Today was a 14 hour day at work. I am very tired so I'm going to bed.

Coram Deo,
Kenith

Today I worked 13 & 1/2 hours. I was at work for 5 AM and left work at 6:30 PM. It was a very busy day. Turnarounds are always hard and this one is no different.

Last week I worked 91 & 1/2 hours and the week before that I worked 87 hours. I will likely work in the 90 hour range again this week. This will probably continue for around two weeks, then life should return to normal. It can't come too soon.

LP cooked chicken gumbo last night and tonight we had leftovers. I can never have too much gumbo.

I have to get ready for bed. 4 AM comes early.

Coram Deo,
Kenith

I'm working a turnaround. UGHHHH. This last week I worked 91 & 1/2 hours. I'm 13 hours a day seven days a week and every now and then 13 hours is not quite enough.

I have to go to sleep.

Later,
Kenith

Saturday morning I left the house about 8:30, picked up my cousin Chris and his son Josh. We then preceded on to St. Augustine Catholic Church in Basile for the funeral of our great uncle, Wilfred LaFleur. Nunc Wilfred, as I knew him, was also my parrain (God Father). His death was not unexpected. He was old and had been very feeble for some time.

Nunc Wilfred was the police chief of Basile for many years. His obituary, in the Eunice paper, can be viewed here . He was a good man. His favourite name he used to refer to us when we were kids was "neg," which was than used as a term of endearment and our families were very close when I was growing up.

Lisa was sick so she did not go to the funeral, and Chris' wife Mindy also stayed home because their daughter was also ill. I did see lots of family and friends that I don't see regularly. That was good, but it is always a bitter sweet event. I am always saddened by the death of old Cajuns, because as they die the Cajun culture, language and accent that was so prevalent when I was young is dying with them.

I came home after the funeral stayed dressed up so I could attend a wedding shortly there after. Doug and Esther were married at Bethel. Lisa and I attended together, even though she was still not well. We left soon after we congratulated the couple. We then went to meet Morgan, it was her birthday and she had plans to meet some friends to celebrate. We made visited there for a little while and come home.

This Morning the boys and I worshipped at Bethel.

Coram Deo,

Kenith

Ps. Here is Nunc Wilfreds obituary from the Eunice paper:

A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated on Saturday, October 11, 2008 at 11:30 am at the St. Augustine Catholic Church in Basile, for Wilfred LaFleur, 76, died on Thursday, October 09, 2008 at the Basile Care Center. Rite of Committal will follow in the St. Augustine Mausoleum under direction of Ardoin's with Father Brian Taylor officiating.

Wilfred was a resident and a former Chief of Police of Basile.

A loving husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather, Wilfred is survived by his wife, Rose Arabie LaFleur of Basile; a son, Donald James LaFleur of Basile; two daughters, Diana Courville and husband, Ronnie of Eunice, Gail Miller and husband, Joey of Basile; a brother, Lee Roy LaFleur of Lake Charles; a sister, Lucy LeJeune of Lake Charles; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Wilfred will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his son, Wayne LaFleur; his parents, Willis and Armide Fontenot LaFleur; brothers, Edward, Willard, and Allen LaFleur; and a sister, Eve Johnson.The family requests that visiting hours be observed at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Basile on Saturday, October 11, 2008 from 9:00 am until time of services.

Family and Friends may view the obituary and sign the guest book online at http://www.ardoinfuneralhomes.com/

I've been working a lot since the hurricane brushed us to the west. I had hoped to go squirrel hunting, but I had to work. I was called out to cover Mitch who was sick. I worked of Sunday Morning. I had to sleep and was not able to worship with the folks at Bethel Presbyterian. St. Michael's Episcopal Church has a 5 PM eucharistic service so I worship there instead.

Monday morning, Cudd and I went fishing in Prien Lake. We caught sixteen speckled trout by the time I had to head home. I had to sleep so I could work last night.

Now I have to switch back to days so I can work on turnaround planning.

Later,
Kenith

Since my last post we caught a glancing blow from Hurricane Ike. Ike knocked out our electricity we just got it back today at 2 pm, so we were out of electricity for 2 and 1/2 days. For Rita we were out of electricity for 3 weeks and I am sure that there are many people in and around Houston who will not have electricity for at least 3 weeks. I know what they are going through and I do feel for them.

The little bit of good news is a cool front came through last night and we will have cool weather for the nest several days and nights. The three weeks following Rita were sweltering misery, so this cool front will be a small blessing.

I spent the week and a half following Gustav at the refinery, trying to get my part of the plant back up and running. We got it things up and running on Thursday and Ike came in Friday. I worked over 15 hours on Friday, and left the plant some time after 9 pm. I did not leave on good terms with that nights shift supervision, but that is not something that I will go into detail about here.

