Note: Most recent reports are featured at the top of the page, working back to earliest reports. Also, there are some comments that follow these e-mail reports. To make a comment, scroll to the bottom of this page and fill in your name, then write your comment. no need to add your e-mail address or URL.
On December 29th I received an e-mail from Laura McNeil Burns. Here is an excerpt from that message that relates to Hurricane Ike: "...Still lots of need in Galveston, though the rest of the country has more or less forgotten us (same is still true in New Orleans, for that matter). We have rebuilt pretty much, in that the contractors are now finished with the house. It is now up to us to put finishing touches on what they did and to improvise around or replace what is lost.
Also waiting for the final check so we can get out from under what we had to pay out to fix it. Insurance and mortgage companies certainly want prompt payment, but it does not seem to work both ways. Our 95-year-old floors in the front of the house survived with just revarnishing. The vinyl floors in the new part (from the 1920s) in back have now been replaced with wood or with porcelain tile, so should last during another flood, should we be so unlucky..."
On December 31st, 2008 Herbert John wrote this comment on the blog: Well all of us on the coast are back in the repair mode. Hurricane Ike did a number on the coast that no one can even imagine. Pictures do not show the damage. Not even close.
100's of house and belongings are gone - I MEAN GONE - DISAPPEARED FOREVER - GONE. Imagine going to work or to the store and coming home and you cannot even find your lot because everything is gone (trees, signs, houses, cars, light poles, everything ). Nothing but a flat barren land as far as you can see. Nothing but dead cows and deserted auto/trucks. Everything that you worked all your life for is completely gone with no trace of it. No lumber, nothing! All of your keepsakes, pictures (ALL) GONE. No baby pictures or family pictures. It is BAD, FOLKS.
On 9/15, Herbert Johns wrote: “My daughter had her baby (boy 8 lb 5 and 20 1/2 inches) on the 9th. She got out of the hospital Thursday 12:30 and we left…” since then we have heard several reports from Herbert of the devastation he found in the Winnie area upon his return after the Hurricane.
However, Herb had not mentioned the mother and baby again and I pestered him for an update. Today, October 7th (almost a month after the birth) He reported, “Karla, Mother and baby made the trip just great and are continuing to progress absolutely fabulous. “Herb also gave this update on the status of his area, “Not a lot of damage to my house or barn. No water in the house (Thank God) and about 6 to 8 inches in the garage and barn. 13 trees (some 40 to 50 years old) so a lot of cutting and hauling and burning. It is all repairable and correctable. I have spent some time helping others that weren't as fortunate as me. If you can imagine there are houses that are totally missing (no lumber, furniture, nothing - just EVERYTHING gone). This in some cases includes the slab that the house was constructed upon (GONE) completely non – existent. NOTHING anywhere to be found. Two barges floated 11 miles and were resting on Highway 73. They had to be cut up to remove after they were able to find out what was in them and the contents were unloaded in the middle of the highway. Needless to say the main highway to Port Arthur had been closed (4 lane divided highway), but opened Wednesday last week. The smell is getting better, but rain brings it back fresh and we expect rain again tomorrow. Got to get in bed so I can get an early start tomorrow. Herb”
Laura McNeil Burns was the first to write to me to tell that she was evacuating Galveston, on 9/11 (see bottom of this post). She checked in again briefly a week or so ago. But now she has given a full report on 9/28. Very descriptive ~ it makes me want to cry. Laura's optimism and positive spirit - and yes, her intact sense of humor - humble me. Laura writes: "I just got complete Internet back. It was limited before. Came back to Galveston on Wednesday, Sept. 24. Damage to the house worse than John had first thought. Flooding came up about three feet on our first floor, the furniture basically ruined along with the AC/heating unit, John’s bicycle, lots of tools. Standing in salt water for so many hours does not appear to have done many of our plants much good, including the pecan and crape myrtle trees. Dead and dying trees all over the island, and rubble alongside all the roads, many buildings and houses completely gone. Ruined furniture in front of most houses and businesses waiting to be hauled off. Looks like a hurricane hit this place. So many people have to rebuild their homes, others have no apartments to go to, which is even worse.
Our house is covered in mold, of course. Gradually getting it clean, claims adjuster coming tomorrow. Our refrigerator is still operating, unlike most appliances in our house. I went to clean it out as soon as I arrived. I was unable to open the freezer, however. John was thinking we might have to throw it out right away, but he was able to open it and then I found out the problem. Household hint: If a hurricane is coming, throw out the frozen bread dough BEFORE it hits. During the power outage, my dough had risen, filling the freezer. Then it froze after rising. You can imagine how much fun that was to clean out!
No drinkable water. Some volunteers brought a case of bottled water Wednesday night. We had bought some on the way down to Houston, but glad to have more. Also, the Red Cross has been driving through the neighborhoods each night with free meals, hardly gourmet, but few people have cooking appliances and we are in the minority with a working refrigerator, I think. So it is helping a lot of people, especially the old ladies without transportation living around here. Nobody can wash clothes in this water either. Proctor and Gamble has a free laundromat by the Seawall which we plan to go to. Don't know how they got the water -- the commercial laundromats are all closed.
I used to wake up to the sound of white-winged doves cooing in the morning, but have not seen or heard the doves since I came back. Flown away? Blown away? Dead?
My neighbor has been trying to place people who have no homes. Evidently the Austin shelters closed down and sent people back here, but they don’t have any place to stay. Most of the hotels which would accept FEMA vouchers are full of contractors. So shelters are getting set up. My gas is not on because I’m on the waiting list for a plumber to come check it out and see whether it is safe.
No wind damage to speak of. The water (which you aren’t supposed to swim in) is high, but only up to the jetties out on the Gulf. I’m so grateful I had a place to go to during the hurricane and its aftermath, and grateful to have a home to come back to. I’m also grateful to have a bedroom on the second floor! And that Galveston built the Seawall after 1900. Laura"
Sunday, 9/28, John Echoff forwared this bit of Hurricane Humor:
Things Learned During Hurricane Ike and the Aftermath . . .
1. Coffee and frozen pizzas can be made on a BBQ grill.
2. No matter how many times you flick the switch, lights don't work without electricity.
3. My car gets 23.21675 miles per gallon, EXACTLY (you can ask the people in line who helped me push it).
4. Kids can survive 4 days or longer without a video game controller in their hand.
5. Cats are even more irritating without power.
6. He who has the biggest generator wins.
7. Women can actually survive without doing their hair- you just wish they weren't around you.
8. A new method of non-lethal torture- showers without hot water.
9. There are a lot more stars in the sky than most people thought.
10. TV is an addiction and the withdrawal symptoms are painful.
11. A 7 lb bag of ice will chill 6-12 oz Budweiser's to a drinkable temperature in 11 minutes, and still keep a 14 lb. turkey frozen for 8 more hours.
