tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42045808675716524722024-02-06T23:10:17.115-05:00THE WHEELS ON THE BUS GO ROUND AND ROUNDReturning to New Orleans to Rebuild My Little House and Hopefully Turn Over a New Leaf in my LifeLive Lyve Raw Vegan Cuisinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16026311236920278442noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204580867571652472.post-29551811832464294582009-10-08T13:56:00.006-05:002009-10-08T15:51:20.696-05:00Papu Charlie's NEW Adventure!Since I officially ended this blog on the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina last year, a few folks have asked, "What's going on?" "How's the house?" "Are you going to update the blog?" Of course, I've been meaning to do it for the longest, but have plunged head first into a new project - developing <b>The Backyard Gardener's Network</b>, whose current focus is <a href="http://www.backyardgardenersnetwork.org"> The Guerrilla Garden Project</a>. The work that I did organizing around the <a href="http://papucharliesbigadventure.blogspot.com/2008/03/big-tings.html#garden">Laurentine Ernst Community Garden</a> way back when has spun into a new mission - community building and revitalization through urban agriculture.<br /><br />Together with other Lower Ninth Ward residents, I've been converting an empty lot into a vibrant greenspace! We've cleared the lot, planned the layout, secured resources, and garnered the support of local organizations and businesses. There's nothing like this in the Lower Ninth Ward right now, and hopefully, it will be the first of many. More importantly, however, is that it is bringing community together around a singular goal. By definition, "community" is people. And strong connections between people begets a strong community. I hope the Backyard Gardener's Network is able to play a significant role in supporting this strong community.<br /><br />We are currently fundraising to buy the Guerrilla Garden site and install a water line. In order to receive a generous donation of 25 fruit trees for our tree grove, we must have long-term land security and water. Since the owner (New Orleans Redevelopment Authority) will not sign a long-term lease, we resolved to BUY the lot!! Our fundraising goal is $6000. <b>Please visit <a href="http://www.backyardgardenersnetwork.org"> The Guerrilla Garden site</a> and donate.</b> And spread the word! If 500 folks gave $10, we'd be able to buy the lot and install water next week! (If you noticed the disparity in my arithmetic, please note that we've already raised $1000! lol.)<br /><br />Now to the house update - In a previous entry, I told y'all about the <a href="http://www.crt.state.la.us/hp/hbrgp.aspx"> Historic Building Recovery Grant</a> I FINALLY received. Well, the work was just completed and I'm proud to say that I have FLOORING now... real flooring, not just plywood. Also got some other work done, and I feel truly blessed to have this opportunity. I appreciate the experience of rebuilding my house on my own, and the tremendous support I received from friends, family and volunteers. But there was no way I could've installed the flooring, replaced sills, repointed the brick piers, etc. (well, actually, I probably could have but how much longer would THAT have taken?!). Anyway, the house feels more like a home, and I'm looking forward to settling in again. Check out the pics below:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmuVwrn7jH4DDKKCe2KHAeou-teJKE2s9xIpvVcjvTnxknWGbYlrdheOYHrYasemP7Cv3WdPjtAGdx3Yi8l80xPTlcFy4mi0JdDDpQt_oOLlKf-85yuFGpJtCygm8naZKg3BWCUhPHUBI/s1600-h/greenRoom-TOSHOW.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 165px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmuVwrn7jH4DDKKCe2KHAeou-teJKE2s9xIpvVcjvTnxknWGbYlrdheOYHrYasemP7Cv3WdPjtAGdx3Yi8l80xPTlcFy4mi0JdDDpQt_oOLlKf-85yuFGpJtCygm8naZKg3BWCUhPHUBI/s320/greenRoom-TOSHOW.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390318231482379778" /></a><br />The flooring is reclaimed wood from an old school that was torn down, I'm told. I wanted to have the old stuff. And I love that it looks as though the house has ALWAYS had that flooring.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2kEMdmDea91WN-OdWRpO9QJPv2nfzYMEjxeZ71s6bkr4a_Px1HukRrcE5PMLnjKQWhLZFY3mWBcM3l6Op6UDdq38yilXBOKNrQbVdKNAlFPjWX45ZfOIsq3Ao7DZ07-_PMcmIZrszOcg/s1600-h/blueRoom-TOSHOW.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height:http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif 281px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2kEMdmDea91WN-OdWRpO9QJPv2nfzYMEjxeZ71s6bkr4a_Px1HukRrcE5PMLnjKQWhLZFY3mWBcM3l6Op6UDdq38yilXBOKNrQbVdKNAlFPjWX45ZfOIsq3Ao7DZ07-_PMcmIZrszOcg/s320/blueRoom-TOSHOW.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390318223603738498" /></a><br />I also wanted to replace the picture rail that was on the wall pre-Katrina. I think it gives more character to each room, and I like the two-tone paint job!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xmTCpXWuqVYZCQYwk3mgmb7WIbiToTuMIHx5ubugDAmp5nlAlZEHaDVuaBEYpkfI7jBSQnp8xc7X9RibkORvC3gSfeHOgAzB68iUTC3KvVlCNBb2RMAMNGaLA6XAxYILDHnSP1M65p8/s1600-h/goldRoom-TOSHOW.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 294px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xmTCpXWuqVYZCQYwk3mgmb7WIbiToTuMIHx5ubugDAmp5nlAlZEHaDVuaBEYpkfI7jBSQnp8xc7X9RibkORvC3gSfeHOgAzB68iUTC3KvVlCNBb2RMAMNGaLA6XAxYILDHnSP1M65p8/s320/goldRoom-TOSHOW.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390318100236380722" /></a><br />The transoms (window above the door) are now working. I can open and close them. And the paint was removed so sunlight can actually come through. I like that I was able to keep the historic elements of the house and make them functional again.<br /><br /><br />I think about what the house looked like when I bought it, and what it looked like post-Katrina. And I can proudly say that what it looks like now far surpasses both. It's a colorful, structurally sound, inviting little house where my daughter and I can comfortably live. The rest of the block is still quite empty, except for one house across the street. But I hope that will change. The problem in New Orleans now is that there is SOOOOOOOO much vacant property, but it's SOOOOOOO difficult to acquire it. So much of it just sits untouched, i.e. all the other houses on my block (save the neighbors across the street and two houses acquired by Preservation Resource Center).<br /><br />So that's all for now, folks!! Please <a href="http://www.backyardgardenersnetwork.org"> SUPPORT THE GUERRILLA GARDEN PROJECT!! </a>Live Lyve Raw Vegan Cuisinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16026311236920278442noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204580867571652472.post-34602418536512149302008-08-29T19:15:00.004-05:002008-08-29T23:50:57.109-05:00August 29th - Hello Again... and GoodbyeI end today where this journey began - on August 29th, the date of the most catastrophic event I have ever experienced. Now here we are again, awaiting our fate with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Gustav_(2008)">Hurricane Gustav</a> (and perhaps <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_Storm_Hanna_(2008)">Hanna</a>). Many of us are evacuating early. This would otherwise be standard protocol, had <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_katrina">Katrina</a> not imbued the underlying fear that we may not be coming back (and that what we leave behind might perish).<br /><br />In any case, it's been two months since I've updated the blog. I'd like to share some good news - we have moved in. I am truly grateful to all who have assisted along the way. Most recently, two friends Aiji and Isaiah helped me move in early July; my neighbor John K. worked with me to install my appliances; and of course, the good folks at <a href="http://lowernine.org/">lowernine.org</a> continue to lend a hand when needed.<br /><br />I'll not make this entry long. I want to get it out before midnight. And photos say more than I ever could through writing. But since this will be my last blog entry, I do want to express my gratitude for this enlightening, challenging, confidence-building experience. A friend told me once, "Jump. And build your wings on the way down." Over the past year, I've proven to myself time and again that I can <a href="http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-make-your-own-wings">build my own wings</a>. It feels really good.<br /><br />On the flip side, my energy is now almost completely drained. And although I am proud of this accomplishment, I have no desire to plunge into it again. So, now I know for sure that I don't want to go into construction (but I am actually considering <a href="http://architecture.tulane.edu/home/">Architecture</a>). I look around my still-unfinished-but-liveable house, and the small projects seem almost impossible. I know that I must take it one day at a time.<br /><br />The other piece of really good news is that I've been selected for the 3rd round of <a href="http://www.crt.state.la.us/hp/">Historic Grant</a> funding! My long-time readers will remember my disappointment at <a href="http://papucharliesbigadventure.blogspot.com/2007/02/no-historic-grant-money.html">not having been chosen for the 1st round</a>. It seems more than serendipitous that I would be chosen now when I'm feeling that I can't do anymore.... if I believed in that sort of thing.<br /><br />Anyway, without further ado, I would like to share the latest photos of my house. Thanks for reading, y'all. Thanks for supporting me! Never forget how you/we rose into action in response to Katrina. Our humanity is the greatest weapon we have. Thanks again, y'all. <br /><br />And please forgive the chaotic state of my house. As my cousin would say, "It's a <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=hot+mess">hot mess</a>."<br /><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="400" height="267" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fjenga.mwendo%2Falbumid%2F5240160401855422113%3Fkind%3Dphoto%26alt%3Drss%26authkey%3DStdIyngOWzM" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br /><br />Not impressed? Well, this is what it looked like right after Katrina:<br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="400" height="267" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fjenga.mwendo%2Falbumid%2F5240161855018766033%3Fkind%3Dphoto%26alt%3Drss%26authkey%3DQTE69xdVY80" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br />So I would consider my work an improvement. Whoo-hoo!<br /><br />I'm glad that I documented this whole process, but I'm more than glad that I don't have to anymore! Blogging has been a challenge in and of itself. To do one well is no small feat. Respect to all you bloggers out there. I truly don't know how people with kids (and no partners) do it. <br /><br />And a final THANK YOU to everyone who has helped in any way throughout this process. Thanks for reading! Thanks for commenting! Be well!<br /><br />P.S. The community garden is thriving. We have a small group of dedicated residents who care for it. We're growing a TON of okra right now, and preparing for the next growing season. Don't mess it up, Gustav! Also I, along with a handful of dedicated urban gardeners, started the Lower Ninth Ward Urban Farming Coalition (L9UFC). Among our proposed initiatives is one to start a <a href="http://www.localharvest.org/csa/">CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)</a> right here in the Lower Ninth Ward. With food access becoming a problem nationwide, and even moreso here, it only makes sense. Feel free to contact me via email if you want more info about the L9UFC.Live Lyve Raw Vegan Cuisinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16026311236920278442noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204580867571652472.post-30916035922245584032008-06-24T21:31:00.004-05:002008-06-24T21:44:19.433-05:00NOT Moving DayY'all, I am posting this because I have to post SOMETHING. It's been almost 2 months and I'm sure y'all are wondering what's going on. I'm sorry, actually ashamed, to say that it's NOT YET moving day. I've moved some things in. I have appliances. But who knew the list of little-yet-vital things could be so long. The number one item on that list - window screens. Since I won't be using air-conditioning, I HAVE to be able to open the window. And in the mosquito-ridden environment that is New Orleans, window screens are an absolute necessity. Anyway, I should have made them by now, but sometimes when you have mentally FINISHED something, it's hard to back-step and begin again. Such is the case with the screens. <br /><br />I have moved on to other projects - I am now the Market Manager of two farmers markets (the Lower Ninth Ward Farmers Market and the Bayou Road Fresh Market), which is taking up more of my time than I ever expected. I've also taken my daughter out of daycare and have started a homeschooling cooperative with two other families, so I teach on varying days of the week. Mentally (and emotionally), I just don't have room for the house right now! Luckily, I came to terms with that today. And went over to Eddie's Ace Hardware on Downman Road and ordered the window screens. Done. And we should be in by next week. Even though the washer/dryer isn't properly hooked up yet and my hot water heater isn't working. I gotta move.<br /><br />Sorry no photos, y'all. I have a ton, but haven't had a chance to look through, resize, and upload them. Next update, I'll definitely share photos. Most of the house looks decent. But there is so much yet to be done. My spirit waivers between elation and depression whenever I enter that house. At once, I am invincible and yet just an imperfect person. I have accomplished so much, but at the same time, not enough. It is a bittersweet feeling I'll most likely have for the next few years. I'm glad I did it, though. I challenged myself. I would've have regretted NOT doing this. I came. I saw. I did not conquer, but at least I tried. Ha ha!Live Lyve Raw Vegan Cuisinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16026311236920278442noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204580867571652472.post-47191646266622066952008-04-27T20:40:00.011-05:002008-04-27T22:51:30.198-05:00SO MUCHBecause 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:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOODBYES<br /><br /></span>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. <span style="font-style: italic;">(And in spending time with them, I learned what extraordinary human beings they are. Now I respect and admire them as well.)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7rigKnqlFtD_OH8JmzUMR91yzix45PzXl1GlhMyfAMEqiGBpFcn2lR7d3aiac4GN4E6PtPeKCpHAJEVhQqSDPiWS-0QPh_OPtCZhUs7nnj8K925Oyc_wt3M12ICCIb-cBo7Ul9Ebhiw/s1600-h/mattAngel.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7rigKnqlFtD_OH8JmzUMR91yzix45PzXl1GlhMyfAMEqiGBpFcn2lR7d3aiac4GN4E6PtPeKCpHAJEVhQqSDPiWS-0QPh_OPtCZhUs7nnj8K925Oyc_wt3M12ICCIb-cBo7Ul9Ebhiw/s320/mattAngel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194112013646608226" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">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!!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGfDQrz3t73kCi8jPYQ0PLAm9BjlKosHlakSH5n7upmuSqdtQRPWaB7t3sV_c16T8RXmp1yN9ZVRN4m9HO4mvAISQO4QJcGbQJaPXV1m4ffxnvfD4vhzSQMOfVLsbjMvN4vfxplx5ZFI/s1600-h/sarahAngel.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGfDQrz3t73kCi8jPYQ0PLAm9BjlKosHlakSH5n7upmuSqdtQRPWaB7t3sV_c16T8RXmp1yN9ZVRN4m9HO4mvAISQO4QJcGbQJaPXV1m4ffxnvfD4vhzSQMOfVLsbjMvN4vfxplx5ZFI/s320/sarahAngel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194112017941575538" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">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!</span><br /><br />And now here's the PROGRESS, brought to you via these lovely slideshows:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Exterior Wall</span><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fjenga.mwendo%2Falbumid%2F5194057660835477233%3Fkind%3Dphoto%26alt%3Drss%26authkey%3D7HkiseDhFKE" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" height="192" width="288"></embed> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />The Kitchen</span><br /><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fjenga.mwendo%2Falbumid%2F5194034437947307521%3Fkind%3Dphoto%26alt%3Drss%26authkey%3DUMjgR-AD27o" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" height="192" width="288"></embed><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Bathroom</span><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fjenga.mwendo%2Falbumid%2F5193958047658980705%3Fkind%3Dphoto%26alt%3Drss%26authkey%3DmoqDSiaQ9f0" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" height="192" width="288"></embed><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />OH, AND CHECK THIS OUT!<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span><span><span>I wanna thank Ann*, Carey, Barbara, Emily and Aiji (and any other volunteers who worked on the fireplaces) for this:</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikp9lQ1pRehD1gk0JyAGDwEIhiRXdny5bzDn67anYk5j_IH19BLadKuKJeKwKqeqlxYQRazpMKa764BnPIDEo0MkQw1eq4yJUnRr6JoaFLU_4Oh3uniESz0GQ1BYr0SPxMQDIESCSl25o/s1600-h/blueRoomFireplace.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikp9lQ1pRehD1gk0JyAGDwEIhiRXdny5bzDn67anYk5j_IH19BLadKuKJeKwKqeqlxYQRazpMKa764BnPIDEo0MkQw1eq4yJUnRr6JoaFLU_4Oh3uniESz0GQ1BYr0SPxMQDIESCSl25o/s320/blueRoomFireplace.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194119443940030338" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">For the fireplace, I added white to the existing paint color. Nice!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWdG17lHlXjFCjR8RY2OJk0Yilg3wLf5Bwnl9PkzgBr2OEzuQVMiJCcJKFr1cTjCd6ZPwucLUCNebCbTRVKHPmB0BM2Mi2TEmxq9sd3mxrUFcGLVsdn382_bBdBZ7ur_emFCMuuMSGRw/s1600-h/greenRoomFireplace.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWdG17lHlXjFCjR8RY2OJk0Yilg3wLf5Bwnl9PkzgBr2OEzuQVMiJCcJKFr1cTjCd6ZPwucLUCNebCbTRVKHPmB0BM2Mi2TEmxq9sd3mxrUFcGLVsdn382_bBdBZ7ur_emFCMuuMSGRw/s320/greenRoomFireplace.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194119443940030354" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Notice the fans hanging from the ceiling. I am SO thrilled that they work (these are the pre-Katrina fans).</span><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">OH, AND THIS!</span></span><br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">My neighbors gave me their old (but in great condition) sofa set when they got a new one.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirdnCn1F0E6g1gW1l8JZL2-_22nyd9o2P8bkH0eXGf4QbisE-lJ2UbyupgLXMiCgzmcQtVANiB4KJdL0mDqqs1BgxCKNBrkggmKQU_jeFE_8T7_hqK8DdIg8xQsrNgXeoAYtKwaiQe1so/s1600-h/sofas.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirdnCn1F0E6g1gW1l8JZL2-_22nyd9o2P8bkH0eXGf4QbisE-lJ2UbyupgLXMiCgzmcQtVANiB4KJdL0mDqqs1BgxCKNBrkggmKQU_jeFE_8T7_hqK8DdIg8xQsrNgXeoAYtKwaiQe1so/s320/sofas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194132702504073234" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />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)!</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />... AND LAST BUT DEFINITELY <span style="font-style: italic;">NOT</span> LEAST...<br /><br /></span>I HAVE A DOOR!!!<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFWFj9IixaxAeswihRxaEcto49UvANJTYb3OAEJ5nsuNYkCxzboF1SH4dL2x_u8s84DeKOFzPOaPbeLxYP2WKaiPgQsDKXjtynXpiiyaYmomzbGsb7c1c2qdc-4CLXsLbFN8slQU_JmI/s1600-h/ihaveaDOOR.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFWFj9IixaxAeswihRxaEcto49UvANJTYb3OAEJ5nsuNYkCxzboF1SH4dL2x_u8s84DeKOFzPOaPbeLxYP2WKaiPgQsDKXjtynXpiiyaYmomzbGsb7c1c2qdc-4CLXsLbFN8slQU_JmI/s320/ihaveaDOOR.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194132698209105922" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />HAPPY RETURNS<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span>Finally, I wanted to acknowledge some volunteers who came back to check on me last month:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Peris and Jaye</span><br />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!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_bhSjAuiNW390i2hWEIq9SFZYKJz-PzOAW_9MS1K1kpHrDgrkuT4SwJ3AlZ6SvK5dP70CBlwoYUwPfimTRELXVhG68pPkzd8pdkFWhAPeqUG1qZuX18PUSgAegG1AVGW8Ss2OZIqUkc/s1600-h/perisJayeTHEN.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_bhSjAuiNW390i2hWEIq9SFZYKJz-PzOAW_9MS1K1kpHrDgrkuT4SwJ3AlZ6SvK5dP70CBlwoYUwPfimTRELXVhG68pPkzd8pdkFWhAPeqUG1qZuX18PUSgAegG1AVGW8Ss2OZIqUkc/s320/perisJayeTHEN.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194124649440393154" border="0" /></a><br />THEN<br /><br />[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.]<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">*Ann</span><br />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!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uoS0f2BE1FoatqC9kBH_1HuyCuOhL8FNiuGD5lS0VwIcTp9RLG7wNC66F5zu-axc71i9Ri2IiROiynb99JQbLpyM5IqeyglgNH9ge3Kxdl-dlSRqsrRdPoT8B3OyQoQu0q0rwjdaemA/s1600-h/annTHEN.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uoS0f2BE1FoatqC9kBH_1HuyCuOhL8FNiuGD5lS0VwIcTp9RLG7wNC66F5zu-axc71i9Ri2IiROiynb99JQbLpyM5IqeyglgNH9ge3Kxdl-dlSRqsrRdPoT8B3OyQoQu0q0rwjdaemA/s320/annTHEN.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194126590765610962" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">THEN</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXsix0lin-etR2Ug06UWrAXJOrlVxHmPaJ7ikdkaXxDgkNrYEq1zEV57lcJ4N6WasLOV7pLOHh7DD5o7UQqgdPIXKSauEQkC_pqYLQJkVXtBxMpZvs3heHj2RKO7LvhrLr9VopElxfOo/s1600-h/fireplaceBlueScraping_Ann.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXsix0lin-etR2Ug06UWrAXJOrlVxHmPaJ7ikdkaXxDgkNrYEq1zEV57lcJ4N6WasLOV7pLOHh7DD5o7UQqgdPIXKSauEQkC_pqYLQJkVXtBxMpZvs3heHj2RKO7LvhrLr9VopElxfOo/s320/fireplaceBlueScraping_Ann.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194126599355545570" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">NOW - Ann, back at work once again. THANKS ANN!<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The UUs</span><br /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/JENGAM%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-3.jpg" alt="" />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.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXIraY13eTemsXRO5g82vknxONgC60wrCTNbS67H7_kjJ7OyjU9Am-16APN_lBMOUG0c-SKIxVsQ3Cz2BcwPQPt58zYVb20lN_t_0fOaLjWIUKmzdE1YZMRrBPPwkb_vOZ-Pw_Xu6VHA/s1600-h/clarkAndWifeTHEN.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXIraY13eTemsXRO5g82vknxONgC60wrCTNbS67H7_kjJ7OyjU9Am-16APN_lBMOUG0c-SKIxVsQ3Cz2BcwPQPt58zYVb20lN_t_0fOaLjWIUKmzdE1YZMRrBPPwkb_vOZ-Pw_Xu6VHA/s320/clarkAndWifeTHEN.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194124649440393138" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">THEN</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjueBmOSiJ79byBEuxnDkitVf80VPvsLFSO66yWblxXkzLlYmcn42fb1nXIz14RwyhdWFf8YUUusVMZJuHvPFFvCvfkpf0L7HG4Q7vPWy144k0f3Ubg-Kf76BMW6v0K0bTzpRFxtQPqENY/s1600-h/meClarkandWife.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjueBmOSiJ79byBEuxnDkitVf80VPvsLFSO66yWblxXkzLlYmcn42fb1nXIz14RwyhdWFf8YUUusVMZJuHvPFFvCvfkpf0L7HG4Q7vPWy144k0f3Ubg-Kf76BMW6v0K0bTzpRFxtQPqENY/s320/meClarkandWife.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194126603650512882" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">NOW</span><br /><br />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!<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span>Live Lyve Raw Vegan Cuisinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16026311236920278442noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204580867571652472.post-34738337644503123582008-03-15T20:40:00.018-05:002009-10-08T14:03:18.315-05:00BIG TINGS!Oh, the progress that has been made since the last post! I don't want this entry to be TOO long, so I'll just get right down to real nitty-gritty. BIG TINGS!, as my West Indian brethren might say.<br /><br />Guess who has plumbing now?!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJSCK1bwYTzVQDiBpoqG3Rfl6ZjXG4s5qBkdaf5JpsVHV2UQIqGkSG7F11hVmXZE3BdZ6mmB1_8DVgrAK3y6hw4X8JYG6UvIAuFh3rV7Nh2UJnbd2eJ-hQvMxHxfpjm8jujXx2vymwdg/s1600-h/sinkHookUp.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJSCK1bwYTzVQDiBpoqG3Rfl6ZjXG4s5qBkdaf5JpsVHV2UQIqGkSG7F11hVmXZE3BdZ6mmB1_8DVgrAK3y6hw4X8JYG6UvIAuFh3rV7Nh2UJnbd2eJ-hQvMxHxfpjm8jujXx2vymwdg/s320/sinkHookUp.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178931198402210850" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The sink (aka the lavatory, as the plumbers call it. This, I've learned.) hook-up in the bathroom.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPISJfNtAv2cawPlKOmaDtSPqBTq03jz-TDUfbcAXYCpLl-0ir7GY9SJlh3XUq5nhCMfgIFaHjrl568dpF10PqKJLJKHukDDKJ6ShoqfVn2ngvPJAYP2HF5Oruhxlhcc7PqboDaAHnzA/s1600-h/tanklessHeater-small.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPISJfNtAv2cawPlKOmaDtSPqBTq03jz-TDUfbcAXYCpLl-0ir7GY9SJlh3XUq5nhCMfgIFaHjrl568dpF10PqKJLJKHukDDKJ6ShoqfVn2ngvPJAYP2HF5Oruhxlhcc7PqboDaAHnzA/s320/tanklessHeater-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178931202697178162" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Finally, I purchased the <a href="http://foreverhotwater.com/">tankless hot water heater</a>. Cost more than a regular hot water heater upfront, but in the long run, it will save money.</span><br /><br />Guess whose house is wired?!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZCWxf8ubAWJUCIrfLQDaknWn2WpcwJvr2nOR3zuO32upFnvNmZCP5NbszNsnRCqDxRheGRm4hU4LhwAUyVZWJpF5sMaZH0M6-aQyftot4FnCmwNZ80EoJqA-O3zGUutRovqM1PD237A/s1600-h/foyerWire.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZCWxf8ubAWJUCIrfLQDaknWn2WpcwJvr2nOR3zuO32upFnvNmZCP5NbszNsnRCqDxRheGRm4hU4LhwAUyVZWJpF5sMaZH0M6-aQyftot4FnCmwNZ80EoJqA-O3zGUutRovqM1PD237A/s320/foyerWire.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178931198402210834" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Again, wish I had more pics. This is where the light in the back foyer will hang.</span><br /><br />I know it doesn't look like much, but believe me, these are HUGE strides. I actually have access to running water now (the plumbers hooked up a spigot at the back of the house). "Look, the light! There it is! Way at the end of the tunnel." says me. For a while, I couldn't see it. Seemed like this process was <a href="http://www.kyle-brady.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/neverending.jpg">never-ending</a> (albeit thoroughly challenging and enjoyable). But now it seems that I truly AM nearing the relative end of the rebuilding project. I say "relative" because there will be lots of little projects to complete after we're in the house - the biggest being the installation of real flooring. Can't afford hardwood floors right now, so I've decided that a couple coats of nice deck paint over the plywood underlayment and several strategically placed <a href="http://www.naturalarearugs.com/sisal-remnants.php">sisal remnants</a> should do the trick in the interim. My father will win the <a href="http://www.powerball.com/">PowerBall</a> any day now, so when he does...