Saucy Faucet

Garon's blog is so well done and if I had the writing skills I could have writtem it because we met the same people... I am planning when to return to the relief effort-I am quoting some from his blog manofideas.blogspot.com so you can get an idea of what it was like.

Thanks for your support guys.

"Graduation Day

Watched a graduation of sorts today. 15 of the shelter residents waited almost all day for buses to take them to Mobile, Alabama. The shelter at the church is only intended for temporary lodging, and there are good reasons for that. There are no private rooms. Men and women sleep in the same open areas. My friend Billy shares a small Sunday School room with two residents, one male and one female, both of whom are on oxygen. Also, this is a church, and the congregation would like to have it back at some point, so they can resume all the normal functions of a church. They held services today, but no Sunday School.
Also, space for residents is simply limited. They would like to have more room and comfortable facilities.
Anyway, the bus to Mobile took the residents to a cruise ship that is docked there. It will serve as a temporary residence for these victims. They will have a private room, and some nice amenities, even a swimming pool. The ship will remain in Mobile for now, but will move to Pascagoula, MS, in a few weeks when the harbor there is cleared of debris. The residents will then be able to leave the ship to find jobs.
It was a thrill to see them leave. It did feel like a graduation. Although they came to the shelter with nothing, they have already begun to accumulate possessions again. Some of them more aggressively than others. It's funny, because on the ship they won't need many of things they've already gathered, like bedding, because it will be provided by the cruise lines. Possessions give them comfort, I guess.
But I've seen how easily everything a man owns can be made worthless, and a lifetime of accumulated goods become trash that you must pay to haul away. Accumulating more toys will not be one of my goals when I return home. I want to see how quickly I can donate what I have to someone who needs it more than I do.
When I was at the shelter in Jackson, MS, a lady brought her entire Beanie Baby collection as a donation. The children in the shelter loved getting a single, stuffed toy. It meant more to them than everything they received last Christmas. This is a game of who needs it the most. Does my daughter need 40 stuffed toys? Perhaps the 41st should go to someone who has none.


The difference between shelter residents and volunteers:

There isn't one, at least there wasn't in the beginning. Now, new volunteers coming in are a little more aloof. I can see how, in the future, the volunteers will look down with pity on the residents.
Please, when you come, leave your expectations at home. Ask the residents of the shelter, and the survivors in the cars that pick up food who they are, how they did in the storm. Ask for their help, they will give it freely. When you're out working on a house, they will give you a cold drink, when it is all they have to give. You will need it, and they will give it gladly.
You can go back to the real world, where class and status matter, any time you want. In this world, it's about who needs it the most, and helping each other. When someone works like a dog beside you in the brutal heat, you say thank you regardless of their race, income, or education level.
If you care about "yours" and "mine", you will have that when you go home. Here, in the shadow of disaster and scarcity, everything belongs to everyone. You hand it to the person who needs it the most. Sometimes that is the survivor of the storm, and sometimes it is the volunteer who came to help.
Today, I was on the way to deliver relief supplies to a small outpost in one of the most affected neighborhoods of Ocean Springs, Gulf Park Estates. I realized on the way that I was driving a borrowed car, following a truck I commandeered from the line of cars picking up supplies at the church, which was towing a trailer that a volunteer from Charlotte, NC had donated to the church. The trailer was loaded with food that had been donated by some unknown person to another organization, not the church I've been working for. Nothing I was using had ever been mine, but it was given to me because I asked for it, and they trusted that it was needed. I've been loaned a refrigerated semi-trailer worth more than $100,000 in the real world on the same basis, and a tractor and driver to pull it.
When you're here, or at home, don't be afraid to ask for what you need. And don't be surprised when the answer is yes.

This is from Garon's blog: written by Chad--I know all the people he mentions and he nails it! Which it better than I can do right now!

