[texas girl]

As you know we have been forever changed over here because of the recent hurricane.

Gas prices have increased by almost $1 per gallon in a week.

For the first time ever I am charging a surcharge on each contract because it costs a lot to go from job to job. I am going to charge for estimates if they are out of town very far.

I really feel for the people that lost everything. Today was the first time I have attended Church since my son died a year ago;(it felt really good). There were  a few families that were from New Orleans. This local area has taken in well over 1000 victims.

If I could I would take in a family and hire the dad. But I can't afford it. I donated some $.

Even tho at first it appeared as tho everything fell apart, there has been a large outpouring of help and optimism. It is bringing us all together as a nation.

They are already beginning the recovery process; fixing a levy and clean up. It will take years to recover and rebuild. It has been a horrible devistating event.

A disaster like this I have never seen in my life time.  It was almost of biblical proportions; millions of people lost everything they worked all their lives for. Everything!

Imagine for a moment having to leave your house; car; business; job; family; all your belongings, tools, furniture, appliances; everything!

I don't know the entire impact yet but I spent $74.00 to fill up my truck the other day. Window cleaners drive a lot; so planning has to be more precise.

Count your blessing mates; you never know what might happen.

Hugs,

Texas Girl

[Sir Squeaky]

Hi Texas Girl.
You've been busy typing this morning!

Awful times in New Orleans.
It seems a lot of people have a rather changed view of the US government now too.

I hear they're now asking us for help, tiny little Britain!
It just seems strange how the most powerful, richest country in the world is asking for outside help, which of course we're happy to give...

As for your fuel prices, it's a shock, but have you ever been to Britain?

I just saw diesel at £1.01 per litre(liter)! That's about £5 a gallon!

Anyway, I never usually do this much typing.
Must get to work.

Roger.

[Roy Harding]

Hi Debbie

Our thoughts are withl all that have lost people and there houses ect. I expect there will be fund rasing events here to help out.

But as you know somethings monney cannot  replace.

Roy

[twt]

what happened is truely awful but i notice one of the first things texas girl talks about is how gas prices have gone up and how its affecting her pocket, america has an image of being a greedy and commercial country and i dont think her comment helps. Im not attacking you personally texas girl but it seems like people in your country care about money first and people second but that is just my personal oppinion.

[Paul Coleman]

As you know we have been forever changed over here because of the recent hurricane.

Gas prices have increased by almost $1 per gallon in a week.

For the first time ever I am charging a surcharge on each contract because it costs a lot to go from job to job. I am going to charge for estimates if they are out of town very far.

I really feel for the people that lost everything. Today was the first time I have attended Church since my son died a year ago;(it felt really good). There were  a few families that were from New Orleans. This local area has taken in well over 1000 victims.

If I could I would take in a family and hire the dad. But I can't afford it. I donated some $.

Even tho at first it appeared as tho everything fell apart, there has been a large outpouring of help and optimism. It is bringing us all together as a nation.

They are already beginning the recovery process; fixing a levy and clean up. It will take years to recover and rebuild. It has been a horrible devistating event.

A disaster like this I have never seen in my life time.  It was almost of biblical proportions; millions of people lost everything they worked all their lives for. Everything!

Imagine for a moment having to leave your house; car; business; job; family; all your belongings, tools, furniture, appliances; everything!

I don't know the entire impact yet but I spent $74.00 to fill up my truck the other day. Window cleaners drive a lot; so planning has to be more precise.

Count your blessing mates; you never know what might happen.

Hugs,

Texas Girl

Sorry to hear about what's been going on over there Texas Girl.  It must be devastating for those who are worst affected.
As a side issue, even before the price hikes in recent months, here in the UK we were paying the equivalent of around $6.50 - $7 per gallon.  however, I do accept that the price of petrol diesel is whatever it is and the rest of the economy evolves around that.  To transfer our fuel prices in the American economy would be a disaster.  Our economy has evolved around high fuel prices (which is mostly government tax incidentally).  We don't have the vast distances to drive that many in the USA have.
Diesel is 94.9p a litre in my area.  We are slightly cushioned by two major supermarkets competing with each other though.  I expect it to hit £1.00 within a couple of weeks.  Expect a lot of pressure on the chancellor soon to cut fuel taxes.  He can afford it because a cut would be partly offset by the extra VAT he's getting from the higher prices.  Fuel tax is a fixed amount per litre.  VAT on fuel is a percentage.  Time to stock up on cooking oil 

[s.hughes]

I've never known a reduction on fuel before, all it does is stay the same price for a while and then gradually increase. Well the tax does anyway and I am seriously thinking of putting cooking oil in my diesel.

