As everyone knows, fall is a season that doesn't really exist in Houston. The leaves don't really change colors. They apparently don't grow pumpkins much around here. The high temps drop from the 90's to the 80's which is a pleasant change. And there's football!
I determined that since I wouldn't see the leaves change, I would buy fake fall leaves and tons of decorations to make it feel as much like autumn as possible. Lots of giant plastic pumpkins and scarecrows. I finally found some real mums after looking around, but I got some silk ones to supplement them too.
Penn State football has been pretty exciting so far this year. We are undefeated so far, and we have a schedule that makes it at least possible to go undefeated the rest of the year. We have a quarterback we can finally get excited about, and an explosive offensive line. We are currently sitting at #6, a good place to be. My second favorite team, the Texas Longhorns, are at #5. But there are a lot of Big 12 teams near the top of the list and they will have to play each other eventually, which could push us even further up if we keep winning.
Back to work for me. Not looking forward to Mike being out of town on business all week this week.
9/29/2008
9/26/2008
TGIF
This is what I wish I could do today. I stayed up much too late last night watching the Oregon State Beavers beat up on #1 USC. Why would I care? Because a couple weeks ago Penn State made those same Beavers look like a junior varsity football team. So what does that mean? That Penn State needs to be taken seriously.
Mike got over 500 comments on his blog during that game, a non-PSU game, on a post about the Oregon State game that he didn't even write.
So no economic bailout yet. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. I just want to have the debate. I want the candidates to talk about the issues.
The Fort Bend county fair is on right now, so I'm hoping we can go tomorrow. The Penn State game doesn't start till 7pm but Mike likes to watch ALL the football games on Saturdays. So we'll see.
Mike got over 500 comments on his blog during that game, a non-PSU game, on a post about the Oregon State game that he didn't even write.
So no economic bailout yet. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. I just want to have the debate. I want the candidates to talk about the issues.
The Fort Bend county fair is on right now, so I'm hoping we can go tomorrow. The Penn State game doesn't start till 7pm but Mike likes to watch ALL the football games on Saturdays. So we'll see.
9/23/2008
Teething
I don't remember teething being such a problem for Nathan. Poor Alex just seems to be in so much pain sometimes. Like today, when I attempted to have lunch at La Finca with some Moxie Moms. After taking the kids for a haircut and a big grocery trip. And not giving Alex a nap because I'm trying to shift him to one nap. Yeah, see it building to critical mass?
I can't remember the last time I had to leave a restaurant or event immediately due to a screaming child. He was fine right up until my our food arrived, of course. Nathan didn't touch his lunch, I scarfed down three bites while trying to find something...anything to pacify Alex. Speaking of pacifiers....I suppose a binky might have helped in this situation. Alex didn't touch his enchilada either. Hey, at least we consumed our drinks. There was no time to wait for to-go boxes either, barely enough time to pay my check and bolt. Thank goodness we were in a private room, and it was all moms of small children. They know!
Yesterday was not much better. It was Alex's first day of daycare, and of course he also had a doctor's appointment in the morning, with four shots. Then after the shots when I took him to school, suddenly the desk girl tries to tell me they don't do part-time for his age group. I believe she honestly expected me to say "Ok, no problem." We had a big argument wherein I explained my position after being on the waiting list there for two months. In the end they let me go part-time but at a much higher rate than I was quoted. Bad business. If it weren't so incredibly convenient I'd pull both kids out.
But Alex did fine, I watched him nap on the little webcam. Of course he burst into tears when I came to pick him up, just to let me know he was ticked off. Who knows, maybe his teeth were bugging him then too...he does a lot of biting my shoulder these days.
I can't remember the last time I had to leave a restaurant or event immediately due to a screaming child. He was fine right up until my our food arrived, of course. Nathan didn't touch his lunch, I scarfed down three bites while trying to find something...anything to pacify Alex. Speaking of pacifiers....I suppose a binky might have helped in this situation. Alex didn't touch his enchilada either. Hey, at least we consumed our drinks. There was no time to wait for to-go boxes either, barely enough time to pay my check and bolt. Thank goodness we were in a private room, and it was all moms of small children. They know!