"If you've gone through the house in the road, you've gone too far" (guest blog - Billy)

So Chad has already told some of the stories we’ve heard while out in Biloxi and what we’ve been up to during the day so I won’t repeat any of that. The ice run is a funny thing. We’re out in an absolutely destroyed neighborhood delivering ice and other things people need, using directions that show what kind of world we’re in. To get to Ella’s house, we turn left at the Aerostar van that is through the front wall of a corner store (there are no street signs). To get to Nate’s house, we take a right where the Xterra is up on the porch. Another family that hadn’t seen much aid at all yet ran up to our truck a block or two away asking for us to come by. He told us to just back up through the debris-filled street, take a right, go a block down, and “if you go through the house in the street, you’ve gone too far.” It’s funny that after one day, this doesn’t seem strange at all. “Oh, there’s the massive casino barge torn to pieces and moved about a quarter mile inland, we’re on the right track.” We drive down streets without a single house standing and it doesn’t really seem that odd
The one thing that gets me is when we see a number other than zero on a house that’s been tagged by the fire department. The number isn’t how many people used to live there, or any other sort of code. It’s how many people died there. We are in a disaster zone where tons of bodies have been found and more will be found in the weeks to come as the clean up continues. This is the world we serve in for a few days, but this is the world the people we’ve become so close with LIVE in.
We had the idea to hand out newspapers today because we thought they might want to know what is going on in the world. I flipped through one and the Personal ads are so different than our “Looking for single female who enjoys doing laundry.” The ad I read says “Looking for my Dad” and goes on to describe her elderly father who lived in Gulfport, a hard hit area, but hasn’t turned up. I pray they reunite, but there's a story of lost loved ones for every reunion story down here.
One of the guys we bring supplies to, Joe, lived about 300 yards from the beach. [wendy: Joe's dog two bits is pictured below] His house is not a pile of sticks. There is nothing there, but rubble. His tent is pitched in the middle of a trash pile. He thanked the heck out of me the other day just for bringing him ice; he pulled out a marble cheese cutter that he found in the rubble and insisted that I take it. He salvaged one minor little thing in our world and wanted to give it to me for coming by twice a day with ice (that will quickly melt in this heat). This man and his three dogs are all alone at his camp because his friend that he rode out the storm with cut up his leg on the chain link fences near by while they were swimming during the storm to get to the two story building next door. His friend got gangrene in his leg and was taken to Biloxi Regional about a mile down the road about a week ago. Joe gave me his name and asked me if I could find out how his friend was doing for him because he couldn’t live camp because he had “to look after him and his neighbors stuff”. Him and his neighbor’s stuff is a yard full of rubble. Luckily, the guy we are staying with is a ObGyn at Biloxi Regional and found out for us today that the guy is still there and what room. So tomorrow, I get to tell him how his friend is doing (thankfully I’m bringing good news) and I just know how excited Joe will be.
The last blurb I have for the day didn’t happen on the ice run, it happened back at the shelter. A woman, Kathleen, and her 12 year old daughter, Victoria, came in to the shelter looking for supplies. I started talking with her and hearing her story. 45 minutes later I had heard about how she’s getting evicted, how her family’s doing, how Victoria’s best friend’s mom evacuated but got killed in a car crash returning back to the area, saw pictures of all her kids and grandkids, and the whole time could hear the desperation in her voice. I wanted to set up something long term to help her out, but I leave tomorrow and I could see her just deflate when I told her that. We exchanged phone numbers and addresses and I filled her car up with supplies to last her and Victoria a little while at least. As she was leaving she got out of the cross and handed me a cross that Victoria had made out of some kind of plant, it may be one of the most beautiful gifts I’ve ever received (it’s on my dash now to remind me of them). She gave me two big hugs, thanking me for everything I had done (didn’t find her a new place to live, can’t help her anytime in the future since I’m leaving, didn’t make things all better for her). She thanked me simply for listening to her and caring for her that hour she was at the center. She then told me, “You’re definitely a man of God, I know it, you’re a man of God. When you get to judgment day and God asks you what you did for him, tell him you were his hands and his feet. Thank you so much for everything” and one last big hug goodbye and I’ll probably never see or hear from her again.
I guess the thing to take away from this is that everyone has a story of pain to tell and one of the things we did for these last couple of days is just listen. The ice run isn’t about ice; it’s about us loving them and showing them that we care for them by sharing in their pain with them. 3 gallons of water thrown from the back of a moving truck doesn’t hold a candle to one bottle of water accompanied by someone to talk to for a few minutes on the porch. The thank you's for what we are doing just blow me away, especially when someone looks you dead in the eye and says, "Thank you, you'll really never know what this means." And they're right, I probably won't, but I guarantee they'll never really know how much their hope and spirit and will to live has changed my life.