I had to work Friday, so I knew I could not evacuate with Lisa and the boys. I got them a hotel in New Orleans and Lisa and I ran to Sam's and bought her a Tom Tom (GPS) system so that they could get around N.O. and to the hotel. They took time to go to the Aquarium on Saturday. The boys had not been there before and they loved it.

I fell asleep at about 11:30, while watching the Weather Channel as Ike closed in on Galveston. I woke at 3 am. The power was off and I could hear the wind whipping outside. I closed my eyes and went back to sleep. I woke a 6 am. The wind was still blowing hard. As soon as it was light enough to see, I got in the Jeep and drove around the neighbourhood to see how things looked. There were lots of branches down, but no large trees like we had in Rita.

The one thing similar to Rita was the flooding. Ike flooded everything that flooded three years ago when Rita crashed into the coast. Ike's flooding was worse and the water was higher. Lisa and I are just now finishing post Rita work. I am sure many of those flooded by Ike were also just finishing getting there homes back together. I feel for them also.

Lisa and the boys came home Sunday evening. We all slept in the living room, because I borrowed a window unit from Gary J. and put it there and ran it by generator. I was able to keep the refrigerator, AC (small window unit) and some lights running.

Later,
Kenith

Things are getting back to normal. Lots of people are pouring back into town today (we got back early yesterday afternoon) and the local Market Basket and Kroger are both open, though Walmart and the fast food joints are still closed.

Lisa and I "celebrated" our twenty-fifth aniversary yesterday. The morning was spent watching Hurricane Gustav coming on shore via the Weather Channel. Once the eye of the hurricane was on land, we loaded up and headed for home. I led the way in my truck, followed by our daughter in her car and then Lisa in her Jeep.

We did learn that almost all of East Texas has NO Sprint cell phone service. There was no service from just north of Dequincy, LA until almost I-20 by Marshal, TX.

We were back in town a little after noon. Woody had never left and we joined him for a fish fry.

Later,
Kenith

Far SW Louisiana dodged the Gustav bullet and to celebrate we had a fish fry with Woody and a friend of his. We had one strong line of wind and rain come through yesterday afternoon and it is drizzling this morning, but all is well.

I am expecting people to start coming back today. I would hate to have to fight the traffic that will exist with all the people trying to get back into Louisiana.

Kenith

We have been getting ready for Gustav and still have a lot left to do. I have gassed up all the vehicles and extra gas cans. I still hope and pray that we miss the brunt of the storm, but it is certain that someone on the upper gulf coast is going to be hammered good. and of course Hanna is also out there and may well gome into the Gulf as well.

In 2005 we stayed and went through Rita. I had always wanted to go through a hurricane, I did that with Rita and had hoped that I would not get another chance for a long time. I plan to evacuate my family this time. I will likely be needed at the refinery to help get it back up and running.

A good number of refineries are now in the process of shutting down. The refinery I work at is cutting back and getting into position to shut down tomorrow morning. Gasoline supplies will drop pretty soon and prices are going to spike soon.

I need to get back to work,
Kenith

Lisa and I went out to eat last night for our anniversary (25th). Our anniversary is actually Monday, but Hurricane Gustave may be breathing down our throats at that time so we got "a night out" early. We ate at Mazen's and then went dancing.

The band last night was Louisiana Country. They played mostly Cajun and Swamp Pop and Lisa and I "passed a good time.

I have to shut this off and go start doing my hurricane preparations.

I HATE HURRICANES!!!!!!!

Kenith

I've been in Anaheim, California since Sunday evening. I flew out of LC on Sunday. Was in Anaheim for a VPPPA (Voluntary Protection Programs Participants' Association) conference. VPP (Voluntary Protection Program) is an OSHA program where the company, workers and OSHA partner and work for ever improving safety in the workplace.

I was asked to serve in this by some of my fellow workers and decided to get on board because I see it as something to help keep me an my co-workers at the refinery. Refineries make oil and gasoline products by basically boiling oil and gasoline. It is safe when done properly and everything is treated with respect, proper caution and good sense. Safety is VERY important in this industry.

While in Anaheim I finished the Abhorsen Trilogy, by Garth Nix. It was GREAT. When I was young, I read a lot of fantasy, but not for a long time. My daughter, Morgan, has been after me for some time to read these books. She finally gave them to me in an audio format. Once I started them, they were hard to put down. I listened to them during every minute that I could find.


While in Anaheim, Instead of watching TV in my room, I listened to these books every evening until they were finished. Before leaving I listened to C.S. Lewis' ScrewTape Letters. I first read this interesting little book in 1980. I was on board the USS Francis Hammond and we were on station in the Gulf of Oman. I did some of my reading in the back of an SH-2 anti-submarine helicopter, on which I was a crewman, sensor operator and rescue swimmer. The book is a difficult read at times, but it is a book worth the effort it takes to read. (FYI: I took these pictures of our helicopter in 1981 somewhere off the coast of Eastern Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula.)

