I’m almost finished with the evacuation prep, and will be heading north tomorrow morning at 7am. The cats are going to a shelter that opens at 8am, and I want to give myself enough time to get up there. All day, the highway cameras at Transtar showed insane traffic jams all over the place.

I went to five stores today in search of water, batteries and tape. Everything was sold out. Lowe’s was a madhouse. But, I did buy a portable charcoal grill. mmmm…..grilled SPAM.

Both my parents work in hospitals, so they’ll be sticking out the hurricane at their respective workplaces. The Li’l Bro is heading up to Bryan, TX with his cat. The Sis is staying home on the westside.

My oft-anxious boss gave me an evacuation checklist which has actually turned out to be quite useful. My evacuation activities so far:

• Filled one of my bathtubs with water. The other bathtub will be filled before I leave tomorrow morning.
• Put duct tape on all the windows. Even if it doesn’t really do anything, it makes me feel better.
• Packed up important documents.
• Took down all my plants and birdfeeder.
• Loaded the car with dry foods - bottled water, soda, chips, crackers, canned food, etc.
• Packing 3-4 days worth of clothes.
• And most importantly - two bottles of wine, and a six pack of Negra Modelo. mmmm….Mexican beer.

Taping up my windows, I began to understand the homeowner’s urge to ride out these sorts of storms. I’m having separation issues with my little condo, and I started wondering if I should stay here after all. I’m worried about windows breaking and rain coming in and damaging my stuff. Not that I could stop it, though. But, I guess it’s better that I leave - even though my block isn’t in the 400-year flood plain, the areas around me will flood and I’d be stranded. I dunno. I guess it would be really boring being here by myself, with no electricity or water.

I’m also hating leaving the cats at a shelter. Skokie’s never been boarded before, and Blossom is still nervous about being newly adopted. But what can I do? My parents won’t take the cats, and according to AC all hotels are booked from here to Oklahoma. *sigh*

I’m making some rice and bulgogi. mmmm…comfort food.

By the way, Happy Belated Chusok, everyone.