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Hello-
My Isabel story isn't as bad as I was afraid it was going to be. Mr. iceskater did a lot around the house to prepare before the storm hit. We lost power around 9pm on Thursday. We lost water Thursday night also. We got the water back on Saturday. Thank heavens we have a gas water heater so we could at least take warm showers. We just got our power back yesterday.

My house is surrounded by trees and we didn't lose one single tree. It really was a miracle. I fully expected to lose a few and not one came down! Lots of branches and leaves all over the place but no severe damage at all. In fact, there really weren't that many trees down in our neighborhood at all. Some people weren't so lucky - one neighbor had a tree fall across the driveway and took out both cars. But in general, it wasn't too bad. No injuries or deaths that I know about.

The power thing was the most frustrating. We will be investing in a generator (this isn't the first time we've lost power like this). I will be writing letters to Dominion Power, the State Corporation Commission and members of the legislature. I had to throw away almost all of my food in the fridge and freezer. That was so frustrating. We did some cook-outs and fed a bunch of people rather than have it all go totally to waste. But even with that, we threw away hundreds of dollars worth of food. I went to the grocery store last night - I've never seen the shelves so bare. Everyone is in the same boat.

My family was all ok. One sister and her family still don't have power but everyone else is back online.

We had a bad storm roll through this morning about 5am. The rain was torential and there were 2 tornados in the Richmond area. We had more mud from the rain this morning than from the hurricane. The poor guy across the street lost half of his driveway this morning.

But after it's all said and done, it really could've been so much worse. So, I can't complain too much. Hope everyone else is doing ok.

Yes, I know a lot of people who lost of $ on food. Around here, that's a big thing. I have to say, the Red Cross has been terrific about providing hot meals and FEMA has done a *great* job delivery wet ice. The utility company's dry ice deliveries were absurdly dismal: too little, poorly distributed in huge lines.

We pay for these utility companies to have standby crews to put the power on. One wonders where the $ is really going. I have expect to hear Dick Grasso is involved.

I'm just trying to get a few hellos in before this day is gone. Pip, it's good to see you, and I'm glad you got a chance to make a few posts.

iceskater, it was nice to hear from you and that you've come through the storm with very little damage and mostly minor cleanup (well, that and being without power which is not fun) :(

Dolly, thank you for your sweet post last night, and hope that you all take many pictures of your Thursday hugathon. :)