UPDATE: FAY - A RECORD / Plus Fay -vs- Lawnmower - Who Wins?

[brain]

Yup - Fay's in my way!
Which means - party hearty!


*laughs*

So this means, more Hurricane Pics!



I think I'll do just that for the album, putting up
all the Hurricanes the past couple, and slam them
up there - Charlie to Frances to even Ivan and Ivan
Part II - The sequel when he actually returns! Yup,
We were all outside, *laughs* - and you'll get to see
it all, and why my north side fence is gone too, and
much more ... all the fun stuff.

Later, will be picking up some charcoal, and baking
my cast iron skillet - we're already stocked, but Publix
has a sale going on, so we need to get some other stuff
stocked up. We're very much used to having no power,
as that's typical here anyway, whether or not we have
Hurricanes.

I DO have a wireless, but it doesn't mean that I'm going
to be able to connect to anything, but I could try. For
those who do have my telephone number - DO NOT CALL
or ATTEMPT to call, for you will only receive a circuit is
busy or overloaded.

Be assured we will be just absolutely fine just as always,
I just want each and every one of you to know this. We
always ride Hurricanes - all of them; and yes, even when
Frances (which was amazing and unusual as when it crossed
the Atlantic Ocean then over Florida, normally it slows down
and degrades, but it didn't, instead it upgraded and that was
unusual) and even then in a Category 3 Hurricane for a short
time, we were outside having fun - and my son still hasn't
learned his lesson, that you can't ride a bicycle against the
wind! *laughs* (This one, we were without power for over
a week - so you'll see that in the album - after Fay's done
with us)

I've heard of the quote:

THERE GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD

But I've never had my neighborhood come to me! Honest!
I teased my mom about that, because Fay is several blocks
away from where I grew up so my sister, mom, son and
I will be just fine.

However - my son's girlfriend, resides in the danger zone,
she may have to evacuate, and if she does, she'll be staying
with us. I already told her what she needs to yank out of her
place, so she's going to pack up now, so she can be ready
to go at a moment's notice. I've already told her, DO NOT
WAIT THE LAST MINUTE - GET OUT AND GET MOVING.

[Nancy]

I've been watching the weather stuff on TV - thinking about you.
As the storm moves in I'll be holding you in my heart and prayers.

[Georgiagirl88]

Morning Sharon,

I am keeping a big watch on Fay also. I still have alot of my family down there. I heard this morning that they are really keeping an eye on possibly the panhandle. Which is where my Dad, sister and brother-n-law,nephew and his wife and little girls are. We also have family in Central Florida where I grew up. Then they said it may skirt the entire West Coast. And once it gets over that Gulf..you know it could explode into a whopper! We went through Hurricane Fran when we were in North Carolina. Actually we've been through others also, but that was a biggie...Both of our kids were born during smaller hurricanes. When the kitchen cupboards were heaving off the walls and the curtains were whipping inside with water pouring in through the fireplace.. There was a Haverty's Furniture store quite a ways away..well the roof and sign were in our neighorhood. It was crazy! We decided we'd never stay for one like that. Too scary. Thank God our kids who were very small at the time, and slept through. You take good care and keep us posted. Get out if you need to! I will be thinking about you. We'll be watching it too.

Michelle

[Meetz1064]

be thinking of you also..........be careful! Many prayers and positive thoughts are headed your way!!!

[alivenwell]

Best of luck to 'ride out the storm'. I guess you'll just have to eat that ice cream out of the freezer if you lose power.

Seriously, I hope you make it through that storm intact.

[brain]

Governor Crist has declared the entire State of Florida
in State of Emergency.

From my newspaper:

St. Petersburg, Florida! - Right now, many of Fay's projected paths have it making its way toward Tampa Bay. That means -- now is the time for you to get ready

To follow along right in the heartbeat of
it all:

Click on this link:

http://tampabays10.com

This site will have ALL of the latest updates, info,
live telecast (even when we do not have anything
here), live graphics, photo shoots, info, et cetera;
so in the event if you have loved ones, friends, family,
and so on throughout the entire area - this powerful
news team actually is #1 and will cover all the bases
because they actually work together with all the other
news team. So if you click on it now - it's PLASTERED
with FAY, FAY, FAY.

