A day in August

Nearly a year has passed since the storm and many parts of the island are back together again. Some are not. The structures stand like sentinels warning to learn from the past. As I type this, Allen has sprayed the front yard with water and is driving my SUV back and forth to pack down the sand so that vegetation can spread. It's a funny activity and the dogs bark like he is just arriving home with each pass. The neighborhood is back to some sort of new normalcy. People populate the beach and swimmers abound on the weekends. The view from the deck is priceless; like one that you'd see in Cancun or Corpus Christi. The ocean is delightfully warm to swim in and fresh shrimp and crab abound on town restaurant menus. For now, life is relaxing and time spent here is etched in our memories and filed under "the best of times". It's been that way for us for 30 years or so.

Baby steps toward somewhere that might be normal [or sort of]

We look pretty happy in the image shown. We're glad for lights, and we did get an electrician to run the power for the "grinder thing". Plumbers must have become some sort of elusive or endangered species. We have to have one to hook up the grinder and the water source. In the meantime, we are biding our time, paying the bills and hoping for the sun to continue to shine.

Aftermath extends into nowhere fast...

Ok! Now the lights are on but the toilets are not to be flushed. Actually, truth to be known, it will cost about $7000 to get a "grinder" bought and installed to do the job. Humiliating and exasperating. That's what I get for complaining about the lights! We've been by the house and washed floors clean of sheetrock dust as well as moving in some furniture. Our view is breath taking! Allen is working hard to get everything back to "sort of" normal. Hopefully in the next month or so, we'll hear a welcome sound of rushing water from taps and toilet!

The city has decided that we are obligated to pay the $60 monthly minimum for water, sewer and trash despite the fact that we have none of these services. Water is technically hooked up to the house but we can't turn it on. No grinder, no water. Just pay the money.

Outside...well, we have nice sand dunes in the front yard that are starting to cover the ABOVE ground water pipes. It's a matter of time before someone runs over them. There is a promise of green from the grasses sprouting on the yard. Our little circle is looking very nice but to the east and west of us, the homes stand like sentinels of the devastation of Ike.
It's a reminder of what we all face out here.

Would someone PLEASE turn on the lights??

No picture to show today. If I did, it would be of my neighbor, Jane's house as there is terminal confusion as to which light meter belongs at what address. I understand that for the past 30 years, our electric meter has not matched our address. It never has! Now getting this corrected to actually have the power turned on is another bloomin' matter! When we had our electrical work done a few years back, our electrician had to put up different house numbers on our facade to get the power turned back on. This time; not so easy. Centerpoint and Reliant really don't communicate to each other and thus, our finished, refurbished, repaired and beautified house is the only one on our street without power! Heck, they even sent me Jane's electric bill and she HAS power. So, someone remind me when I get to finally come back...Will someone turn the lights on PLEASE?

Thanksgiving 2008

It's been a while since I have written. We've been busy getting our lives and our beach house back together. We are lucky, grateful and nearing completion of our repairs. This 30 year old house proved sturdy with only "cosmetic" repairs. Nothing structural to be dealt with. Speaking of grateful, I would have to add that our contractor, Luby has been easy to work with and made our lives better for knowing him. We decided to ditch having carpet in the house and did a considerable upgrade to more practical ceramic tile. We'll go down this weekend to see how it all turned out. Only a replacement door is on our list of "to do". It would seem that most of the off island world has forgotten about this storm and how Galveston is struggling to get back to some sort of normal day to day life. City government is angering many with their meager knowledge of what to do with it all. I think that many will leave.

Then, there is that nagging gambling issue. Some islanders think that this will make it all better. If one would visit Atlantic City and see the neighborhoods and the problems, maybe it would change one's mind. Gambling never decreased crime, promoted a strong family lifestyle or worked to a community's betterment. I've never heard anyone say that a casino made their neighborhood better or lives enriched. I have heard of gambling addictions and the problems that engulf cities that have the casinos from crime to zoning. It won't help Galveston. I can only hope that it stays away from here or at least from the beach! We have enough on our plates.

On with the Contractors!

After walking the beach; a break from packing up my personal items for the restoration, Allen and I came upon this "tombstone" marking where the house once stood for the insurance adjusters. It is a sobering sight to see that the ocean just swallowed up the house and all that is left is a piece of slab and a piece of timber.

We met with the insurance person who handles personal effects for our policy. He was patient, very young [children can work now?] and went through my list with respect and care. We have really been lucky with the flood, windstorm, structure and personal effects adjusters. They all are trying to facilitate the losses in a fair and workable manner.

Now we have a very nice contractor and crew who will be getting started soon now that a permit is in the near future for the roof. If one doesn't have the proper inspections for the roof before and after, one can be denied windstorm coverage for the future so we are paying careful heed.

The tides were much lower this time. I will hopefully sleep better with that vision in my mind. When tides are high, it is just scarey!

The"best news of the day" is that Shrimp and Stuff restaurant is now open again! We went with Cal and contractor, Luby to check it out. There is a new owner [We cannot believe this!] but the food is just exactly as it has been for the past 20 years that we have been eating there. A small event that made us largely happy [and full!]

Presidents Bush Sr. and Clinton in Bermuda Beach

I was surprized to hear from Cal and local TV news that these important people were in Bermuda Beach to look over the damage from the storm. Bill Clinton was on the news asking for donations from private individuals for relief efforts. Somehow this just doesn't "chime" with me. This is one time that the government should be facilitating the process of rebuilding and restoration. Facilitation doesn't necessarily mean funding. Some people have asked me how much money we have received from FEMA. We did not apply even for the blue roof tarping. There are many many who need help and I think the resources should be there for them. Cal has told me that it takes hours and hours of standing in line to try to get a permit for building or an inspection date. Now there is where help is needed. Our son tells us that he has to use a land line phone to call about any of his insurance or housing questions, as he spends hours on hold and this wastes his cell minutes. Many people still need help and housing is in short supply. West end homes without water and power are renting for a small fortune to contractors and those working to restore some sense of the normal. Inch by inch, it is coming....

I'd better give credit to the Galveston Daily News/10/14/08 for the photo!