Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Sunday, September 02, 2012
Home At Last!
Back home and am writing this post from my computer instead of my phone!
Yesterday we ventured to the Westbank because I needed to pick up a prescription from Target. After navigating Target's automated phone system I managed to talk to a person to confirm the store was indeed open. Power over on the WB was spotty too. Didn't see much open on Manhattan Ave. and the traffic lights worked up until Whitney Blvd. The pharmacist at Target told us they were running generators. Must be some serious generators to power up a whole Target with AC and food coolers. We got what we needed and headed back to our house. The power at the bridge must have been down because they were not collecting tolls, unless it was because of the "state of emergency" we were under. Greg cleaned up more debris in the yard and emptied refrigerators. Our can was already full so I had to "borrow" space in neighbors cans.
We headed back to our cousins for showers and AC. Friends called asking to borrow our air mattresses. The power was on at her office and they were going to sleep there if the power at their house didn't come back on. We met them at our house to give them the mattresses, then met up with the Seminole Club people to watch the FSU game at a restaurant (FSU creamed Murry State 69-3!). During the game a neighbor called to tell us the power was back on. We stopped by our house after the game to discover no power. A few friends has posted on Facebook that their power had been restored only to have it go away 10 minutes later. We checked on the cats and house when our power came back on. We had already decided to stay with our cousins again so there was no reason to chance it and headed back to their place.
We are back home now, getting everything out back into place, doing some cleaning, washing towels that were used to sop up rain water. Need to go to the grocery, but so does everyone else who got power last night so I'll wait a little while. Just so happy to be safe and back home!
Yesterday we ventured to the Westbank because I needed to pick up a prescription from Target. After navigating Target's automated phone system I managed to talk to a person to confirm the store was indeed open. Power over on the WB was spotty too. Didn't see much open on Manhattan Ave. and the traffic lights worked up until Whitney Blvd. The pharmacist at Target told us they were running generators. Must be some serious generators to power up a whole Target with AC and food coolers. We got what we needed and headed back to our house. The power at the bridge must have been down because they were not collecting tolls, unless it was because of the "state of emergency" we were under. Greg cleaned up more debris in the yard and emptied refrigerators. Our can was already full so I had to "borrow" space in neighbors cans.
We headed back to our cousins for showers and AC. Friends called asking to borrow our air mattresses. The power was on at her office and they were going to sleep there if the power at their house didn't come back on. We met them at our house to give them the mattresses, then met up with the Seminole Club people to watch the FSU game at a restaurant (FSU creamed Murry State 69-3!). During the game a neighbor called to tell us the power was back on. We stopped by our house after the game to discover no power. A few friends has posted on Facebook that their power had been restored only to have it go away 10 minutes later. We checked on the cats and house when our power came back on. We had already decided to stay with our cousins again so there was no reason to chance it and headed back to their place.
We are back home now, getting everything out back into place, doing some cleaning, washing towels that were used to sop up rain water. Need to go to the grocery, but so does everyone else who got power last night so I'll wait a little while. Just so happy to be safe and back home!
Friday, August 31, 2012
Issac Aftermath part 2
Got mail delivered today. Was hoping trash would be picked up but no. Power still out but saw trucks around. Walked up Magazine Street to Jefferson-no power. PJ's had iced coffee so we both got one and walked back home. Our neighbor Bill left a copy of today's paper for us.
Cleaned the yard up and the house. Leaves everywhere. And hung the towels we used to sop up water blown through windows up to dry. Our friend Dr. A invited us to come hang out at her office that had AC. We really needed that. I even fell asleep sitting in the chair! So tired and the heat really saps your energy.
Got home to the past three days of newspapers on our steps. Now resting comfortably at our cousins' who have power. Looking forward to a good, cool night's sleep. Reading the Twitter posts more power has been restored even in the past few hours! As we're we leaving our neighbor pulled up. He had just returned from Baton Rouge to buy a generator. Now I know our power will get restored soon!!
Cleaned the yard up and the house. Leaves everywhere. And hung the towels we used to sop up water blown through windows up to dry. Our friend Dr. A invited us to come hang out at her office that had AC. We really needed that. I even fell asleep sitting in the chair! So tired and the heat really saps your energy.
