the driving chronicles

Let me say, I am proud of being a natural blonde. I love people asking me who does my hair and I say Pantene and my Chi.

If turning 37 didn't give me gray hairs, Hannah's driving permit will.

I have been going to my Dad & Cindy's (my other Mom) place since I was ten. They live in a very small town, your nearest neighbor is a mile away and you can see every star in the sky at night.

On our way to the bus when my brother and I would be leaving, we would almost every time see a road runner perched on a rock by the last turn.

every time we go there now, we always say, "There's the rock".

Now we have "there's the tree" to add.

Hannah has been driving short little spurts since getting her permit. To walgreens, to driver's ed, short, controlled distances. When we fled to my Dad's during Rita, we thought it would be a great chance to let Hannah drive down country roads.

The one little store had gas. We ran up there to fill up. Hannah is driving. Country roads. They are usually one lane, if by chance another car actually comes towards you, you gently yield to the right and let them pass.

As it happened, a truck was coming towards us. Country one lane road. Hannah yields, rather turns to the right, and acts like a horse who doesn't want to be ridden. She goes right under a large oak tree.

Ssss-crrrr-atttt-chhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

The passenger side of my truck has scrapes alllllll down the top of the roof.

I stopped counting scratches a long time ago, but the knee jerk reaction was JESUS CHR*ST HANNAH!!!!!!

Get a grip.

I remember driving my Dad's car down the very same roads, I remember my brother backing into a tree.

Now as we leave, we will see the rock, and the tree.

The other night, she learned what the side mirrors are for. She is driving us to dinner. We need to turn left. She needs to merge into the left hand turn lane. She has her blinker on, she is merging, and she hears HOOOONNNNK!!!!!!!

Some idiot decides he is going to get in the lane about 500 feet back where it is still yellow. It was not her fault, but not looking in her mirror was. I tell her again, it is not you, you have to worry about it, it is all the other idiots out there.

I think she believes me now.

She is actually doing very well. Considering she is learning in a big old fat assed Tahoe.

She now checks her mirrors every time.

hannah the a.m.

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away I was a stay at home mom. No IRS tax paying job to speak of, I spent my time volunteering at schools, cooking, cleaning and doing the occasion load of laundry.

Every September was the beginning. My birthday, followed closely by Ashley's, then Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The weekend of Ashley's birthday was always fun. It was the beginning of fall and Haunted Houses were open. We had a ritual, have a party, go out to dinner and take all the screaming little girls through the houses.

About six years ago, I decided I loved Haunted Houses so much, I would work in one. It would give me something to do, and a little extra cash for Christmas. One had opened about five miles from our house, a sister haunting of one of our favorites.

Ashley and I went down, filled out applications and began scaring people every weekend in October. It was a blast. Yes, Ashley's first job was with her mom scaring people.

About mid way, Hannah decided she wanted to come too. She was nine. She had an old clown costume, put on some scary make-up and would sit on the floor, then jump at the customers. She was so little, they really didn't think an actual kid would be working in a haunted house that when she jumped, it would scare the living sh*t out of them! We all had a blast, talking the next morning about who was really scared, how our side of the house was better, and we all even won some cash for being the "scariest".

The ironic thing about that first year was Chanell worked there too. Long before Ashley ever actually met her.

Now, the next year, I had gotten a full time job in retail and couldn't work the house. Ashley and Hannah did though. The third year, Ashley had moved on, but Hannah still returned. And the next, and this year as well.

Last night, she started her sixth year at the house. The owners love her, the manager loves her, they remember the little nine year old in braces with the clown suit. I let her drive up there (remind me to post the driver's permit chronicles) and watched walk down the gravel path to the house.

When she got home, she in the way she always does says/sings "I have sooooo much to tell you!!" Seems when she arrived, Paul and Gonzo (owner and manager) asked her if she wanted to be the assistant manager of house A. She will be responsible for giving people breaks, handing out the prizes for being the "scariest" and keeping people in line.

She is beyond excited. I am happy for her as well. She is already a little hoarse and has a nice lump on her arm (the standard injuries for jumping in the dark and screaming all night), but is loving every minute of it.

Everyone is growing and changing. Six years ago I was a stay at home mom with both my children at home, September brought the onset of the best season of the year.

Tonight, I move into my apartment. The times they are a changin'

warning: contents may be hot

I have been told that I am "warmer" here than at home.

I think it is all in perception. When everything you do is perceived one way, it is very hard to see another.

