Well, I feel like Tina Turner as I am getting ready for Ike to come to my studio.

Really, Tonight, I am updating all pictures, making sure all projects are backed up, and shutting down ItsaGodGig Music for the weekend to put muself in hurricane mode.

My family has decided to shelter in place, and I will stay on line as long as the lights and cable will allow. We are listed as being about 10 miles outside of the "level C evacuation area" (those who should evacuate in a catagory 3 or higher storm). So while close, we are going to ride it out.

Will board up the windows tomorrow morning (boards are already cut and fitted) and we have Water and food for about a week. I even have my slim fast

Like I said, I will give updates as the storm progresses, but keep us here on the Texas coast in your prayers. Steve

Steve, I wish you and your family all the best. Stay safe.

Stay safe - you, your family, and all in the path of Ike.

Hi, Steve!

I'm in Ike's cross-hairs, too. I'm in Pearland....far northern Brazoria County....about 5 miles south of Hobby Airport. We're hunkering in for the long wait, too.

Our house is less than 5 y/o and build as hurricane safe as they can make 'em. My three grown children and their families are going to come here because one lives in an old apt. building in Texas City and the other two live in older homes with LOTS of big old trees -- they're in danger any time it storms.

I've probably burned a thousand calories kicking myself for never getting around to getting that generator and plywood -- but you know how it is. When you've got money you aren't usually thinking, "Hey, I think I'm gonna spend this extra $500 on a GENERATOR~!!"

I am dreading the possibility of being without power for days or even weeks! But, I can't wish it off to the East -- those people have had quite enough in the last few years!

Having spent several years in Florida, I know where you're coming from. As long as you're safe, caving in for hurricanes can be good family bonding time. :sad: My husband and I have the best memories from that time. IN fact, on of the most romantic things he's done was right after a storm when we had no cold Water. He boiled a whole tub full of hot water on the grill (with charcoal and everything) so I wouldn't have to take a cold shower.

Good luck.

I'm actually looking forward to some bonding time,too. :sad: No one ever wants to play games anymore.

I say, Bring it on Ike!

not on the coast - but suppose to have remnants of wind & rain .... and glouc i'm actually looking forward to it as well. i'm on a ranch & have plenty of reserves. i need some down time, but would not like my internet/wireless to go down...LOL

Good luck. My brother is in Katy, Tx and he is sticking it out too. I have cousins in Pearland, Texas City and Freeport. They are all staying put. I'm in Austin and wishing/praying everyone on our Texas coast makes it through IKE.

LSL

(Note from Pam: I, of course, did NOT write this, seeing as how I live in BRAZORIA county. However, I do intend to follow some of the advice given in the future. I am particularly interested in the swimming pool!!) (P.S. Pray, Saints! Pray!!)

Hurricane Season in Galveston County

To: ex-Galveston Countians, present Galveston Countians, and future Galveston Countians or those

who know a Galveston Countian:

We're about to enter the peak of the hurricane season, which starts June 1 and ends November 30. Any day now, you're going to turn on the TV and see a weather person pointing to some radar blob out in the Gulf of Mexico and making two basic meteorological points:

(1) There is no need to panic.

(2) We could all be killed.

Yes, hurricane season is an exciting time to be in Galveston County. If you're new to the area, you're probably wondering what you need to do to prepare for the possibility that we'll get hit by 'the big one.'' Based on our

experiences, we recommend that you follow this simple three-step hurricane preparedness plan:

STEP 1. Buy enough food and bottled Water to last your family for at least three days.

STEP 2. Put these supplies into your car.

STEP 3. Drive to Nebraska and remain there until Thanksgiving.

Unfortunately, statistics show that most people will not follow this sensible plan. Most people will foolishly stay here in Galveston County.

We'll start with one of the most important hurricane preparedness items:

HOMEOWNERS' INSURANCE: If you own a home, you must have hurricane insurance. Fortunately, this insurance is cheap and easy to get, as long as your home meets two basic requirements:

(1) It is reasonably well-built, and (2) It is located in Nebraska.

Unfortunately, if your home is located in Galveston County, or any other area that might actually be hit by a hurricane, most insurance companies would prefer not to sell you hurricane insurance, because then they might be required to pay YOU money, and that is certainly not why they got into the insurance business in the first place.

So you'll have to scrounge around for an insurance company, which will charge you an annual premium roughly equal to the replacement value of your house. At any moment, this company can drop you like used dental floss.

