[ShannonMVT]

This is ShannonMVT bringing you live team coverage until my power goes out!

We are still doing some last minute preparations. Here's my pics so far and what we've done to prepare.

Dh put some stakes and tie downs on a few of our trees yesterday.



Here is our bathroom. The cats' litterbox is upstairs so we put another one here temporarily for them. They will be staying with us in the closet with us (no windows there) and we'll let them out into the bathroom as needed to use the litterbox. We've got an extension cord going from the bathroom into the closet so we can have power for as long as it holds out.



I also filled our bathtub up with water. My parents rode out Hurricane Rita and my mom gave me the tip to fill it up with water and have a bucket so that we can put water in the toilet to be able to flush if our water isn't working. Of course we have bottled water for drinking.

Here is Dh's soon to be bed in the closet. He's got the sleeping bag since he doesn't like cushyness.



Here is my soon to be bed in the closet. It's a futon mattress so I'm nice and comfy.



Here's the supplies I have so far. Candles, flashlights, batteries, water, battery operated clock, books to read, a mini tv that runs off batteries so we can watch the news (yay!). And of course our power strip so I can plug in my fan (which has rechargeable batteries), and our laptops will go in there soon. Also I need to gather a few snacks.



And who doesn't love grilling some burgers right before a storm? Dh is grilling burgers, chicken and sausage for us to keep in a cooler so we can have fresh things to eat over the next few days.



We've still got a little while before the winds are bad enough for us to take cover. Dh thinks so far the wind is gusting at about 30-40 mph.

Wow, that is scary Shannon! Looks like you guys are well prepared though. I'll be thinking of you!

[A*LOT*OF*HOPE]

Wow, you are nice and prepared!!! I will also be thinking of you!!

[Emma&Jack's Momma]

I've been thinking about you and DH all day! I heard the hurricane was gettin pretty bad and thought of you instantly! I hope you guys get through it with no problems at all!!! I'll be checking up on you often!

[midnight_starr]

Be safe hon!!! We have been having wind all day today here and there is a lot of local flooding going on with the wind pushing the water up... We are actually having worse flooding conditions here for Ike than we did with Gustav, its crazy.. I'll be thinking of ya'll!!!

[Mod-LadyCoconut]

YAY I love the pics... it's nice having a 'visual' of where you guys are riding the storm out! You look so nice and cozy in your closet! Just think of it like camping! haha stay safe!

YAY I love the pics... it's nice having a 'visual' of where you guys are riding the storm out! You look so nice and cozy in your closet! Just think of it like camping! haha stay safe!

Why does she always say what I'm thinking FIRST?

[*krista*]

I have some really pretty pics of the sunset as seen through Ike, but I can't find my pluggy inny thingy for my camera so that I can upload them to my computer! Fooey! *pout*

ETA: See? This is what happens when SO is gone... I can never find anything!

Aw I miss him!

EATA: BTW I was trying to take pics a few minutes ago now that it is dark and it just isn't working! So I don't think you will get good pics of the heart of the storm (from me anyway). Sorry ladies! Silly Ike, you were supposed to come during a WEEK DAY!!

[*krista*]

omg I was just watching some footage on the weather channel of Galveston and there was this poor bird trying to fly (he was flying low by the ground), but he wasn't getting anywhere because of the wind. He started flying backwards! That was kinda weird looking.

Poor birdy!

[ShannonMVT]

Pic from about 6 pm:



Video from about 6 pm of wind:



Pic from 7:30 pm. The most gorgeous sunset I've ever seen:





Another wind video, harder to see it though:



Video of the sunset:



Photobucket is being a turd so those are just the ones I could get to upload but they're probably my best ones anyway.

I'm going to text Patty (pitridge) how we are doing once the storm is over (assuming we won't have power) so she can give an update. She'll post it over on the pregnancy after loss board.

We may try to get one more video of the winds and then it will probably be time to hunker down for the night.

[*krista*]

Hey Shannon! Wasn't that sunset awesome? It was really beautiful over here too, just enough clouds to reflect all the pretty colors. I really wish I could upload mine, but I don't think I will be able to until SO comes home. He can find anything, including the camera pluggy inny.

My mom's electricity is already out and it isn't even raining where she is.

[greeneyes]

Stay safe, you guys! We'll be thinking and praying about you! *hugs*

[*krista*]

I just saw a transformer blow, so I don't think I will have power for much longer. The wind is making whistling noises through the door! This is awesome. FYI when power goes out I think I am going to concerve my laptop battery and not be online anymore...

[Lash]

It wont hit us until about 9am. We will get more tornado's and flooding than actual hurricane effects-- of course the hurricane becomes tornado's as it moves inland

Its slamming us in the morning as it moves off of Houston. We got married in Galveston and I"m so incredibly sad to watch this

I just got back from my mom's, where we were watching the Weather Channel. All I could say was "e f f" except the real word and Holy.. ummm moly?!!! I'm praying SO HARD you girls stay safe!!! you!!

Lauren-- is Galveston where all those gorgeous pics were taken? I thought you had a destination wedding!!

[Lash]

Nope totally in Galveston. There are a few pics in Hawaii, but mostly Galveston. We got married at the Galvez-- see the beach in the distance?


On the beach





The Galvez. Its historic and I'd die if its ruined

[ShannonMVT]

Beautiful pics Lauren! Dh propsed to me in Galveston so it holds a special place in my heart too.

The electricity has flickered on and off several times but so far we still have power. We are in our closet now since the wind is getting bad.

[*krista*]

I've been out on my balcony. I have a pretty good view since I'm on the third floor. Transformers are blowing left and right! I know it isn't lightening because for one it isn't raining here yet, and secondly most of them seem to light the sky up green! They really light it up too. I'm kinda surprised I still have electricity.

Lauren - Those are some beautiful pics!

[ScottishBrit]

WOW!!!! I thought sunsets only exsisted in Hawaii!!!! BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[*krista*]

I'm fighting to stay awake! I lost tv/internet there for about an hour, but I still have electricity. I don't know why but for some reason I was thinking I could still get on the internet if the power goes out.

Wind and rain are really picking up here. I think I might nap through the eye!

Shannon, I hope you are staying safe over there!