Got home to the past three days of newspapers on our steps. Now resting comfortably at our cousins' who have power. Looking forward to a good, cool night's sleep. Reading the Twitter posts more power has been restored even in the past few hours! As we're we leaving our neighbor pulled up. He had just returned from Baton Rouge to buy a generator. Now I know our power will get restored soon!!
Isaac Aftermath
We are still without power much like many of our friends. We had some people over yesterday so we could grill the uncooked meat in our freezers. We had burgers, pork chops, pork loin, turkey breast, tuna and salmon. Today we need to clean out the fridge. The freezers are still good and cold. We filled up containers of water and stuck them in the freezer to freeze before the storm hit. It keeps it colder much longer. Being with out power, we have missed the overblown drama of the weather channel and CNN - this gleamed from other peoples posts. We are really only aware of our area and friends and neighbors. We haven't driven anywhere yet, to stay out of the way of the clean up efforts. Today we'll go for a walk again to see what's open and what's going on. Twitter has been a great source of info. I've never been on it is as much as the past few days. The skies have cleared so that means its going to get hot. Fun.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Issac part 2
Been trying to stay busy and work on my photo album from my wedding. We got married in 2003. Better late than never. But I can't sit still. Rain has stopped but wind still blowing with gusts.
It's pretty hot and sticky so I opened the door on our side porch that's covered to get some air movement.
G walked around to check house. Looking good. Here's a shot of him securing our gate. You can see the downed power line hanging off the dumpster. Glad we moved our cars otherwise the line would have fallen on them.
Bad flooding south of us but no reports of any major flooding in the city. I highly recommend solar powered stuff. We have 2 radios and this phone charger. Works good during the day. City is now under dusk to dawn curfew and we've been asked to limit flushing due to sewerage issues. Water is fine.
I'm keeping in the loop on WWL radio, and Twitter. Signing off for now.
It's pretty hot and sticky so I opened the door on our side porch that's covered to get some air movement.
G walked around to check house. Looking good. Here's a shot of him securing our gate. You can see the downed power line hanging off the dumpster. Glad we moved our cars otherwise the line would have fallen on them.
Bad flooding south of us but no reports of any major flooding in the city. I highly recommend solar powered stuff. We have 2 radios and this phone charger. Works good during the day. City is now under dusk to dawn curfew and we've been asked to limit flushing due to sewerage issues. Water is fine.
I'm keeping in the loop on WWL radio, and Twitter. Signing off for now.
Hurricane Issac
Today marks the 7th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and the Federal Flood. We are spending the day in the dark, listening to Hurricane Issac whip wind and rain around. Big gusts of winds but thankfully no flooding by us in the Irish Channel.
Our cats Gonzo and Harold seem confused. This is Harold's first hurricane, Gonzo's second. Hana, our our 12 year old cat, is snoozing peacefully on the bed. She's been through this a number of times.
So here we hunker waiting for Issac to move on.
Our cats Gonzo and Harold seem confused. This is Harold's first hurricane, Gonzo's second. Hana, our our 12 year old cat, is snoozing peacefully on the bed. She's been through this a number of times.
So here we hunker waiting for Issac to move on.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
A New Purrpose in Life
I'm not going to start this post talking about how it's been such a long time since I posted. Oh wait, I guess I just did. My excuse? Mid-life professional crisis. Just shy of 20 years I've been a graphic designer and I have suffered a burn-out of epic proportions. Last time I was feeling burned out I starting teaching at Delgado Community College and that helped relight the spark. But alas, I haven't had the opportunity to teach since 2006 and try as I might, the thrill is gone. You maybe thinking "suck it up" but when you are a business owner you have to love what you do or the business suffers as well as your soul.
Last Fall I experienced an "ah ha" moment. While sitting at my cats' vet's office, I spied a gal wearing scrubs that had "Delgado Vet Tech" embroidered on them. I didn't know exactly what a vet tech was at the time but I knew that's what I wanted to be. I wanted to work with animals and I was excited. I researched the program at Delgado and enrolled in January. There were a few classes I would need to take before I could apply for the program. Some of the classes I took back at FSU would qualify to fulfill prerequisites, but I needed biology and computer literacy. I'll let the irony of that last class sink in. Moi? Who taught computer classes at Delgado had to take one? The advisor who enrolled me asked if I had taken one when I was at FSU. HA! I'm not even sure if they had computer classes back then. Going back to school was a very interesting experience. Delgado's campus was familiar which helped and being a community college, there were people of all ages. I really enjoyed biology and bio lab and I will admit I did learn something in the computer class. I worked hard and got all As which I was proud of.
Delgado only accepts applications for the vet tech program once a year, in May. I would be completing the pre-reqs but what was missing is the 100 hours shadowing at a Veterinary office. Between studying and my graphic design business I just didn't have time so I decided to post-pone applying until the next year. I did have the idea to start a pet sitting and dog walking business in the mean time. That took a lot of time once I finished classes but I got incorporated, insured and now have a second business Petit Pet Care. While all this was going on, I talked to my friend and client, Michelle, who is the owner of Zeus' Place, about pet sitting. She said they needed a hand this summer and asked if I would be interested in working for her. Of course! I've been working part-time there now for a few months and I have learned a lot about animal care which can only be an asset to my new career path. Plus I get to care for dogs and cats, which I love. Play with a rescued kitty to help socialize it? Yes!
Will I still apply for the vet tech program? Not sure yet. There are a few other classes I can take that are required for graduation but not to apply that I can go ahead and get out of the way, which I will do. If you know me, you know I am a huge animal lover. I even have a blog dedicated to my cats, Gonzo for Cats and might start one for my pet sitting business. I'm excited about my new career path and have been enjoying learning more about pet care and animal behavior in addition to my lifelong ownership of various pets. The pet care industry is booming and there are several local pet sitters I have been talking with who have been very supportive and swear there is definitely room for another. I am still part owner of my graphic design business but not as active. My business partner, who has been amazingly supportive, has taken over the reins as I travel down this new and exciting path. Wish me luck!
Last Fall I experienced an "ah ha" moment. While sitting at my cats' vet's office, I spied a gal wearing scrubs that had "Delgado Vet Tech" embroidered on them. I didn't know exactly what a vet tech was at the time but I knew that's what I wanted to be. I wanted to work with animals and I was excited. I researched the program at Delgado and enrolled in January. There were a few classes I would need to take before I could apply for the program. Some of the classes I took back at FSU would qualify to fulfill prerequisites, but I needed biology and computer literacy. I'll let the irony of that last class sink in. Moi? Who taught computer classes at Delgado had to take one? The advisor who enrolled me asked if I had taken one when I was at FSU. HA! I'm not even sure if they had computer classes back then. Going back to school was a very interesting experience. Delgado's campus was familiar which helped and being a community college, there were people of all ages. I really enjoyed biology and bio lab and I will admit I did learn something in the computer class. I worked hard and got all As which I was proud of.
Delgado only accepts applications for the vet tech program once a year, in May. I would be completing the pre-reqs but what was missing is the 100 hours shadowing at a Veterinary office. Between studying and my graphic design business I just didn't have time so I decided to post-pone applying until the next year. I did have the idea to start a pet sitting and dog walking business in the mean time. That took a lot of time once I finished classes but I got incorporated, insured and now have a second business Petit Pet Care. While all this was going on, I talked to my friend and client, Michelle, who is the owner of Zeus' Place, about pet sitting. She said they needed a hand this summer and asked if I would be interested in working for her. Of course! I've been working part-time there now for a few months and I have learned a lot about animal care which can only be an asset to my new career path. Plus I get to care for dogs and cats, which I love. Play with a rescued kitty to help socialize it? Yes!
Will I still apply for the vet tech program? Not sure yet. There are a few other classes I can take that are required for graduation but not to apply that I can go ahead and get out of the way, which I will do. If you know me, you know I am a huge animal lover. I even have a blog dedicated to my cats, Gonzo for Cats and might start one for my pet sitting business. I'm excited about my new career path and have been enjoying learning more about pet care and animal behavior in addition to my lifelong ownership of various pets. The pet care industry is booming and there are several local pet sitters I have been talking with who have been very supportive and swear there is definitely room for another. I am still part owner of my graphic design business but not as active. My business partner, who has been amazingly supportive, has taken over the reins as I travel down this new and exciting path. Wish me luck!
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