Gustav, Outside Looking In

I am finding it very strange to be on the outside looking in at a hurricane hitting my hometown, Baton Rouge, La. It's very hard to describe. While I'm grateful to not have to deal with the preparations and lack of utilities, it still almost seems like I should be there, if only to support our friends and family. My husband and I watch news reports on TV and can usually figure out where the reporters are standing. My husband is especially good at this when they are at levees, locks, intracoastal waterways, and other prime fishing locations near the Gulf of Mexico. We called and checked on every one Monday morning, and all was fine. Now phone lines are down, power is out, and communication out of there is slim. We have friends and family in both Baton Rouge and Lafayette. I was able to connect with my aunt who says there are limbs down everywhere, power outages, but no real damage to life or property. That was good news. At one point yesterday, the eye of Gustav was over where we used to live! They are saying this storm was harder on Baton Rouge than Betsy was in the 60's, and Betsy came up the Mississippi River, fueled by warm water, and didn't dissipate until it was very far inland, causing all sorts of damage. Apparently the damage of Gustav is worse. I'm so proud of Louisiana's new governor and all his planning and execution. If only we'd had him 3 years ago for Katrina.

The kids seem to have had a great first week or school. One of my son's teachers got engaged (we go to church with her) so that was all the buzz. Both children seem very happy heading off to school and not too worn out when they get home.

I swam 16 laps this morning, and it felt great. I was actually able to walk up and get a lane! I am also amazed that I can put on size 12/14 clothes and wear them comfortably, top AND bottom! Who'da thunk it?! I don't think I've worn a 12 or 14 since I was 12 or 14!