12. There are a lot of dang trees around here.
13. Flood plain drawings on some mortgage documents were seriously wrong..
14. Aluminum siding, while aesthetically pleasing, is definitely not required.
15. Crickets can increase their volume to overcome the sound of 14 generators.
16. People will get into a line that has already formed without having any idea what the line is for.
17. When required, a Lincoln Continental will float, doesn't steer well but floats just the same.
18. Tele-marketers function no matter what the weather is doing.
19. Cell phones work when land lines are down, but only as long as the battery remains charged.
20. Twenty seven of your neighbors are fed from a different transformer than you, and they are quick to point that out!
21. Hampers were not made to contain such volume.
22. If my store sold only ice, chainsaws, gas and generators... I'd be rich.
23. Price of a can of soup rises 200% in a storm.
24. Your waterfront property can quickly become someone else's fishing hole.
25. Tree service companies are under appreciated.
26. I learned what happens when you make fun of another states' blackout.
27. MATH 101: 30 days in a month, minus 6 days without power ,equals 30% higher electric bill ?????
28. Drywall is a compound word, take away the 'dry' part and it's worthless.
29. I can walk a lot farther than I thought.
Tuesday, 9/23 - Mary Frances (Shepherd) Ginsbach wrote…"Ten days after Ike and we still have no electricity. Other than that, we are fine. We had lots of large limbs fallen from our trees, and a few leaks in the house. Nothing too bad.
I am at my daughter's, whose electricity came on Sunday. We keep hoping any day now. The first few days were not too bad as a cool front made it to Houston - temperatures were in the low 80's and 60's. All in all, we have been very blessed, but would like to have power!!!!! Mary Frances"
Monday PM, 9/22: Herbert earlier wrote that a picture of the road his house is on was published as the front page lead story of the San Antonio Express News on Monday the 16th. The link to that page was no longer active, so he sent that photo to me today as an attachment (now inserted here). He explained that one neighbor (whose house is pictured here) left to go to town after the storm had hit, with ditches not even full and very little water in the pastures, to return 3 hours later to this. She said it was mid thigh in her driveway and she was unable to drive her truck more than 5 feet off of the road due to the depth.
Of his own activities, Herbert wrote: “Going home today if I can find a room air conditioner that can run on my generator. I won't have access to internet for a while - no electricity or phones yet. The damage to the area where I live is real bad and the smell is totally unreal and almost unbreathable. They are hauling dead cattle out by the 18 wheeler load and still flying over looking for people. Fish are everywhere. The water has gone down about 5 feet and leaves everything BLACK. Ditches still have about 4 or 5 feet of water in them and very little flow.”
Herbert Johns sent this truncated message this evening, 9/20: Well I have been able to get to my house daily since Tuesday: water still covering most of yard and part of driveway but shop was semi dry so I began to start generators. 2 generators (1 is a 5250 watts 1 is 5500 watts). One will not carry my house and the well. They were both flooded and partially under water at one time so it took most of Tuesday 6:00PM curr . . .
I hope that Herbert just "sent" too soon – in the middle of a word – and not that something suddenly happened to him. Hopefully he will finish his message soon. J
(Lonita) June Sillings Priest wrote on Saturday PM, 9/20: “Happy to say we had no damage to our home. Only branches, tons of leaves to rake, and gutters to clean out. Our power was returned on Monday, Sept 15, and today we got our cable, internet, phone back! Thank God! How spoiled we become!
We left on Thursday before the storm and went to Lumberton/Beaumont where our sons live. We took our 5th-wheel just in case we needed a place to live after the storm. We stayed at John Pauls and then returned home on Saturday afternoon about 3 pm. It was a very eerie trip back home as we were some of the first on the highway. Some roads were completely shut off, thus, we had to make several detours but we finally arrived to find our home completely intact. The Texas City Dyke where we once owned a marina, is completely gone. Nothing standing but a few light poles. People familiar with the levy surrounding Texas City will be surprised that the water came within about 2 feet of overflowing! It is 18 ft high so you can see just how close we came to being in big trouble. Never again will I complain when they want money to maintain it, widen it, or make it taller!
As you have seen from all the media coverage, it is horrible and we will be many months, if not years, getting back to normal. The tv coverage really doesn't begin to show the devastation. Seeing if from afar and up close are two completely different things. And thank God we don't have "scratch and sniff" tv! The death toll climbs daily, and I am sure many more bodies will be recovered as the debris is cleared.
I know many of you would like to help..... and the best way is a contribution to the Red Cross (http://american.redcross.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ntld_main) or the Salvation Army (http://www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/www_sa.nsf). They have been "Johnny on the spot" since the beginning. Their trucks are everywhere eager to render immediate assistance.
As Neil Frank said on tv, each hurricane has a life of it's own. It is hard to compare one storm with another as each carries it's own baggage. Some sport winds, others surge tides, and others rain. We have learned that "category" numbers really don't matter much..... beware of them all!
Jim and I appreciate all your calls, emails, texts, etc. Please keep all the folks in your prayers, make donations if you can, and hold your loved ones close. We were truly protected by God's grace and the levy! Love ya, June and Jim Priest”
"I don't like IKE!" Laura McNeil Burns entitled her message, Saturday, 9/20: John was able to see our house, still standing, ground floors damaged, AC/heating unit for downstairs shot, outbuildings flooded and John's power tools ruined. John was afraid of not being able to go see his mother in Wisconsin, for (probably) the last time. But Houston airports reopened and he went. Coming to Austin Tuesday and going back to Galveston Wednesday. Does not want me to go as electricity probably won't be on until at least Thursday and there is no sewage.