I personally think I come off as quite the bitch here sometimes.

I wonder how he actually sees me?

baby steps

Tonight I took some baby steps. In the way of a shower curtain, some dishes and sheets for my apartment.

I do not take any joy in this, but it needs to be done. Larry & I conversation is limited to fights via email.

That's enjoyable.

I have a list of things I need. I will go by Sam's tomorrow and finish most of it up.

My dad & I got into a big discussion this weekend about politics. Not a good topic to start with him. Especially when your sister is there telling him who you voted for a few elections back.

I tried to deflect and say Larry voted for Perro (is that how you spell the munchkins name?) and hasn't voted in the last two. It didn't work. I think he may disown me.

Not really. But my step mother (and I hate saying that word because when I introduce them, I say 'My parents') well, she always ask me "I was wondering what you thought about that" or "how did you feel about that?" She knows I am a news junkie, she knows I so do not agree with my dad's sometimes wrong thinking, and I secretly think she may disagree with him inside but doesn't let on.

This weekend I saw the most gorgeous longhorn. I had to stop and take a picture. Then we sat for a good three minutes talking to them, telling the ones with little horns not to feel bad.

It's a Texas thang .....

happy birthday

Happy Birthday Ashley.

Having a birthday in bootcamp, this is one you will never forget.

home not so sweet home

We are home, everyone is safe, the house is good.

Our weekend away together with Hannah, my sister and niece didn't change the events that are scheduled at all. I am still moving out October 1st.

Todd & Deanna are in Austin from Beaumont. They have no water, no electricity, nadda. House seems to be fine at first reports.

Todd's chemo resumes Wednesday, they will probably be staying at my house. Todd can not afford an infection at this point and a house with no running water is infection in the making.

So, all in all I had a nice weekend with my dad at the ranch. There could have been worse places to evacuate!

if it's not OJ it's a freaking hurricane

Remember way back in the day all we saw on tv was OJ coverage?

Good thing I don't watch daytime TV.

I do however sometimes live for the fall tv schedule.

Anyone not living on the gulf coast who has actual tv, and happens to tape Survivor and The Apprentice tonight, you would offically be my best friend by sending me said copies!

call me stb

Well folks, I am still in Houston (Jaded, I am OK!!!)

I went in at 8 for the conference call. Guess what? ALL STORES CLOSED!

No shit.

I-10 is a parking lot.

Our parking lot at the store is an automobile hotel.

It took me an hour an a half to get home, 13 miles.

Waited for Larry.

The storm started to move.

Took a nap (I had about 2.5 hours sleep) Storm still moving.

290 west (my way out) will not be made a contraflow as first stated.

My plan was to wait until contraflow had started about 8 and head west. It is about 110 degrees on the highway pavement, I have an old Tahoe, it was not worth overheating 30 miles from home.

So, here we sit, bags packed, storm moving east, highways are parking lots.

I will keep you posted, anyone who has my number, feel free to call. We aren't doing a whole hell of a lot ;)

charger anyone?

Half of Houston came into our store this morning for car chargers. We had sold over 800.00 in accessories by 10:30.

We opened at 10:00.

Tomrrow I will go in at 8 for a conference call. Then head to my Dad's around noon.

There are no accessories in our store, no phones, every thing that has a plug has been unplugged.

I am watching the evacuation of Houston.

I went through Alicia, I was a teenager. The only thing I remember is having no electricity and being out of school.

I am, to say the least a little nervous.

We leave tomorrow, I will try to post, my Dad lives so far out there is no TV, barely am radio and no cell service. He is, in the boonies!

Keep us in your thoughts and prayers ...... I guess we will be back Monday.

on the rocks please

I prefer my rita's on the rocks. Actually, shaken from the little presidente blue shaker from Chili's.

They are talking about boarding up our store. Where we are (at home as well) expected 80 - 100 mile an hour hurricane force winds. Being on this side, we will see the worst winds, pulling from the gulf.

My Dad & Stepmom called, we can go there if needed. They live a little west of Austin.

I look around at all the windows in this house. Strange that I am planning on leaving it two weeks.

I think about my two little dachshunds, my little kitty Frazier. Hannah's room and Ashley safely in Chicago.

School's are closing abound, Hannah's still opening tomorrow, not sure about Thursday or Friday.

Sprint lost a few stores in La, they aren't taking chances here.

Me either.

I will keep you posted.

readers beware

With the lack of communication going on at home right now, I am forewarning you of random chatty posts.