Yesterday was not much better. It was Alex's first day of daycare, and of course he also had a doctor's appointment in the morning, with four shots. Then after the shots when I took him to school, suddenly the desk girl tries to tell me they don't do part-time for his age group. I believe she honestly expected me to say "Ok, no problem." We had a big argument wherein I explained my position after being on the waiting list there for two months. In the end they let me go part-time but at a much higher rate than I was quoted. Bad business. If it weren't so incredibly convenient I'd pull both kids out.
But Alex did fine, I watched him nap on the little webcam. Of course he burst into tears when I came to pick him up, just to let me know he was ticked off. Who knows, maybe his teeth were bugging him then too...he does a lot of biting my shoulder these days.
9/21/2008
Sunrise over the Bayou
Hope is dawning in Houston this morning. Our church decided to put together a Community Worship service at the YMCA, inviting all the dozen or more local churches who hold their regular services at Katy ISD schools, which are closed this week. One of the other churches I was thinking of visitng meets at a high school right now, but I don't know if anyone from that church attended our service this morning. If they did I'm sure they were a bit out of place, considering the church we visit now has a rock band for a worship team. The church we were considering trying is the very traditional type. I vastly prefer the rock style worship but I also want the message to have some meat. So far I've been impressed.
My point is, worship this morning was amazing. We were asked to bring food for Katy Christian Ministries, since food pantrys all over the city are going bare due to so many folks and grocery stores with no power. We were also asked to give blood at a mobile unit parked outside. I still haven't done this, and I admit it's because I'm a big chicken. It's terrible, I know. We were also asked to sign up for one or more of many opportunties to serve the community during the hurricane recovery process. I hope I can somehow help.
This disaster has turned everyone's plans and priorities upside down. Everyone is reminded suddenly of what's important in life. I only hope that I can have conversations that count, and that I can love people until they ask me why.
My point is, worship this morning was amazing. We were asked to bring food for Katy Christian Ministries, since food pantrys all over the city are going bare due to so many folks and grocery stores with no power. We were also asked to give blood at a mobile unit parked outside. I still haven't done this, and I admit it's because I'm a big chicken. It's terrible, I know. We were also asked to sign up for one or more of many opportunties to serve the community during the hurricane recovery process. I hope I can somehow help.
This disaster has turned everyone's plans and priorities upside down. Everyone is reminded suddenly of what's important in life. I only hope that I can have conversations that count, and that I can love people until they ask me why.
9/20/2008
Small World
So it seems this week I have discovered not one, but TWO (unrelated) people with whom I have some sort of internet connection live in my neighborhood. I'm talking, within a very short walk of my house. Yes it's a little strange. When we first moved here I learned that one of my sales reps lives in my 'hood too. I guess I chose a VERY popular place to live. Funny considering how many people on the Houston relocation forums continually bash south Katy for its "soul-crushing sameness". I guess some people prefer the ghetto.
Also this week I have spent a good deal of time with the neighbors and gotten to know them better. I'm starting to see who I relate to and who I might not. But they are all super friendly. We have a fantastic block.
Also this week I have spent a good deal of time with the neighbors and gotten to know them better. I'm starting to see who I relate to and who I might not. But they are all super friendly. We have a fantastic block.
9/19/2008
Canine Evacuees
These are two of our adorable guests during Ike. Power is slooooowly being restored to the Houston area, but there are still about 900,000 people in the dark. Walking around my block I see many roofs already being replaced. Mike says downtown Houston looks terrible, with huge signs laying across roads and sidewalks and windows blown out all over. His building is good, no visible damage and power is on. The Galleria mall is open, which makes me really want to go shopping this weekend.
Today I'm bringing cupcakes and balloons to Nathan's class, which still only has about half the kids in attendence. Tonight our neighborhood is having a big post-hurricane block party in the culdesac where we will roast marshmellows over a fire pit and I'm bringing buffalo chicken dip, yum. I intend to take many photos and give out my email address so neighbors who want copies can email me.
Only four weeks till my annual wastewater conference, when I go to Chicago. It's possibly my favorite and most tiring time of the year, and I missed it last year because of Alex's birth. This year I have to sit through a whole bunch of extra meetings because I was elected to the governing body of my trade organization. And I have to give yet another technical presentation, which is high pressure. And as usual I get to play hostess to one of the coolest parties of the week, the annual Young Professionals reception at a local brewery. Hopefully this year the bartender won't spill beer on my super expensive camera.