We contacted insurance folks ourselves as that was quicker (our agency also had to evacuate and is no doubt swamped, so I don't really fault them). So he is all set to go with the claims adjuster. Also we may be eligible for some FEMA relief, but from their web site, there isn't much point in applying until we get the word on insurance. Ike pretty farflung all right. In chasing down the insurance stuff I talked to a guy in Ohio, amazed at the 85mph winds it brought there. All could have been worse for me, so many totaled houses. Laura"
Sonny Jones sent this Saturday afternoon, 9/20: "Karla, Thanks for thinking of us. Elaine and I live in Pearland, but not too far from the Gulf Freeway. We stayed and rode it out, but I'm not sure we would again if another storm that size ever comes. We've been without power for a week, but it just came on again this morning. There was just so much distruction, it's hard to fathom. I believe much of it was due to small twisters as well as the winds and storm surge. We stayed up all night, and at one point, I'm sure we heard a short (20 seconds or so ) trainlike sound that I'm assuming took part of our roof, which eventually lead to a lot of water blowing in and there-you-go. I'm sure you've seen footage of Galveston
From Bob Neal on Friday Evening, 9/19: Thanks for posting Ike. I've missed living in that area ever since I left in 1977. Interestingly, I have talked about relocating back to some coastal area for the past couple years and recently downloaded some Real Estate info/pictures in Galveston. Having worked on the Mississippi coast for several months after the '04 hurricane and seeing much hurt, loss and destruction, it is even worse to see what has happened to areas where we once lived. It is also encouraging to hear from some who only experienced general hurricane damages. Bob”
Friday, 9/19, received this from Jerry Roark: “Hi, Karla. My son sent these photos from the Boston Globe. (Click this link) They are great shots of Ike and some of his damage. My dad still lives in Pecan Park, on Japonica Street. That part of the old neighborhood fared well. I am amazed that our forefathers seemed to find the high ground before settling an area like Pecan Park. Jerry Roark”
Larry Smith and Billy Carter also sent me the link to this website. The lead to the photos follows: In its brief lifespan of only 13 days, Hurricane Ike wreaked a great deal of havoc. Affecting several countries including Cuba, Haiti, and the United States, Ike is blamed for approximately 114 deaths (74 in Haiti alone), and damages that are still being tallied, with estimates topping $10 billion. Many shoreline communities of Galveston, Texas were wiped from the map by the winds, storm surge and the walls of debris pushed along by Ike. Though Galveston was spared the level of disaster it suffered in 1900.
Laura Striegler added a thought Friday PM (9/19)…”By the way, anyone living in a Manufactured Home, I have some contacts for replacement homes where necessary (both MH and Modular). Regards, Laura”
Billy Carter forwarded this e-mail to me this evening (Friday, 9/19). It is from Bill Adams, another of our classmates. Billy explained ‘Bill Adams just sold his home on the north side of West Galveston Bay. His twin brother, Pat and wife, Eileen, still live in that same West Galveston Bay neighborhood.”
Here’s the e-mail Bill Adams sent to Billy Carter 9/19:
|
“Sorry to reply so late. Just got Internet hook up through a satellite hook up. Devastation in the area needless to say...the trucks have been going into Galveston for the past 3 days we've been back from Boston. It's unbelievable really. Thank goodness I sold my home just a few days before the storm hit. My buyers don't seem to blame me and are good natured about it. The whole ground floor was washed away in every house on my former street. I had left my boat at Elaine’s. It ended up a half mile away under the I45 freeway, still on its trailer. I'm helping Elaine clean up. I guess I didn't escape the disaster after all. Pat and Eileen's house is destroyed downstairs as is everyone else’s. I'm going to help Elaine get things cleaned up the rest of the week and hoping Monday to get the hell out of Texas for awhile. Bill |
We feel very fortunate indeed. My office in League City had access to our offices and we were back at work on Tuesday by noon. I run an Insurance Agency and also manage the Insurance Division for the Parent Corporation, so have had our hands rather full. Hope others fared as well.
Good Luck to All. Laura (Striegler) Wilson”
Judee Utgard Schroeder reported in Thursday evening, 09/18: “Al and I were very blessed. We lost power about 3 am on Saturday, but got it back about 4:30 pm the same day. With the exception of a few tree branches and lots of debris, we had no damage at all. “
Herbert Johns reporting from Winnie, TX, Thursday AM, 9/18 (see John’s initial report below): “Well I got home today. My daughter (35 miles away) got electricity so we came to her house and I can drive back & forth to work on the damage. It is bad folks!!!! God spared me and my house to a great extent. I have some roof damage (holes close to the edge and shingles missing and siding missing or in the yard or neighbors yard 500 or so feet away). 7 or 8 trees down (non on the house or barn). The water has gone down enough to be able to start a generator, which will give my well working. It will take several days to get my house safe and then I will let the rest go and try to help my neighbors with more serious damage than I. When you live in the country your neighbor needing help may live3 to 5 miles away but you still go help. Electricity in maybe 2 to 3 weeks or longer. It is hot and smelly. The water which is everywhere is BLACK and stagnant and the ground smells (stinks). It smells a cross between dead fish and dead animals decaying. It is a real mess but fixable because we will repair and help each other repair (not like New Orleans) We aren't waiting on the Government to fix it for us, We are doing it the way Americans have always done it by helping each other.
We need lots of prayers folks - it is a REAL Mess. A lot of underbrush no longer needs to be cleared and trees no longer need to be thinned – just cleaned up. Gilchrist, Crystal Beach, Port Bolivar are almost non-existent. I would venture to say that there are no habitable buildings left that do not require extensive repairs to be livable. Some houses are ONLY a pile of broken 2 X 4's and etc. I will try to keep you informed as to progress. Herb”
Wednesday Morning, 09/17/08, I received this from Larry Bass: “Good morning Karla: What a great idea about sharing our experiences with Ike. For some of us, like Kathy and I, we have time to do so while we wait for our community to return to normal.
We survived relatively intact, thank God. We live in a small gated community which adjoins the Willow Creek Golf Club, just South of the Woodlands. Ike was much worse than we thought it would be. We probably had hurricane force winds for at least 5 hours beginning about 2 a.m. Saturday morning. Many trees down in our neighborhood and on the golf course. Debris everywhere. Fortunately, we did not lose any tress or have serious damage to our home.
Our entry/exit gates are supposed to default open in case of power loss, but failed to do so. So, while the hurricane was over us we had to find a way to open the gates to prevent a possible disaster if entry or exit were necessary. Through the efforts of neighbors the gates were opened.
We lost electricity at about 3 a.m. Saturday. I believe the western edge of the eye of the storm passed over our neighborhood for there was a lull then a wind shift. The wind was much stronger on the back side of the storm, for many of the tress fell from north to south. Something to keep in mind for future reference.
My 2 sons, their wives and my 3 granddaughters all live in Houston, but they left and stayed in Austin until Sunday, which was a wise move. Their return found no power, but fortunately no serious damage either.