Steve

[Davindo Cleana]

Whatever happened to The Widow's Mite i.e. the New Testament parable where a wealthy person gives some of their income to the church but the widow gives her only and last penny -
Question - who gives the most.

Sorry Debbie, and I know you have been through a hell of a lot, but when you make postings which give the impression that you are doing pretty well and have a comfortable living and then say you can't afford to take in a family in these desperate circumstances, it just sounds a bit awkward.

Hand on heart, I don't know whether I could volunteer to take in a family especially as you don't know anything about them or how long they will stay, but I have to say that my choice would not be based on finance

In fairness to Debbie there are people on either side of the pond who would think this way
One persons "I can't afford" is another persons dream
If anyone wants me I will be wearing the tin hat and flak jacket

[twt]

i agree with davindo cleana didnt texas girl say just recently she was having a pool built at her house but now she cant afford to help people. it is much better when people are honest about their reasons i would have any complaints if she said she didnt want them in her house but to say she cant afford when it is plain to see from her comments on this board she has a very good standard of life doesnt cut it with me. even if bill gates were to say he didnt want people in his house i wouldnt blame him because it is a dangerous world and you just dont know what strangers are capable of.  nothing personal but if people mention their charitable actions on here then i think they must be willing to accept any negative feedback that may come. Personally i wouldnt take in any people i didnt know but i would be more than willing to give them help in anyway that i am able. once again nothing personal but i find that people are willing to broadcast what they would do if the situation was suitable and we can always find a reason why we are unable to do something.

[twt]

meant to say "wouldnt have any complaints"

[s.hughes]

Wouldnt want any stranger in my house i understand that. Thing is, would it cost anything? Would the government pay?

Steve

[petetaylor56]

just heard on the news tonite that cuba and even iran have said they will send help now that  says something when even your enemy want to help

[Moderator David@stives]

What is this a Witchhunt.
 Before you starter  personally
attacking  any
one on this forum have a look at yourselfs .are you charitable people .why dont you take someone in i`m sure they will fly over.

personally i am appalled and disgusted to see these personal attacks on another members morals and dilemma,s

I have just bought a wfp .does that mean i can afford to take in a few sunami victims.
i dont think you realize what you are saying and who are you to comment on a fellow members peronal life .dont you think those comments might be upsetting .
People like you , no i had better stop  

[Roy Harding]

Dave

Well Said

Roy

[windows_chepstow]

"I can't afford" is another persons dream
If anyone wants me I will be wearing the tin hat and flak jacket

Well I've worn the 'tin hat' (sort of) and flak jacket and seen poverty at its lowest.  I once met a seven year old boy in Bosnia who was prosituting his mother for two cigarettes.  He could speak a bit of (very) crude English; she obviously couldn't.  I gave him two packs for free.  Nothing for me, but a weeks worth of food for them (maybe).

Blind people begging for food.  Children offering their bodies for cigarettes.

This sort of thing doesn't happen now and again. It's happening every minute of every day.  But the USA being the huge superpower they are should be able to sort it out; surely.

And what does a dollar on the price of a gallon of fuel cost in real terms?

What bugs me the most is that there will be people who profit from other peoples misfortune!

[Moderator David@stives]

sexist no

In the past i have defended others on here and always will.

you damn fool 

[thewindowcleaner1]

I expect it to hit £1.00 within a couple of weeks

I just had to pay 99.9p per ltre diesel (I bet it would have been £1+ but the old style pumps can't handle more than 99.9p

(wait till my prices go up next Jan)

As for the Hurrican I think it is very sad that the poorest seem to be suffering the most..
As one person commented recently, if you are white then you are looking for food, if you are coloured then you are looting.?

[Moderator David@stives]

p.s

 i grovel to no one have you never  noticed

get a life    

[Sir Squeaky]

Would you kindly remove the picture of my gran.

Been busy "surfing" the internet tonight David?

[matt]

i wonder what the response of the US Gov would have been if the hurricane had hit the hamptons etc, they wouldnt have had to wait days and days for help

seems to me the south is still the south

[AuRavelling79]

i wonder what the response of the US Gov would have been if the hurricane had hit the hamptons etc, they wouldnt have had to wait days and days for help

seems to me the south is still the south

Wot? Southampton? - that's not in America it's in Hampshire! It is definitely in the South though!