posted
I haven't heard from Karen this morning. I'm watching the "Weather Channel" 24/7. Looks like Frances is slowing down a little, so that will give people a LITTLE more time to leave. The traffic is unreal. I hope to see Karen on here soon!!! My stomach is in knots!
Cindy
* * * * Buckle up! It makes it harder for the aliens to suck you out of your car! Plants: 43285 | Registered: Mar 2004
| Seeded: 69.170.162.6
posted
I just called Andy. He is already in Clearwater getting the Land Rover his friend bought loaded on the trailer! So, they will be heading back shortly, which will be a whole new ballgame with millions of people all driving North right now!
Karen, where are you??? The "Weather Channel" guy is reporting LIVE from Jacksonville right now! (Walk behind him and wave to me! )
Cindy
* * * * Buckle up! It makes it harder for the aliens to suck you out of your car! Plants: 43285 | Registered: Mar 2004
| Seeded: 69.170.162.6
gardenmom32210
guest
posted
George and I got up real early and went shopping...refilled our propane tanks,bought groceries and other necessary supplies. I wrote a very long post this morning,but then Bill started doing maintenace on the site so I don't know where it went. Now that it is going towards the north we are more in line for a bad hit. Even if it turns to the west it is far enough up, to where we will be on the north side(the bad side) If it doesn't turn we will be in a direct line(if you pull up a map of Florida counties we are in the extreme SW part of Duval county,almost at the Clay county line(rural area). The mayor held a press conference and has asked people in low lying areas and mobile homes(we just bought this doublwide in Dec.)to voluntarily evacuate. As the day goes on and if the storm doesn't turn, we will be going to mandatory evacuations. He said it is likely that there will be major loss of power in our area. We are packed up and ready to go...but there is NOWHERE to run to at this time...the expressways and rest stops are like parking lots(estimated 2.5 million evacuees are coming through our area)the closest available hotel rooms are in North Carolina. If the need arises I guess we'll have to go to a shelter. We are boarding up our windows(there is no more plywood available,we checked)with lattice work and 2x4's(better than nothing!)and are securing all outside stuff. The van is gassed up and we have 2-5 gallon cans of gas. I have exchanged phone #s with Cindy, so I can keep in touch,when and if we lose power.
We are VERY nervous about this storm. I have lived in Jax. my whole life and have been through many brushes. I was here in 1964 when we took a direct hit and it was horrible, I was only 2yo but have vivid memories of the storm itself and the aftermath(actually this is my first childhood memory) We are hoping for the best but are prepared for the worst. It has been downgraded a bit and that IS good news. I guess we're just playing the waiting game now.
* * * * Buckle up! It makes it harder for the aliens to suck you out of your car! Plants: 43285 | Registered: Mar 2004
| Seeded: 69.170.162.6
gardenmom32210
guest
posted
With the way its slowing down, they're saying sunday pm or monday am.
I'm not sure about the pets,but no matter what they are going with us!
Right now it is pouring down rain...don't know if it is a rainband from the storm or not...it kinda looks like it from the radar.
Karen
Seeded: 68.218.223.36
loz
guest
posted
I'd be so scared....I'm scared for you.....I hope if you have to evacuate you can get out okay.....And I'm glad that you gave Cindy your number so that way we'll at least be able to know that you are safe........What a mess it all is, I feel so sorry for everyone down there....Stay safe!
Seeded: 4.248.225.130
posted
Karen... You still with us? We need an update! Andy called about 5:30 and was already at a motel in Macon, Georgia to sleep for a few hours. Dang, and I had plans for tonight! Guess I better stay home now in case he breezes in here sometime in the middle of the night!
* * * * Buckle up! It makes it harder for the aliens to suck you out of your car! Plants: 43285 | Registered: Mar 2004
| Seeded: 69.170.162.6
loz
guest
posted
I bet Karens on the move......I sure hope she's okay and that she calls you to let you know what's going on.......They said that with the speed it is moving it has the capability to dump up to 25 inches of rain......
Seeded: 4.248.228.176
Jiffymouse
guest
posted
karen, you got my prayers.... been there, done that... camille is one of my earliest memories... and opal and erin went over the top of my house in '95
Seeded: 12.77.200.164
Jiffymouse
guest
posted
i forgot, www.wftv.com has some very good links for hurricane tracking... particularly frances... watched it all day at work yesterday...
Seeded: 12.77.200.164
Jiffymouse
guest
posted
almost forgot the best one of all.... www.noaa.gov
info direct from the national weather service. most up to date and most accurate.
