Wednesday - October 5

This morning we loaded up our stuff in the van, Toad and Daisy.   Mark left first driving Miss Daisy towing Toad.   Annette, the kiddies and I followed about 1/2 hour later.    Did not like leaving Philip behind but this was his choice to "hold down the fort" and make sure the home front is safe 'n sound!

 

Just watching the evacuations on TV makes this definitely the "real deal" and glad people are taking it seriously when told to leave!   Of course, there are so many others who totally ignore the warnings when they live along the coast    Philip and Annette are 10 miles inland.

 

Luke with his backpack and toys watching Daddy load up the car for

"Our big adventure"

 

Hey folks, finish buckling me up and lets get this show on the road!

 

Fort Myers.....here we come!

 

Luke and Maeve were great travelers with Maeve sleeping most of the trip.   We stopped in  Clewiston for lunch and to feed Maeve.    

 

Evacuation lunch at McDonalds

 

 We are staying at Siesta Bay RV Resort where we've been with Daisy during the winter months.    Annette is staying at a hotel nearby.   So appreciate the offers of friends' condos, homes, etc. to us here in Fort Myers.    And thank you to our family and friends who have texted or e-mailed checking on us and wishing us safety!

 

Maeve chatting with Mommy

Today was her first visit on Daisy

 

Mark and Luke went to Publix for a few things and it rained hard for a short bit...then sunny again.  

 

 Philip put up the hurricane shutters.........

 

Chillin' on Daisy

We had sweet 'n sour meatloaf,  mashed potatoes (thank you Bob Evans) and broccoli salad for supper (all prepared at Annette's yesterday).   Luke and Annette are staying at the hotel and we have Miss Maeve tonight.

 

Till tomorrow....

 

 

 

 

Tuesday - October 4

Matthew..................we are revising previous plans making new plans, but doing so with no idea just where this horrific storm is going.     Philip and Annette had tried to get an earlier flight from NY today,but didn't happen, so they won't be home till around 9 PM. 

 

Mark and Philip were in touch last night and Mark went out and got the van gassed up and stocked up on water.    He also got more water this morning - he and many others at gas stations and buying water.    After breakfast, we loaded up the kiddies and picked up Philip's car which was in for maintenance, back home to drop it off and then onto Indiantown to pick up Daisy.    The plan is to evacuate tomorrow morning with Daisy as our home and options are to go to Fort Myers, the FL Panhandle, or possibly, NC?     We are continually listening to the Weather Channel and hearing all the ominous reports.

 

In 2005, Philip and Annette stayed home and rode out 5 hours of very strong winds from Hurricane Wilma......Annette said "NEVER AGAIN" and now they have 2 little ones, so we are outta here tomorrow.    Getting clothes, food, stuff, packed up as Daisy sits in the driveway.

 

The weather today is hot, sunny and lots of pretty puffy clouds - what a difference a day will make as tomorrow starts the high winds and very heavy rain thru Friday.

 

We had planned to fly to San Francisco early Thursday morning, but have changed those plans to now leave Saturday morning.   

 

I'm as sweet as this cupcake! 

Maeve's thoughts on Matthew!

 

Philip and Annette got home at 9:20......really glad to see them and now we can make some plans....stay tuned and pray for all those people in Matthew's path....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday - October 3

Maeve slept from 8-6:30 and then played in her crib fascinated with her mobile.    Luke wakes up

s l o w l y in the mornings, so....when we heard him talking and coming thru on Maeve's monitor, we went into her room and he was "reading" to her!    How sweet!   

 

Hanging out in my crib with my mobile before Luke came in to "read" to me! 

Reading with Grandpa 

Oh mercy - that was sooo funny! 

And on a more serious note....watching all the animals on my play mat

 

Did laundry, played with the kiddies, and Mark worked on some of Philip's job list items!

 

When Luke woke up from his nap, he and Grandpa went to Publix.     

We had fried chicken, sweet potatoes and salad for supper!

 

Philip, Annette and other relatives were in New York this afternoon for her Grandma Dottie's memorial service.

 

Our "daily" deluge began around 6:00 PM (rest of the day was warm and sunny!

 

Wondering what path Matthew will take - the latest report is that FL could be hit.    Mark was in touch with Anthony (mechanic) in Rockville, SC where Catrina is.   They plan to lift her out on Thursday to start the check-up of new engines and prepare for Matthew!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday - October 2

Last night I said "no rain today"....well, that was wrong cause shortly after I went to bed, it started thundering and then the rain came down!    More rain this morning and this afternoon, big loud booms of thunder (windows actually shook a few times) and heavy rain!    Not sure where all this moisture is coming from......we are keeping an eye on Matthew and see just what path it takes - hopefully not too severe for the folks in Jamaica, Cuba and Haiti.    This hurricane could possibly be heading towards Catrina in SC?

 

Mark dodged the downpour this morning as he went out for some yummy bagels for breakfast.   Philip and Annette left at 10 for Fort Lauderdale and their flight to Albany, NY.   They were 1 hour late leaving cause of storms.

Maeve started making little noises at 5:14 AM......what?    Not time yet, sweetie!    But she had other ideas, so had her bottle and slept a little off and on then took a 4.5 hour nap this afternoon!
She is the best little sleeper just like her brother.

  Grandpa and I took naps, too.

Liam was fishing at his friend's house today and caught this....

Good job!

Oh NO!   Here comes Grandma with the camera....

The Blue Angels did perform today in Sacramento!    Yeah and so glad Boss Ryan is feeling better!
Now it's onto San Francisco.......

 

 

Saturday - October 1

Mostly cloudy today but no rain!    Tah dah!    After breakfast, Mark and I drove to Indiantown (50 minute-trip) and put some things on Daisy and got other stuff off.    Luke had wanted to go to Daisy but then changed his mind and chose to stay home with Mommy, Daddy and Maeve!    He was so good while they were gone - no sign of homesickness, but guess he didn't want to leave them just yet!   Tomorrow, they will be off again...

 

Big congratulations to Judy White (Annette's Mom )who is officially retired!

Wishing her lots of fun, happy times with her sweet grandchildren and the best of health!

 

Mark and I went to 4:30 Mass at St. Therese de Lisieux

 

Tomorrow Philip and Annette are flying to New York for her grandma's memorial service which will be Monday.    They'll return home on Tuesday.

 

Bright-eyed girl

 

Love cuddling with Grandpa

 

We had a good chat with Ryan this morning - on speaker phone so we could all visit!    Then a few hours later, we heard that Cdr. Ryan Bernacchi #1 was ill with food poisoning and today's show was later canceled.    So sorry to hear this and wishing Boss Ryan a speedy recovery.    The Blues are at the California Capital Airshow in Sacramento this weekend.