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Ike - checking in
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Ike - checking in |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana 
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My cats and I survived but we have no home. For all of those whose first thought is "you should have got out"... please bear in mind that Houston's mayor and Harris County's judge were telling people NOT to leave unless they were in specific zip codes. Over and over and over they told us to stay put. They were wrong. On the one hand, if I'd left, I'd have absolutely nothing left. On the other hand, I've never been so terrified in my life. When the window blew out and the sliding glass doors exploded over my bed, I thought my cats had been sucked out - the vacuum was so strong I could barely hold onto the door frame and it took every bit of strength I could muster to shut both bedroom doors and stop the wind tunnel. I finally found both cats and spent the next 4 hours dumping the water coming through the ceiling at a rate of about 8 gallons every 5 minutes. It wasn't enough - my entire apartment building is uninhabitable. Since my job was back in business Monday, I'm having to take vacation this week to pack my belongings. I came into work just long enough to access the internet - FEMA, in all its wisdom, answers phone calls with a web site... not much use when you have no power. I'm storing some stuff in a friend's garage... as soon as some of the storage facilities open, I'll rent some space. A lot of Houston fared okay except for power outages. I'm glad for them, but I have to admit, hearing their complaints about no electricity is a bit hard to bear. Physically, I'm okay except for a bunch of cuts and bruises. Emotionally, I'm a wreck... and I don't even have my kitties for comfort - my sister came over to help me Sunday and we took the cats back to her house in Louisiana. They're safe and being well cared for... but I miss them.  I managed to contact some of you while I was in Louisiana... thank you so much for your love and encouragement. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. It's hard. |
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Alicat Member Elite
since 1999-05-23
Posts 4094Coastal Texas |
*huglets* My prayers and thoughts go with you, and yeah, I was hearing all the complaints about power in Greater Houston as I was turning the crank on my dynamo powered AM radio (one of the few instances in which Radio Shack was useful) over the weekend. 740 AM was a godsend for communication since phone and cell service was intermittent, and I know full well that the governmental agencies all had someone listening and taking notes for individual reports they could help with or fix, or correct breakdowns in communication. My sister and husband live in the Woodlands area and did the traditional 'Hurricane Party' Friday and Saturday. Saturday through Monday were pseudo block parties when the weather and flooding permitted as themselves and neighbors barbequed what meat they had in their freezers on propane grills. By Monday night, they had had enough with the 'no power' and sticky-heat thing, packed up the dogs and went on a vacation to Mississippi to visit his kinfolk for the duration. That FEMA web thing...yeah, that made me shake my head. If you didn't have a BlackBerry or other web-capable cellphone, what could you do? I really felt for those who had long past switched out landline for cordless phones, which need an outlet powered base for signal transmission. Tack onto that the apartment dwellers with electric ranges and you have a downright nightmare. That 'hunker down' mantra rings pretty hollow about then. |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Oh no, I am so sorry to hear that your apartment is uninhabitable! Glad that your cats and you are all safe, but what a terrifying experience. Where will you stay now? FEMA, even at its very best can never compete with having a family/friend backup plan. What in the world were they thinking with the web site business??? Isn't there an office manning telephones and front desks somewhere? |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
I don't know what to say, I wish I had some wisdom or words that would do it, but all I can think of right now, is please know that you are loved. Trust that.  In the meantime, I'll try to find something more solid than my typed words to prove it. Love to you, strong lady.  |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Suthern lady, if there's anything I can do for you, just let me know. I well know what it's like to have no power - we were without in December for six days in 20 degree or less weather. All of our house is electric, and we hadn't had our fireplace checked, so no help there. We were just cold. YOU got WET! Let me know.  |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
OMG I am so sorry. I don't know what to say. I hope you will find a place you can call home again really soon I will be praying constantly. |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Although what you've been trough is horrific, I'm very glad to hear that you are ok, along with your kitties. You've been in my thoughts, and continue to be. |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Dear Ruth, the fact that you made it out not hurt, and your cats are safe is a blessing and truly a wonderful thing. I am so glad to hear that you are "basically okay." This will be a traumatic experience to go through so know we are all here in whatever way we can help you, and don't hesitate to lean on family and friends. You will need, and certainly deserve all the support you can muster up, wherever it is coming from. You are sure a real survivor for having gotten through this by yourself. May you soon have "normal" and know you have all of us. |
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sewasham Senior Member
since 2006-09-11
Posts 714Oklahoma, USA |
