Better Safe Than Sorry August 26, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Life Balance, Mindfulness, Nature.trackback
We’ve been keeping one eye on the eye of the storm as Tropical Storm Isaac whips up the wind and waves while wending its way north from the Caribbean.
While we wait for Isaac, we’re busy battening down the hatches:
* We’ve filled the tub with water for flushing toilets and taking sponge baths.
* We’ve readied flashlights and radios with fresh batteries so we can see in the dark and hear what’s happening with the storm’s progress.
* We’ve charged up the cell phone so we can stay in touch.
* We’ve brought in the deck furniture to prevent it from being tossed about by 60 mph+ winds.
* We’ve filled the cars with gas in case we need to evacuate.
* We’ve taken showers and done laundry and vacuumed the villa.
* We’ve stocked up on peanut butter, jelly, bread, bottled water, and other non-perishables.
And, now, we wait, watch, wonder, and . . . you thought I was going to say “worry,” didn’t you?
Nah. What’s the use of worrying?
We are as prepared as we can be for Isaac. So, we’ll wait, watch, wonder . . . and SING!
Que sera, sera.
Whatever will be, will be.
The future’s not ours to see.
Que sera, sera.
Aah . . . that’s better!
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Spirit Lights The Way 
Keep safe. Sounds as though you have done all you can.
Thanks, nuvofelt . . . here’s hoping that Isaac stays far from our shores. 😀
Here’s hoping indeed.
Here’s hoping indeed.
You can say that again. 😀
If anyone is going to come out on top of this storm, my bet is on you, Nancy. As a matter of fact, Isaac had better watch his step.
Seriously, I was impressed with your precautions and am going to send a link to this post to another online friend who JUST moved to Florida. Thanks for sharing.
Hm, I tried to post it on her site three times and it just disappeared. Oh well, my heart was in the right place. Her site is Rumpydog (http://rumpydog.com/2012/08/25/preparing-for-isaac/#comment-18829)
Thanks for trying to share with rumpydog.
The worst part is apt to be being couped up inside a small villa for 2-3 days with no place to go.
Good post on preparedness Nancy. I am going to use a few ideas for a future post (linking back to you, of course)
Go for it! Thanks, Tammy.
After Hurricane Hugo I pay close attention to those storms now. I make pretty much the same arrangements as you. We couldn’t believe how much damage there was three hours away from the beach! I couldn’t imagine having been any closer. But a lot of people learned the lesson of being prepared. Now there are about 20,00 new people from the north who don’t remember what it was like. I hope Issac stays out to sea and doesn’t bother you.
I’m with you, Linda. I’d rather be prepared and pleasantly surprised than blindsided.
Don’t forget the loo rolls!
Because if a storm that big was heading for me…
We stocked up on t.p. too! Thanks, PiP.
Sounds like you will be safe. I just emailed your post to my sis who lives in Florida. Your ideas are very practical ones.
Thanks, Marie. Hope you sister rides out the storm with no issues of note.
Nancy, your attitude is absolutely inspiring. Admire your courage and strength. May Isaac be kept far away from you, yours and your community. Keeping you in my thoughts.
Thanks, Don. We’ve had enough challenges for one year . . . so I’m hoping that Isaac steers clear of our humble abode.
If it doesn’t, we’ll deal with the “what is” after it arrives on our doorstep . . . and not one moment sooner.
Just a wonderful way of dealing with it. I think you’re marvellous.
Perhaps I’m too worn out from the various and sundry challenges we’ve been facing this year to spend needed energy on idle worry. 😀
Loved your post on intution. It could be that it’s whispering to me, “This too shall pass.”
That’s the spirit! Batten down the hatches, take in all sail, secure the sheets, and then wait to ride it out!
Masculine hurricanes still seem all wrong to me …
The Weather Service is an equal opportunity employer these days . . . parceling out male and female names to storms as they arise. 😀
It sure is a big one coming your way. Today we’ve have a multitude of earthquakes in San Diego, 3 of them around 5.5. It’s very disturbing when I’m sitting downstairs in my house and I can feel my chair on hard tile swaying for several seconds. I’m glad I’m not upstairs for this.
Earthquakes are so sudden that it’s hard to prepare. Even BIG storms like Isaac tend to be slow moving so that there is ample time to dot “i’s” and cross “t’s.”
I try to be prepared as much as I can, but if our supplies are compromised, they’re useless. They say the worst we have to worry about since most homes are sturdy is having no water, gas or electricity. Fun!