We stayed at our home until Tuesday, when we lost water pressure. With no power or water, it was time to leave, which we did. I write this email from my Sister's home in Fairfield, Texas, which is about 140 miles north of Houston on I-45. FYI - on our drive to Fairfield, we noticed that there is NO power from Spring through to and including Madisonville. There are portable signs indicating that the first gas available north of Houston, is in Centerville.
Our community came together and the sharing and caring was wonderful. Sometimes it takes a disaster to find out just how supportive people can and will be. I was born and reared in Houston, leaving only for college and 3 yeas active duty with the USMC. I have been exposed to numerous hurricanes and I believe Ike will rank right up there with Carla.
We are just thankful that there were no known injuries to those we know and love. Our hearts go out to those that were not so fortunate. We will stay in Fairfield until basic services are restored to our home. Hopefully, that will be soon. I do hope that all of you fared as well as did we. Kathy and Larry Bass”
Here's an urgent question submitted by Mary Lou Allen Brewer, Tuesday PM, 9/16: "My mom and I have a house on the east side of Toddville Road in Seabrook We have not been able to see anything on the news about Seabrook and don't even know it we still have a house. I would like to know something if anyone knows, Mary Lou Allen"
Received Tuesday, 9/15/08, from Billy Carter: (See report Billy sent before the storm at the bottom of this page.) "These photos tell how lucky we were, avoiding serious storm damage. We live two miles West of I45, off FM 2920. Ike's eye passed approximately three miles East of I45. We never lost gas nor water. We could cook and take great hot showers. Books and visits with neighbors filled our idle time, as did the removal of limbs and making temporary repairs to fences. (click photos to enlarge)
Electrical power came back on at 4 PM Sunday, just in time to save our freezer full of food. Telephone/internet working at 8 PM Monday.
Our boat had no damage. Note the double dock lines. One original line did break. Amanda is in the boat picture. We recharged a Cell Phone battery on our drive to Lake Conroe.
We do attend Church at The Fellowship of the Woodlands. This had to have helped! Billy Carter"
9/15, Monday PM - "Herbert Johns here: My daughter had her baby (boy 8 lb 5 and 20 1/2 inches) on the 9th. She got out of the hospital Thursday 12:30 and we left after helping S-i-L board up house to New Braunfels (niece). We plan not to come back until she has electricity in Mont Belvieu. It may be months before I get electricity back at Winnie but I will be close enough to drive back and forth every so often for some A/C. Right now the water is still too high to think of starting a generator. Still 2 1/2 to 3 feet in the driveway, but a rancher doesn't think water got in the house or does he know how deep it got in the shop and garage. Generators are in the shop.
My road made the front page headline and 1/2 page picture in the San Antonio Express News. The picture shows my neighbors, and I am about 100 yards south of the picture which is the bottom of the picture. The road runs north and south. Lots of water and I am anxious to get back home to access damage and etc. and start to help clean up the mess so that all of us in area can start over. South to Winnie is bad and South to High Island is worse (dead cattle and destroyed houses) from other pictures that I have seen and talked to people that road it out Gilchrist, Crystal Beach, Port Bolivar are all but GONE very few houses LEFT. As I know more I will try to send more. I don't have the mental capability to send pictures over this thing even if I had them but TV is doing a pretty good job on pictures right now. It is BAD folks! Herbert Johns"
Ann Herman Beatty wrote on Sunday 9/14 PM: "We, here in the wild, wild West did fine. We’ve had some rain for the last two weeks. What was overlooked was that Lubbock (125 miles north of Midland) had over 7 inches of rain. My son said they by mid-night they had cancelled schools and Tech and Lubbock Christian College classes. They drained the water from the football stadium, then had to go through with pressure hoses to get the gunk out.I’ve been listening to the Weather Station. After mandatory evacuations in Galveston they estimated about 40% of people opted to ride it out. Big mistake. Can understand why police, fire dept. possibly national guard, a few doctors and nurses had to stay. Otherwise, get out of Dodge. On national news they said there was a big truck with ice and water. They have no phone or electricity, and it is anticipated it will be at least 2 weeks before electricity is restored in Galveston. They got some busses across the bridge and offered transport to San Antonio. Many were only too anxious after wading in higher than waist high water. Ike tore up parts of the seawall. They kept talking about Clear Lake and the damage there with overturned boats, sunken boats, etc. Big piers with hotel and restaurants in ocean in Galveston were torn apart. A lot of power was out in Houston . . . also phone service. AHB"
Richard Ybarra wrote on Sunday evening, Sept 14: “Thank God we came through this storm in good shape. We are all fine. We are doing great in Kingwood. We were only without lights for 17 hours. We must live next to someone who works for Centerpoint or has an elderly mother in our neighborhood. I went this morning and checked on my parents in the old neighborhood and took them ice and an ice chest. Even at their age without electricity they do not want to leave their home. Dad is 95 and Mom is 90 and they are still very independent. They are the essence of the independent Texas spirit.
All the news media is criticizing the federal response and not talking at all about what people can do for themselves. If anyone has an opportunity, call Channel 13 and KTRH and tell them that our country cannot be run from Washington, D.C. This is another example of how the federal government has once again shown us how inept the bureaucrats are. We need to run our own state and depend on ourselves. So much for the soap box, I hope everyone is safe and I am looking forward to hearing that you all came through this storm okay. God Bless. Richard”
Sunday evening, 9/14, Donald Veazey wrote from New Mexico: “One of the great benefits of living in the Land of Enchantment is our great barrier wall that prevents storms like Ike from coming here (note: we love women so we did let Dolly in briefly). And just in case anyone asks, yes, I'm responsible for the great barrier wall. :-)
It's fascinating watching the horror of killer storms from such long distances knowing that you're completely safe from the destruction and the aftermath with the total inconvenience of no services. I can recall riding out 3 or more hurricanes while a resident of Houston and environs and they weren't fun. So my thoughts are with those who rode out this fellow. As best I can determine none of my cousins who remain in the Houston area were harmed. Stay well, Don”
Sunday 9/14 afternoon, Gladys Marie Payne Bohac reported: “We have survived the storm very well. I prayed all during the storm's impact and know the Lord answered my prayers. All of my family did great. My daughter lost power for about one hour. We never lost power and had very little in our yard but leaves and tree limbs. We feel very blessed not to have much if any damage. My next door neighbor had a very large tree uprooted in her front yard and the top of the tree was over our driveway. She also had a large tree on the side of her house blow over and land on her roof. No one was injured. Houston was really hit very badly and a lot of people we know have lost power. Charlotte (Vann Casselberry) is without power and is staying here until power is restored. Please continue to pray for everyone that the power will be restored soon. So sad. Please take care and in touch. Love, Gladys”
Sunday morning, 9/14: Received this e-mail from John Echoff, who lives between Galveston and Houston: "Just a note to let all my extended family know that Linn and I survived the storm in good shape. We lost electricity Friday night around midnight. We are on a well, so without electricity, we have no water. That is until I got the generator running. Then - boy did that hot shower feel great. Of course, the electricity came back on about an hour after hooking up the generator. We managed to get a little sleep last night (Sat) before returning to work Sunday A.M.
