Just got an e-mail that Rita is supposed to end up a category 4 by Wednesday in the Gulf of Mexico. I can't think of worse news for that area. Stay safe if you are in her path!

Michele private messaged me this morning, she and Don are in the Bahamas and came through the storm without any major damage. I am very happy for them and I hope that those who are in Rits's way now, fair as well.

Oh it is so scary and so sad - Tony is clued to TV he is hurricane worrier and watcher - we have friends & family all over Florida and worry about all of them

Wishing everyone safety in the path of Rita.

Betty in Houston, it may be your turn to "hunker down". Stay safe! I'm just hoping this one will not be as bad as they say it might.

Betty

Betty...we're thinking of you....hope Houston will be ok...you've been so wonderful to all of the Katrina evacuees...it would be awful for everyone there to have to run from the storm.

Stay safe Betty!

I thought of Michele in the Bahamas all weekend, thinking this is truly her year of the hurricane. And now here we go. Each news station has Rita coming in at a different place, but Houston will definitely get something. Galveston was ordered evacuated 2 hours ago. All schools in the area - except for Houston - have canceled classes the rest of the week. I will be doing my store run tomorrow, but many places are already out of water. One Sams Club sold 3 trucks full by the middle of the afternoon. More is coming in tomorrow, but I sure do dread the lines. Hello bathtubs!
Our "guests" are not happy being moved again. Now they are off to Ft Chaffee, Ark. At this point, Clay & I are staying even though we are probably going to be on the dirty side. Today was my last day of having to do anything important until the end of the month. I was looking forward to a few days to relax, but now I guess I can "watch" the weather.
I had been starting to think about what clothes to take on the trip and have changed gears to what to take if we leave. I have been through Alicia and many tropical storms, but each one is different.
Think of me tomorrow when I start my search for bottle water & then get to stand in a gas or check-out line forever.
Will keep you all updated as long as I can. I know these things have a way of changing, but Texas is going to get something. Just what, we won't know yet.

We will always think of you Betty keep in touch

Oh yes, Betty, do keep us updated. We will be thinking of you and wishing you good luck.

Betty

Take care, Betty! We'll worry!

Mark's mother's name was Rita. She would be thrilled with the attention to even her name.

Betty, we will worry about you til we hear from you, please post if you can!

Good luck, Betty; have been thinking of you all day!

Good luck to all of you in Rita's way!

Masaki

Sigh .. not another one. Betty, you and Clay take care. How's everyone from South Florida faring? So glad Michele & Don came through OK.

Cheers, Anne

All the best of luck to all of our Gulf residents. I hear it is Cat 4 already!!! I'll be keeping my fingers crossed, praying, the whole works, that it suddenly loses steam.
Take care down there.

Betty - Please take care of yourselves. All our thoughts are with all of you in Houston and Galveston and the entire Gulf area.

I heard from Michele yesterday from the Bahamas and she said they are fine. It was a little wild and scary but they were able to stay dry & safe.

Good luck to everyone!!!

Betty, I'm sure thinking about you, too. You and Clay be safe and post when you can.

Stay safe all..

I hope Betty is doing all right today. Sure has been a couple of interesting hurricane seasons in a row.

Betty and anyone else in Rita's path......God Bless You and let us know how you're doing!

We are taking major precautions here in Houston. Although we live 50 miles from the gulf, this is very serious. I've been to Sam's, Kroger...etc. The lines are very long and they all ran out of water and regular bread! The lines at the gas stations are very long too, if they even have gas! I had to go to my office to move everything off my desk since it's close to a window. Keep us all in your thoughts and prayers. We don't anticipate the storm to hit until late Friday evening. Nancy

Nancy,
You will be in our thoughts and prayers. I know, first hand, how it feels to know that a major hurricane has you in it's sights.

Be safe, Nancy, Betty, and everyone in this storms path!!!!

Betty

Thanks Betty. I know you and Larry have your cruise coming up soon. I hope you have a wonderful time. We returned last Thursday from the Alaska cruise. We had the best time. Nancy

Nancy,

Ditto to all Betty said , wishing you well!

