If only it was that simple. But its not - its takes a myriad of people working as a team to make this reconstruction work. Of course - some understand that concept and some do not.
Its all about cleaning the bathrooms, hauling sheetrock, cutting grass, taking out the trash, taking inventory, doing the laundry, washing floors, and keeping the world immediate to the "camp" in order. No glory in that - but it is necessary and this team has paid attention to detail. I thank them for that.
Another day of hauling debris, sheetrock, and stacking. All necessary.
There was an accident on the bridge today. When it was first reported to us - the rumor was that the bridge had collapsed. Tim had just left here fifteen minutes prior with Mom and I immediately called as I knew he would be "at" or "on" the Bridge - I was relieved when he answered and said he had just "arrived" and the bridge was closed. I went down to see what was going on and watched the helicopters circling the Bay looking for the missing worker. There were people on the shore close to the accident site just "waiting" as they searched for the missing worker. I looked over and guessed it was "family". So sad.
Ashley and Jason are here tonight - oh to have the enthusiasm of a seven year old. Sigh. Here it is 11.04 pm and she is still going a hundred miles an hour.
The new SCA teams started arriving today - they will all be at work on Monday. We are going to be flying on Monday - several teams in camp and a mile of work planned. The older SCA team will be on the Baxter house hanging rock for two weeks. The new team is going to start off at Martin Luther King Park and get some of the projects there finished up and then moving onto other projects in Middletown. The other team from the church has a mile of projects to work on. Yes - its going to be a great week next week.
Myself - I have a special assignment. Yes I will be reporting back with some great pictures for you all!
So, how is your week going?
Thursday June 14th
That was a fun week of events. Had an established national lumber chains print rejected at City of Waveland building department. Politics more than ordinance - in fact not one issue raised with the print was ordinance related including the demand that the prints be "stapled". You can "ask" but you can not demand.
And while they were handing the owner the print they denigrated the lumber chain up one side and down the other and suggested the owner go back and get his money back. We are quite sure that is not appropriate for a building inspector working for the City of Waveland. Both buidling inspectors working for the department were in agreement and both had denigrating comments regarding the chains ability to provide quality housing componenets or plans.
So, I had other exact same print dropped off with an "unknown" for another customer, and within a week, it was "approved" for a certain building permit fee of $250. I then had someone else drop off the money order, from a donor, to pay for the permit and told them the owner would be here in a couple of days. They accepted the money order but all the while denigrating 84 lumber, questioning the validity of people building smaller houses, and making constant note that this was a "Kathleen Johnson" case. Not quite sure any of it had anything to do with the task at hand - which was accepting payment for a previously approved print. It should have been accepted quietly, graciously, and with respect. The person handing in the check was a UPS Management retiree as well as a Lockeed Martin retiree. A very well respected member of the community.
Then called the owner, aged 79, to drive over from Baton Rouge to pick up his Building permit. City Hall then proceeded to treat the customer badly because the fee was now $272.00 and not $250. Better yet - the Money Order, correctly filled out with "From" and "To" was not suitable for City Hall because the person paying the fee was not the same as the person getting the building permit. The lead building inspector himself got on the phone and rudely announced that that the ONLY address that could appear on the Money Order was that of the person obtaining the permit.
Very interesting. I wonder how they handle checks with the checking account owner having his own address on the check? All the while paying for someone else's permit? So, I go back to the donor, and he, this time, writes out a check and we put the permit address in the information field at the bottom of the check. So, after two hours of forcing a 79 year old man to jump through hoops - the Waveland City Hall Permits Office, finally, gives him a permit for an Elkview Home for 84 lumber. So, I took back down the original Elkview plan rejected last week for another customer and ask for a permit for that one also. They claim that will be ready on Friday. Of course - there are several Elkview homes built in Hancock County as it is a popular little home.
In the meantime the building department rejects another set of plans for a home from the same lumber company customer unrelated to this operation. This was a top end home - not one of the "smaller" homes. Again - this is a home that has been built before in Hancock County. Seems to be a pattern developing here.
Politics and power trips - that is what recovery in the aftermath has turned into. And still there is little respect for the elderly here. And they make up the majority of the demographics.
Else, it rained again. Phil and the rest of the crew brought in a large load from Long Beach. Doc brought in a large load of furniture and food. The office was at a nighmare pace all day long. They got started on a cabinet job on Waveland Ave and the SCA crew was back out on the job clearing a large lot near the river. It will turn into a 3 day job sorting the clients possessions and mowing the lot. We had crews in from the Episcopal Church for work orders - compounded by a rainy day. Not easy to find assignments for crews on a rainy day.
Trixie has found a home in Montana. She will be leaving as soon as we can get her booked on the doggy train to Montana. She will be in a home with another doggy just like her. She is such a sweet dog.
And that was Wednesday. How was yours?
Tuesday June 12th Update
Annette - you are awsome to have sold this many sheets of sheetrock without a hitch in three weeks. Thats about 60 homes worth of rock!
Tuesday June 12th
HOT aint the word at all to describe yesterday - my crews were dying. Although I did have the Range Riders out on the river with crab pots, bait, fishing poles and a very nasty clean up gut job. Bribery will get you somewhere some of the time - but the spoiler here was the overbearing heat. They did come in for lunch with a crab albeit undersize and were sent back to set Willie free. *G*
Clint left yesterday - the weather was just far too much for him. He will be back in the fall. We loves ya Clint!
The cleanup job on the river was a tough one - this is one that has been left far too long. We are not trying to clean the home out - I did convince the owner that it needed to come down. What we are trying to do now is sort thru the myriad of "stuff" that is scattered on the property that the owner does not want to part with despite the fact it has been laying out for two years now. Saying "goodbye" to memories is so tough. It has taken months for us to convince this homeowner to come over here so we can start the process. Pretty soon FEMA will be here and their front end loaders will little and so it is important that the homeowner deals with these items now - even if only to say goodbye.
We so desperately need experienced construction workers here. This is such a perfect "job" for a retired carpenter - all they have to do for us is "point" and "direct" these young enthusiastic volunteers. I keep saying God will provide - I do not know what else to do at this time to make the needed miracle happen?
We are packed with volunteers for the next two months though. A good thing! There is so much work to do and the Work Order pile grows everyday despite the high volume of volunteers being seen here and those staying else where matrixing their Work Orders out of this operation.
And so many Bed and Breakfast homes going up? I do not remember seeing any mention of them in front of the Aldermen? Does anyone else remember these exemptions or comments on this new growth in the minutes? With all other growth so openly mentioned in the Mayors Comments at the Alderman meetings - you would think that this would merit mention?
And eleven Lowes employees wanting to complete a home were left to mow the lawn and other trivial tasks because someone was holding the homeowners windows and other items in their "warehouse". Yes, the infamous warehouse fiend stikes again but at a different target. The stripes never change on the tiger and the spots always appear on the leopard in the morning - and always there is merchandise left in the warehouse. Amazing how that happens? Never mind - a white knight or two are riding to the rescue and this also will pass with the help of a couple of grants and goodwill.
So, how is your week going?
Monday June 11th
Sailing the Race to the Cape on Sunday was a blast as this link will indicate ! Nothing more can be said other than what I have said on this page. It was awsome!
Martin Luther King Park is looking good - our teams worked on it last week and they worked with the City this morning to get more complete. Now we need to finish repairing the vandalism on the new addition - I sure wish I knew what we could do to develop some community pride that would end that nonsense?
The pile of tires is gone from Herlihy and Olivari - but the piles on Morris and Olivari, Morris and Tabor, Tabor and Amar, Tabor and Herlihy, Herlihy and Ulm, and Ulm and Dick Street still remain. But the pile on Herlihy was a start! And, we have a mile of trash to be picked up off the street at Martin Luther King Park has been there for a few days - it needs to be taken care of. But we are making progress!
Else its Monday - there is nothing like a Monday in here. More new clients in the door here. Sure glad to see Maggie back - what a sweetheart!
Must go, its a zoo here today so far. But there is daylight at the end of the tunnel - lunch is almost here.
How is your Monday going?
Sunday June 10th
It was a fabulous Saturday. Rich and Clint went to their "early morning job" and did some plumbing. Phil was off with his wife in New Orleans for a well deserved weekend off and it was their wedding aniversary. His wife had flown in for that very special weekend. He will be home this evening.
Myself - I got up at about 5am and got work orders ready for two crews - one of which was working on Saturday. But, at noon, I headed down to the sea.......
And what an eventful day it was. At first there was no wind and we lay stranded out there at the starting point. In fact, they delayed the start of the race for thirty minutes. So the crew opted to go for a dip in the ocean which was fun until I saw a fin pop up thru my camera lense. Those in the water saw it also and then it was a very good man overboard drill during which - you guessed it, the wind picked up and we were trying to move in on the crew with full sail, wind, and motor. Interesting adventure.
Sailing went well until we got off Cat Island and a squall came out of no where and everyone dropped their sails and set anchor. All of the other boats disapeared over the horizon or out of view. The crew headed downstairs to wait out the storm. When the storm let up a little we dropped the Jib down the hatch and motored on in in semi rough seas. About two miles out of the harbor - the harbor patrol headed whizzed by under full lights. We were not sure who was in trouble - but someone was.
Interesting that a couple of the crew members are hurricane survivors and from Long Beach - where again I am hearing that there is little to no help being offered. I first heard it from the Long Beach City employees - now I am hearing this again. Interesting. I will look into this seriously on Monday.
I rolled in home soaking wet. Nice way to greet a new full time volunteer! He had arrived at 3.30pm and Rich had picked him up in Gulfport. Myself - I headed for the shower and bed. It had been a long day and we are off to a race in Gulfport today - racing to Biloxi.
Tomorrow is another day as its a full week of volunteers. We are going to be busy!
And, how is your weekend going?
Friday June 8th
It was HOT, HOT, HOT so I offered the Range Riders a job working on a swimming pool. Yes, a great job for a hot summers day. Well, almost !!! And, it will be if they ever get water in it.
It was a HOT one today - but it didnt slow down around here. Lots going on - lots of work orders plowed thru. The Episcopal Church has a team working tomorrow and they are looking for Work Orders and so "we" will be working a little bit tomorrow. But, at 1pm, I will be off sailing on the wild blue yonder. Thats the plan anyway.
And TGIF - its been a long hard week. More volunteers booked in for the month and another long term volunteer to pick up tomorrow that will be staying with us for a while.
I watched a Water Mocasin slither across the road in front of the house and into the ditch across the street this afternoon. The snakes are pretty thick this year - the mile of debris piles are a perfect breeding ground and protect the snakes from their natural predators. Blonde was sitting watching the ditch this morning trying to tell me "something" was in there. I suspected a snake - but I could not see it and there was a culvert right there.
And my birthday sneaks up again - seems to do that the same time every year. I do not feel like I am turning 56 - but I am. Sigh.
So, life goes on here. The troops are very tired tonight - so glad the weekend is here.
So, how was your week. We had an AWSOME week. And, John - I thank you everyday for this airconditioner!
Wednesday June 7th
Wow - came home to find two packages sitting just inside the front door out of the hot, hot sun. The Wolf's family sending a lot of boxed love - and a lot of chocolate and other treats we do not see a lot of here. THANKYOU, THANKYOU, THANKYOU! You guys are awsome.
The church is making progress, we worked on the "Park" and got it clean again despite the fact we have had two break-ins and someone kicked in some of the flyscreen on the new buildings. So, so frustrating.