God Bless,
Billy

“Tough times don’t last, tough people do.” (guest blog - Chad)

I want to start by saying 2 things:
1- Garon is a stud. If you don't know him, get to know him. He's been an inspiration to volunteers like us (we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him), and helped hundreds of people that needed help more than ever.

2- Any words I use to describe this experience will not do justice to the people, events, or emotions that are at work here.

So, rather than attempt to describe what we have seen and felt (4 college kids from UVA), it seems the only way to give this experience the depth it deserves, I will tell a few of the stories that have impacted us, and will continue to impact us for a long time.

We spent the last few days delivering ice to people in Biloxi that are continuing to reside in what remains of their place of residence. For these people, we deliver ice twice a day and whatever other items they need to continue to survive (everything from batteries to underwear)

We met a single, 50 year-old lady named Ella [Ella and Dane pictured below] who explained to us how she survived the storm by straddling a post by the door and hanging on so hard her legs bled. She looked us square in the eye and recounted how she should not be alive right now; the only way she was alive was that “God must have a direction for her”. She continued to the nearby church as the storm was subsiding and collapsed on the marble floor by the crucifix thanking God for saving her life. I have never seen a person with a passion for life and upbeat mentality in the midst of devastation in my life. She is a true warrior, and will inspire me as I continue my walk through life.

Another man named Tom [Tom is below telling Dane how he survived] lives at the end of a road where most neighbors did not survive the storm. He let his presence known to the rescuers by a sign on the main road declaring ‘Tom Wasmer: I’m still Home’. Everyday we see him, he has put another dent into cleaning his ravaged house. He told us after the storm he “just wanted to sleep and wake up from a dream. Yet everytime I tried to sleep, the smell of dead bodies made it quite clear that this was no dream.”

A bunch of 5 neighbors had banded together on another side street. As we passed by to give them ice, I noticed a television and 4 folding chairs next to what remains of the road. When I pointed to the set-up, the man passionately exclaimed, “It’s our entertainment center.” When we handed them bottles of lemonade, the man showed a pure sense of joy that few children exhibit on Christmas morning.

The last story I will leave everyone with is a bunch of guys that are currently sleeping outside of a building that has a sign saying “Heartbreak Hotel”. They have also banded together and united in their struggle to survive amidst the debris and demolition. They told us stories of survival, human spirit, and a will to live that I will not soon forget. At the end of their stories, they looked our group in the eye and said:
“Tough times don’t last, tough people do.”

As we continued to meet people and listen to stories, a feeling of hope came through the rubble that embodied what is truly the human spirit. A community has been knocked down, but the people make it clear that they are not knocked out. They clutch their dogs, kids, and whatever remains of their life and repeat that they have a resolve to get back up on their feet. Even though shelters are open, these warriors will not let a storm tear them from a homestead that is all they know. While each of these people thank us for giving them supplies, I feel the need to thank them. Thank them for giving us a hope that the human spirit is alive and well and thank them for an experience that like Katrina, will never be forgotten.

I am itching to get home only to upload images--all other parts of me are sad at leaving.

Today was a red letter day.  Yesterday I was determined to find Ella a lawnmower. She supports herself by mowing lawns, and even though she has clienst who will pick her up and take her back to work, katrina toasted her lawnmower, so until she got a new one, she'd be unable to earn any money.   Last night two guys from FEMA (and here I thought they were imaginary...) showed up needing shelter and sleep.  I hooked them up with blankets and pillows and supplies... and told them a bit about life here in Biloxi (i.e. what they have been missing.)  it was obvious that these men are good people... and I only teased them a little.  They asked what I was doing here, and I told them about Ella.  The next morning one of the FEMA guys gives me a $100 bill.

