Before & After (photos -- dial up warning)

[merh]

I found a photo of my house before Katrina





This is my house after Katrina





And this is my lot & where I live now

[SeattleGirl]

1. Wow!

Amazing, merh. How's life in the Femansion these days? :hug:

[merh]

Life is good.

Still taking it one day at a time.

How are you, SG?

:loveya:

[SeattleGirl]

5. I'm good.

Give your furbaby a hug for me! :loveya:

[merh]

8. I will

Thank you :hug: :loveya:

[graywarrior]

2. Holy crap.

I'm already stressing about this coming summer.

[merh]

4. Just imagine -- another session in the femansion.

:scared: I know what you mean about stressing. :freak:

I've got to get something done before June, I just have to.

[graywarrior]

27. Yeah, I'm actually thinking of getting out of here by June.

[merh]

35. I can guarandamntee you that I will be heading north

the next time one of those storms even looks this way. :freak:

[pitohui]

3. christ your poor house was crushed like a bug wasn't it?

how were able to find your pictures?

did you have them restored by a service? i know a lot of people are doing that around here

[merh]

6. Oh, I didn't save any from my house.

I don't have any of my personal documents or photos or family videos.

I have to get a new birth certificate, social security card and deeds to my house.
The title to my vehicle was history, but it was totaled, so no biggee.

I found this photo in some of my papers at my office.

:hi:

[FuzzySlippers]

7. Hi sweetie.

I'm so sorry about your house.

:hug:

[merh]

10. Thanks Fuzzy!

:hug:

[liberaltrucker]

9. Damn.

Just like I saw along I 10 last week. I'll post a more happy pic in a few minutes. Look for a meet-up thread. I had lunch with a famous Loung Lizard.I'm happy y'all are OK per my PM's.

[merh]

13. Hello liberaltrucker!

:hi:

Can't wait for you to post your photo. :bounce:

Thanks for the pmails and your concern. :hug:

[no name no slogan]

11. oh merh

That reminds me... I should get your addy from Sugar Smack and send you a care package.

Anything you need right now (that can be safely sent via mail/UPS, that is :evilgrin:)?

[merh]

14. Aww, thanks no name no slogan

:hug:

I didn't post this with that in mind, though I do love care packages and any happy you send will bring a smile to my face. :P

I posted it as a matter of perspective I guess and so that folks don't forget an entire region of the country that needs help.

Folks need to keep us in mind, the prezidunce forgot about us in his SOTU the other night. x(

[no name no slogan]

15. ew yeah, "Misstur Prezidunce"

unfortunately, he was up here in St. Paul today, making a complete ass of himself, AND pissing off a bunch of liberal arts majors, to boot (some inane crack about "history majors" unable to work with technology while visiting 3M's HQ).

The funny thing is, I know more liberal arts grads working in tech than I do tech school grads. Go figure.

:hi:

[Redstone]

12. Oh, God damn. How the hell could we all have forgotten so soon?

Is this entire country afflicted with ADD?

Why isn't this fixed by now? We're the richest country in the world, and there's NO excuse for things not having been made right for you folks by now.

Any suggestions as to how we can help? It's a damn good bet that your Government isn't interested in you, so it's up to us now.

Redstone

[merh]

16. Even I have become complacent, to a degree.

I got comfortable in my space, from my trailer to work and back, same destruction just blurred and became numb to it.

But today, we drove through a part of the city of D'Iberville called Lamey Point. It WAS a huge neighborhood on a penisula north east of me. I promise you that there was not a structure left, everything was flattened. And for all of the flattened/non-existent homes, there weren't that many trailers. I kept asking were are the people.

I have lived on the MS Gulf Coast all of my life, I can only venture out to see the devastation in spurts, it is so painful, so very sad.

I don't know what to tell you about how to help. I know that there are DUers that are here working as volunteers helping with the cleaning and rebuilding. I know that if it weren't for the volunteer groups and churches, we wouldn't be as far along as we are. And we have years to go.

FEMA is building permanent offices. They know that it will be years before the Coast is close to what it once was. :cry:

Keep sending out those positive energies, keep encouraging and caring, keep saying prayers if that is a part of your heart.

Just don't forget us.

:hug:

[Redstone]

20. You're not complacent, you're numb. As anyone would be.

What has happened to my America? Where did it go? If this had happened in, say, 1959, the Federal government would have had a dozen prefab-house factories running three shifts down there within eight weeks of the hurricane.

