SO MUCH

Because it's been over a month since my last post and there's SO much to cover (and SO little time to do it), I decided to do a photo blog update. BUT before I get to that, I must first say a few words:

GOODBYES

In the beginning of the month, I bid farewell to two wonderful Lowernine.org volunteers - Matt and Sarah. These two essentially adopted my house as their own and managed the rebuilding with responsibility, integrity and care. I really appreciate the work they did. (And in spending time with them, I learned what extraordinary human beings they are. Now I respect and admire them as well.)


I remember when Matt first came to my house. He carried a notebook, into which he jotted notes on nearly everything I said about the house (not even skilled professionals and contractors do that!) And followed through on everything. I could trust him... and that's HUGE. THANKS MATT!!


Sarah managed all the volunteers who came through, even volunteers who weren't from Lowernine.org! Because I couldn't work at the house full-time, she kept track of all the individual projects and made sure things got done... and done well. THANK YOU, SARAH!

And now here's the PROGRESS, brought to you via these lovely slideshows:

The Exterior Wall

The Kitchen


The Bathroom



OH, AND CHECK THIS OUT!

I wanna thank Ann*, Carey, Barbara, Emily and Aiji (and any other volunteers who worked on the fireplaces) for this:

For the fireplace, I added white to the existing paint color. Nice!


Notice the fans hanging from the ceiling. I am SO thrilled that they work (these are the pre-Katrina fans).


OH, AND THIS!

My neighbors gave me their old (but in great condition) sofa set when they got a new one.



Both my uncle and my aunt happened to me moving at the same time and THEY gave me furniture TOO. Plus, my uncle gave me some extra tile (once I use it, I'll post pics)!


... AND LAST BUT DEFINITELY NOT LEAST...

I HAVE A DOOR!!!




HAPPY RETURNS

Finally, I wanted to acknowledge some volunteers who came back to check on me last month:

Peris and Jaye
My very first volunteers. They quite randomly happened upon my blog last year and emailed to offer their assistance with my rebuilding effort, while they were here for Jazz Fest 2007. YES!, I responded. Come on down! That was way back when we thought all that needed to be removed was four feet of drywall. HA!

THEN

[Somehow I don't have any NOW photos. I'll get 'em next time. This couple comes to New Orleans more often than I go ANYWHERE. lol.]

*Ann
Met Ann last year while she was visiting from Germany, here to write a story on the 2nd anniversary of Katrina. She ended up hanging out with us for several days, helping out at my house, and ultimately offering to donate her car to me upon her departure!

THEN


NOW - Ann, back at work once again. THANKS ANN!


The UUs
Last fall, Clark came down with his wife and about 10 other members of the Unitarian Universalist Church. They mudded and sanded... and mudded and sanded... and mudded and sanded. Man, I appreciated their help.


THEN


NOW

That's all for now, until next time. Hopefully, the next update will be titled Moving Day. I'm SOOO close, y'all. Keep your fingers crossed for me. And thanks for reading!