Damage-wise, we were quite lucky. One tree hit the northwest corner of the house and damaged only the gutter. Sixteen (16) other trees either blew down or were snapped off. The yard looked like a virtual forest. The barn was hardest hit. We lost 3 of the 4 skylights, and the rear wall and the east wall were pushed out by the storm. The barn is where we keep the riding lawnmower, 4 wheeler, all three motorcycles, and our '48 Wyllis Jeepster Convertible. In addition to that, I keep all my power tools and hand tools there - what a mess!!!
Our 10mth old Shepherd (Tasha) sustained a serious cut to her left front paw on something in the yard. Ever try to get a 10mth old pup to be still?!?! Hopefully she will sleep long enough today for it to close. If not, then tomorrow she goes for stitches. That's it for now, will keep y'all advised. John"
REPORTS RECEIVED BEFORE IKE MADE LANDFALL:
Billy Carter reported prior to Ike's landfall: "IKE", Friday morning, 9/11. "Amanda, Cuddles and I are back home from Lake Conroe. Extra lines are in place on our boat - picture taken this morning. Right now it is absolutely perfect weather. The lull before the storm? At 9:15 AM, without a single drop of rain, Galveston is already starting to flood from rising Gulf of Mexico's waves. Billy" (click photo to enlarge)
Laura McNeil Burns reported on Friday, 9/11: "Left our home in Galveston yesterday morning (Friday), and an hour and a half later, evacuation was made mandatory. John has to stay--essential personnel at UTMB. Am at my sister Margaret's place in Austin for now. Laura "
Austin County 90 miles west of Houston: All is well here. We had no power for about 8 hours, parts of trees down everywhere and a few shingles off the north side of roof. 6" of rain over two days. Now we are hosting people from Houston and Seabrook who really got pounded. Am upset with the reporters who seem to be trying to get an ice riot started. We're Texans, we can handle adversity and fix this.
Posted by: Sheila Steele Howard | September 15, 2008 at 07:55 AM
Ike made it to Ky., daughter Kristan without power. Two killed on motorcycles hit by tree, lady in bathtub from storm killed by tree. 74 miles hour wind. I know the situation in Galveston and Houston is bad but Texas people are strong and will pull together. Agree with Sheilas comment above. Know the struggles will come, health both physical/mental, shortages, mold but like I said Texans are strong willed people will make it fine. Just know the rest of the herd throughout the US are praying for you and awaiting any request for help you might need from us. Linda
Posted by: Linda Strickland | September 15, 2008 at 10:48 AM
I had just typed a long tyrade about the idiots that call themselves "reporters", but it disappeared, so I'll condense it: Right before the storm hit, there was a "reporter" (ie idiot with a mike) standing on the seawall, pointing the camera toward the beach proclaiming there was water already up to the bottom of the sewall! It was high tide-go figure... Then there was the moronic exchange between Wayne Delchifino (moron 1st class) and Governor Perry. WD was in a tyraide about being denied access to Bolivar, he wanted to be the 1st there and score some type of scoop. In fact all he wanted to do was hype the disaster and profit from the destruction and misery of those folks. I for one have had my fill of these idiots standing in the rain telling me it's raining.
I pray that our extended family is safe, the material goods can eventually be replaced, but your precious lives cannot. God Bless you and keep you and yours safe.
Posted by: John Echoff | September 16, 2008 at 07:36 AM
I was oh, so very lucky, too. I woke up Saturday morning with a roof over my head. By 4pm, my power was back on ... only 14hrs w/o electricity. Of course, I had no land line available, but the cell towers offered me a couple of hours of calling time. The water pressure was low and hence, no water. That only lasted a couple of days, and I seemed to manage OK. My Internet was back sometime Monday night. I am still w/o TV. Comcast hasn't made it to my side of town, yet. I can't and won't complain. I had considered running to my cousins' houses. One lives in College Station, and the other lives in the Crockett area. I'm relieved that I didn't because Mr. Ike spun right over the both of them, and neither has power.
I hope for the best for all of us, especially those who have not posted, and hope to hear from them soon. I echo John ... keep safe.
Jody
Posted by: Jody Bugg | September 17, 2008 at 09:14 AM
Mary Lou, send me your address on Toddville Rd. I have a few contacts at Seabrook PD, will see if I can get you some photos...
[email protected]
Posted by: John Echoff | September 17, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Mary Lou, just heard from the mother of a friend. Her lights came on in Seabrook tonight at 6:00. She said the damage to the houses on Toddville varies from just a little to a bunch. Think most of the damage is water related. Hope all is well with yours. Sheila
Posted by: sashoward | September 17, 2008 at 08:49 PM
Hi folks, just got power back up and running @ 10 pm. I had just gone to bed and before I laid my head down on the pillow the lights came on. I have now just finished catching up on my e-mail that has been building since Friday night.
WOW ! ! What a ride ! I do not remember Carla being as big as this storm was.
I am going to turn in now but I will return and expand on the blessings we recieved from this event. Stay well ! !
Posted by: Mike Roberts | September 18, 2008 at 11:51 PM
Hi all...glad to hear from so many storm survivors. Navasota/Plantersville area seems to have mostly power line damage from fallen trees. No damage to our place, and only one big tree down. These Red Oaks have shallow roots and show a 10 foot wide pancake of roots when they fall. Power was restored in Navasota and along Hwy 105 to Plantersville yesterday. Three poles are down at the entrance to our road, so it may be a few more days for us to get power. We run our generator for 3 hours morning, afternoon, and evening to power the well, refrigerators and freezers, amd get some TV time. We were in God's hands and He took good care of us...Larry
Posted by: Larry Smith | September 19, 2008 at 09:28 AM
Power is gradually being restored in the League City area and just south of here. I work in LC. I would echo John Echoff's note, if we had the complete address on Toddville may be able to get a better report for Mary Lou. As others have said there is damage from very little, to total destruction, so would need the full address to be of help.