You have been warned!

the 20th

Tomorrow, Ashley leaves for bootcamp. Her birthday is the 26th.

She did send me a text message wishing me Happy Birthday. I replied, telling her I loved her, regardless of anything else.

My sister saw her on Saturday, then cried to me "I wish things were different" No kidding. I ask Marilee, who is brutally honest even when I don't want her to be, "Am I a bad person? Am I a bad mother?" She replied, "No, it is time for you to show tough love and stand your ground, you have always given in and you always regret it. You have given her everything, as you should have for as long as I can remember, she has given you little if anything for a while now, you are doing what you are supposed to do"

Brutal, she is right. But it is hard, very hard.

The mother in me wants to rush to her, hug her and forgive everything. The other side of me, that is a real person outside of a mother, can not.

In each of us, two natures are at war -- the good and the evil. All our lives the fight goes on between them, and one of them must conquer. But in our own hands lies the power to choose -- what we want most to be we are. - Dr. Jekyll

She told Autumn she couldn't believe no one has called her. I wasn't sure how to react. Guilt? Glutton? Guilty, I have not called, gluttony, that is how I felt for a very long time.

I shake my head. I need a hole to crawl into sometimes.

Autumn tells her, "you need to take responsibility" She replies, "I know"

Time .... Every one needs a little time.

I think we are all going through a phase.

challenge

After watching four football games yesterday, I am becoming increasingly upset with the "challenge".

Not so much the challenge, the fact that teams "hurry up to the line" and snap the ball so they can't be challenged.

Now, I am all for instant replay. Remember, I am from Houston, remember the Championship game against Pittsburgh? Remember how THEY went to the Superbowl and we didn't? Replay wasn't an option then. Even Bradshaw admitted it wasn't a touchdown, but hey, they got to the Superbowl and that's what counts, right?

WRONG!

They took instant replay away because games were going too long with it. Funny, they aren't a whole lot shorter now. Do you SEE how long the ref peers into that little box?

But I digress. My problem with the "hurry up and snap so they can't challenge" pisses me off. It shows bad sportsmanship, and knowing that you are getting away with something you didn't earn. Just to win.

Now, also remember, I still live in Houston, and I want my sad little team to win, a lot. But even I, as a fan, will admit when we "just didn't have it". Even if it meant a win.

The other thing, the better the teams, the greater the match up, the better the camera crew. If you have Houston vs (last years) 49'ers. You get minimum cameras. Now, you take Peyton Manning throwing that record breaking touchdown, you get MAXIMUM cameras.

The point is, what if you are one of those teams just trying to finish at .500 and you are playing an equally bad team. You challenge, no good views, no challenge overturning.

I love a good challenge, but this process SUCKS!

Bring back instant replay, or change the "before the snap" rule. That is just plain wrong.

To all the non football loving freaks, here is the translation ---

I love challenges, but when you sneak around them, it's wrong! (does that help? :)

you lost me at no hello

Yesterday was my birthday.

When your boss calls you and your husband doesn't, there is something wrong.

I woke late, no one at home, settled in, read online.

In walks Larry & Hannah. Not a word from either of them. Not hello, not Happy Birthday, nothing.

I am moving out October 1st. I have a sweet little apartment three miles from work.

I had thought maybe it could be worked out.

Even in the past when Larry & I would argue, I never let an event go by without at least a card or a small token gift.

That was a low blow. Never mind that I am his wife, even for now.
Never mind that I am the mother of his girls (which doesn't matter either).

How about I have been your FRIEND for twenty years. That would have counted for something .... I would have thought.

So, I got in the shower, took myself to the mall and bought some Happy. If it were only that easy. It's perfume, and one of my favorites.

There was a card and letter from Hannah on the chair. At least he bought a card from her.

I met up with my best friend in the whole wide world for the past 13 years, Marilee.

We went to dinner, then back to her house for a slumber party.

This morning it was up early and off to the home opener of my beloved Texans. They lost, and BAD! I'm seriously rethinking these season tickets! (just kidding)

Thirty Seven isn't that bad. Aside from your husband not even acknowledging you.

titanic vs katrina

I have been watching Titanic the last few nights while trying to sleep.

Last night it struck me as odd the comparisons.

Dead bodies floating, 3rd class locked in the lower levels to drown and Rose's mother asking if the boats would be loaded according to class.

Odd.

happy birthday to me

Today, I am 37.

