Good Morning Beach Babes, I just wanted to say that I have been lurking about for a little while here on the beach. I have received encouragement from you encouraging each other that I decided to pull up a towel.

I live in the northwest corner of Alabama. If you were watching the coverage as the storm moved thru, it's only about 45 min from Tupelo, Mississippi. We had near hurricane force winds here in my home town...I have never been so afraid in my life...I sat and watched the trees around my house bending and whipping around like crazy. we didn't get much damage but it was a night I'll never forget. We spent the better part of our afternoon cleaning up our yard, and still have a lot to clean up.
I just want to say that some of the folks in New Orleans honestly couldn't afford to evacuate! these people live totally reliant on public transportation, and had no where else to go. They didn't have the resources to evacuate.
My family and I visited New Orleans a couple of years ago, I'm glad that we got to see it because it'll never be the same. We had talked about going back again soon, but I guess that'll never happen. We drove down I-90 and actually took pictures of some of the casinos in Biloxi. It really brings it close to home. my heart is just broken...just knowing that my "neighbors" are lacking the essentials of life! Last night while my family sat around the table to eat our supper, I just couldn't get out of my mind that there are so many down there, that won't have a hot meal for a long while! God be with them!

What makes me mad about it is the idiots that are looting!! Last night they were showing the footage from a wal-mart...I can almost understand the people taking food and water and even medicine...but the ones taking electronics and toys and stuff like that! there were even a couple of New Orleans Police officers with a shopping cart walking thru taking stuff! and when they were asked what they were doing they just said "We're doing what we gotta do!" they said they were trying to run out the looters! how crazy is that.

I'm glad you are safe, PHins. I can't believe those cops! This morning I am appreciating my warm and dry house with a kitchen full of food. It's very windy and rainy here but it's nothing compared to what's happened down South.

I think we are missing a few other Southerners. I hope they get a chance to check in.

Pearshape~~I agree with everything that you said. This is a major devastation . I think that many people, like your DBF, don't understand why the people didn't leave when they could. Some of the reasons are that many of those people are very poor, don't have cars to evacuate the area, don't have money for a hotel in another city and don't have family or friends to go stay with (that live outside of this major area of the south). This doesn't even take into account for the elderly and frail. How do you evacuate entire major cities. It does make you mad, though, when you see people looting TV sets (and non-esential things like food) . I mean, where are they going to take this TV set anyway?????

Ruth~~Thank you for checking on Bamie I was worried about her. Has anybody heard from PhinsUp???

Fl Mom~I'm so sorry to hear about your MIL. My prayers go out to her and the family. Very happy to see you back here

Nana~Welcome to the beach

Schatzi~~You got me on the "male" c.c.cookies. I walked right into that That was a good one. Between that and your "bathroom experience", you made me laugh so loud!!!!

The sun is out and the winds are down today. As soon as my hair dries, I plan on taking a quick drive in the new car, as I haven't driven it yet. Shoot, it has so many buttons and controls it will take awhile to figure everything out. The navagation system not only comes with an instruction book of it's own but it also has a tutorial DVD!

Ruth, it's a Lexus RX330 (car-based V6 SUV) with leather interior, heated seats (just like you!!), 6 CD player, moon roof, navagation system, back up camera, and it is Blue Tooth wired for hands free cellphone talking. The headlights even shift as you turn the wheel so it lights your path a few seconds ahead of you.

Hey, PhinsUp, we were posting at the same time. I'm so glad that you came through this OK. I was worried about you. Thanks for letting us know how you are doing.

Good Morning Chiicks

Well!!! my DGC(5year old twins) are going to kindergarden in their new school .
DD House is going to be quit . We're going to put the speacker phone on when we call them this afternoon asking how they like & how they felt going into their new school. I believe my new born GC are now grown up and in school. How time flys by.

Another exciting thing is happening My clothes are getting losser,with all the exercising I doing upped my actiivities from 60 to 90 mins yesterday. I couldn't believe that I was on the bike that long.

Little chick & Ellis Hi Have a nice day

Weezle-Sorry about those Morning statr chik making you sick. My brand is Bosca the burgers, chik, Italian sauages are great. The only thing I buy from Morning star is the bacon.

Mamamcita- Happy to hear your be on line soon.

Ruth-We need the rain,Happy to be Dancing in the Rain sorry about your down pour wish we had some. Glad to hear that you mananged to maintain after Marios.

Fl_mom- Sorry to hear about your MIL.Sending prayers and hugs your way. Your 4 lbs will come off once the stress is gone.

Barb-I think starting school before Labor Day has lot to do,with "Panic Stations" of what happened last winter with the snow storms. They don't want to miss the days they lost.

Pearshape-Don't be up set but I agree with your BF. They should have left,when they were told. But I heard a commentator report this morning that they didn't want to leave there homes because of the looters.


Have a nice day Hugs BB

I have a friend who is a US congresswoman. She just wrote me the following: "The stories I heard yesterday were so dreadful. Some of this information is beginning to come out in the news, and we should brace ourselves for more dreadful stuff to be reported."

Just a quickie b/c to be a broken record
works nuts
FL_Mom Your Poor MIL! as for her SO pfft not worth the body she's in
Pear I agree with you
If you have the means and ability to get out then you can if not you're stuck and you can't go anywhere
Phins I'm so glad you are ok
The good news is my cravings have died down HURRRRRRRRAY
BBIab
Kierie

Nana21 -- Welcome!!

