Weathering the Storm -- Literally and Figuratively

First of all, I want to thank all those who have just been so kind and caring. I appreciate it so much! You are all so wonderful and it is a huge encouragement for me!!

The "figurative" storms:

1. Alberto is fine. We had our appointment with the pedi-GI but that has been canceled because of the storm. So hopefully, we'll have our appointment in the next few days. Will keep you all posted on what we learn.

2. The nanny has redeemed herself, slightly. She is out of the doghouse but still on a short leash. Her husband knows a private investigator who got us the name of the man holding Bruti. However, not much more of a lead than that. Couldn't get the address.

3. Bruti has not been returned. My biggest concern is that Mr. Poncho might have sold him. Basically asking me for his reward he was deciding that my dog would go to the highest bidder. I am certain that there is an extra hot section of hell for people like this. However, I hold onto the hope that Bruti will somehow make it back home.

4. In the process of looking for Bruti, we found another dog that was lost and needs a temporary home -- so I am "fostering" that dog. Unfortunately with this weather, it's hard to do any searching or posting of signs because everything just comes down.

Huh? You found another dog? What? Confused? Yes, I am too. A neighbor saw a "Found Dog" sign a couple miles away and thought it might be Bruti. So, I raced over there (in the rain, got wet; didn't care). The man who found this dog said he found him on Thursday and took him in, put up signs but hasn't heard anything. In fact, he was trying to give the dog away because he can't keep him. (I didn't understand how you could give someone elses dog away). So he told me to take the dog because he was going to the pound on Monday. So, I felt bad and told him to please forward my number to anyone who called for the dog and that I would put up signs saying that I have the dog. Unfortunately, the rains have not let up. Maybe on Wednesday, I'll be able to put them up and we can reunite this little guy with his family.

The literal Storm: Tropical Storm Fay

Well, it's raining a lot. Truthfully, most of us who have survived Andrew, don't get too concerned unless it's at least a Cat 3. Granted, we got battered a few years ago with Katrina, Rita and Wilma and they came through us pretty weak. Maybe, it wasn't how strong they were but how "not far" apart they were (kind of like my drama of last week).

So, it's wet. It gives the local newscasters all this airtime as they over sensationalize the weather. I love it when they go out in those funny raincoasts and talk about how it's raining while standing in the rain. Somehow, it makes it more credible. Gee, I don't need for them to tell me it's raining. I can look out my window.

Of course, they are talking about all the emergency plans that are in place -- it's raining folks! Of course, the schools are closed because it's raining (its been a constant rain all day long, OCCASSAIONLLY the winds pick up but nothing out of this world -- have seen worse summertime afternoon thunderstorms). Businesses are closed because it's raining. I think it's overkill, Fay isn't even going to make landfall over us.

Granted, my opinion might change come morning when we are getting the rains and the winds. So after a long last week, a long weekend and a LONG day, I am open to being wrong about the severity of this storm and will gladly admit it, should I be wrong.

Thank you again to all for your support and encouragement. Tomorrow, Lordwilling, I'll post pictures of the "storm"... Maybe, I'll put on a funny raincoat and ask my mom to take pictures of me. Not!