If you believe in the power of magic,
I can change your mind
And if you need to believe in someone,
Turn and look behind
When we were living in a dream world,
Clouds got in the way
We gave it up in a moment of madness
And threw it all away

Don't answer me, don't break the silence
Don't let me win
Don't answer me, stay on your island
Don't let me in

Run away and hide from everyone
Can you change the things we've said and done?

If you believe in the power of magic,
It's all a fantasy
So if you need to believe in someone,
Just pretend it's me
It ain't enough that we meet as strangers
I can't set you free
So will you turn your back forever on what you mean to me?

Don't answer me, don't break the silence
Don't let me win
Don't answer me, stay on your island
Don't let me in

Run away and hide from everyone
Can you change the things we've said and done?

he's found

Alive. Not a lot of details yet.

Randy, my favorite, called me from the search. He said all he could think of was he hoped he never had to search like this for one of his kids.

I love Randy.

It was, to say the very least, the day from hell.

One thing after another. Processes are in place, why does it keep fucking up?

Survivor started, Stephanie is back, she is awesome, the definition of female empowerment.

Random, random, random ..... such is life, yes?

WHY?!?!

I don't get it.

Why do bad things happen to good people?

A few years ago, my sister, a single mom, barely surviving has her car smashed in the parking lot of her apartments. Some mom was letting her kid joyride. It totalled the car. Two weeks before Christmas. This is the car we were finally able to help her get.

Why did the hurricane leave John & Marie plus a million more without homes?

Why does my daughter hate me?

Now, I walk in today, I see pictures of a missing man. I stop and look. It strikes me as odd, we usually don't have those out front, usually in the back on our message board.

I pass by Jeff, he tells me it is Susan's husband. Susan is one of our District Managers. I have known her for almost three years. They have no idea what happened. The managers are meeting at her house tomorrow morning for a search. She lives about five miles from me.

Look at the picture, read the story

I am at the end of my rapidly fraying rope. I don't know how much more I can take .....

shelf life

Look closely, second shelf in the middle. That is Frazier, his new perch in the garage. There is a window to the right of him, this is where he goes to watch the outside world when the lawn people come and scare him with the loud edgers :)

cryptic

Sorry for the cryptic post yesterday.

I will go into all the glorious details after the 20th.

when all else fails, throw a flag

Last night, football won.

One, my foot was in too much pain to sleep, and two, there was a fight before the game even started.

During warm ups, tempers flared and a fight broke out between the Falcons and the Eagles.

Both teams rushed, the ref was in the middle of it trying to break it up. What does he do? He pulls the little yellow flag out of his pocket and throws it in the air.

Forty minutes before the game had started. He threw the flag? Yeah, that will keep two teams in the beginnings of what is sure to become a famous bitter rivalry pumped up for not only their season opener, but Monday Night no less.

My flag is white, I have thrown it up in the air.

My birthday is Saturday, I will be spending it alone.

can one person really be that stupid?

Apparently one can, and that one is me.

First let me say I hate wearing shoes, I always have, I always will. As soon as I can, my shoes and bra are the first things to go. I often have to track my shoes down; one because my bedroom is always a wreck and two, they are usually in the first place I have stopped when I come home.

Sometimes in the kitchen, sometimes by the couch, sometimes by my bed, and sometimes in the car.

Last night I had my ultra comfy slippers on. Running a quick errand which did not require me to publicly show my feet. I pull up, start walking into the garage and trip over that same piece of freaking plastic ..... again.

This time my middle toe, on the same foot. Again crashing into the garage door, again instant throbbing pain. This one hurts worse. I come inside, slam the garage door, put my stuff down, hobble back outside, pull that freaking plastic out of the ground and throw it across the yard.

My left foot. Completely in pain.

If that lady I heard about can hold her baby, drive a car, and change a diaper without arms, I can surely manage without toes.

sleep or football?

Seventh day in a row, 13 hours yesterday, 8 today. If you're doing the math, that's 22 hours out of the past 36.

I am very, very tired.

My dilemma?

Go to bed and get my much needed sleep, or stay up and watch what is being described as one of the best football match ups this year.

Somehow I think football will win.

i'm pretty sure that's what it means

When you are walking out to your car to get your shoes in your bare feet and you trip over that stupid plastic thing that lines your flower beds and fall into the garage door, I'm pretty sure it means your pinky toe did not make the needed elevation to clear said stupid piece of plastic.

