So far, so good...(don't ASK about the running though)

T-minus nine(ish) hours before this bastard is supposed to slam into us. We've been watching it and watching it and watching it to death all weekend long. This is my front yard at approximately 4:00 p.m. You can just barely start to make out some of the outer bands in the sky.

Saturday I wasn't able to make my long run (YES....again). I only managed a quick 4 miles before we began Operation Home Secure. This consisted of running to six different gas stations to try and top off the tank (luckily it was almost full so I didn't REALLY, desperately need it), running to the grocery store for non-perishable items, watching the weather channel, trading out the empty propane tank so that we had two full tanks, making sure the generator was running, washing any last bit of laundry, washing any last dishes, filling numerous water jugs, watching some more of the weather channel, moving potted plants indoors, getting sandbags, placing said sandbags around doors, watching weather channel again (they really need to fire their stylist btw), placing everything in the freezer in garbage bags, pulling the tarps and rolls of plastic down from the attic, eating everything in sight (a girl can stress eat can't she?), and watching yet MORE of the weather channel (SERIOUSLY... who picks out the suits for these people?????)

Ok, here we are now at 6:00 p.m. A little darker and a little more ominous. Some rain clouds are starting to rumble, bumble in. At least it's nice and cool. Perfect night for a run! :-) Nevermind those threatening winds and rain. After watching the weather channel ad nausium and discussing with multiple neighbors we decided to stay and stick it out. There are quite a few people in our neighborhood and on our street staying. We are about 40 to 50 miles north, northeast of New Orleans - a decent place to be, especially since this thing is heading northwest. We'll still get some crazy winds and rain, but should be fine. Plus, every update shows Gustav to be getting weaker.

Annnndddd then.....7:00 p.m. The skies opened up. Where the heck did this rain come from? Batten down the hatches! Hoist the Gib! Drop anchor and whatever other nautical term would be good to throw out. This is not a drill people! Move, move, move!! Thunder, lightening, torrential rain and THIS early???........ It wasn't supposed to make landfall until the a.m.????

(five minutes later)

Clear, calm, sunny. It was just a stupid rain band. Pffffff...... It has now been calm and breezy for the last three hours. Nothing. Nada. Zip.

I will post an update as soon as I can. Thanks for everyone's well wishes! In the meantime, I'm running around like a chicken with his head cut off and the dogs are situation normal. Silly and sleepy. Figures.