Preparation

So, TFP is an avid storm tracker.  He's been following Mike's Weather Page for years.  So, yesterday morning I was worrying about work.  We were up early running errands.

And then, it was like everything kinda stopped.  TFP said that there was a storm about to form in the gulf & possibly hit us by Sunday!  So, then our day changed somewhat.  We were at Lowe's getting a sander (this is a possible subject for another post).  So, I said, let's get flashlights.  TFP was caught up in the excitement of a storm building.  I was looking in the front by the checkout lines and the entrance for flashlights.  We didn't see them, so we didn't bother to look in the aisles for them.

Then we went to Rouses.  We were getting ahead of the game.  We were getting supplies & no one else was.  We got canned soup, chips & some water.  TFP got stuff to make shrimp creole.  We didn't get a ton of stuff, but enough to last a couple days.  Then we had to drive all the way out to Metairie (again) to pick up our car.  It had a fuel pump recall & we had dropped it off at 8:30 am, then we had to pick it up during rush hour, again.

So, then we went home.  TFP made shrimp creole, and I was in the process of repainting the balcony. We ate some of our Hurricane snacks, but I figured I could go to the store again if needed.  It was hot and I was tired.  I had planned to get up early the next morning and finish the balcony.  We went to bed fairly early.  I had a good night sleep.  And then I woke up to rain.  How was I going to paint?!!?

So, I peaked out the window, and it was pretty damn stormy

So I got up anyway and looked at the rain, made coffee, etc.  A little while later, we were all up.  I looked out the front and said, "It's flooding".  Oh no!  We had had a big flood on Mother's Day, which almost kept us from catching a flight to Fort Lauderdale.  So, hopefully, it wouldn't be that bad....

But it got worse

And the crazy part, was that this storm was not on the radar.  It kind of formed in the middle of the night, and just happened.  No one knew it was coming.  Everyone woke up and started driving to work, but some people didn't make it.  But finally the rain stopped.  But the water wasn't going down.  And people were driving down the road too fast!  Those weren't our cars on the road, but I felt bad for the owners.  The truck is our neighbor's.  Which he came out and looked at the flood and casually said it was crazy, then went back in.  

Finally, after a few hours, which seemed like days, the water started to recede.  Then it was almost gone.  But, we were watching the local news (since we no longer have cable and can't watch The Weather Channel) and they were reporting about much worse flooding in other parts of town that were not going down, and cars stranded all over, and traffic.  And TFP was worried about getting to work, but he didn't even know if they were going to open.  

So, we went to walk the dog.  We walked up to the Canal on the other side of Broad Street & we were amazed at how rough and high the water was.

Anyway, there was scary loud lightweight and thunder nearby, so we hurried home before the next storm system which luckily never came.  TFP got the call that they were going to open, so he got ready and was going to walk, since we weren't sure which roads were clear.  

So, Rudy & I walked him to the corner of Claiborne & Canal.  And the traffic was horrendous.  Th traffic lights were out at the intersection, so cars were backed up from every direction.  So, it was probably better that we didn't drive.  

I went home & read the owner's manual for our generator that we got after Hurricane Irma in Fort Lauderdale.  We had never used it.  So, I saw that we needed 10W30 oil for it.  And we needed another extension cord, because the grounded cords we had wouldn't reach all the way out back where we would put the generator.  So, I remembered there was the auto parts store around the corner.  I walked there.  The guy was helpful & not condescending.  He said they had water to the counter, but then he just cleaned it up & then opened.  I went back & decided it was time to venture out in the car.  I topped off the gas in the Renegade,  I brought the gas cans & filled them.  We went to Rouses.  There were no carts in the store.  I had to go back out and ask a lady for her cart as she was finishing putting her stuff in the car.   I was not quite done when this happened

This was very devastating because these are my only good flip flops.  They helped immensely with my plantar fasciitis.  So I was limping around the store, holding the thong with my toes.  

Anyway, I finished that, then I got cash out and an ATM.  Then I realized I forgot to put air in one of the tires.  And yes, I could have asked at the dealership, but I forgot.  They would have probably tried to sell me a new tire anyway.  

So, here I am, writing this blog post.  And we aren't super prepared for a storm, but as long as the house stays upright, we have enough stuff to last a few days.  Wish us and the state of Louisiana luck!  See you on the other side.  Hopefully, lol.

License to Push a Shopping Cart

Sometimes, I think in my ideal police state, where everyone does the right thing, uses common sense, has self awareness and is thoughtful of others.  You know... like in the town of Seahaven in the Truman Show.  Polite and repressed.  Sounds wonderful, right?

What the hell does this have to do with shopping carts, you ask?  Well, maybe just anyone shouldn't be allowed to use them in high traffic areas.  Like little kids that are too little to navigate properly, or don't have the attention span for it.  Or... old people.  Yeah, I said it.  Here in Hallandale,  there is always so much traffic, and all those cars are driving to the numerous shopping centers in the vicinity.  And the drivers and passengers of the cars pile out and pile into the crowded stores, behind the handle bar of a shopping cart.

