Michelle's path

Another storm bites the dust.


The tropical storm warning for Guam has been cancelled, according to the most recent forecast from the National Weather Service.


Typhoon Melor is maintaining its intensity to the east-northeast of Saipan, the advisory states.


A typhoon warning is still expected for Saipan.


At 7 a.m., Typhoon Melor was located near latitude 15.8 degree north and longitude 148.3 degrees east, or about 285 miles northeast of Guam.


Melor is moving west-northwest at about 14 mph and is expected to keep going that way for the next 14 to 24 hours. Maximum sustained winds are about 130 mph.

5:45 a.m - Typhoon Melor is moving west-northwest at 9 mph.

The closest point approach to Guam is forecasted at 9 p.m. today at about 202 miles north of Guam, according to Joint Typhoon Warning Center.

Guam remains in Condition of Readiness 2, which means damaging winds of 39 to 57 mph are expected within 24 hours.

Melor is expected to make its closest point of approach to Saipan at 7 p.m today at about 86 miles north of Saipan, according to JTWC. At that point the storm at its center could have sustained winds of 143 mph, with gusts up to 172 mph.

As of 4 a.m., maximum sustained winds are 130 mph. Melor is expected to to continue moving west- northwest with an increase in forward speed during the next 12 to 24 hours.

As of 4 a.m., the center of the typhoon was located at 15.5 degrees north and 148.8 degrees east, or about:

• 305 miles east-northeast of Guam;
• 205 miles east of Saipan;
• 215 miles east of Tinian; and
• 260 miles east-northeast of Rota.

Typhoon force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center. Tropical storm force winds outward up to 260 miles from the center.

A tropical storm warning remains in effect for Guam, Rota and Agrihan.

A typhoon warning remains in effect for Saipan and Tinian.

Shelters
Guam's typhoon shelters are open

STORM UPDATE: 5:45 p.m. - Guam is now in Condition of Readiness 2; Melor still headed north of Saipan

Guam is now in Condition of Readiness 2.


According to a press release from the Department of Homeland Security, Typhoon Melor will bring damaging wind to Guam within 24 hours.


Melor is headed about 390 miles east of Guam and is tracking to pass about 50 miles north of Saipan, according to the latest National Weather Service.


Condition of Readiness 2 means that local public school will become storm shelters. The shelters announced earlier this week were:


• Northern: Astumbo Elementary, Maria Ulloa Elementary, Machananao Elementary, Upi Elementary and F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle school
• Central: George Washington High School and B.P. Carbullido Elementary
• Southern: Merizo Elementary, Talofofo Elementary, M.U. Lujan, Inarajan Middle and H.S. Truman Elementary


As of 4 p.m. today, Melor was creeping to the west-northwest at about 7 mph.
The storm had sustained winds of 140 mph, an NWS advisory stated. It may become a supertyphoon by tomorrow.

I'm going down a tough road right now. I wish I could blog about EVERY aspect of my life on here...but I really don't know who is on the other end reading all this.

I will say I've been very hurt and I am very angry with Kayla's birth mother. It was the icing to the cake that I've already been eating...meaning...

I'm just at the end of my rope here...missing my husband for 7 months, him being shot at, have bombs, mortars and RPG's thrown at him, with his homecoming date being pushed back so many times, being a single mother for 7 months, living on this island with no family and only 2 people I can really call my 'friends', and preparing for these dumb typhoons and tsunami warnings is no fun, and not to mention the stupid BS with BM that just topped everything off, and PMS sneaking up on me real soon- I just have nothing left in me and I need my husband....and family.

Thank God I have Kayla here to keep a smile on my face. Even when I get frustrated that she screams starting at 2 am ONLY because she has developed separation issues.

A once blogger friend told me years ago...and to this day I use the saying a lot, "When your at the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."

It is October finally...after all. 8 more days to hang on to the rope all alone.

Anyways...

Typhoon Melmar is supposed to hit us tomorrow...Saturday. The possiblity of it turning into a Super Typhoon is there. Of course, this has a big chance of changing until then. So today I will be yet again preparing for a storm. A bigger storm...that better show it's face. After the joke of the last one mixed with my very last button being pushed...I will be ticked off If I prepare for nothing.

Gee...did this blog put you in a great mood or what?

Below is a picture of the storm that just passed us and the storm appraoching us. We are smack dab in the middle of them both right now.



Here is the lastest info: I will keep updated...as long as we have electrity. (I heard the last major typhoon here the power was out for a month! I dont know how true that is though)

A "rapidly intensifying" typhoon is tracking to pass north of Saipan, but it wouldn't be uncommon for the storm to shift farther westward and closer to Guam than forecasted, National Weather Service meteorologist Chip Guard said yesterday.