Today I'm bringing cupcakes and balloons to Nathan's class, which still only has about half the kids in attendence. Tonight our neighborhood is having a big post-hurricane block party in the culdesac where we will roast marshmellows over a fire pit and I'm bringing buffalo chicken dip, yum. I intend to take many photos and give out my email address so neighbors who want copies can email me.
Only four weeks till my annual wastewater conference, when I go to Chicago. It's possibly my favorite and most tiring time of the year, and I missed it last year because of Alex's birth. This year I have to sit through a whole bunch of extra meetings because I was elected to the governing body of my trade organization. And I have to give yet another technical presentation, which is high pressure. And as usual I get to play hostess to one of the coolest parties of the week, the annual Young Professionals reception at a local brewery. Hopefully this year the bartender won't spill beer on my super expensive camera.
9/17/2008
Houston Is a Mess
Ok so you may not be able to read this map, but the areas in red are the places still without power, five days after Hurricane Ike hit. Yes, that's 1.37 million people, or 61% of the greater Houston area. Even in my zipcode, which handled the storm better than other older neighborhoods, 14% of people are still without power. Thank God for cooler temperatures this week, otherwise things would be much worse. FEMA is trying to help people out, with Points of Distribution all over the area for people to pick up a little bit of food, water, and ice. A few grocery stores and resturants are opening up and getting some food. Our stupid network TV stations are still not showing normal programming, except NBC last night showed some primetime TV including the Biggest Loser, thank goodness. I guess it's mainly because people need to know where to go to find help, and the TV stations are simulcast on the radio, which is how we survived during our power outage. It's how we had any idea where the eye of the storm was, etc.
I guess the financial markets are collapsing at the moment too, but right now we aren't paying much attention to that. My church has opened its doors every afternoon for people without power and I'm thinking of going over there to help cook and serve, etc. Our friends who stayed with us for several days did finally get power back to their homes, so that's wonderful. I really hope FEMA will help them pay their deductible for all their damage, but I don't know.
Oh, and I found another very tiny snake in our garage yesterday, but it was stuck to another glue trap and already dead.
9/15/2008
Hunkering Down By Candlelight
Well, not anymore thank goodness. Life is still not normal here and I don't think it will be for quite some time. Even though we were spared of damage or long power outages, all around us it is a disaster area and so many we know and don't know are affected. It breaks my heart and makes me eager to help anyone I can.
Schools here are still closed tomorrow. Not sure about Mike's office yet. My grandparents yard is a mess but their house is intact. Mike's cousin Vicki's apartment is mostly ok and her power is back on so she and her two friends went home today. Her friends (now ours too I guess!) don't have power yet and may not get it for weeks because of a specific local problem. I hope they get it fixed fast. They seem pretty upset about losing all their super tall trees too. Oh and Vicki may not have a job for quite some time, her hospital sustained major damage. Another mom I know near me lost a big portion of her roof and has a lot of water damage.
It's a mess everywhere you look here. Parts of the Bolivar peninsula and Galveston island were just wiped clean, all that you can see left are the stilts where the houses once stood, there isn't even any wreckage left. People are desperate for food, water, ice and fuel. Pray for the Houston area, we need it.
Schools here are still closed tomorrow. Not sure about Mike's office yet. My grandparents yard is a mess but their house is intact. Mike's cousin Vicki's apartment is mostly ok and her power is back on so she and her two friends went home today. Her friends (now ours too I guess!) don't have power yet and may not get it for weeks because of a specific local problem. I hope they get it fixed fast. They seem pretty upset about losing all their super tall trees too. Oh and Vicki may not have a job for quite some time, her hospital sustained major damage. Another mom I know near me lost a big portion of her roof and has a lot of water damage.
It's a mess everywhere you look here. Parts of the Bolivar peninsula and Galveston island were just wiped clean, all that you can see left are the stilts where the houses once stood, there isn't even any wreckage left. People are desperate for food, water, ice and fuel. Pray for the Houston area, we need it.