Today, I am getting things ready just in case Gustave becomes a hurricane and heads our way. I hope not. It has taken us almost to now to recover from Hurricane Rita, which hammered us three years ago.

I have work to do.
Kenith

I woke at 3:45 this morning and was at work for 4:30 am. I got there that early because I had to make 12 hours, but instead of my normal job, I spent most of the day meeting with management and uion reps to discuss safety and health issues at the refinery. I'm on the committee because the union appointed me to it earlier this year.

I think it is a good goup and our discussions are good for workers and the company.

At this moment I am tired. I stayed up late to watch the men's beach volleyball championship match .

Later,
Kenith

Yesterday, I fixed pain perdu for breakfast. Then we all dressed and went to worship at Bethel. It was nice to have Morgan and Danny as well as Christian and Jessica there to worship with us. After the service we all went to lunch at Casa Manana and we were joined by or friends Mona and Dan along with Mona's son.

Yesterday afternoon Lisa, Jessica and I brought Christian to the airport in Houston, so that he could start his two day journey that will bring him at last to Northern Japan. He was stoic (for the most part) and Jessica held up nicely also, but it was obvious that both of them were dreading the rapidly approaching separation.

Today, I mostly worked on my son's truck, getting it ready to sell. Lisa was with Jessica most of the day helping her do what she need to do before she caught her flight tonight for California. Morgan came over to say her goodbyes as well.

Yesterday evening and today were hard days for me, and I can't imagine how hard it was for Christian and Jessica.

Coram Deo,
Kenith

I'm watching the olympics, like millions of others around the world. in the last few minutes Michael Phelps just one his 8th gold medal in these games. I watched Dara Torres when two back to back silver medals. What a night at the Olympics.

Tomorrow we will go to Bethel for worship services and tomorrow afternoon we drive to Houston to bring Christian to the airport, so that he can start on the first leg of his trip to Japan. I'm going to miss my son a great deal.

My alarm went off at 3:20 AM and though I was caught by to separate trains I still made it to work a little after 4 in the morning. I had rescue training, but that did not start until 7:30 AM, so I went to the central control room and visited with the guys on the control board (i.e. computers) then I walked to the satellite which is where I normally work to see how the guys were doing in the unit.

I had to make 12 hours at work, but rescue training was only eight hours. I left the refinery at 4 PM and met with Lisa.

It's late, I'm tired si I am going to bed.

Kenith

Monday evening I started working nights. My last set of day light shift was very busy. We had to work from can to can't each of the 12 workdays. Our nights were better, but something went wrong every evening so that none of the were "good" shifts.

I worked of this morning and slept until a little after noon. I visited with Christian and Jessica for a little while before they left to meet with Morgan and Danny. The boys and I took of late this afternoon for Longville. We visited with my parents for a couple of hours. Dad and I picked some muscadine grapes (native wild grapes, golden color) that he has growing at his place. I ate most of the ones I picked, as I picked them.


I am up way too late, because I plan to get up a 3:20 AM. I got a bit hungry while watching the Olympics so I made myself a snack. I t was a can ofVienna sausages, half a dosen pickled tobasco peppers, Louisiana hot sauce (more tobasco) and some dill relish. Not a bad snack.

Now I need to go to sleep so I can get to work very early tomorrow morning.

Later,
Kenith

Just for fun I decided to put some more Banana Spider pictures up. Some of them may already be posted below. If so Sorry for the repeat.

More pics from the wedding.

The handsome couple.

Getting ready for the wedding.

The groom doing the same thing.

Lisa and my beautiful new Daughter-in-law.

Today, Christian, his (Navy) buddy Graziano and I went to Longville. They wanted to do some shooting before Graziano heads back to San Diego tomorrow. Graziano is a very nice young man. He and Christians became good friends while the were both in Pensacola, Fl.

I took my SKS, a .22 caliber pistol and a few hundred rounds of ammo. We drank coffee and visited with my parents and then went out back to shoot. The boys did the shooting and I took a few photos.

The SKS looks bad and is a lot of fun to shoot.

This Banana Spider and several others were hanging out at my parents hous. Just chillin and watching the shooting.

Yesterday afternoon my eldest son married a beautiful young lady from Pennsylvania. They were married here at the house with just a very few friends and immediate family. It was a nice ceremony performed by Pastor Wright.

Christian drove 2,900 miles, in three days, to get here for the wedding. He picked up Jessica in San Diego, after the first 1,300 miles, and they drove together from there to here together.
Lisa spent most of the last week getting everything for the wedding. It was a very busy week, but she did a great job making arrangements and pulling everything together. Here are some pictures:

The lovely couple.

Later,
Kenith