As of 10 p.m., yesterday, the center of the Typhoon Melor was located at 14 degrees north and 152 degrees east, or about 490 miles east of Guam, according to the National Weather Service. The typhoon was moving west-northwest at about 10 mph.

"Its going to be a pretty strong typhoon," Guard said yesterday afternoon.

If Melor doesn't change course, the typhoon is expected to bring damaging winds to Guam on Saturday afternoon. The threat for damaging winds is expected to increase. Winds of that strength can tear tarps or canopies or rip branches off trees and possibly down power lines, Guard said. Residents are urged to make storm preparations.

The Weather Service warned that Melor will be large and dangerous system before it reaches the Marianas. The radius of damaging winds extends far from the center and the onset of damaging winds is possible in the Marianas Saturday afternoon.


Guam is under a tropical storm watch, which means tropical storm conditions, including winds of 39 to 73 mph, are possible within 48 hours.

The storm never came....but there another one to hit this weekend...supposedly.

While Guam braced itself for what were expected to be damaging force winds after the island was put into Condition of Readiness 1 this morning, it obviously turned out to be much ado about nothing with the sun peeking through the clouds at several points throughout the day.

By 2 this afternoon the tropical storm warning for 18W was called off, and island residents heaved a collective sigh of relief as the storm dissipated as it made its way through the Rota Channel.

Chip Guard from the National Weather Service told KUAM News, "Fortunately, it didn't cause any serious problems in the island. Because of its fast forward movement all the winds were on the right side of the typhoon that is the side around Rota and we didn't get much wind here on Guam."

We are still waiting on storm 18W, but its now much closer! And a few days later another bigger storm is to hit us. We are right in the path of these storms.

Tropical Storm 18W is accelerating and is expected to hit Guam much earlier than initially forecasted.


As of 11 a.m. today, the storm was about 85 miles east-southeast of Guam, but moving this way at about 17 mph.


It is expected to come closest to Guam — or hover over Guam — at about 3 p.m. today. Winds during the closest approach will be about 40 mph, said National Weather Service meteorologist Chip Guard this morning.


Winds of that strength can dislodge and fling tree branches, possible knocking down power lines, but should not do direct damage to sturdy buildings, Guard said yesterday.


Gov. Felix P. Camacho signed Executive Order 2009-15, declaring a state of emergency as a result of Tropical Storm 18W and authorizing $250,000 in General Fund appropriations for expenses associated with Guam’s preparation and recovery efforts.

The National Weather Service issued an urban small stream flood advisory for Guam until 3:45 p.m. The advisory means that river or stream flows are elevated or the ponding of water in urban areas is occurring or is imminent.

As of 9:00 a.m., the island’s 12 pre-designated primary shelters opened and have already accepted approximately 250 residents. All residents seeking shelter are reminded to bring with them a 3-day supply of food, water and toiletries, according to the Guam Homeland Security.

Still waiting on the worst of the storm...
STORM UPDATE: 5:30 p.m. — Tropical depression 18w could become a tropical storm before midnight

Good news is..


Nick is OUT of that God awful country of Afghanistan. He now sits in Qatar waiting for a flight home. We are hoping soon...but the date keeps getting pushed back. Could be at least a week.

You would think being a military wife for over 7 years now that I would be used to the hurry up and wait of the military. But Tis not the case.

Each day closer, is harder than the one before.

And watching that show Im addicted to doesnt help. (Army Wives)

I wanted to go out today and get some Halloween decorations for Kayla. Each time we go to the store she loves pointing to and shouting "witch!, spider!" when she sees them.

Woke up to a nasty storm out side. I had no idea there were warnings of a tropical storm going on. I'm kind if irritated about this.

So many of us have husbands gone right now and no one calls to check on us. We are approximately 10 days out from our husbands coming home and no one has contacted us with information. Our husbands cant exactly give us a whole lot of information over the phone or Internet and in some cases I'm sure some husbands cant get to Internet easily.

Its frustrating. It's the squadron's First Sargent's job.

WOW...its really crazy outside. I can hear it...

As of 7 p.m. yesterday, Tropical Depression 18W was located 840 miles east-southeast of Guam and 390 miles east-northeast of Chuuk. It was moving west at 17 mph and was expected to turn to the west-northwest with little change in speed through tonight, the National Weather Service said.

The tropical depression has maximum sustained winds of 30 mph. It could become a tropical storm today, the weather service added.