==========================

My mom took me to the store, so I could pick up a
few canned items and some fresh bread (I'm already
stocked on everything else - I do this ahead of time
and we're not a 'last minute procrastinators'; and at
the end of the season, we eat it all up - and before the
season, we stock up fresh again). But it was ASTONISHING
JUST to see how PACKED the stores were full of people
totally unprepared and in a panic. I got lucky that I was
able to get charcoal, a big bag. What folks don't know is
charcoal is BETTER than having propane, and you are none
the wiser to use the chimneys and a few newspaper wadded
up and that is your stove, the cast iron skillet or pot IS
your cooking utensil - you don't wash it after you use it;
you use an old cloth and oil and put it back on the stove
after you're done and let it cool; just like they did in
the old days.

You really have to be creative and learn how to cook it
all in one batch, you can really cook soup and top it off
with cornbread all in a skillet, even if you don't have a lid,
you can use a foil over it instead. Because with charcoal,
and a chimney, and you're only using a little bit of charcoal
it's amazing. And yes, there's times when you want to brown
the top, by removing the skillet off and put 2 or 3 pieces of
charcoal on top of the skillet lid or foil, and moving it every
10-15 minutes so it cooks on the top too.

Fun isn't it?

Now, here's the other part people don't realize:

DO NOT THROW AWAY THOSE 2 LITER BOTTLES! I don't care
if it was soda or water; fill it up at least 3/4th full of water
and toss it in your freezer - it's going to be your "refrigerator"
in your freezer, and later, it's going to be your water for you
or your pets (for us, it's the water for our pets). We always
have a 1 gallon of water at all times (without a lid) in the freezer
anyway because power outages are common here. You are
wiser NOT to buy any cold or frozen items at all but rather
start eating out your refrigerator first, then work your way
into the freezer - the fish/chicken are the first priorities,
pork is next - beef is last. Once the power goes out, one
of the first things to do is - move your dairy (eggs, milk,
and mayo immediately to the freezer instantly, and yes,
you might get ice crystals - but at least you'll have it for a
few days and can be creative in making batter) - all other
items - begin to eat it up and STAY OUT OF THE FREAKING
FREEZER!

Every time you open that door, you begin to loose temp
excessively quickly! So you are very wise to have a list
up front, before everything even starts (inventory sheet)
and where it is and keep that BLASTED DOOR SHUT! And
by all means get a thermometer - and have a cooler, because
all those water bottles in your freezer will soon become your
"cooler ice" - for in my album - you will see why.

#1 Priority - you MUST get BAKING SODA! One for the
refrigerator and one for the freezer - you may not smell it,
it may not smell - but trust me, no matter how spotless and
clean it is - once that power is out - it WILL STINK, the door
HAS to been kept open or otherwise mold, mildew, and every-
thing else will grow inside of it... PLEASE remember this; it
applies to anywhere whenever there's power outages for an
excessively long periods of time. KEEP THOSE DOORS OPEN!
I use a chair and tape my doors together. (You'll see this in
my album coming up shortly).

Since there's not much to do but wait, it does pay off to
bleach the refrigerator if you have running water that's still
good, but I recommend you to boil it if you can. This is a good
time to really clean and inspect it all, and even cleaning out
behind it - including the fan, motor, and everything else.


But when it comes to food - if it doesn't look right, smell right,
THROW IT OUT! Don't even THINK about cooking or doing any-
thing with it. I've had my share of food stuff where I looked
and I threw it out without a thought and consideration. It's
not worth the risk or taking any chances.

[brain]

This is a LIVE MAP that will update accordingly

[RobinN]

Makes you realize how completely powerless we really are.

[brain]

As a special bonus - this has been the most requested
photo - people have used it as their desktop wallpaper
on their computer.

You can right click and save it as a desktop wallpaper
or right click and save the image. Everyone in the world
already knows I've taken the image, so you cannot steal
this.

This is a very, very rare Florida Blue Sunset - this is the
NIGHT BEFORE HURRICANE CHARLIE, but for some odd
reason he did a "hook" and slammed into Ft. Myers/Naples
instead of striking us. But what you are seeing is none
other but Hurricane Charlie itself.

I have the HURRICANE ALBUM UP NOW - and while not
all the images - I opt to go for all those back-to-backs
Hurricanes that Florida was slammed with. You can be
assured FAY will be up there.

Here's the photo - I know it's huge, but it's for all it's
clarity and it's pureness - and this is what it was and it
left everyone outside in total awe.

