Storm Update

Just wanted to let everyone know that Jeremy, Homer and I are officially out of harms way from hurricane Gustav. We arrived in Tuscaloosa, Alabama around 1:30am this morning. To put it mildly it was a sheer nightmare getting out of Louisiana. Because of the amount of people evacuating it took us approximately 6 1/2 hours to travel from Thibodaux and through New Orleans. Just to put this in perspective for you, this drive in normal conditions would only take 1 1/2 hours. The worst part was that every gas station, fast food joint, grocery store etc. was closed until we reached Mississippi so we couldn't even stop for a snack or a bathroom break....talk about taking one for the team! Anyway, as hard as it was for us to leave our house and most of our stuff behind we are lucky to be out of the storm path and in a safe place right now. Not to be a Debbie downer but it was so heartbreaking to watch so many people pack up what few important things they could and head out not knowing what they would be coming home to. I saw one little grannie on the local news station say "I'm just so scared". She made it through Katrina but lost everything and now she was just so worried that she would have to go through the same experience all over again. Very sad! It definitely makes you appreciate the important things in life like family and the gospel. So yeah, I know that most of our fellow Louisianans are trying to remain optimistic as we wait this thing out. It's nice to see that the majority of the residents seem to be taking the mandatory evacuation very seriously this time around, and I don't think their will be a repeat in deaths or people needing to be rescued like their was during Katrina. Governor Bobby J. has already arranged a HUGH relief effort for residents of Louisiana that includes enough food to feed approximately 600,000 people a day (and more if necessary), as well as all of the necessary supplies that will be needed after the storm hits. So yeah, it's good to know that they are preparing for the worst as far as supplies and food go. Anyway, on a lighter note we heard on the news that Geraldo is headed to New Orleans, so maybe he is planning on doing some live coverage in the eye of the storm when it hits. Sweet! I haven't seen Anderson Cooper step up to the plate and volunteer, so props to Geraldo. To track the storm and for live updates you can follow this link for the latest information on Gustav.

Gustav

In the words of governor Bobby Jindal "the storm is strenthening"...I left out the g because that's how they say strengthening out here. Anyway, it looks like we are in for one serious storm here on the bayou in the next few days. Right now the radar is showing that tropical storm Gustav is headed right for New Orleans and surrounding parishes (meaning us). The storm is supposed to hit the U.S on Tuesday, and it is projected to be a category three hurricane. Also, today marks the three year anniversary of hurricane Katrina, so irony is most definitely in the air. It was also around this time three years ago that the former Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco was urging citizens to "make peanut butter sandwiches and pray". Ummmm, ya....are we going on a picnic or something??? But have no fear, we are in good hands under the leadership of our current governor Mr. Bobby J. Forces have been called in, game plans are in order and the Hansen's are prepared to bust on out if an evacuation is announced.

Mini Pocket Bike

A while back Jeremy found a steal of a deal online and decided to invest in a pocket bike. His purpose was to ride this bike to work to try and save money on gas. When the bike arrived however, he decided that it was smaller then he thought it would be, and it probably wouldn't be the most practical mode of transportation to get him to work. His second plan was that at least he could ride the bike around our neighborhood, but, because of the grueling heat and humidity here in the south, going outside for more then a couple of minutes is like bathing in your own sweat. Unfortunately, Jeremy decided that it would be best to sell his bike since he wasn't using it like he thought he would. He posted it on Craig's List and it was sold in one day. So long friend, thanks for the memories!



Isn't it a beauty???



One last goodbye.



This was a close as I got to riding it.

What's in a Name???

If you are childless like me (excluding little H) you've probably wondered at times what exactly goes into choosing a name for your child. The other day Jeremy shared a few names with me of some people that are living right here in Louisiana. A guy at work told him about these names, and apparently his wife knows these people personally. Brace yourselves people because this is originality at it's finest!

1) Isick (a.k.a. Isaac).....I love this name (hey little nephew), but never in my wildest dreams have I seen it spelled this way.

2) La_a (pronounced La-dash-a).....If your head is spinning right now just know that you are not alone. The interesting part about this name is that the dash part isn't even a dash, it's an underscore. Doesn't that then make the name La-underscore-a??

3) Abcde (pronounced A-bee-see).....I'm pretty sure the d in this case is silent, but at least this little guy gets a head start on learning the alphabet.

Well, I think we can all agree that these parents definitely win a round of applause for their uniqueness. Watch out Hollywood...you've got nothin' on the bayou!

I'm only afraid of not finishing....

