Gustav has changed directions and is now supposed to cross directly over Grand Cayman.  GREAT!  Don't worry, we are prepared.  I am safe in Denver and Travis is all stocked up on food, water, and beer.  So don't worry about him.  It's only supposed to be a category 1 so just cross your fingers it doesn't get stronger after it passed over Jamaica.  I'll try to keep you all updated.  

Hurricane Gustav

For everyone who thinks it must be paradise living here....

GUSTAV MADE LANDFALL ON THE SOUTHWEST PENINSULA OF HAITI...

A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM BARAHONA IN THE DOMINICANREPUBLIC WESTWARD TO LE MOLE ST NICHOLAS HAITI. A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR CUBA...FOR THE PROVINCES OF GUANTANAMO...SANTIAGO DE CUBA...AND GRANMA.

A HURRICANE WARNING MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED WITHIN THE WARNING AREA...GENERALLY WITHIN 24 HOURS.

A HURRICANE WATCH MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE WITHIN THE WATCH AREA...GENERALLY WITHIN 36 HOURS.

INTERESTS IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN CUBA AND THE CAYMAN ISLANDS SHOULD CLOSELY MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF GUSTAV.


GUSTAV IS A CATEGORY ONE HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR-SIMPSONSCALE. SOME WEAKENING IS LIKELY WHILE GUSTAV MOVES OVER HAITI...HOWEVER RESTRENGTHENING IS FORECAST AS THE CENTER APPROACHES EASTERN CUBA ON WEDNESDAY.

GUSTAV IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE TOTAL RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 4 TO 8 INCHES OVER HISPANIOLA...EASTERN CUBA...AND JAMAICA...WITH ISOLATED MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF UP TO 20 INCHES POSSIBLE. THESE RAINS WILL LIKELY PRODUCE LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODS AND MUD SLIDES.
COASTAL STORM SURGE FLOODING OF 2 TO 4 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE LEVELS ALONG WITH LARGE AND DANGEROUS BATTERING WAVES CAN BE EXPECTED IN AREAS OF ONSHORE WINDS IN THE HURRICANE WARNING AREA.

ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER

How Scary is that? We live on the sea and are expecting to be evacuated from our apartment tomorrow. I am flying out to Denver and Travis is moving inland to a friend's house. We have to pack everything we want to keep into plastic tubs and haul it to our friend's house tonight. There is obviously a chance that it won't hit us, but it is very stressful and scary waiting. I am sooooo glad that Trent is safe in Janesville. Wish us Luck! I will keep you all posted as soon as I get to Denver.

Trent's last Weekend :(

At the beginning of the summer, we sat down as a family and made a list of things we wanted to do while Trent was here. We were worried that the time would go by too fast. We were right! We had crossed off quite a few items, but still had plenty left. So last Sunday we planned an action packed day.

We started off going to the Pirate Caves. Most of the people we had talked to about them, told us they were lame. Well those people must not have children. They were awesome! They had a mini petting zoo outside the caves. We saw a horse, cow, pigs, crabs, birds, goats, guinea pigs, bunnies, iguanas, and much more. Then they gave Trent a flashlight and he led us through the caves. They have fake(don't tell Trent) gold coins and skulls placed all over. He loved it! Then we went back into the gift shop and they let us hold an iguana. Apparently, they like to be high in the air, hence the one perched on Trent's head. He was soooo nervous, but he's become so much more brave with animals this summer. Check out the photo!

Then we went to see the Blow holes. These were a bit of a disappointment because the sea was so calm, that nothing was blowing out of them. Maybe next time.

We had tuna sandwiches in the car on the way to Starfish Point, our final destination. I can't believe we hadn't ever been there! It was really cool. The water was very warm and the starfish lay on the sand where the water is only 2-4 feet deep. So we just snorkeled out and picked them up. Trent was again a little leery at first, but by the end of the day we had to make him put his favorite red one down. My friend took photos of the three of us, but she hasn't emailed those to me yet, so you'll have to wait!

So our list ended up with only one item left. Not bad.... We will have to go to the skate park next time he comes to visit. Enjoy the pics!!

I have no excuse for not updating the blog this time. I was suppose to start working when we got back from the States in the beginning of July. But my work permit was rejected. They rejected it because I applied while I was still on the island. They have a law stating that you have to leave the island while your permit processes. They make exceptions to that law if you have dependency pending. I did, so I stayed. They, however, decided not to make that exception for me. Someone must have been cranky that day, but since there isn't an appeal process for temporary permits, we couldn't do anything about it. We had already paid for Trent's Karate day camp and he was really excited to go. So he started on July 21st. I obviously don't want to leave while he is here and miss out on spending time with him. So I just booked a ticket to go to Denver on Aug. 27th for 3 weeks. While I am there, they will apply for my permit again and then hopefully I will be able to work again! I have been very bored because during the day because I don't have Trent to play with. I have asked him if he wants to stay home with me a couple times, but apparently playing with me isn't as fun as playing with his new friends at camp, so I always get turned down. :( You can't blame him, he's 8 and his camp isn't just Karate all day. They go fishing, to the turtle farm, butterfly farm, rock hunting, beach pizza parties... I can't compete with that! I will try to get a picture of him in his Karate outfit tonight and post it. He looks so cute in it.

My days have been consumed with beach runs in the mornings and cleaning and watching movies in the afternoon. Not very exciting, so I haven't had much to write about.

This weekend we have a big day planned on Saturday. Travis isn't going to work, so we are going to take advantage of it! We are heading to the East end to see the blow holes, go to the Pirate Caves, eat lunch at the wreck of the ten sails, and finish up at Starfish Point. We will take lots of pictures so check back next week!

My cousin's baby, Jace, was in the hospital and had surgery last week. He's doing much better now. He's in our thoughts and prayers. Add him to yours too, please.