I didn’t exactly choose to live in Florida .. but I’m stuck here now at least until my son Graduates from college. Therefore, I have to suck it up and deal with the annual onslaught of threat from Tropical Storms and Hurricanes. Generally, when it’s a TS or a Cat-1 storm, I’m fine. I know it will be gusty and we’ll get a ton of rain. But when I see that a CAT-4 storm is charging our banks, I tend to freak out just a little bit. Inland – our greatest threat is Tornadoes. I’m scared to death about Ike due to hit land on Tuesday.

So this morning I am quietly freaking out inside my head. I have not reached full fledged panic state .. but come Sunday I can tell you the panic attacks will start up. My biggest concern is my son in Tampa. If the college campus closes – he can either come home or go to an evacuation shelter. Since he isn’t confident enough to drive to Tampa from Orlando yet, that means I have to fetch him and bring him home. But the school won’t make a decision to close until it’s too late .. it’s a 1.5 hour drive there … 3 hours round trip. In the wind and rain.

I’m drinking water in lue of eating comfort food. There’s not much food here to eat which is a good thing .. but I am going to have to go stock up on non-perishables and water because it is highly likely we’ll be without power for at least a week. So if you don’t see me here after Tuesday … that’s why.

In the next few days, if you see me starting to panic, please remind me to calm down. Remind me that water is my best friend!! And remind me that things happen for a reason … if we are meant to get hit by a Cat-4 Storm .. then there’s nothing I can do to control it.

I’m still freakin’ scared!!!!