The shiny new red mower cost $99.96.

Is that awesome or what?!?!?!? 

My joy cannot be measured.  Tonight at sunset Dane drove me out of Biloxi with a song playing that made me weep.  Dane is a writer and I am hoping that he will be able to put finer words to the elation and despair of everyday. 

So now Ella can work, she can make some money... one more problem solved.

I have so many stories and when I get home tomorrow, you can count on hearing as many of them as you care to read.

I called my boss yesterday-

"Katheryn, I know I am due back tomorrow-but there's too much work to do here--I have work covered.. can I stay longer?"

"I can't pay you."

Me: "No worries, I just need you to not fire me."

"I would never fire you."

 

So I am staying a little longer...  Yesterday was a great day--I delivered ice-which made me feel like a rock star.  I rode around with the biggest hearted kid ever, Dane, who has befriended this amazing woman Ella.  Ella owns her own lawnmowing business.  She's 51, Catholic, never married, AMAZINGLY beautiful woman.  We chatted with her for a bit then pitched in to help her gut her house.  I can't tell you how great it felt to swing a sledgehammer into rotting drywall.  The mold that had already begun to grow was scary.    I have to go--but here's the thing:  ella needs a lawnmower--she can go back to work if she gets onw-- do any of you know any way to help me help ella?  I have her address if you are interested...

 

 

Check out Garron, who is working like a brilliant maniac here at the shelter's blog manofideas.blogspot.com

The shelter is quiet right now, and I charmed my way onto the computer for a moment to just let you guys know a bit about being here in Biloxi Mississippi.  (Actually, we're just outside of Biloxi.... Biloxi is just about gone.)  I know when you see pictures of debris (not the cat, the storm damage...) it all kinds of blends together and you numb yourself to it....   I have a ton of images that I will upload when I get to my computer... but let me just say that it's (everything you can say sounds trite) unfathomable how wicked this storm was. 

    Let me also say two more quick things.  A: if in anyway, you live close to a shelter or any place you can help-run do not walk, RUN to help--they need it.  They still need it now, they will still need it in a month... and longer.  If you can come, or donate anything--seriously nothing is too small.  (a box of baby wipes marked Hurricane relief  Biloxi, MS would be AWESOME.)  and B.  I am so so frightened and concerned for the people here-trying to live in unimaginable conditions-they will certainly get sick.  There's no way you can live in three feet of mud, without part of your roof, and no windows (obviously no power or water) and not get sick.  When I upload pics of Helen, who hung from her house by her cable wire-and Wendy, 12, whose Aunt Niecey's body is still missing- and the pool with the two bodies in it, at the historic birthplace of Barq's root beer--I'm hoping you'll get that if you're still thinking, "I'd like to do something, but I feel so helpless... " you'll find a way to do anything to help.

   That being said, A LOT *is* being done.  Tears welled in my eyes today when I talked to Dane from Oregon who didn't know a soul in Mississippi, but came here because like Garron from NC and Dennis from Texas, he "Got tired of watching it on TV and had to do something."  I told him, "I am so amazed you are here, this is my backyard... I had to come, but you came from so far..." 

"There's no place else I'd rather be," he smiled at me 

   When you hand someone ice and they act like you've handed them a million bucks.. the feeling is amazing.  I am so glad I came, I don't know how I will leave as scheduled tomorrow-but I know I will be back. 

   My old boss said, "There's two kinds of people, those who write the checks and those that unload the trucks.  And you need both.  The guys that unload the trucks are the guys who don't have a life or a career--and can take off like that.  Without the check people, there'd be nothing to unload.  And if the check people just wrote checks there would be all money and no one there to do the work."  I don't know if I agree completely with that, but there's some truth.  People have lives they can't get away from- I feel so blessed to have been close enough to just drive down in a couple of hours.  If you can't leave-then at least look at the pictures, pray for the people you see, talk about this encourage others to give whatever they can. 

   I don't know what else to say, it already sounds like a sally struthers commercial.  but I also want to say that your comments make the folks at the shelter laugh and I show them sometimes if I surf the web on my phone.   I love you guys-your encouragement is so uplifting.

thank you--more pics to come...

