OT:Gas!!!!!!!!!

I'm afraid to get gas in my car because on Monday the gas for regular was $2.89 a gallon (here in Queens, NY) and that was the cheapest I could find.

We're going away to my sister's this weekend and then upstate next week. I just don't see how we can do it.

Oh well, Kate

Just be thankful you have it. Baton Rouge has so many refugees from New Orleans and beyond that we are out of gas and food. The few places that have food (including restaurants) have very limited items and at least a two hour wait (of course, this isn't on the news). Additionally, I am out of work indefinitely and I was SUPPOSED to get my first paycheck today (money is a big issue). I am a teacher and omly 15 out of our 90 parish schools have power. On top of that, it just dawned on me (horrible, I know...I've had too much other stuff on my mind), that my two classroom pets, hamsters Dora and Vicky, could very well be dead in my class.

I'm so concerned about this situation and have no earthly idea what we can do. I am thankful that I do at least have power, unlike many, many people. I just hope that the stores are able to restock pretty quickly.

Selena

shann> In just 2 day's our gas us went from 2.59 to 3.19. I might have to call in

My DH just called me from Champaign, IL, where he works and it is $3.19 there too! Yikes! My son drives to school everyday but with these gas prices I told him he is going to have to ride the bus on days he doesn't have to work right after school! He didn't like that idea at all! (he's gotta be COOL and all that..LOL) He has to pay for his own gas, insurance and upkeeep for his car, and I know he won't like shelling out all of his money just for fuel! I guess he will have to learn the hard way if he won't listen to Moms advice! Teenagers!!! geesh!

Linda C Illinois

My DH went to fill the car this morning at the Texaco and it was still at $2.59. I was very surprised. But very glad. Hugs Irene

Ours is up to $2.65 but what is that compared to not having a home or not knowing where your relatives are. Most of us are so very lucky!

M-C

here in Canada it's1.11.9 a litre and it will be 1.25 within the week. I'm not sure of the conversion but it's aroud 4$ a gallon US!!! Staying at home loks better all the time! Barb:o)

Ours was $2.73 when I filled the tank last night. My son called a while ago and said to tell everyone to fill up. His buddy drives a tanker for one of the oil companies and said it will be $3.50 by tomorrow. Sandy

Gads! Mine went from 2.54 Sunday to 2.69 Monday to 2.86 yesterday. No hike in price yet today.

Katrina in KS

It's just crazy I filled up at $2.69 yesterday and when I drove past the station a few hours later it was $3.09. This year I can't have my daughter ride her bike to school and I dread the extra gas I'm going to have to spend.

Lynne

It was 2.45 Monday, Tuesday went to 2.70 and this morning ---- 2.99. that is averages across the metro,some parts are above 3.00 and some around 2.89.

I have been scheduling and coordinating a bunch of truck trips for ext moth nad the surcharges that trucking companies are going to have and are charging is 20 to 30 PERCENT per mile! We are all going to see he effects REAL SOON in more than gas, especially with 7 refineries down on the gulf coast.

I am afraid my craving and needing paper will come to a screeching halt

- got toput gas in the tank to eevn go get some groceries!! (hoping I can afford those too!) But as someone else said, TRULY nad VERY thankful for what I have, and so emotionally touched on what so many now do nt have and how they are being treated.

OKC Dave

We must be lucky because gas actually dropped in price here. I filled up my car 2 days ago at $2.63/gal and today my son filled up his at the same station at $2.61/gal.

It's $3.09 here in Louisville (off on Taylorsville Rd going toward to New Cut Rd). My BIL took me to my dr yesterday to get those staples out (yeah some 30's of them and it's hurts when he pulls them out). But I am still sore tho (taking my times since Evan is in school & hubby is working - I will be taking long nap). From what my BIL told me yesterday that the gas price might go up to $5.00 (I HOPE NOT!!!!!!!!!!).

