The following is a message I typed to you during the hurricane and just when I was about to send it our cable and electricity went out and I was unable to email it.  I'm back to work today, still no electricity at home but the great feeling of air-conditioning at work is great!  So here's what happened:

Saturday, September 4, 2004

Well we are into our third day "hunkered" down in our home.  We put the hurricane shutters up, cleared the patio furniture, and brought in all the loose plants from the yard.  We have plenty of water, batteries, and food.  We're safe but bored.  The TV is constant full coverage for the hurricane and the 14 DVD's I rented are almost finished!

We fortunately have electricity.  Some of our other friends and family aren't as lucky that lived inland.  We are on the intracoastal.  The winds have been blowing around 40 mph and are looking to max out at 90 mph.  The eye is starting to hit the northern Palm Beach County area which is about 45 miles north of us.  We have been getting a lot of rain and wind.   A concern for Floridians are of course because this hurricane is idling and stationery for so long... there will be a lot of wind damage.  But also the longer it rains, it saturates the ground which weakens the sand and when a gust of wind hits then uproots the trees. 

So far we haven't had any downed trees except for a broken tree limb next door.  Gene stepped out on the patio when the winds were calmer and took digital pictures.  You can view these on our family web site and keep updates with us.  www.polizzifamily.com    (You'll have to wait until Tues night or Wed. 9/7 or 9/8 so Gene can get the pictures down loaded on on the site - obviously with no power and cable it makes it impossible)  Check back!

Tuesday, September 7, 2004

Well it's great to be back to work and in air conditioning!  As mentioned our lights and cable went out on Saturday.  What a fiasco clearing the freezer and refrigerator into coolers and obtaining ice and $2.50 a bag!  We finally said forget it and we'll buy all new condiments.  Used a battery operated TV and used light with candles and flash lights.

We fared well for the storm.  Our neighborhood had heavy winds that uprooted and/or broke limbs off trees late Sat. night.  The intracoastal never crested even at high tide - thank goodness!  We picked up all the debris on Sunday and have a reallyy huge pile for pick-up.  Gene already took the hurricane shutters down and threw his back out.  I sure hope we don't need them back up for Hurricane Ivan that is headed our way.  Today is Tuesday and we are still without electricity.  It's strange that the people behind us and down the street have it but we don't.  We have been promised by the electric company that we'll have lights by this Friday at 10:45 PM.  Last night was miserable, sticky, and really hot!  If we don't get electricity by some chance, we're going to a hotel tonight.  My boss lives north of us and the electric company said the same thing to them.  They got their power on last night at 10:30 PM.  I only hope and pray.  Mosquitoes and hot sweaty nights can really make a person "Cranky"!   

My Dad, Betty and Grandma Kay are all fine in Bradenton.  They had gusty winds and heavy rain too.  In some areas where they live it flooded and a few gas station signs blew down.  My mother, Herb, Uncle Rudy and Aunt Laverne are okay in Orlando.  They had very high winds of 90 mph.  They lost a large oak tree which uprooted right out of the ground.  Lost a lot of tree limbs too.  My sister-in-law, Lois, who lives in Palm Beach was ok.  Also lost a cypress tree and had a lot of broken limbs and debris in their back yard.  But thankfully, everyone is fine and luckily no one was left homeless.  This is a blessing!  Now all we have to do is wait a few more days to see where Hurricane Ivan will heading.

.Love to all,

Cindy and Gene