Seeded: 12.77.200.164
gardenmom32210
guest
posted
Everybody around here is getting really frustrated with the way this storm keeps changing course,north one time ,west the next. Kinda wish it would just hurry up and get it over with. Its been really windy(you should hear my wind chimes...it sounds like a fairy band playing music),with dark clouds and ALOT of rain. And we've already lost power 4 times since yesterday and we're not even in the direct path anymore. We are supposed to have tropical force winds by tonight(39-74mph). Thats about as bad as it will get for us(if it doesn't change course again ) We are sooooo bored...I just went and rented 6 movies,so I guess thats what we will be doing till it gets here.
posted
Ihave been vigorously switching between FOXNEWS and CNN checking all the lastest news!!
They just had a police officer on there telling a story of a rescue of a bunch of surfers. Makes me sooooooooo mad to hear that, that they can't respect that storm, and do that, then put someone else's life or lives in jeapordy to rescur them!! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! They should throw them in jail for a month or more, just to get the point, they didn't get killed!!
Keep us posted Gardenmom!!!!
Weezie
* * * * Weezie
Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. - Bible - Hebrews 13:2
posted
I sincerly hope everyone comes out ok. My adoped uncle has an elderly aunt and uncle out in FL. They (the elderly couple) took off for their son's home in central FL. So far, they are ok. NOAA is always a great site for the dopplar radar and sat. photos. Heck, most of the new agencies get their storm traking info from NOAA.
posted
Karen, Is it real windy now? I'm watching it on the Weather Channel constantly. Those reporters are crazy! There's stuff (BIG stuff) flying thru the air (signs, lights, etc.) and going right by them!
* * * * Buckle up! It makes it harder for the aliens to suck you out of your car! Plants: 43285 | Registered: Mar 2004
| Seeded: 69.170.162.6
* * * * Buckle up! It makes it harder for the aliens to suck you out of your car! Plants: 43285 | Registered: Mar 2004
| Seeded: 69.170.162.6
gardenmom32210
guest
posted
Its windy but not that windy. Its kinda dark for this time of night and we keep getting heavy downpours. Its supposed to get real yucky tommorrow...winds from 39-73mph & heavy rains. Its going below us so we won't see the BAD stuff. Its supposed to last all day and night.
We've got the board games,cards,candles and flashlights,so we won't be totally bored if the power goes out. We're looking at it as quality "family bonding" time
posted
My family "shuts down" when the electricity goes, they can not function!!!! I love it when the lights go out, I like candles and roughing it, and games and reading a book by candle light.. They can't function without a computer~tv~sound!
I have pictures of the 3 of them sleeping on the couch the first time the electricity went out when the wee~one was just born...so cute!!!!
I dislike the candles now with the kids, but we bought a weather ban 4" screen tv combo with radio, flashlight, 2 bulb flourencent light, siren, etc.... when the Eastern Blackout happened, we needed something for the kids to have in with them and not be afraid they'd get hurt....
Weezie
* * * * Weezie
Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. - Bible - Hebrews 13:2
posted
Fortunately our kids(11 & 13) love to play family games...we usually have 1 night a week devoted to playing games with them. We've lost power many times over the night and just had a brownout/surge. I had to check in here though. I'll be checking in as often as I can.
Gonna shut down now before another outage occurs.
Karen
Seeded: 68.154.209.207
Jiffymouse
guest
posted
keep us posted... i'm just getting lots of rain from it.... lost power once yesterday, but think that was some idiot who couldn't drive...
Seeded: 12.77.201.28
gardenmom32210
guest
posted
The squall passed by and before the next one comes in I had to jump on here and tell ya'll something really cool that just happened.
I realized I had left my hummingbird feeders hanging outside..so when it stopped raining I ran outside to take them down. There were 3 hummers at one and 4 hummers at the other. When the 3 hummers left the first one I walked on out and took it down...before I could walk 5 steps there were 2 hummers flying around me chattering a mile a minute..I looked around and there were hummers ALL OVER my yard! They were hitting the mexican petunias,the bat-face plant,the lantana and even on my roses! I stopped and held the feeder up and after a few moments.. they came to the feeder I was holding!!! It was sooooo amazing I held it up till they were done.
posted
Gardenmom, Glad you are OKAY!! I sat up and watched the tv for a loooooong time last night, I haven't put it on as of yet, got lot's to do today but wanted to make sure how you were doing!!
Poor little birdies are probable scared too. They were probably glad to find food on your property, probably not much left in some places!!!
Weezie
* * * * Weezie
Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. - Bible - Hebrews 13:2
posted
Dang, I bet a lot of hummingbirds will get killed.
Brennan will NOT carry the hummingbird feeders back to the hangers anymore. One landed on the feeder he was carrying a few weeks ago and he FREAKED and threw the feeder! I laughed so hard I almost peed my pants! He's afraid of them, I think because he thinks they will sting him. (Or maybe Lola has given him a BAD impression of birds!) He had a red shirt on one day and they were swarming him, so I changed his shirt and they left him alone.
