Our Government is a Mess! Turn back to God

I’m listening as politicians try to blame each other and “bail” us out of this mess.  A “bail out” means we will “bail in” money as tax payers.  I’m not sure where I stand on the bail out.  It is too big for my brain and I think I’m pretty smart.

I think the problem is with most people (democrats and republicans) and gets back to not following God’s law.  We are greedy and we’re suffering for our greed and desire of material stuff.  And we’ve elected many leaders who are very corrupt.  And we’ve haven’t listened to Proverbs:  the debtor is the slave to the lender.  Our country spent so much on credit, we’ve created a mess.  And it looks like our government had a role in many banks lending to people who had poor credit.  Fault is everywhere.  If we would have followed God’s law, we would not be in this predicament.

I know our government can’t fix this, but the people can by turning back to God.  Today I had a glimpse into two government programs.  I enrolled our German student into public High School.  The register’s assistant had a big sign on her computer stating “your lack of planning does not constitute an emergency for me”.  Keep in mind this is the first point of entry for new families enrolling into this public school.  Now that shows you they don’t care about new families because we’re not really the customer.  If I would have had that sign on my computer when I was in the business world, it would have been a career stopper.  When government runs something, the consumers are no longer the customer.  We’re just another number begging for our entitlement.  And the person behind the desk, many times, could care less; which is why they can post such a sign.  For some, it is their small spot of power in this world.

Then I went to the Texas DPS station to get a new drivers license.  It took over 2 hours.  I also had three little ones with me who had excellent behavior the entire time.  I’m very proud of them for being patient during this long wait crammed in with lots of people.  By the time I left, it was up to a 3 hour wait.

And we want government to be in charge of health care!!!! That is insane when I spend hours just getting a drivers license.  I’d hate to stand in line after being diagnosed with cancer waiting for permission to get care.

I’m praying others are as fed up as I and we’ll start electing people who represent conservative values.  We have to get this right so our kids have a bright future in this great country.

We have power!

Two weeks after Ike visited our home, our electricity is back.  It was restored late yesterday afternoon.  We packed up our stuff from my parent’s house and headed home.  The girls were so excited to be home.  Shea ran through the house with her arms in the air screaming, “YEA, we have electricity!!!”

I didn’t get home until after 8 pm, so Dave had time to tidy up before we arrived.  He vacuumed and cleaned the hardwood floors.  The kitchen was spotless and the house was picked up.  It was so nice to come home to something much nicer than we left.

Today is unpacking, organizing and grocery shopping.

battery operated house

we still don’t have electricity. Our 4 year old is telling people our house is out of batteries:) I wish a couple of doubleAAs would solve this problem!

We are so dependent on electricity in the city

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about how dependent we are on electricity, especially in the city.  I read stories about people selling everything and moving to “land” and learning to live without conveniences because of the coming “whatever…terrorism, bird flu, peak oil….”.  I find these people interesting.

Since hurricane Ike, I’m so aware of how dependent we are on power and energy sources.  We still don’t have electricity.  The first few days after the storm, our sewer was impacted.  If the elect is not on, there is no energy for the pumps to work.    Garbage is also a problem b/c it piles up very fast when you’re drinking bottled water and eating out of boxes.  I’ve always known we are vulnerable, but it is really fresh for me right now.

I’m a worrier and a planner.  Bad combination because I tend to make decisions out of fear and preparation rather than listening to God and my husband.  I just have to give this to God every day.  over and over.  Planning is good, but we cannot survive on our own strength.  Ultimately we are all in God’s hands and there is a limited about of what we can do to protect ourselves.  We can try to live Godly lives and give the rest to God to handle.  I am so glad I have faith in God b/c this world is so crazy right now with wars, natural disasters and financial disasters within our country.   God is in control thank goodness.  Did I cheer you up today????

We Evacuated

Most people evacuate before a hurricane hits.  We waited a week and couldn’t take it anymore without electricity.  We will not have it until Thursday at the earliest.  I hope this is wrong and it happens sooner, but our area was hit really hard with trees.  We’re at my parent’s lake house and so glad to have electricity.  Dave stayed at the house with the dogs b/c he goes back to work on Monday.  He went into the office today to try to catch up.

We didn’t have any hurricane damage to our house, but there was a tornado inside.  No, 5 tornadoes on and off for 7 days:  4 girls and one guy.  Plus two other storms called Phoenix and Rowdy.   Our house is a disaster area and everyone who knows me will understand I don’t take it well.  I tried calling FEMA to complain but got voice mail jail.  I really wanted FEMA to send someone to clean my house while they hand delivered ice and MREs. 

It is really hard to keep a house with no electricity.  You can’t vacuum and there is no light in the closets.  So you pull stuff out of the closet and never put it back.  After a week, things start piling up.  Any dishes that were in the washer waiting start to smell.  You have to leave the refrig doors open and it is too dark to really clean the restrooms.  And you have lots of trash b/c of paper plates and convenience food. 

And we had the windows open b/c of the heat.  We live in an area with lots of construction so there is dirt in the air.  We should wear masks outside.  The dirt blew into the house, so now there is a layer of dirt on all the piles of stuff. 

And dogs and kids start smelling (yes, adults too) when there is no a/c.  So our house needs lots of airfreshner. 