<br /><br />But seriously, guess who's just about ready to close in the bathroom and back foyer walls?! Yeah, me again! My friend Vicki came down from New York a few weekends ago to help out. She'd never built a window frame before, but because she's such a handy person (and a sculptor by trade), I asked her to build and install my bathroom window. I knew she'd do a great job and she did! Thank you, Vicki!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYIoqPHWzBi5LS0ah71dG9INcaPQWSecytGYUEiQqXr-sUoErU0ixNWfLoNksKsrBKEQfrvq5ah4gnaS3k6_G86sxWp8UBsDFPgwBxhm4ocmBBIuZIKdNtemrD-oTileSP9W7U5Mj_OE/s1600-h/startWindowBathroom.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYIoqPHWzBi5LS0ah71dG9INcaPQWSecytGYUEiQqXr-sUoErU0ixNWfLoNksKsrBKEQfrvq5ah4gnaS3k6_G86sxWp8UBsDFPgwBxhm4ocmBBIuZIKdNtemrD-oTileSP9W7U5Mj_OE/s320/startWindowBathroom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178898737039387490" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Vicki securing a stud in place. Me cutting a larger hole in the wall.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvz_96aMm-jWXYuVlXr6ZyHhUlv34vIk-AtSUgjJsdBinDflfhpRcIeUyU5wwikzsWOLNcY8DVhDWahGTmkM7IlX2kEbCE1ifF7RkwihmkVGZclDrkSvFTV09P-ZN5b0HQVHEE89eG6g/s1600-h/finishWindowBathroom.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvz_96aMm-jWXYuVlXr6ZyHhUlv34vIk-AtSUgjJsdBinDflfhpRcIeUyU5wwikzsWOLNcY8DVhDWahGTmkM7IlX2kEbCE1ifF7RkwihmkVGZclDrkSvFTV09P-ZN5b0HQVHEE89eG6g/s320/finishWindowBathroom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178898749924289394" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Vicki and I proudly posing in front of the newly installed bathroom window. Later, I added the outside trim.</span><br /><br />When I found out that Vicki was coming down, I sent out a call for other friends to come. We achieved a lot that weekend!! Shawn and Nate hung the kitchen wall cabinets. Andrea cut a hole and built a frame for the bathroom medicine cabinet. And I started building the bathroom storage closet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0yPBR7teNJD9nsPyzV-L3YJUFZwMroIsrmfAhOstQyom63kPCEqxyPtY4o9setZ5VEPajgB-qGZE74mD-TGItZSdlPLgbry_Sh2qDYxjow4w3yk-ePWZ24Wdy2mHn_KU6r_WreQQpeBU/s1600-h/andreaShawnNate_working.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0yPBR7teNJD9nsPyzV-L3YJUFZwMroIsrmfAhOstQyom63kPCEqxyPtY4o9setZ5VEPajgB-qGZE74mD-TGItZSdlPLgbry_Sh2qDYxjow4w3yk-ePWZ24Wdy2mHn_KU6r_WreQQpeBU/s320/andreaShawnNate_working.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178899458593893250" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Andrea measuring for the medicine cabinet frame. Shawn and Nate re-attaching the hinges to the cabinet doors.</span><br /><br />Also, my house is purple now!!! At my daughter's request (and with the kindness of an organization called <a href="http://www.ccano.org/">Catholic Charities</a>), the exterior was painted a lovely light purple with dark purple and white accents. I love it! And it really pops out on the block now. One of my main goals for rebuilding this house was to help revitalize the neighborhood by showing others that people ARE coming back; people DO care about New Orleans and DO want to live here. Even though the house isn't finished yet or occupied, just having the house painted achieves that. I'm thrilled. And it looks great.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg59QXbXjXX0PERRbyQoTexLb7-wAVml9Bpa4ZIuc9pcxL-BoJ26Dj2vUWrTgs4nfhALGTrjzgN5Pop0ecN91J19vfgWdzYXTUIaNus7Bm3RBSnYhq7ose7nD8d3VrkezenoYWHY6xUgw/s1600-h/purpleHouse.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg59QXbXjXX0PERRbyQoTexLb7-wAVml9Bpa4ZIuc9pcxL-BoJ26Dj2vUWrTgs4nfhALGTrjzgN5Pop0ecN91J19vfgWdzYXTUIaNus7Bm3RBSnYhq7ose7nD8d3VrkezenoYWHY6xUgw/s320/purpleHouse.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178899858025851794" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The house is purple now!! (It used to be a pale drab green)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aWbERDGtsNWroXgzbxDwbzC3i9-afAxsQ1bfsfs0lTRqGyRtg0hnr8hnJPOKSMN0Dl9-TbYnU9S3fpr5AKvoEsnCZ4k_voJChhD3Fdkl6YuUsxH1UbrHBhI9250G9SyQM7K74yRP-Ys/s1600-h/paintingVolunteers.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aWbERDGtsNWroXgzbxDwbzC3i9-afAxsQ1bfsfs0lTRqGyRtg0hnr8hnJPOKSMN0Dl9-TbYnU9S3fpr5AKvoEsnCZ4k_voJChhD3Fdkl6YuUsxH1UbrHBhI9250G9SyQM7K74yRP-Ys/s320/paintingVolunteers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178899862320819106" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Oh, bless you, good volunteers of Catholic Charities.</span><br /><br /><br />The INSIDE is painted too!!! Feel free to comment on my choice of colors. I didn't want a drab monochromatic interior, as you can see. That's all I will say about that.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjuOcdiG_cRGOCIoj-F5wpfQa2-3i3uW9iq2JXWCS9Q9iPIP7xGkhXJ82y4TQSmB3a1XD-sKqMiH2ADOoXk-Zl8FTFdrAF-7hglQbxun0XGn407TYbyKNTVEF8cRTcHh0NkmK8BKNT4Q/s1600-h/startOrange.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjuOcdiG_cRGOCIoj-F5wpfQa2-3i3uW9iq2JXWCS9Q9iPIP7xGkhXJ82y4TQSmB3a1XD-sKqMiH2ADOoXk-Zl8FTFdrAF-7hglQbxun0XGn407TYbyKNTVEF8cRTcHh0NkmK8BKNT4Q/s320/startOrange.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178895288180648754" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">More Catholic Charities volunteers. Since it was raining outside, they decided to tackle the interior.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9qE6fRWocan9Ee4-Qe6MoSQ9uWicYXWkqH0O9ETV7_xwZSL0rJYlkrc3-TFZQdNZVrMhahWFQj6pWfJ7QzfzymlFkWo9gOZC2N2mVd_Scm4PnXuKLm89D6K-zCKLZf9wP9XXSnr6Obw/s1600-h/finishOrange.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9qE6fRWocan9Ee4-Qe6MoSQ9uWicYXWkqH0O9ETV7_xwZSL0rJYlkrc3-TFZQdNZVrMhahWFQj6pWfJ7QzfzymlFkWo9gOZC2N2mVd_Scm4PnXuKLm89D6K-zCKLZf9wP9XXSnr6Obw/s320/finishOrange.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178895292475616066" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">My orange living room.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMhyYDhUspU5Qhv1fdJvIY3XdHKvXRgSU8kWDJnkjycbBVwuD11IiIjC2PJtouvQe_oImraqJUhr1aDRFooJgiAoGvFX0wTDkBrStnhMLk_V1689Jdgd_ZTdgjBNRkkzY1g9GnDHO7Ag/s1600-h/startGreen.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMhyYDhUspU5Qhv1fdJvIY3XdHKvXRgSU8kWDJnkjycbBVwuD11IiIjC2PJtouvQe_oImraqJUhr1aDRFooJgiAoGvFX0wTDkBrStnhMLk_V1689Jdgd_ZTdgjBNRkkzY1g9GnDHO7Ag/s320/startGreen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178894296043203346" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The green room.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqxOFYQ8Eayly2qNGvwf6mZ-CpD81kSwlpATbaVK3f9EQozyyWXkk76eHtZtu44eMcIZZgm08PEPj_-CuXwMIkcoWxXrjfXPj6i5VIyPTy6k3plp7j2DInQSY_PnM9JwyMS-ZcKqJeoH0/s1600-h/finishGreen.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqxOFYQ8Eayly2qNGvwf6mZ-CpD81kSwlpATbaVK3f9EQozyyWXkk76eHtZtu44eMcIZZgm08PEPj_-CuXwMIkcoWxXrjfXPj6i5VIyPTy6k3plp7j2DInQSY_PnM9JwyMS-ZcKqJeoH0/s320/finishGreen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178894300338170658" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">This will be our bedroom.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOoXwHAB1GVI7jMm5BG4IbVcpqXAb_0pe8Vje8xv9S5hzACXDRb9VU9XlYldEapsjDoa_FzsQ_3ij0yEWnr2Qp5wKui9zkuDzhp2DL-qd5qkIIj8xusCY7b_JNEcc0iqtV98f1Q1itQg/s1600-h/paintingBlueRoom.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOoXwHAB1GVI7jMm5BG4IbVcpqXAb_0pe8Vje8xv9S5hzACXDRb9VU9XlYldEapsjDoa_FzsQ_3ij0yEWnr2Qp5wKui9zkuDzhp2DL-qd5qkIIj8xusCY7b_JNEcc0iqtV98f1Q1itQg/s320/paintingBlueRoom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178896976102796114" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">My daughter and the neighbor's kids painted the office (aka The Blue Room). It's bright, huh?</span><br /><br /><b>LowerNine.org</b><br /><br /><a href="http://lowernine.org/">LowerNine.org</a> gets their own paragraph on my blog because, well, I love them. This is the one volunteer-based group that has come in and really "owned" the project. Since I have started working, I haven't had a whole lot of time to dedicate to the house. (BTW, I don't work at <a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/">Whole Foods</a> anymore. "You just started!" you say. Well, yes, but I just resigned as well. Long story. But now I am working for my community and <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.replantneworleans.org">Replant New Orleans</a>, planting 525 trees and creating a new greenspace in <a href="http://www.helpholycross.org/">Holy Cross</a>. Much more fulfilling than fronting shelves.)Volunteers from LowerNine.org, especially Sarah and Matt (my new best friends), have really taken charge and are making sure the house gets finished. I appreciate their integrity and follow-through; I appreciate their patience and understanding (sometimes I'm so nervous and unsure about certain aspects of the building that I can be difficult to deal with); I appreciate their time and energy (they even come on the weekends!). Through <a href="http://lowernine.org/">LowerNine.org</a>, I've gotten the wiring done by a LICENSED electrician for FREE; the attic is now clear of debris and most of the dust/dirt; the baseboards are installed with holes cut for the outlets; I HAVE A FRONT DOOR NOW; and the list goes on. They even cleaned up a mess another volunteer group made AND managed a volunteer group when I was unable to be at the house. I'm trying my best not to fall madly in love with these people because they are only volunteers who will be gone as soon as they're done with the house, but it's HARD. Not only do they do all this work, but they're also friendly and genuinely caring! What a blessing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1g_wWyi7Z2wmaxaZuIrgqYr1n9Ys7Cav9ZIpsEzFnwsr707ljyi1zC9rL-os_IIXcPTVMW6CCqBcsJr5ydAP4yjaF0dZRD-OY4NsenfQGr_YbMnNWje7B6Yw8p2Q6o3MAeUVtUTpSCTg/s1600-h/febWork+001.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1g_wWyi7Z2wmaxaZuIrgqYr1n9Ys7Cav9ZIpsEzFnwsr707ljyi1zC9rL-os_IIXcPTVMW6CCqBcsJr5ydAP4yjaF0dZRD-OY4NsenfQGr_YbMnNWje7B6Yw8p2Q6o3MAeUVtUTpSCTg/s320/febWork+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178927972881771506" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Super Sarah and good ole Cory, scraping baseboards in the garage.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBNeoxmRFVhi5GSIWWf0kJeBNFWpbAWXfmA8GV7689TeeCg5W7kEWxv6CqwYyEUFuhRwWM90IdTFAkMwzHanwht7HZoRxyqitds6w2K6z6LEKnYBHXHY1vmg8YI7jC_jypACrR7VZxmA/s1600-h/electrician-Jesse_small.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBNeoxmRFVhi5GSIWWf0kJeBNFWpbAWXfmA8GV7689TeeCg5W7kEWxv6CqwYyEUFuhRwWM90IdTFAkMwzHanwht7HZoRxyqitds6w2K6z6LEKnYBHXHY1vmg8YI7jC_jypACrR7VZxmA/s320/electrician-Jesse_small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178927972881771522" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Jesse the electrician. We had some communication issues, didn't we, Jesse. I hope "free" doesn't turn into "regret." So far, so good... I think.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsbPXVQydgRPvjY3lcOC7UF44OL9kNh7MsZKR-SzoUePs4A3ca6IjOPi-36pY6infYcFHzJWQH4vuFznI5WtpGbEx3YCldDRqxJ9KZh5qY6Q_T6diIDAy-tcpq3UHgekWLxYHLZKJUSE/s1600-h/l9VolunteersScraping.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsbPXVQydgRPvjY3lcOC7UF44OL9kNh7MsZKR-SzoUePs4A3ca6IjOPi-36pY6infYcFHzJWQH4vuFznI5WtpGbEx3YCldDRqxJ9KZh5qY6Q_T6diIDAy-tcpq3UHgekWLxYHLZKJUSE/s320/l9VolunteersScraping.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178927964291836898" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Some more volunteers, scraping the baseboards. Thanks, y'all. I REALLY appreciate it.</span><br /><br /><br /><b><blink>IF YOU ARE SEARCHING FOR A KATRINA-RELIEF ORGANIZATION TO WHICH TO DONATE, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND <a href="http://lowernine.org/donate.htm">LOWERNINE.ORG</a>! THEY KEEP THEIR ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS LOW AND TRULY DO HELP INDIVIDUALS REBUILD THEIR HOMES. AND THEY ARE A NON-PROFIT SO YOUR DONATION WILL BE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE.</blink></b><br /><br /><a name="garden"><br /><b>COMMUNITY GARDEN UPDATE</b><br /></a><br />I mentioned in a previous post that the <a href="http://www.communitygarden.org/">American Community Garden Association (ACGA)</a> had planned to have their annual board meeting here in New Orleans in February (we're hosting their annual conference this October). They wanted to help out during their visit, so Patsy and I submitted a Wish List and started planning for their arrival. During the planning, we found out that the 89th birthday of our garden's namesake, Mrs. Laurentine Ernst coincided with the board's visit! So, we decided to roll a birthday celebration in with the work day. Then we met an ambitious, go-getting young gardener named Cory, a short-term <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.lowernine.org">Lowernine.org</a> volunteer. He wanted to fulfill some of our Wish List items as well. The big day, February 23rd, turned into a huge success. We honored Mrs. Ernst (who was present!); the <a href="http://www.communitygarden.org/">ACGA</a> board assembled a compost bin; and the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.lowernine.org">Lowernine.org</a> volunteers cleared an adjacent lot, built a cold frame, removed a tree stump, AND created a new bed (busting through concrete to do it!). Good stuff.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdFXYhbhynp7PuCoAVD-NpV-OEHq78iy1im4wOP_y6H6iCSuyE9-UmQTe-3uMHeFunwYcm-RUbzil0U99-JUZEIeKn6paRsBUh3YfG3Gx17wwStA-ZwTCzWBuw8GBp9Y06Ra3xPZg3mI/s1600-h/gardenEventCollage.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdFXYhbhynp7PuCoAVD-NpV-OEHq78iy1im4wOP_y6H6iCSuyE9-UmQTe-3uMHeFunwYcm-RUbzil0U99-JUZEIeKn6paRsBUh3YfG3Gx17wwStA-ZwTCzWBuw8GBp9Y06Ra3xPZg3mI/s320/gardenEventCollage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178903843755502514" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(l to r) David showing some kids how to plant in a newly created garden bed. Nat, Patsy and good ole Cory discussing composting issues. ACGA board president James Kuhns thanks Mrs. Ernst for her commitment to green spaces in Holy Cross. The cold frame that Cory and the L9.org volunteers built. All of us posing for a photo.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4fTzD1MdpfUlFa8yAR4MC5WI0tKRh4bE8ba4frfRc2wBxEymtgfOt5HSPEY_KMi1U2w3hiWyvGCVoSQZjCY8njq3mZrQMmHC97MGZ_MDo3dvz-S2IBNLLl4b6A6aCBUJ__NoH1u2shdo/s1600-h/chaunceyTheGoat.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4fTzD1MdpfUlFa8yAR4MC5WI0tKRh4bE8ba4frfRc2wBxEymtgfOt5HSPEY_KMi1U2w3hiWyvGCVoSQZjCY8njq3mZrQMmHC97MGZ_MDo3dvz-S2IBNLLl4b6A6aCBUJ__NoH1u2shdo/s320/chaunceyTheGoat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178903843755502530" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">It just wouldn't be the same without Chauncey the goat.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><b>SHAMELESS PLUG</b><br /><br />Finally, I must shamelessly plug <a href="http://www.hortonmovie.com/">Horton Hears A Who</a>, a new movie (released yesterday, in fact!) made by <a href="http://blueskystudios.com/">Blue Sky</a>, my old company (miss you guys!). I modeled the main antagonist, the Kangaroo and her little joey. So go check it out!! My daughter, mother and I saw it yesterday and LOVED it. And that's not just because I helped make it. <i>I was not a huge fan of the <a href="http://robotsdvd.com/">ROBOTS</a> movie, even though I worked on it.</i> P.S. I also modeled Ms. Yelp (the mayor's secretary) and one of the councilmembers. Yes, this plug is quite shameless. Hey, I'm proud. What can I say?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8S6hMNqUra96dyis-ckRKS8X7GsjuTrKEg_zdlIr8JXKThOa0_XqgaDe2Q7HWSrY2nAaZuRTyCDQK4jiL8zVVbLZTgx121OHOSpO0kjetyaqsa-iJbRqRb2G9oG0pUgifhtEHKD1f8i4/s1600-h/hortonKangaroo.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8S6hMNqUra96dyis-ckRKS8X7GsjuTrKEg_zdlIr8JXKThOa0_XqgaDe2Q7HWSrY2nAaZuRTyCDQK4jiL8zVVbLZTgx121OHOSpO0kjetyaqsa-iJbRqRb2G9oG0pUgifhtEHKD1f8i4/s320/hortonKangaroo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178925971427011538" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">My beloved Kangaroo. Worked long and hard to make her model just right. Seeing her alive on screen was nothing short of awesome.<br /><br /><script type="text/javascript"><!--<br />google_ad_client = "pub-0933118229792496";<br />/* 468x60, created 3/17/08 */<br />google_ad_slot = "7413119252";<br />google_ad_width = 468;<br />google_ad_height = 60;<br />//--><br /></script><br /><script type="text/javascript"<br />src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"><br /></script><br /></span>Live Lyve Raw Vegan Cuisinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16026311236920278442noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204580867571652472.post-27034983638259553222008-02-07T23:57:00.000-05:002008-02-09T01:52:42.223-05:00Gotta Update The BlogI've been shamefully remiss in updating the blog. I keep saying, "I gotta update the blog. I gotta update the blog." but every time I sit down to do it, I'm either too exhausted or I'm overwhelmed with the challenge of writing about all the new developments in an interesting and concise way. One of the volunteers who helped me months ago recently emailed asking for photos. This essentially FORCED me to <i>at least</i> select and re-size them. Then, of course, I had to add captions. Then I figured I might as well email the photos to friends and family, so that required more writing. So tonight, I convinced myself that I'd basically already written the blog and all there was to do was post it. But, of course, I am me. I couldn't JUST upload the photos and copy the email blurb. Here I am, still typing two hours later. <br /><br />Up until the end of last year, I'd committed myself to working full-time on the rebuilding of my house. But, for various reasons (mostly my ever-depleting savings account), I recently decided that earning income was priority. HOWEVER, before I dove head-first into working for The Man (in this instance, Whole Foods Market), I dedicated myself 1000% to finishing as much as I could. This is what I accomplished.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dpjuQ2iav6pBAZX97sK4i0sMnzKopPbb7FfhGVBOxeCyVqyyW3HdtqEZKc9OEIzYyhLFWAhpo68i13vNfrtN8wXang4TUn8Hvcr7M7elZOT3qZEgDtoIbg3KlB_pSSgTL62mVaoDENM/s1600-h/bathoomFloor.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dpjuQ2iav6pBAZX97sK4i0sMnzKopPbb7FfhGVBOxeCyVqyyW3HdtqEZKc9OEIzYyhLFWAhpo68i13vNfrtN8wXang4TUn8Hvcr7M7elZOT3qZEgDtoIbg3KlB_pSSgTL62mVaoDENM/s320/bathoomFloor.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164490761844185346" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefKNTXzFwnstqtkIwhFMq33yOOypzmecAGt8yrl6qhyphenhyphenU4fZqIscM29bOcLv5xHQPeykOYhgMKMnl4UQE2RZ8339Apo1gLoA5GOQLFVMx4pxRsU6PfqH_1fmBI70mCR31LtJLxcgV_tZQ/s1600-h/bathroomWallClosed.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefKNTXzFwnstqtkIwhFMq33yOOypzmecAGt8yrl6qhyphenhyphenU4fZqIscM29bOcLv5xHQPeykOYhgMKMnl4UQE2RZ8339Apo1gLoA5GOQLFVMx4pxRsU6PfqH_1fmBI70mCR31LtJLxcgV_tZQ/s320/bathroomWallClosed.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164491753981630738" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1itWfWrCsBNtGYD5Z9Rf8blxtrk5GYKY2aaXyY9REq2ZvN_-xf2Cbn42udED-pW5j76dww9MCERze3B3i8XnmiEEgmEG-Q5MNkyb976w2Hf36owziJVi4rhUMo-tQyy8FqoyczprMJA/s1600-h/bathroomWindowNEW.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1itWfWrCsBNtGYD5Z9Rf8blxtrk5GYKY2aaXyY9REq2ZvN_-xf2Cbn42udED-pW5j76dww9MCERze3B3i8XnmiEEgmEG-Q5MNkyb976w2Hf36owziJVi4rhUMo-tQyy8FqoyczprMJA/s320/bathroomWindowNEW.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164491758276598050" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4hSUB5fI2zsSch1MP-uheLF7j5Kke45_7z33FFmVEkOxu8txYUwrLgMHS8JygNnoDYjVxMkoKwybik9UjoCQmZyQ60t1bM_QH7tJQTEDwLgVtP8AOAlZnW1WLjlisAVhPDcxveMoEYY/s1600-h/bathroomFraming1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4hSUB5fI2zsSch1MP-uheLF7j5Kke45_7z33FFmVEkOxu8txYUwrLgMHS8JygNnoDYjVxMkoKwybik9UjoCQmZyQ60t1bM_QH7tJQTEDwLgVtP8AOAlZnW1WLjlisAVhPDcxveMoEYY/s320/bathroomFraming1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164491758276598066" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwiD4iCxaRau29qmSWHgKeH_zmchabPd7ASm0PolLMg6n8oxaunJjqdhoNDnSMx8DKVv0iWDSw9u8sJCE-9huaPq9vduv1PXp4q2FRreI8zko3O058-C9aVNcW4CGHWChvepil4p45MNo/s1600-h/bathroomFraming2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwiD4iCxaRau29qmSWHgKeH_zmchabPd7ASm0PolLMg6n8oxaunJjqdhoNDnSMx8DKVv0iWDSw9u8sJCE-9huaPq9vduv1PXp4q2FRreI8zko3O058-C9aVNcW4CGHWChvepil4p45MNo/s320/bathroomFraming2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164491762571565378" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8nT3jQPk3OaMdmwqCxeK57sv2T9oug2sDjennoOdHLWUUcZnUvlquR8liSRPlfXgI25rC3h_WHs1mBA-3H3xpuwvnNiAsyo9vmP5CPF3_OCnJNuBo0Bj-lI5ZbHURwJ2YW3-jeXiYpA/s1600-h/backFoyer.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8nT3jQPk3OaMdmwqCxeK57sv2T9oug2sDjennoOdHLWUUcZnUvlquR8liSRPlfXgI25rC3h_WHs1mBA-3H3xpuwvnNiAsyo9vmP5CPF3_OCnJNuBo0Bj-lI5ZbHURwJ2YW3-jeXiYpA/s320/backFoyer.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164493858515605858" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBKUzhDETtEyFrxhVtfox4GtWs6ykn8O99W9Biovwtk7xXOZs90NLcAyky33qI6kSqEoNSnZDrJuVyAk4xazssqwNc0GFy5gdn3eNybxRPhWx6P4lKGGXPR9oKi_eVnoh4EgMp3Rbo6E/s1600-h/backFoyerLevelingSTEP1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBKUzhDETtEyFrxhVtfox4GtWs6ykn8O99W9Biovwtk7xXOZs90NLcAyky33qI6kSqEoNSnZDrJuVyAk4xazssqwNc0GFy5gdn3eNybxRPhWx6P4lKGGXPR9oKi_eVnoh4EgMp3Rbo6E/s320/backFoyerLevelingSTEP1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164493862810573170" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZfcxVbsr3HNJl1jpQdITKi18TCYM0B0TmkLDWxKSO1xGZShiKfOCkpb8IoV6Zdfxpn0m2zcWsgwt-w2HlVCRm7LWxdQKWQZITLU8ucY693p1AEJ7yqQnkB8Bw4W1idSjkhxsgZXlKxo/s1600-h/backFoyerLevelingSTEP2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZfcxVbsr3HNJl1jpQdITKi18TCYM0B0TmkLDWxKSO1xGZShiKfOCkpb8IoV6Zdfxpn0m2zcWsgwt-w2HlVCRm7LWxdQKWQZITLU8ucY693p1AEJ7yqQnkB8Bw4W1idSjkhxsgZXlKxo/s320/backFoyerLevelingSTEP2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164493862810573186" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighfOPlWR6_mR7TK80KcNYs9U514-_HteWAldIAkSJylAm6CYBkHRSZUFfGD-tlxCtek70dUhUCmy6Ceh1oVUBDExHS5D2EcXpX7jzAG2yNz4k9Jy5EpvvtdlX-CV6VBVwmMo3QhlgdCs/s1600-h/backFoyerLevelingSTEP3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighfOPlWR6_mR7TK80KcNYs9U514-_HteWAldIAkSJylAm6CYBkHRSZUFfGD-tlxCtek70dUhUCmy6Ceh1oVUBDExHS5D2EcXpX7jzAG2yNz4k9Jy5EpvvtdlX-CV6VBVwmMo3QhlgdCs/s320/backFoyerLevelingSTEP3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164493875695475090" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWjkmZMuzmzkgfxaGMaJ-DY6CuguQ0M8i9GZ9SiECBxc706t-LcyZqRl2ZLx-4tewUgDVkGdNIuwTGrpxNmfEQnu8fMPBtdYd8R43L9yYNXZm1jtoKtU5_5yPAZb4jwpGTlwvvKq1NLY/s1600-h/backFoyerLevelingSTEP4.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWjkmZMuzmzkgfxaGMaJ-DY6CuguQ0M8i9GZ9SiECBxc706t-LcyZqRl2ZLx-4tewUgDVkGdNIuwTGrpxNmfEQnu8fMPBtdYd8R43L9yYNXZm1jtoKtU5_5yPAZb4jwpGTlwvvKq1NLY/s320/backFoyerLevelingSTEP4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164493875695475106" /></a><br /><br /><br />I'm not a believer in the supernatural, y'all. I don't think there's a man (or woman) in the sky who spends his (or her) time engrossed in my personal life, doling out favors and punishment as he (or she) sees fit. I do, however, believe in the innate goodness of humankind. And I believe that there are a great many occurrences in this world that are beyond my comprehension. Like, for instance, how almost immediately after I'd decided to "leave the Matrix", I randomly met a man who does construction work for a living AND (genuinely) wanted to help me with my house. Lonzel and I put down plywood and cement board on the bathroom floor, removed the bathroom window, cut a hole for the new one, and framed in the bathroom walls for insulation. Now, truthfully, he only helped out a few mornings (before he went to his own job! THAT'S a good man!) but just his presence those few days gave me the energy and confidence to finish up this work. He also lent me his miter saw (HUGE help!) and his nail gun for a few days. And, finally, he introduced me to his friend Morgan, a master electrician. Morgan patched the wiring that had been clipped (by some heartless saboteur) and installed temporary lighting in the house. Not free, but MUCH lower than the cost I bemoaned last blog entry.<br /><br />I received another blessing in the form of two generous checks from past volunteers. These are people who had already come down and given their time and labor to work on a house belonging to a complete stranger. Still they felt they had more to give. I'm grateful for the money, of course. One check is slated for the purchase and installation of a front door; the other to put a dent in the cost of wiring the house. But I am also appreciative of the moral support. There are times when I feel like an idiot for moving back down here with pie-in-the-sky dreams of rebuilding this house with my own hands and no concrete Plan B. So, thanks Peris and Jaye; and Judy, for not only the practical help, but also the encouragement.<br /><br /><br /><b>NEXT STEP</b><br /><br />Now that I'm employed, I can't spend as much time as I'd like to working on my house. Most probably, the proceeding entries will be about what others have done. I may be getting some significant assistance from <a href="http://www.lowernine.org">Lower9.org</a>, a local non-profit rebuilding homes in the Lower 9th Ward. Thanks, <a href="http://www.lower9thwardvillage.org/">Mack McClendon of The Village</a> for helping out with that! Also, <a href="http://www.ccano.org/">Catholic Charities</a> may be sending some volunteers over to patch and paint the exterior of the house. And I've received many offers from friends, friends of friends, and people with whom I've volunteered in the past. So I'll be organizing work days with them. I truly hope that the house will be habitable (and safe for a young child) by the end of April. I'll keep y'all posted!!Live Lyve Raw Vegan Cuisinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16026311236920278442noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204580867571652472.post-83919049825847393792007-12-28T00:20:00.000-05:002007-12-28T00:49:51.191-05:00The Beginning of The End<i>I know that I promised to update the blog weekly; this is why I usually don’t make promises. Unpredictability is the nature of life.</i> I have been in a holding pattern for about three weeks. Here are my VALID excuses – <b>1)</b> My daughter’s daycare was closed for a week, so I was unable to do any work on my house save that Tuesday when Aiji came to help. The rest of the week was filled with Mommy days. <b>2)</b> As fate would have it, on the Tuesday the daycare reopened, I was stricken with <a href="http://blog.koral.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/flu3.jpg">the flu</a>! Even as I struggled to push forward and accomplish SOMETHING, ANYTHING, my body simply would not allow it. I couldn’t see beyond the pain pressing on my eyeballs. My every movement was strained; every turn of my head followed by pain. I went home to bed… and ended up staying there until Friday. <b>3</b>) Lastly, I decided to go out of town at the last minute (minor emergency). So there went another week. My readers surely understand the frustration. Life happens, yes. But I NEED to be in my house working. And it’s not just <a href="http://papucharliesbigadventure.blogspot.com/2007/08/falling-in-love.html">the emotional need</a> anymore.