Update

[salsen]

Well, not for a lack of trying, we are still here and not blown away.  We started with Gustav on Sept 1 and have been fighting to get back to normal since.  A huge portion of the state of Louisiana has been hit by 90 mile an hour winds and there is destruction everywhere you go. There are power lines down, huge old trees toppled at the roots, homes and roofs destroyed and debris everywhere. There are still many in my area, which is around Baton Rouge, that are still without power and many in the lower parishes that will be without power for another few weeks.  Many Many thanks to all the utility workers from here and across the country who are working so hard to restore power.  The groceries are still struggling to get supplies in to help people restock all that was lost.

Thankfully we bought a generator a day before the storm so I did not lose supplies.  My children  and their dogs came to stay with us for a week until they had power again .  We were sitting in gas lines for four and five hours at a time to keep gas supplied for the generator.  Kept us occupied.  This past two days we have again had 40 to 60 mile an hour winds from the outer bands of Ike.  My heart goes out to those effected the most!  I know what  the weeks ahead will be like for them.  My prayers will be with them.

I am now a member of the blue tarp community!  They are on nearly every house around.  We had roof damage with leaking in the living room and bedroom, patio cover torn up, shed torn, a huge tree down in the back and all our fruit trees destroyed.  All can be repaired with time and all my family are fine so to me that is the most important thing. 

Our new governor took charge and made state and federal aid available quickly.  I give high praise to him and his staff for having two news conferences a day to keep citizens informed and updated.  He also held many officials feet to the fire to get results on restoring power sooner rather than later. 

It has been a really long two weeks and I am tired with burning feet.  But the true blessing is I still have my family safe and my home mostly intact.  So many are not so lucky.  Thanks especially Pooh and Quiger for keeping us in your prayers.  I truly think the Lord heard you both. 

Hopefully he will hear mine for those effected by Ike.

[mim]

Love and prayers for you and yours Sal, and all those caought up in Ike also..

Mim

xxxxxx

[Pooh]

Sal, I am so happy to hear you all rode it out with no one hurt.  Things can be replaced or fixed but not the ones we love.  I hope the power and repairs come easy and quick, although I know they will take time. 

Sorry to hear your feet and legs are heating up, but that's to be expected with all you have been through these past 2 weeks. 

Take care and let us know when your membership in the "Blue Tarp" community is up.  I hate those leaky roofs. 

Hugs and God Bless,
Pooh

[Scottietottie]

Hi Sal 

I'm glad that you're ok and seem to have ridden it out. Hope you don't have the blue tarp on there for too long!

My thoughts are also with those who got hit hardest. It must be a terrible thing to go through.

Take care - Scottie 

[genko_b]

Thank you for the update; glad to hear you are all safe, anyway.

Take care -

Genko

[lynnmarie219]

Hi Salsen,


Thanks for letting us know that you and your family are safe. As you said that is the most important thing although I know how badly you must want to have your house back in working order. It will come with time and that blue tarp will disappear soon!

Continue to take care, and be safe and let us know how you are doing!

Hugs to you......

[quiger]

Hi Sal,

It's good to hear from you. I knew Ike must have been affecting you and you sure didn't need that. I am so glad to hear you and your family are okay but sorry for the damage. I know how overwhelming all this must be, although I can't imagine waiting in line for hours for gas. I hope you are able to get some rest in between trying to get things taken care of. The stress had to be horrendous. I hope you can get your roof fixed soon and you know someone who can do the work.

Hopefully the tropics will give us a break and stay quiet for the rest of the season. Let me know how you are doing. You know we'll be thinking of you.  

Hugs,
quig