Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: texas girl on September 05, 2005, 05:26:43 am
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As you know we have been forever changed over here because of the recent hurricane.
Gas prices have increased by almost $1 per gallon in a week.
For the first time ever I am charging a surcharge on each contract because it costs a lot to go from job to job. I am going to charge for estimates if they are out of town very far.
I really feel for the people that lost everything. Today was the first time I have attended Church since my son died a year ago;(it felt really good). There were a few families that were from New Orleans. This local area has taken in well over 1000 victims.
If I could I would take in a family and hire the dad. But I can't afford it. I donated some $.
Even tho at first it appeared as tho everything fell apart, there has been a large outpouring of help and optimism. It is bringing us all together as a nation.
They are already beginning the recovery process; fixing a levy and clean up. It will take years to recover and rebuild. It has been a horrible devistating event.
A disaster like this I have never seen in my life time. It was almost of biblical proportions; millions of people lost everything they worked all their lives for. Everything!
Imagine for a moment having to leave your house; car; business; job; family; all your belongings, tools, furniture, appliances; everything!
I don't know the entire impact yet but I spent $74.00 to fill up my truck the other day. Window cleaners drive a lot; so planning has to be more precise.
Count your blessing mates; you never know what might happen.
Hugs,
Texas Girl :-* :-* :-*
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Hi Texas Girl.
You've been busy typing this morning!
Awful times in New Orleans.
It seems a lot of people have a rather changed view of the US government now too.
I hear they're now asking us for help, tiny little Britain! :o
It just seems strange how the most powerful, richest country in the world is asking for outside help, which of course we're happy to give...
As for your fuel prices, it's a shock, but have you ever been to Britain?
I just saw diesel at £1.01 per litre(liter)! That's about £5 a gallon!
Anyway, I never usually do this much typing.
Must get to work. :)
Roger.
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Hi Debbie
Our thoughts are withl all that have lost people and there houses ect. I expect there will be fund rasing events here to help out.
But as you know somethings monney cannot replace.
Roy :)
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what happened is truely awful but i notice one of the first things texas girl talks about is how gas prices have gone up and how its affecting her pocket, america has an image of being a greedy and commercial country and i dont think her comment helps. Im not attacking you personally texas girl but it seems like people in your country care about money first and people second but that is just my personal oppinion.
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As you know we have been forever changed over here because of the recent hurricane.
Gas prices have increased by almost $1 per gallon in a week.
For the first time ever I am charging a surcharge on each contract because it costs a lot to go from job to job. I am going to charge for estimates if they are out of town very far.
I really feel for the people that lost everything. Today was the first time I have attended Church since my son died a year ago;(it felt really good). There were a few families that were from New Orleans. This local area has taken in well over 1000 victims.
If I could I would take in a family and hire the dad. But I can't afford it. I donated some $.
Even tho at first it appeared as tho everything fell apart, there has been a large outpouring of help and optimism. It is bringing us all together as a nation.
They are already beginning the recovery process; fixing a levy and clean up. It will take years to recover and rebuild. It has been a horrible devistating event.
A disaster like this I have never seen in my life time. It was almost of biblical proportions; millions of people lost everything they worked all their lives for. Everything!
Imagine for a moment having to leave your house; car; business; job; family; all your belongings, tools, furniture, appliances; everything!
I don't know the entire impact yet but I spent $74.00 to fill up my truck the other day. Window cleaners drive a lot; so planning has to be more precise.
Count your blessing mates; you never know what might happen.
Hugs,
Texas Girl :-* :-* :-*
Sorry to hear about what's been going on over there Texas Girl. It must be devastating for those who are worst affected.
As a side issue, even before the price hikes in recent months, here in the UK we were paying the equivalent of around $6.50 - $7 per gallon. however, I do accept that the price of petrol diesel is whatever it is and the rest of the economy evolves around that. To transfer our fuel prices in the American economy would be a disaster. Our economy has evolved around high fuel prices (which is mostly government tax incidentally). We don't have the vast distances to drive that many in the USA have.
Diesel is 94.9p a litre in my area. We are slightly cushioned by two major supermarkets competing with each other though. I expect it to hit £1.00 within a couple of weeks. Expect a lot of pressure on the chancellor soon to cut fuel taxes. He can afford it because a cut would be partly offset by the extra VAT he's getting from the higher prices. Fuel tax is a fixed amount per litre. VAT on fuel is a percentage. Time to stock up on cooking oil ;D
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I've never known a reduction on fuel before, all it does is stay the same price for a while and then gradually increase. Well the tax does anyway and I am seriously thinking of putting cooking oil in my diesel.