9/14/2008
The Aftermath
This was the sunset on Friday evening as Hurricane Ike was rolling in. When this was taken Ike was still a good 100 miles offshore but we were getting a pleasant steady breeze with some high gusts. You can see some video and other photos in my Flickr stream. We did take in three evacuees from the coast along with their four dogs and one cat. We enjoyed ourselves for awhile, had a nice dinner and watching the eternal news coverage which preempted everything on TV. The news coverage has now been on the networks for at least 96 hours I think. It's getting tiring.
Anyway our power flickered a few times through the evening, and then went out entirely around 9 or 10 pm. The kids slept through most of it, except for Nathan who woke up for a little while mainly from seeing all the transformers blowing constantly which looked like lightning. We slept the kids in our room, Alex in the closet and Nathan on the floor. It got pretty hot in the house pretty quickly, and noisy. The wind pounded on the front of the house, ratting all the exhaust vents in the bathrooms and over the stove, whistling through cracks around the front door, and whooshing down the chimney. We actually didn't get rain for a long time because we were on the "clean side" of the storm, with it tracking slightly east of us. But the rain came and the transformers continued to light up the sky.
I would sleep for an hour or two and then a power surge would go through the lines and turn everything on for a split second, just long enough to make the security system beep, the cell phone chargers beep, and the ceiling fans turn around once. That would wake everybody up. Happened two or three times.
In the morning when the sun came up the wind died down a little but we still had to keep our animals inside. We were all a sweaty mess. One of our guests drove back to his house to find many large trees down in his yard, thankfully not on the house, and a bit of water in the dining room.
The wind finally stopped in the afternoon and we could open some windows to get some crossbreezes, but the humidity was still gross. When the rain stopped we went out for a walk to survey the house and neighborhood. Our house was great, only one window screen popped out. A few neighbors lost small trees and fence pieces, and a lot of roof shingles. We were fortunate. The power came back on around 6pm and we all rejoiced. The girls decided to spend another night with us since it was unlikely either of them had power. We all slept comfortably, although we were rocked by violent lightning storms and heavy rain from 4am till after sunrise. Some streets that weren't flooded yesterday are today because of all the rain overnight. Our mall is supposedly open so we might head out a little later, just to get out. I still have a lot of birthday presents to buy before a certain boy turns four on Tuesday.
Anyway our power flickered a few times through the evening, and then went out entirely around 9 or 10 pm. The kids slept through most of it, except for Nathan who woke up for a little while mainly from seeing all the transformers blowing constantly which looked like lightning. We slept the kids in our room, Alex in the closet and Nathan on the floor. It got pretty hot in the house pretty quickly, and noisy. The wind pounded on the front of the house, ratting all the exhaust vents in the bathrooms and over the stove, whistling through cracks around the front door, and whooshing down the chimney. We actually didn't get rain for a long time because we were on the "clean side" of the storm, with it tracking slightly east of us. But the rain came and the transformers continued to light up the sky.
I would sleep for an hour or two and then a power surge would go through the lines and turn everything on for a split second, just long enough to make the security system beep, the cell phone chargers beep, and the ceiling fans turn around once. That would wake everybody up. Happened two or three times.
In the morning when the sun came up the wind died down a little but we still had to keep our animals inside. We were all a sweaty mess. One of our guests drove back to his house to find many large trees down in his yard, thankfully not on the house, and a bit of water in the dining room.
The wind finally stopped in the afternoon and we could open some windows to get some crossbreezes, but the humidity was still gross. When the rain stopped we went out for a walk to survey the house and neighborhood. Our house was great, only one window screen popped out. A few neighbors lost small trees and fence pieces, and a lot of roof shingles. We were fortunate. The power came back on around 6pm and we all rejoiced. The girls decided to spend another night with us since it was unlikely either of them had power. We all slept comfortably, although we were rocked by violent lightning storms and heavy rain from 4am till after sunrise. Some streets that weren't flooded yesterday are today because of all the rain overnight. Our mall is supposedly open so we might head out a little later, just to get out. I still have a lot of birthday presents to buy before a certain boy turns four on Tuesday.