Bless your heart, I'm very sorry to hear of your loss but glad to hear you are unharmed (physically). My sister-in-law was one of the fortunate ones that only suffered some minor damage. You'll be be in our thoughts and prayers. Take care. Steve |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
It's not always easy to count one's blessings suring such a tragedy but it's good to see you are. I'm so sorry, suthern gal. I have a small idea of what you went through, although I didn't have exploding windows and sliding glass doors. It must have been horrific for you. I agree with your thoughts about hearing people whining about not having electricity when so many others have lost so much more...no jury would convict you! I wish you the very best down your new avenue, gal, and my thoughts are with you. |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Ruth, the tears are streaming down my face for you and your two kitties. Your account was the first account I have read in such detail and from somebody I know. I was absolutely horrified and lived through it vicariously with you (I know that is very easy to say when I wasn't actually there). I wish I had money I could send you (but I don't even have a job, except for a temp job that ends next Friday), or was nearer and had food or shelter I could give ou or there was something I could do. All I can offer is lots more prayers and ears if you want to email me for whatever reason - no matter how short or long your email is. Feel free to pour your heart out if you want to. I have been praying so hard for "everyone" not knowing all of the Pipsters it included. I was so thrilled to see you on Pip again recently, and was hoping you would post something of your own soon, and to hear that this awful thing has happened to you breaks my heart. I keep reliving what you posted and know that that was only the tip of the iceberg of what you were feeling. Even though Ike is over, I know that the memories - and the trauma - will live with you and your kitty cats for a long time. Thank you for letting your sister take them until you can sort something out. Aside from everything else, your home is your home is your home and for all of that to be gone (and I am not even talking about the monetary value of it - but that too) is too much for me to bear all this way away from the USA, in South Africa. How much more terrible it must be for you to whom it all happened! Thank you for loving your kitties so much and I thank God for sparing all 3 of you. May you all be reunited in a new home as soon as possible. I saw what Karen said in Sunshine's thread. I thought I had read all the posts in it, and didn't remember seeing anything about what it could be, and so went through them all again to find out, but I was right - I had read them all, but nothing of what had happened to you was there. Then I saw your thread and was devastated at what you have gone through. Tears and hugs and prayers and love for you and your kitties - Owl |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Oh, my friends... you don't know how much your words mean to me. I'm kinda living on nerves and they're getting awfully frayed. Your support is like a jolt of strength into my veins. In the most important way, I was SO fortunate. I've got cuts and bruises... but when I see the boxful of glass shards that landed on the bed I was in, I know how lucky I am to be alive. A guy came around yesterday taking pictures (for the apartment complex's insurance) and came over to shake my hand... he said he wasn't going to say "God bless you" because after seeing my apartment, the fact that I'm up and walking around proves I'm already blessed. And my sister is an angel. She's made 2 trips to Houston (9 hours roundtrip) to help me get my things out of that apartment and she's taking care of my cats. Knowing that Kate and Colin are safe and being well cared for makes being without them so much easier. As of yesterday, I'm officially "homeless". Pasadena declared my apartment building a health hazard and no one is allowed to stay overnight in either of the end buildings (the ones that took the brunt of the storm). Again, though... I'm lucky... I was able to find a room through FEMA so I have a place to stay until Oct 14. The carpet's soggy because they got flooded, too... but at least it doesn't stink and the bed is dry. My things are stuffed in 3 locations over 2 states because I couldn't find a storage place with units to rent... and if you want to guess how sore I am, consider this... I moved two bedrooms of furniture (minus the destroyed stuff) down the stairs BY MYSELF. And to make the difficult even harder... my car battery died Friday, I woke up to a flat this morning... and I broke a lug trying to get the tire off. *sigh* If anyone needs a little black cloud to follow them around, I've got one I'd be glad to loan out. *G* Again, thank you for caring... and please... keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I'll be back at work tomorrow... which should seem like a rest after the work I've been doing... I just hope they're not expecting my brain to be in attendance... it's gone. *S* |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
