At least we haven't lost our sense of humor!

north shore

note the anchor line...

most of the island was covered in this sludge...

Oh well, cheers!

Ike Pics...getting started...

Garage = washing machine

Marina across the lake in Seabrook

Clear Lake Road looking onto North Shore 2 days after the storm

The boat ramp at Shell Bottom Park on East Shore Drive CLS- 2 days later

After the police, we were the first allowed to drive on the island to help start to clear roads. Of course many people had -boated- in earlier that day.

Darn it! This broken window, however, was the least of our worries. Minimal damage compared to down stairs, not to mention, neighbors.

Oh Bucca, your fence isn't working!

The main road- Clear Lake Road- 2 days after

The police station and City Hall- again, 2 days after the storm

An restaurant in Galvestion, courtesy of Mike


Driving onto the island for the first time since the storm (it had not yet been labeled a NO WAKE zone!). The green building in the background is Portofino- we attended a city function on Wednesday night before the mandatory evacuation that was catered by Portofino...I imagine their last.

The general consensus is that we received about a 12' storm surge with young Ike. We really could have done with less...but, I suppose it's a step up from the 22 feet they had hypothesized.

Ike- a few days later...

Well...sorry about leaving y'all out to dry...but, unfortunately we are still waiting for power and as far as Internet, well, there is just no telling. Luckily, we have taken in Uncle Bill from next door (he had a mere 50 some inches of water in his abode) and he has a fancy wireless card that we can use sparingly with the generator.

Ah, let's see, it has been a long couple of days and we are definitely busy, busy. We had an official 28 inches of water down stairs which managed to destroy the new Pilot and the Datsun. We also lost several random garage type items including a kegerator, an air compressor, a golf cart and lots of tools amongst other things (you know Ian, you can imagine). Annie survived (thank God since she's not properly insured) as did the Grady. All in all, it's very reasonable- it is just one big mess to clean up. It is definitely not the 'best-case' scenario but when you look around, you just can't be upset about it- we sustained minimal damage in comparison to those who are on the ground (i.e. Randy & Steph, Allan & Melinda, Uncle Bill, Rick & Wendy, etc.).

We have some amazing pictures that we will download at some point soon-- of course, as unbelievable as they are, they really don't quite paint the picture. Oh...and for those of you who have visited...so sad, our favorite restaurant Top Water is totally gone. Not a board left. Of course that is one of many losses in the vicinity.

Things are slowly starting to get back to normal. I don't know what you see on the news (b/c we have no TV, of course) but gas stations are starting to open up as well as businesses. I hope come Monday it will be a little more like normal.

Anyway, that is our update as of today (what day is it?) I think Saturday ;-) They are starting to run together. One very big positive of this huge mess is that as bad as it is for residents of this area, that is how good it is for the construction business. Gotta look at the bright side and keep moving in a forward direction.

Thanks to all of you who have been thinking of us and praying for us. We are doing well, but then again...you may need to pray for some of our neighbors. Well be back again soon!

Reporting LIVE from LA

Well, despite the imminent disaster, we are doing just fine over here in De Ridder. We have yet to experience bad weather and have been spending our 'time off' swimming and shooting skeet (between viewings of the weather channel, of course) and trying to relax. We could be very very busy very very soon.

Ike Update

Hello all:

I am sure many of you have seen the news and are wondering what exactly is happening down in south-east Texas. Well, I am pleased to tell you that we know what you know. Under mandatory evacuation we headed to DeRidder, LA this afternoon and are safe and sound for the time being (not without MAJOR set-backs, though...another story for another day-it's always an adventure). We expect significant winds here but I am told that we are not in danger of rising water. We will keep you all posted as much as possible.

Bag Lady

More forgotten files!
These are from a few weeks ago but I wanted to show you proof of my new obsession!

I had mentioned it before in a pseudo 15 month update (new stats to the right by the way), but here is the real thing. Give me a bag and something to put in it and I will entertain myself for hours on end.

Here I was helping Aunt Haley pack for college. I thought I might go along...I like Blacksburg, I have been there a few times before. Speaking of my worldly travels- I have added a new state to my repertoire- Illinois! We were not so pleasantly surprised to find out we were flying back to Houston via Chicago last week, but what can you do? I had fun- it seems that plane rides are just terribly entertaining for me. If you think I'm busy on land, you should see me in the air...in a space about big enough for a box...with only the toys that would fit in the carry on bag...at 11 o'clock at night...yeah...

Super Blayne!

start your engines...ready, set,

up, up, up and away!