Gustav Cancels Art Market of New Orleans

I've finally heard that we will be canceling the Art Market of New Orleans in Palmer Park. The next market will be Saturday, September 27, 2008 from 10am to 4pm. This is our regularly scheduled market. I've got lots of new pieces - finished jewelry and loose beads. I've also taken a few of my older pieces apart and revamped them.
I'm going to start working on some Halloween pieces next. Anyone that likes my hollow beads will love the hollow pumpkins I'm making. Those kitties I made last year are rollicking around in my head too. Please let me know if you have a special color you'd like your kitty. You know I'll be making some black ones.
Till later - Stay High, Dry, Safe and Happy!
Flame On!

Gustav Breezed by New Orleans TG

I took the dogs for our walk this morning and other than having to climb over and around quite a lot of downed tree limbs and branches, Algiers Point seems to have escaped the worst of the wrath of Mother Nature once again.
The first block of Olivier off Opelousas was out of electricity. But just one block away in either direction porch lights were lit.
If you are reading this from out of town and would like me to go check on your house or a friend or relative's house please email me at debideauxATcoxDOTnet (replace the AT with @ and the DOT with a period). Be sure to give me the address and if you would like leave a phone number and I will call you back. You can also call me at fiveohfour threefourthree nineeight threeone.
AFAIK - There is still a curfew in effect for Orleans Parish but it is only from 8pm to 6am. Bob's been working around the westbank and sez there are several stores and gas stations open. But, he sez, the ones that are open are quite crowded.
Casey Jones Super Market is open. Home Depots in Gretna and Marrero are open. Sam's Club on Manhatten is open. The Walmart on Behrman Hwy expects to open Monday due to employees returning. The Rouse's on Behrman and Belle Chase is open and the parking lot is packed. The Winn Dixie on the WB Expwy in Marrero is open. I have heard that Wally's on Nunez stayed open the entire time.
This is a limited list of just the stores that Bob and I know are open. Just cuz I haven't mentioned other stores doesn't mean they are not open.
Here's a pic of Pooch, me and Boomer recovering in our motel room after evacuation. Actually, I'm blogging and emailing. Pooch is just napping as he usually does. But poor Boomer was very stressed out. I'm not sure he's still over it yet even though we are home. But I like to think he's happier than he would have been if we'd have stayed.

Till later - Stay High, Dry, Safe and Happy!
Flame On!

Home Again in New Orleans from Gustav Evacuation

Yea! We made it home! Safe and sound, high and dry! We still have electricity and cable. Some of our neighbors have lost cable but as far as we can tell most of the Point has electric.
The traffic on I59 to I10 was bumper to bumper but moving fast. A little scary but so good.
I'm beat so will post more later....
Stay High, Dry, Safe and Happy!
Flame On!

New Orleans Hurricane Info

I recently got off the phone with a very dear friend of mine that rode out Gustav at home in Algiers Point. All good news! They still have all utilities - electric, phone, cable, water. The storm didn't seem to her to be much more than a strong wind storm. Not much rain in the Point. The streets that she could see had no standing water.
More good news - My friend and her family tried to go out earlier to survey the area and check on homes of friends. They hardly got out their front door before they were stopped by patrols and warned to stay on their own property or they would be arrested. So we don't know how houses made it but we can rest assured, Algerines, the authorities are protecting our property from the two-legged hurricanes. Yea!

For anyone wanting to keep up with the latest info on NOLA and Gustav, I've found the best resource is the WWL talk radio. You can listen from your browser at http://den-a.plr.liquidcompass.cc/etm_plr/audio_player.php?id=WWL&playerType=wmp\
You need to have Windows Media Player but if you don't have it it's a quick download.
Our local TV stations are also doing a great job of keeping us informed online -
http://www.wwltv.com/video/?nvid=57429&live=yes
http://www.wdsu.com/video/17357480/index.html
http://www.fox8live.com/www/Video/NewStream.asp?v=%27high%27
I've been having trouble loading the fox8 stream. Maybe you'll have better luck.
I don't have a favorite but like to switch between all 3 and the Weather Channel.

Till later - Stay High Dry Safe and Happy!
Flame On!

Safe & Sound - High & Dry in GA

Bob and I decided to evacuate at the last minute. We emptied the frig, boarded the windows and loaded up the dogs and hightailed it for Georgia. We are currently in Carrollton, GA which is a bit outside of Atlanta. It was the nearest available room we could find.
We have our laptops and cellphones. You can email me at debideaux AT cox DOT net. Please be sure to replace the AT with an @ and the DOT with a . and remove spaces. (Sorry I hafta do it this way but spam is uncontrollable)
The last I heard we will be having our August market for the Art Market of New Orleans on Saturday, September 6, 2008. Please check back later to be sure this is still happening. I will try to announce it here either way.
Till later - Stay High, Dry and Happy! Flame On!