So here I sit...at home when I should be at school, but our fearless superintendent who shall remain nameless, calls school whenever there is the "slightest" threat of bad weather. Guess he got gunshy from Charley Jeanne and Francis 3 years ago..or was it 4. I can't remember. Anyway, I'm disgusted because it takes away one of our Teacher Planning days in October..which at that point we sorely need. Whatever!

So, I'm having a day off. How about that. So far today I've gone to the store, played Mega Money, bought some more scratchoffs (I won again, only $9 bucks this time), and I'm sitting here writing to all you guys about my very quiet, much needed albeit unexpected day.

I remember when Charley hit. WE were so unprepared and Hurricane Charley came through here with 110 mph winds uprooting trees and destroying roofs, as well as taking away our power for a week. Charley devastated much of southern Orlando. Some people were without power for weeks. One week during the heat of August was bad enough.

There were days I would just sit in the pool up to my neck in the heavily chlorinated water to cool off with 90-100 degree heat in the afternoon and no generator to plug in fans. We remedied that situation of course. I remember taking my dogs outside to spray them down with the lukewarm water from the hose, just so they could cool down. They were so hot and I was afraid they'd have heart failure. I remember waking up to the sound of the wind and the rain, the hail and the debris hitting the house. I remember the sound of the tree limb breaking when it cut through our power connection like butter. These are sounds I'd rather forget, but it is hard to when you walk through one of these personally. Charley hit us hard, Jeanne just stormed for about 24 hours solid and Francis took our power yet again, this time much shorter.

Fay is a fizzle! And I'm so glad. Yeah, it's raining and I'm sure we're about to get hit with more wind this afternoon, but all in all, next to Charley, Faye is just a wet shadow.

Okay behave yourselves, hopefully the power doesn't go off. Later.

Comments:

Fay is just lots of rain and a few wind gusts.It's 6:20 p.m. here in Broward and it's actually pretty nice out.There are a lot of puddles from the rain and a few tree limbs on the ground.We lucked out this time.Laurie

comment by dogsalot on Aug 19, 2008 3:54 PM ()

reply by teacherwoman on Aug 20, 2008 10:28 AM ()

You've got a gun shy superintendent and we've got one that one call a snow day when needed. It's dangerous sometimes and we have to drive these kids to school. Oh well... I hope you take advantage of your day off and get some rest.

comment by shesaidwhat on Aug 19, 2008 3:08 PM ()

I'm resting and relaxing. It is sort of nice.

reply by teacherwoman on Aug 19, 2008 3:09 PM ()

comment by lunarhunk on Aug 19, 2008 9:52 AM ()

Yes, I lost a day in October -- during my cruise!

reply by teacherwoman on Aug 19, 2008 3:08 PM ()

ah, an enexpected day off! How wonderful... although it sucks that they take a day away from you in October! But oh well...
I hope you enjoy and I hope your power stays strong!

comment by kristilyn3 on Aug 19, 2008 9:44 AM ()

Me too, girl, I really am waiting for the worst of this to hit, which could be later tonight. It's messy out there, but definitely not worth canceling school for!

reply by teacherwoman on Aug 19, 2008 9:45 AM ()

Geez, I'd have the house on the market tomorrow if I had to live under those conditions. Gotta admire the folks in tornado-alley too. Looks like you'll be ok (this time). So if you don't need good luck beating the storm, use it to hit a number! Good luck!

comment by jjoohhnn on Aug 19, 2008 9:03 AM ()

It'd be great! Then I could afford to move

reply by teacherwoman on Aug 19, 2008 9:24 AM ()

Fay sounds wet and windy, but not wild, which is a blessing. Glad you are safe....

comment by marta on Aug 19, 2008 8:50 AM ()

Safe and a little wet, but not too much. She won't hit us full force till later!

reply by teacherwoman on Aug 19, 2008 9:24 AM ()

comment by greatmartin on Aug 19, 2008 8:39 AM ()

I agree, having endured the other storms, it's better to be safe. Boy is it dark all of a sudden. They say we're about to get the worst of her, but still after a Category 3 and a Category 2 and a Category I, I'm pretty tough about this stuff!

reply by teacherwoman on Aug 19, 2008 8:43 AM ()