If we lose electricity, we don’t have AC. If we don’t have AC, I’m apt to become cranky. 😆
Good luck; I hope the next six weeks of weather is kind to everyone in the hurricane zone.
from ecuador, z
Thanks, Z! P.S. I LOVE Zebras . . . no matter how they are spelled. 😀
Much luck, Nancy. These things are facts of life where we live, but it never makes them any less scary when they’re barreling down on us.
We lived on the banks of the Chesapeake Bay when Isobel came charging up a few years ago. The worst of the storm arrived in the middle of the night . . . howling winds and HIGH tides littered our backyard with fish, seaweed, and driftwood. Amazingly, we didn’t lose power. The shelter, 16 miles inland, did.
Oh, you are so cool and collected! I admire you for it (and for your preparedness!) Keeping you and your precious family in my thoughts till that Isaac passes well over you.
Thanks, Z&G! I must confess that I’m more relaxed now that the cone of the storm has moved a bit farther off-shore.
We’ll probably just have messy wet weather for a day or two before the sun returns to our skies. Hope that everyone stays out of harm’s way.
I haven’t listened to the news for a few hours, but I’m sure sending lots of positive thoughts, Nancy.
Thanks, Amy. The storm is off-shore, due west of us. All we have at the moment is light rain and wind. Fingers crossed.
Sounds like you’re ready for one heck of a slumber party if things go dark 🙂 With food, flashlights, good company and a sense of humor/adventure, you can weather Isaac for sure 🙂 Hope you guys stay safe!
Thanks, Janna. When I listed our provisions, I forgot to mention that we also stocked up on C~H~O~C~O~L~A~T~E . . . and freshly baked Oatmeal Raisin cookies. 😀
We only get to play with the Hurricanes after you guys have worn them out 😦 Stay safe over there and keep your heads down 🙂
Thanks, Martin. Yes . . . Hurricanes tend to be wrung out a bit before they wander across the pond. Surf’s up here, for the moment at least.
Stay safe, Nancy. Thinking of you all. How’s Tigger?
Tigger is hanging in there . . . still drinking copious amounts of water, but his energy level is decent. When we filled the tub with water, he pondered diving in for a swim. 😉
I’ve only lived in tornado country, so it’s fascinating to see how you prepare for a storm coming your way. I wouldn’t have thought of gassing up the cars. Good luck. You’ll be in my prayers.
Tornadoes are far less predictable. We do get tornado watches along with hurricanes, but the tornadoes are far smaller than out west.
Duck, cover and stay safe.
Definitely better to be prepared than off guard. Hoping things go smoothly in your neck of the woods… or waters!
Thanks, Tori. I’m glad we don’t live in a houseboat during stormy seas like these.
Yes, I believe in the Boy Scout moto “Be prepared! Hope you guys stay safe.
We baked Oatmeal Raisin cookies last night . . . a tip I picked up from YOUR storm prep last year. 😀
I’m sending you love and blessings. I hope you manage to stay safe. Lots of love, Yaz
Thanks, Yaz! So far, so good.
This morning on the TV News, they announced that the hurricane’s path has move further west, so things will probably not be as bad as you’ve prepared for; but like you said, better safe than sorry.
My prayers are with you.
Thanks, William. Unless the storm changes track . . . we should be in good shape. Just brief heavy rain for the next few days.
Hope all is going okay, Nancy…
it sounds like you’ve taken a lot of very wise precautions…
(although I’m also a bit relieved to hear you mention the track should pass you by for the most part… always good to be prepared… even better to be prepared and be passed by, too)!
🙂
Exactly! Thanks for your good thoughts, Bob.
Always good if you can cope with the extremes of life without worrying, but anyway – be safe.
Thanks, Val. It looks gorgeous this morning . . . calm with blue skies.
How is Isaac treating you? Are you past the danger zone?
Isaac steered out to the gulf and away from Tampa Bay. Other than windy wet weather, we didn’t notice the storm much here.
Be safe. I think you have done all the initial preparations. Is it all better now?
Seems quite calm this morning. Not sure if more outlying rain bands will be swinging by later or whether we are in the clear.
What great prep you’ve done….hope you’re all safe and well!
Safe and sound. Thanks, Kathy.
Nancy, did the storm already pass through your area?
With barely a ripple. 😎
I’ve been thinking about you all day and just wondering how you prepare! You’ve told me! I will STILL be thinking of you until Isaac blows on by. May he run out of energy! Debra
Thanks, Debra. I hope everyone fares as well as we did when/if Isaac makes landfall.
Glad it went away. Still, precautions are never wasted. Good training in gearing up for emergencies.
The thing that surprised me most was how CALM mom stayed . . . a great blessing for her and for us. 😀