<br /><br />Last post, I wrote about <a href="http://papucharliesbigadventure.blogspot.com/2007/12/moving-forward.html#passion">The Impracticality of Passion</a>, where I shared the realization that my dream is coming to an end and I have to face reality – it is no longer a good idea to rebuild my house on my own terms, without earning any income.<br /><br />A few things have happened to support this thinking:<br /><br /><blockquote><b>1.</b> As you know, I recently discovered that my brand new electrical wiring had been clipped. As long as my house remains unoccupied on this abandoned block, it will be subject to the whims of selfish thieves.<br /><b>2.</b> Tired as I am of dealing with trifling little liars disguised as professionals, I am hiring a new electrician, who appears to have integrity, to rewire the house. Of course, in post-Katrina New Orleans, morality comes at a premium. His estimate is just short of double the previous electrician’s.<br /><b>3.</b> Even though the previous electrician took six months to NOT finish a two-week job, my contractor/uncle is still charging me almost the full amount for his services.<br /><b>4.</b> My insurance company is closing my theft claim without payment because my insurance does not cover theft while the property is under construction. My house is completely vulnerable and there will be no retribution for any loss incurred.<br /><b>5.</b> To add insult to injury, I just got a letter in the mail today stating that my insurance company would be canceling my homeowner’s insurance as of January 18th.</blockquote><br />All these factors, coupled with the fact that I am WAY over my projected timeline and need to begin making some money, have contributed to my reality check. No one (with whom I have a financial relationship, at least) cares about my commitment to this house and the neighborhood. They are not moved by the strides I've made; my learning experience means nothing to them. This is Reality; and at this point, I am basically <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=shit+out+of+luck">“shit out of luck”</a>. The good ole days are over and it’s time to leave the Matrix.<br /><br /><br /><b>PLAN OF ACTION</b><br /><br />I am not one to mope around and be sad about unfortunate circumstances. I am just not the “woe is me” type. Self-pity is a useless emotion, and it’s counter-productive. When I feel a twinge of depression coming on, I am compelled to MOVE. I have to shake it; I refuse to let it conquer me. Thus, I have come up with a plan of action – a bare minimum list of what needs to happen so that my daughter and I can live in the house.<br /><blockquote>- <blink>Win the lottery and/or marry a wonderful (and coincidentally wealthy) man</blink><br />- Frame in the bathroom with studs<br />- Install baseboards throughout the house (the electric sockets will be in the baseboards)<br />- Re-wire the house (hire an electrician)<br />- Install plumbing in the house (hire a plumber)<br />- Patch the rest of the kitchen ceiling<br />- Close up the walls in the bathroom with greenboard and cement board<br />- Install hardwood flooring in the first three rooms<br />- Install tile in the kitchen and the bathroom<br />- Hang kitchen cabinets and sink<br />- Install temporary plywood countertops<br />- Install toilet, bathtub and lavatory</blockquote><br />The first one COULD happen… I also COULD be struck by lightning this afternoon, but it’s not likely. I just put that there for amusement. Everything else could be done within two to three months, if I receive cooperation from all parties involved. That, in and of itself, is a gamble. Working with electricians and plumbers in New Orleans has proven to be a challenge for quite a few. But I hope that this time, since I’m working with men of integrity (or so I’ve heard), I will be able to forego the common problems. I am still debating whether or not to attempt the flooring installation myself. I know for sure that I can/will install the tiling. I’ve done that before and I feel confident about it. Hardwood flooring is a different beast altogether. I’ve installed laminate flooring, but it’s not the same. So we shall see.<br /><br /><br /><b>MONEY, MONEY, MONEY</b><br /><br />We shall also see if I am able to even get through the Bare Minimum List. I have not updated my budget in a while and, honestly, I’m afraid to do it. But such things need to be done. I know already that I’ll be spending more than the amount of the initial insurance claim compensation. The question is “How much?” and whether or not I can afford that. Time to crunch some numbers. <br /><br />At this time, I would like to express my gratitude to all those who have sent a few dollars my way. And, of course, to all those who have volunteered their time working on my house. I couldn't have gotten this far without you; I truly appreciate your help.Live Lyve Raw Vegan Cuisinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16026311236920278442noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204580867571652472.post-3402491749134865242007-12-05T01:27:00.000-05:002007-12-28T00:29:43.058-05:00Moving ForwardToday, my old buddy Aiji came over. Bless his heart, he traveled TWO HOURS on the bus just to lend a hand. This is a testament to the glory of the <a href="http://norta.com/">RTA</a>, New Orleans’ own public transportation system. Aiji lives about 15 minutes away.<br /><br /><i>A little back story</i> - when my fabulous <a href="http://papucharliesbigadventure.blogspot.com/2007/11/no-way.html#UUS">UU volunteers from New Mexico</a> were here, we unfortunately discovered that my sills (the very foundation upon which my little house sits) had some wood rot. Bad news. We were all set to remove the bathroom window and put in some studs so I could have insulation, which would have been Miracle #4, when we found the damage. Anyway, all work had to stop and I’d kinda been in a holding pattern since then. Getting emotional, overwhelmed, and feeling like this work would “never” be done. My biggest problem was that I couldn’t find the right sized wood to replace the rotted pieces. Lumber stores don’t sell true 6-by-6’s anymore; the wood is really 5 ½-by-5 ½. I’d been dumpster-diving for old sills with no luck.<br /><br />Lucky for me, pretty much everyone I know is rebuilding in some way, shape or form. My cousin <a href="http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/info/0,,20052704,00.html">Rashida</a> told me her workers replaced sills on her house, so I went over today to see how they did it. I discovered that they used ½” plywood to shim underneath the 6-by-6. A rush of relief and clarity washed over me. And somehow that allowed me to make a decision about NOT replacing one of the sills. Finally, I could move forward! The bathroom would not have to wait.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIU9QSj2qoskEXbvdDp9EERbAsncYMHmaD7UMAfdakhoZoWyp9DvyKqlBKv6cVUMBl-tBFxDqJyrsgK__M3eKyH2EKrC5eZRr7m4kYDobS_16GEeTY7I6UlrigYTPljtb7vxCjZsovgWI/s1600-h/rashidasSill.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIU9QSj2qoskEXbvdDp9EERbAsncYMHmaD7UMAfdakhoZoWyp9DvyKqlBKv6cVUMBl-tBFxDqJyrsgK__M3eKyH2EKrC5eZRr7m4kYDobS_16GEeTY7I6UlrigYTPljtb7vxCjZsovgWI/s320/rashidasSill.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140384230743848642" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Rashida's sill</span><br /><br />So, today, Aiji and I worked de-constructing the bathroom interior. Since I’m going to be building out the walls with studs, we had to move the tub away from the wall. And, of course, the toilet had to come out because I’m going to be laying tile (and the toilet has to sit on TOP of the tiled floor). Aiji pulled out the wood framing around the tub. I crawled under the house and cut the drain pipe with a hacksaw. We worked well as a team and I couldn’t have done any of this without him. Without his super-human strength, that bathtub wouldn’t have moved an inch.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1eXIqxhTWaSXXtJQipXYGS-_ZINexBmUpZEXwnYI-TVv12HaFGxYLplcUhUS_y_6CWT9tO4HF1KvjFD8B5n3L5z37M8JLt505-xpSkCHuWCVNk7J7H-Hdef9-BGjv2p7KzQvhdxYdcE/s1600-h/rippingWallsDownAiji.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1eXIqxhTWaSXXtJQipXYGS-_ZINexBmUpZEXwnYI-TVv12HaFGxYLplcUhUS_y_6CWT9tO4HF1KvjFD8B5n3L5z37M8JLt505-xpSkCHuWCVNk7J7H-Hdef9-BGjv2p7KzQvhdxYdcE/s320/rippingWallsDownAiji.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140384235038815954" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Aiji said he loves tearing stuff down.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq96WhZpaNHixfBxyeH_Ya0IyADux_7qfrpCWHP6flcYN1frhTQ2DIu2MgpeJiue1h7DZKqm9DMLbHF8U-nwtzazD4XHajZwJppvTUm6BPtzYIkpARet2HxtNR2LOlDPC2Ygkm12-k4q4/s1600-h/superHumanAiji.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq96WhZpaNHixfBxyeH_Ya0IyADux_7qfrpCWHP6flcYN1frhTQ2DIu2MgpeJiue1h7DZKqm9DMLbHF8U-nwtzazD4XHajZwJppvTUm6BPtzYIkpARet2HxtNR2LOlDPC2Ygkm12-k4q4/s320/superHumanAiji.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140384235038815970" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">I'm just glad he could lift this cast-iron tub!</span><br /><br />Equally noteworthy, I’ve patched another ceiling. For all the work it’s taking to replace damaged ceiling boards, that ceiling better look nice when it’s finished! I have none other than my new friend Whitney to thank for that. Last week (and the week before), she came and helped out. Did I ever mention that working alone is really inefficient? So much time is spent climbing up and down ladders to get tools, measure, cut wood, get things I forgot the last time I climbed up or down, etc. Having Whitney there to help really sped things along. We were able to get that ceiling done in a morning. She stripped wood, cut boards, hammered nails, and provided extra hands when I needed them. [I wish I had photos of Whitney working, but I guess I wasn’t thinking of that at the time.]<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiacuDncmv8PH2VPEm1mN-ctAEcHZi8E-GxO_ZVhWIFNMQ3rs5YE5ju0j16eSSAWHhJzQ-HDdibIhnDFQ1DR2qCObEqp1zEaQkhJB045PhtKLeDwA4Uxf0rGUMwje1K6Qz91NhFPUm-_No/s1600-h/ceilingBoardsBeforeAfter.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiacuDncmv8PH2VPEm1mN-ctAEcHZi8E-GxO_ZVhWIFNMQ3rs5YE5ju0j16eSSAWHhJzQ-HDdibIhnDFQ1DR2qCObEqp1zEaQkhJB045PhtKLeDwA4Uxf0rGUMwje1K6Qz91NhFPUm-_No/s320/ceilingBoardsBeforeAfter.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140384230743848626" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The ceiling, before and after</span><br /><br /><i>As a footnote, I want to share a comment expressed by the man I met whilst visiting <a href="http://thegreenproject.org/">The Green Project</a> today. “Women have gone too far,” he told me when I said I was doing my own construction work. He also added, “Construction is not feminine,” in response to my inquiry regarding his bizarre thought-pattern. So, thanks, sexist man. Thanks for giving me a good laugh.</i><br /><br /><br /><a name="passion"><b>The Impracticality of Passion</b></a><br /><br />In 2001, my <a href="http://www.blueskystudios.com">now-former employer</a> laid me off along with 75% of the staff. Puzzled by my co-workers’ long faces and tears, I hurriedly escaped the building and went skipping merrily into the sunlight. I was FREE!! I then proceeded to enjoy the BEST six months of my life. The bulk of my time and energy was spent putting together my brainchild, a multimedia exhibition (well, I called it an “experience”) entitled <a href="http://www.tolerance.org/news/article_hate.jsp?id=540">“Cat Calls”</a>. I worked harder than I probably ever had in my life… for zero dollars. The money (or lack thereof) was irrelevant; hell, everything was irrelevant – sleep and food included. I was on a mission; I had a goal, a destiny to fulfill. Then one day, my unemployment checks stopped coming and I was jerked back into the world of reality. A rude awakening, it was. But in our society, one cannot live on passion alone. I decided to leave my free-wheeling (and financially precarious) existence and accept the company’s re-hire offer.<br /><br />Oh, how history repeats itself. Here I am once again, living passionately and purposefully, working harder than I ever have before, doing exactly what I want to do with my life… for zero dollars. And on the horizon, I see the Rude Awakening slowly creeping forward like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_(personification)">the Grim Reaper</a> with his bloody scythe. In a way, I feel stuck between a rock and a hard place. The practical thing to do would be to find lucrative employment and pay someone else to finish the work on my house, but that defeats the entire purpose of my being here. I’m here to learn, to build, to dig my fingers into the dirt and create something new. But that job does not pay very well (or at all). So, I am not sure what I’m going to do next, but I’ll have to decide soon. Though living with my mom and penny-pinching have kept us afloat so far, there’s only so far a chunk of money can stretch. I am very proud of the progress we’ve made on the house, the knowledge I’ve attained through this work, and the impact I’m able to make in my community through rebuilding my house and organizing the revitalization of the <a href="http://papucharliesbigadventure.blogspot.com/2007/11/no-way.html#garden">community garden</a>. But I am way past my original six-month deadline, and I have to face the impracticality of passion.<br /><br /><b>Make It Right</b><br />Finally, I want to share a photo I took in the Lower 9 the other day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnvWIiB4KOSEcTKeZcSAocxXeRuXfEXIDDKY8428-N1TsjoaRXVrX9VCBgxF6KDIjXoompHuSgLBtCaAsypKCsHk_AgYp6ybv0Xp5DLhMcdbXhO5I_oSZHWrkAgLBGfM-oxij17doZKsQ/s1600-h/makeitright_pinkHouses.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnvWIiB4KOSEcTKeZcSAocxXeRuXfEXIDDKY8428-N1TsjoaRXVrX9VCBgxF6KDIjXoompHuSgLBtCaAsypKCsHk_AgYp6ybv0Xp5DLhMcdbXhO5I_oSZHWrkAgLBGfM-oxij17doZKsQ/s320/makeitright_pinkHouses.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140384239333783282" /></a><br /><br />If you haven't heard about this yet, it's part of a fundraising campaign led by Brad Pitt to build 150 green homes in the Lower 9th Ward (the area that the city had originally slated to be "greenspace"). For more info, check out <a href="http://www.makeitrightnola.org/">Make It Right's website</a>.Live Lyve Raw Vegan Cuisinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16026311236920278442noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204580867571652472.post-54321136869353994532007-11-27T12:16:00.000-05:002007-12-05T01:47:04.578-05:00No Way!No way!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftH5OsG2BHN0L-7WmVcnPUcsY60hXBqsKYoUfVdCwqMbyAXFD5tdjs2BMyFsBaBqyMHrbenAfud9m2o8uUuJv_bvKqdQ1m229oCx_Z_0q21GZoiZqBF2_IlIaPCOfK4C9wiA80gGhh_g/s1600-h/finishedShed_small.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftH5OsG2BHN0L-7WmVcnPUcsY60hXBqsKYoUfVdCwqMbyAXFD5tdjs2BMyFsBaBqyMHrbenAfud9m2o8uUuJv_bvKqdQ1m229oCx_Z_0q21GZoiZqBF2_IlIaPCOfK4C9wiA80gGhh_g/s320/finishedShed_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137579714643327266" /></a><br />Way.<br /><br />Word?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3kC_aFucWc9F4UUimkLcSk3Q1jzWpTz1DjRmc-6Njaz5wyww9ScsbFdWJV0zunRmMrng0MuqTJNoPX6s6rgpfPlGKanDuv1h6CC4CFhaBQZae8XzhoW-LhfIOEQ0VKIZPOiA-tm4PBQ/s1600-h/fence-after.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3kC_aFucWc9F4UUimkLcSk3Q1jzWpTz1DjRmc-6Njaz5wyww9ScsbFdWJV0zunRmMrng0MuqTJNoPX6s6rgpfPlGKanDuv1h6CC4CFhaBQZae8XzhoW-LhfIOEQ0VKIZPOiA-tm4PBQ/s320/fence-after.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137578928664312050" /></a><br />Word.<br /><br />Get outta here!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMGD7RPUUI62PWEQQyIidKl2oCTORVe9tbDVOlgVHlA-OL9195TCBHlRjUji0VSfs52ZfDoMWQ8oHN3oahooS9Kc14qKIVLJBO38JB9dJCZ4uzfZ8J4tJEdILDHEjGE9kZ67BUBB9Nkc/s1600-h/garageDoor_small.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMGD7RPUUI62PWEQQyIidKl2oCTORVe9tbDVOlgVHlA-OL9195TCBHlRjUji0VSfs52ZfDoMWQ8oHN3oahooS9Kc14qKIVLJBO38JB9dJCZ4uzfZ8J4tJEdILDHEjGE9kZ67BUBB9Nkc/s320/garageDoor_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137574801200740578" /></a><br />Gone.<br /><br />As you can see, a LOT has transpired since the last post. And these photos don’t even represent the half of it. However, for both of our sakes, I will try to keep the commentary short. Mostly, I want to spotlight the folks who have helped me during this time. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">New York Weekend</span><br /><br />In Mid-October, New Yorkers Matt, Jeff and <a href="http://www.funlist.com/">Bret</a> came down to help install an underlayment over my subfloor. Since one worn layer of hardwood flooring was all that separated the interior from the exterior… and because the house has no insulation, I’d decided it might be a good idea to put another floor on top. My NY crew enthusiastically took on the task. Brave souls, they were. Slept in my mom’s construction-site house. No shower, no stove. They said “No problem.” They were awesome.<br /><br />I bought all the flooring supplies (and some fencing supplies, since I knew I’d have more volunteers the following week) on Friday. Lo and behold, it is not Home Depot’s policy to forklift merchandise into a vehicle… which includes the 10ft UHaul truck I’d rented. They didn’t want to be responsible for any damages. Understandable, but still sucky for me. I’d wanted to have everything ready by the time the guys arrived. As fate would have it, my supplies were still at Home Depot when their plane hit the tarmac. But <a href="http://www.funlist.com/">Bret</a>, Jeff and Matt were here for a reason – to help rebuild a home. They insisted on going back to Home Depot that night and loading the truck by hand. In the darkness, we loaded up the truck, twenty 80lb bags of cement and all. And unloaded by the light of their rental car’s high beams.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">[Not coincidentally, with all the hubbub around getting the supplies to my house, I lost my debit card at Home Depot… and didn’t find out until Monday. By then, someone had run up about $2000 worth of charges! Fortunately, I was able to dispute those charges and Chase credited the money back to my account. But it was still a fierce blow to my otherwise positive outlook.]</span><br /><br />Matt is a contractor by trade and I was so grateful to have him at my house. The first thing he did was organize all the tools and equipment into one central location. How much easier and faster work becomes when one is organized. That done, the four of us cleaned/prepared the floors, laid down roofing paper, and then secured the 5/8” plywood with drywall screws. In the kitchen, we put in cementboard, since I’ll be installing tile there. We knocked it out in a weekend and the guys still had time to enjoy the tastes and sounds of New Orleans.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg336Yh_ovzsiaL8n8SQGFVA_8ynY_b8YdFgJD-sp1TvczJAO5PZXqXVZGS0AVxFap9oB1TzKSYp6nZ6Gwlv0JFQiVyZjF_c15YQEzBwgM3QEiZKqZClghlWnXOTVHxE1_4RLj1JeDKcz0/s1600-h/mikeJengaBretWorking.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg336Yh_ovzsiaL8n8SQGFVA_8ynY_b8YdFgJD-sp1TvczJAO5PZXqXVZGS0AVxFap9oB1TzKSYp6nZ6Gwlv0JFQiVyZjF_c15YQEzBwgM3QEiZKqZClghlWnXOTVHxE1_4RLj1JeDKcz0/s320/mikeJengaBretWorking.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137588785614256434" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Matt in front of the organized tool shelf; Me and Bret cutting a 2x4</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSzYVkg7i6_vJNobIl5fadB7tfM4IRgB8l47gl9miUJ57H4KI9pmilfknSVepkDNkI4DjG8KEtK7IyRJAHcQmlfJy0Y9QYQI_yPJBSZ7OC5CJ36h4Wd7RpoPWaxmzj0UGUjQcwLLto70/s1600-h/layingPlywood.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSzYVkg7i6_vJNobIl5fadB7tfM4IRgB8l47gl9miUJ57H4KI9pmilfknSVepkDNkI4DjG8KEtK7IyRJAHcQmlfJy0Y9QYQI_yPJBSZ7OC5CJ36h4Wd7RpoPWaxmzj0UGUjQcwLLto70/s320/layingPlywood.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137588789909223746" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Jeff laying the roofing paper; Bret and Matt putting down the plywood</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_SBv31-xUjADgxMbT7xuVZn8jhsSBCTV_FGxp_8ytPq4-VsL5UniG70ew2jI4GNoEE0KbyxVbzi2WjIYsiD7PWVYHJ9zXH0rpXmNiRYmaMsGabDBvuRT0cGTu_zZ3SpUTdZ3AHCx7NM/s1600-h/NYcrew.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_SBv31-xUjADgxMbT7xuVZn8jhsSBCTV_FGxp_8ytPq4-VsL5UniG70ew2jI4GNoEE0KbyxVbzi2WjIYsiD7PWVYHJ9zXH0rpXmNiRYmaMsGabDBvuRT0cGTu_zZ3SpUTdZ3AHCx7NM/s320/NYcrew.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137588794204191058" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">We even had time for a photo shoot!</span><br /><br />I was also grateful to finally have electricity. I will not get into bad-mouthing the electrician right now because that is a whole other story. I will not talk about how unreliable and trifling he is. I will say - thank goodness he finally kept his word on something (albeit a week late) and installed the GFI (ground-fault circuit interrupter…. In my case, a useable outlet attached to the outside of my house) so I could have power. It enabled us to work into the night AND use power tools.<br /><br /><br /><a name="UUS"><span style="font-weight:bold;">The UUs Return</span></a><br /><br />The following week, another Unitarian Universalist group (this time from Alberquerque) came. My mother, community liaison at NENA, had been planning a mapping project for that weekend. By Monday, however, they hadn’t finished. So the volunteers and I went out in the monsoon-like rainstorm and mapped the rest of the Lower 9. We went from door to door, assessing the building status (red=abandoned, yellow=under construction, blue=lived-in or live-in ready) and recording the number of residents. <br /><br />The next day, we dove into work at my house. The first miracle was erecting the fence. I’d decided that putting up the fence with manual tools was crossing the line into Crazy-Land. So, Jim and I were inside discussing renting a jackhammer and an auger. A few minutes into our talk, I look up and four guys are outside with a sledgehammer and other hand tools busting holes in the concrete. Where it took me about <a href="http://papucharliesbigadventure.blogspot.com/2007/09/fence.html">two hours to dig one 2 foot hole</a>, they dug all thirteen holes in about an hour and a half. At that moment, I realized the limitations of my gender – hey, men are physically stronger; can’t argue with reality. Thank the good Lord for men. I love ‘em, yes I do. The metal posts were in the ground by the day’s end. Originally, I got wood posts, but the volunteers convinced me that I should go with metal. We returned the wood and they generously bought the metal posts! By the end of the week, I had the 80 foot fence I’d desperately needed since the beginning of this project. <span style="font-style:italic;">[A side note, I discovered the previous week that looters had clipped some of my new electrical wiring from underneath the house! There was an urgency.]</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheu5lJOrbCIvgSQtT5_5ILOn5hEMo8tpsqyWZ_lMJY-4n0oOHdpRiFnju0ZHjoe2cS0P_YXfC3beXIk08V7kX8kvyd3NrcpoZJkWXO4ypraj7yhIRfukTDu4y79T_SbrIKRoZrWqJSyeQ/s1600-h/fence-before.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheu5lJOrbCIvgSQtT5_5ILOn5hEMo8tpsqyWZ_lMJY-4n0oOHdpRiFnju0ZHjoe2cS0P_YXfC3beXIk08V7kX8kvyd3NrcpoZJkWXO4ypraj7yhIRfukTDu4y79T_SbrIKRoZrWqJSyeQ/s320/fence-before.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137590881558296930" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Two hours, y'all. I'm impressed.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRG3OWnx29NmX6M-YT4W_e0x11k8UIvB6TfyuC8QY0rMkV9pTPtJ9vAEZ5FIMrMZPZhdwmZ7KNP3gGtM8cnQLM0aax8z0Coh4NOuGlUTp2Z0qGFj-ehZdHklRkftHVCO2s4XHYBPkxDeI/s1600-h/fence-during.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRG3OWnx29NmX6M-YT4W_e0x11k8UIvB6TfyuC8QY0rMkV9pTPtJ9vAEZ5FIMrMZPZhdwmZ7KNP3gGtM8cnQLM0aax8z0Coh4NOuGlUTp2Z0qGFj-ehZdHklRkftHVCO2s4XHYBPkxDeI/s320/fence-during.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137590903033133426" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Then we set the posts in concrete.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2HloTPc8P2BA6POoYDa-5A9xAUNdZp9OPl7OrnAa1iaIUp3cz3C6RIRZ0iaQMIs2gmPlzn_cw1PmyinAcaZ4raMi7xth41YYrev2GetFAeuosfnZE3uEf2_bnx_XamzKpuFPCCFKpeM/s1600-h/fence-after.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2HloTPc8P2BA6POoYDa-5A9xAUNdZp9OPl7OrnAa1iaIUp3cz3C6RIRZ0iaQMIs2gmPlzn_cw1PmyinAcaZ4raMi7xth41YYrev2GetFAeuosfnZE3uEf2_bnx_XamzKpuFPCCFKpeM/s320/fence-after.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137590907328100738" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">A real FENCE!!</span><br /><br />Meanwhile, on the inside of the house, Ed was installing ceiling boards, Kathy and Connie were replacing window panes, Phyllis was sanding. The house was a-buzz with activity. Each day, there was a group of about 10, but the members switched in and out. And they WORKED. [Embarrassingly, I have to attribute all the work to them because I didn’t get a chance to really focus on any one project!] This group was committed to making a dent in the rebuilding project. The second miracle was their generous donation of supplies to my house. Countless Home Depot runs and countless “Don’t worry about it”s when I’d pull out my debit card to pay. I wish I could provide photos of this work, but alas I had no camera.<br /><br />The final miracle occurred on Friday, their last day. Earlier in the week, I’d mentioned the sad story of my digital camera’s demise, victim of the crushing power of automobile wheels on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Claude_Avenue_Bridge">St. Claude Bridge</a> (my purse fell during a bumpy bike ride).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0MdPsVw3h-NUE-1ey9TGNjRC0V2DJPd9vJ-nmMVMn-QVeG6CgXHPobvT_ayAW2lcvBQeuVVcFQnSl9aqZCzI_XWtOk4IAjcFnjAVvH1fRB9UBtpg5Odc3JKmwET8pefNdwqEf7qX_Ak/s1600-h/bustedCamera.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0MdPsVw3h-NUE-1ey9TGNjRC0V2DJPd9vJ-nmMVMn-QVeG6CgXHPobvT_ayAW2lcvBQeuVVcFQnSl9aqZCzI_XWtOk4IAjcFnjAVvH1fRB9UBtpg5Odc3JKmwET8pefNdwqEf7qX_Ak/s320/bustedCamera.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137598582434658770" /></a><br />Keep in mind this group had already donated not only a full week of their time, but also supplies without any hesitation. I was beyond appreciative just based on that. On Friday, as we stood in my backyard enjoying red beans and rice (courtesy of my mother, thanks Ma!), the group presented me with a brand new digital camera along with a 1GB memory card!!!! They wanted me to be able to continue documenting my work… and my daughter’s life. I was <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/speechless">speechless</a> and I’m pretty sure a few tears fell. That was just too much. What did I do to deserve such generosity? All I can do is <a href="http://www.payitforwardfoundation.org/home.html">pay it forward</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Since The Volunteers Left</span><br /><br />The week after the volunteers left, I took a break from the house. It was such a hectic time, I felt that I needed a little separation. I devoted much of my time to helping my neighbor <a href="http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,20051575-4,00.html">Kelvin</a> with his house. Then, I volunteered a week with <a href="http://stbernardproject.org/">The St. Bernard Project</a>. Since I hadn’t been doing my usual Thursday volunteering, I figured I’d make it up by putting in a full week. I had the privilege of doing finish work (installing interior doors, window casing, trim and molding) at the home of an 80-year old man and his son. They were living in a trailer in the front yard, and were so eager to get into the house that they started moving their clothes in as soon as Dave Holt installed the closet racks. It felt good to be able to help them.