Getting Ready For School

With power is so much better than without! Can I just say? I feel like MAYBE we are getting back to normal - or at least as normal as the Pearson clan can be. Maria is coming tomorrow, I LOVE her, and I think I will feel in control once more.

We had a soccer game in Friendswood on Saturday (we lost), and a football game on Saturday night (we won). THS was a 35 point underdog and we won by 1. It was fun and exciting - just what HS football should be.

We are fully back in the swing now. Kelsey will have her first Cross Country meet on Friday, Ryan has homecoming on Friday night, and we are back in Friendswood for a soccer game on Saturday. Grandma and Grandpa are coming the weekend, so the kids are excited. And TV church - what could be better?

Bliss

After 14 days, we have power!!! It doesn't get any better than that!

Happy Birthday Kelsey

Kelsey is 14! I can't believe it. When my kids were little, people with older kids would tell me that I should appreciate this time because it would be gone before I knew it. I did not buy it, not one bit.

I buy it now. My little ones are getting so big - and I am really liking the older kids. Sure the hormones can be a little much, but it is so fun to see these big kid personalities come out.

But I digress, this is supposed to be about Kelsey not me (but as we all know it is always about me). As I think of what to say about Kelsey, I wonder if I will be parroting back what I have said about her the last few birthdays. So, I am going to chronicle her favorites right now (at least the ones I know).

Food: Chick-Fil-A.

Symbol: The peace sign - you know from the 70's.

Color: Still pink I think.

Drink from Sonic: (very important if you are a Pearson) Cherry Sprite.

Posses ion: Her cell phone (don't know if she would say that, but it is a permanent fixture by her side).

Class: English - she loves to write and is a pretty dang good writer. She also loves choir.

Person: Me. Well maybe not, but lets go with that.

Kelsey is a happy fun girl. She was the best baby I had. She would just sit next to me while I worked and never made a sound. She makes up for that now (the sound making). She is a typical teenager who loves her friends, and is embarrassed of her dad (but not her mom since her mom is so cool). I am so glad she is my oldest girl, and that she is in our family. I love you Kelsey Belsey.

For anyone keeping track, we still don't have power. For Kelsey's birthday Eric "sprung" for a hotel. How he found a room I am not sure - still not sure. We stayed here last night and we are staying tonight. After that, we are back to pioneer living. Here is to hoping we have power soon!

For anyone keeping track this is the second time a hurricane has affected Kelsey's birthday. I guess that is what a September birthday on the gulf coast will get you!

And The Verdict Is

Still no power. School is supposed to start on Tuesday, although two of the schools my children attend still have no power.

I have to be here on Tuesday for a demo. So, I think I will drive the kids home early tomorrow, fly back up here and work, fly home on Tuesday (jealous anyone?)

In the meantime, they will be home with dad supervising. He might have to take Tuesday off to be with the twins. Still no power and heat will not be fun, but the older kids are freaking out about getting back to school and football practice, etc. Kelsey is sure if she is not there the first day back she will be SO behind she won't catch up.

So, I am guessing I will have to slow down my blogging due to no power. Although I do have the next couple of days. Work will be interesting - I only have so much battery on the laptop.

The latest estimate for power is Thursday. So, here is to hoping we get it by then. Getting kids ready for school with no power should be fun... Trying to keep everyone fed with no power should be fun... Maybe I should rethink this...

And The Verdict Is...

Still no power. We are thinking MAYBE by tonight... UUGH!

On a positive note.

We have Farmer's Insurance. We have a rockin agent (Big Al's Farmer's Insurance). My agent, who also happens to be my current host, did some research and let me know that we had something in our policy that allows for the replacement, up to $500, of the food you have lost due to power outage. Oh - and no deductible.

I called, filed a claim. The guy talked to me and told me I should be getting my check in the next 5-10 days. How is that for service? Now, I will let you know when it really does come.

Insurance companies can be real SOB's. Really. But it is nice to know that when I lost the entire contents of two refrigerators, I will be able to replace them. And how is that for service?

Here is to hoping we have power back tonight and can go home this weekend...

Not To Be A Broken Record

but still no power. I guess Centerpoint has posted this map outlining when people will get power (maybe).

http://www.centerpointenergy.com/staticfiles/CNP/Common/SiteAssets/doc/Est.%20Restore%209.17%202pm.pdf


Here is the problem. I am map challenged. They don't have 249 on the map, and certainly don't show Louetta so here is the question. Are we on the scheduled for Friday, or don't hold your breath forever (OK after Monday) area? I think we are on the line, but if we are not don't judge me. Any help in decoding the map would be appreciated.

I am very grateful that we have a great place to stay. My kids have loved playing with cousins, and Kelsey and Sophie got to spend the night with Aunt Julie (in case you are wondering she is WAY more fun than mom). But, I am a little bit of a planner. I kind of want to know when we can get back to normal. Is there going to be a normal again?

Eric is a trooper. He is working, getting a jump on his insurance claim for his job, and going home to the non-electrified house each night. He has a much better attitude than I do - that is a shocker I know.

So, we should not complain but.... I just can't help it.

Update to Still No Power

I just looked at the website for when the power will come on. As of last night 85% of the 77375 (Tomball proper) zipcode and 50% of the 77377 (our zipcode) is still powerless! It might be a while........

Still No Power

Thank you for everyone who has contacted us and given your support! We appreciate it.

There is still no power at home. Eric is still hanging in there. He is working, even though his company has closed the offices. He has cleaned out both fridges and freezers (thank you) and has cleaned up our yard and helped some neighbors. The weather has been cool, so he is surviving the nights.

School is cancelled now until Monday. At this point, we are in Dallas until the weekend - or later if we don't get power! Thanks to my parents for their hospitality. We are just living day to day waiting for power. And lets be real, we are not suffering at all in Dallas. I think some in Houston have it harder. Here is to hoping we get power soon!