Steve
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Whatever happened to The Widow's Mite i.e. the New Testament parable where a wealthy person gives some of their income to the church but the widow gives her only and last penny -
Question - who gives the most.
Sorry Debbie, and I know you have been through a hell of a lot, but when you make postings which give the impression that you are doing pretty well and have a comfortable living and then say you can't afford to take in a family in these desperate circumstances, it just sounds a bit awkward.
Hand on heart, I don't know whether I could volunteer to take in a family especially as you don't know anything about them or how long they will stay, but I have to say that my choice would not be based on finance
In fairness to Debbie there are people on either side of the pond who would think this way
One persons "I can't afford" is another persons dream
If anyone wants me I will be wearing the tin hat and flak jacket :)
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i agree with davindo cleana didnt texas girl say just recently she was having a pool built at her house but now she cant afford to help people. it is much better when people are honest about their reasons i would have any complaints if she said she didnt want them in her house but to say she cant afford when it is plain to see from her comments on this board she has a very good standard of life doesnt cut it with me. even if bill gates were to say he didnt want people in his house i wouldnt blame him because it is a dangerous world and you just dont know what strangers are capable of. nothing personal but if people mention their charitable actions on here then i think they must be willing to accept any negative feedback that may come. Personally i wouldnt take in any people i didnt know but i would be more than willing to give them help in anyway that i am able. once again nothing personal but i find that people are willing to broadcast what they would do if the situation was suitable and we can always find a reason why we are unable to do something.
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meant to say "wouldnt have any complaints"
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Wouldnt want any stranger in my house i understand that. Thing is, would it cost anything? Would the government pay?
Steve
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just heard on the news tonite that cuba and even iran have said they will send help now that says something when even your enemy want to help
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What is this a Witchhunt.
Before you starter personally
attacking any
one on this forum have a look at yourselfs .are you charitable people .why dont you take someone in i`m sure they will fly over.
personally i am appalled and disgusted to see these personal attacks on another members morals and dilemma,s
I have just bought a wfp .does that mean i can afford to take in a few sunami victims.
i dont think you realize what you are saying and who are you to comment on a fellow members peronal life .dont you think those comments might be upsetting .
People like you , no i had better stop :-X :-X
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Dave
Well Said
Roy :)
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"I can't afford" is another persons dream
If anyone wants me I will be wearing the tin hat and flak jacket :)
Well I've worn the 'tin hat' (sort of) and flak jacket and seen poverty at its lowest. I once met a seven year old boy in Bosnia who was prosituting his mother for two cigarettes. He could speak a bit of (very) crude English; she obviously couldn't. I gave him two packs for free. Nothing for me, but a weeks worth of food for them (maybe).
Blind people begging for food. Children offering their bodies for cigarettes.
This sort of thing doesn't happen now and again. It's happening every minute of every day. But the USA being the huge superpower they are should be able to sort it out; surely.
And what does a dollar on the price of a gallon of fuel cost in real terms?
What bugs me the most is that there will be people who profit from other peoples misfortune!
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sexist no
In the past i have defended others on here and always will.
you damn fool ;D ;D
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I expect it to hit £1.00 within a couple of weeks
I just had to pay 99.9p per ltre diesel (I bet it would have been £1+ but the old style pumps can't handle more than 99.9p
(wait till my prices go up next Jan)
As for the Hurrican I think it is very sad that the poorest seem to be suffering the most..
As one person commented recently, if you are white then you are looking for food, if you are coloured then you are looting.?
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p.s
i grovel to no one have you never noticed
get a life ;D ;D
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Would you kindly remove the picture of my gran. ;D
Been busy "surfing" the internet tonight David?
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i wonder what the response of the US Gov would have been if the hurricane had hit the hamptons etc, they wouldnt have had to wait days and days for help
seems to me the south is still the south
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i wonder what the response of the US Gov would have been if the hurricane had hit the hamptons etc, they wouldnt have had to wait days and days for help
seems to me the south is still the south
Wot? Southampton? - that's not in America it's in Hampshire! ;D It is definitely in the South though!
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can you do better?
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a few snipits from people in area, from the net
seems the press inst telling all, but whats new
Red Cross Ordered OUT of New Orleans by Homeland Security.
5 Dept of Corp of Engineers contractors working to repair city shot by
Police
Army Declares victims of hurricane Insurgents and mounts military ops to
Kill.
Black survivors declared looters,,,,white survivors are reported as
"Finders" by AP
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God, that's so d**n witty! ::)
You are too kind Graham - a less secure person may have found it difficult to offer sincere praise like that - thank you very much!
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You guys floor me; that is all I can say. :o
What ever you think based on what you hear from the liberal media which tries to divide our country and hates our president is not true.
We live here so we are used to the bias. Hollywood is liberal; most of the media is liberal.
I have been watching almost 24/7 this incident and the stories quoted here are almost funny they are so far from reality. Check several sources before you believe what you may hear from politically motivated sensationalists.
The contractor story changed when all the facts were in. Turns out the men shot had guns and shot at the police. They were thugs.
Race is not at issue here at all. It so happens that many of the people who live in the areas hit were black; almost all were poor; had no car; no means to leave.
What ever color the skin; people that could get out did.
So naturally it appears as tho this is a race issue. The local government was not prepared for this disaster. Things like this are not supposed to happen here.
So it took a while to get moving. Our president has been in the areas hit at least 4 times this past week and our country is closer as a result of all of this.
Even if people were unemployed and on public assistance (welfare; medicade; government supported) while in their previous lives; they are given a new chance for a new beginning hopefully as good or better than what they had.
My comment about what I am forced to do is an overall explaination of what all small business are going to have to do in order to stay in business.
I am using my situation to exemplify what many others are forced to do. This will have an effect on every business.
I have several people that work for me that I am very VERY good to. But to hire someone that there is no spot for is not very smart. And then what? Let them go when the money runs out? I have donated in other ways VERY generously as others do.
Believe me; we help others as much as we can. Check that log in thou eyes.
Yes, I do have a great standard of living. My husband is a retired Lt. Colonel from the Army and owns 17 houses which he has purchased over the years by working hard and living below his means.
I have worked my ***** off for 25 years and now it is time to reap the rewards of our hard work. We still work very hard. It is true; "you reap what you sow".
I am living proof that if you aim high in the window cleaning business you can achieve success. We have two incomes here which is needed. I am very thankful for what I have.
'Thou reapest what thou sowest'
I know the price of fuel is high over there; but I did not know how high. To us; this is unimagineable. I do not see how you guys can keep your prices so low. And how can you plan a particular day or evening to drive around collecting payments?
That has got to be expensive. What does it cost for one gallon of unleaded regular?
This impacts our whole economy. We (Americans ) are just shocked.
It will reduce the availability of good jobs if businesses have to reduce the work force because of high overhead.
Then when folks have to spend more on fuel for heating, etc, they have less for spending in the local economy, which means lower tax base, which means inflation, then fewer jobs, etc.
(Wow :o and I am a true blonde!)
So; do I detect a bit of envy there my chaps? If so, it is silly. Take a chill pill baby! Relax; if you need a topic to zero in on; try self-help books. :o
They are some of my favorites.
Many hugs to you all;
Hope you make a lot of money this week (That will not be considered evil will it?)
Texas Girl :-*
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Well said Debbie.
The disaster hasn't hit just New Orleans, it spread over an area that over here in the UK we can't really comprehend, aid has to be got administered over a vast area, not just New Orleans. It is a huge logistical operation, tens of thousands have to be evacuated.
For me what is shocking (but completely predictable) is the proof of how thin the veneer that civilisation is; In just a few days it utterly broke down.
It will be back in place shortly, in a relatively short period of time, the hungry will be fed, the ill will be treated.
You will not get this in a third World country, there the deprivation lasts for month upon month, in some places the suffering never goes away.
It's hard for us to truly sort the wheat from the chaff with all the sensationalist headlines that are spewing out left right and centre.
No country on earth can be prepared for all the eventualities that nature can throw at us, but America has the will and the resources to deal with it, and they are in the process of doing so now.
And taking some bitter critisism from those that are looking in through the little window in their front rooms, safely ensconced in their comfy chairs.
Ok, mod hat on, this isn't really a window cleaning thread, but its impact will reverbrate throughout the world and affect us all, fuel prices have already started to rise in our own country as a result (I'm listening to reports of it right now on the TV). So it will effect our business costs.
But please try and avoid spouting anti American vitrol in your posts.