Posted by: Laura Striegler Wilson | September 19, 2008 at 11:22 AM
I'm baaaa-aaack. My daughter and son-in-law escaped from Santa Fe along with 2 of my " little angels ", an 18 year old, 15 year old and their puppy. Our eldest son came with them.
Our youngest, his wife and my youngest " little angel " came over from Cut and Shoot to ride the storm with us.
We lost power @ 4 am Saturday morn, after being pummeled by high winds for all of 5 full hours, and being on well water it went also, however being on a small lake afforded the blessing of commode utilization thru the outage and the ability to take a 5 gallon bucket to the shower or sponge bath.
As the blessings of PODS were distributed we were able to replenish our meager supplies of ice and water for cooking and " COFFEE " as well as cold drinks.
This is a small community of 115 homes and we're blessed with the kindest and resourceful neighbors willing to give of themselves to those in need. After 3 days of no water a resident was blessed to get a loaner generator large enough to power our smallest community well and with a lot of help we had water tho @ lower pressure still affording the essentials of running water to the facilities.
We are so blessed in this country and I hope I never take for granted any of the valuable commodities of everyday life that fill our time on this earth.
We did have a family home in the subdivision take a direct hit by a huge tree in their front yard, fell thru the center of the house. The community had set up a hunker down shelter, at our club house, for anyone affraid of trees falling on their assets, which, in the aftermath of the storm has given this family a place of refuge until such time as provisions can be made for their wellbeing. How blessed we are to have the ability to do so !
This family has lived in the community for a long time and contributed to its unquestionable friendlyness and homey atmosphere.
We muddled thru and or now nearing normalcy, blessed with the knowledge of having survived such intense pressure from " Mother Nature " perhaps we will be that much better off when " SHE " unleashes her fury again.
BLESS all of you and your families and BLESS the good samaritans who give of themselves to aid their neihbors! ! !
Posted by: Mike Roberts | September 19, 2008 at 01:25 PM
Anyone wishing to help the 20 to 40 thousand cattle and horses in Chambers and Jefferson counties without feed, hay and water, please go to:
http://agrilifevents.tamu.edu and click on Donation to "No Fences" Hurricane Ike Horse and Cattle Relief. Please help if you can.
Sheila
Posted by: Sheila Howard | September 19, 2008 at 06:31 PM
John Echoff was able to get someone to visit Mary Lou's house and take some pictures. I'm sure one or the other of them will be telling us all about it soon. Thanks for all of your concern on her behalf. Karla
Posted by: Report for Mary Lou | September 19, 2008 at 08:37 PM
Hubby John stayed in Houston and was without power from Friday evening until Tuesday around bedtime, otherwise fine, thank the good Lord. I was in Broaddus (San Augustine County, Texas) with Mother. Wind stayed high from 4:00 a.m. til about 10:00 p.m. Fortunately no damage to her home. Some tin off barn roofs and some trees down around farm, but that's fixable! Without electricity from 9:00 Saturday morning until Tuesday supper time, but my brother had supplied her with a generator after Rita, so we were okay. Even able to get gasoline not too far away to keep the generator running. We were so anxious to get news of the Gulf Coast area, especially Galveston, but national news acted like it hadn't happened! Disgusting! Thanks to the wonderful blog, I'm now able to get news and photos! You guys are great - especially you, Karla! My heart goes out to those who suffered much damage. I know things can be replaced - but not everything can (photos, treasured heirlooms, etc.)! And what a mess trying to recover from a disaster like this. Thank you Sheila for info on how to help with the horse and cattle relief, and to John Echoff for helping Mary Lou.
Posted by: Glenda Burns Minniece | September 20, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Update on Progress post Hurricane Ike: Tasha's cut finally closed up without stiches. I bought Linn a new chain saw for her birthday (9/18) now we have his & hers, mine's a Huskavarna, hers is a Stihl. Now how many of you guys are brave enough to buy your wife a chainsaw for her birthday? We spread big blue tarps over the barn roof and are building a burn pile to rival the Aggie Bonfire-hear that Veazey, Crider? For a small admission fee, we will allow you guys to attend the lighting of the mother of all bonfires and even furnish a cold Shiner! We have made what repairs we can manage for the present, still no word from the insurance company. I was successful in getting a cohart at Seabrook PD to go the Mary Lou's house there and he advised me of the condition-not good news. He took several photo's (about 30) and when he can get them to me, I'll forward them to Mary Lou for her to use for insurance claims. I'm very relieved that so far none of our classmates have had serious injury or death, one of my friends at the Department, an investigative sergeant, was killed trying to move a tree blocking ingress/egress from his subdivision-he died a hero in my eyes, trying to help others-a trait for which he was widely known and loved. God Bless you Sergeant Tommy Keen, may you rest in Peace...
Posted by: John Echoff | September 20, 2008 at 01:09 PM
Several of you, and most newscasters, have mentioned Hurricane Carla's devastation to the same area in 1961. I have very distinct memories of my namesake. You know, there were not many C(K)arlas around when I was growing up. I was named for my dad (Carl) and really didn't like my name because it was so unfamiliar.
In the fall of 1961 Ed and I had been engaged for about 4 months. He was in the process of taking me to his old stomping grounds to meet his family and friends. He grew up in the Kemah/League City area, so you can imagine their facial expressions when he said my name. They tried to recover and look delighted to meet me...and I tried to understand that they were not responding to me, but to the devastation that other Carla had caused them.
Ed's sister - who had three sons ages 4-5-6 lost her home and everything in it in Hurricane Carla. As they returned from their evacuation trip they saw their home, mostly smashed to splinters, on the highway three miles from their lot. They love me, but my name has forever evoked sad memories for them. Karla
Posted by: Remembering Hurricane Carla | September 21, 2008 at 12:43 PM
John, what is Houston looking like? Still wearing that Old Spice shaving lotion? I just know it keeps the Mosquitos away when you are working and Mike also when he goes fishing.
Herbert is off our radar, he is home cleaning up, terrible mess out his way. At this time he has cell phone only according to my last communication.
We are living in a trying time storm /money wise. Sounds like some folks on wall street need to be wearing stripe suits instead of pin-striped. I hope this is a wake up call to Washington, to know WE ARE WATCHING YOU! People for many years, not just the last eight have been lining their pockets while the trust of the American people has been going out the window. If this "plan"/bailout does not work we may see a repeat of the window show the herd only heard from their grandparents. I just viewed a copy of the Declaration of Independence at the local Massie Heritage Center, it was behind bullet proof glass with two officers guarding it. Unsigned at the bottom, was a copy to be approved of by each state. Words by patriots, men that loved this country and put their life on the line when they signed that piece of paper that has been the glue that has held us together. Guess I had better get off my soap box would encourage everyone to vote.
