Harvey

[OldDude]

Well all...school is dismissing at noon today for everyone to grab their kids, batten down the hatches and skedaddle outta here for the big blow and flood this weekend. It's been a long time since a hurricane has come into the Texas coast so everything is kinda crazy. There is no bottled water to be purchased anywhere from Brownsville to Houston to San Antonio, the stores that still have gas have lines out the wazoo, and you couldn't guy a sheet of plywood for any amount of money to board up your windows (if you didn't have that already). People are generally going ape you-know-what. I've lived here all my life so I know the drill and know how dangerous those unpredictable storms are; I road out Hurricane Celia in 1970 lying face down in the mud, huddling behind a concrete slab (the same slab that held the building I was in until it was sucked away in one of the tremendous gusts that were clocked at over 200 mph).

So, if you don't mind, and you're inclined to be a praying person, please send one up for the safety these folks down here that have never dealt with something like this.

[Cattz, ADN]

We're safe and uninjured as well as the 5 worthless sacks of hair we call dogs. Connection to the world has been restored here. Sweet Petunia said she has never been that scared in her entire life!! Watching really big things and buildings blow away. Our property loss isn't worth mentioning compared to those who lost everything from Corpus Christi to Victoria to Beaumont and beyond. What you are seeing on the news isn't just "clip bait." It's real. Praise be to God for the minimal loss of life and grace and peace for those lost who lost loved ones to this sentinel event of nature. Thank for your concern and prayers. You guys be da best ever!!!!

YAAAAY! OD- So glad to hear from you! Glad you were there to calm and protect your Sweet Petunia. I can't imagine the devastation that you are seeing and helping those around you begin to pick up the pieces and move forward to healing and repair.

[Farawyn]

OD, you and SP and your kids and dogs and beer have been in my thoughts constantly.

What do YOU think the best thing we can do for you all, from the outside looking in. The best charities, etc.?

[OldDude]

OD, you and SP and your kids and dogs and beer have been in my thoughts constantly.

What do YOU think the best thing we can do for you all, from the outside looking in. The best charities, etc.?

Personally, I think the Salvation Army has been tried and true.

[zombieghoast]

Glad to hear you are okay!

[Farawyn]

Glad to hear you are okay!

*tackles you*

[zombieghoast]

*tackles you*

I'm always here watching! *can't comment too often because the last month has been busy with physical season and parents trying to guilt trip me*

[SaltineQueen]

We're safe and uninjured as well as the 5 worthless sacks of hair we call dogs. Connection to the world has been restored here. Sweet Petunia said she has never been that scared in her entire life!! Watching really big things and buildings blow away. Our property loss isn't worth mentioning compared to those who lost everything from Corpus Christi to Victoria to Beaumont and beyond. What you are seeing on the news isn't just "clip bait." It's real. Praise be to God for the minimal loss of life and grace and peace for those lost who lost loved ones to this sentinel event of nature. Thank for your concern and prayers. You guys be da best ever!!!!

Glad you're well OD!

Do you know if there are any schools, elementary specifically, that may be worse off than others? I have a bunch of backpacks with school supplies that I'd like to send to a school down there. My counselor and I are trying to arrange an all school drive. Do you know when most schools are hoping to be back?

[OldDude]

Glad you're well OD!

Do you know if there are any schools, elementary specifically, that may be worse off than others? I have a bunch of backpacks with school supplies that I'd like to send to a school down there. My counselor and I are trying to arrange an all school drive. Do you know when most schools are hoping to be back?

Our district starts back Tuesday, 3 districts in the area, Rockport, Aransas Pass, and Port Aransas ISDs are closed indefinitely and the parents have been advised to enroll their children in surrounding area schools, like happened after Katrina. That is very generous of you to attempt such a caring endeavor, let me get back on Tuesday, talk to the counselor and try to get something coordinated, that's awesome!

[Keepstanding, ASN, RN]

Good to know you and your family are doing okay OldDude! You are kind of like our Big Brother here and we need you to keep us in shape ! Continued prayers for everyone in Texas í ½í¹í ¼í¿» .

[OldDude]

Harvey update...as of this post, we've enrolled 719 students in our district from the communities where school has been closed indefinitely. Two districts were added to the list of three from my previous post, Taft and Ingleside. All of our schools have electricity now and other surrounding districts are also accepting students. Outpourings from parents, businesses, churches, clubs, Thursday night poker groups, etc., of school supplies, back packs, and clothing for these displaced kids has been unbelievable. A heart warming thing to see. I can just imaging God...'yeah, that's what I'm talking about!!"

Thanks to all for the thoughts and prayers and positive mojo you've sent this way. You guys rock!

[moreoreo]

Wow! Best wishes and positive vibes to you and all the other staff in your district as you take on the additional load. I am sure that being back at any school will help these children back something as close to normalcy as possible. Hope the first day back went OK today!

[SchoolNursey]

I am a little late, but glad to hear you are ok. I have family in Orange, everything was under water. I'm outside of NOLA, so Katrina is still a fresh memory.