I feel very, very lucky.

[Lisa0825]

Texas City took the eye of Ike, but goodness, now that I have had the chance to look at the images of other areas, I feel extremely lucky. I have seen a lot of trees down and power lines, but have not seen any destroyed homes in my town.

I still don't have power at my house. I am at a friend's house doing laundry and catching upon the news. The photos are just devastating. I have insulted my house many times, calling it my "piece of shit house," but it sure stood up to Ike well.

In Texas City, life is slowly returning to normal. This morning we had at least 4 gas stations open, plus Wendy's, Burger King, Sonic, Casa Ole, and the Reef restaurants all serving food. I had the best fountain drink of my entire life today!

The worst I can say about my own life right now is that it's a bit inconvenienced. I am very sorry for the losses others are suffering. I don't know what to say... words fail me.

[WestHoustonDem]

1. I couldn't have said it better Lisa

I have a small crack in a window that was patchabloe with duct tape, another window that's leaky and no satellite signal til the 29th, I have opened up my home to friends who still don't have power, but all of that pales in comparison to what others are going through.

[Citizen_Penn]

2. Thanks for the posting, Lisa

I grew up in Texas, on 15Th Avenue North - until I was about 13.

Now, I live in Tomball (north Harris County), but have had Galveston County on my mind.

It's wonderful to hear that services are being restored so quickly.

Even this far north, I still have no power at home - but was able to enjoy a Denny's breakfast this morning - with hot coffee!

Will take a shower at work before I head back home tonight.

And couldn't agree with you more. There is no damage done that can't be repaired. And for that I'm very grateful.

Love and Peace to You.

[PDittie]

3. Me three.

I am severely inconvenienced by both Ike and the market meltdown today. And that inconvenience is going to continue for the next several days and weeks and even months. In truth it's going to cost me tens of thousands in lost business and the potential associated with lost business opportunities. The Lehman and Merrill and AIG failures (and the imminent failure of WaMu and others to come) were bound to happen anyway; that they happened the same weekend as Ike was just a confluence of bad fortune.

But yeah, it could have been much worse.