The number one problem with cart pushers is no awareness of one's surroundings.

So, there's the groups of people who take up the whole aisle.  They don't even have to have a cart.  They are all spread out looking for a specific item, or even worse, they are idly chatting, and they have no idea you want to get around them.

Then there are the ones with the carts who push in the middle of the aisle at an escargot pace, so no one can pass on either side of the aisle.  And then they stop to analyze creamed corn brands and pricing, bending, sticking their... derrieres out as another obstacle.

Of course, there's the little kids who plow into anything, man, food, machine without discretion.

And then there is the lady who was in front of us walking into Whole Paycheck (well, when you aren't getting a paycheck... it's cheap right? And besides, I went into the Publix nearby one or two times - a lot of stuff cost more there than Whole Foods).  She was a skinny legged old pasty white lady, with rolled up skinny white capris and a clingy long sleeve t shirt that showed off her... it's not a muffin top.... not quite a roll... it was like a square... bullnose sitting atop her pants.  Anyway, I'm not one to make fun of others.  Okay, yes I am.  I think my anxious mood is only fueling it.  But, I'm not exactly going to be a hot topic of the TV show fashion police, unless they are criticizing my wardrobe.  

So, this lady was kinda doing the sidewalk block so we couldn't get around her.  No big deal.  Then she managed to grab a cart and still block us.  She side swiped every single rosemary christmas tree bush on the floor.  She edged them all and didn't even notice.  And then she was trying to maneuver around some other shoppers, and she hit another bank of rosemary trees.  And I had been contemplating getting one of those for the cats!

Anyhoo, I can't wait to become one of those crazy old devil may care ladies!

why I hate making groceries

So, I'm feeling under the weather, and I'm convinced it's from Sunday.  We were at the South Park Abbey for hours watching football.  The chef had fired up the BBQ with lots of lighter fluid and lots of smoke.  Lots and lots of smoke.  Usually we sit at the bar, but our friends met us there, so we sat at a high table behind the bar, close to the door to the patio where the smoker was.  I know I always say how we don't have friends, but we are leaving in less than three weeks, so now is the crunch time to spend quality time with the few friends we do have.  Did I mention we were there for hours?  I'm aging.  If we had been at a bar with backless bar stools, or worse yet, we would have had to stand for 5 or 6 hours, I wouldn't have been able to endure it.  Anyway, the point is, I was inhaling all that damn smoke.  So, my chest has been feeling tighter than usual, and I felt rundown.  On Monday night and Tuesday, I had that icky brillo pad in my throat feeling.  Today, I just feel light headed and like I have to sit up straight to breathe properly.

All that setup to tell you about my trip to the store.  So, I basically wanted some tea and yogurt.  So, I went to the store.  Being kind of under the weather, I definitely didn't want to go, but I wanted that tea to break up the tightness in my chest.

So, I am a horrible shopper.  I will stand in front of the dish soap for way too long trying to pick one.  Luckily, the FP had asked for Dawn.  However, there are so many different "flavors" that it was a little overwhelming.  If this dish soap were for me, I probably would have bought the homelife brand.  But, I bought the Dawn.  They were all the same price, so that part was easy.  I ended up with the "overnight soaking power" flavor.  Occasionally there are pots that are like several night soakers.  Which reminded me, there was a dutch oven (he he) sitting with water in it for days!  So, I took a break from writing this to clean it out and oil it and put it in the oven to season it.

Anyhoo, getting back to why I don't like grocerying.  I hate people like me who are indecisive.  And worse, I hate people like me who are wandering around clueless, taking their time, blocking the aisles. But maybe even worse are the people who are chatting on their phone, slowly walking down the middle of the aisle so no one can go around them.  And the people who slowly walk to the check out in a way that you can't get around them, so that they beat you there.  Oh, and then the people who wait in the self check line, and they won't go to an open register if the light above it is not on, when clearly the register looks to be functioning properly.  Those people are really annoying, but I don't always say anything, because I know I'm going to say it in a nasty way.

And I hate when a certain item doesn't have a proper upc code, and even though I know how much something is, the cashier makes some bag person do a price check anyway.

Anyway, I got my tea and my yogurt, and I also got some of that bulk "trail mix" from the organic aisle.  It's dumb, but I trick myself into believing that the trail mix with the dried fruit, nuts, chocolate, yogurt covered raisins, yogurt covered peanuts and yogurt covered banana chips are healthier than candy bars.  Well, some of it is candy!  But, it so much more satisfying to eat a few handfuls of trail mix than to eat a homogenous candy bar.  I like variety.  In large quantities.  The trail mix made the trip worth all the annoyance.

So, anyway, I will end by promoting my food blog.  Here is my second Newman's Own blog with a cooking demo video.  Watch it, damnit!  I spent hours on this thing, and it's not like I'm getting paid for it.  Okay, well, I did get free tomato sauce and a free video camera....