Have I whined enough???  I’m not a big whiner…just ask Dave.  Well, maybe you shouldn’t.  Good news is that I have big hair today!  I had a blow dryer and curling iron this morning.  It really improved my mood.

Actually, I should not be whining.  Our family and friends have been great.  I can’t even list what everyone did and offered to do.  Times like these really get your priorities in order when it comes to community.  Our country is suffering b/c people are too busy to invest in others’ lives.  Those relationships really are priceless when you have needs. 

I have no problem doing for other people but I have more trouble taking help.  It is a pride thing.  But taking help this past week really made life easier.  When we refuse to let others help us, we are denying them the blessing of serving God through being His hands and feet.  So this week plenty of people were blessed through serving our family.

We look forward to getting back to a normal life, but until then things are much better at the lake.  The kids are playing outside on bikes and swings.  We can’t do that in our neighborhood, so they really appreciate the freedom.  I’m also much more relaxed.  It is so pretty here and I’m enjoying hearing the birds and seeing the flowers.  Those little things in life.

Hurricane Ike Recovery Update

We still do not have power or internet. I’m at our club today getting a shower and internet fix. We have great friends. It has made this much easier. We also have water and sewer. With the weather cooler, life is fine w/o electricity. But we sure do miss all the convenience.

We are in an area where power was hit really hard. I don’t expect to have elect until next week at the earliest.

The exchange students are holding up well. I told them we are not finished with hurricane season and asked if they’d be excited about the next one. They would not. It is no longer glamorous.

Thanks for all the calls and emails. We’re doing just fine.

We’re still in Houston – Hurricane Ike

We are visiting a friend and I’m getting a quick internet fix.  We still do not have electricity.  What a time.  The wind was sooooooo strong.  And our house almost flooded.  The day after Ike it really rained and the street flooded even worse than the first day.  But good news is our house is fine and did not flood.  Too close for comfort though.

School is out all week and Dave’s office is closed through Friday.  He works downtown.

I’ll be off the internet until we get power.  It would be any day or weeks.  We have a radio, but it is killing me to listen to all the “victims” calling in complaining about FEMA.  I even heard a lady call herself a Katrina victim and start complaining about lack of supplies.  I guess now she is a Katrina-Ike victim.

On a happy note, we’ve enjoyed time as a family without the electronic distractions.  I am amazed how much we use electronic media.  I think it is time to re-evaluate this.

Take care my Houston friends and congrats if you have power.

Hurricane Ike is coming…

We are getting the final touches on our hurricane shut down.  The kids are getting ready for bed and I’m going to fill the tubs with water.  The wind is picking up and I can tell it is coming.  I’ll be glad when this is over.

I forgot one important hurricane preparedness item.  I don’t have a battery operated curling iron.  What will I do tomorrow?  FLAT HAIR…. YIKES!!!!  I will be prepared for the next storm.  Ebay here I come. My neighbor has a generator.  Maybe I’ll trade her some canned goods for a 10 minute curling iron plug in.

I will probably be without internet access for a while.  I hope not too long.   Thanks for all the encourageing comments and notes.  Be safe my Houston friends and we’ll be in touch soon.

Frugal Friday – Hurricane Ike… being prepared with basics

Today I’m joining Biblicalwomanhood for Frugal Friday.  Yes, I love being frugal even during a hurricane!

We live near downtown Houston.  Yesterday I watched our local news coverage with people standing in line at a Walmart so they’d have basics when Ike hits.  It was so crowded at this Walmart, they couldn’t let anymore people inside until someone left b/c of fire codes.  People were leaving with carts brimming over.

When you shop like this it costs sooooo much more.  And it is hard to think of everything you need when you’re in hurricane mode.  I’ve been preparing all year and could have made it without going to the store.  On Monday I purchased bottled water and filled up my car’s gas tank.  And I’ve been cooking from the freezer the last few days b/c we’ll probably lose electricity.

Even if I lose my freezer, I am still way ahead financially with the stock-up plan.  Not only has it reduced the price I pay for items by buying what is on sale and freezing, it has saved us from eating out.  As long as I think one day ahead and plan one meal at a time, we eat at home.

It was also comforting knowing my family had what we need during this time a natural disaster.  I’ve been getting the house ready and my stuff together rather than standing in line outside walmart in 90+ degree weather.  I could go on and on….

Nick is here!

Nick arrived this afternoon about 3:30.  He flew in on 9/11 from New York to meet Ike.  Their plane was delayed b/c the pilot wasn’t sure Houston was “open”.  I’m glad he made it safe and sound.

This is one neat kid.  He doesn’t get my humor yet, but Tanya is rolling b/c she has already been through humor bootcamp and gets what we’re going.  Nick loves computers.  To give you an idea of how much he loves them… he loves them more than Dave loves dogs.  He looked at our network setup and just grinned with a look that this is really messed up.  He had several suggestions.  I told him I just want to watch a video from our video camera…long story but we’ve never figured this out.  I’m very electronically challenged.

He is excited about the hurricane.  They don’t have hurricanes in Germany.  I hope he is still excited on Sunday morning.

For my friends in Houston, I’m sure he’ll work on your computers for dinner out somewhere.  I’m already getting requests.  This guy is really really really smart.  And did I mention he likes computers???