When you come home four hours later and take the shoes off, and can't move your pinky toe or hardly put any weight on it, I'm pretty sure that means it's broken.

I really should just do away with all of my appendages and wrap myself in bubble wrap.

billy's following me, I thought it was the other way around?

Tonight Jeff called a mandatory emergency manager's meeting. Jeff, Clint, James & me. The lone girl manager.

This was rough on a couple of fronts, one, I had been there since 8am, and now had to return at 9 (till 12am) and two, it's opening night of football season. I saw only fifteen minutes of the game, that's sad!

After we finished up at the store (we had some things left over to do from the remerchandising) we headed next door to Bennigans for our meeting.

After much discussing about what can be done better and who can be doing better, I went to the ladies room before heading home. There over the loud speaker is my future husband, Billy singing 'Big Shot'. I get in my car, and "You're only human" is playing (another Billy song). I change the channel to more music (I had to take a break from Fox News, it is depressing me to a point I am unwell) and there it is, the old faithful, the gold standard, "Piano Man".

Those of you who have been reading me a while know the story of my English teacher who turned me on to Billy Joel. I went to my first Billy concert at sixteen, have seen him solo seven times and twice with Elton John. Now, I do love Billy, I used to be on the mailing list, had the screen savers and everything.

In 2000 during the "Millennium Tour" I noticed the tour dates were always two apart. Now, me being the smarty pants that I am figured he must be arriving a day early to set up. I decide I am going to try and stalk him a wee little bit to see if I can actually meet my idol.

I think, what is the closest, nicest hotel to Lakewood Church (formerly The Compaq Center, formerly, formerly The Summitt) answer - The Four Seasons. I look up the number and call them. Now, any experienced stalker will tell you, you can't just ask for Billy Joel's room. Of course not. I call and ask for Mark Rivera, his sax player. "One moment please" and I hear ringing. BINGO! I call Larry, I am going down to the four season and meeting Billy Joel. He laughed, but knew I was crazy enough to do it. I throw some clothes on and down I went.

I found a spot in the lobby that provided me with ample viewing of both the elevator and the front door. If he was in fact here, he wasn't getting by me. I wait.

Fifteen minutes after I got there, the elevator opens up and out walks Billy. I actually gasped. He walks over to the front desk, and I meekly head his way. I am thinking, "please don't let him be a dick, please don't let him be a dick" You have heard horror stories of people meeting their idols and they are so rude to them.

He turns around, and there I am. "Hello, I love your music, would you mind signing my ticket?" "Sure! Can you get me a sharpie?" he asks the person with him. I have him for seconds while the sharpie is being fetched, "Can I get a picture?" "Well, I don't want to cause a scene" Now, I'm thinking to myself, Mr. Joel, you are not nearly as young as you used to be, you should be lucky that this 30 year old is even here wanting you. But I don't say that, I think the deflated look on my face said it all.

So, he turns, and casually puts his arm around me and starts walking, "We're just walking out, no big deal" Hand the guy my camera, and snap, there's my picture, my moment captured forever.

So, that's my famous I met Billy Joel story. And tonight, he was following me.

live like you were who?

Todd got the OK to take the vacation they had planned back east for a wedding and a concert. This was much needed for both of them before this next round of chemo starts (which is tonight).

I'm not sure if I told you this, when Todd was on his first round, somehow or another Tim McGraw caught wind of his story, and the song and actually called Todd on the phone.

Now, the concert they were attending was Tim McGraw, and again, he came through. He met with Todd. He even remembered calling him, telling Todd "You're the guy I had to convince it was actually me" He spent a few minutes with Todd and Deanna.

He said that Bret Farve told him when he married Faith "You punted out of your league", and told Todd, "I see you did the same".

Todd is spending the next seven days at MD Anderson with a 24 hour chemo drip.

Sometimes there aren't enough rocks .....

dazed

Please visit Dazed (Andrea)

She is hurting, she is alone, and she needs some advice.

someone else needs to be fired

At Sprint Nextel.

Great, not charging for roaming - awesome.
Not charging for collections -- awesome.
Not charging for information calls -- awesome.
Not charging for the month of September -- awesome.
Sending "high priority" stores reconditioned phones to give to anyone from the affected areas for free -- awesome.

Maybe

When your store is on I-10, as mine is, you are considered "high priority" On Saturday, I received 1000 phones. OK, I figure they are for hurricane relief.

Today, we get 1300 more. And 1500 batteries. And 2000 chargers. All that need to be entered one by one into inventory.