They'd have had diesel-electric locomotives on every undamaged railroad siding within a week of the hurricane, generating electricity.

They'd have nationalized any and every industry that was needed to help rebuild and recover.

Ike would have done that. And Congress would have backed him up. They'd have gotten the country to roll up its sleeves and get to work, and not stop until everything was fixed.

That's how the Republicans used to be. And look what they've become.

But we haven't forgotten. We "America Haters" still care about our fellow Americans.

Redstone

[merh]

23. Did you realize that 1/3 of New Orleans is without power

to this day?

They are so pissed off at the weed-that-would-be-king's SOTU, how he lightly touched upon the storm, didn't even name her, just referred to the money committed to date.

His buddies and the corporations are getting rich while we get by.

We had severe weather last night, my trailer rocked in the wind from 2:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. and I prayed that no tornados were in the clouds nearby (tornados did hit the NOLA airport).

Folks are still living in tents, I wonder how scared they were. I was pretty unnerved, I can just imagine how they felt.

Yes, a true leader would have all the resources of the nation busy helping us rebuild.

We have no leaders. :cry:

It is often hard to remain hopeful.

[Redstone]

28. Like I mentioned, a GM diesel-electric locomotive parked on a siding

can generate enough electricity for at least 500 households. Closer to 1,000 with a bit of storage and conservation management.

Simple solution, but one that doesn't seem to have ocurred to any of the FEMA geniuses.

I read about the tornadoes this morning, and thought "good Lord, haven't those people had enough to deal with already?"

But hey, when you can't stand it anymore, you can always come to Connecticut for a week; we have plenty of room. At least it would give you a bit of a break...though you may want to wait a few months; we've had a warm winter, but it's still chilly outside.

Redstone

[merh]

33. Simple solutions are not a part of this admin's vision.

Consider how many folks would have been saved if they had dispatched the national guard before the storm. Instead, it is the guard fighting in their greedy war.

Thank you for the open door and for caring. :hug: :loveya:

[Redstone]

34. You're welcome. And that door is always open.

We don't lock them at night around here.

Redstone

[merh]

44. How wonderful

I have to chain down the propane tanks on my trailer - folks are stealing them. x(

And it is really disturbing the number of houses, condos and businesses that have "YOU LOOT, WE SHOOT" written on their walls in huge letters. :freak:

:hug:

[Shine]

17. Oh, babe!! How're you doin'??

:loveya: :hug:

[merh]

24. I'm hanging in there.

Bumpy night last night and a trip outside of my comfort zone has shaken me, but that is to be expected, I suppose.

Thanks for the hug & the love.

:hug: :loveya:

[Suich]

18. Thanks for posting the pix, Merh!

How are you doing with the insurance co.? Are you making any headway at all? How about others in your area...is any construction going on?

I take it you mentioned June because that's when the new hurricane season starts?

:hi:

[merh]

25. Insurance companies have all of their bets covered.

They know that the state and federal government will not force them to pay our claims (or they won't ever write policies in our state again *pout*)

They have denied most of the claims. If you had wind policies, they say the flood waters destroyed your home. If you had flood and no wind, they say the wind destroyed it.

Insurance companies are evil and heartless.

And yes, June is the new season. :scared:

[ScreamingMeemie]

19. Oh merh....dear merh.

I can't even begin to imagine or to say words that would make up for all you have lost... But, you will always have my friendship, and whatever else you need. :hug: :loveya: Is there anything, ANYTHING at all that you need?

[merh]

26. Just keep me in your prayers.

And when I get in a funky mood, kick my ass or give me a hug.

Your friendship means the world to me and your love and encouragement helps more than you know.

:hug: :loveya:

When I get a house you can send me a happy! :D

[lizziegrace]

21. Wow Merh

That's amazing. Trees are gone, and the house doesn't even look like it was ever there. You have such resiliency. :hug:

[merh]

29. I have to be resilient.

The alternatives do not appeal to me. :hi:

Thanks for the hug :hug:

[lizziegrace]

32. I know you don't want to be

but you're still my hero!

:hi:

[merh]

36. Aww

misty eyed here.

There are hundreds of others that are braver than I am here. We are the walking wounded and I swear some folks have aged 10 years in these 5 months.