We got some of our forms delivered up to a house five miles beyond the Kiln and worked on plumbing at a house under construction, and assisting moving supplies for the food pantry today - including storing some of it here. Not to mention working on the warehouse project here.
Matt from Christian Public Service, the Mennonite crew from Sycamore St., stopped by - he is leaving in two weeks. He will be sorely missed - he has contributed so much this past year.
Willie called in from Christian Aid Ministries, the Mennonite crew from Picayune - it was good to hear from them. They will be back in the fall.
Ohio Disaster Relief is sending two girls for two months here in a couple of weeks - I am so excited to have them coming on board.
Phil and Clint are plowing thru the work here, there and everywhere. Despite the heat they are keeping focussed on the goal - moving people forward.
And its hot, it is really "hot". John - you have no idea how thankfull I am for the air conditioners. It has been the world of differance here.
Phil and I made a delivery to Picayune and picked up a couch set for the house. And, I might add, got a home cooked meal. Nothing like a good home cooked meal.
The Gulf Coast Recovery team, Range Riders, is getting their feet under them - they are working on the Church project right now plus helping out here with the warehouse inventory and the office. The heat is really taking its toll on them - but they will adjust.
We have a lot of the lumber load over here now and inventoried as well as up online. The "warehouse" will be open Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons only. We will be doing Case Management intakes only on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday from 12-4. The rest of the time we are doing paperwork and fielding phone calls.
So, how is your week going?
Wednesday June 6th
Well, that was a fun City of Waveland Alderman Meeting - Kaboom made their presentation and sort of got a nod to go ahead. The City of Waveland website debacle was assumed as the responsibility of one Alderman who said it was "her" fault that all links to volunteer websites or written material encouraging volunteerism was removed from the City website. She also promised that the volunteers were going to have their "own" page very quickly. Then the Mayor stated, regardng those infamous tire/lawnmower piles in Middletown, that their "owners" needed to dispose of them themselves.Then, when challenged, promised to call the county to see "what we could do". Actually he promised to do that twice last year - and it never happened. Interesting that there are no tires/lawnmowers awaiting pickup anywhere else in town - except Middletown. Why is that? Then Luther was formerly hired by the City to be the Custodian of the Park. The Firemen were introduced and praised when they received a pay raise and promotion. Luther was only acknowledged as an after thought after I stood up to shake his hand. But the strangest part of the evening was the hostile behavior of a City Employee when challenged as to the validity of the City depositing a check to the General Fund that was made out to: Waveland, Ms (Katrina Relief). Was it meant for the "City" or was it meant for "Katrina Relief"? Any well meaning reasonable person would have just asked the donor for clarification insteading of getting very nasty about ownership of the funds and denigrating a volunteer organization over a $200 donation. Good grief - if they are that broke then let me give them another $200 in matching funds in case they run out this coming week. So, instead of requesting a clarification - it was deposited to the City General Fund. And all the while two employees, from the same City building office, one the supervisor, one a member of the building office staff - sat there and acted like two 16 year olds playing cuddly and footsie for all behind to view and wonder about the eithics of staff "dating".
And that was the Council meeting - a very shameful non professional episode in front of Kaboom who came just to ask "Can we help you build a playground?".
Else it was a very productive day. Volunteers left and right knocking out work orders, working on a church, moving lumber, and just getting the job done they came to do. Thats what we are here for.
It was a great Saturday. Even the funeral was uplifting and Miss Aunt Rita gave a fabulous testimonial for Miss Ruth Collins. How would you not love Miss Aunt Rita - at 94 she stands for everything Middletown was and is today. I do hope someone is taking down her story. I so love that lady.