I have inventory on Sunday and we will have to come in around 5am just to count them all ..... again.

Why isn't Sprint Nextel setting up in the dome or George r brown? Why send them to my upper middle class store, THEY CAN'T GET THEM HERE! Jeeeez.

A happy note -- I spoke with Marie today. She has a cold, bless her soul. I'm glad she got the chicken soup in her before, hopefully it will help. She is calling, trying to get a rental, John is OK, the chocolate cake is almost gone and everyone loves the soup. I love this woman, I mean it, I adore her and I feel blessed she has entered my life.

I will be helping them my next day off, I may go pick them up, bring them over here and let them use the high speed internet. Karl only has dial up. This is a 60 something year old woman, she knows her stuff!

They tried going back to George R Brown, John needs more meds, the lines were horrible she said.

They are doing OK and trying to adjust. Just two of a million, but they are my two.

katrina newsletter

Some highlights --

Where to apply for WIC
713.794.9090

Food Stamps - 713.957.4357

Employment - 800.735.2988 (The Work Source)

Yes, there is a newsletter, it is published daily.

It is horrible .... But people are helping.

During my two days I spoke with Sheila Jackson Lee (Congresswoman), Judge Robert Eckels, and Greta Van Sustren. They are all here helping. I did not see all the presidents and senators or the talk show host. I do see people sorting clothes, I see employers coming down offering jobs, I see teenagers coloring with babies.

And today, I saw a baby that was born on highway 90. Folks, it doesn't get more real than that.

If my posts are incorherent, it is because I am. Tomorrow, I will go back to work and continue to help the ones coming into the store.

domino effect

No names, no faces, not one story.

There are too many.

There will be a domino effect.

First, the tragedy, the evacuation, or lack there of. The mission, the homeless, the unemployed, and then, the health crisis.

So many people in such close quarters after being exposed to so much, it is bound to happen. TB, Hepatitus, phenomena.

I spent the day at George R Brown and the Dome.

I listened as a LA official (Im sorry, I can't remember his name) was stating so many of the poorest people were not leaving because they were waiting for the end of the month aide checks.

The dome is a mess, I was paired with Steve, himself and his wife an evacuee, volunteering at the dome. They have nothing left either, but they are there, sorting clothes, making sandwiches, helping find lost children.

I purposely do NOT discuss my politics here. There is a reason for that. They are my beliefs, mine, as yours are yours.

Please, do not engage in the blame game. The levys were built to withstand a cat 3. Two presidents both red and blue knew this. Yes, things are slow, yes, bad decisions were made, yes, people have died.

Get proactive. VOTE! Not just for President, you would be very surprised at who gets elected riding a party coat tail during the presidential election. Know the issues.

Do something, send money, send clothes (LARGE SIZES! as I consider myself Cajun, I am not afraid to say we like to eat and we know how to cook !! :) Support your country. This is America.

I know the eventual domino effect and the blame game can not be escaped, I would just hate to see it over shadow the wonderful things that are happening in the wake of it.

John & Marie Ormand

This morning, I headed down to the George R Brown Convention Center.

I checked volunteer houston.org first, yes, we are still needed. I took the clothes and toys that had been donated as well as the walker. Upon pulling in, I decided to just take the walker in first, seeing where I could bring the rest. I walk in, and am directed to the volunteer sign up.

I walk, along the floor, beds to my right, I pass immunizations, I pass information, I pass communications, and my tears are coming already.

I get to the line, yes, I am proud to say I had to wait in line to volunteer. Sign in, get my name tag and am off. They are giving us a brief overview, a lady comes and says she need 20 ushers, I go with her.

As people get off the buses, they are brought in, registered and ushered through the little city within a city. I follow, she explains we simply take them where they want to go, some will need medical first, some a shower, some food.

It is very similar to a bank line. After they are registered, a sign goes up "USHER!" I go, John & Marie have just been checked in. What do you need first? Marie has her purse and a bag of medicine. That's all. We need John's medicine.

We go to medical, Walgreens is there, filling prescriptions at no charge. We tell them what John needs, what Marie needs. It will be three hours. Marie is in tears, I am in tears. Marie is telling me what they had to walk through, bodies floating in the water, people peeing in the ice, dogs throwing up because they have drank the feces infested water. We need a tetnus shot. No problem, we head to immunizations. They both get tetnus shots. Now we need clothes. They have been wearing the same clothes since Tuesday.

