Texas Chocolate Cake, Banana Pudding and Jambalaya

Ok, so I am a drama queen. The birds are singing. We've had a beautiful day with brief thunderstorms. I just get a bit antsy.

I went to the grocery store twice. It takes a long time to fight the crowds for batteries, bleach, bottled water and enough junk food to fill up a Suburban. I don't know why we buy bleach. I know that clean up involves using bleach to kill mold and possible sewer overflow, but most of us have gallons upon gallons of bleach in the pantry from previous storms. The junk food makes sense. When the power goes, one wants a bit of comfort in candy bars, cookies, chips and crackers. Our home is junk-food-free. When I arrive home with tons of the junkiest stuff possible (powered tiny donuts, oreos, Little Debbie snack cakes, chips) eyes light up and the threat of annihilation seems less dreadful. Bottled water has come a long way. I buy several gallon containers then get cases of the carry around bottles. We use those throughout the year anyway.

Shopping takes a long time because everyone converges on the grocery stores at one time. Even if you've been to the store earlier, you have to go again. I went twice today. I spent most of the time trying to remember where items were located in a store I shop four times a week. My brain is turned down low today. And, I have to visit with six people per aisle, at least. Since we are a small place, we know each other. I have to get everyone's phone number (for phones which will be dead in a few hours) and find out where they will be. Are you going to your Mother's? Will you evacuate to Missy's? Do you have to stay at the hospital all night to work? Who is going to take care of Granny Ladner?

I came home and made Quotidian Grace's Texas Chocolate Cake much to the delight of my family. See her recipe at www.quotidiangrace.blogspot.com Then I made Patty's Banana pudding: 2 packages of instant banana pudding made according to directions, one can sweetened condensed milk, one container of the plain cool whip (I told you we were on odd rations), sliced bananas and a box of Nilla Vanilla wafers. After pudding sets, mix together pudding with sweetened condensed milk and cool whip. Line bowl with vanilla wafers, then alternate layers of sliced bananas and pudding mixture. Chill. Eat as if it is your last meal.

We have tons of frozen shrimp in our freezer so TLH is making a jambalaya. He'll put sausage and chicken in, too. We will eat well tonight. Wish you could join us.

Today I did ten loads of laundry. I even did a load of cold water wash linen outfits for me that make no durn sense as they have to air dry then be ironed. Brain turned down very low today.

We will make the decision to board up the house early in the evening after I throw a fit of anxiety and scream at everyone. I bet you didn't think I was a screamer, did you. I'm not often but when I begin to worry that people will be hurt I can blow a gasket. Brain on simmer.

I'll be checking the NOAA weather reports incessantly for as long as we have power. If you don't hear from me tomorrow or Monday assume we are powerless and I'm just off line.

Coveting your prayers. You are probably delighted to be far away from my drama and the impending weather.

The LH came into the study to tell me that he thinks the trough near Texas will push the storm further East and that we will not get much. I looked him straight in the face and took a deep breath. I trust him.