Now for Frances???

“Guess I can relax now.”

“Maybe it means "acting like a Levite"?”

“Or when you can only levitate half-way up?”

“National Hurricane Center director Max Mayfield says he can't emphasize enough how powerful Frances is, adding he doesn't see any sign of weakening.

Forecasters said Wednesday the storm could hit anywhere from south Florida to South Carolina as early as Friday night. Evacuation orders are likely to be issued later Wednesday, when warnings and watches are posted.

Frances is moving toward the west-northwest near 15 mph, and this general track is expected to continue, but with a gradual decrease in forward speed during the next 24 hours. On this track, the core of the hurricane will be passing near or over the Turks and Caicos Islands later today and the southeastern Bahamas during the next 24 hours.”

“Back to reality.”

“Whatta buzzkill.”

“Sorry boys.”

“hang on, lemme extend those poles a little more.....”

“Why do they always give these hurricanes wussy names? They should call them Hurricane Rambo, or Hurricane Duke. Francis sounds like some gay guy is going to blow through town and redecorate your living room.

stay safe everyone!”

“A gay guy blowing through town?

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOKay ;-)”

“Frances is a womans' name, Nige. You're thinking Francis.”

“Good one”

“You'll come home to find your roof has been blown off...



...with doilies on every table and "special" throw pillows on every seat/couch!”

“Frances was my Grandmother's name. I hope she has some PULL with her namesake!”

“I feel sorry for you floridians. It's gonna be wetter than a car load of fat girls on their way to see Ricky Martin.”

“Hell, Frances is my daughter's name.”

“Eeww, Mutt!”

“Definately did not need that visual!”

“Where's the flour?”

“My guess is it'll smell just like that too after it blows through mutt.”

“Friday is garbage pick-up day. Don't know if Waste Management will get here, but I'm sure the trash will be picked-up.”

“Yeah, it'll get picked up by cleanup crews 2 counties over!”

“LMAO! True Nowslimmer - put the trash out, or hell you prolly won't have to - just leave it by kitchen counter. It'll be gone when you get home.”

“Hey, who barfed on my map?”

“2 counties over it will still probably be nextto my trailer!!!”

“oh, sorry!”

“you know, it sure does appear that she's going more north than west since the last image was updated.

hmmm”

“Who's picking up trailer trash?”

“Frances.”

“The only thing I know for a fact about hurricane routes is that the forecasters can't guess worth a damn for than a day from landfall.
It will be friday before a good landing can be predicted.
I have a gut feeling a far more Northern route than being shown now will happen.”

“Cut the meteorologists some slack. They are trying to predict the future after all.”

“I tend to think your right SS. But, everybody remember that this #&%!$ is something like 360 miles wide with tropical storm winds along the outer reaches and Cat 4 winds stretch the inner half of that width.”

“In other words - 30 miles offshore passing by me still ruins my day.”

“I hope everyone’s insurance is paid up.”

“well at least i am on the west coast of florida , mad beach, but one never knows where these thing are going to make landfall. look at all the damage that was done to the inland counties with charley. oh by the way we are flying to manchester, nh early sunday morning for two weeks in the woods. just talked to the hubby and he may be called into work all day saturday, he's head of hurricane evacuations for the pd. so i guess we will pack tonight and hope we get to leave sunday. if not i guess we will once again evacuate to our largo home with our daughter.
hey goood luck to you east-coasters.”

“I need a drink something fierce. Stress levels are about unbearable right now.”

“The 5pm forecast now shows it hitting the Space Center.”

“Two maps I've looked at have kicked it slightly further south, including the noaa map. But from what I've heard from an inside source, others think it'll slide right up the coast to the Carolinas.”

“Has just declared a state of emergency!”

“Hang in there treebait!”

“I thought he declared a state of emergency an hour or so ago.

Laurel's trying to entertain me now. She's stomping in a circle around me chanting "go berk! go berk! go berk!" Guess there's worse things she could be saying. :)”

“They just announced it down here.

And what does "go berk" mean?”

“Grab onto something heavy Florida...like Alabama!!”

“Berk is short for berserk. Which is what I'm doing.”

“I think all the TTers in it's path should bug out and meet up somewhere safe for a car camping or hiking weekend. Ohio's safe and sound...”

“OH! Makes sense. And very funny! I thinking good thoughts.”

“hellooooo!!!! remember.....my house. not sure how safe columbia is though. well it's much safer the FL, that's for sure. :) and I know all the tuff TT'ers are used to a little rain.”

“Woo hoo!

Voluntary evacuation orders for St Lucie County.

That makes no sense does it, I've been "ordered" to do something, if I want to that is.

LOL”

“I just talked to my mother in law. They haven't planned or done anything yet, and for some reason I found this comforting. Mary plans ahead for everything but doesn't do anything until the last minute. Eugene (dad in law) doesn't want to go stay with family in SC, and Mary likes my idea of heading to Cosby CG in the Smokies for the weekend. Could be cool. Just get a group site then.
Christopher (HPM's bro) would just have to tag along since Mr. 2 is having issues these days. That's his toyota by the way.

On the flipside, this thing could head right up into Tennessee, given current storm models. But you really can't tell. If it stays close to it's current path I'll have to evacuate irregardless since I'm in Evac zone 2. Fun, fun, fun. That reminds me I need to call some people in Sevierville (they own a very cool gallery) and let them know what's up. Besides my blood pressure ;)

I'm still stressed but now I'm in a better mood at least. Now, on with the prep work.

Actually, on with the laundry. Funny, I have to get ready for the storm yet I still have a mess of household work to do. Thppbbbt!”