Returning to Normal

Much to my delight, I arrived home yesterday to power at my house! I've never been more excited about electricity, but I still feel for the near million people that are without power in the area.

Of course my first instinct was to fire up the dishwasher and start a load of laundry. After putting away the candles, flashlights and emergency TV/radio, I started up the computer and began downloading the numerous photos from both of my cameras.

I've never been more eager to cook an actual dinner or to use the restroom with lights on. It was great sleeping with the windows closed, fan on and trusty clock telling me what time it was across the room. I set out for a grocery trip this morning to Wallyworld to begin re-stocking my fridge, but they didn't open for business until 8AM this morning.

Hopefully tonight I'll have my tree fixed (again) and begin working on all my photos from our Ike Adventure. I'm still a little bitter I'm not in the Canadian Rockies right now, but I'm trying to be thankful the electricity and relatively little storm damage.

Many of my friends & co-workers are without power still or have had much more damage, but life in general seems to be returning to normal in Houston. Many intersections still lack functional traffic lights, which compounds the ever-increasing traffic congestion. I'm hoping they have many of the kinks worked out of the emergency services plans, and people are getting all the necessary help with food, water, ice and gas now.

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: Special thanks to all the elected officials coordinating the clean up effort and all those working around the clock to get the city back on it's feet.