"No tropical cyclone watches or warnings are in effect," NWS said at 7 p.m. last night. "However, people in the Marianas and surrounding waters should closely monitor the development and movement of 18W.

****UPDATED****

We decided to go to the BX for lunch and to play at the indoor playground since it's a nasty rainy day. As we were sitting there eating I was watching the sky get darker and darker. Thats when my neighbor and I decided to load the kids in the car and book it.

Got home and checked the status of the storm and was surprised to find:

Local residents should prepare for 55 mph winds capable or ripping plywood off some structures and downing rotten power poles, said National Weather Service meteorologist Chip Guard this morning.


Tropical Storm 18w threatens to bring heavy rains and damaging winds to Guam within 48 hours, or by Wednesday. As of this morning, the storm was more than 700 miles east-southeast of the island.


Guard said the forecast of dangerous winds was based on this information, but because the storm was actually farther south than predicted, the forecast could change, he said.


More accurate information will be released this afternoon, Guard said.


“This may make a significant difference to the computer models,” Guard said.

So first-
Kayla got a nice package in the mail yesterday from our wonderful friends Tammy and Mark....

I'm going to go a little off topic here for a minute but I will get back on track with the package...

While I was laying in bed I was thinking...ya know how famous couple end up with a name for them combining both of their first names? Like Bran.gelina? and Ben.iffer?

Well....Tammy and Mark...you are now Marmmy.

Anyways, Kayla got a package from our friends...Marmmy.

I opened the box and out came a teddy bear in a BDU uniform. Kayla took off with it as happy as could be..so I thought.

I had to coax Kayla into coming back to the box for more. She was so content with that bear. Once she realized there was a blanket in the box...forgotten was the bear! For the moment anyways. This little girl LOVES, I mean L-O-V-E-S blankets. The past week, she been very attached to the Mickey Mouse blanket from my Sister In Law. I mean, carrying it everywhere....even into the car when we go places. Its so adorable. And now...she has two blankets to carry around.

Thank you both so much for thinking of Kayla and taking the time out of your day to send her a gift that she really enjoys. To see her smile, makes me smile. And its wonderful to know that she is not just a part of my life, Nick's life, her Grandparent's lives...but also a part of yours.







So last night was interesting. If I typed out all the details it would be quite the hilarious story.
The short story is, we have been getting hard winds and lots of rain from a typhoon that is north of our island...its hitting Saipan pretty good. It started pouring so I took Kayla to the back door last night before bed to see it. We love watching the rain. As I was standing there...the tarp and 2 of the metal poles its attached totally blew up and disappeared, but came back down a few seconds later. I went outside and tied the pole that blew down to the tree in the yard thinking it would be secure at least until morning when I can try to do something about it.

Wrong.

I was sitting here at the computer typing up an email to Nick telling about it. I told him I would be surprised if it lasted until morning. Then I hear a LOUD crashing noise and thump. My neighbor even hear it from inside her house.

I looked out side and both poles are gone, half tarp is flying in the wind. I go outside to look for the poles. One of them is standing straight up on the roof. It looked so funny but was a huge safety hazard.

So...I called the cops to come get it down. They thought it was really funny and I couldn't stop laughing for a little while after.

The story may not sound funny reading it on a blog...but it was one of those 'you have to be there' type of things.

Typhoon Choi-Wan will pass over the Marianas with heavy rain and winds at Andersen. If the storm track changes, this storm could
have higher impact with less preparation time. Households and duty sections should review preparatory actions for Typhoons and
secure items which can be damaged or cause damage if blown by strong winds.

Enjoying the rain right now.

Nick called me this morning. He is safe. They are working their butts off to finish this convoy mission sooner rather than 5 days later.

He will be home in less than 3 weeks now. About 20 days or so.

It cant come soon enough.

Thanks to all my blogger friends. I could feel the love and hugs and I needed that.

Oh boy. I don't even know where to begin. I'm just going to say it.
Last night was the worst night I have had with Kayla. I put her to bed as normal at 8 pm. At 10 the crying began never stopped. I am not used to this. Normally while teething, she will cry no longer and a 2 minute span and then be back to sleep for the night. Not last night.
Finally at 1 AM, I took her to bed with me and that didn't help much. After a while we both fell asleep but I was woken up many times with her tossing and turning and eventually crying again at 4 am.
So I brought her out to the couch with me where she fell asleep on my chest and I fell asleep too, but again, being woken several times between about 5 and 7 am.
Nothing helped her. Nothing. No amount of medicine, no amount of consoling, no amount of ignoring her, no bottle. Nothing.