Karen...I hope you get to keep checking in and letting us know what's going on. Don't forget...you have my home and cell numbers, so call whenever you want to if you can. Don't worry...I will be calling YOU (if I can get through) if we don't hear from you for awhile.
Cindy
* * * * Buckle up! It makes it harder for the aliens to suck you out of your car! Plants: 43285 | Registered: Mar 2004
| Seeded: 69.170.162.6
gardenmom32210
guest
posted
We've been without power for the past 5 hours. It just came back on and didn't want ya'll to worry so I figured I had better check in.
I was the first one bankrupt in monopoly(the kids LOVED that ). They are really getting competitive now. George(my hubby) and Alex(my 13yo son) are trying to out he-man each other
Be back later!
Karen
Seeded: 68.154.199.230
loz
guest
posted
Glad to hear you are doing okay Karen.....and enjoying your family bonding time......is there any damage around your area, or to your home??? I hope not.....
That's amazing about the hummingbirds.....
Seeded: 4.248.225.192
posted
Dang, I missed you, Karen! You came on right after I got back off! Brennen was watching the hurricane on the news and asked about my friend in Florida, so we got on here to see if you had posted anything. We were thnking about sending you a text message on your cell phone! Glad to see that you posted.
OK...here's my strategy for always winning at Monopoly: #1) ALWAYS be the banker! (Endless supply of cash! ) #2) Play with children that haven't learned to count yet!
Cindy
* * * * Buckle up! It makes it harder for the aliens to suck you out of your car! Plants: 43285 | Registered: Mar 2004
| Seeded: 69.170.162.6
posted
Oh, yeah.....if you live where they pump the water with electricity, make sure you have your tub filled up in case the electricity goes off! It's always nice to be able to flush the commode!
* * * * Buckle up! It makes it harder for the aliens to suck you out of your car! Plants: 43285 | Registered: Mar 2004
| Seeded: 69.170.162.6
posted
The satellite link shows major stuff going on over Gardenmom's. Just sent her a text message via cell phone that I was thinking about her and her family. Don't know what else to do...but worry! Cindy
* * * * Buckle up! It makes it harder for the aliens to suck you out of your car! Plants: 43285 | Registered: Mar 2004
| Seeded: 69.170.162.6
posted
Nope. Her last post was a little after 3 p.m.
I sent her a text over the cell awhile ago, but I doubt if they even have cell service at this point. The radar looks awful over Jacksonville right now.
I will call her first thing tomorrow if she hasn't posted by morning.
Cindy
* * * * Buckle up! It makes it harder for the aliens to suck you out of your car! Plants: 43285 | Registered: Mar 2004
| Seeded: 69.170.162.6
loz
guest
posted
Praying and hoping that karen is staying safe!!!!!
Seeded: 4.248.225.29
posted
My prayers are with all of you who have endured the rampage of the hurricane. I live in KS and many times have watched twisters tooooooo close to my home. Thank God we have never taken a direct hit. So sad to see what you have worked for all your life snuffed out in a a few moments. God works in mysterious way - some times we sure don't agree and like to argue - but in the end He usually has a plan for us. Take care. Sal in ks
* * * * Sal Plants: 7 | From: Kansas | Registered: Aug 2004
| Seeded: 12.108.141.240
posted
i'm sorry it's taken me so long to check in here. i hope you all are ok. karen i hope things are ok for you and nothing was damaged too bad. how's the flooding? sheesh i hope you are alright. how are the kids taking everything? we moved up north from south florida almost 2 years ago and i still feel guilty. all my family is there and i feel guilty being happy i'm not there while at the same time worried about all of them. UGH! south florida seemed to be alright. they all just lost electricity since saturday afternoon, but other than that everything is ok. now they all just have to wait for ivan. Plants: 362 | From: NE PA | Registered: Jun 2004
| Seeded: 172.132.201.99
posted
HI, Isn't Pineapple Raye from Florida?? Has he been heard from? Hope everything is ok.
* * * * Old age ain't no place for sissies Plants: 306 | From: Alberta,Canada | Registered: Jun 2004
| Seeded: 24.70.95.205
loz
guest
posted
We won't get anything like most places--thankfully, however we are supposed to get a lot of heavy rain tommorrow and that worries me.....where I live it's like a big stadium.....mountains all around and the valley in the middle......so downtown will probably be a mess, and lots of flooded basements......
Check out my weather album, that was just from several inches of rain....we are supposed to get 5-10 inches....
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If the need arises I guess we'll have to go to a shelter.![[kissies]](graemlins/kissies.gif)
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I might need the box(case) it came in! ![[shocked]](graemlins/shock.gif)
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officer on there telling a story of a rescue of a bunch of surfers. 
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I held it up till they were done.![[gabby]](graemlins/gabby.gif)
Weezie
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