He flew supplies and aid today to Mobile... Met with hugs and cheers... I love my Dad.

Mom cooked dinner for 17 refugees here in our neighborhood.

They rock.

My family is way cool.

My podcasting thingy is not working... GRRRRR

I taped Ginger, my neighbor's daughter who just came up from Mississippi--I thought she could tell it best... She told us of the Winn Dixie that lets five people in at a time to spend a limit of $25 dollars. On the other side of the store is the makeshift morgue, where they are stacking bodies until they can be dealt with. Her father's tugboat on the Mississppi has been "borrowed" by the Coats Guard to ferry bodies out of New Orleans. She told me of the the conditions down there much better than I could and I can't get it to post-- I am working on it.

Two of our studios were washed away-so I am working with my boss to employ photographers at my studio and get them housing-until they can go home. We are also working to re-print people's pictures they may have lost...

My brother is volunteering at Georgia Tech where they have taken many Tulane students. They are working on getting them housing and letting them attend tech so they don't miss a semester.

All the school in Lower MS-surely LA too is cancelled until January. So those children are being enrolled here in Montgomery.

I met several refugees today who told me that their jobs for the most part are going to be taken care of. Two people worked for banks that have said they will pay them until the branches re-open. Let's hope that holds.

Here in Montgomery, we're going to take toys tomorrow to the kids who are staying in the motels locally and taking over more food and clothes. I closed the studio on Monday (gotta conserve gas, people!) and we'll be helping to load up another 18 wheeler to take aid down to Mississippi. So far, there's still gas here, but prices are crazy.

And the jerk who is running the Key West Motel here in Wetumpka is charging the refugees double the normal room rate! I don't know what he's thinking....

One nice thing again is today i heard more red state people finally get it-that Bush is an IDIOT!

If Harry Connick Jr. can get in his SUV and get to New Orleans... why weren't those people getting aid?!?!?

The caravan from next door is back and we are re-loading with supplies. Mom went and spent a good part of both our paychecks on tax-free groceries on base to give to refugees. the base is offering assitance to local families housing refugees.

Gas stations are emptying out- though you can still get gas in places...

local stores and car dealerships are offering free breakfasts with out-of-state licenses.

The Montgomery Red Cross center needs help-I am going in tomorrow after work.

I am also going to ask my employer for some leave to assist more significantly--we'll see how that goes over.

The state emergency management folks are grounded here in alabama. We're expected to be out of gas by Saturday. The fear is that if we head down to the area affected by the storm that we will run out of gas--and end up becoming another person who needs aid.

I am here in Montgomery, and we're basically trying to house as many refugees as possible. This is a huge long term challenge that we in the South are facing- I would urge you guys to donate any money you can spare to the Red Cross...

THANK GOD! I just saw a Hurricane Relief concert ad--Whatever it takes to get people to donate, though it is amusing that you need to hear some music to give some aid...


and bush- glad he called Daddy and Bill in... maybe they will do something. Cheers to local companies: Verizon offering free text messages, local and long-distance calls, tech support and battery recharging. Sizzler is offering free breakfast to refugees. Churches giving free meals, Family services offering gas vouchers to re-fill tanks.

Those of you who know me personally, and some of you from Buzz know I lost one of my best friends and favorite people... goodness, has it been two years already? Since losing Patrick, I have become very close with his family on the North Shore of Lake Ponchatrain,outside of Louisiana. I have been praying for their safety, knowing that they don't bug out when it comes to storms. I heard this morning from their oldest son... good news that warmed my heart:

"Everybody is fine. I did not find out until last night, and it was second-hand from my aunt, but they're okay. Mom, Dad, and Jon stayed in Covington during the storm. According to Aunt Marilyn's account, they've lost electrical power, phone service, and about thirty trees. Always the intrepid survivor, my Dad has hooked up his camper trailer and three powerplants to create a nice little air-conditioned oasis amongst the carnage. There is no significant damage to their home or any of the out-buildings.

Vanessa and I will go down there this weekend to help cut and stack the downed trees. We'll bring some treats with us to make everyone's life a little nicer and evaluate what our next steps will be.

Our family...including the ones in Metairie...were spared any major losses. It is astounding, but the Lawrences have checked out all their homes (but one, we still do not have news about Ray and Kathleen's place) and have found them all to be dry and whole.

Thank you for your concern. As with all tragedies, this experience has identified many people that have demonstrated that they care about me and mine. It is a generous and treasured gift."

WOOOHOOOOOO!!! Happy news! Keep in your prayers the caravan that left yesterday... and all the other million people whose lives are upside down as a result of Katrina.

Got back from nashville--and signed up with the Red Cross to help assist with the Katrina relief. No clue what I will be doing but I have to find some way to help.

Please keep in your prayers my loved ones in New Orleans especially the Bagleys.

One of my co-workers was lucky enough to not lose family, but has lost everything she owned-except the clothes they evacuated with... No car, no home.. nothing. It's hard to fathom the destruction on the news. I have already caught up with a bunch of stories and people here are hoarding gas the prices of which are SOARING.

I did meet up with some Buzznet folks in nashville--they were awesome.

I feel a bit better, though my color is off... I am usually a very rosey-cheeked girl, and I am a bit yellow. (at least in Mom's estimation.)

I am starting a work blog. I just can't help it. There are too many stories to tell. If you want the url, just message me... and I'll give it to you. Of course, it's an anonymous blog so no shoutin' my name in the comments. (y'hear?) Since I spend my life at work these days, I figure that sort of a blog would be more interesting anyway.

I wanted to share my Wal-Mart woes, but the fire is sort of out by now. Basically I needed to fill a script from the doctor, but my insurance, though Blue Crap/Blue Shit, is based out of state. Time for a game of "Stump the Pharmacy!"

Since Wally World is the huge store in town, I decide to go to the Mom and Pop Pharmacy downtown. Wetumpka has a cute town square and Adams Drug was the place that used to keep my uncle stocked with morphine, when he had cancer. I headed into the store. The folks behind the counter were cool enough to call my insurance, but alas, since they are a small store, they didn't have a contact with them. "Sorry, sweetie, but have some hand lotion... it's good stuff and a guy here in town invented it!"

I'm rubbing my hands together as I walk out the door, looking at the darkening sky. I love the Southern sky... an endless variation in clouds... so unlike LA, and today the sky was gloomy and dark to the East, but the sun was blazing in the other direction, meaning that the buildings were shining against a dark sky. I cursed my stupid broken camera and headed over to CVS.

"We can't do that. Go to Wal-Mart."

No points for not even trying, CVS, so I go over to Walmart. The wind has picked up and a few large raindrops hit me on my way in... I head to the Drop-Off window at the Pharmacy. There's a tech starting and what might as well be Chinese on the screen... as she seems to have little idea what she should be doing there.

I wait.
and wait.
and wait.

No acknowledgement from tech/computer/chick.

I wonder if I should fake cough or something, when after a good few minutes she turns to me.

She looks at me blankly and I wait for a greeting.

beat

no greeting

ooooookay.... "Hey, I need to fill this prescription, but my insurance is based out of state."

"Oh, I've never done that before... Brenda! This girl's from outta state, how do we call her Wal-Mart and get her medicine?"

"No, I live here, I don't have another Wal-Mart, I just need to fill this script."

"I don't know how to do that.. see... what's your name?"

Right then, I kid you not... lightening strikes near/at the WalMart and the power goes out.

"Now I have to wait for the computer to come back up..."

really? we don't have a hand crank for this thing? I am getting frustrated. This is the third pharmacy, I feel like ass, I really want to be in bed and I haven't even been able to drop the stupid paper off.

The computer comes back up.

"Okay, what's the deal with your insurance?"

"I work here at **** (a national company) but the Blue Crap/Blue Shit insurance is based in another state."

"Do what?"

At this point I need to tell you that the phrase, "Do what?" is getting on my last nerve. People here use it ALL THE TIME. Mostly when they just didn't hear you and would like you to repeat what you have said. Since I talk WAY too fast for this part of the country, then happens to me frequently. I should probably just slow down and use small words.

"Unless you can tell me exactly what code to enter in my computer, I can't help you. Maybe you should try the Wal-Mart in Montgomery."

Mind you, behind the tech is a huge poster claiming that Wal-Mart is a national chain and can handle prescriptions NATIONWIDE.

I look down at my cell phone... I have been here for 45 minutes. To drop off a script.

"Look, just give me back my script, please."

I take the script and leave in a huff.

I am so pissed... I call Dad and then hang up mid-ring thinking I will sound childish to complain to him. I get the brilliant idea to call the other state's Wal-Mart and get the frigging mystery code myself. I call Wetumpka Wal-Mart again.

"If I get the code, can you fill the script?"

"Sure, if you call them and get it, I guess that will work."

"fine."

Dad calls, "what did you need, babe?"

I whine to Dad about Wetumpka sucking and Wal-Mart and insurance...

Dad, "I'm home, so come home and tell me about it."

I head home, and on the way a truck passes me on a narrow road.. I wave my fist at him as he passes at top speed. He sticks his finger back out the window.. then leans out the window.. turned around screaming at me as he speeds away. I can't hear a word of it, as the radio is blaring Postal Service... He swerves and almost runs off the road... overcorrects by going into the other lane of traffic and takes off into the wilderness.

Hmmmmm I guess I could have not inspired that bout of road rage...

I plop on the chair next to Dad who's fiddling with his new laptop and he asks the magical question... "How much would the meds cost if you paid out of pocket?"

I call over to Walmart again.

"$20."

WTF!?!?!?

Dad grins and we get into the car to head back to Wal-Mart to just get the stupid medicine... I think my co-pay would be $15 anyway so the $5 is totally worth not having the insurance grief.

Back to the Drop Off window.

25 minutes later....

"I'm just going to pay out of pocket."

"Well, we don't have any insurance on file for you..."

holy crap--it's the same tech--please don't let me come over the counter....

"Ummm hmmm Just paying cash."

"That'll be forty-five minutes." I check it the time... it's 4:23PM

Dad gets a call on his cell that Mom's locked out of her car in Millbrook, one town over... she was in a hurry and locked her cell in there as well. Dad and I head over to rescue her, and while we're there stop at a Chinese Buffet for dinner.

Buffets are a bad idea. Especially when you are on a diet. I'm pretty good though, a smidgen of rice, chicken and broc with some peas.

During dinner, Noemi's future employer calls from New Zealand to check references... I get excited for her as it seems she's got the job wrapped up and hit with the pangs of wanderlust...

Why am I in a strip mall in Millbrook??

Dad and I head to airport after dinner. I haven't flown with him in a while and he lets me ride in the left seat. Woohoooo! we go through the pre-flight checklists and he gives me some pointers on using the brakes... I'm never done it before... and we take off! It's hazy... but not bad and you can see Lake Jordan, the dam, Wetumpka, the Coosa River, which snakes through the miles of pine forests surrounding where we live... We listen to the traffic and I practice a few 90 degree turns and try to fly level... trimming off the forces, balancing the plane, climbing and dropping... we turn for the airport and we land the plane... I am sure Dad did most of it.. he certainly kept us from getting killed... but I alerted him, "We've stalled!" "That's okay, we're on the ground!" I felt exhilarated nonetheless. I love flying with my Dad. It's a blessing to realize you're having a great moment at the time you're having it.. I felt blessed to get to spend more time with the 'rents.

It's getting dark... Mom is STILL at Wal-Mart getting the script. It took them THREE HOURS to get together 20 pills of Amoxicillian.

If stress cannot be created or destroyed it can just be passed on... I think I passed all the pharmacy stress to Mom.

I meanwhile sniffled and coughed and sneezed after getting back on the ground and have been feeling pretty lousy ever since.

all covered in this podcast.

I tried to speak up.. let me know if it sounds better.

(please)
Safer Sex, Work Review and Mean Comments Podcast

All my bras are too big...
but my underwear still fits.

You do the math.

bleh.