I give major respect to this single parents out there. Major. This is no easy task. At least I have light to be seen at the end of the tunnel and I know me doing this alone wont last forever. Only 3 more weeks in fact.

Needless to say, I'm FREAKING EXHAUSTED. (So glad I decided to shower last night before all this crying started)And I am thankful for the raining day we are having. Correction- I am thankful for the down pour that is going on right now. The rain is falling so thick I can barely see my neighbors house! I love tropical rain.


As of 11:00 p.m., the tropical depression 15W at 15 degrees north and 152.1 degrees east, or about 500 miles east-northeast of Guam, said the National Weather Service.

A tropical storm watch remains in effect for Guam and Rota. That means that tropical storm conditions including damaging winds of 39 to 74 mph are expected within 48 hours. A typhoon watch is in effect for Tinian and Saipan.

Something more enlightening...Kayla has new curtains in her room. It only took a year for me to find a set at the BX. Stupid AAFES.

Here is before:
(HATED these curtains but its all I could do)


After:



Now, just gotta find some matching bedding for the twin size bed in her room.

Supposedly going to hit us tomorrow! But not to worry, its not a typhoon. Just a storm. Cant wait to see it.

THE POOR AREA IS NOW LOCATED NEAR 21.0N 141.2E, APPROXIMATELY 492 NM NORTHWEST OF GUAM TRACKING SLOWLY TOWARDS THE SOUTH AT ROUGHLY 5 KNOTS.

UPPER LEVEL ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE
SYSTEM IS UNDER AN ANTICYCLONE ALOFT, IN AN AREA OF LOW VERTICAL WIND SHEAR AND COULD START TO SEE SOME POLEWARD OUTFLOW. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED SURFACE WINDS ARE ESTIMATED AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS. MINIMUM SEA LEVEL PRESSURE IS ESTIMATED TO BE NEAR 1004 MB. THE POTENTIAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SIGNIFICANT TROPICAL CYCLONE WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS IS POOR.

EXPECT A CONTINUED INCREASE IN MODERATE TO HEAVY RAINSHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY ALONG WITH SURFACE WINDS BETWEEN 15-28 KNOTS AND POTENTIALLY HIGHER GUSTS UP TO 35 KNOTS AS POOR AREA 97W CONTINUES TO MOVE SOUTH TOWARDS GUAM.

Not to worry, the rain doesnt deter us from having fun! (See proof above)

No storm for us. After I struggled to open my eyes this morning, I saw outside a bright blue sky, small amount of clouds and the hot hot hot sun.

I'm a tad disappointmed. I wanted to see a tropical storm. But it's better that we don't have it.

Possible storm or typhoon headed to Guam in the next couple of days. I guess we will spend tomorrow shopping for supplies since I'm not in any way, shape or form prepared.

We'll have to get some cat food and litter, first aid supplies, can foods and a manual can opener, fill the car with gas, get a couple more flashlights and extra batteries and fill up containers with tap water, etc.

Today I wanted to get Kayla out of the house. Living on Guam is getting very old very fast. There isn't many things that are toddler friendly to do with Kayla. Besides the beach, I can think of 2, maybe 3 other things to do with her. It frustrates me. I would love to take her to a zoo, to a park, to an aquarium better than the one here, to an amusement park...ya know... all the things you do with children.

So, today we went to Sam Choy for lunch and then to Underwater World. She crashed hard when we got home for a 2 hour nap.

Im stunned at the words she picked up today.

Pear, Peach, Plum, Blue's Clues, Lotion, Grape, Hot Dog and Mat (she was asking what the bath mat was while I was in the shower)

I will put pics up once I upload them.

I got this email from my hubby this morning and I was reading with a smile, then I go to the second part and my smile was joined with tears. I'm so lucky. What more can I ask for? I live in paradise. It can be boring, but nonetheless...it's paradise. I have a very rare husband and amazing daughter whom I get to spend all my days with. A great home, 2 perfect cats (except at 3 am). Really, what more can I ask for? I feel blessed that is for sure.

I want you to:
Get mad at me for not putting my clothing away
Make fun of me for pooping 5 times a day
ask me to take the garbage out 3 times
booty bump me in the store
hold on to my arm and make me feel proud at the bx
tell me to get off the laptop
make a salad while I cook the stake
ask me if I need another beer
tell me not to scare you when you arent expecting me to be there
cuddle up next to me when your cold
tell me its to hot in bed
make me beg for sex
ask me to change kaylas diaper
ask me to go for a walk
get grossed out by my feet
scrapbook while i play a video game


I want to:
Fix all the things above that I do wrong

I want:

YOU