Since Hurricane Alicia, I have had an estimated 27 different home-insurance companies. This week, I'm covered by the Bob and Big Stan Insurance Company, under a policy which states that, in addition to my premium, Bob and Big Stan are entitled, on demand, to my kidneys.

SHUTTERS: Your house should have hurricane shutters on all the windows, all the doors, and -- if it's a major hurricane -- all the toilets. There are several types of shutters, with advantages and disadvantages:

Plywood shutters: The advantage is that, because you make them yourself, they're cheap. The disadvantage is that, because you make them yourself, they will fall off.

Sheet-metal shutters: The advantage is that these work well, once you get them all up. The disadvantage is that once you get them all up, your hands will be useless bleeding stumps, and it will be December.

Roll-down shutters: The advantages are that they're very easy to use, and will definitely protect your house. The disadvantage is that you will have to sell your house to pay for them.

'Hurricane-proof'' windows: These are the newest wrinkle in hurricane protection: They look like ordinary windows, but they can withstand hurricane winds! You can be sure of this, because the salesman says so. He lives in Nebraska.

'Hurricane Proofing Your Property: As the hurricane approaches, check your yard for movable objects like barbecue grills, planters, patio furniture, visiting relatives, etc.; you should, as a precaution, throw these items

into your swimming pool (if you don't have a swimming pool, you should have one built immediately). Otherwise, the hurricane winds will turn these objects into deadly missiles.

EVACUATION ROUTE: If you live in a low-lying area, you should have an evacuation route planned out. (To determine whether you live in a low-lying area, look at your driver's license; if it says you live in anywhere in Galveston County you live in a low-lying area.) The purpose of having an evacuation route is to avoid being trapped in your home when a major storm hits. Instead, you will be trapped in a gigantic traffic jam several miles from your home, along with two hundred thousand other evacuees. So, as a bonus, you will not be lonely.

HURRICANE SUPPLIES: If you don't evacuate, you will need a mess of supplies. Do not buy them now! Galveston County tradition requires that you wait until the last possible minute, then go to the supermarket and get into

vicious fights with strangers over who gets the last can of SPAM. In addition to food and water, you will need the following supplies:

23 flashlights. At least $167 worth of batteries that turn out, when the power goes out, to be the wrong size for the flashlights.

Bleach. (No, I don't know what the bleach is for. NOBODY knows what the bleach is for. But it's traditional, so GET some!)

A 55-gallon drum of underarm deodorant.

A big knife that you can strap to your leg. (This will be useless in a hurricane, but it looks cool.)

A large quantity of raw chicken, to placate the alligators. (Ask anybody who went through Alicia; after the hurricane, there WILL be irate alligators.)

$35,000 in cash or diamonds so that, after the hurricane passes, you can buy a generator from a man with no discernible teeth.

Of course these are just basic precautions. As the hurricane draws near, it is vitally important that you keep abreast of the situation by turning on your television and watching TV reporters in rain slickers stand right

next to the ocean and tell you over and over how vitally important it is for everybody to stay away from the ocean.

Good luck and remember: It's great living in paradise! Those of you who aren't here yet, you should come. Really!

Too funny Pam!

Really though, here in Ohio we only get sloppy seconds of any tropical storms and Ike has knocked two good sized trees down in my yard. I have loads of sympathy for those of you who go through these big storms first hand.

Good luck Texas!

Hi there...just checking in with my fellow Houstonites...How did ya'll fare?

We lost our fence, and some limbs fell, but no roof damage. We're still without power, and I'm staying with my mother for my internet access.

How is everyone doing?

Hey, Gang.

I am back.

I rode out the storm. Some shingles off the roof, a lot of downed branches off the trees... One tree down. 1 week without power.

But I am blessed. We never lost Water or gas, so we had hot showers. A neighbor got food poisioning, and I had to take her to the hospital. Many neighbors took trees on fences and on their homes. My wife's daughter and son-in-law lost their trailer.

So I am blessed.

I read two books, (Biographies of the 1900 Galveston Hurricane).

I wrote 11 songs, at least a couple of them I believe are pretty good.

I cleared a lot of branches for myself, and several neighbors.

And I lost about 3 pounds (not as fast as I have, but when you eat a lot of canned foods and such, it wasn't too bad).

So now I'm back and alive. May everyone else be so good.