- Re: checking in

[Guest guest]

Hello

Even though the storm cells circled Houston instead of going through it,

there was an awful lot of wind and a lot of power went out. Many of

the strip mall signs were blown over, literally bent over on the steel

girders, workers are still sweeping up the glass from the tubes and

putting up new signs. I was at a friends apartment at the time, they

lost power in that neighbourhood for about an hour and I saw his lawn

furniture just pick up and leave all in unison as if some poltergeist

took them, I think they're still hunting the neighbourhood for one

missing chair. None of the furniture left my balcony but I think I was

a bit more sheltered from the wind.

Most of the houses here look like brick houses but just have a brick

sheathing on them. Having grown up in Canada where the building code

has to withstand some serious winter weather, the construction here

seems very cheap and flimsy to me. Of course trying to find a builder

whose willing to use better building techniques is quite costly, my

older sister tried to have a house built to Canadian standards in

Wisconsin and the builders wanted an incredible sum to do that. The

changes are minor, such as thicker walls, more roof trusses (the houses

here might have one but a Canadian house might have one every three

feet), better weather stripping, R45 instead of R12 insulation and

double to triple pane glass instead of the single pane that they have

here; but I guess it's too much to ask them to change how they do things

around here. Mind you, I don't think my sister would deal with anyone

except at a high level through an architect. Maybe if I can get my act

together and survive long enough, I'll see about talking to some

contractors about doing the new ice block type construction, it's

different from what they're used to but it's easy and quick (stack up a

bunch of styrofoam interlocking bricks and pour concrete into them).

That would be the closest thing to a house that won't blow away, or

burned, or eaten by termites...

A friend of mine who transferred from Calgary used to be a contractor

built a rec room addition to his house in Katy. He built it to

Canadian standards, the neighbours saw it go up and they all say that if

a tornado comes, they were all going to hide out in the rec room.

I take it that's Santa Fe south of Houston over by League City? At

least the storms passed north of Houston and not south.

Regards,

son wrote:

> Hi everyone, and happy new year. Did you all get through the holidays

> ok? I've been trying to keep up w you, but havent been able to get on

> much, and every time I try to write someone had to use the phone.

>

> We finally got to have a little Christmas with the grandkids Sat, they

> got left in Santa Fe on their way back from Houston.They're a mess-

> too long a story. 6yo Sammy explained to the girls they didnt have to

> be afraid of the tornados cause they were in a brick house, just like

> the 3 little pigs, and thier house couldnt blow down, so they're

> ok. , I watched that storm cell circle Houston for hours, are you ok?

>

> Rich came all the way back here from Washington, to see the kids. And

> he brought his special friend to meet us. She IS a gem. The poor thing

> got altitude sickness I think, he took her out hiking & sightseeing

> immediately, and she has always been at sea level. They were going to

> go skiing, but I think she needs to take it easy for a few days. They

> have to leave in a few days, both go back to the Navy. I will keep

> cooking while they are here, then may never cook again. Can you

> believe, I am sick of pie, cake, cookies, rum balls, fruitcake, all of

> it. Everything, esp turkey. This may be the best diet ever. & when

> you're too tired to lift the food to your mouth it is time to stop. I

> may be the crazy lady with the Christmas tree still up in June, if I

> dont find some energy to put this stuff away.

>

> I have to be in court tomorrow morning at 8-am! For the dog. Hooch has

> just been out visiting, and probably looking for the kids. And he just

> luuuvs everyone, even the dog catcher. At least she didnt take him to

> jail. Will try to get back on when I get home. Please take care. Love,

>

>

> ...

>