that should read to do not do do...

Quote:
" "God works in mysterious ways!"
"you knew the risks when you moved to a state that is susceptible to such storms"
And Quote:
"folks tend to root for the underdog"

As there is a cat. 5 hurricane bearing down on my back door at the moment and I've been under attack twice in the last 30 days from a cat. 4 and a cat. 3, believe me, I think I've qualified for being an underdog here!

35 People dead from Ivan so far...not a pleasant thought. Let's all be civil to each other, you just never know what's going to happen anywhere, to anyone, at anytime. Life is short, and this not a rehearsal.

All of you suffering from these past and oncoming hurricanes -- Floridians and those in the Caribbean especially -- are in my thoughts and prayers. I can't imagine having three big hurricanes looming about in one summer.



Martha

You know, a week from now, I'll probably regret posting what I did. But can I ask that regardless of what you think about those that live here on the coast, that you refrain for sharing your negative opinions at the moment? I'm just too scared right now and feeling the burden of keeping my family safe, and I don't think I can bear the thought of someone thinking that I deserve it b/c I live where I live. I live where I live because I've always lived here. I don't know what else to say. My entire family lives here and we've lived here for over 40 years. It is what it is.
And I just can't handle hearing such heartless additions at the moment. It's nothing more than cruel.

One of the most mysterious things in The Great Design is some people's utter lack of empathy, let alone sympathy, almost always accompanied by ignorant but loud-mouthed judgmentalism. In the case of TopMan, however, I suspect yet another avatar for one of our two or three most inflammatory professional trolls.

For now, let the rest of us do whatever we can to support the part of humanity now in harm's, whether through prayer, compassionate word or deed, or simply donating to those who will try to help them pick up the pieces if necessary. I pray the Grand Design will spare Florida this time, even as I fear for the rest of the Caribbean.

TG, I find your remarks to be very strange at best. "Have you considered walking (hahaha)?" As for the arguement about God's involvement, I think its best left to individuals and their personal beliefs.

Hibiscushouse:
I know exactly where you are coming from. I can't believe some of the comments I've read on this thread. I was born and raised in Florida and have never experienced this much stress with our hurricane season. I just got power back to our home today...in time to see the projected path of Ivan. And even though I am scared to death, I cannot imagine living anywhere else. Once again,(did this during Charley, and Frances) I am scheduled to work at the hospital (I'm an RN) during the hurricane, so even if I wanted to leave....I can't. My best wishes go out to you and your family. I MORE than understand your frustration with those that do not understand the stress.

jor, you're right, it was strange. I thought highbay was saying that she wouldn't be able to get a flight. And I was suggesting she get out of Florida anyway, even walking. Sometimes my fingers react faster than my brain.

But I am strange, I can't deny that.

hibiscushouse,

Believe me we've all had our moments here lately.

I went to Home Depot today to buy a palm tree (don't ask) and they were setting up cones to start a second lane for cars pulling up to pick up their newly purchased plywood. When I got home, my neighbor who has "never" boarded up"--was boarded up.

If anyone is superstitious you'll love (or hate) this one. I don't know if any of you get or listen to the MJ/BJ synicated radio show in the mornings. They pointed out the this is the THIRD hurricane in THREE weeks and alphabetically, they fall 3, 6 & 9.


One son came home today with "hurricane homework" to do if there is no school next week--good grief. My daughter's volleyball coach insists that the team IS going to 3-day tournament starting in Orlando on Friday. My sixth grader gets extra credit tomorrow if he completes the assigment "The Top Ten Reasons why Ivan Won't Come to Florida". My 85-year-old dad who has weathered more tropical storms, hurricanes, tornadoes etc. than he can count is seriously thinking about going to his sister's house in Georgia if it looks like Ivan is going to hit us--THAT's when I REALLY got nervous.

It starting to feel like things are spinning out of control. Like my daughter's volleyball coach, I'm considering adopting the motto "better living through denial".

TG:
I did understand what you were thinking. But we are planning on driving. We did that last year and just altered our route because of Isabel. Maybe we should stop planning these hurricane season drives to Maine. I feel like we have "bad voodoo" on the state of Florida and the outer banks.

PS-- I forget to say that the neighbor who boarded up for the first time ever is a former member of the FL House of Reps, was on some committee that involves utility companies and knows the head Florida Power and Light guy. Apparently they have their own weather forecasting system and HE told her she'd better be ready.

Our thoughts are with all you Floridians as you prepare for another battering. Let's hope Ivan huffs and puffs himself out before reaching you. You've really had a rough time of it lately. But I know you'll bounce back, just like the old Timex commercial--takes a licking and keeps on ticking!

Ahhhhh, where, exactly, do you live again Jayne?

Personlly, the only "licking" I want now would be the cake batter left at the bottom of the bowl I'm going to whip up to continue eating my way through these disasters.

And what is it about "evacuation" food that makes you eat so much of it even when you know the storm is no longer a threat?

OHMYGAWD, I'm finally starting to babble.

Bradenton--the armpit of hurricane hell.

Ha! I remember all the times I asked about Hurricanes when my daughter was convincing us to move to Florida, when the Yankee wondered about weather here and he was told, Hurricanes never hit Jacksonville.
So we believed what we were told. We were lured here under false pretenses!
We thought that along with the glorious winter weather, picnics out on the patio in February,and lolling in my hammock with Sunblock on in March, it was worth some hot and humid summer weather.
So- who do we complain to? Hmmm, the mayor was out of power too. My neighbor has a tree lying on his house.
I guess I will just continue to whine to my dear Husband and be thankful that we are so blessed that we are not in a shelter right now- wondering when we will be allowed back into our home..if there is one left standing.
I lived in the NorthEast. Yes, the winters can be long and brutal but they do not blow your house away- your roof off or drown you. We had a fireplace, and a gas stove and managed when the lights went out- quite nicely .. and no one ever asked us why we chose to live in NY.
I understand some people feel that things "need to be said" but I feel that those people should wait a while to say them and not say them to the people involved. That is called Insensitive where I come from.
Thanks, I just felt that needed to be said ~

Hibuscus:

I think you may have misunderstood my "underdog" quote.

I was acknowledging you as the underdog while pointing out that cusing people out can detract from that "status"...if you will.

Since this board or thread is upsetting you maybe tune out.

I certainly mean you no harm or wish you no further ill will.

Peace

Oaktown, no problem, honey. I think I just had enough cahoona's to say what a few of us wanted to say. I've been deleted, and probably, that's appropriate. I appreciate Fodor's tolerance and understanding. Sometime's a good cry can clear one's head and you come back better in the end.
I'm just frightened, that's all it is...plain and simple. It won't matter if I ignore the post or not. And where I'm justified in being a bit freaked out, I'M not the one that's gonna gonna even consider tuning out. If it aggravates someone that I live where I live and I'm worried, than frankly, THEY can be the one to tune out and think about a vacation to la la land for all I care.
I have more important things to consider at the moment. Dontchathink?

I AM TIRED OF THE WEATHER CHANNEL! After this mess, if I never see it again, I will be happy!