We head to the "shopping" station. Bags are handed out and we get them both clean underwear, a nightgown, a bra, shoes, pants and shirts. Marie asks me, "Kim, can we have this one?" "You can have anything you want Marie" My heart is breaking with every item we put into the grocery bags that will now contain their life.

There are shoes, they are shirts, pants, socks, everything you can imagine. After we get the clothes, Marie needs to shower. We head over to the showers, she is give a clean towel, shampoo, soap, a toothbrush, everything. They ask her, "Do you want these cleaned?" They have a laundry service, a LAUNDRY service!!!

Marie comes out, clean, the infested clothes gone and the generosity of many on her back. They need to eat, we head upstairs to the kitchen. John breaks down in tears on the way up. Marie had been asking me all day, "Do you think they have soup?" "I think I could use some soup" She must have said it six times.

No soup, but there was sandwiches, fruit, juice, ICE, cokes, milk, chips, candy apples and oranges. John scarfs down a banana, then his sandwich, drinks a coke, Marie tending to him, making sure he eats, she has a banana. Their son Karl is there, he waited for three days at the Astrodome, he could not find them, he waited and watched bus after bus. They were initially sent to San Antonio, Karl found them on the internet and they made it back down here. Karl has just gotten divorced, works delivering for the Chronicle and has three kids of his own.

After lunch, we head down to get the medicine, the nurses who helped Marie at first are there, they love on her. They are not staying, but have no beds at Karls, the nurses live a mile from Karl, they have an air mattress they will bring.

All of the medicine is there, all of it. Not even generic. Karls heart, his glaucoma, everything. We are waiting for Maries, they don't have the herbal "Chill Out" she gets from Whole Foods, but they did have her Adavan. It is controlled so we have to wait, and we wait. Karl & I go to my car and get the clothes and toys.
I really wish there was a Santa Claus, they would be the happiest person in the world. I got to feel that as I handed out the toys along the way. A Basketball, Jumpropes .... The kids have nothing. We set out all the clothes and head back to Marie & John. I gave Marie a Sprint hat I had in my car.

Marie's medicine is ready, but since it is controlled, we can't take it. She takes one, then Karl is taking them home. They asked me over and over for my address, we have to send you something. No, you do not.

I get Karl's numbers and decide to head on home myself. As I am driving, I begin to think, I could go to any place in Houston to eat that I wanted. Literally. I have plenty of money, a car and whatever I wanted I could have.

Marie wanted soup, all I could think about, she wanted soup.

I call Karl. Your mom wants soup, can I bring your family dinner tonight?

I stop and get chicken, cabbage, carrots, onion, parsley noodles, chocolate cake and rolls.

I cook for my family. Autumn goes to walmart and buys Marie slippers, John undershirts and pillow for them both.

We pack everything into the car and head down to Karl's. He might as well be an evacuee. There is a couch, a table and a TV. There is one bowl, a tupperware bowl. I want to take them all home with me. We have 4000 square feet and two unused rooms. The apartment could fit in our gameroom.

Marie is crying again, she can not believe we brought her soup, and John undershirts.

The nurses show up with the air mattress and sheets. We all sit on the floor loving, crying and sharing. The nurses lived a mile away. They have family in Louisiana, I have family there, we were all put together for a reason.

Autumn is going with me tomorrow. My days off will be continuing to volunteer. Everyone is gung ho and fresh now, we will be needed for weeks and months to come.

Do not thank me, you would have done the same.

John and Marie have been married for 38 years. They met and fell in love, but were not allowed to marry. Marie is Creole and John is white. It was at that time against the law. They went on and married other people, five years later they came back together, still in love with each other and were allowed to marry.

Marie worked for the government giving loans for minority women to start businesses. John was a labor attorney for the state. Public servants their entire life, now depending on the very system that they worked so hard for.

John had 44 pairs of shoes, he now has two, one which we sorted through to find his size.

This is just two of a million. There are children with no parents, there are parents with no children.

We finally left Karl's tiny little apartment, nurse asked me what they had in the kitchen, not much more than what was in the living room. She will get her church to rally around them and continue to help, further off the clock.

She is amazing. John & Marie are amazing. Karl is amazing.

He cleaned my pot out and gave it back to me, I had told him to keep it. He joked, if I gave it back to you empty, maybe it will come back full again .....

It will.

It starts again tomorrow.

Send clothes, send money, send prayers.

Help where and how you can. You have no idea how much it is needed.

giving blood

Literally.