Dear Ruth, So sorry to hear of your horrible experience and battle with IKE. You are one of the strong ones. I understand there are times when we wish we were not, but our strenght and reserve sure comes in handy at times like this. I have been in Conn. twice in the past few months so had not read this until today. I did not even know you live in Houston. My heart goes out to you. I am happy to hear you have some place to stay and can go to work. Much love, "late" |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Oh, Ruth!!!!! If if doesn't rain ~ it pours! I hadn't realized that you lived in Houston. I thought you were further up north. Well, I'm glad to know that you and your kitties 'weathered the storm' physically! But, that is disheartening news that you are now homeless! ~ and then your car problems on top of all of that! Sheeesh! Just know, darlin', I'm keeping you in my prayers. Wrapping my arms around you!  Linda |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Dear Ruth - a special message for you to pass on over the phone via your sister to Kate and Colin from my Tigger who assured me that Kate and Colin will understand: meeow, meeow-meeow, meeow-meeow-MEEOW, meeow . I am so sorry that you have had to go through all these things on top of everything else! Could somebody please tell me what a lug is? According to my late Scottish granfather, they were ears, but somehow, I don't think that was what Ruth was talking about - or I hope not! Ruth, I am praying for you and Kate and Colin and all hurricane victims that your lives will become much easier as soon as possible. Hugs - Owl |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Diana, a "lugnut" is the little thingamajiggy that holds the tire to the car axle. I think.  quote:excerpt: Wikipedia |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
Ruth, big prayers your way. *hugs*....jo |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Alicat: Thank you so much... those huglets are appreciated! *S* And yes... if I have to go THROUGH the public officials, I'll be hunkering down far, far away should another of these monsters come knocking!!! *S* My sister said it was probably just as well I wasn't at work last week... I work for the City and me seeing Mayor White in the hallways wouldn't have been a pretty encounter. LOL Midnitesun: There's no figuring FEMA. *sigh* I'm supposed to meet an inspector at the apartment this afternoon so they can verify that it's uninhabitable... guess I'll find out then what my options are. Thank you! serenity: As I told JM... don't ever underestimate the importance of loving support... it's the shot of strength into my veins that keeps me going. I'm so grateful. Thank you, sweet lady... thank you. *touching screen* Sunshine: If you find my mind, could you please send it back to me? *S* Thank you so much. Right now, I just can't think straight... but it means a lot to me to know you're there. PS: Thank you so much, dear friend... I think prayers are probably the glue holding me together... I know I need them. Martie: Thank you so much. I miss my kitties... but knowing they're safe keeps me going. Out of all the horror, thinking I'd lost Kate was the worst. THINGS can be replaced or done without and eventually, I'll make a home again... those little furballs are my family. Mysteria: Thank you, dear lady... so much. It's hard to ask for help, but I'm learning... I even went further with my brother - after I asked and then begged... I lost it, yelled and DEMANDED that he help... or risk a really cold reception at all future family reunions. *G* Ah, well... my sister has been an absolute saint... I guess he was just providing balance. LOL To his credit, once he realized he wasn't going to be able to ignore me, he located a storage place for me - it's many miles away but very much appreciated! sewasham: Thank you very much! I'm so glad your sister-in-law is okay!!! Thank you so much, Deer one... It WAS horrific. I've never been so terrified and hope I never face such terror again. I thought I'd been scared during Allison... or up on Daddy's roof during Rita's fury... but Ike redefined fear for me. In a warped way, the sight of my bedroom and all that glass has helped me get through the emotional and physical exhaustion of getting out... I wasn't saved from all that flying glass just to quit. *S* Oh, Owl... you are such a dear - you fill my heart and lift my spirits!!! Thank you! Yes, I was hoping to post poems instead of complaints... but those will have to wait. *S* Thank you so much for your caring and concern... and for the messages to my kitties! *S* You're right... we're all traumatized. I broke a toe last night because my coordination is all but gone and my thoughts were on everything I needed to do instead of navigating the room. *S* And when we were taking my cats over to my sister's in Louisiana, they nearly went insane when she opened the car window a bit - the sound of wind nearly scared them to death. But... we'll get through. They're safe and settling in at my sister's and I have a clean dry place to stay. I just have to keep reminding myself to take one hour at a time. *S* latearrival: I'm not sure whether it's strength or stubbornness... or just no choice. *S* I do know that things I thought were of monumental importance just a couple of weeks ago don't seem to matter at all anymore... an experience like this brings focus in a hurry. *S* Thank you! EA: I live(d) to the southeast of Houston. Some areas are okay, but a lot of it was hit pretty hard. Thank you so much for those arms, my friend... I need all the comfort (and leaning! *S*) I can get! *S* iliana: Thank you so much. I'm so glad you're okay - I was worried about you!!! To all... I can't thank you enough. I don't know what I'd do without the love and support I've received from family and friends... you're saving my sanity as surely as a miracle saved my life during the storm. I am grateful to each of you. And now, I must tell you about my motel. It's not exactly what you might call high class. LOL I finally got the chance to turn on a TV, only to find out that their satellite is out and I can only see 3 channels clearly... and 2 of the 3 are porn channels. LOL Not exactly "Dancing with the Stars". *G* What can I say... I needed that laugh! *G* However, the people running the motel are very nice. FEMA apparently requires them to see my face each day, so I've been having to go to the office every evening to have my key card re-coded. Last night, the manager saw me starting to walk towards the office and came to meet me. She opened my room for me, took my key card to the office for the recoding and brought it back to me, saying she knew I was tired. *S* People being kind... that's more important than TV. *S* And now, if you'll indulge me... I'm going to repost an old poem... for a place that was hit MUCH harder than I was. *S* Thank you all!!! |