So the other day I was making good use of my time watching E!News and to my suprise I found out that the Twilight movie will be coming out in November now instead of December. My reaction..."Ummmm, what"? This sudden change in events puts me in quite the predicament because now I have just lost three extra weeks that I desperately needed to finish reading the series. Actually, if I'm being honest my goal was only to finish the first book before the movie comes out. I realize that this goal seems a bit elementary to the average Joe, but the fact is that I am not your average anyone. Let me make a couple of things very clear right now, I do not have a bookshelf and I do not read for fun. I am however a definite follower, and this book is exactly where the crowd was running. Anyway, so I was wondering, can anyone tell me when I get to the part where I can't put this book down? Right now I am on chapter four and I have to say that I need some serious vampire action to happen, and fast, otherwise I am never going to finish this book before November. Really, it's not that I don't like reading, I just have to have a very strong interest in whatever it is that I am reading. Take for instance that new book sTori Telling by Tori Spelling, now there is a read that I could get into. I mean who wouldn't be dying to know the truth behind why Victoria inherited squat after the passing of her billionaire father Aaron Spelling. Was it because Candy was jealous of Tori's relationship with her father? And another thing, what really went on behind the scenes of 90210? Was Shannon Doherty really the trouble maker that everyone portrayed her to be? I know that some might call a book like Story Telling a trashy read, I however call it reality. Ok, so back to Twilight. Maybe someone could just give me the rundown on the books, like the cliffs notes version or something? I'm pretty sure that's what needs to happen at this point.

{P.S. sorry about the lack of picture posts on our blog lately. You must be wondering what we Hansen's look like these days...well, stay tuned}

2008 Olympic Opening Ceremonies

Weren't the opening ceremonies of the Olympics awesome! Let me tell you, the Chinese really know what they are doing. My favorite was, well, ALL OF IT!! I'm still trying to figure out how they made those flower-like Olympic rings rise from off the ground like butterflies...no clue! Oh, and little Lin singing...how precious was that?? Way-to-go Beijing! You really rocked the hizzel off of this house! Nations were definitely united last night.

A Close Call

Today our little Homie gave us quite the scare when he disappeared for over 24 hours. He was last scene Thursday night around 4:30pm as Jeremy was going through Homer's nightly routine of feeding, bathing and playtime before bed. Well, as many of you know, Homer lives outside now in what can only be described as a five star habitat that was built by Jeremy. Every night when Jer gets home from work he goes outside, calls for little H and then brings him in for his routine. Anyway, last night was no different, Jeremy went outside, found our little man, brought him in as usual, went through the routine and then took him back outside into his lap of luxury. So, continuing on, it was a very stormy and unusually nippy day in bayou country, and early in the am I received a text from Jeremy asking me if I would peak outside and make sure Homer was OK and not drowning in the rain...no webbed feet on this kidlet. I went outside and began to search and call for Homie in his house, but there was no sign of him. I wasn't worried at this point because I knew that he just wasn't used to my voice and that he was probably just hiding somewhere, so the search continued. I then proceeded to look through the shrubbery, and look in the black tunnel tube, and poke around in his favorite mud hole, but sadly, nothing....no sign of Homie. At this point I am getting frustrated and wet, and I am wondering how long this game of hide and seek will last. I then decide that I am beat and that I will try again in a few minutes. Well, more then a few minutes goes by because I was watching a fun episode of John and Kate Plus 8, and it is at this point that the loud thunder, and heavily pouring rain outside remind me that I need to go look for Homer again. I go through the same scenario a second time but once again no Homer. I try again a little while later and still nada. This is when I come to the conclusion that Homie has somehow escaped and that our little Hansen is LOST. Just a little side note, for those of you who know Homer, this is not the first time that he has been missing. In fact, he stopped our hearts a few times when we lived in Utah, but eventually we always found the little guy. Today was somewhat different though because little H isn't familiar with all of this bayou territory quite yet. So, to make a long story even longer, I broke the news via text messaging to Jeremy that Homer was lost and then I headed off to work. When Jer got home he looked everywhere outside for H, but still we were without a trace. After much searching, Jeremy too decided that enough was enough, so he took a moment to grieve, and then afterwards began to contemplate what our next pet would be. I'm not sure, but I believe it was at that moment that Jer saw a familiar tiny head pop out from behind our junior lovesac, and yes, it is true, it was Homer's wee little noggen. Little H was inside our bayou bungalow the entire time! It seems that pap pap (Jer) forgot to take him back outside after his nightly routine on Thursday. Thank goodness Homie is safe and sound, and just to ensure a peaceful sleep for all, Homer will be sleeping inside in his old plastic house tonight.