Ellis -- Hope you have a great day despite the rain.

Weezle -- So "STAY AWAY!!"" would be your recomendation on the fake chicken?? So sorry you had to stay in your bathroom all night .

Mamacita --How often does your knitting group meet? It sounds like fun even with just the 2 of you. How long have you been doing the meetings?

Ruthxxx---Can I have one of those cabana boys too??? If one shows up ask if he has friends . btw -- what is the xxx for after your name??? Anything I'm missing here??

fl_mom -- welcome back! Nice to meet you. (((Big Hugs to you))) sorry about your MIL an the situation. that is wonderful that you are there to help he and that the companies are willing ot work with her. we are here for you to vent any time you need to .

Beach Gal -- Thank you for the info on thehungersite.com . Very interesting stuff -- I've bookmarked it. Also -- congratson getting back to the gym!!

djett626 -- Hope you have a great day!! Have fun at the grocery -- I'm dreading our trip to get stocked up at the beginning of next week. I hate kissing my $ goodbye right when I get it.

barb1037 -- I'll send some good healthy eating vibes your way on Sunday if you can send me some for the weekend !! We're going to my moms house and she totally stocks up for her grandkids. Oh the temptations!!!!

pearshape-- So did you just wanna bop your bf inthe back of the head? I can understand his point of view but I don't agree with it. I think that in our day and age we have become desensitized to a lot of the carnage and devistation that occures around the world and that we find it easy to isolate ourselves from the bad when it isn't happening to us. I really feel for the folks that have lost everything despite their circumstances and I pray that as a nation we can pull through for our folks when we need it most. Ok -- I'll step down from my box now...

PHinsUP! -- Glad ya'll are doing well!!!

2BFit1 -- Your new car sounds wonderful . Send some of that new car smell our way!!

beach bum -- Congrats on the loose clothes!!

KO -- YAY!! It's awesome when those cravings lessen and disappear . Way to go!!

Me -- well, now all 3 kids have a cold but at least it is really only a minor one. I wonder how many we will have this school year... I took a look at my intakes over the weekend and the calories were in a good range but it was the sodium that was getting me. I am now back down to the 10 lbs lost plus almost another 1/2 lb !!! I will continue to track my calories and sodium for a few more days as I try some new recipies. It has done me good to see some #'s. I am still having trouble with getting my exercise in with the sick kids but I have been trying to make it up in extra house work and a lot less sitting on my butt. I'm looking forward to tomorrow night and having a family dinner OP with Leanne and Christa (No, I'm Sweet Tea and Ftchck). I'm off to look at the recipies!!

Hope everyone has a good OP day!!

Just checked in and WOW did I miss a few posts while I was putting my own together!

fl_mom: I am just heartboken over your story about your MIL! How can anyone who professes to care be so heartless! She is very lucky to have your help during these trying times! Hang in there....you will come through it a stronger person than you were before. We're all here for you!

Beachgal: Cravings are hard to ignore! Do you really want to wait until next week to go back to P1? I love SF ice cream, but I try to stay away from it if I can help it exactly for that reason. Hope the pup is OK and the vet gives her a clean bill of health! Good luck finding that ballet class! If you are worried about fat rolls, they should disappear after you start that class. Great exercise, isn't it?

Welcome Nana21!

Sweet Tea: I will be sending good eating vibes your way ALL weekend! We'll be strong together. Enjoy your family dinner!

I know I missed some of you, but the boss is waiting outside my cubicle, so I better get going before he sees what I am really doing!

Hi all, I've been lurking around and I posted a lil bit. I enjoy reading all your posts in the daily threads and I wanna be a part of it.Hope ya have room for another towel.

We always have room for another towel. Welcome!

Mornin' All - Well, it is morning for me, on the West Coast. It is so hard to believe what is going on in the South. Devastating. It really amazes me how different the weather can be in diff parts of the US. We are bone dry here & desparately need some rain. I'm really glad to hear that you're doin' ok, PhinsUP - I can only imagine what your night was like. My BIL is in FL & had told us stories about hurracaines & waiting them out. Must have been terrifying.

Pearshape - Must have been a tough talk with you BF last night. Sometimes it is just so hard to wrap your head around this kind of devastatation.

Mamacita - I used to belong to a stitch and *****/knitting group. It sort of fell by the wayside after a good year - everyone got busy & (I think) summer just isn't knitting "season". KWIM?

I'm doing well with my pre-camping, slow titration to Phase 2 eating plan. I went to Trader Joes last night & stocked up on cheses, WW crackers, eggs, lettuce and trail mix. Thanks to everyone who offered ideas. I'm taking tomorrow off - so, I'll have a really nice long weekend. I'll be offline from this afternoon til' Tuesday - so wish me luck.

Other ladies - I am touched by so many of your comments about Katrina and plans to offer support (blood/money/prayers). I hope that your mornings (afternoons?) are pleasant.

Take care, Roxy55

Hello chicks I was coming in to complain about the level of noise around here again today. After reading all the post I decided that I won't, because my life is not nearly as bad as someothers right now.

A big hello to all the newbies and returners. Glad everyone is safe and sound. Have a great day ladies.

Hey all....Bad news...My Mom lives in Gulfport...and she lost everything. She and her husband evacuated, but they lost their home, business, and all belongings...Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Hope everyone has a good day.
Kathy