I filled up yesterday @ $2.85 per gallon. Although, across the street from where I filled it was $3.49 per gallon. UNBELIEVABLE!! What are we to do??? God Bless, Dorothy in NY

Well, still no change. I need a smaller vehicle. I drive a big 4x4 truck. I've been a good girl too. Just going to work and coming home. Sounds like everyone's in the same boat on prices. I did hear on the news today that a small town by us is charging 3.99. Yicks Have a good day everyone.

I just feel blessed to have a vehicle to drive, and dry roads to drive on. Bridges in New Orleans have been washed away from all the water. Parts of Mississippi are just gone! So many people are going to have to start over....

Not only is clean up and all the water (like in New Orelans) going to be an issue, but the finances of the people now. I wonder how many people will be out of work now. Selena, will they let you go to the school to check on the hamsters? You'll continue to be in my prayers.

There is really nothing that can be done except to bite the bullet and pay it. If gas were to go to $10 a gallon I would still have to buy it. For many the decision will be a matter of saving money in another area (cutting back on cable, video rentals, dialup instead of broadband etc.) but for those who are working for low wages and have a distance to travel they will be looking for another job. We are getting hit not only personally but businesswise since we are getting bills with fuel surcharges added on and the cost of materials has risen as much as 30%. Since we do alot of contract work we are bound to keep our pricing at the quoted price and can only pass the extra cost onto new customers. Since we have to compete with others that don't have extensive contract work (on some we are just breaking even at this point) we have to be careful that our pricing stays within the competitors pricing. For now we are ordering triple to cut down on delivery charges and rising material costs. We also had to raise the mileage rate paid to employee's otherwise they would be unwilling to take on assignments that aren't local. To top it off we have to worry that people will be cutting back, they may opt for the cheaper packages of Junior in his soccer uniform and then use online services for additional prints and enlargements. Yikes!

I have no idea, Deb. I tried e-mailing my principal because I figured that she would be one of the first people back in the school. I haven't heard back from her yet. I know the school board and principals had a meeting today (at another location since power at the school board is also out). 44 of our parish schools are still without power as of this morning. I have no idea if mine is one of them.

In addition to all of this, the school districts in the areas around here are trying to figure out how to add the New Orleans area students into our school population. It's a difficult situation where overcrowding already exists. I heard on the news today that there is a possibility that our students would go during the day and the other students would go at night. They are also looking into alternate school sites for these students...somehow, trying to find a solution and still keep the kids in school. I believe that they would use teachers from those areas to teach the students, as well. Which would be good for them, since they would have a job. I know some of the others out of work would qualify for unemployment and the people at the Department of Labor are trying to visit the shelters to help the people with those needs.

I'm still curious how the customers of my bank (whose main branch WAS located in Bay St. Louis, MS) and those of another huge local bank (whose main brank was in New Orleans) will get access to their accounts. My bank is letting us use our debit cards as credit cards, but I'm not sure exactly how all that will work...nor do I know for sure that my paycheck, which is supposed to be direct deposited, has actually been applied to my account. The unknown is probably the most frustrating part.

I would ask that you all pray for my husband's family. We were able to get in touch with his oldest daughter yesterday. She is a nurse and has been at her resident hospital since this all began. The good thing is that her daughter is with her. Her husband, on the other hand, has not been heard from. With communications out all over, they have not been able to get in touch with him. She told my husband that the nurses were having to work so much without breaks that they are working with IV's attached to them to keep them from passing out. She also said that she has not been able to leave the hospital due to the security issues on the outside. Many of he patients are dying (she's an ICU nurse) because they do not have enough water and ice (for high fevers). Needless to say, my husband is very, very worried about her.

Selena

Deb > Not only is clean up and all the water (like in New Orelans) going to be an

Selena, I can't imagine the devastation and feelings of helplessness that all those people must be going through. It is lso mind boggling, just not knowing what is happening.It must be an awful feeling! I am praying you hear word soon from your husbands' family!

Linda C