<br /><br />And finally, I got back to work at my house. I caulked more of the exterior siding (so many cracks, so many holes):<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyZbjxZqd6VbzC9fc5sFq-1uyOtWdTp20rk4ZK_HFZm5uDG4iDh5Wp1cX2MmQ-Ilo-kbrlSlsTqVa6TMPPNoulBmmM_qdP6XGU9-1CDFv1HuueMYW2Qbyr_zvIGPbRbwlYtMOFe5O1B8/s1600-h/caulking_small.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyZbjxZqd6VbzC9fc5sFq-1uyOtWdTp20rk4ZK_HFZm5uDG4iDh5Wp1cX2MmQ-Ilo-kbrlSlsTqVa6TMPPNoulBmmM_qdP6XGU9-1CDFv1HuueMYW2Qbyr_zvIGPbRbwlYtMOFe5O1B8/s320/caulking_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137579714643327250" /></a><br /><br />I fashioned a downspout for the front side of the house:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqhKTG-_yr6x_DVgAxoIyw37ubdfbAN_FM9RzASbneCLTyyXYIWmaEkRo_mS82jjfgbm5Zj506eK1E3bfLvDjySkFWbXo5gGGqTaCv0qJtGNhNEV3S51HV127BMVqGDiWo6hQXCfzJJfA/s1600-h/downspout.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqhKTG-_yr6x_DVgAxoIyw37ubdfbAN_FM9RzASbneCLTyyXYIWmaEkRo_mS82jjfgbm5Zj506eK1E3bfLvDjySkFWbXo5gGGqTaCv0qJtGNhNEV3S51HV127BMVqGDiWo6hQXCfzJJfA/s320/downspout.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137574792610805954" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgcHVqmgI5yjiPgG6oFtWc62AtX20SN8w5S2j01p_eOkXfTo7hV4z5oopwXEaqBV1JICJ2LERbiDdWcz9EXsKIbgfOzsU67WChN2nhMncRYKFlh2RvbkmSaggGokZPGGfL-3FhqQX_0E/s1600-h/downspout_closeup.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgcHVqmgI5yjiPgG6oFtWc62AtX20SN8w5S2j01p_eOkXfTo7hV4z5oopwXEaqBV1JICJ2LERbiDdWcz9EXsKIbgfOzsU67WChN2nhMncRYKFlh2RvbkmSaggGokZPGGfL-3FhqQX_0E/s320/downspout_closeup.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137574801200740562" /></a><br /><br />And I put in some more ceiling boards in the kitchen (Thanks, Ed, for preparing the ceiling. It made my job a LOT easier.):<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Z2M7pfh5TJBaNLtynSIx6q_trvQYAwKyaXflzUV3IZR-xBjC2gtHneXCVbMzQEEtG95daw1yV_lxb_oU45mdJzzO3X2GlCQwvLAbmZeK5pIkwH2fp77x5zz0VFcSUiK1UkV4w9Ll3uM/s1600-h/ceilingBoards_Kitchen2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Z2M7pfh5TJBaNLtynSIx6q_trvQYAwKyaXflzUV3IZR-xBjC2gtHneXCVbMzQEEtG95daw1yV_lxb_oU45mdJzzO3X2GlCQwvLAbmZeK5pIkwH2fp77x5zz0VFcSUiK1UkV4w9Ll3uM/s320/ceilingBoards_Kitchen2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137578928664312066" /></a><br /><br />AND Home Depot finally came by to install the garage door:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMGD7RPUUI62PWEQQyIidKl2oCTORVe9tbDVOlgVHlA-OL9195TCBHlRjUji0VSfs52ZfDoMWQ8oHN3oahooS9Kc14qKIVLJBO38JB9dJCZ4uzfZ8J4tJEdILDHEjGE9kZ67BUBB9Nkc/s1600-h/garageDoor_small.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMGD7RPUUI62PWEQQyIidKl2oCTORVe9tbDVOlgVHlA-OL9195TCBHlRjUji0VSfs52ZfDoMWQ8oHN3oahooS9Kc14qKIVLJBO38JB9dJCZ4uzfZ8J4tJEdILDHEjGE9kZ67BUBB9Nkc/s320/garageDoor_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137574801200740578" /></a><br /><br />I also experienced the most serendipitous blessing this month...<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Serendipity</span><br /><br />First of all, let me share that cabinetry is the most expensive item in a kitchen remodeling budget. My original plan had been to buy some simple base cabinets from Home Depot. I’d just make do and wait until I could afford more cabinetry. So I was sitting pretty when I came across a set of base cabinets at <a href="http://www.habitat-nola.org/restore/index.php">Habitat Restore</a> for $40. I was lucky to get that! Well, on Wednesday when I went to pick them up, <a href="http://www.habitat-nola.org/restore/index.php">Habitat Restore</a> just happened to get a donation of a full set of quality wall AND base cabinets. Solid wood, not particle board. Oh, Happy Day! I bought them <span style="font-weight:bold;">ON THE SPOT</span> for $160, a pittance in comparison to their cost brand-new. All I have to do is sand, repaint them and change the hardware. Well, and I also have to kinda reconstruct them to fit my space, but that’s not a problem… I hope.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEx4JXSqf9YsR4cl2uctzR1PSc_ZsbZ-9nvvzqZ7yb9YRNHInanFUaaT77_-KfNMDkea_VnQLjWrSZmRzApg9KfnsaxULiqrjghzyF7wNiZtBn8FoRhugRq7-QEzQgEuK_Rd5Rpni83k/s1600-h/cabinets_small.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEx4JXSqf9YsR4cl2uctzR1PSc_ZsbZ-9nvvzqZ7yb9YRNHInanFUaaT77_-KfNMDkea_VnQLjWrSZmRzApg9KfnsaxULiqrjghzyF7wNiZtBn8FoRhugRq7-QEzQgEuK_Rd5Rpni83k/s320/cabinets_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137574788315838642" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Some of the base cabinets. Couldn't take decent photos of the wall cabinets, but they are filling my kitchen right now. They are HUGE!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">On Being A Handy-Woman</span><br /><br />If this experience has done nothing else for me, it’s made me CONFIDENT that I can fix pretty much anything around the house. When it comes down to it, having the confidence to do something is half the battle. Confidence clears the mind of worry about failure and allows it to focus on problem-solving. I felt completely comfortable telling my neighbor Kelvin that I knew how to re-glaze windows last week, even though I’d never done it myself. Part of my confidence comes from watching others (skilled and unskilled) work. I’ve seen skilled folks who “know what they’re doing” cut corners and do things “the easy way.” I’ve seen the unskilled do work without a full understanding of what they’re doing. To me, the understanding and the willingness to do it “right” count for more (sometimes) than experience. I’ve read about re-glazing windows; I’ve seen other people do it; I understand the process. So when Kelvin asked me if I knew how to do it, I said yes without hesitation. And I did it. Confidently. And correctly. Men do it all the time! I’m noticing that women are more likely to say “I don’t know” if they’re not 100% sure they can do something. Men rarely admit to not knowing something. I’m turning into a man! LOL.<br /><br /><a name="garden"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Community Garden Update</span></a><br /><br />I mentioned to y’all before that I’d begun organizing the revitalization of the Laurentine Ernst Community Garden in the Holy Cross neighborhood. Well, the garden is thriving. And I must also mention that some of the fabulous UU volunteers also took the time out to visit our garden and do some weeding. We have more plants than I can list growing now – broccoli, cauliflower, mustard greens, beets, parsley, mint, and chives to name a few. We’ve also planted flowers to add some color and attract the pest-eating bugs. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRDTEExzVF9iPoYXRDxkj39QLbk5idq4SlaOWmBiK5-41_pdzPjwU1FlG40ROXR6QwQsSw5YpnP0rhHLLullEABSThEREoFCBdAWXipZUwAiTbZD3n_YOnVi7gW_hoIerDHYSgMAcx_4/s1600-h/ernstGarden1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRDTEExzVF9iPoYXRDxkj39QLbk5idq4SlaOWmBiK5-41_pdzPjwU1FlG40ROXR6QwQsSw5YpnP0rhHLLullEABSThEREoFCBdAWXipZUwAiTbZD3n_YOnVi7gW_hoIerDHYSgMAcx_4/s320/ernstGarden1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137595288194742674" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_cCilj2-LC8xiD-DcwJs8s4O8YsLJPG24him7HzH7htUrQmWWwFaYGw1VkkCKVLZkBeN7Smb38CDOQWg2UoYDX9KIxaslzsQ9EZGvlA4n5K8H2p7-UJDKS-ISAGlkmtDG9FDFT4KhbE/s1600-h/ernstGarden2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_cCilj2-LC8xiD-DcwJs8s4O8YsLJPG24him7HzH7htUrQmWWwFaYGw1VkkCKVLZkBeN7Smb38CDOQWg2UoYDX9KIxaslzsQ9EZGvlA4n5K8H2p7-UJDKS-ISAGlkmtDG9FDFT4KhbE/s320/ernstGarden2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137595292489709986" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqOHYJr0rJlz_ZLIEB5QgUCplVAOPPmpExnpqH6KvQ4zaTIz7Mm-x01d3Bo29hRMkvyncjOXSKb-cDr_LRBW395354LENx5Ov1Tx0YJQQdm5-soiNjjp82BC1yQNILYuLSAy6ay5m6fo/s1600-h/ernstGarden4.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqOHYJr0rJlz_ZLIEB5QgUCplVAOPPmpExnpqH6KvQ4zaTIz7Mm-x01d3Bo29hRMkvyncjOXSKb-cDr_LRBW395354LENx5Ov1Tx0YJQQdm5-soiNjjp82BC1yQNILYuLSAy6ay5m6fo/s320/ernstGarden4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137595296784677298" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-a_xvvEWjwbFqtzTO88osM78SmujbmOrpB9iYdoyo-4hGgbvnFK4Ca7M9hQmrl8_98nYt8gu01h9Adtur24ccO5yohpIq3pJ-MJrL5DjtdvDStyxQDwgewn_AK0jOQFD1bFIA37lJsk/s1600-h/ernstGarden5.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-a_xvvEWjwbFqtzTO88osM78SmujbmOrpB9iYdoyo-4hGgbvnFK4Ca7M9hQmrl8_98nYt8gu01h9Adtur24ccO5yohpIq3pJ-MJrL5DjtdvDStyxQDwgewn_AK0jOQFD1bFIA37lJsk/s320/ernstGarden5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137595301079644610" /></a><br /><br />Patsy Story has still, unfortunately, been doing the brunt of the work. I recruited some garden keepers to do regular maintenance, but they haven’t gotten into a groove yet. Anyone have experience in organizing people? Not sure how to motivate folks to keep up the garden.<br /><br />A few weeks ago, Patsy and I were contacted by the American Community Gardens Association to participate in planning their New Orleans conference in October 2008. We were recruited because the ACGA wants to DO WORK during the conference, creating and improving our city’s gardens. How wonderful! Patsy and I created a brief Wish List and they are currently fundraising to meet our goals. By next year, we just might have a magical little oasis in Holy Cross!<br /><br />Well, that’s all for now, y’all. It’s hard to keep it short when a month’s time has passed, but I tried to be concise. My new commitment is to update this blog weekly, even if it’s just to post some new photos.Live Lyve Raw Vegan Cuisinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16026311236920278442noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204580867571652472.post-52647225782484042922007-10-14T17:27:00.000-05:002007-11-27T14:20:28.321-05:00The Wheels Keep TurningFirst of all, I must share with y’all that…. I GOT A NEW BIKE!!! Those new to this blog may not understand why this is such thrilling news. (<a href="http://papucharliesbigadventure.blogspot.com/2007/05/blog-post.html">Well, you need only read this to come up to speed.</a>) But those faithful readers who have been with me through my ups and downs will surely rejoice. Oh, how my life has improved. No more depending on a <a href="http://norta.com/">bus system</a> that is unreliable to the point of being useless. No more coordinating with my mom to borrow her car and risking returning it late (or forgetting to lock it up or turn the lights off… details, so minor, yet so important). No more opting to just stay home in order to avoid the aforementioned. Now I’m FREE! And I’m also being gentle with both the environment and my wallet alike. I must thank my father for offering to purchase it (and all the accessories!) for me. Thanks, Baba! <br /><br />Now onto even better news! Over these 6+ months of rebuilding this house, I’ve become keenly aware that having help is SOOOOOOOOOOOO important. I cannot stress this enough. With a group of energetic volunteers, tasks can be completed in a fraction of the time it would take to do it myself. “Well, duh!”, you may remark. However, coming from a person who often opts against asking for help, this is a significant breakthrough. Anyway, this is all to say that I am eternally grateful to the 10 volunteers (again, from <a href="http://www.uua.org/visitors/index.shtml">the Unitarian Universalist Church</a>) who showed up at my house a few Mondays ago ready to work. And to <a href="http://lower9thwardnena.com/">NENA</a> for sending them my way! I don’t know how long it would’ve taken me to prep and prime three rooms, replace several ceiling boards, replace two window panes, fashion and install a metal downspout, remove that stubborn closet frame in the back hall, remove a few obsolete pipes from the kitchen and install drywall, AND begin putting up the shed roof. My guess is – a few months. But with assistance from this wonderful group of UU’s, we accomplished all these things in ONE WEEK. As if that wasn't enough, on the last day, they thanked ME and gave me a <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?partNumber=199999959&gcval=&langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053">Home Depot gift card</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lWAcl_aD469aJB1yzlfVXwU4SLRxzm-ZpT4cmLeBI7c0IcsMa-mNGb-PEKhK22iWhY_-PJnNYmH3_PbUcvIvbthx6V5MEW1XPLH8uiJcMj7Q92YAI0ACpwKp92M_u9JJKWftcKVjwMg/s1600-h/ohioUUsWorking_blog.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lWAcl_aD469aJB1yzlfVXwU4SLRxzm-ZpT4cmLeBI7c0IcsMa-mNGb-PEKhK22iWhY_-PJnNYmH3_PbUcvIvbthx6V5MEW1XPLH8uiJcMj7Q92YAI0ACpwKp92M_u9JJKWftcKVjwMg/s320/ohioUUsWorking_blog.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121437450852542274" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Nina cleaning; Jim and Cliff replacing ceiling boards; Judy scraping old paint. What a team!</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDCZPd6bwxYWkXYYNXVEGTFMRWMBboOV9cYC2k7OhpGVmLC5w0o3z6KVteeeT8NbZZ23-smvv6OYyr_y7s2cM4pTtL7Pb0QCCTJ913o_P-7OoqFakZTuIAs16BL6I5VjabidoUBT1EtI/s1600-h/roomFinished.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDCZPd6bwxYWkXYYNXVEGTFMRWMBboOV9cYC2k7OhpGVmLC5w0o3z6KVteeeT8NbZZ23-smvv6OYyr_y7s2cM4pTtL7Pb0QCCTJ913o_P-7OoqFakZTuIAs16BL6I5VjabidoUBT1EtI/s320/roomFinished.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121438503119529858" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Finished walls. It's beginning to look like a home...</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbs3H_90HGVvOm6DHdgMD09EjEH7S_BQrZixAwHYURcNgDiBJPHpfoj319XSgNXVxvn1MQZJwZj0_2luGbkHlFH5_kp0bahug5Ka3zndMjLpVA_HbNzUtuWMFzBcai8CDz1IUkESoGH4w/s1600-h/ohioUUsWorking2_blog.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbs3H_90HGVvOm6DHdgMD09EjEH7S_BQrZixAwHYURcNgDiBJPHpfoj319XSgNXVxvn1MQZJwZj0_2luGbkHlFH5_kp0bahug5Ka3zndMjLpVA_HbNzUtuWMFzBcai8CDz1IUkESoGH4w/s320/ohioUUsWorking2_blog.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121437459442476898" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Frances May caulking; Stacie applying paint stripper; Stan and Veronica.... stripping. (Well, that IS what they're doing.)</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBXTPmrjdbjiNM6ecNY_fTonP02Yqxw_hkfKmJnYJFsTo2BhTR_uQNNu0fZyNyUeuV1UKsV8zMGkE4-aYdxw0VcegJfct5eZF1jW9oD5sMbeDPRFVImMho24saV-ZaWPcnOL9g4z8Fho/s1600-h/stanDownspout_blog.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBXTPmrjdbjiNM6ecNY_fTonP02Yqxw_hkfKmJnYJFsTo2BhTR_uQNNu0fZyNyUeuV1UKsV8zMGkE4-aYdxw0VcegJfct5eZF1jW9oD5sMbeDPRFVImMho24saV-ZaWPcnOL9g4z8Fho/s320/stanDownspout_blog.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121437455147509586" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Thank you, Stan the handyman, for the wonderful downspout. I SO appreciate it!</span><br /><br /><br />Since the volunteers left, finishing the roof has become my focus… really, close to an obsession. It’s all I think about these days. It’s the one thing about my house that actually might be FINISHED soon. Last week, I finished putting up the rest of the corrugated metal panels, only to discover that I was short three panels. NOOOOOOOOOOOOO! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnP_SZCZlHp4BR5FVSg_2fe2UGD3J8qMDu18QQOpeRYZZgiN-3H601bQTFy1YuvfOBYgqiyc48FIM-a1QWu-9RsOaSg13li41PubUSF6xkqUZvqz8EGJJdDqZrSXYQp27icRetUYLyfhA/s1600-h/shedRoof_blog.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnP_SZCZlHp4BR5FVSg_2fe2UGD3J8qMDu18QQOpeRYZZgiN-3H601bQTFy1YuvfOBYgqiyc48FIM-a1QWu-9RsOaSg13li41PubUSF6xkqUZvqz8EGJJdDqZrSXYQp27icRetUYLyfhA/s320/shedRoof_blog.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121437446557574962" /></a><br /><br />So many obstacles had been keeping me from finishing (the wave of rainy days, mostly)... and now this. I was irritated. I had to stop work and call Fran at <a href="http://www.corrugatedind.com/">Corrugated Metal</a> to order more. But by the end of next week, it should be DONE. At that point (and after the garage door is installed), I’ll be able to securely store all my tools and supplies outside the house and re-focus my energy on the interior.<br /><br />I must also thank my neighbor <a href="http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,20051575-4,00.html">Kelvin</a> who has been a tremendous help to me since the last post. A few weeks back, I asked him to help me pick up my metal roofing order and return some unused drywall. After that, he also came by to help during the Fabulous Volunteer Week. Like me, he’s rebuilding his house by himself. The week after my volunteers left, I went over to his house and helped out for a few days. He has more tools and experience (and muscle) than I do so I feel that he’s more of an asset to me than vice versa, but I will figure out a way to balance that. He’s in the process of installing drywall now, so I’ll be there next week to assist.<br /><br />In keeping with the “good fortune” theme, here’s another piece of fortunate news. So, every Thursday, I attend the <a href="http://holycrossneighborhood.org/">Holy Cross Neighborhood Association</a> meetings. I usually end up leaving the meetings early, as my daughter gets progressively more disruptive the longer we stay. This particular Thursday was no different. However, on our way out this time, a man representing the Laurel Foundation for <a href="http://www.abcots.org/">American Baptist Churches of the South</a> stopped us. He was giving out $500 <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?partNumber=199999959&gcval=&langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053">Home Depot gift cards</a>!! What luck! He gave me one and one for my mom, and then he was on his merry way. Like magic. Well, my mom gave me hers and I was able to purchase a garage door (and installation) for my back shed! Pure <a href"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serendipity">serendipity</a>. Things like this brighten my spirits so much, especially since the year is almost out and I was supposed to have been done by now. And my insurance proceeds will most likely not be enough to cover the upcoming repairs. But I have a little more faith in my dream (rebuilding this house with my own hands) when I see that there are entities out there who believe too.<br /><br />Another such entity is <a href="http://www.zerocarbonnola.org/davemacaulay.html">Dave Macauley</a>. I found out about Dave through my neighbor, Sarah. She and her husband Simon put in some work at the Community Garden Clean Up Day I organized about a month ago. Anyway, she suggested that I send my Clean Up Day photos to Dave for his <a href="http://helpholycross.org/">Help Holy Cross</a> website, which I knew nothing about. Though Dave lives in Kansas City, he’s been working intensely for the revitalization of the Holy Cross neighborhood since April 2006. Well, after I emailed him about the <a href="http://papucharliesbigadventure.blogspot.com/2007/09/fence.html#communitygarden">Community Garden Clean Up Day</a>, he responded saying that he’d be in town from Oct. 9th to the 13th with a group of three architects and engineers, evaluating Holy Cross houses. This past Friday, I showed them my house. They gave great suggestions on how to better insulate the house; how to better ventilate it, since I won’t have air-conditioning; and how to best remove that bathroom window and re-install it in the adjacent wall. Dave said they’d come up with a plan for helping the evaluated houses. I’m looking forward to that.<br /><br />A final piece of good news (my UU volunteers will be pleased to hear this) – last week, City employees came by and removed the broken-up cement on my curb! Why is this significant? Well, <a href="http://www.cityofno.com/portal.aspx?portal=1&load=~/PortalModules/ViewPressRelease.ascx&itemid=3921">the City had announced</a> that, as of September 30th,FEMA would no longer be picking up resident’s construction debris. Not only would the City NOT take over that responsibility, but would be issuing fines for curbside debris. I wasn’t sure if this was an empty threat to force residents to expedite the rebuilding of their homes, but I certainly did not want to be fined. On the last volunteer day, I’d borrowed my uncle’s truck and we hauled a bunch of concrete to the dump. The line at the dump was very long and my uncle’s truck wasn’t very large, so we ended up taking only one load and leaving a lot there on the curb. So, I was very pleased when a big dump truck showed up at my house last week and scooped up the remainder of that pile.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVMtpQBexcQGRZI6bFCrTPKR1hkiR2jUutCX9Wb7MW8bdOKL1U6fD1lkZCHGHkwFQSbUI978kFitHqeNG_hT5fdwyIEF9A4O0-wqI9utKLSvMBx4smPRHEQjRtyG3fD1yX2i4lESiPAc/s1600-h/noMoreDebris.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVMtpQBexcQGRZI6bFCrTPKR1hkiR2jUutCX9Wb7MW8bdOKL1U6fD1lkZCHGHkwFQSbUI978kFitHqeNG_hT5fdwyIEF9A4O0-wqI9utKLSvMBx4smPRHEQjRtyG3fD1yX2i4lESiPAc/s320/noMoreDebris.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121438503119529874" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Gone, baby, gone!</span><br /><br /><br />So, all in all, this has been a wonderful few weeks. Some unfortunate things have happened as well, but I shan’t rain on this parade by mentioning those. I hope and pray the good things keep coming. I REALLY hope I win the lottery or money falls out of the sky or something. Until then, I’ll keep plugging away at my house. Next Friday, three volunteers (organized by <a href="http://www.funlist.com/">Bret</a>, one of the <a href="http://papucharliesbigadventure.blogspot.com/2007/08/back-from-road.html#nyVolunteers">New York volunteers</a> who came down in July) are coming for the weekend. One is a contractor! I’m really thrilled about that. So, hopefully, I’ll have more good news to share next time.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlb2ekdOVOKDvE8AqiiA0Dd549_WC_6oBLtOG5Jm1K13HCwwj5YEoAlaG-AUaglHzpNMGDQXKEeJXA5-yEuFsqQ4kdJGuogNDDNzZdhPQX3s_3iwHJU81q10Lu_aT9TKw9dqpqYiqaVA/s1600-h/drSeuss_flowers.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlb2ekdOVOKDvE8AqiiA0Dd549_WC_6oBLtOG5Jm1K13HCwwj5YEoAlaG-AUaglHzpNMGDQXKEeJXA5-yEuFsqQ4kdJGuogNDDNzZdhPQX3s_3iwHJU81q10Lu_aT9TKw9dqpqYiqaVA/s320/drSeuss_flowers.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121437463737444210" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">These beauties popped up by surprise in my overgrown side yard.</span>Live Lyve Raw Vegan Cuisinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16026311236920278442noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204580867571652472.post-32949717903578898762007-09-16T23:17:00.000-05:002007-10-14T22:03:32.022-05:00The Fence“Y’all always wanna learn things the hard way.” My father would say this repeatedly, referring to his four children (I’m the second oldest) and our perceived hard-headedness. I recalled these words as I stood in my yard about two weeks ago (wow, I can’t believe it’s been 10 days already), sledge hammer in hand, funky and sweating like a pig under the hot sun. I thought about the raised-eyebrow-soft-chuckle response I got from my then-supervisor Chris Kuwata (a former construction worker) when I announced why I’d be leaving <a href="www.blueskystudios.com">Blue Sky</a>. And all the looks of surprise and bewilderment from people when I tell them that I’m fixing up my house with my own hands. Why AM I doing this? I guess I am just a hard-headed woman. I must learn things first-hand. I must see for myself.<br /><br />So, I’ve learned that busting up concrete with a sledge hammer and digging 2-foot holes with a manual posthole digger is not really that fun. Fulfilling, yes. Fun, no. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfaIlLvifG6Va-BCqBYXQBLMmSptPYuISc0XoZQcgg5u5tMvZOOPGGo3lFo7Oe-A8u6AZugS3cyaQl-XqDBYKY0ozJo4jPap91o6pHp0q8C9bjHax9qih0KaO-_uCX037PhPxU3Q-v8I/s1600-h/postHole_closeup.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfaIlLvifG6Va-BCqBYXQBLMmSptPYuISc0XoZQcgg5u5tMvZOOPGGo3lFo7Oe-A8u6AZugS3cyaQl-XqDBYKY0ozJo4jPap91o6pHp0q8C9bjHax9qih0KaO-_uCX037PhPxU3Q-v8I/s320/postHole_closeup.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111032713131695586" /></a><br /><br />And the thought of doing that 13 more times (that’s the number of posts I need for the fence… I’d decided I was going to put the damn thing up myself, instead of waiting to get a reasonable estimate for installation) made me second-guess what the hell I’m doing here.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLo8ARbEJZwqZVzyZsOCP1Cf5xEtDGDHqA2ffZBorKaWl1dj0Hcl5hobmbEiTMoNl4QbLtDI5z290fF0c_Q9iluOPruy4nmuGgOi0XceVTeG4lwqaRQ10mr8q1xpTvDZ_ouZWkdZGYPlU/s1600-h/theDirt.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLo8ARbEJZwqZVzyZsOCP1Cf5xEtDGDHqA2ffZBorKaWl1dj0Hcl5hobmbEiTMoNl4QbLtDI5z290fF0c_Q9iluOPruy4nmuGgOi0XceVTeG4lwqaRQ10mr8q1xpTvDZ_ouZWkdZGYPlU/s320/theDirt.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111032717426662898" /></a><br /><br />I am CHOOSING to do manual labor every day, y’all. Am I crazy? Maybe I should go back to New York and get a desk job like a normal person. Then again, <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17348695/">most “normal” people are unhappy with their jobs/lives</a>. But putting up a fence is hard work; it’s the kind of hard work you don’t want to make mistakes with. There is a reason people hire professionals to do this stuff. I stood there alone in my yard and looked at my property and all its glaring faults. Needless to say, I started feeling a bit overwhelmed.<br /><br />I went home and made a TO-DO list. It is currently 2 pages long. <a href="http://groups.google.com/group/blog-related-stuff/web/StMauriceTODO.doc">Feel free to check it out</a>. I feel that I should start with the priorities – fence, shed roof and door (workspace and storage), and wood siding. Originally, I thought these would be secondary (well, except for the fence for security), but I am realizing that I need security immediately and protection of the house for the long-term. If I don’t repair the wood siding, all the drywall work we did will be for naught. There are literally open holes in the exterior. That won’t do in a climate where rain is sometimes blown horizontally. Also, I need an enclosed shed - a secure place to work and store my tools that is outside the house. Finally, someone tried to steal my hot water heater or the copper pipes a few weeks ago. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHu4PQr4yFwcVZkvse2BwVu8lpsDwP8yy35qfWHK5GU3ei713A8FCEp9U3ZwLQu00sAVhDNz4sz8IwKiU2duYBrA_TZDtGVMBT1oEhAHJUj7EPbghOAiinSa6uAhzFfa6yHzxguTuTLk/s1600-h/overturnedWaterHeater.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHu4PQr4yFwcVZkvse2BwVu8lpsDwP8yy35qfWHK5GU3ei713A8FCEp9U3ZwLQu00sAVhDNz4sz8IwKiU2duYBrA_TZDtGVMBT1oEhAHJUj7EPbghOAiinSa6uAhzFfa6yHzxguTuTLk/s320/overturnedWaterHeater.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111031106813926818" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">I'm not sure what they were after, but this is what they did.</span><br /><br />So I really need a secure wood fence.<br /><br />Sometimes logic and reason have to win out over passion and sheer will. Not only will it take a LOT of physical labor and time to put up that fence by myself (or even with a few helpers), but I wouldn’t be sure about the fence’s structural integrity and security. I concluded that it made sense for me to hire this one out. So I found another company, Budget (ha!) Fence. I liked that the owner lives right around the corner. I liked his demeanor and that of his assistant. I liked that he arrived when he said he would. I did not like the $2499 estimate he gave me for the work. Budget, huh? So, I don’t know what I’m going to do about this fence situation, y’all. I decided to focus my efforts on the shed roof. Last week, I framed the open part of the roof so that I can attach the metal roofing sheets.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Qt0WI5s5wkf_KmqIaGZSAt_uf-LAahHrnCJ-H78C1h7IHubMy-7yu2XF4ZjOjxeSx-8Iinr3ZTaO5aBQQw2DkNjCStgjhiTy90y24sUGnycO4cdU2dvCkOgnXq0EsRI1oJnISJIV8gI/s1600-h/shedRoof.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Qt0WI5s5wkf_KmqIaGZSAt_uf-LAahHrnCJ-H78C1h7IHubMy-7yu2XF4ZjOjxeSx-8Iinr3ZTaO5aBQQw2DkNjCStgjhiTy90y24sUGnycO4cdU2dvCkOgnXq0EsRI1oJnISJIV8gI/s320/shedRoof.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111032717426662914" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">My first foray into carpentry!!!</span><br /><br />In other news, I had more volunteers come to help!! Why didn’t I get THEM to help me with the fence, you ask. Well, this was in the last week of August. My home hadn’t yet been vandalized and I was still focused on finishing the drywall. A local organization called <a href="http://www.lower9thwardnena.com/">Neighborhood Empowerment Network Association</a> (NENA) sent me a church group eager to make a dent in the effort to rebuild New Orleans. Boy, did they get a lot done in my house. Many hands make light work, y’all. It’s so true. We finished mudding the last room and a half; and sanded the walls and applied a second coat in the other rooms. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbUyASZ9sklxz9pc6pVrJsXasPB6ejHE7PfzoDd24MXceF5Qu13z1xTuKDIFGcojrNCNuqvIMhnGtvYYTKwcLj96E4-ioBwN8_t2AWjQruM5yyRrRjGCCjWs3PqPvIXDZvPhblLNfI_c/s1600-h/theUUs_sanding.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbUyASZ9sklxz9pc6pVrJsXasPB6ejHE7PfzoDd24MXceF5Qu13z1xTuKDIFGcojrNCNuqvIMhnGtvYYTKwcLj96E4-ioBwN8_t2AWjQruM5yyRrRjGCCjWs3PqPvIXDZvPhblLNfI_c/s320/theUUs_sanding.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111031111108894146" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The UU's (Unitarian Universalists) sanding the walls. Go team!</span><br /><br />I was so grateful to have them. And they ended up coming back a couple days later! More sanding and mudding. When this house is done, it will be filled with so much warmth and memories. A handmade house. So many people have given so much of themselves to it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7l9C2-Snjicbcwm5NfMyq1SiJnzhRmVKW2XXTKd59_f7W4WzeRKYrWZum7S4gFOGt3MRcrU3yVuR7blg6eZMxCBgWQg0PkYRkqBogdU1f3rUkrLRJ_30thhIfmTKXQrW6zSgx3Cg_j0M/s1600-h/theUUs.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7l9C2-Snjicbcwm5NfMyq1SiJnzhRmVKW2XXTKd59_f7W4WzeRKYrWZum7S4gFOGt3MRcrU3yVuR7blg6eZMxCBgWQg0PkYRkqBogdU1f3rUkrLRJ_30thhIfmTKXQrW6zSgx3Cg_j0M/s320/theUUs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111031106813926834" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">After a hard day's work, we still had energy for a photo shoot.</span><br /><br /><br />The following week, my friend Jared stopped by and lent a hand with the sanding. He just called one day and came over! It was a totally unexpected blessing. It's difficult for me to ask for help sometimes, so I'm glad he took it upon himself to offer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWE_9CmZMl3txqEKU5MjKRrmtvrdID7EHFmh-zDXRFj6XaZnS_sjqcmyB23sAZekQQpeeonjR0XBXUlT0aCu9EOf_A7Hy8qaGYQE2rKNffamFxwJic-zTbOotbaBgAiT00I5ZXOmHruxA/s1600-h/jaredSanding.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWE_9CmZMl3txqEKU5MjKRrmtvrdID7EHFmh-zDXRFj6XaZnS_sjqcmyB23sAZekQQpeeonjR0XBXUlT0aCu9EOf_A7Hy8qaGYQE2rKNffamFxwJic-zTbOotbaBgAiT00I5ZXOmHruxA/s320/jaredSanding.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111032708836728274" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Good to have some muscle!</span><br /><br /><A NAME="communitygarden">On the neighborhood revitalization front</A>, I’ve begun organizing neighbors to breathe new life into a neglected community garden that had fallen into disarray after the hurricane hit. A few entries ago, I spoke of acquiring a plot of land on my block and turning into a garden. But again, logic and reason won out after I spoke to Macon Fly from <a href="http://www.parkwaypartnersnola.org/">Parkway Partners</a> (an organization that assists communities with creating and sustaining gardens). A garden will not tend itself; if people aren’t taking care of the existing one, what will happen with a new garden? I decided to start with rehabbing the existing one. If there is enough interest, perhaps it’s feasible to create another. I organized a group of <a href="http://www.gnocdc.org/orleans/8/20/snapshot.html">Holy Cross</a> residents and supporters to come out (yesterday) and clear out the overgrown weeds. You can actually see the ground now!!! I’ll attach a couple pics.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhElko03H9mbSCeCF-Ai6iwY6h7yqFVhhSbY04ceS-Fl_3cj82lC5F2XJptTn0T3CschBL0XdXWGEXvlXh78FL14gGZtXS2l18_2wRazXL4aFqK1YsI0ajlItRGT-vVW-B6CmzfG7ZpmR4/s1600-h/before.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhElko03H9mbSCeCF-Ai6iwY6h7yqFVhhSbY04ceS-Fl_3cj82lC5F2XJptTn0T3CschBL0XdXWGEXvlXh78FL14gGZtXS2l18_2wRazXL4aFqK1YsI0ajlItRGT-vVW-B6CmzfG7ZpmR4/s320/before.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111031098223992194" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Dedicated neighbors hacking through the jungle that was the Laurentine Ernst Community Garden</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBQ45dePVG-aNrFVp6ZX3FS5AHtPcMbE-Nz6ucdIee3Rbs74SMweBgL99Iopnt5IiSEsyPXE6DHWTTfeyE-w91_94Wx9wHbh4Gt1WXTX4Lha8IXo81jqYFN5-9pCcfboiRhfBCMIyzQg/s1600-h/after.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBQ45dePVG-aNrFVp6ZX3FS5AHtPcMbE-Nz6ucdIee3Rbs74SMweBgL99Iopnt5IiSEsyPXE6DHWTTfeyE-w91_94Wx9wHbh4Gt1WXTX4Lha8IXo81jqYFN5-9pCcfboiRhfBCMIyzQg/s320/after.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111031098223992210" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Look what we accomplished!!! You can actually see the ground now!</span>Live Lyve Raw Vegan Cuisinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16026311236920278442noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204580867571652472.post-71387956090323906952007-09-09T22:03:00.000-05:002007-09-10T07:05:23.806-05:00Thinking About GrandmawTwo years ago today, my grandmother Leoma Sordelet died. When the storm hit, none of us knew where she was; I breathed a sigh of relief when she called me a few days later. She had evacuated with her sister's family to Atlanta. Worry took relief's place as our conversation went on, however. She was in pain; she had difficulty even speaking. On her birthday almost a year before, she'd told us that her breast cancer had returned. But I'd never been concerned that she wouldn't make it. Even as I spoke to her after the hurricane hit via telephone from New York, urging her to see a doctor, I couldn't imagine that she would die. It was only when she began speaking about being "ready to go" and "letting the Lord take her" did my fear set in. And she insisted that she did not want medical attention. A few days later, my father (a firefighter who remained in New Orleans through the storm) took a bus to Georgia and my mother (who had evacuated to Memphis, TN) flew down. They forced my grandmother to go to a hospital. Still, she died on September 9th at about 6pm. For the first time, I saw my father cry.<br /><br />I feel grateful that I was able to hold her hand before she passed (literally hours before). My co-worker, Angela Macias, generously gave me her frequent flyer miles so that I could get there. I will never forget that. After Grandmaw passed, my brothers and sister came down and we said goodbye. There was no way to plan a proper funeral... 470 miles away from home and unable to return, our relatives scattered across the country in temporary homes. My father decided to have her cremated and return her ashes to New Orleans. I still feel sick when I think about us standing in the parking lot of that crematorium, where they kept the incinerator, watching the cardboard box that held grandmother's body being shoved into that machine. She would not have wanted it that way.<br /><br />I do blame Katrina. She made no exceptions for the most vulnerable of us. Even those elders who made it out of New Orleans before she hit experienced great stress and profound loss. My other grandmother suffered a stroke that January (2006). And I just got word that my great-aunt, Auntie Dot, died from a heart attack. Katrina's arms are long and her affect is wide. It has been over two years and she's still stealing lives. About a month ago, my cousin Caroline (who is 4 years my mother's junior) passed away due to complications from surgery following a brain hemorrhage. One cannot help but connect these stress-related deaths with that unprecedented disaster. We say, "The sun is always rising; we cannot hold back the day". The world does not stop for tragedy, but we will never forget. It seems she's not letting us forget either.<br /><br />Updates on the progress of the house are coming soon, y'all. I just needed to post this as a tribute to my dear grandmother. I miss you, Grandmaw.Live Lyve Raw Vegan Cuisinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16026311236920278442noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204580867571652472.post-1489091147335618772007-08-29T19:39:00.000-05:002007-08-29T23:00:33.269-05:00AUGUST 29TH - When The Levees BrokeToday marks the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. For me, it's the day this journey began. My city drowned. My family evacuated. My grandmother died (two weeks later). It shook me up, forced me to re-evaluate my existence. Made me to get up off my comfortable ass and LIVE... make sure my life MEANT something.... to me, and to my community. My life took a <a href="http://papucharliesbigadventure.blogspot.com/2007/02/25-days-and-counting.html">sharp unexpected turn</a> that resulted in moving back home, something I never thought I'd do. And now I'm here!<br /><br />A few weeks ago, a journalist-photographer team from the St. Petersburg Times took an interest in my story - the story of a New Orleans native returning post-Katrina after years of living away. To mark the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, I'd like to share it with you:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.sptimes.com/2007/08/29/Worldandnation/The_pull_of_New_Orlea.shtml">Click here to read "The Pull Of New Orleans"</a>Live Lyve Raw Vegan Cuisinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16026311236920278442noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204580867571652472.post-23165888246535054922007-08-19T19:49:00.000-05:002007-08-19T21:08:42.713-05:00Falling In LoveI miss my little house. I want to fix her (my house is a “her”).<br /><br />Because my daughter’s daycare is closed for vacation this week and next, I haven’t been able to work on the house much. I wouldn’t use the word “sad” to describe the way that I felt, but I definitely yearned to be there. I organized some friends to come over and help me with the <a href="http://www.hometime.com/Howto/projects/drywall/drwl_5.htm">mudding</a> yesterday (this will be discussed later). I’m pretty sure my heart sang. I think this is how people who really love their jobs must feel. To my memory (albeit dull and often unreliable), I’ve NEVER felt this way about anything that wasn’t a personal relationship.<br /><br />I’ve never felt this way… (play sappy love song here) It’s like a cute little love story, actually… except instead of a person, it’s an inanimate building. Is that so wrong? Our relationship was strictly business when I began working in March. My goal was simple – to make the house live-able so that I could rent it out (or possibly live there). I was just going to replace what was missing and leave it at that. I wanted to do my part to revitalize the neighborhood. Plus, this experience was going to be a springboard to shoot me in the next life-direction. But the more time I spent with her, the more I grew attached… the more I started to care. I mean, I’ve seen her naked! I know all the intimate details of her frame – I know where her missing boards are, I know what color the old wallpaper was, I know which rooms held the most moisture. I KNOW this house. I know her beauty.<br /><br />Beyond that, others have joined me in rebuilding. They have supported this relationship. I look at rooms and I see the stories all over again. I remember when Jaye and I crawled under the kitchen cabinets to unfasten the sink; when <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58BkUgTruxjwVm3a49krB0JcudoJldKNejCBqtYx6KDyuO1fkJlIWHb80qU2CH6JLPonzhDM-rVGHQfTF1xT1vhl2Q-fTlLJi2gOSbCNukPlaCdkBoYHYQISkl4LAVX3VbzIXdXbCs9A/s1600-h/beforeAfter-ceiling.jpg">Peris ripped out the kitchen ceiling</a>. I look at the windows and see <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuczafbGKoMgpLUBv41xHmalSrP9H5X4St5E9XxAiQUByl3k8u2EqSTUTijN10a-fz_g4RCVYiCfsbFu13K3cEH7BhLvOu8Y6uuC00-KRZezxsQOMapIagjZiiPVNcg20RiSzZzRZlOhM/s1600-h/mamaWindow.jpg">my mom diligently repairing the sash mechanism</a>. I laugh about the time and care we took in removing the drywall four feet from the floor… the precise measurements, use of the chalk line, the delicate removal of <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCP1uWq-kLuPs0oi-CQyn2N_3ofNTglZMqNSXN57EjJYQkL-8mnv3-NqanhAskqmO0BVDCfLJyD7Ss5JkX4kkJn-3k13LrJZ7VMBSEYaJEatapyAEB2655E1jXbabN2VdOBShT-HJgSo/s1600-h/moldyWallpaper.jpg">the wallpaper</a> (cuz I wanted to save it… still do). <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaXwEcVsl0cemXWL6Q6j8EpmBWuRqoUW_Zi_CNxbFR0i7DSMUkE7-PKI2DRWvG0z8npPM63O4y8GraG6jpYW86bXDxsenE7vG2_GYWPaCpEN8WjBz7aoJ1wJ2yjLt-R17s5rYxa7lZks/s1600-h/beforeAfter-paulettesRoom.jpg">Paulette</a> helped with that. And then a few weeks later, I discovered that it all needed to come out and volunteers from the <a href="http://stbernardproject.org/">St. Bernard Project</a> came over and gutted the house in a day. I wonder what happened to the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqzFwPV7JrGH-owKStk7JqIIvLhAetm6iE0JPFJY20e_skZi4Gckma41BTHxAASuRspUlGgdlH03lkc3p3cA8zQ2b3-HpDu__-_mhFoO_JxCoQRBgxnMv2cFVUJM7uzflVMVloR29294g/s1600-h/dog.jpg">little puppy</a> who came to visit us that day. Or that touched man who called himself “The Preacher.” I look into the backyard and see <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxmIOgS-r7wLUX0qQZuyaliGOnggiduz2N-1hjwesETsIpA1GYkuOSTjPWZ84xINmyHCAw-hAoM2Nf0Lfgz3j9RVCPs1-Irw0Gt_D2r9nfO_mbZO-_jCCu4sXVY2Ach6vdGBngyHneUs/s1600-h/maidaRocks.jpg">Maida</a>, Anietra’s tiny cousin, busting up that concrete like a professional. In the shed, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkK2JNMsUBQ5uxlaqnfh7v14RjgjzuytMq3ootUaUzIcddmYgYDQlVjcF5dlgkxgEpR4P8E-5stUBM9WUpNXF3nKLyJDryk8oXUVHvoaF3oZnncmYfFK-aA3LTgbDWHYMougQZyskMcQ/s1600-h/jengaAnnShoveling.jpg">Ann</a> is shoveling debris into the wheelbarrow. There is HISTORY there; I have bonded with this house.<br /><br />These emotional memories intermingle with thoughts of my life goals. As I dream and brainstorm about the way I want to live, somehow this house shows up as the backdrop before which my life plays out. I’ve already decided that the bedroom should be a pale olive green; my daughter and I will share it, in line with my ideas about <a href="http://www.attachmentparenting.com/info.shtml">attachment parenting</a>. The office will be tangerine orange. I see my daughter’s half of it decked out with all her educational supplies (I’d like to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unschooling">homeschool</a> her). I fantasize that I will buy the lot next door and create a garden for the homeschool group (there will be a group in my fantasy) . Or, even grander, STARTING an alternative school… to be housed in one of the properties on my block. The parents could pool their resources to buy the building right across the street and renovate it! Maybe. But I definitely WILL install a <a href="http://www.foreverhotwater.com/top_5/">tankless water heater</a> to save water (and money). I see myself locking up the earth-friendliest means of transportation besides walking, my bike ( a new one… an invincible one), in the back shed. And I’ll fix the <a hre"http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infattfan/infattfan2a.html">attic fan</a> and take advantage of the shotgun design to allow air to be drawn through the house; no air-conditioning (we’ll see how long that lasts). I will reduce my <a href="http://www.climatecrisis.net/takeaction/carboncalculator/">carbon footprint</a> just by living simply… in this house. I’ve been thinking about fancy tile patterns for the kitchen and bathroom floors, though reality – lack of money and skill – often suppresses these plans. I’m gonna <a href="http://www.dumondchemicals.com/smart-strip.htm">strip</a> that paint off the front room window (I’m told it’s “Edwardian”) panes and the transoms above my doors. And frame the tongue-and-groove wood ceilings with crown molding. And install <a href="http://www.concreteexchange.com/gallery_cd.jsp">concrete countertops</a> in the kitchen; they are durable, can be poured into any shape you want and they’re less expensive than stone.<br /><br />I’ve crossed the line. I love this house. I want to live in it. More than that, I have been entertaining ideas of one-woman neighborhood revitalization… wondering if I could buy a piece of land and convert it into a <a href="http://www.communitygarden.org/images/gardens/gardenCommunion.jpg">community garden</a>; or buy another house, fix it up and resell it at an affordable cost to an owner-occupant. These are likely pipe dreams, as I have no source of income right now. But tis good to dream… at least it keeps me aware of what I want out of life. I daydream of how wonderful this neighborhood could be and my fabulous plans for making that happen. I’ve already got my eyes on the empty lot at the corner for the garden. Lots are way cheaper than houses. We’ll see what happens… I’ll keep y’all posted. <br /><br /><br /><b>WORK</b><br /><br />As I mentioned earlier in the blog, I DID get a chance to steal away and work on my beloved house. Four wonderful people came through to help with mudding yesterday. My good ole uncle Eli, family friend Kwame aka <a href="http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=46314139">K. Gates</a>, and newly acquired friends <a href="http://capoeiranovaonda.com/">Rhonda</a> and Adia, her young daughter. We accomplished SO MUCH. I’ll share that with you via these lovely pics.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUohgrNKIup8RHd0vgWOBpai3o1Q8KB1DuKaIFFie5Jeah7DyDeDY68j7utm5mFrCmwOPmULxcDrQn04U-PklXuggv2bRqaxGWvl7ATdyIZ_Bk_8434fr5fp-DY901Xgqf5aNkq4aa-Ig/s1600-h/mudding-Eli.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUohgrNKIup8RHd0vgWOBpai3o1Q8KB1DuKaIFFie5Jeah7DyDeDY68j7utm5mFrCmwOPmULxcDrQn04U-PklXuggv2bRqaxGWvl7ATdyIZ_Bk_8434fr5fp-DY901Xgqf5aNkq4aa-Ig/s320/mudding-Eli.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100596299615469378" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Good ole Uncle Eli! When you need him, he's there.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3LAbfWSti-rUH3uCStpFXpCV-I8svrnRBbDT1cvTUCHmQQ3Sa4QMhDa_0Etw_rfgkw57i2BVxIohQA5T2A6Oh9D3b9S62BoH2wy07ELcoQkAmCii_lGXkT9AIrtRzF11-Hy-xWmJetg/s1600-h/mudding-Kwame.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3LAbfWSti-rUH3uCStpFXpCV-I8svrnRBbDT1cvTUCHmQQ3Sa4QMhDa_0Etw_rfgkw57i2BVxIohQA5T2A6Oh9D3b9S62BoH2wy07ELcoQkAmCii_lGXkT9AIrtRzF11-Hy-xWmJetg/s320/mudding-Kwame.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100596303910436690" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Kwame getting his shiny blue shoes dirty.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-3AjVY3rhBqgtFvAzcV-LA45SH_ApoouSD4kgvnby5TnY55ZQlJPQkLwLK-AkLnplm2MEzS5T1dDeyI9_W-2drm_Z2me7w5-ur5C1dsQGrWjW2RHmrR1NGWwKDQ5eTlfVqfLrzrhXT8/s1600-h/mudding-Adia.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-3AjVY3rhBqgtFvAzcV-LA45SH_ApoouSD4kgvnby5TnY55ZQlJPQkLwLK-AkLnplm2MEzS5T1dDeyI9_W-2drm_Z2me7w5-ur5C1dsQGrWjW2RHmrR1NGWwKDQ5eTlfVqfLrzrhXT8/s320/mudding-Adia.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100596308205404002" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Adia, Rhonda's daughter, covering the drywall screws. Super Girl!</span><br /><br /><br />And here is what we accomplished:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXjmoGJqc1ZuzTJPDj3_cM_R_x7rxgrcgUZsI3fHfST8v16s20Q-7njTj5Cdit4ULzrbU4Y6SjsqdVBW1qFcullCr8EoWC5wC-IucVike4h6lllg2FN-FSQcNNNWaJLSQvlwe1bO11lg/s1600-h/muddingFinished-FrontRoom.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXjmoGJqc1ZuzTJPDj3_cM_R_x7rxgrcgUZsI3fHfST8v16s20Q-7njTj5Cdit4ULzrbU4Y6SjsqdVBW1qFcullCr8EoWC5wC-IucVike4h6lllg2FN-FSQcNNNWaJLSQvlwe1bO11lg/s320/muddingFinished-FrontRoom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100596312500371314" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The front room of the house.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jcQ_R0mZAGJpEUZx4z1fcYhB0qSOgI3sc5AXkCS2qj6tKqVYm9f-xXgLg5XD_V5nwPEcO6uA7OHoDTu_Vqe6gL6d_ePv1NXKoUalEp45BTGppfnwuZ4ndch-MT4RUl4gMdXuSHOsAKI/s1600-h/muddingFinished-Room3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jcQ_R0mZAGJpEUZx4z1fcYhB0qSOgI3sc5AXkCS2qj6tKqVYm9f-xXgLg5XD_V5nwPEcO6uA7OHoDTu_Vqe6gL6d_ePv1NXKoUalEp45BTGppfnwuZ4ndch-MT4RUl4gMdXuSHOsAKI/s320/muddingFinished-Room3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100596316795338626" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">What will be the bedroom. Nice job!</span>Live Lyve Raw Vegan Cuisinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16026311236920278442noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204580867571652472.post-68485643480326834182007-08-10T22:40:00.001-05:002007-10-15T01:56:29.519-05:00Back From THE ROADWhoo! Sorry it’s been so long. It just dawned on me that I could’ve written at least a brief update and posted it immediately(I think my readers appreciate those more anyway), instead of taking all this time to write a full entry. After being gone so long, I guess it's taken me awhile to get back to my regular routine. And it’s difficult to write when my daughter is awake PERIOD, and obviously I can’t write when I’m working. But, anyway, I’m back in New Orleans now after 5 weeks of travel. Getting away was refreshing, to say the least, and now I’m energized and refocusing on my beloved little house. Well, that implies that nothing’s been done since I’ve been away. Quite the opposite is true. I must take this opportunity to give a standing ovation to my mom, who not only kept my daughter for 3 of the 5 weeks but worked as my counterpart while I was gone.<br /><br /><b>ME vs. THE MOLD</b><br />In my absence, mold remediation was done on the house, courtesy of <a href="http://www.inspect-12.com/">Inspector 12</a>. As you may recall from a previous post, I took that company’s advice and removed all the drywall in the house so that they could thoroughly obliterate any mold that might even be THINKING of growing in my house. Originally, they quoted me a little under $2K to do the job. It wasn’t in my budget, but I decided that it was worth the extra expense to be assured that no one who lived in that house would have respiratory problems because of something I neglected to do. So I was prepared to take the hit. A few weeks into my trip, I received this email: “I have decided to remediate your home as a donation because of your tireless effort to restore your property. I am truly impressed to see what you have accomplished…” Thank you, Ivan from <a href="http://www.inspect-12.com/">Inspector 12</a>!! Unfortunately, it failed the post-inspection.<br /><br />According to Louisiana law, the remediator and the inspector cannot be the same person/company. So I was going to hire Bill Feaheny, an environmental consultant and professional air quality tester, to do the post-inspection. Upon completing the initial visual inspection, however, he concluded that the remediation company didn’t follow proper protocol for mold removal. He wouldn’t do the air test because none of the holes in the house had been plugged. Additionally, he'd never heard of <a href="http://www.inspect-12.com/">Inspector 12</a>. Well, I didn’t have time to search for another remediation company, then schedule another inspection. I had a group of volunteers coming the following weekend to help install drywall! So he gave me some suggestions about how to move forward. I am still grateful to <a href="http://www.inspect-12.com/">Inspector 12</a> for doing the job. The house was clean<b>ER</b> and the air was clear<b>ER</b> after they did the work.<br /><br /><a name="nyvolunteers"><b>Weekend Warriors</b></a><br />SO, when I first moved down here, my friend Anietra in <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=new+york&ie=UTF8&z=9&iwloc=addr&om=1">New York</a> said that she’d come and help out sometime this year. “Great!” I thought. “I can use the help!” In late May, she emailed with plans of assembling a group of friends to volunteer at my house. In a matter of days, she’d gotten ten commitments! I was floored. TEN people flying down to New Orleans OF THEIR OWN VOLITION to help me rebuild my house. I shouldn’t have been surprised; this was classic Anietra style. Anything this woman does, she does to the nth degree.<br /> <br />So now I had ten volunteers coming to stay at my mom’s not-quite-ready house… and I’d just found out I’d be traveling for the next five weeks, up until two days before they were supposed to arrive! Needless to say, it was difficult preparing from afar for a group of this size, but it all worked out and the weekend went surprisingly quite smoothly. My mom was absolutely fabulous; she ordered the drywall and other supplies while I was away, she agreed to cook red beans and rice, and <a href="http://www.southerngumbotrail.com/history.shtml">gumbo</a> for the volunteers AND keep my daughter while I worked with them over that weekend. My uncle took care of the drywall delivery (thanks Eli!). I borrowed air mattresses from <a href="http://exceptionallynormal.blogspot.com/">my cousin</a>, my aunt’s neighbor, and my mom’s friend. And the <a href="stbernardproject.org">St. Bernard Project</a> loaned me drills and a bunch of other necessary tools. Man, it's good to have a big family! I got the rest of the supplies from <a href="http://www.commongroundrelief.org/">Common Ground</a>. Since my Wednesday flight back to New Orleans ended up being CANCELLED (grrr…), I flew back that Friday (the same day as the volunteers!). But I was still able to make all the necessary last-minute runs before they arrived. I wanted to make them at least semi-comfortable in that house.<br /><br />I’d prepped Anietra before they came down – there’s no air-conditioning in my mom’s house; there’s very little furniture; some of the floors are unfinished; there’s only one working bathroom; the entire first floor of the house has been gutted and is un-usable; the house hasn’t been lived in since August 2005. They knew it would be FAR from luxury living and they were cool with that. I’d suggested to Anietra that we work short days (9am-2pm) because of the heat and humidity. There is no electricity in my house (translation – no fans… don’t even THINK about air-conditioning) and it was the end of July, one of the hottest months of the year. They all insisted on working ALL day. I patronizingly entertained that notion, thinking, “Wait til they get down here.”<br /><br />Well, when they got down here, they hit the ground running. The day their plane touched down; they wanted to go check out my house and maybe get some work done! We spent the evening moving drywall from the driveway into the house, racing against the approaching storm. We made it, thank goodness. The following day was Saturday; we got a brief drywall demo from some skilled volunteers from <a href="stbernardproject.org">St. Bernard Project</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1kFb9CxH5Xz9_TXR9FTXDwPgBTDJJHTM7_63zoAyji2mQVIxe2ufB3YZq7Pd9xbPW1_H4XsKq2GYoGdLDw7_SvfyhC_5sVtSo2tR0PT1XDv4q1VRQOcZ-yuIbfJPGfIjwEoBILpIN2YU/s1600-h/drywallDemoAction.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1kFb9CxH5Xz9_TXR9FTXDwPgBTDJJHTM7_63zoAyji2mQVIxe2ufB3YZq7Pd9xbPW1_H4XsKq2GYoGdLDw7_SvfyhC_5sVtSo2tR0PT1XDv4q1VRQOcZ-yuIbfJPGfIjwEoBILpIN2YU/s320/drywallDemoAction.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097316418838834706" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Richard assists while Dave and Mike demo drywall installation.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwImu4mGaRoGjjmniBoH_V2_8QqnbHbZ1PjqgkwHfTQ81IRClwvaEYLHuE6HZWRtnhFw8bXk0cwf6v638gI3axM-vBLOgzXTE4LCTIarxjF01uv2SgD59e3ZVkhFJvmhtUwqCdzbnO3g/s1600-h/drywallDemo.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwImu4mGaRoGjjmniBoH_V2_8QqnbHbZ1PjqgkwHfTQ81IRClwvaEYLHuE6HZWRtnhFw8bXk0cwf6v638gI3axM-vBLOgzXTE4LCTIarxjF01uv2SgD59e3ZVkhFJvmhtUwqCdzbnO3g/s320/drywallDemo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097305531096739250" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The rest of us pay close attention.</span><br /><br />Since I’d only put up drywall once or twice, I thought it would be better for a more experienced person to supervise. [Good thing because a few issues arose that I wouldn’t have been able to handle alone. The biggest issue was the un-evenness of the vertical barge boards and that fact that many were missing in the front room of the house. So we learned how to use shims to level the drywall, and how to reinforce existing beams with two-by-fours and drill the drywall to that. So handy!] And we actually did work all day Saturday AND Sunday… until the sun went down and we couldn’t see anymore. But it didn't feel like slavery at all!!(That was a joke... anyway..) By the end of the weekend, most of the house's interior had drywall.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFRLrNk-ofWhJgi6tanQErhfytAmsqRX3pBe2_jYCgBbQxJvnudh6-td5jdp9l8tAGwEtvPHm9TpzbxUAm7qEIuX8pJqxxkbc8Gv5H7TlOt39ehyphenhyphensCsPo_dRsQ9vCoPNqkl3LqaegfZA/s1600-h/secondRoom-beforeAndAfter.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFRLrNk-ofWhJgi6tanQErhfytAmsqRX3pBe2_jYCgBbQxJvnudh6-td5jdp9l8tAGwEtvPHm9TpzbxUAm7qEIuX8pJqxxkbc8Gv5H7TlOt39ehyphenhyphensCsPo_dRsQ9vCoPNqkl3LqaegfZA/s320/secondRoom-beforeAndAfter.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097303903304134002" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">They came, they saw, they installed.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR69QTxpWwsvHeBKXbhTHHtiX6C4Uz1YN1Hc7OiClGv2HGy1rYMGVS7auKdpe_sjg54vXCrx6u1YRg6vUYfmDYJlDIul4sDeoQAjHpDMtJUbCF8gu4Tqb4vr_Skj-n-1zi3-rCMiGkViQ/s1600-h/secondRoom.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR69QTxpWwsvHeBKXbhTHHtiX6C4Uz1YN1Hc7OiClGv2HGy1rYMGVS7auKdpe_sjg54vXCrx6u1YRg6vUYfmDYJlDIul4sDeoQAjHpDMtJUbCF8gu4Tqb4vr_Skj-n-1zi3-rCMiGkViQ/s320/secondRoom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097309108804496850" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">A wall in the second room. DONE. After they were done, most of the walls looked just like this. PERFECT!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvc0cGc8ewmybNs7FgTY2Pb6Rz_X5vmHpPq0ldL72xNcippbUWJ0MHpHhUmNhrC7QFgXcoU9IXiiLAIcsJHf1-V4Yq8OyYusX6bldFNxfW1SKA7D7ddloQL5dsCItaDqVcgaCaH5xvfWQ/s1600-h/finishedRoom-Mascot.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvc0cGc8ewmybNs7FgTY2Pb6Rz_X5vmHpPq0ldL72xNcippbUWJ0MHpHhUmNhrC7QFgXcoU9IXiiLAIcsJHf1-V4Yq8OyYusX6bldFNxfW1SKA7D7ddloQL5dsCItaDqVcgaCaH5xvfWQ/s320/finishedRoom-Mascot.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097316427428769362" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Our mascot insisted that I include him.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Jrd1f86ydtLvJwfXi6qxF7Gcy_9FsXD3H_mbJubMWGHPWIHztqfnjel3FRgAfX3BNuxYfZ0-rZs0DXT-6D8VpEGKPMC0qQA4oB3J8VTIMP2rhIkJdus6QX17FssjcyYIKhVN7oau22E/s1600-h/neighborshouse.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Jrd1f86ydtLvJwfXi6qxF7Gcy_9FsXD3H_mbJubMWGHPWIHztqfnjel3FRgAfX3BNuxYfZ0-rZs0DXT-6D8VpEGKPMC0qQA4oB3J8VTIMP2rhIkJdus6QX17FssjcyYIKhVN7oau22E/s320/neighborshouse.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097313420951662066" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">It's amazing what 10 volunteers can do in a weekend, isn't it? Sike! This ain't my house, y'all!</span><br /><br />As much as we worked, you wouldn’t think there was time to do anything else. But the group also wanted to get out and see New Orleans. They had a ball… live music at <a href="http://www.frommers.com/destinations/neworleans/N27989.html">The Spotted Cat</a> on Frenchmen Street, dancing on <a href= "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bourbon_Street">Bourbon Street</a>, <a href ="http://www.cafedumonde.com/beignet.html">beignets</a> (apparently, "nothing but a zeppoli" according to some people) at <a href="http://www.cafedumonde.com/history.html">Café Du Monde</a>, and <a href="http://www.nopdonline.com/tips.htm#Play%20Smart">drinking in the streets</a> (can’t do that anywhere else in the country!)<br /><br />And not only did they install drywall, the volunteers also removed the nails from the floor of the kitchen, removed the old tile from the back hall floor, busted up the concrete in the backyard (that I might have grass one day) and moved the debris to the curb. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy19AseLRcINJp0rymDOdUYZfSBu88-sWTFnN7CCH7k1d02x8j0Jnp8621hNteY7MQZEgZPgjPlUz2nWNtBlBMVE9Q_qdYGEFFCf8EEGES5uFJ1ibz01CfeXY8_7kgILPJBsuIuYrcqM0/s1600-h/anietraMikeNails.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy19AseLRcINJp0rymDOdUYZfSBu88-sWTFnN7CCH7k1d02x8j0Jnp8621hNteY7MQZEgZPgjPlUz2nWNtBlBMVE9Q_qdYGEFFCf8EEGES5uFJ1ibz01CfeXY8_7kgILPJBsuIuYrcqM0/s320/anietraMikeNails.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097303899009166690" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Anietra and Mike showing those nails who's boss.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKKXHjg1M3ulAa70oYsL-ktMuX9RNuCHbmCnHm-qPc6qjI-9CmqKntrzTiNwISs8HNPRnVHYKztN6KePbSv3zAxQkTj9I7TLLgNftqsxVoPwSQm9IhM5p5YUwnT2pPTlnigPHUevehk6k/s1600-h/bretTile.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKKXHjg1M3ulAa70oYsL-ktMuX9RNuCHbmCnHm-qPc6qjI-9CmqKntrzTiNwISs8HNPRnVHYKztN6KePbSv3zAxQkTj9I7TLLgNftqsxVoPwSQm9IhM5p5YUwnT2pPTlnigPHUevehk6k/s320/bretTile.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097314090966560258" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Bret attacking that stubborn tile... while I work hard in the backyard. (lol)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxmIOgS-r7wLUX0qQZuyaliGOnggiduz2N-1hjwesETsIpA1GYkuOSTjPWZ84xINmyHCAw-hAoM2Nf0Lfgz3j9RVCPs1-Irw0Gt_D2r9nfO_mbZO-_jCCu4sXVY2Ach6vdGBngyHneUs/s1600-h/maidaRocks.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxmIOgS-r7wLUX0qQZuyaliGOnggiduz2N-1hjwesETsIpA1GYkuOSTjPWZ84xINmyHCAw-hAoM2Nf0Lfgz3j9RVCPs1-Irw0Gt_D2r9nfO_mbZO-_jCCu4sXVY2Ach6vdGBngyHneUs/s320/maidaRocks.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097305526801771906" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Maida is about 5'3", y'all... WOW. That's all I have to say.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPc7xjKMQUDyL6lDBQ-mOxWqwVVxJlVk3g1lA0wU9ACXUmQqh_LtMkZNSqEvYCiTkQNAwFchE0mZiv2TpjB_k3ibkUbaamJNBkw3kiAhT9QvIYCq6ZEYxD0aiwUYhLLFh7G06j1kFvCZI/s1600-h/karstaSledgehammer.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPc7xjKMQUDyL6lDBQ-mOxWqwVVxJlVk3g1lA0wU9ACXUmQqh_LtMkZNSqEvYCiTkQNAwFchE0mZiv2TpjB_k3ibkUbaamJNBkw3kiAhT9QvIYCq6ZEYxD0aiwUYhLLFh7G06j1kFvCZI/s320/karstaSledgehammer.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097316423133802018" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Carsta got jealous and wanted to take a turn too.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLrFrmYFH37TX1y2dQSQBWTQW3Uh01PBpeN7nO5pZlgTQDkQ-CAihV1qvYfiI33ddeVWzYaqsab2JfBxKV-EcEs6DEV95DI5cgrQF-4JThNpTX56OPJ-DegltGkCUk0Icw1nHnD-DKfs/s1600-h/kyYardWork.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLrFrmYFH37TX1y2dQSQBWTQW3Uh01PBpeN7nO5pZlgTQDkQ-CAihV1qvYfiI33ddeVWzYaqsab2JfBxKV-EcEs6DEV95DI5cgrQF-4JThNpTX56OPJ-DegltGkCUk0Icw1nHnD-DKfs/s320/kyYardWork.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097316423133802034" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">And Ky keeps it tidy.</span><br /><br />Ten dedicated, energetic people can accomplish A LOT. I SO appreciate what they did. To top it off, one of the volunteers, <a href="http://funlist.com/">Bret</a>, actually changed his flight so that he could stay an extra day! So we spent the rest of Monday and Tuesday morning putting up MORE drywall!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Wg7QU8N2Uv4YWmlICXza338pkASdDhsxTBWrSw75RMNKyxxhehyphenhyphenTY1esmiUnra3NYIsSckzoi1ZECzGDTwGrfPOxGwIipcsvi2gsxWK01Zs5cp19cJ11x3T20jjjj5YgcHgoMx1iSKQ/s1600-h/kitchenWallAlmostDone.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Wg7QU8N2Uv4YWmlICXza338pkASdDhsxTBWrSw75RMNKyxxhehyphenhyphenTY1esmiUnra3NYIsSckzoi1ZECzGDTwGrfPOxGwIipcsvi2gsxWK01Zs5cp19cJ11x3T20jjjj5YgcHgoMx1iSKQ/s320/kitchenWallAlmostDone.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097311629950299618" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Bret and I put up drywall on two walls in the kitchen after the others went back to NY.</span><br /><br /><br />It felt AMAZING to look around the house and see walls, not boards of wood. I could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. I could imagine what the house might look like once I’m done. One day, I’ll actually be done!! Needless to say, that weekend experience has given me fuel to continue forward.<br /><br /><b>NEXT!</b><br />Since the volunteers left three weeks ago, I have installed drywall in most of the kitchen (except the sections of wall where there’s plumbing). <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEIngHjiVaGTyI2nQkO05ScBbQsxWMr7X3bMx6uSWyLYBsjBSkN2ZjQ_ij4yt4NS5FuVRrrJkg_5EDsdRLAEwG525Nt54Xe8b4iroWk-fvBHXgYvcS_sgrX3qC6DjQhz8xGTGjgbh9IxQ/s1600-h/jengaDrywall.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEIngHjiVaGTyI2nQkO05ScBbQsxWMr7X3bMx6uSWyLYBsjBSkN2ZjQ_ij4yt4NS5FuVRrrJkg_5EDsdRLAEwG525Nt54Xe8b4iroWk-fvBHXgYvcS_sgrX3qC6DjQhz8xGTGjgbh9IxQ/s320/jengaDrywall.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097322427498081890" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Putting up drywall by myself. See that nice sheen on my legs? I didn't get oiled up for the photo shoot, y'all. That's sweat!!!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8Tr1Oo_zavifr4hMcf24O890AmueP5MfLztfo9EhACXS7oj25fGybAo4Xd3wsvtlmOJiLGSiakB8d9TVAU00VdSoNs45i7OXD2VFnlKCiihzw3l6vbx0Ykn75PtUUdC6R_hLODsK5HQ/s1600-h/kitchenWallDONE.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8Tr1Oo_zavifr4hMcf24O890AmueP5MfLztfo9EhACXS7oj25fGybAo4Xd3wsvtlmOJiLGSiakB8d9TVAU00VdSoNs45i7OXD2VFnlKCiihzw3l6vbx0Ykn75PtUUdC6R_hLODsK5HQ/s320/kitchenWallDONE.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097322427498081906" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Another wall in the kitchen that I put up alone.</span><br /><br />I’ve also knocked down the bathroom closet, the beams that supported the lowered ceiling in the bathroom and most of the closet in the back hall. Yes, I am making aesthetic changes to the house. Yes, I am getting more attached to it. I can’t just let the house remain with those ugly additions. Why would one level vaulted (or half-vaulted) ceilings? After I removed the closet and those beams, the bathroom just opened up. It thanked me. It did. The walls will be covered in “greenboard”, a water-resistant form of drywall, and cement board (around the bathtub enclosure).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8mNGidfdECwtBM-i0kYFtQkHOsTIhWH9qh_TACGszTZxvZNvH8JU6vx6GxdfUJa5doynFzS0bJRiVlfMFJf2ToDW3HHqjwQlKsZOzHASgJV1Dsy7G587_FuA83JJSoa07SX7LQIC55U/s1600-h/bathroomCeilingRemoval.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8mNGidfdECwtBM-i0kYFtQkHOsTIhWH9qh_TACGszTZxvZNvH8JU6vx6GxdfUJa5doynFzS0bJRiVlfMFJf2ToDW3HHqjwQlKsZOzHASgJV1Dsy7G587_FuA83JJSoa07SX7LQIC55U/s320/bathroomCeilingRemoval.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097526575883595394" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Before-and-After of the bathroom ceiling. Isn't it better now?</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilaYCLnyXljON7vAiIHwBZOhTHpgIYbIynEiDyAAhvOj0PJ_JhIDR5vpmEv_YQ6c1ZaO2CdQYDvpmBaaGGAxEljt87NxREPQl4UFOsdIioUt8qElswuCwgTas8KHPZIcjgHbooIVE5kMQ/s1600-h/closetDemolition.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilaYCLnyXljON7vAiIHwBZOhTHpgIYbIynEiDyAAhvOj0PJ_JhIDR5vpmEv_YQ6c1ZaO2CdQYDvpmBaaGGAxEljt87NxREPQl4UFOsdIioUt8qElswuCwgTas8KHPZIcjgHbooIVE5kMQ/s320/closetDemolition.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097526580178562706" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">All that's left of my closets. Hope I can reuse some of the wood for something else!</span><br /><br />Also To-Do, the drywall in the other rooms needs mudding. Mudding is the process of filling holes and covering seams using <a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_14430_joint-compound.html">joint compound and joint compound tape</a>. It’ll be a long, tedious process because I have to spread it over each screw hole in the drywall (and since the volunteers got a little trigger happy with the cordless drills, there are A LOT of ‘em) and, of course, the shorter your drywall sheets are, the more seams you’ll have. I opted for the 8’ long sheets, instead of 12’ sheets, which are heavier and more difficult to carry. So, I have a task ahead of me. I think I’m going to organize a Mudding Party and see who in <a href ="http://cityofno.com/">New Orleans</a> can come by next weekend or the weekend after to help me knock this out. I’ll keep y’all posted!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXida6OtJQ9drpNFrsXDZTyDrfsugmu7yHgSJzL4idSM-DWpmiYMjvQNKL-a5jpBMpkGMOcaDzVCdM7afvplvtdmJfUiQ1taicOgUf2kMtSzukw7wONhlllDpF8gwg5du0f46TWmv2WA/s1600-h/cementShot.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXida6OtJQ9drpNFrsXDZTyDrfsugmu7yHgSJzL4idSM-DWpmiYMjvQNKL-a5jpBMpkGMOcaDzVCdM7afvplvtdmJfUiQ1taicOgUf2kMtSzukw7wONhlllDpF8gwg5du0f46TWmv2WA/s320/cementShot.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097305526801771938" /></a>Live Lyve Raw Vegan Cuisinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16026311236920278442noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204580867571652472.post-64438522738222883162007-06-12T20:49:00.000-05:002007-06-12T23:32:04.075-05:00On HiatusJust a quick note to let y'all know that I won't be blogging for about a month. Got the opportunity to travel recently and I'm taking it!! Shoot, I need a break!<br /><br />Today, I worked at my house from 8am til 7pm (with a one hour break for lunch) finishing up the gutting. My mom worked from 10am to almost 5pm!! We had to remove nails, remove drywall from the bathroom and other overlooked areas, and even gain access to the attic (an attic fan blocks the entrance). I also spent some time TRYING to connect a downspout to the gutter... alas, no success. I'm pretty sure I need a soldering tool and a smaller pair of metal snips or a hacksaw. Anyway, I returned home exhausted, FILTHY, and in pain. Guess what, y'all? Construction (or deconstruction, in my case) work is HARD!!<br /><br />So I'm ready for this much needed break. When I return, I'll be diving right back into work... and it'll be even HOTTER.Live Lyve Raw Vegan Cuisinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16026311236920278442noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204580867571652472.post-26251981165324175422007-06-11T01:07:00.000-05:002007-06-11T07:17:11.826-05:00Getting ReadyJune 1st – the first day of hurricane season. And a <a href="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/06/070601-hurricanes.html">very active season</a> it’s predicted to be. Are we prepared? Humorously enough, the city launched a huge <a href="http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/intro.shtml">Hurricane Preparedness Week </a>campaign aimed at the citizens of New Orleans, complete with checklists and everything. However, I’m not sure that the city itself is ready. So, I’ve decided to include my own checklist for our local officials. Let’s review the checklist, shall we?<br /><br /><blockquote>- A new and improved levee system that is stronger and higher than the one that breached when Hurricane Katrina hit, flooding 80% of the city and resulting in the worst disaster this country has ever seen.</blockquote><br /><br />Well, that’s all I’ve got, but I don’t think we can check that one off, can we? I’m not sure what exactly is going on. Between the local government, the federal government and the Army Corps of Engineers, there appears to be a lot of finger pointing, but unfortunately very little action. This is quite odd, in my humble opinion, seeing that the majority of damage was caused not by the hurricane itself, but by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effect_of_Hurricane_Katrina_on_New_Orleans">breaches in the various levees</a>. Well, to their credit, $700 MILLION has already been spent on repairing the levees to pre-Katrina standards. But is there any extra to make them better? What magic treasury does this money come from anyway? <i>That is a whole other discussion, but I wonder sometimes how this country can carry a <a href="http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/">trillion-plus dollar debt</a> that grows each year and then billions of dollars seem to appear out of thin air for various causes. If that is the case, then can we tap the money tree for a few more billion to improve the damn levees?!</i><br /><br /> I feel like there’s not much I can do. Well, I came out here on faith and will be riding out hurricane season 2007 on faith as well.<br /><br />Now to the updates:<br /><br />Lots has transpired since my last entry. (No good news about <a href="http://papucharliesbigadventure.blogspot.com/2007/05/blog-post.html">my bike</a>, except that my seething anger has subsided… for the most part.) First, my volunteer work. As you know, every Thursday, I help rebuild homes with <a href="www.stbernardproject.org">The St. Bernard Project</a>. I’m learning lots as I go along as well… as you’ll see in the following brief photo essay.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDyblsfNaIjkoIdDrmwjIJLSINc1vSAl-AN6MWSe4iG0sm5hwawy4V9k-20_ItpWyrbBAT3ezqERgp2c2Bj2mJhm13EDqelkWCKeawNmTJ0gjitzX3MdarMIgtRd_gw8vZmmlP40bivq0/s1600-h/layingLaminateFloor.before-ish.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDyblsfNaIjkoIdDrmwjIJLSINc1vSAl-AN6MWSe4iG0sm5hwawy4V9k-20_ItpWyrbBAT3ezqERgp2c2Bj2mJhm13EDqelkWCKeawNmTJ0gjitzX3MdarMIgtRd_gw8vZmmlP40bivq0/s320/layingLaminateFloor.before-ish.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074687796305700594" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"> A before-ish shot of the laminate floor we laid at Ms. Melanie's house</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPyoVeKqIWDBHAd0wncwDntjQ0da_rnMAnO1Nm5LkuabtDHdl7TMmcECxJW5yc1TPPqahBB0N3ihS91cGzuL5RCUvuDThRjrl1h_vZBCOAlE6qfniaPz0526UKpPavVIlJMv9GgLwPBM/s1600-h/layingLaminateFloor.after-ish.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPyoVeKqIWDBHAd0wncwDntjQ0da_rnMAnO1Nm5LkuabtDHdl7TMmcECxJW5yc1TPPqahBB0N3ihS91cGzuL5RCUvuDThRjrl1h_vZBCOAlE6qfniaPz0526UKpPavVIlJMv9GgLwPBM/s320/layingLaminateFloor.after-ish.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074687800600667906" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"> And now the after-ish shot. Doesn't look like much, but cutting the wood to fit around the edges is hard!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIF3iSjiOY8IeW0bSpAkXTtrlSNPxJhqch3vEW36Am42QcO40WnoeZoyYWmnmrwHmTipn0rWorSvLZWRCr8Gyrlxyr3SbwMqI9dhXXF_90hdAIPTAp5JUCdWarhEB3huSts8zCAMjBOpA/s1600-h/kim_todd.layingtile.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIF3iSjiOY8IeW0bSpAkXTtrlSNPxJhqch3vEW36Am42QcO40WnoeZoyYWmnmrwHmTipn0rWorSvLZWRCr8Gyrlxyr3SbwMqI9dhXXF_90hdAIPTAp5JUCdWarhEB3huSts8zCAMjBOpA/s320/kim_todd.layingtile.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074687800600667922" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The following Thursday, I laid ceramic tile at Ms. Keyes' house. Hers was the first house I'd worked on when I started volunteering; I helped gut. So it was awe-inspiring to see the progress that had been made since then and to be a part of that. Here's some of the crew practicing during our "training."</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZE-nOx67f3jFkIFVdN5d7JyveRC9CpqDW4OexNTkm1vC5NqSXCyMRsQTgM0vUtl1f0l51LJlA4XaD-X2nr1Y11xHnY3dX63DVD8bME59-fQ3iKqLyc79vMuqbTURUtSiQNKyOkiysqM0/s1600-h/jenga.tiling.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZE-nOx67f3jFkIFVdN5d7JyveRC9CpqDW4OexNTkm1vC5NqSXCyMRsQTgM0vUtl1f0l51LJlA4XaD-X2nr1Y11xHnY3dX63DVD8bME59-fQ3iKqLyc79vMuqbTURUtSiQNKyOkiysqM0/s320/jenga.tiling.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074687804895635234" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"> I look professional, huh? Want me to tile your floors?</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfRbMYom52xNJaZwMUZdXPeaQ336EHK9XJK6yqTaMTqTDVIRwYLVJtVjD7iFS3K4aD-hWvAFgm4EH6rHnOEzeEcY0338rtKX3aCgPpm2hyuhyphenhyphen8kT-ZdJBD2hzPEaAwmXL4RxyUfKR4pM/s1600-h/finishedFloor.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfRbMYom52xNJaZwMUZdXPeaQ336EHK9XJK6yqTaMTqTDVIRwYLVJtVjD7iFS3K4aD-hWvAFgm4EH6rHnOEzeEcY0338rtKX3aCgPpm2hyuhyphenhyphen8kT-ZdJBD2hzPEaAwmXL4RxyUfKR4pM/s320/finishedFloor.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074687804895635250" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Ms. Keyes' bedroom floor after we finished laying all the whole tiles. <br />Cutting tile for the edges will happen later.</span><br /><br />Next, <a href="http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-mold.htm">MOLD</a>. Mold is the bitter enemy of all post-Katrina “pioneers.” Mold is the <a href="http://healthandenergy.com/mold_dangers_&_remedies.htm">stealthy villain </a>whose invisible spores attack the lungs and cause all kinds of respiratory problems. Mold is the reason I decided this week to gut the entire house, floor to ceiling, and start anew. <a href="http://papucharliesbigadventure.blogspot.com/2007/05/blog-post.html">Last entry</a>, I mentioned that I was FINALLY 100% finished gutting… the walls four feet from the floor. I thought that was satisfactory since the water had only risen about 3 ft. into the house. Well, I had <a href="http://www.inspect-12.com/">a mold inspector</a> review my handy work this past week, JUST to be on the safe side. He burst my ignorant-yet-blissful little bubble. Using his fancy-schmancy equipment, he discovered that most of the walls and ceilings still held significant amounts of moisture and enough mold growth to be cause for concern. Yes, it will now cost more to install new drywall, since I have to buy three times as much as I thought I’d have to. And it’ll take more time. But I’m telling myself that it’s cheaper than the potential doctor’s bills, not to mention the inextricable guilt, should my child contract asthma (if we end up living there) because I decided to cut corners.<br /><br />So, I took a couple people up on their past offers and assembled a group of 8 volunteers to help me tear down the remaining walls and ceilings this weekend. Five guys from The St. Bernard Project came with shovels and brooms. And a friend of mine from NY, who’s here organizing with <a href="http://www.mxgm.org/site/">Malcolm X Grassroots Movement</a> and <a href="http://www.peopleshurricane.org/">People’s Hurricane Relief</a>, came and brought another person!! I giggle to myself when I think about the fact that my mom and I have spent the last two months gutting my house four feet from the floor… and these guys came in and ripped out twice as much in a day! AND my uncle Eli (who got a flat on the way to meet me, fixed it and came anyway) repaired the gutters around the perimeter of the house! Many hands make light work, they say. Tis true… tis true. And the ultimate “icing on the cake”- as we said our goodbyes, each group asked ME to call them when I need more help. Thanks to all of you. And INFINITE thanks to my mom, who kept my daughter THE ENTIRE DAY while I worked at the house. Here are some pics of that day <i>(I only have four... couldn't justify playing photographer while these guys worked their asses off on their day off in 90+ degree heat)</i>:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqGasjfZhqoaKRDmKmyt5VGLfQwn8JUcToZJFu6pr6E7Y-i_NnwnkDYEdJXu_fg6L0O4Iq1sXIAkwzrnNA_g8rjjfXogjTgnsswHVyzxdmxGxk8Jw1IArJz3-byrJ1OpjJCmCjtJ8LAI/s1600-h/dasawWorking-volunteerDay.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqGasjfZhqoaKRDmKmyt5VGLfQwn8JUcToZJFu6pr6E7Y-i_NnwnkDYEdJXu_fg6L0O4Iq1sXIAkwzrnNA_g8rjjfXogjTgnsswHVyzxdmxGxk8Jw1IArJz3-byrJ1OpjJCmCjtJ8LAI/s320/dasawWorking-volunteerDay.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074692731223123778" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Dasaw spent a few hours working in the morning, left for a few and CAME BACK to work until sunset! That's admirable.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOA96mgNw0QI7mjeFMuXuh2TmQHzjt6z8MyDIpHCuXO_NQejIFRxq7Fgi8J8ktCLkiqyGzhIr7XLaZiwWchOb_3tQGbl0DOzNMBktL4SSmOhl-ZIhRUo26gaYLhyphenhyphenOUvu6g43kuq8JxNM/s1600-h/todd_patWorking-volunteerDay.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOA96mgNw0QI7mjeFMuXuh2TmQHzjt6z8MyDIpHCuXO_NQejIFRxq7Fgi8J8ktCLkiqyGzhIr7XLaZiwWchOb_3tQGbl0DOzNMBktL4SSmOhl-ZIhRUo26gaYLhyphenhyphenOUvu6g43kuq8JxNM/s320/todd_patWorking-volunteerDay.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074692735518091090" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Todd and Pat working hard!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTl5PPbZ0NMg0Il1bW2iVJxtwFAAdqXjEIyhO6h8icVJ12YEgoU_2qbbVxJy6OVmw23EhyeuwWrbeD4iUMYpu3t2Mylx2_F3WufKhAXVmBJAcQ0asfLHJ__BKp-31UNKDlS32AhYZPjUw/s1600-h/mike_steve-volunteerDay.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTl5PPbZ0NMg0Il1bW2iVJxtwFAAdqXjEIyhO6h8icVJ12YEgoU_2qbbVxJy6OVmw23EhyeuwWrbeD4iUMYpu3t2Mylx2_F3WufKhAXVmBJAcQ0asfLHJ__BKp-31UNKDlS32AhYZPjUw/s320/mike_steve-volunteerDay.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074698997580408690" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Mike, the organizer of the St. Bernard Project group, and Steve cleaning up the floor after they removed tile from the kitchen. Yes, they even did that!!!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71FB43k1ECCFgRfyK6DDqZevakXVzSX0DzYNwsYuQx4AERT7n4HGV8ckJsTU7yuf3ZqC26htj0W1ozpCqfoDIrsLFwMb8zw1jMowdFA6HLn1hjLueAII8SqL53kYeFVsvytIpXmwnW5o/s1600-h/eliWorking-volunteerday.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71FB43k1ECCFgRfyK6DDqZevakXVzSX0DzYNwsYuQx4AERT7n4HGV8ckJsTU7yuf3ZqC26htj0W1ozpCqfoDIrsLFwMb8zw1jMowdFA6HLn1hjLueAII8SqL53kYeFVsvytIpXmwnW5o/s320/eliWorking-volunteerday.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074692735518091106" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Good ole Uncle Eli, repairing my gutters. Thanks!</span><br /><br />Last, but definitely not least, I must mention a huge milestone achieved this past week at my mom’s house. We FINALLY got through the seemingly endless piles of file folders, papers, and random paraphernalia. I gave my mom a big high-five when we were all done. LOL. I did. This is a woman who was saving canceled checks from the 80’s! I kid you not. And this is why I am SO proud of her for purging. There was a day when I spent the entire time just feeding old papers to the shredder, while she sorted through each folder. There was SO MUCH STUFF! But now it’s been whittled down to only four boxes that neatly fit in a closet, instead of mounds of crap overtaking a whole room.<br /><br />We also took up that nasty carpet! And found intact hardwood floors underneath most of it (the side hallway floor had plywood since it was originally a side porch and the floor slanted downwards towards the edge of the house). So I look forward to refinishing those in the next few months, and tiling the other areas… since I have gained that skill now! Anyway, so now the house is ready for volunteers to stay.<br /><br />And we have our first group coming down at the end of July! I owe it all to my friend Anietra from NY, the powerhouse who never fails to go above and beyond in whatever she does. She told me she was gonna come down to help out earlier this year. In classic Anietra style, she ended up organizing 8 other people to join her! I will write an entry all about them when they come down, but I thought I should mention this wonderful news. And express my gratitude to Anietra and everyone in her group. Now I have to make sure I’ll have enough tools and supplies ready! That’ll be no problem though. Someone told me once, “Just jump… and build the wings on your way down.” It’ll all work out.<br /><br />BTW, I’ll be going out of town in a few days and won’t be back til mid-July. So, you’ll see my next entry then. :)Live Lyve Raw Vegan Cuisinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16026311236920278442noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204580867571652472.post-6063892750561024902007-05-29T22:50:00.001-05:002007-05-29T23:11:01.783-05:00#%$^&@!!!!Okay, this week’s entry was SUPPOSED to be entitled “Battle Scars”… to highlight the “injuries” I’ve sustained thus far. But this morning, I awoke to find that my <a href="http://www2.trekbikes.com/images/bikes_my07/large/7100wsd_mellowyellow.jpg">BIKE</a> WAS STOLEN!! So, as nothing else is really on my mind but the FIERY ANGER burning inside, I shall write about this.<br /><br />How could this happen? Who could’ve done it? My bike wasn’t on the street begging to be stolen. It wasn’t on display behind a fence, beckoning innocent passerbys with its shiny new handlebars. <a href="http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bike.php?bikeid=1312601&f=27">My beloved bicycle</a> lived in a secured courtyard (with a keyed iron privacy gate) hidden in the back behind the stairs and trees underneath an opaque vinyl cover. I kept it in what I thought was a safe location. There are about 10 other bikes in the courtyard as well, but no one else’s bike was even touched. So I am convinced that whoever took mine KNEW that it was there. And it makes me doubly angry to think that someone who “knows” me - who has seen me riding that bike WITH MY CHILD on the back - would take it! Heartless!<br /><br />I shouldn’t complain. Overall, things have been going pretty well for me here. Having my bike stolen is definitely not the worst thing that could’ve happened. That thought quelled some of the rage I felt this morning upon seeing a discarded bicycle cover on the ground where my bike used to be. But still… my <i>father</i> bought me that bike when I moved down here. He told me not to worry about the price; to get a quality bicycle that worked for my frame. Because I’m so tall, the bike shop had to special order one that fit. I’d just bought a child seat for it so that my daughter could ride with me. She was so excited to be riding with Mommy. Not only did it have sentimental value, it had become a primary source of transportation. And I <a href="http://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/commute/quadrupl.htm">PREFERRED riding</a> it to using my mother’s car. Can’t pollute the environment by riding a bike; can’t get caught in a traffic jam on a bike; won’t ever spend $30 filling up a gas tank; PLUS, you get a good workout and you get to SEE more of the city while riding. It’s about a four mile ride from where we live now to my house in the Lower 9th Ward… and I happily rode there and back several times a week. I loved that damn bike.<br /><br />I have my suspicions. Top on the list – the friendly neighborhood crackhead. Well, I don’t know for sure that he’s a crackhead, but he definitely has some sort of drug problem. My uncle hired him to do some work in the courtyard, so he knew what was back there. Living right down the street from us, he also would’ve known that we left town for the weekend. I haven’t seen him since we’ve been back. Of course none of my other neighbors know anything. My number two suspect is someone that lives in this apartment complex. There are four apartments here, all of which have access to the courtyard. One of the tenants gave me a tip today that seems to point the finger at another tenant. And that tenant told me that he saw the gate open yesterday, but none of the other tenants claim to have left the gate open at any time over the weekend. So who knows. I’m not sure that it’s worth my time playing Clue here. Again, this is not the worst thing that could’ve happened by far. But I’m still PISSED OFF about it. And I feel like I wanna start carrying a bat around just in case I see anybody riding my bike on the street.<br /><br />[I’m really not a violent person.]<br /><br />SO, I suppose this could still be about “Battle Scars”… this one being the scar on my heart or my ego or sense of trust or something. I’ll share the other two (physical scars) at another time. But, hopefully, they’ll be healed by then. Some wounds heal faster than others. Sorry for the drama, y’all. And sorry for this post being off subject… but I’m pissed.<br /><br />I should mention that my house is now 100% gutted and has been mold remediated as of today, thanks to Jeh from <a href= http://www.commongroundrelief.org/>Common Ground</a>. Silver lining.Live Lyve Raw Vegan Cuisinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16026311236920278442noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204580867571652472.post-37292164088885313012007-05-23T01:06:00.000-05:002007-05-23T01:36:20.592-05:00Just Say YESA couple Wednesdays ago, <a href=” http://www.greenlightneworleans.org/ “>Green Light New Orleans</a> stopped by my mom’s house to install energy efficient light bulbs. While she was there meeting them, <a href="http://papucharliesbigadventure.blogspot.com/2007/05/progress.html">Paulette</a> and I worked at my house. My mother returned a couple hours later, ecstatic – she’d met a journalist who was covering the second anniversary of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Katrina">Hurricane Katrina</a> for the German press. Apparently, Ann the journalist was fascinated with our story - two women rebuilding with their own hands - and wanted to trail us.<br /><br />I love those chance meetings that blossom into beautiful experiences. Ann turned out to be an angel. Not only warm and committed to spreading the word about New Orleans, but also HELPFUL! One day, she came to the house with the intention of taking some action photos. The first thing she did, however, was ask for a pair of gloves! Ann grabbed a shovel and helped me remove ALL the debris in the shed. What a blessing! Paulette had flown back to NY the day before and my mother’s back is not so good, so it was gonna be just me shoveling. And it had to be done that day (<a href=http://www.fema.gov/about/index.shtm>FEMA</a> stopped providing construction debris removal that Tuesday, but failed to notify the public*. Fortunately, since I’d made an appointment that Monday, I was still in the queue.) So I wanted to make sure I got everything out ASAP. It was a LOT of stuff. But we finished in a couple hours! And then, just like clockwork… or magic… or something, the sky opened up and IT POURED, suddenly and intensely. Unreasonable amounts of water fell from the clouds, y’all. I’m talking zero visibility, flooding, traffic accidents, etc. If Ann hadn’t been there to help, I doubt that I would’ve gotten all that debris out before the rain. And then it would’ve been a soggy, heavy mess. Oh, how grateful am I.<br /><br /><i>* I just read an <a href=” http://www.nola.com/timespic/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-3/1179817607201910.xml&coll=1 “>article in today’s paper </a>saying that FEMA will stop removing construction debris on June 30th. I am confused and will call tomorrow… cuz I now have more debris.</i><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkK2JNMsUBQ5uxlaqnfh7v14RjgjzuytMq3ootUaUzIcddmYgYDQlVjcF5dlgkxgEpR4P8E-5stUBM9WUpNXF3nKLyJDryk8oXUVHvoaF3oZnncmYfFK-aA3LTgbDWHYMougQZyskMcQ/s1600-h/jengaAnnShoveling.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkK2JNMsUBQ5uxlaqnfh7v14RjgjzuytMq3ootUaUzIcddmYgYDQlVjcF5dlgkxgEpR4P8E-5stUBM9WUpNXF3nKLyJDryk8oXUVHvoaF3oZnncmYfFK-aA3LTgbDWHYMougQZyskMcQ/s320/jengaAnnShoveling.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067637708820825426" /></a><br /><i> Ann and I shoveling debris into the wheelbarrow</i><br /><br />Ann ended up hanging out with us almost every day until her plane took off on Tuesday. My mom and I both told her our stories. We talked about life before and after the hurricane. I told her about my goals for this part of my life in New Orleans. A couple days before her departure, she offered me her car free of charge. She’d bought it during her time here and had been trying, unsuccessfully, to sell it. I guess she thought I’d be a good person to whom she could donate. I thoroughly appreciated the gesture, but I declined the offer, thinking of the added expense and responsibility, not to mention the pollution. Later I mulled over whether or not that was a good decision. I thought of two things: One, people want to be able to bless other people. Turning them away denies them that opportunity and makes them think you don’t need help. The second thing I thought of was something I’d heard a while back I only remember the gist of what this guy said - “Never turn away a gift. You never know what could happen.” He’d been led to bigger and better things with each acceptance.<br /><br />Needless to say, this got me to thinking. Coincidentally, a few days before, Paulette had suggested that I create a place for <a href="https://www.paypal.com/">PayPal</a> donations on my blog (she'd been getting lots of positive feedback from talking about her New Orleans experience on myspace.com.) Again, I said “No.” This is my email response verbatim:<br /><br /><blockquote>this house is an investment for me. it wasn't my primary residence. i wasn't displaced by the hurricane. i didn't lose my home and all my belongings. i just lost money as a result of the hurricane. i actually was quite lucky; who gets to file such a big claim after having paid for just one year of insurance? granted, i didn't get any money for flood damage, but i think i can make the necessary repairs with what i have.<br /><br />there are other people who REALLY experienced true loss as a result of the hurricane and the failure of the local and federal govt to protect the city. THEY need more help than i do. i'm young; i'm eager to work and learn; i don't have the emotional attachments to the whole situation that other people have. i don't feel like i was a "victim" of Hurricane Katrina. <br /><br />so i wouldn't feel right asking people to donate to ME. maybe i could collect donations to support friends and family who really DO need it. or worthy organizations that i know for sure are using the money to help Katrina victims. but outside of that, i think it would be misleading to categorize myself as a Katrina victim and ask for donations when there are SO many people who really do need assistance and are not getting it.</blockquote><br /><br />So, while I was willing to accept help in the form of volunteers, I wasn’t comfortable with accepting monetary or material donations. I was thoroughly conflicted over this issue; I talked to my parents about it; I sat and thought about it a long time.<br /><br />This is the conclusion to which I’ve come: I am committed to doing my part to revitalize my neighborhood. That is my entire purpose for being here. Merely witnessing the state of the neighborhood (and New Orleans, in general) strengthens my resolve daily. Right now, there is literally NO ONE living on my block. One house across the street was renovated and has been “For Rent” since I moved down here in March. And my next door neighbor periodically works on his property. Besides that, all the houses are basically “lying in state.” I am here to finish my house and create a safe, well-lit presence on my street. I know that other neighbors are waiting to see what everyone else is doing. But what can actually be accomplished if everyone is waiting on everyone else? I am young; I am eager; I am not depressed or suffering from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-traumatic_stress_disorder">Post Traumatic Stress Disorder</a> because of <a href="http://www.nih.gov/news/radio/sep2005/09112005PTSD.htm">Katrina</a>. I am fresh and ready to work; ready to revitalize. I walked away from a well-paying, comfortable <a href="http://blueskystudios.com/content/index.php">“dream” job</a> in New York and moved to New Orleans with my young daughter. We live in my mother’s one-bedroom apartment; I sleep on the floor, my daughter sleeps on a comfy cot. My dad bought me a bike and that is my main mode of transportation, besides riding in my mom’s car. Mama and I work on either my house or her house every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On Tuesdays, I help my friend Maela with her house. On Thursdays, I volunteer rebuilding homes with<a href=” http://www.stbernardproject.org/”> The St. Bernard Project</a>. This is not a vacation. I am here to work, to help. For that, I am willing to accept donations. I have decided to Just Say YES. <br /><br />So, Paulette, I have set up a <a href="https://www.paypal.com/">PayPal</a> account under papucharlie@gmail.com. And I will figure out how to add something to my blog page to allow for <a href="https://www.paypal.com/">PayPal</a> donations.Live Lyve Raw Vegan Cuisinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16026311236920278442noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204580867571652472.post-78433880900370822482007-05-01T20:41:00.000-05:002007-05-01T22:06:17.337-05:00Progress!<b>P</b>eanut butter and <b>J</b>elly - who doesn’t love a good <a href="http://junctionof-ot-function.com/activities/recipe_pbj.html">PB&J sandwich</a>? <a href="http://www.exittheapple.com/"><b>P</b>ierre and <b>J</b>amyla</a> – power couple of the century. And <b>PJ</b>’s!! I love a nice warm pair of <a href="http://www.pajamaprogram.org/">pajamas</a> in the winter. Why do I mention these seemingly random things, you ask? I’m just reveling in all the good things that come from the combination of letters P and J. The latest items to add to my list: Peris and Jaye – the couple from Chicago who came down to help me with my house last week. AND NOW Paulette!! Which letter does her surname begin with? You guessed it – J. Good things come in P’s and J’s.<br /><br />First, let me tell y’all about Peris. This is a man who happened to find my blog online through reading an <a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/renee_mitchell/index.ssf?/base/news/117569130819720.xml&coll=7">article in The Oregonian</a> (he does <i>not</i> live in Oregon, by the way) and offered to volunteer while he’s here for <a href="www.nojazzfest.com">Jazz Fest</a>. When he got to my house last Wednesday, he brought his burly self (when tearing things down, it is a true BLESSING to have a large person helping out) AND his lovely wife, Jaye. They arrived ON TIME (another blessing) and ready to work. Jaye and I started with removing the kitchen sink. I’d bought copper pipe cutters to release the sink from the plumbing network. But then I remembered that the pipe thieves had already done this work for me. <i>Thanks, raggedy thieves. I appreciate the gesture. Now I can return the cutter to the store and get my money back. I’ll bet your initials are P.J. too, huh?</i> ANYWAY, next we took out the countertop and cabinets.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdVK7xOMKBfsR4bHNHLEzLJYWJvfMre5KG827Nq-PlP5zb2tryn4hd6DsMJr0JTxEYKodu3Rpovo4GxE5EjEbD3uaaFU-9k5HVXDqxTQCvOVsSGA0S3vSKxLHKVIZAv9frBnvyqO-WQ9Q/s1600-h/beforeAfter-kitchen.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdVK7xOMKBfsR4bHNHLEzLJYWJvfMre5KG827Nq-PlP5zb2tryn4hd6DsMJr0JTxEYKodu3Rpovo4GxE5EjEbD3uaaFU-9k5HVXDqxTQCvOVsSGA0S3vSKxLHKVIZAv9frBnvyqO-WQ9Q/s320/beforeAfter-kitchen.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059786716875474162" /></a><br /><i>Believe it or not, this is PROGRESS.</i><br /><br />Then, my mother and Jaye commenced to rip out walls in another room. Peris and I continued with the kitchen; I tore down the east wall, while Peris removed a stubborn wall cabinet. He then single-handedly brought the STOVE to the back shed AND removed all the debris. We got so much work done that day. I’m forever indebted to these people. However, I decided against giving them my first born child, opting to offer them <a href="www.nojazzfest.com">Jazz Fest</a> tickets instead. They had a great time!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3N4BYPwB16Q33BZvJl_Lchf8Bjq9sLZwpQM42lzk33Fk0YavVIpx8gI3kJTrh2SOYu2KJkb73tJSIMy48GfMHVgDy-sZ7iW2h27WiIW-amkJeYPMT3w74fOvADjOcjK7pPGTZL3MP7bA/s1600-h/beforeAfter-kitchenWall.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3N4BYPwB16Q33BZvJl_Lchf8Bjq9sLZwpQM42lzk33Fk0YavVIpx8gI3kJTrh2SOYu2KJkb73tJSIMy48GfMHVgDy-sZ7iW2h27WiIW-amkJeYPMT3w74fOvADjOcjK7pPGTZL3MP7bA/s320/beforeAfter-kitchenWall.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059787850746840338" /></a><br /><i>Me attacking the kitchen wall with a vengeance.</i><br /><br />And then they came back on Monday and did more work! Peris removed the drywall from the kitchen ceiling (there’s BEAUTIFUL tongue and groove wood lining the ceiling beneath the drywall) AND took out about a third of the old linoleum tile and plywood from the kitchen floor.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58BkUgTruxjwVm3a49krB0JcudoJldKNejCBqtYx6KDyuO1fkJlIWHb80qU2CH6JLPonzhDM-rVGHQfTF1xT1vhl2Q-fTlLJi2gOSbCNukPlaCdkBoYHYQISkl4LAVX3VbzIXdXbCs9A/s1600-h/beforeAfter-ceiling.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58BkUgTruxjwVm3a49krB0JcudoJldKNejCBqtYx6KDyuO1fkJlIWHb80qU2CH6JLPonzhDM-rVGHQfTF1xT1vhl2Q-fTlLJi2gOSbCNukPlaCdkBoYHYQISkl4LAVX3VbzIXdXbCs9A/s320/beforeAfter-ceiling.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059785978141099218" /></a><br /><i>Peris is my hero!</i><br /><br />My mother and Jaye replaced the broken window sash ropes on two of my windows. Old New Orleans houses tend to have <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sash_window">sash windows</a>, which operate with a rope and weight mechanism. The rope runs along a pulley at the top of the window frame; the rope is connected to a weight inside the frame, hidden behind the molding. When the window is raised, the weight holds it in place. Without the weight, the window won’t stay up. Four of my windows were in such a state; now only two are… and we’ll take care of those tomorrow!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQNiybxQLkoSdDUTIqjmrQyNHvbg01YyD_ku_Z8BhoDb9o_f9GoISceAU9TbTM0EzvWRoa9zB_zkKhAundF9GgLP5S3Xkgq5CvYlzni942EXr6AImKpqApo4eFaD9X10X0NIOf1HjZnc/s1600-h/fixingWindowSashRope.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQNiybxQLkoSdDUTIqjmrQyNHvbg01YyD_ku_Z8BhoDb9o_f9GoISceAU9TbTM0EzvWRoa9zB_zkKhAundF9GgLP5S3Xkgq5CvYlzni942EXr6AImKpqApo4eFaD9X10X0NIOf1HjZnc/s320/fixingWindowSashRope.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059786304558613730" /></a><br /><i>Too bad I couldn't get a better photo of them at work. Damn you, sunny day.</i><br /><br />PJ #2 - Paulette came on Monday also. I will speak of her now. Paulette is a friend of mine from New York. She makes <a href="http://dahliasoleil.com/">crocheted hats and scarves and embroidered shirts</a>. She’d been reading my blog and decided to come down and help. She showed up at my house about an hour after her plane touched down in New Orleans and began ripping out moldy drywall. Now THAT’S a worker!!! Thank you, Paulette. She’s here for the rest of the week. Today, she rested but tomorrow we’ll be back at the house, gutting the bathroom. I’ll tell you all about that exciting (I’m sure) adventure next week. Anyway, Paulette pulled out the moldy drywall in the front room... with the windows closed since my mom and Jaye were repairing them. Even though she’s from Barbados, the heat still got to her. It’s not THAT hot! Wait until July/August hit. It’s gonna be REALLY hot then.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaXwEcVsl0cemXWL6Q6j8EpmBWuRqoUW_Zi_CNxbFR0i7DSMUkE7-PKI2DRWvG0z8npPM63O4y8GraG6jpYW86bXDxsenE7vG2_GYWPaCpEN8WjBz7aoJ1wJ2yjLt-R17s5rYxa7lZks/s1600-h/beforeAfter-paulettesRoom.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaXwEcVsl0cemXWL6Q6j8EpmBWuRqoUW_Zi_CNxbFR0i7DSMUkE7-PKI2DRWvG0z8npPM63O4y8GraG6jpYW86bXDxsenE7vG2_GYWPaCpEN8WjBz7aoJ1wJ2yjLt-R17s5rYxa7lZks/s320/beforeAfter-paulettesRoom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059787270926255362" /></a><br /><i>Paulette - HARD at work!</i><br /><br />This week, plumbers do <b>NOT</b> make it on my PJ list. Well, besides the fact that they have no “J” in their title and therefore can’t qualify anyway, PLUMBERS SUCK about as much as electricians do. I’ve been trying to get a plumber over to my house for an estimate. NADA. I’ve made appointments, but no one’s ever shown up. So I still have no pipes. The thieves have them. No, they probably sold them already. So, some other homeowner has them. I will take this opportunity to note that if you are reading this and you are a licensed plumber or electrician, you will make a KILLING down here. It’s unfortunate for people like me to be at the mercy of skilled folks like you, but that is the situation down here. I wish I was a licensed plumber right now. Anyway, I hope y'all have enjoyed reading this week's installment. :)Live Lyve Raw Vegan Cuisinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16026311236920278442noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204580867571652472.post-319324206905326002007-04-24T22:34:00.000-05:002007-04-24T23:18:18.812-05:00Elbow Grease<blockquote>I still remember it – I was a young child; my grandmother and I were busy cleaning… perhaps a pot. Well, I’m not sure what it was, but we had to scrub it really hard. I remember my grandmother pausing to remark, “Sister, you gotta put some elbow grease into it.” Naturally, I began looking around for the can of elbow grease. I didn’t want to admit that I didn’t know where it was. My grandmother cracked up laughing when she discovered I didn’t know WHAT it was. She had a hearty contagious laugh with a dash of cackle. When she finally caught her breath, she explained to me that “putting some <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elbow_grease">elbow grease</a> into it” just means that I need to scrub harder. These past few weeks, I’ve been putting a WHOLE LOT of elbow grease into my work and thinking of Grandmaw throughout. So, this blog entry is dedicated to my late grandmother Leoma Sordelet, who passed away on September 9, 2005 - two weeks after <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Katrina">Hurricane Katrina</a>.</blockquote><br /> <br />Ahh… so much has transpired since my last entry. I am WORKING, y’all. Besides my volunteer work at <a href="http://thegreenproject.org/">The Green Project</a> (which has now come to an end), I have picked up another volunteer gig with <a href="http://www.stbernardproject.org/">The St. Bernard Project</a>. So, two Thursdays ago, I helped gut the home of an elderly woman who lost her husband and son recently. Before her son passed, he’d been living in her hurricane-damaged house (while she lived in a <a href="http://www.fema.gov/hazard/hurricane/2005katrina/anniversary.shtm">FEMA</a> trailer in the front yard) and attempting to fix it up. Unfortunately, his lack of knowledge CAUSED more damage than it fixed, so we had to undo all the work he’d done. I learned then that it is NOT okay to install drywall with roofing nails… which is what Mrs. Keys’ son did. Why we had to take out ALL the drywall on account of that, I do not know. But that is what we did. We first had to remove all the junk in the house. That took a couple hours. Then we ripped out the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drywall">drywall</a> and removed the nails. It was actually very fulfilling work. And knowing that this woman would soon have a home in which to reside was the icing on the cake.<br /><br />This past Thursday, I helped <i>install</i> drywall (SKILLS!) in another house in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Bernard_Parish,_Louisiana">St. Bernard Parish</a>. I worked with a group of Indiana high school students who had taken a class trip to help out in New Orleans. A great group of kids, despite their apparent penchant for raunchy music… but I guess that’s what the young people are into these days. I felt so old in that way. But we worked well together and they taught me a thing or two. Lesson: If you’re going to install flooring, leave about a half inch space between the drywall and the floor. Lesson: Wear safety goggles and a face mask when installing insulation… that stuff gets all in your eyes and nose! Lesson: Work gloves are extremely useful.