HURRICANE ISSAC IS FINALLY GONE!!!

Hello everyone I am finally back and I am so glad that I am able to say this because Hurricane Issac was very serious. If many of you have been watching the news than you know it got really bad during the storm. We prepared for the storm as much as we could and I prayed that my house would still be standing when the storm passed. Our favorite family the Morgans who reside in the BTR invited us over if we needed to stay. Even our neighbors came over and told us we would come over to their place if we needed to because they had a generator. Very nice gesture considering that we barely know them and vice verse.  But we HARTS are warriors and this was our last option because we did not want intrude on anyone, after all we are a family of six (so we take up quite a bit of space). Any who we ended up staying at the house and everything was going okay until the power went out. 

 During the beginning of the storm I was able to get a little footage of what it was like at the beginning. We were getting bands of wind but no rain yet. Later that night however the rain picked up and once it did my roof began to leak in the living room. It started out with just one leak, so I used one of kitchen pots to catch it, next thing we knew there were four spots leaking. I did not get a picture however here's a description for you....imagine looked at the ceiling and like a ceiling fan there is a circle of spots dripping water. One leak is being caught by a trashcan, the second and third kitchen pots and the fourth a plastic bowl SMH!!!! The leaks weren't that bad and needless to say that my house is still standing considering it is brick, however I am actually really concerned about this house because it's not a year old O_O! My shingles on my front porch also tried to blow away but my hubby went out there (like the dare devil he is) and saved them lol. 

It was quite an experience but one thing I am happy with is that we were able bond. Yeah yea you know me I always have to find the positive in everything :) Since the power went out on Tuesday and no one was distracted by electronics (their great but can be detrimental to a family) I was able to get everyone to play a game of charades. It was so much fun especially since we are all very competitive. It was my hubby and Ikaika against Palani and I (Aolani and Keoni watched lol ;) Needless to say Palani and I were winning until we got into a rut and ended up losing by one point. SMH!! We plan on having a rematch next Saturday and we are taking no prisoners lol.

Okay so back to the Hurricane….as most of you might know it was first a tropical storm than turned in a category 1 hurricane than sat on top of New Orleans and surrounding areas like Madisonville, Slidell, Mandeville, Grand Isle, Metarie, etc and just poured rain and blew strong wind bands. It went down to a tropical storm again before heading towards Arkansas but it did a great deal of damage to us folks in Louisiana. A lot of people had to evaluate their homes and a so far three people died ;( (such as sad thing to have to deal with) My prayers go out those who lost love ones and their prize possessions due to the hurricane. 

 Here are some pics of my area (courtesy of nola.com). I have a video for ya'll as well but got to work on getting it to load (sorry)

These pictures are from downtown Madisonville, which is only 3 miles from my house, we are so fortunate and blessed. 

This a picture of Guste Island were a levee was breached. 

Hurricane season... R U Ready?

It’s hurricane season!!! Did you know that? LOL I am sure you did because it’s apparent in the weather we have been having especially in Louisiana. I love Louisiana the culture, the hospitality, the family events, adult events just the fun altogether as well as sportsman activities such as fishing, crabbing, shrimping, gator hunting etc. Since moving from Baton Rouge to the Northshore of Louisiana I have learned some perks, such as the beach being 2 hours away in Grand Isle, great school systems, awesome neighborhoods, friendly people, great shopping and access to both New Orleans and Baton Rouge within an hour away. However it also has its cons…such as hurricanes. As anyone who watches the news knows we are on Hurricane watch here in Louisiana. Since I am so close to Lake Pontchartrain ( 4 miles) we are definitely getting prepared.  We started a hurricane box when we first move to Baton Rouge when Hurricane Gustav came.  I wanted to do a post for everyone on important things that will be needed for anyone who is getting ready for the Hurricane or needs to get ready for the season period. This list includes if you have children and if you don’t just simply disregard the items.

*This list is not in order so put in order at your own discretion.

First thing first, get a Rubbermaid container ( you know those ones that you can store stuff in). They are often blue and even green and red during Christmas, some as also pink. Either way get one and put your essentials in it.

1.       Flashlights: I like to have enough for all the big kids who can carry one just in case we all have to walk and need one)

2.       Batteries:  You need plenty of those depending on how long the power goes out. Maybe a mega pack would be good. Never know.

3.       Candles and lighter: When you’re not using the flashlight the candles will be very helpful. They will also be essential if all the batteries die.

4.       Bottled water: This is essential everyone. We can’t survive without it and considering that I have a baby, toddler and to young boys I want to be sure to have enough for everyone. From what I understand you are supposed to have enough to last you for a week. And you should have at least one gallon a person a day. So being that there is 6 people in my house we need 6 galloons a day. SMH!!! That's a lot of water lol

5.       Battery operated radio: This is important to keep you in the know of what it is going on especially if you have no power and your cell phones go out. Plus you will able to keep up with the time, which will be essential and keep you sane if the power goes out.

6.       Grill and charcoal: If the weather permits its and you have no power you can cook on your grill. That’s what we are going to do. I will tell you this….you may not be able to cook full course meals but you can grill hotdogs, sausages or meat if you have some in your fridge and don't want them to go bad. After Hurricane Gustavo passed up 4 years ago in the BTR we went to Winn Dixie since they had power and got steaks. Lol we grilled outside our hotel room down in the parking lot and even meet some nice people who we chatted with and the kids were able to keep some air after being cramped up in a room for two days.

7.       Nonperishable goods: Cans of soups, vegetables such beans, fruit and even tuna and spam are good to have. If you have children or just for you, you should get bread, crackers, food snacks, apples, peanut butter, jelly anything that doesn't need a refrigerator to stay good. If you have little ones and you lose power and need to lighten the mood consider acting as if it’s a picnic. Light the candles around your area,  put a blanket down and have sandwiches, fruit and water. It will ease their minds to do something fun.

8.       Cooler: You need a cooler to put your food in. That way you can take it to your designated area that you are going to ride the storm out at. Last thing you want to do is have to move around in the dark and hurt yourself trying to find food.

9.       Paper plates and plastic utensils: Since there may not be water this will come in handy. Quick to use and trash. NEED I SAY MORE!

10.   Trash bags: To put trash in. Last thing you want is a bunch of trash in the area in which you may have to stay while the power is out. Order is still necessary to keep your sanity J

11.   First Aid kit and medication: Make sure you have enough medication for a week or two. If your child has asthma make sure you have the inhaler and a refill, allergy medicine, cold medicine, fever medicine, orajel, etc. My oldest two have allergys so I keep Lordatine, my oldest has asthma so I keep both his everyday pump and emergency pump plus refills, pain pills for headaches, orajel cause baby boy is teething and cold medicine cause bg has a small cold. A first aid kit will also come in handy just in case anyone gets cut or something while riding out the storm.

12.   Important papers and identification: These papers can go inside a safe inside that plastic container I talked about at the beginning. It should hold, ids, passports, ss cards, birth certificates, shot records (for kids) and a home management binder (will discuss the important of this in another post).

13.   Gas: Make sure whatever car you are going to drive is gassed up in case you decide to evaluate or after the storm is over and need to get out. If the storm is really bad you may not be able to go get gas.

This pretty much sums up my list of things you should have to assist you with preparing for hurricanes. One thing that is not on my list is a designated area in which you and your family will ride out the storm. Choose somewhere away from windows and glass and lower level of house. We will be using our closet in the bathroom. It’s a walk in so we should be able all climb in if need be along with cooler and plastic bin.

Let me know if there’s anything I missed. Hurricanes and tropical storms are serious and we must take in account for our safety :)

Until next time lots of love,

Ladyhart