:hug: :loveya: Thank you for the sweet words. :pals:

[RevCheesehead]

22. Do you mind if I print these out?

I want to use them in church - to show the human side of the equation.
(They already know who you are, and are praying for you. O8) )

:hug::loveya:

[merh]

30. Those prayers help more than you can know.

Yes, please use them as you need.

Don't let folks forget us. :hug: :loveya:

[RevCheesehead]

31. That's precisely why I want to copy them.

So people never, ever forget. :hug:

[merh]

37. thank you

:hug: :loveya:

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

38. Well that one tree did okay...

what is that? Walnut?

[merh]

40. I have a hickory tree left and an oak and 1.5 pines.

I lost 2.5 pines and 3 oaks.

The positive out of this will be that if I ever get the chance to seed my lot, my lawn will be greener, less shade to stunt its growth.

:shrug:

[bigwillq]

39. Wow. That is stunning.

I can't really seem to think of anything else to say but wow.
What an awful tragedy. I'm very sorry for you loss merh.
How is the recovery process going? Insurance?? Gov't help, etc???

:hug:

[merh]

41. It is a slow & very tedious process.

One day at a time.

I am a survivor of Katrina and a victim of red tape.

Thanks for the hug :hug:

[bigwillq]

42. Well you know

my thoughts and positive vibes are always being sent in your direction. :hug:

I wish only the best for you and your family.

[merh]

43. Thank you so much.

Those postive thoughts and vibes help more than you can know. :hug:

[proud2BlibKansan]

45. Oh Merh

How devastating.

I so admire your positive outlook. Hope all is going as well as can be expected. :hi: :hug:

[merh]

46. Thanks proud2Blib

:hug: thank you for the well wishes :loveya:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

47. It's disgraceful how long it's taking

to get things taken care of there.

I wish to god I knew why we're paying big money to keep getting guys killed in Iraq when we can't take care of people here...

I hope things start moving soon for you, Merh. :hug:

[merh]

50. thanks

:hug:

[Lorien]

48. That's just awful

but I'm glad that a few trees are left standing and that you aren't forced to sleep in a tent.

What can we do to help?

[merh]

51. I'm doing a lot better than others.

:hi:

[billyskank]

49. ...

:loveya:

[merh]

52. ..

:hug:

[Call Me Wesley]

53. We still have you in our prayers.

:hug:

[merh]

57. thank you

:hug:

[donheld]

54. merh, My heart goes out to you and the rest

Wish I could do more. Can anyone tell me that any other progressive nation would let a major area like this go un-aided? It shames us as a nation.

[merh]

56. Your support and concern helps.

Thank you.

And, no, I can't think of one progressive nation that would allow 5 months to pass with so little aid being offered to the citizens.

The corporations continue to profit while the hopes of the citizens fade.

[nini]

55. Holy crap

:cry:


I can't imagine the hell you've gone through :hug:


And to think you're one of the lucky ones as far as losing loved ones. It's mind boggling. :(

[merh]

59. Thanks for the hug, nini.

:hug:

[Benfea]

58. Hugs!

It's been how many months since Katrina is? It looks like the Republican plan to turn us into a third world nation is working. :(

[merh]

60. Welcome to DU, Benfea!

:hi:

It has been 5 months since Katrina and I have no idea what the plan is for our nation, I'm terrified that you could be correct in your assessment. :scared:



thanks for the hug :hug:

[WritingIsMyReligion]

61. Bloody hell...

What a nightmare. Crushed by nature herself, and ignored by man.

Jeez.....

:scared:

:hug:

[merh]

62. I need a bumper sticker that reads that way.

Wow, I believe you practice your religion well.

:hug:

[merh]

63. Just thought I would kick

for the sake of perspective!

[El Fuego]

64. Oh my God.

I'm so sorry. :hug:

[merh]

65. thank you

:hug:

Life could be worse though, I could be living in that tent in the photo or in Iraq.

I am blessed to have hade DU and the lounge lizards to help me through this very trying time.

[Shell Beau]

66. Wow!! That is devastating! I knew you had some major damage, but damn!!

God bless you, girl!! :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:


:loveya:

[merh]

68. Thanks Shell Beau

I guess saying Katrina "bitch slapped me" isn't overstating things. x(

Thanks for the hugs :hug: :loveya:

[bridgit]

67. merh...

:hug:

[merh]

69. thanks, bridgit

the hugs do help :hug: :hug: