Just wanted to apologize for not being on SM much since Superstorm Sandy. Have been going through a really depressing period looking at what's around us in NY and NJ and of course at the center of this sadness are my family and friends. I've watched Pat struggle so with the storm and its aftermath and know that this has turned her world upside down, but I also know that Pat has more fortitude than most people I know and she will be able to recover and have her beloved home back again. Just so thankful that she wasn't there for the storm. We're had so many friends without power for long amounts of time...Tammy, with Summer and B&E, Larry and Liz, Debbie (mom2James) with her adorable son, James, malts Yogi and Icy and her husband (just got power back), Kerry, Steve and the girls, and poor Linda (lexi's mom), who after helping Pat ended up with her skylight crashed into by a tree. And there is Anne (Pinkheadbaby) whose beach house was flooded. And these were the lucky ones who still have a home.
I spent Saturday going down to my SIL Jeanne's in South Jersey to strip her home down to the studs and the foundation as per FEMA's orders. Our dear Anne, despite the damage done to her house, offered to come down with her tools and protective wear...what wonderful friends we have in SM :wub: My SIL said she had 10 volunteers so I thanked Anne but told her we'd be okay. Don't want too many people wielding sledge hammers in small spaces. :w00t:Armed with masks and hazmat suits, Jim, my friend Marsha and I went down to take on one of the most draining jobs ever-- emotionally and physically.
My SIL's house is a total loss. There was mold and the foundation was cracked after being submerged in roughly 5-6 feet of water for the week they wouldn't let her in. She has her car, computer, papers and some clothes she took when she evacuated but almost all else was gone. We were able to salvage some things in high cabinets. It took from 7am-3pm to totally gut the house, pack things and get them into a small storage unit. We're all so thankful that she has her life even though her house is gone. She's able to stay with her sister. She is a widow so it's just her right now to worry about. She is resilient and said she just wants to move on with her life. She went back to work today.
This is all so devastating and I see people suffering every day. I volunteered last week to sort and pack food and supplies to go to hard hit areas. I plan to do that again hopefully on the ground in those areas. I already see that the storm stories aren't on the national news. I hope that no one forgets how much people are suffering and continues to support NY and NJ victims. This is a nightmare for months and years to come and they still need so much including roofs over their heads.
Sorry to be such a downer but a big part of my heart is aching for the people and their pets who are decimated by this Superstorm. I apologize if I've missed so many threads and celebrating others achievements on SM. I'm thinking of you but a bit numb right now. I know things will improve.
Here were some shots of Saturday:
Here's what's left of the house
As Jeanne puts it, "My life on the street." :smcry:
The "work" crew. Jeanne's in the front...short white hair.
The Red Cross with some food for those needing it.
I spent Saturday going down to my SIL Jeanne's in South Jersey to strip her home down to the studs and the foundation as per FEMA's orders. Our dear Anne, despite the damage done to her house, offered to come down with her tools and protective wear...what wonderful friends we have in SM :wub: My SIL said she had 10 volunteers so I thanked Anne but told her we'd be okay. Don't want too many people wielding sledge hammers in small spaces. :w00t:Armed with masks and hazmat suits, Jim, my friend Marsha and I went down to take on one of the most draining jobs ever-- emotionally and physically.
My SIL's house is a total loss. There was mold and the foundation was cracked after being submerged in roughly 5-6 feet of water for the week they wouldn't let her in. She has her car, computer, papers and some clothes she took when she evacuated but almost all else was gone. We were able to salvage some things in high cabinets. It took from 7am-3pm to totally gut the house, pack things and get them into a small storage unit. We're all so thankful that she has her life even though her house is gone. She's able to stay with her sister. She is a widow so it's just her right now to worry about. She is resilient and said she just wants to move on with her life. She went back to work today.
This is all so devastating and I see people suffering every day. I volunteered last week to sort and pack food and supplies to go to hard hit areas. I plan to do that again hopefully on the ground in those areas. I already see that the storm stories aren't on the national news. I hope that no one forgets how much people are suffering and continues to support NY and NJ victims. This is a nightmare for months and years to come and they still need so much including roofs over their heads.
Sorry to be such a downer but a big part of my heart is aching for the people and their pets who are decimated by this Superstorm. I apologize if I've missed so many threads and celebrating others achievements on SM. I'm thinking of you but a bit numb right now. I know things will improve.
Here were some shots of Saturday:
Here's what's left of the house
As Jeanne puts it, "My life on the street." :smcry:
The "work" crew. Jeanne's in the front...short white hair.
The Red Cross with some food for those needing it.