Thanks John for keeping us up on the storm news. Linda
Posted by: Linda Little Strickland | September 28, 2008 at 02:03 PM
Hey Laura, if you and John need a clean, cool place to rest a few days, our guest room is available. It isn't grand, just a bed and airconditioning, but you are welcome to visit for a few nights, days or whatever. Also our washer and dryer are sitting idle at the moment. If you need manpower help, I'm off Friday and Saturday. We have our place picked up and are waiting on the adjuster, so if you need help or a place send me a message ([email protected]).
Posted by: John Echoff | September 29, 2008 at 01:00 PM
Linda Lou, you constantly amaze me with your observations and comments. Your mind must never slow down, the observations, like the one about the Declaration of Independence are very thought provoking. The patriots, indeed, put everything, lives property, family-everything, on the line when they signed their names. Would any of today's Washington crowd be brave enough to do the same, I have my doubts...
BTW, yes, still wearing the Old Spice. Take care of your Hubby and yourself.
Posted by: John Echoff | September 29, 2008 at 01:12 PM
John, you are very kind, but the cool weather and ceiling fans (yeah, we do have electricity!) are keeping us comfortable. And Proctor and Gamble is kindly doing laundry for us and a lot of other people who can't right now. We got a contractor signed up and hope to start tearing down next week, then rebuilding.
Today I counted three working traffic lights in Galveston, a vast improvement. Cops are down here from many places (including Round Rock, I'm told). Lots of traffic lights not working in Houston and other parts of the mainland either. Wish they were directing traffic at every corner. Some houses have signs threatening looters, but that doesn't seem to be much of a problem here. Traffic definitely is, along with the lack of services. We just got mail yesterday -- I stood in line two hours at the post office at La Marque, only to find that the delivery to my house had started! Fortunately UTMB and later a church group came by delivering bottled water. The church people even provided hot dogs.
Posted by: Laura McNeil Burns | September 30, 2008 at 08:46 PM
A little late to help much with Ike relief, but, moved by your stories as well as others, I've recently volunteered with the Red Cross and am in the process of going through the training they require. I've been at the shelter on 610S and helped answer phones at the chapter off the SW fwy. I had hoped to be able to help directly with the relief of the Galveston area, but that may not be available to me at this stage.
I had ancestral relatives in Galveston in 1900 storm. My mother's maternal grandfather died and was buried there in 1898 but his brother, Frank Mundine, and his family were there. My grandmother (pictured in my autobiography) was 18 but her mother had moved the family back to the piney woods when she was widowed. Uncle Frank and family survived the storm but moved to Houston directly afterward where Uncle Frank was killed by a streetcar in the Heights.
Posted by: Glenda Burns Minniece | October 12, 2008 at 04:37 PM
Glenda, your help means a lot. The Red Cross has been really great during all this.
All our floors and drywall taken out, sprayed to prevent the mold coming back, and floors to be installed starting tomorow. (Actually, our 95-year-old wood floors in front are still there, to be sanded and refinished.)
We went out to look at appliances, bought a water heater and refrigerator so far, going to redo the kitchen completely. The sad thing is, redecorating like this and not knowing whether it will last. Everything is impermanent, of course, but this is ridiculous. We ended up throwing out 90 percent or so of the furniture downstairs. Some people salvaged it out of our front yard before the debris haul-off, but I don't know about recycling something so moldy and nasty, though they are welcome to it if they can use it.
I keep meeting people who lost everything, except the clothes they were wearing, practically, or their car. Asked at church to donate school uniforms to the kids who lost theirs. Trying to set up a clothes closet for Galveston College students. UTMB still closed down, little medical care on the island. My phone will be repaired Nov. 3, so I hear. (We can dial out, but people can't call us; make it nice and quiet, actually.)
One of John's co-worker's came home to find a dead dolphin in her living room. Bet that stunk even worse than our house, which we can go into without putting on face masks now, at least.
So many little stores and restaurants closing down. The one bookstore with new books has decided to take the insurance money and close. Be a good time to open a bookstore, I said to John, but he said that if they were making money they would have reopened. Sounds tempting, though. Hard times for booksellers, when it's easy to order any book online. The Rosenberg Library is closed, very flood damaged.
Hundreds of people are living in tents, they are trying to get trailers in for when the weather gets cold.
We have gas, but no water heater, stove, dryer, or furnace to use it in. Cold showers are so brisk. Fortunately the weather has stayed pretty warm so far and the water heater we bought is coming Thursday.
I have seen some white-winged doves, but they are very quiet. I wonder what kind of numbers they have to have to start cooing. I used to hear them (Who-cooks-for-you?) every morning, but not lately. The flyway for migratory birds was supposed to be in bad shape, as the hurricane stripped all the mulberries from the trees. The strong birds will survive, I suppose. All our pecans were knocked down, but I would not dream of gathering them up for baking, not after they soaked in all that nasty water. We have been watering our trees. Some scoffed, but the pecans are starting new leaves. I don't know if the crepe myrtle will make it.
The blessing in disguise is that this hurricane has made people helpful and neighborly, as well as appreciative of "ordinary" things. The first time the trash collectors came by, everyone on my block came out and applauded.
Posted by: Laura McNeil Burns | October 12, 2008 at 07:12 PM
Tired but wanted to say hello to
everyone.
Herbert
Posted by: Herbert Johns | January 07, 2009 at 04:44 PM
Hi Herbert, I hope things are looking up over your way? Keep us in the loop as to any progress in the rehab of your community or the lack thereof.
There was something in the paper yesterday about rising crime in the storm zone at the beach. Probably just those who would take advantage of folks when they are most vulnerable.
Hang in there!
Posted by: Mike Roberts | January 08, 2009 at 07:47 AM
Herbert, Mike and Herd,
Wishing all a Happy New Year, a strange way to start a new year money/government/war ect. Bought a little sign from the wit of Winston Churchill, " IF YOU'RE GOING THRU HELL, KEEP GOING". As long as Old Glory is still flying I know there are people in our Government / armed services that are keeping us safe.
Herbert hoping the load is lighter in your part of the country for yourself and neighbors. You gave a very descriptive visual of the loss you all experienced.
Mike, John saw an add for Old Spice the other day and thought of you two, your purchase of the product is probably keeping them in business.
