We Are The Littles

Gabe left today to go make us money.  We are so sad. Even one of our neighbors was sad for us today when she watched Gabe say bye to the boys at the bus stop.  We were so busy this time off, but as always, we had a great time. I am especially happy that we had a family weekend and sendoff before he left. Papa and Weezer and Aunt Omega came into town. We all went to see Savannah perform in The Little Mermaid. It was funny and she did great! Yesterday, she was even singled out to pose for a journalism student’s project. We were honored to sit out in the Explorer and wait for her as she had her photo shoot outside on the hood of a car. Okay, you are probably wondering as we did, What is a mermaid doing on a car? Well, that was the photographer’s vision. And in case you were wondering, the photographer was a girl. Hope that does NOT add more fuel to the fire (haha).  My other thought was, if they were going to pick a car, why a Honda Civic? I digress. Anyway, we had a great weekend with the family filled with a lot of food, as only we can do it.  I was especially happy to take Weezer to the mecca of grocery stores, HEB.  For those of you unfamiliar with the store, one day I will take you on a photo tour and show you why it is all that.  Sunday we had a HUGE breakfast that included Omega’s famous home styled potatoes and signature pancakes (big and thick!).  Sunday, Savannah left us to go act and we went to the park, while the Cowboys were getting it handed to them. Gabe and the boys pretended to be MLB stars and Gabby and I were the cheerleaders.

Anyway, that is a glimpse of our days. Now, my best friend is gone, and once again, the house is not the same.  It is going to be a LONG six weeks, but Gabe and I are having a running contest, so that should help time fly. It will also help our waistlines, especially since we ate Tres Leches all weekend like there was no tomorrow. I want to try to lose enough weight so he notices a difference when he returns and has to buy me a new wardrobe. He now has his new home gym in Nigeria already assembled and waiting for him. I have my new treadmill (thanks again, baby!). It is going to be ironic when I beat him using the gift he bought me. And I am bringing it!

Gabe will put up pics and video from the play as soon as he is settled, but don’t tell Savannah or she will kill us! I will also be keeping everyone updated with pictures, stories, and videos, while I keep Gabe in the know when he is away.

Okay, so many of you know that I almost did not leave my wonderful H-town during the hurricane warning.  I was like, yeah, yeah, been there, done that, own the Rita t-shirt. BUT, after much persuasion from my in laws, I decided it was the thing to do. Besides, electricity is worth the drive.

My friends and neighbors chose to stay behind. If is was not for them, I would not have had so much foresight on what to expect and do before we came back home.  My wonderful friend and neighbor,Susan, kept me updated on the whole situation, plus watched over our home. My friend, Laura, cleaned out my refrigerator for me! It was sparkling clean when I came back home. Everyone informed me what was for real on the news and what to do for sure before coming back home. Weezer and Papa took great care of all us while we took refuge in their home. All in all, we were very lucky. Others, weren’t.

Coming back home, I was not sure what to expect other than to be sure to fill up hours outside of Houston, because gas is scarce here. Also, to buy groceries, because most stores are stilled closed, and if they are not, then they sell out quickly.  I guess Weezer said it best when she said how it was hard to believe how such a big city could be made immobile. Then, my friend, Linda E, said another best, that next to electricty, gas and groceries were a hot commodity.

Here are some videos that Savannah took while we came in. Video One is of two lines (North Bound and South Bound) of utility workers in a caravan on the Sam Houston Tollway. Video Two is some of what we encountered driving near our subdivision; gas lines (Chevron), packed restaurants (Johnny Carino’s) and closures (McDonald’s). While our area did not suffer as greatly as Galveston, it sure took a beating. Trees were uprooted. Roofs torn off. Fences blown into other yards (our back fence fell and some shingles stripped from our roof). I went running today and saw pile after pile of debris lined up  around the neighborhood yards. I have never seen anything like it. Like with Rita, I will never forget the grid lock on the highway and the chaos and mad panic at the grocery stores.  Ike will hold new memories.  Like encountering signs on I-45S saying that the town had no gas or food, move on. This time, I came in and saw areas pitch dark spotted with areas of light, just to hit more areas stretched out into the darkness. Normally when I drive into Houston, all I see are bright lights. I will also remember seeing lines of cars stretched out for a mile into the streets  just waiting to gas up.  I will also remember seeing giants closed, like McDonald’s and Wal-Mart, and unusually packed restaurants that reopened, like Burger King and Denny’s, with lines and jammed parking lots, people just waiting to get some food, any food.  I saw all of this driving in on a Tuesday night.

I will also remember that the people of Houston once again all pulled together to help each other out and that today on my run, people were going out of their way to say hi to everyone.

So tomorrow, I will venture out with my hubby to see if we can buy some food at a recently opened HEB. We are working on slim pickings at the house. We have no meat! Slowly, but surely, businesses are reopening. People are starting to trickle into work. Most ISDs are out until next week. My kids see this as an adventure, as many others do.  As I write this, 1.3 million people are still without electricity, with no assurances of having it turned on any time soon. Gas is at a reasonable price, considering.  The Dallas Cowboys are 2-0. And my hubby is on his way home!

God Bless Texas!

Justin and I are back home. He had a great stay with Weezer and PaPa. He even picked up a new addition to the family. It is nice to know your children are paying attention to your parenting skills and growing up right! Look at Justin’s new Build-A-Bear friend! He is our POTD. Presenting Rocky Little II…