[Bernard]

I hope you are prepared, and don't have any flooding problems. I also hope the change in the weather doesn't affect your seizure threshold (IIRC - you have mentioned in the past that stormy weather triggers seizures).

[brain]

I am already experiencing problems!
Wahhh!


Had complained about it earlier tonight,
the barometric pressure is making it's
impact and the sure sign is me having
headaches ... my own ex and his wife
were here (to drop off my son and his
girlfriend) and the first thing my ex knew
was - we are going to be in trouble the
moment he learns of my headaches,
even my son knew this.

And yes Bernard, you are correct, once
that sharp drop begins, it's going to be
a problem - but as soon as it becomes
leveled off - it won't be a problem. I just
cannot handle this sudden rise and drop
and all these changes so quickly, so my
son isn't going anywhere, in fact - here's
the weird thing.

1) My ex's wife is a Nurse
2) My son's girlfriend is a Nurse trainee

Of interest, while I've already implied in
regards to my son's girlfriend; my ex and
his wife will be staying with us due to the
fact they reside in a trailer (trailer residents
face mandatory evacuations) and in spite
that his wife has family residing all over,
none of them resides near their place of
employment except me; and on top of it
both are very concerned about my health
as well. The moment I had mentioned head-
aches, this was when all the planning was
all brought up. Everyone has their places.


AS OF 10:00 PM:
WE ARE NOW UNDER HURRICANE WATCH
AND WE ARE MOST LIKELY TO BE TARGETED
IN THE SMACK CENTER PATH

Brain's prediction:
Sharon says - Hurricane Fay will most likely
hit Cedar Key, Florida - just north of us (but
still will be in our path)

*** Let's see how I beat their computers ***

[brain]

Tampa, Florida -- A Hurricane Watch is now in effect for the entire Tampa Bay area. This means there is a potential for hurricane conditions in the area in the next 36 hours. Pinellas County Emergency Management continues to monitor the situation.

These Maps are both supposed to be
LIVE MAPS which will update accordingly...

This below is what NOAA is reflecting from
their own computer and like I had predicted,
right along the coastline:



This is The Weather Channel's own computer
prediction of strike zone (remember the center
is the core line) and the outer span is the give
or take.

[jazz'smum]

Praying you and your family will be okay.
Very scary..I couldnt even imagine what it would be like.
Thinking of you
Cheryl

[brain]

Oh we'll be fine!

I've added FAY to the Album already!
3 photos!

1) The Clouds Speaks
2) Feeder Band Developing
3) Squall Line Developing

And we're going to get it - already the neighbors
here are gone out and batten down the hatches
here. all we had to do was LOOK UP as #1 says,
"The Clouds Speaks".

The only thing we're battening down are objects
that will be blown away easily; we're not battening
down for a Hurricane of 3 or higher - just for a 1/2
phase only. We know Hurricanes thrives on water;
and watching the Feeder Bands and Squall lines, we
know those "are hurricane food" - think of it as "fish
bait". Some aren't too happy about taking off from
work, and they wished they had done this what I had
did yesterday instead of watching the BUCS beat the
PATRIOTS ...

I was trying to all at once, I have very little to do today,
I'm all set, and for a Category 3 and higher, there's not
much for me to do here, because I'm that secured, but
we could end up having to assist our neighbors though.

PS: Remember - YOU CANNOT PREDICT A TROPICAL STORM
OR HURRICANE - YOU CAN ONLY GUESS!

[brain]

Evacuation is abounding all over the State.
Many Counties are already closing down -
from local Government to Schools to Companies
as of today or starting tomorrow. Even my area
is effected in a weird way that doesn't quite make
all the sense (they are half in and half out in my
County, while everyone else North, West, and South
of us are all in it - and WE reside in a perilous position
and the other Counties aren't? Remember, I reside in
a peninsula, the other Counties are totally land-lubbers)?



Already in my area, people have begun to
fuel up and top off their tanks and filling up
their gas containers (for their generators if
they own one).

Evacuations have been ordered out already.
My son's girlfriend is staying put with us; as
for my ex and his wife, I expect them to be
arriving to my home soon. As we reside on the
2nd highest elevation in this area; so we're well
in safe and secured grounds and way out of
flood and water danger.

THE BIG QUESTION IS THIS:

Is it going to be a Hurricane or a Tropical Storm
when it comes? From much observation from on
the maps and talking with the neighbors - we know
one thing ... it's going to be one BIG M-E-S-S!

