Gustav +1

**update**
Some friends have told me that the media is portrying this storm and the distruction from this storm as "dodging a bullet" and that Louisiana and it's parishes are doing fine... Let me make myself clear- this misperception is from our states ability to prepare and plan for this storm effectively through the guidance and leadership of our kickass governor, Bobby Jindal. His abilty to ready our state for this disaster has saved us from effects even worse than katrina. Let me clarify- Kateina was devastating because of the levee breaches post storm... And the states ineffectiveness to properly prepare... However Gustav as a storm, was much stronger and caused more widespread damage through more of our state... From our barrier islands on he coast to areas as far up as northern LA. The distruction in Greater baton rouge exceeds damages done from Betsy in '65. Tiger stadium sustained extensive damage as did our LSU campus... It may be upwards of five weeks before baton rouge has power... We have a dusk til dawn curfew in affect.... We certainly don't have food and water enough for that long... If you want to see he images the media is NOT reporting, go to wafb.com or 2theadvocate.com--- or google search our news stations here. Just setting the record straight.***

hi friends!

On Lola again... So here's the latest. Still no power for us here in Zachary. 50% of people will get power within 1-8days...the other fifty will not get power for four plus weeks. Those areas substations were distroyed so the will have to be rebuilt. We have no idea which category we will fall in to.

We had a scare today when the lake behind us rose up too quickly to drain off... We've gotten upwards of ten inches here in zachary!!! But the rain stopped enough to drain off much of the scary waters. Oh, on a lighter note- the hummingbirds were starving... Seriously, if you know anything about the darlings, they require a certain amount of nectar each day or they will not make it through the night. Even when gustav was bearing down on us, they were begging at our back door. Today I was worried to death about them- so I rooted around the garage in the dark to find my feeders. I think I fed a total of 12 different birds.... Some were more skittish than others... I had my camera out trying to get there pics so I could see howany different bird I have. I named one Lucia... She was the least scared and didn't mind me being close to her. So I will rest easier tonight knowing that they drank nearly half a cup (!!!) of fresh nectar.

We got out this evening to grab some car ac and get some pics of the area--- asim sure y'all can see on tv, it's a mess here in zachary, central, and baton rouge. Much much worse than katrina... But spirits seem high and everyone is working together to get things done. We ended up driving out to Momma's and Daddy's. Their subdivision was the worst damage we had seen in our 30 minute drive. It's hard to see their place so devistated. But with a few strong backs and a few long days, and it will me back looking like Moody Gardens again. ;)

Marcus is off work again tomorrow- so we will be over their to help out.

Our phone is out... Carmen, have you heard from your parents? Let me know, I'm worried and want to check on your mom... Maybe she could use my help? I may go to one of the shelters tomorrow with James while Marcus helps at Daddy's... The Arch Diocese is housing nursing home patients and they are having a hard time in the heat... With their spirits low, they are scared for their health. And since I am pregnant (!!!) yes- I just let the cat out of the bag- I may be better use for them then raking at Momma's. Plus I believe James could lift some spirits with his silly antics. ;)

Thanks for the comments- they made my day. Keep em coming! I feel so cut off from the rest of the world. Oh, and Houston, get ready! If we don't have power by the weekend, I'm going to seek refuge!!!!!!!! ;)

Love and Peace to y'all all,
Xo
Lmkw