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Oklahoma Rose Senior Member
since 2008-02-28
Posts 1586Oklahoma USA |
Hi Southern! I haven't been here in a while. But, happen to get here today. I am so glad you made it through Ike. You and your precious kitties. I am sorry for all your troubles with your car and all, and that you are homeless. It is a Blessing indeed that you are alive, after reading about the glass all over your bed. I truly hope things get better for you real soon. |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Karilea thank you so much for letting me know EXACTLY  what a lug is, and ESPECIALLY thank you for getting in before Ruth to save her from doing it with all she has to cope with at the moment - and especially with the lovely long reply and update she gave us all. Ruth, thank you for your wonderful personalised and detailed reply to all of us, in spite of what you are going through - no wonder we all love you so much. Even though you mentioned that you thought you had lost Kate at a time that I knew you hadn't, my blood ran cold and I held my breath temporarily at the horror you must have gone through. I can (sorta begin to) imagine how traumatised Colin and Kate must have been hearing the wind in the car when the window was opened. My darling Tigger has been very traumatised by all the break-ins to my house, and that is a lot less terrifying. The thought of you being on the roof of your dad's house in a previous hurricane with the wind blowing so hard and the water rising was terrifying enough to read long after the fact. That this one was more frightening is really horrifying. You are right. It is a miracle you are alive and I offer up thankful prayers for that miracle. I am off to find your poem - but in trepidation, if it is about a place that was worse hit than you were! Hugs and love and prayers for your complete return to a normal life as soon as possible and special meeows and kitty-strokes to Colin and Kate - Owl |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Ruth, I read your love-filled responses to people and you actually made this ole hard rock cry. I have never known any kind of fear or devastation that you, Mike, Karen, Alicat, Richard, Marge, Sy's Isabel, and all the other I haven't mentioned down south face in your daily life. Through this site I have learned home is sure where the heart is. It is so easy for any of us to ask, "Why the heck would people live there under that kind of stress," and I am sure a lot of us do ask that. If it weren't for knowing a lot of you "cyberly" if that is a word, I would never have understood why, which I now do.Karen has been hit so many times, and still she is there living in hope and faith that "all will be well." You people have taught the likes of me to quit complaining about the stupidest things, and just be damn thankful for who we are, and those around us, and for what we do have. I sincerely hope that Mother Nature and the southern United States of America can reconcile their differences, and that we can all continue to become better people because of these occurrences, otherwise what would they have been for? I hope you find "home" soon, but you can see by the love shown here, that there is always a home here. |
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sandgrain Member Elite
since 1999-09-21
Posts 3662Sycamore, IL, USA |
Amen to Sharon's reply. Angels, like Sharon, live at PIP. I, too, am so sorry to learn of your traumatic experience. Now, you're no doubt feeling like anything you can do, is useless, while so much that needs done, you must wait for others. May you find some assemblance of peace throughout this trying journey. As a Realtor, I saw the horrors of flood ravaged homes and lives, so my heart goes out to you. Sending hugs and patience, Rae |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Rose: Thank you so much! *S* And you're right... I don't know why I was spared, but I recognize a miracle when I see one and don't intend to waste it! *S* Owl: You always make me smile, dear lady... and you always touch my heart. Thank you for both! *S* And thank you for the kitty greetings... I know you understand that one of the hardest things about all this is living apart from my fur-family for an indefinite period... I miss them. Mysteria: Thank you! *S* But you're not fooling me, dear friend... I've been on the receiving end of your kindness and know your heart is bigger than Texas ever thought of being! *S* But you're right about "home" being here... I had to take some time away to heal some hurts but always knew the welcome mat was out, whenever I was ready. *S* I just didn't quite expect to be blown back in by hurricane force winds! LOL One silver lining in a too cloudy sky. *S* sandgrain: I've been touched by Sharon's angel wings before... I know. *S* And I have angels even closer... my sister has been an absolute gem!!! I'll owe her forever... fortunately, the only payment she asks is love and that's easy to give! *S* Thank you so much!! |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Ruth, I am so glad that I make you smile, and even more glad that I touch your heart, and I am so appreciative of the fact that you told me. Yes, I do, understand how lost and frantic you must be feeling about being apart from Colin and Kate, even though you you know they are safe with your sister. You just want that time to pass until you can be with them again. I would be going out of my mind without my Tigger-cat and my Daisy-dog - and when my Flicka-horse went to Heaven I fell apart and, like Humpty Dumpty, all the King's horses and all the King's men couldn't put Owlie together again, even though it has been 6 years and 4 months and 29 days since he went to Heaven. I, too, am so grateful to your sister for helping you and Colin and Kate out, the way she has. Please keep updating us as to how it is going, and esPECially when you have a new home and can get Colin and Kate back again. Love, hugs and prayers - Owl, Tigger and Daisy |
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