I spent this morning cutting down and trimming to
minimize anything on my end on my property, and
others have/or are doing so likewise right now.

However - they better HURRY - because the clouds
are packing up and the winds are beginning to kick
up and the bands are approaching ... they are running
out of time! I already assisted one neighbor, but had
to stop - I can only do so much. Everyone's trying to
"BEAT THE GARBAGE MAN" (getting it all in the trash
before they come).

And even those who managed to get it all in, but still
have remainder remnants left, have bound them up in
bundles and roped it down and tied it securely (so it
won't fly away).

This is the trouble with these storms - it can go from
a Category 1 to ? in a hurry. And we all know once
they are solid, they have their OWN atmosphere of
their own and pretty much can do what they dang
well please. They can sit there and intensify and just
leave us waiting, or they can just build up and rush
and slam through the States and be over with.

We do not expect it to be any greater than a Cat. 1
or 2, but the whole issue is, it's wobbly.

We know this, anytime when it slows, we know such
storm is making a TURN, and usually after when they
make the turn, they build up strength, and intensify
and usually (not always) begins to RUSH and starts
to "storm through the gates" (well, States).

Hurricanes have been in every single month except in February
in Florida! That's life in the tropics, as well as those residing in
the Caribbean and all around - you get used to it and respect
it and it becomes a part of your lifestyle; you learn to live WITH
IT and not AGAINST IT.

Sorry for the rambling here - thought I'd throw in some interesting
tidbits from natives who all have to dwell and endure this endlessly
from generation to generation, long before there were such thing
as cable television or "The Weather Channel". It's our lifestyle, this
is who we are and what we are, even though we seem to be so
laid back, and won't jump unless it's absolutely necessary. *laughs*
But even if we're told to jump, we evaluate the circumstance,
and look it over twice, and one more time; and the chances are,
we'll be back on the front porch, with iced tea - being so laid back
that we are.



PS: Brain STILL predicts it will strike Cedar Key, Florida.

[brain]

Evacuations - FINALLY ordered in my area,
Schools, etc - are CLOSED.

People have been working, even when it rained,
and pretty much everyone's done now and awaiting
for FAY.

All everyone's talking about is Charley (I know I keep
spelling it Charlie) - how it was supposed to hit us,
and hooked off to Ft. Myers / Naples ~ and now it's
aiming for Ft. Myers / Naples, and we're like is it going
to be like a Deja Vu?

I've added 2 more photos to the album - a 3 PM shot
and a 5 PM shot where some of the neighbors have
come to talk with my son. Pretty much everyone's
gathered together to make sure everyone's secured
and nothing's overlooked. Even the elderly people have
had their trees trimmed by other neighbors to reduce
the risk.

Yup - we are going to get it alright. We're all sweating
like PIGS! (oh wait - pigs don't sweat! *laughs*)

Like one neighbor remarked, that the humidity index is
lying on television, it's more like 300%.



But notice that they're from "Up North" - so they're not
used to the "Tropics" ... YET ---> We have to break them
in ... *laughs*

[tinasmom]

Sharon -

I will pray for the safety of you and your family.

[brain]

Enjoy the August 19th photos! It'll drive you
insane! *laughs*



Make sure you look at the TIME when the photos
were taken - it's like Mr. Sun is playing Hide-Go-Seek!



We've been under Tomato Warning, I mean Tornado
Warning / Watch for some time. Have had rain on and
off, I'm not too sure if you can see the wind-factor
in any of the photos, but the REAL WINDS have yet
to come ...

Meanwhile, lots of folks have come home early from
work - and you can figure what they're doing or getting
ready to do ...

P
A
R
T
Y
!
!
!



We know from the way the winds are, the chances are,
we're going to have a mess to clean up. My son already
was picking up flying trash. What were canceled, ended
up being non-canceled - and it was confusions over here
after the announcement of cancellations and then a turn
around of the cancellations have been canceled!

How confusion can that be?



However, at the same time, those in Zones A and Trailers
are under evacuation?

Excuse me while I figure this one out ....



PS: Thanks to all for prayers and safety, remember,
not for me - but for everyone in this State please!

[brain]

Quotable quotes on FAY:

Fay ... isn't done with Florida yet.
St. Petersburg Times Staff writer Curtis Krueger

Fay has been full of surprises, and it's still got a few more left.
Mike Pigott, AccuWeather forecast service in reference to Fay's strengthening as it crossed Florida instead of weakening.