<br /><br />Here are some photos from that day:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgg34dx1HeNu09nrhxQAKwaoVi7m_ICXLVkDRAXLAAlDDRNJ9W_F71ACvIgJMrInMgvbaOqx_grwL_CDnrNt_jf4HbeX_sxfeeFIST5J_r174z9SQvnDPSux2Zvi_36M7Cofoe0wzs_fU/s1600-h/beforeAfterish.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgg34dx1HeNu09nrhxQAKwaoVi7m_ICXLVkDRAXLAAlDDRNJ9W_F71ACvIgJMrInMgvbaOqx_grwL_CDnrNt_jf4HbeX_sxfeeFIST5J_r174z9SQvnDPSux2Zvi_36M7Cofoe0wzs_fU/s320/beforeAfterish.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057210561131594882" /></a><br />The interior of the house in St. Bernard Parish<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8bGw1pqzEYGRJjWSORBvUsttNk-yh2PsUgVn0KGrtu4HzTlhpMzQzGO6qx2_DjFmoKWpoyLoDipceX8wUNvtfjl27K9sxSOkTIjvG63dEMAhx14x3OewvlDCr0HCEgDyH7fzEsltvOQ/s1600-h/groupPhoto.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8bGw1pqzEYGRJjWSORBvUsttNk-yh2PsUgVn0KGrtu4HzTlhpMzQzGO6qx2_DjFmoKWpoyLoDipceX8wUNvtfjl27K9sxSOkTIjvG63dEMAhx14x3OewvlDCr0HCEgDyH7fzEsltvOQ/s320/groupPhoto.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057210561131594898" /></a><br />Our work crew... guess which one is me.<br /><br />The balance of my time during the past two weeks has been filled with cleaning out my mom’s house. Almost every day, we’ve scrubbed, dusted, swept, mopped, and purged. Purging is no easy task for a lifelong packrat, but I’m proud of my mama for getting rid of much of her unused stuff. Alas, we are STILL not finished (much to my chagrin… I like to stay on schedule), BUT we are very close. My mom also purchased a nice sofa set at a Going Out Of Business sale. I think she got a good deal. I bought a bed (headboard and footboard). Once we’re done and everything is in its place, it’ll be the PERFECT crash spot for our volunteers. That’ll be my next project – creating some sort of campaign to draw volunteers down here to help us.<br /><br />And speaking of volunteers, I already have a couple lined up!! One of my New York friends, Paulette, is coming down next week. Too bad she’s coming in between the Jazz Fest weekends… but I know for sure we’ll find some concerts or something entertaining to relax after a hard day’s work. Also, through pure serendipity, a guy from Chicago read the <a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/renee_mitchell/index.ssf?/base/news/117569130819720.xml&coll=7">New Orleans article in The Oregonian</a> and emailed me asking if I needed help. YES, I do, Peris. Thank you. So while he’s here for <a href="http://www.nojazzfest.com/">Jazz Fest</a>, he and his wife (and maybe their German friend) will be helping out. I can’t tell y’all how pleased I am.<br /><br /><br /><center><b> MOST RECENT UPDATES</b></center><br /><b>Yesterday</b>, my mother and I pulled out almost all the <a href="http://papucharliesbigadventure.blogspot.com/2007/04/in-my-last-post-i-told-you-of-my.html">moldy drywall</a> in one of the rooms in my house. The entire time I wondered if it REALLY was necessary. Since New Orleans is such <a href="http://www.wordtravels.com/Cities/Louisiana/New+Orleans/Climate">a wet environment</a>, there is ALWAYS gonna be mold. It’s just a matter of how much and how sensitive one is to it. My uncle/contractor advised me not to remove the moldy drywall for that reason. I have another uncle who owns rental property here (but is not a contractor) who advised me to remove it at all costs. And a woman who is a mold specialist with a local historic recovery grant program said “Well, it’s really up to you.” Yes, it is. And therein lies the problem. Needless to say, I decided to be on the safe side and take it down. Then at least I know for sure that there’s no mold (for now) in my house. Also, I’m learning more about my house, how it was built and how to repair/maintain it. In order to remove the baseboards, I had to learn how to “de-wire” <i>(not AT ALL a proper technical term)</i> an electric socket. Deconstructing a shoddy built-in closet proved to be a lesson in building; I had to figure out how it was held together in order to take it apart. This is like a fun amusement park ride, y’all! I’m learning so much. Photos below:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOUfVq6QZtM_JweNyVaCGOQDDMwvkVFO6xTVcUBnDvP5sgJNpFdLaZFKo18xFR9qi-eTHSbv-B4SIQFAJ_vVTxTZAgDSZ_A64qo0ZnC11DsAA6fUH7v-GEeHQSF5bDkVAARjR04OlAC0/s1600-h/beforeAfter-closet.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOUfVq6QZtM_JweNyVaCGOQDDMwvkVFO6xTVcUBnDvP5sgJNpFdLaZFKo18xFR9qi-eTHSbv-B4SIQFAJ_vVTxTZAgDSZ_A64qo0ZnC11DsAA6fUH7v-GEeHQSF5bDkVAARjR04OlAC0/s320/beforeAfter-closet.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057210565426562210" /></a><br />We ripped out the drywall four feet from the floor.<br />The water came three feet into the house.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotkNVFfxOL4C9ku76PvV3io_ZBoNAfUKN2zwmZW7FDH46PfndTxt5DgIEGRcv-bKfGpise1NLGEHD-ctaYF9r5zlA4am8l8Ej12uEHghJMkhQgIP7XVOsPwyZO9uq_G1ZD7DThIptH7k/s1600-h/beforeAfter-wallNorth.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotkNVFfxOL4C9ku76PvV3io_ZBoNAfUKN2zwmZW7FDH46PfndTxt5DgIEGRcv-bKfGpise1NLGEHD-ctaYF9r5zlA4am8l8Ej12uEHghJMkhQgIP7XVOsPwyZO9uq_G1ZD7DThIptH7k/s320/beforeAfter-wallNorth.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057210565426562226" /></a><br />That's what I call accomplishment!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40vD-QWn0VnfJ2-MwxddJ72eJMF0IV1DDqiL4vSP28kOgaGKfWXOX33hFwsTsSQRg5F8URdol-AW3afQ2MNZhpPIsvJhsh6OYshUNdjOvrjEG72CnpLnv3S5a1XsN9tp6RsZ0TI4Rvyo/s1600-h/makingAMess.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40vD-QWn0VnfJ2-MwxddJ72eJMF0IV1DDqiL4vSP28kOgaGKfWXOX33hFwsTsSQRg5F8URdol-AW3afQ2MNZhpPIsvJhsh6OYshUNdjOvrjEG72CnpLnv3S5a1XsN9tp6RsZ0TI4Rvyo/s320/makingAMess.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057210569721529538" /></a><br />My mom releasing all her pent-up anger on that unsuspecting moldy drywall.<br /><br /><b>Today</b>, I went over to <a href="http://papucharliesbigadventure.blogspot.com/2007/03/good-bad-and-ugly.html">Maela’s</a> for yet another lesson. She’s installing <a href="http://www.oldhousejournal.com/magazine/2006/feb/beadboard.shtml">beadboard</a> along the lower third of her first floor walls. So I got to use a table saw and a chop saw. Using power tools makes you feel strong!!! I understand why boys are into them <i>(joke)</i>. I remember when I bought my first power drill. I just wanted to drill everything. Being able to make something with one’s own hands creates such a feeling of accomplishment. It’s an ego boost; it’s a rush. Anyway, Maela and I had to figure out how to cut the beadboard slats around a window so that they fit together properly AND were flush against the window frame. Sounds easier than it was. Maela’s house is quite old too, and therefore has a lot of… shall we say “character.” So there are no straight lines; the window is not perfectly perpendicular to the floor. We had to improvise. Well, Maela had to improvise. I humbly took the role of the eager assistant, giving “advice” only when I felt it would be extremely useful. But we figured it out and I got to cut some wood! Ain’t nothin better than that, huh?Live Lyve Raw Vegan Cuisinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16026311236920278442noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204580867571652472.post-34041877005540397882007-04-04T14:45:00.000-05:002007-04-04T15:34:25.003-05:00Peeling Back The LayersIn my <a href="http://papucharliesbigadventure.blogspot.com/2007/03/good-bad-and-ugly.html">last post</a>, I told you of my imminent plans to destroy the newly discovered mold growth behind my walls. Well, before beginning the process of gutting the whole interior of my house, I wanted to be sure that there really was mold (the dangerous kind) behind the walls and that I absolutely HAD to gut. (Why create more work if it’s unnecessary?) So, a couple days ago, my mom and I went to the house to peel back the layers and find out what lies beneath. <br /><br />I was nervous about the process of removing the drywall because the house is so old. Why would that matter?, you ask. Well, in old houses (in New Orleans, at least), after a house was framed, long narrow slats of wood would be placed perpendicular to the studs to close in the space. Then plaster would be applied on top of that. In modern construction, there is a space between the outerwall and the inner drywall (usually filled with insulation), so punching a hole in the wall would result in nothing more than… well, a hole in the wall. But in my early 1900’s house, I’d run the risk of breaking the underlying wood if I drove a sledge hammer through the wall. Construction-savvy readers may guffaw at my perhaps baseless fear, but it was my fear nonetheless… and I’d rather err on the side of caution than ruin what is left of my little investment.<br /><br />So, we went to the house to crack open those walls. Using a utility knife, I cut a rectangle in one of the bedroom walls and my mom gently tapped on the drywall to break it. We then used our hands to pull the broken drywall out. What we found was interesting (if you’re into history). Yes, there was mold growing in black circles on the back of the drywall. But we also found old wallpaper (pink with flower designs). The original owners just slapped wallpaper right on top of the wood. Even more interesting, there was a layer of burlap underneath the wallpaper. Maybe people used to line their walls with burlap for insulation? Certainly not for aesthetic value… maybe for suicidal masochists. I must find out. Also, now that there’s a big hole in the wall, I may be able to determine if my house is actually constructed from barge boards… or if it’s just constructed in the <a href="http://bywater.org/Arch/bargeboard.htm">bargeboard style</a>. Curiouser and curiouser…<br /><br />Anyway, I emailed these pics to my uncle/contractor to find out if I really REALLY need to take the walls out. If I do, that’s fine. It was actually fun. My mom really wants to get back in there and pull some more out. If not, onto the next project!<br /><br />So, without further ado, I present photos from this latest mini-adventure:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDY5p8AWUUU3UtRoWl4GJzFi3M7A2SN7J0iH3BzDA7AqSk2qaYxfT0ZwKtUusKlc0LZwmePCvj3OcsmaVJEaSRJcQSF3Yu1BLj7F_Z82mM-UFv9fPUc6N_6bIdyIXDCn6YtW4URNeHHt0/s1600-h/insideTheWalls.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDY5p8AWUUU3UtRoWl4GJzFi3M7A2SN7J0iH3BzDA7AqSk2qaYxfT0ZwKtUusKlc0LZwmePCvj3OcsmaVJEaSRJcQSF3Yu1BLj7F_Z82mM-UFv9fPUc6N_6bIdyIXDCn6YtW4URNeHHt0/s320/insideTheWalls.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049662455953142562" /></a><br />Our initial rectangular hole in the wall<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTXWUVYDmdT215upFrR6MB062bRwMCmwGqYHQmJvX4ErYdLrmAHQhdLRXXK9XBBjUTWQQ6AXffptQI6BPstXXhT3by_VhEJ6wjmFWB4jROQWoNto52CS4CZQPJA_XrUL6ISNSvsCD1mM/s1600-h/behindSheetrockCLOSEUP.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTXWUVYDmdT215upFrR6MB062bRwMCmwGqYHQmJvX4ErYdLrmAHQhdLRXXK9XBBjUTWQQ6AXffptQI6BPstXXhT3by_VhEJ6wjmFWB4jROQWoNto52CS4CZQPJA_XrUL6ISNSvsCD1mM/s320/behindSheetrockCLOSEUP.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049662455953142578" /></a><br />A close up on the mold<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhF07iQcH1wgKmD_VLfeuAfA7b6bdatQphAmTWooUR-KRZxpX40CHUX7ZB1xbajAmvfYsgM0fbKb2u4EcGRQ0u6Xf9QLNZlU_X1eMNJ_Br4ud2xiWOQ0gxcI2npyW60PjcSYd4p21SIM/s1600-h/mePullingDryWall.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhF07iQcH1wgKmD_VLfeuAfA7b6bdatQphAmTWooUR-KRZxpX40CHUX7ZB1xbajAmvfYsgM0fbKb2u4EcGRQ0u6Xf9QLNZlU_X1eMNJ_Br4ud2xiWOQ0gxcI2npyW60PjcSYd4p21SIM/s320/mePullingDryWall.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049662460248109890" /></a><br />Me pulling out drywall with my (gloved) hands<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCP1uWq-kLuPs0oi-CQyn2N_3ofNTglZMqNSXN57EjJYQkL-8mnv3-NqanhAskqmO0BVDCfLJyD7Ss5JkX4kkJn-3k13LrJZ7VMBSEYaJEatapyAEB2655E1jXbabN2VdOBShT-HJgSo/s1600-h/moldyWallpaper.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCP1uWq-kLuPs0oi-CQyn2N_3ofNTglZMqNSXN57EjJYQkL-8mnv3-NqanhAskqmO0BVDCfLJyD7Ss5JkX4kkJn-3k13LrJZ7VMBSEYaJEatapyAEB2655E1jXbabN2VdOBShT-HJgSo/s320/moldyWallpaper.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049664758055613266" /></a><br />Old wallpaper beneath the drywall<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqarQeFiKmbApnSSBl8G5k40WNllajz4bhAXTDnHzVwZ2ermqA3615k17jUGPfjwtdZccehcv4BKPrt8PKA1zQGzCXbcB2Lkvn47jiNL6xi7VDJQYmDB5OqN9jbCFypN4PznBAqmPbeVE/s1600-h/moldyBurlap.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqarQeFiKmbApnSSBl8G5k40WNllajz4bhAXTDnHzVwZ2ermqA3615k17jUGPfjwtdZccehcv4BKPrt8PKA1zQGzCXbcB2Lkvn47jiNL6xi7VDJQYmDB5OqN9jbCFypN4PznBAqmPbeVE/s320/moldyBurlap.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049664762350580578" /></a><br />Old moldy burlap beneath the old wallpaper<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtulcZKN3E81LQQi1FEF0heYZ4yx3N4lkFnE3pbf-6BdtRIITZ92Sul9X29VQG5XXkIqCrc4EJjZCDz8KQk3ykHqzzA-WlHYmkB4UohXLCjd9j3KGDvsYke6eruyepjPkD4R-PdJBII2E/s1600-h/wallPaperLayers.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtulcZKN3E81LQQi1FEF0heYZ4yx3N4lkFnE3pbf-6BdtRIITZ92Sul9X29VQG5XXkIqCrc4EJjZCDz8KQk3ykHqzzA-WlHYmkB4UohXLCjd9j3KGDvsYke6eruyepjPkD4R-PdJBII2E/s320/wallPaperLayers.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049664766645547890" /></a><br />The layers of wallpaper and burlap... I think it's pretty.<br /><br />Since we were also waiting for the Insurance Adjuster to arrive (re: my stolen copper pipes… see <a href="http://papucharliesbigadventure.blogspot.com/2007/03/good-bad-and-ugly.html">previous post</a>), we decided to spend some time pulling up the floor in the kitchen. I’d heard that it was labor intensive because of the adhesive underneath the tile, so of course I wanted to see for myself. Well, it wasn’t really difficult at all (we only pulled up about a 2 foot square area). And we found some old linoleum tile. Actually, directly beneath the tile was a layer of plywood. But under that, we found a layer of yellow and green tile, arranged so that the yellow tiles were grouped in the center and framed by these dirty dark green tiles. Hmmm... apparently the original (or pre-previous) owners were into ugly things. (No offense if you like floral pink wallpaper in your bedroom and yellow and green tile in your kitchen.) Under THAT, there were a few squares of an older tile. And then the floor boards. Maybe I am a geek, but I think that’s fascinating. Makes one wonder who owned the house… and what possessed them to make these strange interior decorating decisions.<br /><br />Here are a couple pics from that experience:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkExjlWeG0ec5Ilg4CqXq52dk9zJIEytEs2b4vG6uF3xd9Qqcm_lm7rsw4ExPsY1VaOv5yqCV_-3mRQqhbFcJalhONHQaBj2THk2aj85BetFeDkp1fXsFA80VHz-rZ5Pzj7hWQAnTpZwA/s1600-h/mamaKitchenFloor.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkExjlWeG0ec5Ilg4CqXq52dk9zJIEytEs2b4vG6uF3xd9Qqcm_lm7rsw4ExPsY1VaOv5yqCV_-3mRQqhbFcJalhONHQaBj2THk2aj85BetFeDkp1fXsFA80VHz-rZ5Pzj7hWQAnTpZwA/s320/mamaKitchenFloor.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049667085927887746" /></a><br />My mother pulling up floor tile<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fzHU87CtGAcfQqh8zMFRLbscQw7OlafE6H9U6F5N1cfw2rXXUsDWObnrkQI02EyU-kaC7n9HMv_fDIQ2e3d9I0WY4Vdx99lGS0k55-4U86QriJfFag8HYGc7t_nwb1rJAN_YIgd5aHQ/s1600-h/kitchenFloorLayer2_labeled.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fzHU87CtGAcfQqh8zMFRLbscQw7OlafE6H9U6F5N1cfw2rXXUsDWObnrkQI02EyU-kaC7n9HMv_fDIQ2e3d9I0WY4Vdx99lGS0k55-4U86QriJfFag8HYGc7t_nwb1rJAN_YIgd5aHQ/s320/kitchenFloorLayer2_labeled.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049667090222855058" /></a><br />Oh, the many layersLive Lyve Raw Vegan Cuisinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16026311236920278442noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204580867571652472.post-47812033883364537352007-03-19T11:21:00.000-05:002007-03-25T00:52:59.434-05:00The Good, The Bad and The UglySo much has been happening since my last post. I've been quite busy and too tired by the end of the day to post updates. But right now, my beautiful daughter is taking a much-needed nap, so I'm taking advantage of the free time. I'll try to consolidate as best I can.<br /><br />Let's start off with <b>The Good</b> news. A couple weeks ago, my aunt informed me that a friend of hers was looking for a housesitter. So I called, we talked, and it looks like I'll be making a little extra money housesitting for 10 days starting this Sunday. Extra money is always good, but that's not THE good news. The good news is that the owner of the (hurricane-damaged) house, Maela, is doing all the repairs HERSELF. AND is open to having me come and help her so that I can learn a thing or two. I went to help one day last week. I removed nails from the wooden stairs; and though it wasn't a major job like putting up a wall or plumbing, it was something I'd never done and now I know what tools I need and how to do it. Skills!! She also showed me how to use the table saw. Skills!! I'm so excited. I'm gonna learn how to make and fix stuff. No more <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damsel_in_distress">"damsel in distress"</a> every time something breaks.<br /><br />More <b>Good</b> news - <a href="http://www.dent.unc.edu/student/orgs/malawi/photos_files/Team2007.htm">My sister</a> came down from <a href="http://www.dent.unc.edu/">North Carolina</a> this past week to visit. We started cleaning out my mom's house. This is awesome because I haven't physically done anything on her (or my) house since I got here. So that's a start. We cleaned the kitchen together. This was no small task. The kitchen had not been touched since August 29, 2005 (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Katrina">Hurricane Katrina's</a> arrival). There was a layer of dust (containing who knows what... probably mold particles) over everything. Black and brown water stains on the floor. And debris from the small construction projects she had done recently. We cleaned it all up. Shiny and new. My sis and her friend, Shakana, cleaned the bathroom the next day. Then I swept up all the fallen paint chips and other debris in two of the bedrooms. The next step will be pulling up that nasty carpet. Hurricane-damage aside (it didn't get any water-damage anyway), that carpet is 13 years old and needs to be thrown out. So we'll be either <a href="http://www.doityourself.com/stry/howtoinstallcarpet">installing new carpet</a> or <a href="http://www.easy2diy.com/cm/easy/diy_ht_3d_index.asp?page_id=35750428">installing ceramic tile</a>. By ourselves. I'll keep you posted.<br /><br />And now <b>The Bad</b> news - I mentioned in an earlier post that the front door had been stolen off my house. I'd left it unsecured after the Search-and-Rescue teams busted the door in post-Katrina. The house was empty and my air conditioners had already been stolen... so I didn't think there was anything else to take. Last year, they took my front door. Ha ha ha. Architectural theft is rampant down here now. On a block like mine, which has been completely abandoned (save my next door neighbor Eddie who is also a landlord, and periodically comes by to work on his house), it's pretty easy to steal architectural details off people's houses. No one's there to watch. Apparently, people are doing this in broad daylight. And these are not just your every day <a href="http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/sfo/27499971.html">crackheads</a> looking for something to sell either. Contractors, people posing as contractors, and people posing as <a href="http://www.prcno.org">Preservation Resource Center</a> officials are doing it too. Well-orchestrated thievery. My door was not hurriedly ripped off the frame. It was carefully unscrewed from the hinges (there's no damage to the frame or hinges at all). As I've been looking around for replacements, I'm discovering that my door was quite unique. I haven't found anything like it yet. Guess that's why they helped themselves to it. Anyway, about a week ago, my neighbor Eddie informed me that someone stole the copper pipes from underneath his house... and that mine were gone too. So my pipes are gone, conveniently replaced by my suspicion about my neighbor's hand in it. Sucks. Not only is <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?From-Copper-Cookware-To-Copper-Gutters---See-Why-Copper-Is-Suddenly-So-Valuable-In-Your-Home&id=334438">copper expensive</a> these days, but I also have the added expense of fencing off the crawlspace underneath my house so that this doesn't happen again. I've heard they're stealing electric wires now for the copper inside. I just had the place re-wired (Well, almost... that is another bit of bad news. But I won't get into it. Let's just say that the electricians down here are running a racket and they finish whenever they feel like it), so I have to do that soon.<br /><br />Now for <b>The Ugly</b>. It is literally ugly. I wish I'd taken a photo, but I didn't think of it at the time. I recently discovered mold growth BEHIND my walls. Pre-Katrina, I thought that my walls were plaster. The fact that there was no visible mold growth after the hurricane validated this theory for me. However, as my mother and I were assessing the damage in my house last week, we noticed a crack in the wall under a window. A small piece of the wall was loose and when I pulled it back, I saw it plain as day - mold. The mold and I greeted each other, as dignified enemies do when waging war. Its days are numbered. So, this is ugly for me because the silver lining on my dark hurricane cloud had been "at least I didn't get any mold." I was one of the lucky ones. Now I have to gut the house (at least four feet from the floor) to get rid of the mold. For those unfamiliar with the term "gut" in relation to construction (or de-construction), basically I have to remove all the sheetrock and whatever is behind it down to the framing of the house. It's not as fun as it sounds. But I can (and will) do it. Maela offered to help when she gets back from her vacation. So, I'm grateful that The Bad and The Ugly come with The Good, otherwise I might regret the day I set foot back on the soil of this charming (and charmed) city.<br /><br />That's all for now, guys. Sorry no pics, Gary. I had "before-and-after" shots of my mom's kitchen, but it's not much of a visible difference so I decided not to post them. I guess you'll just have to READ. Better to do that <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sober">sober</a>.Live Lyve Raw Vegan Cuisinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16026311236920278442noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204580867571652472.post-39143480380439026442007-03-12T00:22:00.000-05:002007-03-12T09:40:07.973-05:00Road Home Says NoYesterday, I attended an application workshop for the<a href="http://www.road2la.org/rental/"> Road Home Small Rental Properties Program </a>in hopes that I might get some state money to assist in fixing up my house. The program awards forgivable loans to owners of 1-4 unit properties in hurricane-damaged areas, provided they rent their units for affordable prices. Deal. I wasn't going to charge a lot anyway. There are LOTS of landlords in New Orleans now who are taking advantage of the housing shortage by hiking up rent. I don't need to do that.<br /><br /> Anyway, I figured that, unlike <a href="http://papucharliesbigadventure.blogspot.com/2007/02/no-historic-grant-money.html">the Historic Grant</a>, I might actually have a good chance of getting this money. My house is one unit and it is definitely in a hurricane damaged area. It's also in a historic district that has been on the city's "revitalization" list for a while. I figured there was no reason I SHOULDN'T get this money. The State of Louisiana disagreed, however. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the first two lines on the second page of the application - <br /><br /><blockquote><b>If the answer to the following question is NO, you are not eligible for the Small Rental Property Program:</b><br /><br />Were you a Louisiana resident at the date of Hurricane Katrina or Rita?</blockquote><br />Ouch.<br /><br />Can I get ANY assistance? I couldn't get any FEMA money because the property wasn't my primary residence and no one was living there at the time of the storm. I couldn't get any insurance money for flood damage because I did not have flood insurance. I didn't get flood insurance because it NEVER floods in that area. That neighborhood didn't even flood when <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Betsy">Hurricane Betsy</a> (the worst hurricane to hit New Orleans before Katrina) hit in 1965. A month after I bought the property, the entire city flooded, however. I'm not eligible for any Road Home Homeowner's money because it wasn't my primary residence. And now I'm not eligible for the Small Rental Property money because I wasn't a resident at the time of the storm. Will they consider the fact that I was born and raised here... and that I quit my job and moved down here in order to work on my house? Can I get SOMETHING?<br /><br />Anyway, I put my emotions aside and did not let this painful news get me down. There were advisors at the application workshop whose job it was to answer any questions we might have. I waited in line to speak to one of these fine people. I asked my question and was surprised that even she seemed puzzled. She explained to me that the rules for these programs are changing constantly and that the rule-makers may not have considered applicants in my position. She advised me to apply anyway and talk to my local representative. More work. But is that not what I am here to do? Yes, it is. So I'm up for it. I will speak to local representative. I hope that these rules change.Live Lyve Raw Vegan Cuisinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16026311236920278442noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204580867571652472.post-3037580342661341192007-03-07T10:39:00.000-05:002007-03-14T12:48:31.483-05:00Beauty Amidst The DestructionYesterday, my father and I went looking for a comrade of his in <a href="http://www.gnocdc.org/orleans/3/12/snapshot.html">Hollygrove</a>, a neighborhood in Uptown New Orleans. (He hadn't seen her since the storm, but heard that she was back in New Orleans.) Half the residents in trailers, half in damaged homes. Abandoned houses, abandoned cars. No one using the sidewalks, since they were covered in debris or standing water. People out on the street, walking, fixing cars, sitting on their porches, talking with neighbors. People making due. Still living. This is what people do.<br /><br />Amidst all of this, I found this thing of beauty. A rusted shell of a car propped on its side on the side of the road.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivu5VZ6JtagYufp3yJcp-t6KnYv5pTeC3whI4drLLRFuC5xUGzBRbuLPtgHMmiPlqzp3PN6UXjer84VDXGfPvX4Nj7B6ahgmkjTbSdpjWvsGpN5AYzdROf9UIL7RYyPv8QNprqLDzUc2s/s1600-h/car_shell.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivu5VZ6JtagYufp3yJcp-t6KnYv5pTeC3whI4drLLRFuC5xUGzBRbuLPtgHMmiPlqzp3PN6UXjer84VDXGfPvX4Nj7B6ahgmkjTbSdpjWvsGpN5AYzdROf9UIL7RYyPv8QNprqLDzUc2s/s400/car_shell.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039210287564169650" /></a>Live Lyve Raw Vegan Cuisinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16026311236920278442noreply@blogger.com3