That made me laugh, Dana.

D'oh. When authors don't return their article by the deadline, we send a reminder email, which is just a standard template. Today's author replied and asked if they could have until COB Monday. I replied to tell him I would ask my coordinator, but that our production schedule is really tight, and that might mean rescheduling his article.

I didn't look at the address in his email signature. They're at the VA in Houston. He replied and said "Please ask your manager to consider this as we were severely affected by the Hurricane, are tending to patient care as well as personal challenges secondary to the severe flooding."

I quickly replied with an apology for not paying attention to their location, and an assurance that a late return is very understandable, and expressing hope that recovery efforts are proceeding well.

And now I'm going to go get a crowbar to get my foot out of my mouth. Sheesh.

Nah, Steph. I mean, he could have said up front that's why he was asking.

I mean, this is what we do, but in the wake of other disasters we've been able to staff up in affected areas without too much trouble - the scale of the need this time is/is going to be so off the charts that they're asking people firmwide to identify their skill sets upfront and begin the process to get permission from their clients. I've never seen this before.

Wow.

Wiped out from hurricane prep stress. DH still not done. Probably won't leave until mid-day tomorrow and roads are jammed. He spent all day yesterday neglecting our house and boarding up his brother and the jerk called yelling at him today because he still had an unfinished window. He ended up telling him he would leave the tools and parts in our garage and he could come get them. Tired of other peoples' incompetence and lack of preparation always being our emergency. Particularly when they aren't even grateful for the help.

Son and GF are real champs and keep telling him to leave and they will finish up.

Tired and going to bed now. At least I won't have to work tomorrow because 90% of my customers are closed.

The latest news on Hurricane Irma is not good.

They've adjusted the route and think it's going to hit the Keys, Miami and then run like a buzzsaw right up the middle of the state.

Also the outlying waters are extremely warm so it's going to have a lot of energy and probably won't lose power as it approaches landfall.

On top of THAT, there was just a massive 8.0 earthquake in Mexico.

And Hurricane Jose is following close on Irma's path and will hit the Leeward Islands which were already wrecked. So those people are likely to drown if they don't get them out of there.

The Irma news is pretty worrisome. Laura, much safety~ma to you and your family, even the frustrating ones. Amyth, I'm sorry your nephew-in-law is being unreasonable, and I hope your niece comes through things unscathed.

I'm just so worried about my dad and cousin. I'm trying hard not to overthink but nightmares all night.

{{Pix}} Been thinking about you and Drew watching the pictures of devastation on the beautiful islands we visited last year. My heart aches for all those affected. My son Brendon is staying in Sunrise, not far from where your dad is. Bobby and Tate staying in Boynton Beach. At least DH is headed out this morning coming to stay with me. I'm basically terrified, but not anything I can do except watch and wait.

My SIL's nail salon is open for business today!!!! I didn't even comment on her post. Really, got to do your nails today?

Lot's of ~ma to everyone in Irma's path.

Seems like we have a couple storms of the century every year.

I'm terrified about Irma.