Linda
Posted by: Linda Strickland | January 08, 2009 at 12:55 PM
Hi Linda, I guess old habits are hard to break. My Father and his father both wore the stuff so I guess I came by it honest. The only other scent that I appreciated from " back in the day " was that of a good haircut.
I do stay up on some of the new scents though, thru gifts I get at Christmas time and when I pass a lady in the grocery with a refreshing fragrance about her. Do you think it imposing to ask, " Can you please tell me what is the name of that wonderful parfuuume you are carrying so graciously ".
Posted by: Mike Roberts | January 08, 2009 at 02:51 PM
Mike,
I am glad the parfuuume makers have come around to you guys, as some of the fragrances have a wonderful scents.
Ask the lady about her parfuuume, would be a great compliment to her. Be sure your wife is at your side. Would be a good pickup line for the single Buffalos.
I remember telling the staff about a nice smell on one of our male staff as he passed by, the expression on his face was a glow do think he had a higher step and seemed pleased as punch with himself. So.....works both ways with men and women. Everyone needs flowers (compliments) from time to time. Linda
Posted by: Linda Strickland | January 08, 2009 at 05:54 PM
Yes, Linda. That usually works for everyone's self esteem. It seems the older we get the more self esteem uplift we get and give is the better (ok I wasn't an English teacher).
Everyone notice the new email address. [email protected]
It seems that progress can be seen each day on the repairs around the area. Ranchers have miles and miles of
fence to build and wire and posts cost have gone out of sight, like gasoline did for a while. But it doesn't look like the farming costs are going down, but up.
Most of my friends have had to sell all of their cattle and will need to try to start over once the fences are built and the land has recovered from the salt and will grow grass that will sustain the livestock or grow crops.
Folks look for food prices to go UP. When a $150,000 tractor that isn't paid for is junked, that hurts and it is hard to recover financially. Yes, insurance helps, but how are the fields worked in the meantime? Most fields south of Highway 73 are unable to grow crops or grass.
Until later... going to bed early for a change. Herbert Johns
Posted by: Herbert Johns | January 09, 2009 at 12:12 AM
Herbert,
Times are hard for many people in all walks of life. Sad to hear of many business closing.
Speaking of good scents, Chanell Five is closing out.
Hear the pawn shops are quiet busy. Visited one the other day saw a picture of a Black man holding a guitar with a caption that read, " If a guitar hasn't been in a pawn shop it can't play the blues". By the way, didn't pawn anything, Sonny went in there to buy a 12 gage riot gun.
Wonder how many Victory Gardens are going to be planted this Spring. I have encouraged Sonny to buy rice everytime he goes to the store and he laughs at me.
I have a couple of ration books from way back when wonder if they will still be honored?
The herd was born on the tail end of a Depression and now in our retirement we are in the worse recession since 1945.
Little things in life are more precious. Love of family, friends, simple enjoyments are very special at this time to me.
Pardon my rambling always felt talking it out helps and in this day and time many people are laughing to keep from crying.
Herbert I know those farmers you are talking about have an upbeat attitude, part of that Texan drive/spirit.
Linda
Posted by: Linda Strickland | January 09, 2009 at 04:34 PM
Yes, Linda. The farmers and ranchers are not like the CEO's and Accountants of the big Auto Co.s, Banks, and etc that make $Million salaries with $Million benefits and planes. The workers aren't getting any $Billion help from the taxpayer and they are not in trouble due to their own greed and crookedness. Any other thief would go to jail for what the CEO's and accountants have done and not be given more money to steal. I'll get off of my soapbox.
Posted by: Herbert Johns | January 17, 2009 at 11:49 PM
You tell em Herbert, the CEO's should be payed to the tune of their performance, and the politicians should be payed in the same manner. I think then you would find them all in a soup line.
Posted by: Mike Roberts | January 18, 2009 at 10:38 PM
Write your Congressman & Senators
I do and did about every week. I
let them know how I feel, not that
it does any good but they don't
know how we feel unless we tell
them.
Posted by: Herbert Johns | January 19, 2009 at 07:57 PM
You got it Herbert, I do write them. Perhaps not often enough.
My latest revelation was that they cut their numbers in half, cut their pay by 2/3's, their pensions completely and get on SS with the rest of us. I do not expect that to happen, but it would surely be easier to keep up with them.
Posted by: Mike Roberts | January 19, 2009 at 09:48 PM
Do you all know anything about educators not being able to draw full Social Security benefits when they retire?
We found that so unbelievable that we didn't take it serious until recently when we started figuring out what we can expect in retirement. We naturally assumed we would get SS benefits like everyone else. Ed was required to pay both SS and Texas Teacher Retirement for many years and is fully vested. In most places, public educators no longer pay SS, but for many years they were required to do so.
I have not been employed at the right time or long enough in jobs that required/allowed SS participation so I do not have sufficient credits to expect anything. However, we WERE expecting that Ed would collect his benefits and that I would get the usual spouse benefits. NOT SO!
We will draw only a modest percentage of Ed's benefits, and I will get NO spouse benefits. We have now gone to a number of seminars and information meetings, and we have read a LOT of material about this. Do you know why we will not get full SS benefits???
Because it would be considered a WINDFALL. Yep, it's the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). We will get our Teacher Retirement benefits - but believe me, that is NOT a windfall. If we got both Teacher Retirement and SS benefits it would not be a windfall. How ludicrous! Teacher Associations have been working on this for years, it gets good press, looks like it will be repealed, then dies. I do know that Obama as a senator was vocal about repealing the WEP.
Now, don't most other professionals get full SS benefits in addition to their company, government, or military pension? Please set me straight if that is not correct. Karla
Posted by: Karla Lofgren Davis | January 19, 2009 at 11:28 PM
Karla
I've been away from Denver for the month and out of touch. I just read your note about the WEP. I do know something about this provision and will send you some information in the next few days.
Best,
Paul
Posted by: Paul Schrader | January 24, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Going to Galveston to see Time share next Saturday2/7/09 I think
Just to get away again and relax
Just got back from a cruise for 3days but I guess another day won't matter much. At least it will be enjoyable.
Posted by: Herbert Johns | February 03, 2009 at 10:55 PM
Well, Herbert did you have fun on your cruise? Where did you go? Play the slots?Eat a lot? Dance? Let us know how much fun you had. Just think, spring is coming soon with its renewal. Things always look better with a little green grass growing around us.
Posted by: Sheila Steele Howard | February 04, 2009 at 09:40 AM