Praying for all of you along the Texas coast - we Floridians can certainly sympathize - having been through Charley last year, I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. PLEASE stay safe!!!

I can't WAIT until hurricane season is over...

Just upped to a Cat 5 with sustained winds of 165 mph. Stay safe everyone.

Wish you all well. If you need to evacuate, you can come stay in NY with us.

Thanks everyone! Nancy

I just read a post on CC from someone that had to leave their van in a parking garage, (level 5), in NOLA after the storm. This past weekend they were able to get a pass to go back. When they got there the van had been vandalized as well as all the other cars in the garage. It would not start because the ignition had been tampered with. Now they have extra costs for towing.
just makes me so angry when I read these sort of things. :mad:

Betty and Nancy - gosh we wish you the best of luck, our thoughts and prayers are with you. We just went thru this while we were in London, prior to our cruise with Frank's Sister and brother in law who live in Biloxi - thank god they are safe and coping, as my SIL says, "we are in luxury compared to many people we know" - they decided to stick it out and had some major damage to their house, etc, but are OK.

But thats not the important thing now, its all the people in Houston, Galveston and the surrounding areas - we wish you the best and will think and pray for you and hope for the very best.

Just heard, they are saying 898 millibars?! You guys, that is unheard of. Third most intense hurricane EVER on record. Please, everyone in its path, LEAVE. NOW. My prayers are with everyone affected by this.

Tiring day trying to prepare. 100 degree temp at the airport, which meant much higher where I live & shopped didn't help. Never did find any water or size D batteries. The hunt for gas went better - only a 20 minute drive, 4 stations & 2 illegal U-turns & I was able to fill up without having to wait in line or see coverings on the nozzles. Bread, soda, can goods, juices, snacks all gone from 2 grocery stores. I have ended up with some interesting brands of food items, but at least they don't need refrigeration. And by taking batteries from different flashlights, etc., we have a workable portable radio.
Now that Rita is a Cat 5, the question is to go or stay. Right now we are staying. The roads are jammed & there is not a room to be had in Austin, San Antonio or Dallas. If we go, we will have a 10 hour drive to Clay's sister in west Texas. So now we wait. I have water in nearly all containers that I own & we are dining very well tonight & tomorrow, trying to use things in the freezer. I sure wish I wasn't suppose to get a delivery on crab cakes from Maryland on Friday, but that is the least of my worries. Still have to do the laundry, take new photos of the house and try to get my photos, legal papers, etc together in case we go. Have already told Clay the CPU goes with us.
I am not having fun yet & it isn't even here. Will keep you posted.

Oh please do Betty!! We want to know your where abouts! Glad you're loaded up with basics! (of course this includes wine!)

Betty, best wishes to you that this storm will knock itself down a bit tomorrow. Get those pictures of everything in the house on your camera is my advice, from what I have heard on TV from those insurance people. Hope all goes well, and you don't have to leave. Stay safe and report in as you can.

Keep us posted Betty - thinking about you all the time

Betty, you and Clay are in our hearts. Be safe. Keep us posted.

MAy God bless all in her path and I surely hope it decreases from the category 5 state that it is in!


We are certainly keeping you in our prayers.

Anthony

Drive to Ponte Vedra!!!!

No wine purchased, Marcie. Thinking I might need all my wits during the actual storm. But there is plenty of the hard stuff, & some of these mystery drinks I had to purchase today when there was no water, Clay & I could invent something either very good, or just plain awful.
I probably SHOULD make a small wine stop tomorrow. Just in case.
And Olivia you are so right about how awful these insurance people can be. Sorry, Alan. I saw where one company would only pay to have the lower kitchen cabinets replaced because the top ones were still there, even though the house will have to be totally torn down & replaced. It also bothers me that homeowners policies don't include mold anymore. But hopefully I will not need any of this.

Betty, keep us posted. I hope that you find safe harbor and that your home is safe.