IKE PART 5

Mom's power was turned on, and her water pressure returned to normal yesterday, thank the Lord.  My babies had a hot meal and a hot bath!  I did the right thing having them stay with my mom.  Pops wanted them to stay home and ride the storm out!  I am glad that I went with my gut (and my heart).  My mom may not be at her best, but she loves her grandchildren!  She'll do anything she can to take care of them. She prayed for those lights to come on, and they turned ON!!!! LOL

Our home still doesn't have power.  However, the back end of the community has power, so I expect that, if not tonight, the power will be on tomorrow.  The girls don't have to go back to school until Thursday, or until the power is restored to the building.  I have gas, though, water, and HOT water, so I can bathe and cook.  I'm happy.

One of the guys who maintains the subdivision went around surveying the damages.  They are going to get this place back into shape in no time.  I cannot put into words how nice this area that I live in is.  And I am grateful, because this is just the kind of place we needed to be in.  We aren't ready for our own house yet, but this neighborhood offers all of the comforts of a home, with apartment-like amenities (maintenance crew, etc.).  It truly was a blessing for us to get in here.

It's still a "free" day at work.  We can use the computer, park on the third level, etc.  I am off tomorrow and Wednesday, though, so things will probably return to normal when I get back. 

I am very impressed with the way the city of Houston has, and is handling the storm's aftermath.  There is NONE of the chaos and confusion that you saw with Katrina.  All operations are organized, and everyone involved knows what is going on.  There are hundreds of utility trucks that have been sent in to the area to help put the power back on, and clear storm debris.  The governor, mayor, senators and city council had to get FEMA's mind right!!!! LOL  And they are NOT putting up with busybody journalists and drama-queen politicians who attempt to make more of unfortunate isolated incidents then need be.  Mayor White is a good leader.  With all of the responsibility that he has to shoulder, he handles it very, very well.  I am always hearing him encouraging his citizens to be patient and courteous on the TV and the radio, and it seems to be working, because everyone here seems to be calm and levelheaded.  There are a few folks who are losing patience and flipping their lids, but nothing like what happened in New Orleans.  The people of Texas enjoy a blessed existence; there is wealth here, with few signs of depravity.  A native New Orleanian is acquainted with depravity all too well.

I was also impressed with the way that Airport Operations had taken care of this airport during the storm.  They maintained this place as they would have if it were their own home.  Everyone is walking around here looking all scraggly and crazy, LOL, but they managed to protect their, and our, livelihood.  

There is major devastation here that cannot be ignored.  FEMA finally rolled in with supplies, and other agencies, such as the Red Cross, faith-based organizations (CHUCH (church), LOL) and residents that are able to help organized themselves to assist in the relief effort.   It will take months, maybe even years, for the coastal cities to rebound, but Texans are a resilient people; I am more than certain that they will.

Adrian