How Do I Love Thee, Dear Internet...

Let me count the ways!

Oh, my, I'm back...and I couldn't be happier! We came through Ike virtually unscathed...one tree limb down "by" our house and our power was restored less than a week after the storm but, our cable services just came back online tonight. And, oh, how I have missed it! Not having access to the internet has made me realize just how dependent I am. I go to the internet when I need a map, a phone number, a word defined, a recipe, an election update, check my e-mail, inspiration, traffic reports, weather updates, blog reading, homework help, to learn how to feed a pig, cow and goat...okay, you get the idea. I'm totally addicted to it! I should find a support group! Not only were we without our beloved internet but cable television as well. Which means that we have been seeing only bits and pieces of the actual destruction of Hurricane Ike. While browsing my favorite blogs tonight I came across this website posted on my friend Laura's blog. Words cannot describe how sad I am to see the total devastation of our beloved Galveston and the other coastal areas. I knew that it was bad but seeing these pictures has my heart breaking tonight. I know there are many who criticize Galveston with it's brown, sandy water but, it has always been a special place to me and my family. For years it has been a frequent diversion for us in the summer and in fact, we had planned a visit for the very day the storm came to town! I have no doubt that the city will be rebuilt smarter and more beautiful than before. My thoughts and my prayers are with those who begin the healing and rebuilding process and with those who have lost loved ones.

We took a short "hurrication" after Ike to my sister's house in Gruene. Although she was out of town on a business trip in Tennessee we stayed in her beautiful new home and got to visit with my mom and dad. The boys took a very short rapid ride on the Guadalupe River (it was cold!) and we visited the shops and just enjoyed the time spent with family. Leighton and August holed up in a kind of closet like space upstairs where my sister has exercise equipment and a TV and played video games. Cameron got a much needed haircut, our puppies got to visit with their cousins, we ate too much Mexican food and I scored a McCain/Palin sign for the front yard. On one of our shopping sprees Bubba bought me a new t-shirt. The slogan on the back is one uttered by Davey Crockett and exemplifies the spirit of Texans:

You may all go to Hell, and I will go to Texas.

and this is how I know Galveston will be back...bigger and better!

Much love to all of you,