We evacuated when Rita was threatening to hit Houston, along with a couple million other people in the Gulf area.

I think all we took was the kids, my computer, a few clothes, the baby books and some photo albums.

We had an 15 hour drive to San Antonio, which normally takes 3. It was one of the most surreal experiences I’ve ever been in. Traffic backed up for miles, people camping out by the road. It reminded me of the migration scenes in the Grapes of Wrath.

I have pictures of it online here.

http://kingwoodconnection.com/k/index.php?option=com_zoom&Itemid=115&catid=8

On the way out the door, I’d grab as much food and water as I could carry.

That Tuesday I was driving Interstate 25 when I saw the flashing sign: ‘Highway 115 Closed Wildfire’. I got on my cell and called to see if you were alright. No answer. I got home and called your cell and your home again. No answer. Then about 10 minutes later you, Bob and K showed up at my doorstep with my favorite three furry canine friends, Aspen, Zeb, Ani…and of course Willow your cat. Along with my Pieper (canine), Aphridite and Ami (cats) we were a motley crew.

‘The Dog Whisperer’ would have been very proud of us. We all remained ‘calm and assertive’. All the animals were great. The only hair raising part was when Zeb (your 13 year old Lab/Shepard mix) didn’t make it into the house and we had to search a couple of blocks) and found him roaming the area. Bless his heart.

By the way, it was a full size bed…with three of you in it I’m sure it seemed more like a twin. I slept with Ani (lab/golden mix) in the bed with me. Zeb on one side. Aspen at the foot…not sure where Pieper ended up; and Ami my cat in the chair next to my bed.

Michelle, what a miracle: Everyone and your home is safe. Bless the firefighter that lost his life helping to make it so.

I’m blessed to have you and your family in my life…honored to have been chosen to help you in your time of need.

@Carol TAP TAP TAP TAP

@ Patricia. I wish I would have read your comment yesterday. It was another intense day and three in one week was a bit much. I ended the day in tears – just to release… so, you’d think I’d know this but thanks for the reminder. BREATHE BREATHE..

@Raymond. I’m a reality person.. and a prepare person – “Hope for the best, prepare for the worst” You present a great point, .. the piece I wonder about is if we are all part of the collective consciousness, we also act out and live realities that others are bringing in, and therefore are not solely and individually responsible for our reality. There’s a whole post here perhaps……

@Karen – yes, exactly, “What on earth was I thinking?!”

@Cheryl. The funny one of us is on this..(CK…? Are you there?)

You’ve been tagged!

Please check my blog to learn the rules and answer the questions – I would really love to read your answers.

I’m glad everyone was alright when the boulder hit your car. It’s scary having glass flying at your child. I’m also glad to hear your house was spared.

Everything I would take is packed each spring into a suit case and two water-tight plastic boxes, except the bottled water, computers, game system and chargers. We live in a hurricane zone and know we have to be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice:

Important papers: birth certificates, marriage license, mortgage papers, homeowners’ insurance policy, etc. in a huge ziplock bag
clothing for 5 days
toiletries (including toilet paper and paper towels)
non-perishable food for 5 days
a bowl, spoon and fork for each person
Swiss Army knife w/can opener on it
can opener
bottled water for 5 days or more
dog food
guinea pig food
son’s hand-held gaming system and games
chargers for all portable devices
laptop
desktop tower
external backup hard drive
photos
journals
flashlights
batteries

If I have time and room:
camp coffee maker and coffee
camp stove
propane bottle
lanterns (battery powered)

Anything we don’t use regularly is packed in plastic containers ready to be grabbed, like the important papers, journals and photos.

I unpack after hurricane season ends each fall.

Sherri

If I had to evacuate in a hurry I would expect that I’d forget any carefully laid plans ad grab whatever my eye fell on. Then I’d be looking at it afterwards and wondering what I was thinking.