Home - *the story*
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Home - *the story*
Well, the motel we were in was a dirty dump, but we really had no choice, everything was booked. I won't even tell you the problems we had with the sheets, not to mention the floors. The plus side is, it was a *suite* - meaning the connecting door was opened between 2 rooms, and we needed the space because DH was working the entire time – had a good rate though, cheaper than a lot of single rooms. Since DH was working in B'Ham for 3 months following Katrina, he knew the area. Nearby was a very pretty trail that runs along a creek so we went there every morning to give the dog some exercise and get out of the room for an hour or two.
We left early yesterday morning to try and beat some of the returning traffic, passed several of the FEMA bus convoys with returning evacuees. The trip home was going well, until we were suddenly chased and stopped by 2 police cars in MS! We thought DH was going to get a ticket for speeding. But they walked up to each side of the car and looked in and then made DH get out of the car. What they told him was a *trucker had reported the driver of the car was drinking alcohol* !?!?!?! Besides the fact that DH *rarely* ever even drinks a beer, he told them *I’ve been drinking Starbucks all the way from Birmingham. They asked if he’d take a field sobriety test, and he said yes. I couldn’t believe it – I guess a trucker saw him drinking out of his Vinti Starbucks coffee cup and maybe thought it was a daiquiri or something?! Once they were satisfied DH was not drinking alcohol, they let us go. It was a bit unnerving though.
We had good traffic flow home, only hit the one area where it slowed to around 30 MPH for about 15 miles, and made it home in good time. Then the work began.
Unloading the car, cleaning the refrigerator before putting the handful of items we brought back from AL in an ice chest in it (we had thrown out/given away pretty much everything, but it needed to be cleaned before putting new stuff in), removing stuff we had placed on top of furniture, reconnecting TVs, computers, etc.
THEN – the A/C went on the fritz. I was in a rage. Yes, I admit, I threw a major tantrum. Told DH that if I’d known I was going to leave a place with working air and nice outside temps, even if it *was* a dump, to come home to high humidity, mid 90’s temps, lots of work and NO AIR, I would have stayed where I was. LOL So I took my best shot at cleaning the compressor in the back yard. It was really dirty with storm debris, and I hosed and hosed until it looked fairly clean. Then came in and took shower #2 of the day. A/C worked better after that, made a phone call to our A/C guy, and they are coming out Monday AM to check it out and give estimates for replacing the entire unit – this is something we’ve known we need to do since Katrina and it’s been limping along each year since then.
So after cooling off, we tackled the hard part - cleaning up the yard. UGH! I don’t know how people with *real* damage can do it, because that really did us in – and DH did all of the heavy lifting and most of the rest. We have several piles/stacks of downed tree limbs and branches spread out in front of the house on the curb and several large lawn bags full of small debris. The garbage was NOT picked up last Saturday morning, the day we left, as we were all told it would be, so there are 2 garbage cans full of stinking garbage added to that pile. But every house on the street looks the same in front – piles of downed trees, debris and garbage. *Hopefully* trash pickup will resume today – as it’s SUPPOSED to!
Couldn't see any damage to the house, with the exception of a suspicious area on the roof right around the chimney, so we'll have to have that checked out. Otherwise, the house looks fine.
Inside for shower #3 of the day. LOL We went to bed before 9 PM last night. This morning we woke up aching and VERY sore – and I told DH *As much as I hate this dumpy place, I am SO GLAD to be home*! 
{{{{{Karen}}}}} What an adventure! I don't think I could deal with it all, and multiple times at that. Ever thought of moving north? LOL!
OH ugh. The traffic stop was stupid! Sheesh! Everyone knows what a to-go coffee cup looks like.
We came home from Niagara Falls, to AC not working, so I can relate to that. We went out and bought a window unit to limp through the rest of the summer, which up here, wasn't that much longer (AC died at the beginning of August.) We replaced it the next summer. You have warmer, more humid air than we do, though.
I can imagine being sore after moving lots of big debris! Hope you are feeling better soon.
((((Hugs)))) What a story! You really had a major undertaking cleaning that mess up. You are a strong woman Karen, that's all I have to say
Karen,
So glad you are safe and sound. Take care
Well, good grief, Karen!! Life's always exciting, isn't it?! I'm glad you're back safely, and that your home is relatively undamaged. I sure hope you have a chance to rest, and I hope life is *boring* for a while, LOL!
Karen, we've been cleaning our yard for a couple of days now. No garbage pickup for us either...stinky! The AC going out would have done me in! I was surprised at how nice (read - not humid) the weather was in central LA near Alexandria. It just reminds me of how deep in the swamps we are! Two showers a day are a must!
Karen, we evacuate with our dog also. I usually go to the homes of family but this time we had to stay at a hotel for one night on the way home. We got a pet friendly room at an Econo Lodge. I was glad to get a room for the night but there was no internet, no pool, elevator was broken, no air working in the lobby, and the coffee maker was broken. I'm sure most of these problems were related to the amount of people using the hotel to evacuate. It was just jam packed! Do you have a recommendation for a pet friendly hotel?
Sounds crazy! I am glad you are back safely and that the house is ok. Hope the a/c is fixed or replaced soon.
Jeanne, your motel sounds worse than mine was! 
Well, the garbage was picked up this afternoon. Don't know when they will get to all the storm debris but at least it doesn't stink!
I had a hair appointment scheduled for this coming Thursday for my color/highlights (for the cruise, right??), and lo and behold, check out NHC site and TWC - Ike is projected to head into the Gulf. So I called my hairdresser and begged an appointment today, and got in. Then DH and I went to get a *very* few groceries - we got enough food for 4 days - and we'll see if we have to evacuate again.
My sister in P'cola is beside herself - one of the other girls who's supposed to cruise with us is scheduled to drive in from TX on 9/13, then the 2 of them were to drive to another girls' home around Orlando on 9/14 - other sister is to fly into Miami on 9/13 and I was to fly into Ft. Lauderdale on 9/14, P'cola sister and friend were going to carpool with several others on 9/15 to Ft. Lauderdale for our cruise. My sister said that depending on *where* this storm goes, they would be driving THROUGH it.
All of us are pretty much up in the air about this now, not knowing whether we have to evacuate, will be able to go on the cruise, where Ike is going to hit, if we can actually get to Ft. Lauderdale, if the ship can actually cruise, what will happen....
Driving around the area, I've seen there are lots of trees and fences down, some chimneys, siding, etc., but no flooding, and THAT is the thing that destroys neighborhoods, so that has been great news. I think *most* people learned from Katrina and emptied their freezers/fridges - this is gross, but it doesn't SMELL like it did after Katrina.
Jeanne, we used a LaQuinta Inn. They have free Continental breakfast and free wireless high speed internet AND they take pets. Some are decent, some are total dumps. The one we were in, Cahaba Park Circle - is a total dump. DON'T stay there--ever--if you have a choice. The housekeeping personnel were incredibly lazy, they don't change the sheets, they don't vacuum the rooms - I have a horror story about that which I'll save for another post......We booked a room at a newer one @ Birmingham-Hoover. It's supposed to be decent. There are some other places that take pets, but cost much more than we want to spend. DH has enough points through LaQuinta (from traveling) for us to get 6 nights free this time around.
OH - Trina - we ARE now talking about moving. Just not *that* far up north.
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