Anyone want to write a Ph.D. thesis on this one?
Jeff Masters, founder of weatherunderground.com

Looks like it can be a boomerang storm.
Governor Charlie Crist, Florida

Fay has caused bewilderment because of its constantly changing track, it's not unusual for storms to wander all over the map.
St. Petersburg Times Staff writer Curtis Krueger

Latest Predictions:

Fay should bump into that ridge Thursday or later,
and then bounce back toward Florida for the third
time like a slow-motion billard ball.

Brains Prediction: as implied as posted. Cedar Key, Florida;
it will finish off in that zone.

=============================

Currently in my area, it was "Free Car Wash"
yesterday, and right now, it's "Free Car Drying".

If you've watched "THE WEATHER CHANNEL" and
saw some folks who've attempted to "go fly a kite",
suffficient to say - that's not recommended, but it
is funny to watch. I'm unsure if TWC will replay it
again, but shows to prove that people WILL challenge
the wind! Even when it has not yet reached the Hurricane
Force Strength.

We are still all along under impact of Fay, but not
directly, unless she decides to change her course.

Fay has been weird too; while we've had wind and rain,
my mother resides just a mere almost 5 miles south of
me, she a nary a drop of rain - but she did get barely
a drizzle, not even a driveway damper yesterday. However,
I've had some sporadic power outages and cable outages
that went off momentarily and came back on. But zero
effect on my mother's end. My son's a little peeved at
having to "reboot" the cable modem on the television
to reset it, and likewise, I'm having to reboot the
modem at my computer in turn - every time it goes down.

Today will be a decision of decisions: To mow or not
to mow. While there is a chance of rain, and the grass
has grown - but we're in the, like the Governor has
implied, "The boomerang" - and only this time around
we're looking at more rain. Either we mow now even though
it's 'not quite ready', and take a head start on it, and
in spite that I'm not 100% in sync, I'm going to till
and hoe down the soil (prepping it up) - so we can be
ready FOR the upcoming rain on Thurs --> Sun. The way
I see it is: Mow now and not risking having to deal with
high grass and soggy lawn. Or do we let the lawn get a
"break" and let it have a 'buffet' out of all of this
and my son and I do the extra work? We will have to see
how it goes today - but this will be the only day or
"break" we will have. His girlfriend will also be working
alongside with us, so it'll all be done quickly.

His girlfriend is CONTINUING to abide with us, for she
resides in a 'threat zone', and her parents feels its
safer being with us; for several reasons: 1) she's close
to work (and her work appreciates us for letting her being
here, so she can be called upon if necessary) and 2) we
can use this extra 'helping hand here'. Her parents has a
place to evacuate to. So it's all working out if Fay has
other plans to visit Florida while being an unwanted Tourist.


---------------------------------

Meanwhile as for the DESTRUCTION - there have been
many. Tornados have spawned out, in one area, 51 homes
alone were damaged / destroyed; and I missed it if it also
applied to businesses. But over 110,000+ people are without
Power in South Florida and the Southern/Eastern Coast of
Florida.

PLEASE IF YOU HAVE LOVED ONES OR FRIENDS RESIDING THERE,
PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PHONE OR REACH THEM - WAIT UNTIL
THEY CONTACT YOU, ANY ATTEMPTS TO DO SO WILL ONLY OVERLOAD
THE FLORIDA CIRCUIT LINES

I know you are worried and concerned for them as everyone
else, but your best bet is to FOLLOW THE NEWS: Go to the link
below at Tampabays10.com, or BayNews9.com - since the chances
are, the other local area news in that area are down and are
relying on this area for broadcasting. So keep in touch via
the media.

KEEP IN MIND ALSO: Some folks have cell phones - they are
reserving it for family only and emergencies; they are not
going to respond to friends - so please do not hog up their
voice mail box or leave messages or text messages (if it applies)
especially when they do not have power and are running on battery
back ups. They need to keep in touch with their own family first,
they will get back with you as soon as they get everything restored.
IT MAY TAKE SOME TIME FOR THEM TO GET BACK WITH YOU - so be
patient... please!


=========================

I will keep you posted with any news or updates as I can,
as long as I'm connected and have power and resources.

[brain]

Most of you are wondering ... where IS
Cedar Key, Florida anyway?



Now you can look at the predictions below.

*grins*

Where will FAY end up??