I worked for the most part of Saturday but went fishing at 4pm. I do not have proof but we caught 4 nice catfish, 2 unkown species (which we plan on eating despite the anominity of it all), and two very large and stupid crabs who latched onto the bait and would not let go - who, I might add, are cooked and now sitting in the fridge cooling off. Those I will give to Phil for "lunch" since he is working so hard on the lawn today. Normally mowing the lawn is not such hard work - but Blonde is chasing the lawn mower and biting the wheels all-the-while barking up a storm. Something she does with all "wheeled" things that make noise. Very very silly dog.
Short of work orders this morning - the rest of the day is planned for a sailing adventure. Yes, I will take my camera. This is going to be fun. I used to crew an ocean going racing yaucht in my younger more foolish years. So, I am off to check out the wild blue yonder without the engine today. Not sure if I can handle that after boating around at break neck speed in Jason's boat the last few weeks. I will adjust - this is going to be fun.
We are working hard in order to be ready for the anticipated 160 who we will be providing work orders to this week. Not to mention a myriad of meetings that seem to be scheduled also this week. Bad timing but we will make this work.
Clint is due in tomorrow - yeah! Gulf Coast Recovery teams are on the ground as I write and will be here also. Yeah! Life is good.
So, how is your weekend going?
Saturday June 2nd, 2007.
Today is Miss Ruth's funeral. Its not a sad day at all - but a celebration of a great life and a time for a community to come together to remember.
And it is June - how did we get to June so quickly. And I turn 56 this month - how did I get to 56. It seems only yesterday that I was graduating highschool, that my children were babies, and I had a long way to go till I got as old as my mother. I do not feel "old" nor consider that this is old. Oh, believe me, I feel the aching bones in the morning when I have pushed too hard the day before. I feel ancient when I see the young mothers in the line ahead of me at WalMart and they are balancing two to three children (and wondering why the store insists on putting all those colorful knick knacks at child height at the checkout stand) all the while pushing a grocery cart, and trying to count out change. Oh, those were the days. Was I that young when I had my children?
Yes, it is June and we still have so far to go down here. Next week we will have upto 160 volunteers per day rolling thru these doors every day. We are truly going to be rocking and rolling. Clint is coming back! Yeah. We look forward to his arrival. The true blessing is the "return" volunteers - you know you have got the message across then and that you have done a good job.
We have air conditioning in the office. Yeah! Thankyou John - I think of you every time I have to find the remote to turn it on. Now who on earth would come up with a wild concept of having a remote to turn on an air conditioner - heaven forbid someone loses the remote in the office! It will be war!
Phil is rocking on the warehouse - and we are distributing the merchandise. This is the way it is supposed to be. Donated items do not do a thing for the community if they are sitting in a warehouse.
And it tis Saturday - what a fabulous week we have had.
If only it was that simple. But its not - its takes a myriad of people working as a team to make this reconstruction work. Of course - some understand that concept and some do not.
That was a fun week of events. Had an established national lumber chains print rejected at City of Waveland building department. Politics more than ordinance - in fact not one issue raised with the print was ordinance related including the demand that the prints be "stapled". You can "ask" but you can not demand.
Annette - you are awsome to have sold this many sheets of sheetrock without a hitch in three weeks. Thats about 60 homes worth of rock!
HOT aint the word at all to describe yesterday - my crews were dying. Although I did have the Range Riders out on the river with crab pots, bait, fishing poles and a very nasty clean up gut job. Bribery will get you somewhere some of the time - but the spoiler here was the overbearing heat. They did come in for lunch with a crab albeit undersize and were sent back to set Willie free. *G*
It was a fabulous Saturday. Rich and Clint went to their "early morning job" and did some plumbing. Phil was off with his wife in New Orleans for a well deserved weekend off and it was their wedding aniversary. His wife had flown in for that very special weekend. He will be home this evening.
It was a great Saturday. Even the funeral was uplifting and Miss Aunt Rita gave a fabulous testimonial for Miss Ruth Collins. How would you not love Miss Aunt Rita - at 94 she stands for everything Middletown was and is today. I do hope someone is taking down her story. I so love that lady.
