Hurricane Katrina

[songbird]

Hello friends,

Again, not a "fun" topic nessecarily, but I believe a needed one. I would ask that you keep all of your fellow lupies in the US Gulf Coast area in your thoughts (and prayers, for those of you that pray.) Hurricane Katrina has hubby and I worried; we are keeping a very close eye on it. If we did make any major move (and I wonder if we may have to do so), this would be my first major hurricane as a lupie, and that brings all kinds of complications I've not dealt with before.

Luckily, I am up to date on all meds, have my disability paperwork within easy reach, and can readily grab my insurance card as well. I even have clean clothes ready. We are about as prepared as we can be. We also have the option of driving to Texas in a worst case scenario, and staying with my very kind sister. (She is volunteering to put four people and five cats up in addition to her own four people--two of them children-- and two cats!)

I would ask that you think especially of those who--for whatever reason--simply cannot evacuate. I have seen some sad stories about the elderly in New Orleans, and those who don't have cars; those who are too sick, too poor, or both, to have any place to which to run.

Obviously I will be off the boards for the next day or two--maybe even the next week. Who knows what Mother Nature has planned? I just wanted to take the opportunity to check in while my computer is working. I'll definitely post again when all of this is over to give you an update.

Please take care of yourselves.

Much love,
Songbird

[Clare.T]

Dear Songbird

I will certainly be hoping that the worst doesn't happen & that the darn thing simply runs out of steam Keeping you and yours - as well as everybody else - in my thoughts.

Hugs from Clare

[macfamily53]

Dear Robyn

I will be thinking about you and others definately. I really hope as clare says that it runs out of steam. None of us ever think about he ones that cannot flee for whatever reason. So I will be praying that it takes a turn an goes back out to the ocean. It can happen. Please let us know that you are okay when ever you can. :love: :love:

take care Tammy from illinois

[songbird]

Hi y'all,
Hubby and I have taken our two cats and left our apartment in Baton Rouge for my parents' house in Zachary. Not as far out of danger as we would like, but should be better here. We will get very rough winds (60 mph, yike) and lots of rain. However, the winds will not hit the side of my parents' house that has windows, if the storm follows its current track.

We will be staying here untill it is safe to go home. My mom has lots of hurricane supplies and is a much better cook than I am. :) We will be playing lots of games tonight to pass the time, including Texas Hold 'Em. I just feel so sorry for Mom! Monday is her birthday! What a memory...

I have close, dear friends in New Orleans that I can't reach anymore. Please pray for them. I am afraid New Orleans may not be there anymore when all this is over.

Songbird

[flowergarden]

Songbird, I will be praying for you and the other lupies--and everyone else, for that matter--who is in harm's way. I've been in a typhoon and I know just how terrifying and dangerous it can be.

Be safe. Please tell your mom "Happy Birthday" from one of your lupie friends! :flowers:

[Lily]

songbird you and everyone in the path of the hurricane are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope you all remain safe and out of harms way :hugbetter:

love
lily

[dudley]

Songbird and all fellow lupies in the hurican's path,

I hope you are able to evacuate or at least get to hire grounds. As you all know that these storms can change paths but they can also stay on track. Keep safe.
You are in my prayers.

Elaine

[keebler]

Songbird,
We have been watching the news closely. You all are in our prayers.
Please keep safe.
Love,
Keebler :wave:

[raggedyann1]

Songbird,

You and all our other members in harms way are in my prayers. May you all stay safe.

Karen

[Anisah]

(((Songbird)))

...prayers for you and your family's safety, and for all in danger's way

hugs,
Anisah
:flowers:

[AnM]

Song,

U and every1 in Katrina's path are in my thoughts!!

I was watching the news late last night on the status of the hurricane- please keep us updated when u can!!

Take care, hugssss,
Alicia :flowers:

[songbird]

Just wanted to let everyone know my family and I are all right, including the animals. The house here in Zachary took some damage; a decorative air vent on the north side of the house let in the rain Katrina was blowing at us. There is some major drywall damage in that one room: my mom's sewing room. She's upset about that, but otherwise we all did very well. Were only out of power for about 6 hours (it was 10 days with Andrew!).

My major concern now--besides my friends in New Orleans, Pearl River (Mississippi), and Mobile, is the fact that our apartment lost power. Back now, but most of our food is probably gone. I am hoping there has not been any bad flooding or looting...I don't think there will have been.

At the very least, my folks are willing to supply me with some of the hurricane supplies they didn't really have to use!

All in all, feeling very lucky today. Hope all of you were similarly fortunate.

Songbird

[Lily]

Glad that you are ok songbird. We've been watching reports here of some of the damage and loss of life :( I do hope all our members are safe :love:

love
Lily

[songbird]

I'm home now. No flooding, no trees down around my apartment complex (though there were some very old oaks down on the major street that connects to our neighborhood) nothing stolen. We have power; have just turned the air conditioning back on to try to cool the apartment down.

Money is very very tight just now (couldn't be much tighter), but hubby will go out looking for a job tomorrow. We think we may have to work fast as there are about 30,000 evacuees from the New Orleans area who are now in and around Baton Rouge and will be looking for jobs as well. Many of them have lost everything.

New Orleans is one big lake. All you see in some neighborhoods is water, roofs, and people standing on them. The levee broke in one place, and many of the pumps that serve to rid New Orleans of water are broken because---they're underwater.

I am very fortunate, and I know it.

Thank you all for your concern and love.

Songbird

[katsgirl]

Songbird I offer :hugbetter: to you and everyone in the devastating path of katrina. I cried for all of the unfortunate people that has to suffer from this act of nature. It's so heartbreaking.

I thank God that you and your family are doing ok and did not suffer as much as others. I will always remember to count my blessings, even when Im not feeling well.

Peace :shake: to you and your family :love: :love: kat.

[macfamily53]

Dear Songbird

I just wanted tot ell you that i have been praying for you and all people in the area of destruction of Katrina. I have done a lot of crying for those families who hav elost so much and lost family members. It is overwhelming to me I can only imagine what it must be like for the ones so close. I am so glad that you and your husband and parents are okay. I hope you get some relief of food at least from the Red cross. I am from illinois and we have had Red cross heading dow your way since before the distruction. I hope the other members here are okay alos. I have been and will continue to pray for you and all the others down here.Please let us know how everyhting is going for your husband to find a job. I will continue to pray for you .Take care and hope to talk to you soon in the chat room. Lots of :love: :love: to you an everyone else.This really makes me sad. take care hun. God Bless you and so glad you are okay.

Tammy from illinois

[jude mack]

Hi Songbird

I am so glad to hear you are okay and will pray for all who have been devasted, and left homeless by Katrina. I have been watching the news and I have never
seen anything so horrible. I don't often watch the news, but did after hearing of
Katrina on this site. My heart goes out to all of you , in that area of the world.
Please take care of yourself and I really hope you can be in contact with your
friends soon. Love Jude :flowers:

[janbee]

Hi Songbird,
Pleased to hear your ok and survived Katrina,I cannot begin to imagine what people are going through. I have been watching on the news the devastion that it has left My thoughts are with those who are affected by this
janee Scotland

[Clare.T]

I am soooo glad you and yours are safe and sound ((((((((((songbird)))))))))))

Clare

[pony rider]

Songbird, I live in the hillcountry west of austin texas, off hwy 29. I can help you, my husband and I talked this morning. I have lupus, also have went threw hurricanes we used to live in baytown tx.so I understand . e-mail me . :hugbetter: