hit. I just don't understand what the deal is with us moving and freaking hurricanes? I can't complain. I had a customer at the bank who had their power return last Thursday from Charley, only to loose it Saturday from Frances, and still doesn't have it on.
I'm really hoping Ivan decides to steer clear of Florida. We have had our fill of peanut butter and worries. If either house gets damaged, we are looking at paying about $7000.00 in insurance deductibles. We just want to unload the old house before hurricane Z.
Jeff and I need to get drunk, bad. We're sick of moving expenses, moving between hurricanes, poopy pets who poop all over your new hard wood floors and lack of sleep. WAHH!!!!
The next blog will be a fun one. I promise. Please send us good weather vibes.