"Well, there were only two possibilities to explain the room I was in. Either I had wandering into a seminar on how to shoplift basketballs, or I was in an obstetrician's office. The current subscription to "Pregnancy" magazine and the unlikelihood of my inadvertently wandering into a crime ring seemed to favor the latter. As did the fact that all the employees had a last names of either "MD," "RN," or "NP." Unfortunately, the very Victorian bench I was sitting on did not lend itself to napping, so my cat's "sleep and it will go away" plan was not an option.

Then Beth came around the corner and told me to come with her. The doctor stuck her hand out and said "Congratulations, Daddy!" Well, that seals that.

She then began writing prescriptions for ultrasounds, nausea medication, and enough folic acid to strip the paint off my car. My eyes were glazing over, but apparently I had some sort of goofy grin because the doctor did not seem overly concerned about me. The good news is that the cat's litter boz is now MY exclusive domain. The power of the scooper is with me! At least until the currently estimated due date of March 27. That number is subject to revision by the ultrasound this coming Monday.

In the meantime I am trying to get used to the idea of being referred to as "Daddy," "Dad," and other variations thereof. Given that I still see myself as a kid (I bought Madden 2006 to celebrate!) this will take a lot of getting used to. I can't speak for Beth on this one. But what I do know is that I am absolutely thrilled to have to figure all this out in addition to how to put a crib together and keep the cats out of it. This is all very terrifying, but the happiest form of terrifying I have ever experienced. Of course, I do reserve the right revise any opinions stated herein.

In the meantime, I plan on keeping everyone updated as news arrives. Yes, we will find out the gender. As Rob put it, you get to be surprised at 4 months instead of 9. Ummm, no have not even put a little thought into the name, although I can assure you that "junior" is not on the list. Thanks everyone for laughing at my attempts at humor, and I look forward to telling you more soon.!

-D"

I guess I can announce now, that I'm going to be an AUNT!!!! WOOHOOOOOOO!!!

Abby came over yesterday, she hadn't seen me since Easter... she looked at me and said, "Wendy! You're a chick!"

I think this is the coolest commentary on my weight loss I have had yet.

Tomorrow is another weigh in and I am feeling nervous. bleh.

You can find my favorite alabama family story on my new Podcast page under "bobby" Podcast

I decided to extend the studio's hours and man... is it making me tired! POOPED, I tell ya.

Thanks for all the comments- it's amazing who you get to talk to on the Internet... Marc asked me to do an interview with Mary Ellen for Buzznet-I'm not sure she would do it, but I think it would be cool to interview some other people... I am going to work on that.

As soon as i get some sleep.

I also need to change my avatar since that was 52 pounds ago and one of my employees upon stumbling onto this page said, "Who is the lady in the upper left hand corner?"

"Me!"

"That lady has freckles!"

"I have freckles, silly!"

"Hmmmm" she said, still unconvinced.

I am planning on posting a picture of myself as soon as I hit 199... My One-derful shot! Maybe I will have to go buy myself a nice dress.

I am also headed to nashville at the end of the month... Anyone out there in Nashvegas?? Wanna meet for drinks?

So I was all jazzed thinking Abbie wanted sx70 and I to read her a bedtime story, but she actually just wanted us to read to her.

hmmm and I had already recorded a bedtime story! bleh. I could have found a much more humorous thing to do... but anyway- here's podcast #2 also with no funny. A child's bedtime story for Abbie.

Sleep well anyway!

Funny is coming tomorrow. I promise, griff!

:) Podcast

another rule broken! So she starts podcasting... Hmmm I need to work on that a bit no?
Let me know at least if the sound is okay.. and maybe next time I'll tell you a funny story!

Podcast

heading to Atlanta today with mummy to pick up an old friend from Virginia. Anna Lena is coming to visit! I was at the hospital when she was born, taking pictures of her very first moments and here she is all growed up! (this seems to be going around) Pics to follow of course.

In other news: people in real life--the non-plugged in types, are starting to notice the results of Project: Ass Reduction.

This is VERY exciting.

thanks for all of the encouragement! Y'all ROCK!