I put the signs out last night for the drive, they looked great this morning when I pulled out at 7am. Five pm after a few thunderstorms, they were down.

I went to staple gun it back up after I got home, and the staple gun got my index finger on the fatty side. Muther trucker it hurt. A staple gun through your finger bleeds, a lot. The sign was washed away, but some people must have seen it before it went down and we had a few neighbors come by with clothes.

Larry's Dad is donating his moms old walker, we have been storing it for a while. They need wheelchair's, walkers, all kinds of stuff.

STB went to the food bank today, they had to turn away volunteers. They are filled to the top with food. As STB informed me, it will be dispersed throughout the community as people are placed.

There are an estimated 100,00 people from Louisiana here. There are twenty in Monica's house alone.

There are at least 50-60 people everyday walking into my store. They need Houston numbers so they can get through. They are looking for jobs, or just looking.

Tomorrow & possibly Monday I will be volunteering at the dome, the food bank, the blood center, george r brown, anywhere. Everywhere you look there is a face, a story and a Louisiana license plate. Your heart just breaks every time. If it doesn't, get the hell out of the city!

driving

But not to New Orleans. I spoke with my uncle who works for the agriculture dept of Louisiana and he said it is not safe. So, I am reshifting.

My neighborhood was so awesome during the drive for our neighbors who's house burned, that I am holding a food, water, clothes, donation drive tomorrow night 6-10. I am making the posters to put out now.

Then, on Sunday, hopefully St Tropez Butler & I will be volunteering, somewhere, somehow. The food bank, the Astrodome, Reliant Center, where ever.

I called him this morning and he was already all over it. I knew he would be, and this will be the perfect time to meet, in helping others.

I have 100.00 bucks donated through paypal so far, keep it coming! That's two hundred when Sprint matches it.

I am going to the dollar store and purchasing about 100 bucks worth of cereal, canned meats, crackers, etc. I stopped by there today and they have several 2 & 3 for a dollar food items that will be very good for the food bank who is stepping up big time to the ones in the dome.

Just to clarify, people are NOT being turned away from the dome, they are being redirected to other shelters in Dallas, San Antonio & Austin. The city also opened up the reliant center to the displaced as well. I am so proud of my state and city, it's even better than the Texans winning the superbowl!


I will let you know how the drive goes tomorrow.

sprint katrina disaster relief

Sprint is matching employee donations dollar for dollar -- below is the relaease, I am accepting donations via paypal and will make one donation to sprint nextel will match. If you would like to contribute, please log into www.paypal.com -- click the "send money" tab -- enter the email address of kimmy@kimmy.cc Title it "sprint katrina relief fund"

I assure you all donations will be donated, a copy of the donation will be posted here September 14th.

Sprint Foundation
Sprint Nextel is committed to serving our communities in every way that we can. That is why the Sprint Foundation has approved matching gifts to the American Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund in support of those affected by Hurricane Katrina.
When you make an individual donation to the American Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund in support of areas affected by Hurricane Katrina, the Sprint Foundation will help your gift go twice as far. Complete and send the form below with your check or money order, between Aug. 31, 2005, and Sept. 14, 2005, and the Foundation will match your contribution dollar-for-dollar in accordance with the guidelines
below. Your online credit card donation to www.redcross.org also can be matched when you send a copy of your confirmation showing the date and amount of your contribution along with the form below.
Guidelines:
•Eligible donors include all regular full-time Legacy Sprint and Legacy Nextel employees.
•Gifts from eligible donors must be made to the American Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund
between Aug. 31, 2005, and Sept. 14, 2005.
•The minimum gift eligible for matching funds is $25.
•Only individual employee gifts made by eligible donors to the American Red Cross National
Disaster Relief Fund are eligible for the matching gift. Group gifts will not be matched

haunting

This song ...... It haunts me, it brings so many images to mind. Sher, thank you for sending it to me. Take a look at what Sher did with it

War

Hunger

AIDS

Death

Life

But most of, the biggest image in my mind .....


Ashley ................

done .... well, almost

Well gang, here it is! The long awaited day one as Sprint together with Nextel.

I had to go in at six, and I just got home (12:47am) We took most of the red down, and put up most of the yellow, and green. Not sure why yellow and green, but we look sort of like a John Deer tractor shop at Christmas LOL

I am dead to the world, I cancelled my dentist appointment for in the morning as I will be needing the sleep, badly.

Today is day one.