Ruggles is opening a restaurant right around the corner from my house. It says on the door that it's Houston's only certified green restaurant. That's pretty exciting.
Ike update: All of the debris and all of the bags of leaves have been picked up on my street!
All of the lights on my way to work are working!
I'm taking care of my neighbor's beautiful dog named Zoe this weekend. I'm also feeding their fish and giving their 2 turtles kale. There is supposed to be a cat too but I haven't seen her yet.

This sign is on Greenbriar close to the Southwest Frwy. I guess the beer would be hot. Centerpoint has a new map on their web site with estimated dates for restoration of electricity. It isn't going to make anybody happy. The only good thing is that we are having unusually cool weather. http://www.centerpointenergy.com/staticfiles/CNP/Common/SiteAssets/doc/Est.%20Restore%209.17%202pm.pdf

Takes one to know one

Bush declares Texas a disaster.

Ike Pictures on Flickr

Here are some pictures I took while out walking the dogs this afternoon:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14145194@N04/

Ike

Anderson Cooper may be downtown but fourdogmom has Upper Kirby covered. These are views from my front yard.

Ike is still coming through. The power went off around 10 but came on at 7 this am. Still lots of wind and rain but I'm hoping the worst is over. Lot of debris in the yard and very anxious dogs but it looks like we might make it through with minimal damage.

Bear Washes Ashore on Galveston Island

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4085llz2SYI

When I checked the predicted wind mph in my zip yesterday it was 95. Today it's down to 74 so I'm feeling a little better. Gotta go move the plants. This will probably be my last blog for awhile.

IKE

I didn't get to sleep last night until midnight and woke up at 4. After I walked the dogs I went to the store and bought the last of the D batteries, food, water, and gas. I'm as prepared as can be. Houston is probably going to get hit hard. We are on the dirty side and it keeps getting closer to us. My area is not in an evacuation area and we are actually encouraged to stay but all the coastal areas around here are under mandatory evacuation. Half the people I work with are under mandatory evacuation and aren't at work. We have tomorrow off. The 7th anniversary of 9/11 isn't being mentioned by anyone including the local news because we are so focused on Ike. I thought that after it happened it would always be a special day to remember because of the way everyone came together but bush has ruined that too. I hope someday I will be able to feel proud of my country again.