:lol::lol::lol:

I had to go with "other". I wish I had been homeschooled, just not by MY parents. :p hehe

If that was the case there I would seriously send a copy of those news clippings to NOAA along with an account of your personal experiences and ask them to upgrade it's category for it's Louisiana landfall. It's important that information be accurate about these storms IMO because people make life or death decisions based upon that information. Andrew was initially thought to be a strong cat 4 when it hit here and there was a report filed after the fact calling for it to be raised to a cat 5 based upon pressure readings and wind readings in Dade county after landfall and they amended it and raised the category rating. It may seem like splitting hairs to some, but you and I, who have been through these things know how people make value judgments based upon the information. It's human nature to make comparisons and to make decisions based upon understanding of the facts. That has real life implications. Case in point: Hurricane Charley was a cat 4 when it made landfall. The officials were calling for evacuations and some people stayed behind thinking it wasn't going to be that bad. A man and his son died in their car because they didn't evacuate beforehand and when things got thick they tried to leave and outrun the storm and got caught up in it. :( I think that's why it's so important to have accurate information since people make decisions based upon that information. How many people in Louisiana pooh poohed the thought of Katrina being a threat and refused to evacuate when she was still out on the Gulf citing Hurricane Camille as an example and how the levees held. That is what I'm saying. People make decisions based upon information. It's important to know that yes a strong category 3 storm can cause this much damage. That was really what I was trying to point out in my previous post. I hope that Isaac isn't too bad for ya'll. Stay safe! :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: I'm not trying to minimize what you went through at all and I am sorry if that is how what I said made you feel. I went through Andrew myself here in Florida and it was the scariest thing I've ever been through so believe me I understand. I am not downplaying anyone's experiences at all. :grouphug::grouphug: The reason I felt compelled to correct the information is because when one is talking about levees and evacuations, it's good to be dealing with accurate information. This one may not be a cat 3 or higher but we're still a long way from November 30th, kwim? If one knows that Katrina struck as a Cat 3 with 125 mph maximum sustained winds and at that strength it took the levees out that flooded the city that is information one can go on when making comparisons between storms. The news likes to make everything dramatic and in the process a lot of the time the real useful information that one would want to make and educated decision can be lost. If one knows the facts about the matter it can help them make an educated decision for themselves and their families. That's where I was coming from.

:) I'm so happy for you. I really want a more rural existence too. I dream of it! :) Maybe some day I'll be able to get out of this city and move further north where things are more calm and quiet. :) Where are you living now? Do you actually have a farm?? Sorry for the nosy questions, but I'm curious. hehe :p

:hurray: I'm so happy it's over. Phew! That has to be a load off of your mind. :cheers2: indeed! :)

According to the 1am advisory, Isaac is still a tropical storm. :hurray: I'm so glad it's not intensifying as quickly as they initially predicted. The sustained winds (again at the 1am advisory) are 70mph. :) Hopefully it stays that way. I know it's not fun to go through, but a cat1 is better than a cat 2 or higher any day. :) Stay safe everyone. :grouphug: Oh, I also just wanted to correct some misinformation in this thread if you will allow me. Both Andrew and Katrina were category 3 hurricanes when they made landfall in Louisiana. Katrina was a category 5 (and the strongest storm on record to boot!) while over water, but she decreased before making landfall to 125 mph maximum sustained winds. Andrew was a 5 when it hit Florida, but it also was a 3 when it made landfall in Louisiana. :iagree: :iagree: So true! They love to capitalize on the potential viewership during a disaster by fear mongering. It's a dangerous game that costs lives.

Happy birthday big boy!! Have a wonderful time at Disney!! Don't even worry about missing that week of school! :p :D :party: :hurray: :thumbup:

oh noooooooooooooooo!!!! How awful! I'm so so sorry. :( :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: I sincerely hope it's not that bad. Oh that really stinks. :(

:lol::lol::lol::lol: Canada for the win!

Woo Hoo!! That's awesome! :) :hurray: :cheers2: :thumbup:

:lol::lol::lol:

Interesting.:)

That is a scary thought! :eek:

cute!! I like that one!:)

DD showed it to me when I showed her the result from "askew". hehehe She's like, "oh yeah, there's a bunch of them." "tilt" works too. :)

I HATE cockroaches and palmetto bugs. shudder :ack2:

hehehehehe try googling "do a barrel roll" :D

I am completely confused about what is going on in this thread. :confused:

There is a difference between having a box full of stuff to use for arts and crafts and a giant EMPTY box in the patio that we keep for no other reason than "in case we move someday". lol Not quite the same. :p I don't see anything wrong with having stuff that you actually use. :)

I love Whale Rider!! Makes me cry every time I see it.

:lol::lol:. I'll see your crouching tiger and raise you a Beers of a Geisha. :p hehe

What defines 'hard-of-hearing'? What??

Das Beer

The Odd Beer or The Beer Couple