9/12/2008
Hurricane Ike, 100 miles from landfall
Hurricane Ike, 100 miles from landfall
Originally uploaded by Mainline Mom
9/11/2008
FYI
OK, so for those of you wanting to know, here's our plan. We have our hurricane survival kit and have chosen to "shelter in place" as they say. (We're learning all these common phrases around here. The city officials have issued mandatory evacuations for the coastline, but we are in a non-evacuation zone. In order to keep the highways clear for the coastal folks who are in danger of the storm surge, they want everybody else to stay put. This being our third hurricane threat since we moved here, we are already very stocked on water. We have flashtlights and candles and all sorts of things. We have moved all of our patio furniture, sandbox, grill, and both cars inside.
A couple of our neighbors have boarded up their windows, but they say it's really nothing to worry about, we never even lose power. We are hoping Mike's cousin and her pregnant friend will come from the coast and stay with us.
If we should lose power for a long time, we might drive to Dallas and stay at my aunt's house, even though my aunt isn't there right now. No AC in this heat could be bad.
So there ya go! They are predicting 85-110 mph winds in our town. We hope our double paned windows will hold up. We shall see.
A couple of our neighbors have boarded up their windows, but they say it's really nothing to worry about, we never even lose power. We are hoping Mike's cousin and her pregnant friend will come from the coast and stay with us.
If we should lose power for a long time, we might drive to Dallas and stay at my aunt's house, even though my aunt isn't there right now. No AC in this heat could be bad.
So there ya go! They are predicting 85-110 mph winds in our town. We hope our double paned windows will hold up. We shall see.
9/09/2008
Pepper likes it.
Hey guess what people? This here is my blog. See over there where my picture is and my name? Yep. And ya can't come here and slam my political positions, religious affiliations, and overall integrity and expect not to be banned. So I have turned on comment moderation for awhile anyway. Sorry for all my friends out there who believe in Santa Clause and otherwise :)
In the meantime, it appears the Hurricane Ike may just miss us, which puts us 0 for 3 on hurricanes headed our way this year. Maybe we'll get a little rain this time since we will be on the "dirty" side of the storm. Our grass is lookin' brown and my brilliant husband decided to leave our hoses and sprinklers in Pennsylvania. Which is fine except he hasn't gotten new ones yet. The previous homeowners were not big on yard maintenance and I have a pile of weeds and overgrown bushes that prove it. I did a bit of pruning yesterday but I haven't found my hedge clippers among the boxes yet and also I'm nervous about wildlife hanging out in my shrubs :)
Looking forward to starting a new ladies Bible study this evening. Sounds like a good book about SEX. Hehe.
In the meantime, it appears the Hurricane Ike may just miss us, which puts us 0 for 3 on hurricanes headed our way this year. Maybe we'll get a little rain this time since we will be on the "dirty" side of the storm. Our grass is lookin' brown and my brilliant husband decided to leave our hoses and sprinklers in Pennsylvania. Which is fine except he hasn't gotten new ones yet. The previous homeowners were not big on yard maintenance and I have a pile of weeds and overgrown bushes that prove it. I did a bit of pruning yesterday but I haven't found my hedge clippers among the boxes yet and also I'm nervous about wildlife hanging out in my shrubs :)
Looking forward to starting a new ladies Bible study this evening. Sounds like a good book about SEX. Hehe.
9/06/2008
The Bonds of Cyberspace
This story grabbed me this morning, took hold of me and would not let go. As I sat pouring through the story and blog of Stephanie Nielson, I find myself moved. That connections between people who have never met can run so deep. That a woman can celebrate life and motherhood in an uplifting way and bless others deeply by it. And that our world is so small and interrelated and the internet is making that more clear every day.
I've had a tough time this week dealing with the nastiness being spread around the internet regarding the Presidential election. I realize people are passionate about their candidates, their positions. People believe they are right and the other side is completely clueless. Therein lies the rub...people on both sides of the aisle are allowing themselves to become so narrow-minded as to honestly believe that people on the other side are just flaming idiots, selfish and ignorant, with the IQs of Mike Tyson. Then the mudslinging begins. The shame of it is, people I previously had great respect for, irregardless of their political views, have been reduced to snarky ugliness. It is unbecoming of all of us.