Ike: Yikes!

Well, after so many "didn't" happen hurricanes, one hit and hit hard. Ike came in on Saturday morning and Houston is still bruised from the beating!

I was out of town in KY (via W VA - a place I never wanted to be and after having been there I still don't ever want to be there). I was supposed to go on to Ohio to a show, but listened to a wise husband and my boss who wanted me home and not stranded (had I not listened, I would have been stuck not being able to get home). I made it home Thursday afternoon. School was cancelled on Friday, and we battened down the hatches getting ready for Ike (what was Eric doing to prepare for the hurricane? skimming the pool - I kid you not!)

We lost power at 2:30 am on Saturday morning. Still don't have it now. There was rain, and crazy wind. We finally started venturing out Saturday around 11:00 am. If you just looked around our little neighborhood you would think, not so bad. Lots of tree limbs down. No real property damage. One or two big trees down.

Then we ventured out of Villaggio into our old neighborhood (1/2 mile away). This is what we saw:

This is our old house. You can't really tell from this picture, but there is a tree on the roof - really through the roof. It put two holes in the master bedroom, which put a lot of water in the master, and the water seeped down the the bottom floor which has a couple of inches of water. I think the weight of the water might crash through the master. Our neighbor told us we are lucky we are out of there. Luckily, no one was hurt!

Here are some pics from Lakewood Forest:

The pavilion at our church:

Mind you, this is all 60 plus miles inland, on the "clean" side of the storm.

Now, let me just say, pioneer woman I am not. But, we did manage to make bacon and eggs on the bbq grill. It was still raining, so I was ever so grateful for our port-e-cache. We pretended it was a big camping trip - one that never ends with heat and mosquitoes.

The kids and I had enough and have evacuated to Dallas. We are now basking in the hospitality of Chez Linford. There is no school until at least Thursday. Still no power for us. Still not much gas to be found in Houston. This one will take a while to dig out from.

Through it all we have felt very blessed. We are all safe and healthy. No major damage to our house. Our biggest loss is the fridge and freezer contents. Big deal. Thanks for everyone who was worried about us. We appreciate your thoughts and calls.

Last Weekend

I know, I know. It is Wednesday. Why are we talking about last weekend? Because I have not done it, and above all else, this is my journal. So, if this bores you, click away.

Last weekend was Senior Parent's Night for football. Eric was gone to WA for the BYU game, so all the rest of us went to the game. Kelsey and Sophie did not want to go, but in the end LOVED being there. It the place to be on a Friday night if you are in Intermediate or Junior HS.

It was a great game - Tomball played well and only lost at the last minute. Ryan and I had our picture taken on the field, and then Kelsey took this one. The coaches had the boys write letters to their parents, and Ryan's made me teary.

I am really enjoying him right now. A friend reminded me that this is a blessing and I need to view it as that and be grateful. Not all senior-in-high-school-boys and their moms get along so well. Thanks for the reminder.

Ryan and Kevin. The Wilkinson's lived across the street from us in Lakewood Grove. They moved in the same time we did when the boys were starting 4th grade. They have been friends ever since. I really think Kevin gave Ryan the encouragement to stick with football. Thanks Kevin!

Saturday was soccer, Sophie's team won, and going to James Avery so Kelsey could show me what she wants for her birthday. We also managed to watch the BYU game, and I ran with my group in the am. Fun was had by all (especially Eric since he was there for a BYU win!)

I Miss My Mornings

I have not always been a morning person, but kids and age have created one. During the summer I could get up and have hours alone in my quiet house. I LOVED it.

Now, not so much. I am still up early, but with 5 kids leaving at 4 different times, I always have a friend with me (I don't mind so much because it does give me some one-on-one time with the older kids).

I leave early on Saturdays for running group and come home to a house of awake kids.

But Sunday, sweet Sunday, is my early morning alone in my house time. I woke this am at 5 (see what I mean) and lounged in bed until 6. I then proceeded to "dink" around until 8:15 and made us late for church (dinking + clothing crisis = late for church). I did not want to wake the huddled masses and have them invade my quiet time. Selfish I know, but it was SO nice.

I will now have to keep moving forward until next Sunday when I will again be presented with some early morning alone time. I don't know what it is I love so much - maybe the peace. It is so still in those early morning hours before the chaos takes over. Who would have thought I would crave the ability to get up at 6:00 am and be alone. See, having 5 kids really does make you crazy!

Congrats Michelle and Brady!

My baby sister is getting married! Brady, also known as FHE boy to some of us, proposed on Lover's Leap at Philmont Scout Ranch in NM. Luckily no leaps were taken literally, just figuratively.

They are getting married December 27, 2008 in the Dallas Texas temple where ALL the Linford gals have gotten hitched. I guess that makes it a tradition.

So, congrats! The girls are excited about another wedding - Kelsey wants to know what her dress will look like?

And What A Weekend It Was

We spent the whole weekend running around to our kids activities! I am pooped. Ryan had his first football game on Friday night. Lets just not talk about it.

We then drove to Autin for the Austin Labor Day Cup soccer tournament. Four games over two days in the HEAT! We brought all the girls - Ryan had to stay behind because he had practice.

We stayed at the Embassy Suites and they had two swans in the center Atruium. You will notice we also had Mr. T Allie's class teddy bear with us for the weekend!

Sophie's team did well, made it to the semi-finals, and then lost at the last second. Sophie did great, but she has her battle scars.

Black eye!

Bruised arms.

Bruised legs.

I always thought soccer was a nice non-contact sport! Maybe not!

This is the funny pic from the weekend. Eric washed his clothes in the sink and then dried them on top of the car while we ate lunch. Environmentalist or cheap - you decide!