The Storm That Wasn't

Before AND After Isaac.  The only difference is the the green awning in the background came off due to the storm.

Tropical Storm Isaac wasn't very tropical and a joke of a storm.  I suppose you could say we lucked out here in GTMO.  Thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by the storm and still looking it in the eye in Florida.  The mountains that surround us really do a good job of keeping out serious weather. The worst part of the day (Saturday, 8/25) was the fact that we were not allowed on the roads until given the "All Clear."  So we waited patiently for rain to come around 2:00 pm as forecasted...but, no rain.  There were threatening clouds and wind gusts, however nothing out of the ordinary.  Several Words With Friends games, two meals, and a completely built Lego set later, we were given the "all clear" at 5:00p.  The galley was scheduled to open at 5:30, so to celebrate we decided to get dinner there.  You can imagine the mass Exodus to the galley and the sighs of relief from those who have just spent an entire Saturday indoors.  This is not what we do on the weekends in GTMO!  Weekends are for outdoor recreation!  After dinner we exit the galley to find....wait for it........................a deluge of rain falling mercilessly from the sky!  Obviously, the joke's on us.  It rained on and off the rest of the evening, and Sunday was sunny skies as usual.  I suppose we'll keep the stash of water, batteries and pavers we collected for Isaac.  It is only September after all.

Summer 2012

I am not a huge fan of summer vacation.  The lack of structure and departing friends from the island bother me.  However, the summer months didn't crawl along like they normally have in the past except for this very week!  Maybe it's the fact that the first day of school is scheduled for this following Monday or maybe it's because the previous week was filled with rehearsals for "Robin Hood" presented by the students of GTMO led by the Missoula Children's Theater (and accompanied on piano by "yours truly").  Either way we are looking at a weekend filled with the effects of Tropical Storm Isaac.  But, more on that later.

We were able to leave the island for a week in July.  Two days at Disney, then two days at my sister's place, retirement dinner for my father, and car shopping for my mother-in-law made GTMO look like a welcome "staycation."

We said goodbye to several families this summer.  Each passing year here gets harder in that respect because your relationships deepen with those who have made the island experience special for you. But here's the funny part: Usually within 2-3 days after good friends leave, I end up meeting someone new who helps to ease the friend-shaped hole in my heart.  They don't replace my old friends, mind you, but it's nice to know that the friendship turnaround here is a quick one.

In August I decided to start something I NEVER thought I would do...run.  I've taken up many new physical activities since moving here over a year and a half ago (yoga, weight training, step class...heck, working out in general!), but running was always one of those things I found boring unless I was running to or from something.  Thanks to two of my friends, they managed to inspire me to try it (Thanks, Itzpa and Chanh!).  But wait! There's more! I've also joined an Ultimate Frisbee team!  What a fun game, but exhausting!  I've got the proof right here in photographic form! I'm the third one from the right (wearing green) in the end zone getting ready to catch the frisbee for 2 points. (Yeah, it's TWO points if a girl catches it, only 1 for guys. :)

This strenuous activity has a price though.  My knees hurt and I've got sore upper body muscles since I went back to the gym this week after being out of the weight training routine for about a month.  It's all good.  I'll suck it up.

Tomorrow we will be making our final preparations for Tropical Storm Isaac.  So far it's been a great excuse to clean out the garage and storage shed.  I found four angry crabs who had made snuggly homes in some of my boxes.  We'll see what other critters the storm will bring.  There is a silver lining though...it's FOOTBALL SEASON!