I'm not saying we shouldn't discuss the election, but lets show an ounce of restraint and decorum and most especially RESPECT for each other. Come on people, I know you can find reasons to respect each and every one of the candidates. It's this mob mentality, fueled in part by the media, that gets me. People start making sweeping accusations of other people of being gigantic liars and all kinds of other nasty things.
Ok back to the article linked above. If you don't think people hundreds and thousands of miles apart, who have never met in person, can't be real friends, you don't get it. My homegirls from my babycenter.com birthclub have been there for me everyday of this whole move, helping me not feel so isolated in a new town where I know nobody. My real friends and family are good too, but they lead busy lives and I can't talk to them every day. I'll have plenty of local friends soon enough, but for now my "cyber" friends are gettin' me through.
I've had a tough time this week dealing with the nastiness being spread around the internet regarding the Presidential election. I realize people are passionate about their candidates, their positions. People believe they are right and the other side is completely clueless. Therein lies the rub...people on both sides of the aisle are allowing themselves to become so narrow-minded as to honestly believe that people on the other side are just flaming idiots, selfish and ignorant, with the IQs of Mike Tyson. Then the mudslinging begins. The shame of it is, people I previously had great respect for, irregardless of their political views, have been reduced to snarky ugliness. It is unbecoming of all of us.
I'm not saying we shouldn't discuss the election, but lets show an ounce of restraint and decorum and most especially RESPECT for each other. Come on people, I know you can find reasons to respect each and every one of the candidates. It's this mob mentality, fueled in part by the media, that gets me. People start making sweeping accusations of other people of being gigantic liars and all kinds of other nasty things.
Ok back to the article linked above. If you don't think people hundreds and thousands of miles apart, who have never met in person, can't be real friends, you don't get it. My homegirls from my babycenter.com birthclub have been there for me everyday of this whole move, helping me not feel so isolated in a new town where I know nobody. My real friends and family are good too, but they lead busy lives and I can't talk to them every day. I'll have plenty of local friends soon enough, but for now my "cyber" friends are gettin' me through.
9/05/2008
More Critters
Yeah I so guess who I ran into when I stepped out into my garage the other day? He startled me but not like scream and run away kind of startle. I tried to chase it out of the garage but he headed for the dark corner and ended up getting totally stuck on a glue trap the exterminator set. I left him there to go pick up Nathan from school and he was still stuck there when I got back. So I left it up to Mike to toss the glue trap out with the trash, with the live snake still wriggling away stuck fast to it. It was about two feet long and pretty skinny, and the variety that eats frogs which makes sense because we have TONS of those around. Part of me is starting to regret picking a house with a drainage ditch behind us, which is undoubtedly the source of a lot of critters. The fence in our backyard should keep the alligators out but everything else can come in. I will say though, I love the freedom of having no rear neighbors given the huge windows we have in the back of our house in both the den and master bedroom.
Tomorrow I plan on attending the Katy Home and Garden Show to get some ideas about decorating, landscaping, and maybe a new covered patio. Carter Oosterhouse from HGTV will be there, and well...if you haven't seen him, check him out. He's hawt. Sunday I hope to continue our furniture shopping expedition from last weekend. I hope we have better luck.
9/02/2008
Moving On
My house is finally looking decent. A little lacking in decor, but most everything is put away in it's place. We have so many plans that we made a list in order to prioritize. My goal is to be ready for entertaining by Christmas. I plan to get some design ideas at the Katy Fall Home and Garden show this weekend, as well as by touring the model home park. Yes, Cinco Ranch has so much building going on that they have a little neighborhood of nothing but model homes by different builders.
In case you were wondering, we didn't get one drop of rain from Gustav. Some nice breezes, but we get those a lot so you'd never know it was from a hurricane. I keep telling myself I don't mind the heat here, but I think the problem may just be that after months of the same weather you just get sick of it. Still I'd rather have months of sunshine and heat than months of cloudy, wet, bone-chilling days.
In case you were wondering, we didn't get one drop of rain from Gustav. Some nice breezes, but we get those a lot so you'd never know it was from a hurricane. I keep telling myself I don't mind the heat here, but I think the problem may just be that after months of the same weather you just get sick of it. Still I'd rather have months of sunshine and heat than months of cloudy, wet, bone-chilling days.
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