Regards
Ian
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I'm ok thanks!!
Just got back from switzerland safely.
25% of the country nearly drowned in torrential rain and huge floods while I was there, but hey, who cares, the windowcleaners there have gold squeegees and ride around wjth cherry pickers attatched to their Subaru 4 wheel drives!!
Did I miss anything big?
Pj
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Free speech Graham?
Don't be silly, there's no such thing...not on here anyway :o
No flaming, thems the rules! 8)
Regards,
Ian
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Hurricane Katrina?
Yet another terrible disaster wreaks havoc. We expect such things, but no-one thinks it will happen to them. As usual the battle rages. Who do you blame?
Life is cheap, but if you want yer windows cleaned it will cost ya!!
Must get to work, bye bye now. :-*
Pj
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I guess the answer is no then!!
I didn't miss anything!! 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)
Pj
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:-* :-* :-*
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The Cleaner Service;
I can testify to the price of life. I lost my son last year. He was sitting on a cliff in a city park and the cliff edge broke off. He was 20.
He and the cliff edge fell 100 feet; the cliff section landed on top of his lower torso; one leg amputated; whole lower torso cut in half; organs exposed; his brain tissue splattered on a rock.
I will forever remember the sight of my son lying on a table in the emergency room at the hospital: dead.
He was attending college on a full baseball scholarship; he was a gifted athlete; Handsome; healthy.
I would gladly give up every material thing I have and live with absolutely nothing if I could have my baby back.
It has been 16 months. Oh God; how I miss him! How my heart feels like broken glass is stuck in it every day; it will not heal.
I recently surrendered this sorrow to a higher power; and trust and believe that I will see Brad again. I know that if I do not focus on the positives in my life; the rest of the family will suffer more.
I would gladly trade places with any family in New Orleans if I could have my son back. Nothing equals life. Nothing.
My husband is trying to help me heal by enhancing my surroundings; It is for him and my other children that I am trying to heal.
I know you probably didn't realize any of this when you said that I think life is cheap.
Believe me; I know how valueable it is. :'(
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Texas girl
My comments were not directed at you personally, but at the stinking world around us.
I would no doubt feel pain the way you do if such remarks were directed at me.
My sincere apologies if you misunderstood me. It's so easy to do with these dappy forums.
I had a heart attack 2-1/2 years ago, changed my values too. 12 years ago my son aged 19 at the time was hit by drunk driver. Gave him some internal brain damage.
He developed epilepsy, post tramatic disorder, uncontrollable rage attacks and complete personality change. He is still alive but not who we knew.
I grieve for you, in your personal tragedy.
But the world stinks. Theres more to say
Pj
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david @ st ives said
"Before you starter personally attacking any
one on this forum have a look at yourselfs .are you charitable people .why dont you take someone in i`m sure they will fly over.
personally i am appalled and disgusted to see these personal attacks on another members morals and dilemmas"
I dont broadcast what i do for charity on here.im not attacking anyones morals just commenting on the original post. I find that many people like everyone to know about how charitable they are, is this really what charity is about? How realistic is it to fly someone over here? but if they did i would not tell all of what i would do to help.
Texas girl said
"I have donated in other ways VERY generously as others do"
This is very commendable (i'm not being sarcastic) and even if you choose not to donate this it would not make you a bad person, however i think it is not in good taste to tell the world what you are doing. Do we give to charities to help other people, or make ourselves feel and look good? Personally i think that too much enthesis is put on making ourselves feel good rather than thinking about other people.
Lets all work hard, be good people treat others well and help them out when they need it and not tell the world about it.
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Hey Phillip;
I agree with you 100%. I was defending myself when I brought up the "VERY" thing. You are right about us all being kind to one another.
I only have good intentions always for any post on here.We are all the same. One day we are all going to meet.
It is "Miller Time" here.
Love you guys; glad to see emotions displayed. Kiss and make up time. ;)
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Its really dry here. We could do with some rain if you cold send some over - we don't need charity, we need water! Even gulf water will do.
Drink some yellow snow, it'll keep you going for now.
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Hi Graham
Why don't you go over there and get it.
It may open your eyes a little.
It's easy to be tough and hard with pretend black humour when you're sitting nice and safe and snug.
For myself, I don't believe for one moment you live believing your PR as it is presented on this forum.
Cheers
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Good to see you again on here Ross
You are like the grim reaper with a ray of sunshine
Poetic eh?