I was able to get through to my parents Thursday morning before their phone went out. They survived Hurricane Ivan, but it isn't pretty. I've been checking www.pensacolanewsjournal.com off and on for the last several days to see the pictures of what Ivan did. It's so sad to me to see all these familiar landmarks destroyed. I've also been reading the updates. My parents have been without water, sewer, and electricity since Thursday. They're going to have to get a new roof because a pine tree limb fell through theirs. Another pine tree missed the house by about 2 feet. New carpet is in order because of the limb through the roof.

On a happy note, my grandmother, who weathered the storm with my parents, has power AND running water. My family was able to take showers Saturday night. They also got a hot meal a few doors down at my great-aunt's.