Since I love seeing everyone's pics, I thought Id share a few from what this my life has been like in the last few weeks.

Im going to start off with a picture of Holly Beach. This is a before and after. This beach is on the gulf coast - directly 30 miles south of my house. (Penni, can you do a side by side for me?)

This is a pic of mom and dad's pool area. There was a whirly bird from a roof in there pool - and sheets of yellow siding from another house. Notice the roof on the house behind their wind blown fence. That house suffered 70% water damage. Mom and dad's house did great, few shingles missing - no water damage, just outside stuff.

OMG - Paula, there are simply no words...

So glad you are safe.

(((hugs)))

This is the house directly across the street from my parents. Rita decided to blow a hole directly through their 2nd floor. Both side of their house looks the same.

My parents home on the left. The yellow stuff is insulation from homes.

The parish was closed. No gas stations. No stores. No power. NOTHING! So we packed up and headed to NC to Mikes folks! Here are some shots from around the city as we were making our way out...

A building destroyed.

I hope you arent getting bored with these pics.

ok, so now we are in NC.

Hot baths! Hot meals! Gas stations open 24/7... even a Walmart! Life is good - once again!

Even though life seemed good, we knew there was a lot of work waiting at home... this is a picture from our drive way looking into the street.

After a week with Mike's parents, we were able to return home (2 weeks after the storm). We had a limb break the roof in our bedroom and caused ceiling damage - but NOT complaining. Our good friends lost 80% of there home to wind/rain damage, their home has been condemed. So we are happy with this little problem.

When something like this happens, you MUST focus on the good.

Marcus celebrated his 10th birthday on Oct 2nd. We were at Mike's parents. This was the first time he was ever able to have a party with his cousins (Mike's family). VERY special memories for us - and for them! (Oh my! Look how dirty Anne was!!!)

Since weve been home, Ive seen things that make my stomach knot up.

Im sure some of you remember us moving at the beginning of summer? The home we moved out of had a tree slice completely through the kitchen - down to the ground. Bricks and all - a 15 ft opening. That was disturbing.

But we are safe - and our home is livable. Kids will re-start school Tuesday.

Since Ive been out of the LBT loop for a while, I hope pics are still allowable? If not, any moderator has my permission to delete this thread.

Thanks everyone for viewing these. And more then anything... thanks for all the prayers youve sent this way. They were felt.

OMG - Donali is right there are no words to decribe the pics Of Holly Beach after Katrina hit WOW. The force of Nature is over whelming

I am so Happy that you only had moderate damage and you all still have a place Home for your children.

Oh, Paula! It's so hard to imagine what you've all been through. Thank goodness everyone is safe and sound. In retrospect it will all seem like an adventure.

Mary,

This was Rita - NOT Katrina! (I know, too many to remember the names)

What made this storm so memorable is the fact that the Katrina victims were in all the hotels, camp grounds, shelters and wherever else they could find rooms - and us Rita victims had NO place to evacuate to! When we were enroute to NC, we FINALLY found an empty room an hour from Atlanta. We live in Louisiana - and thats the Georgia border!