"Real wisdom is not the knowledge of everything, but the knowledge of which things in life are necessary, which are less necessary, and which are completely unnecessary to know." Leo Tolstoy
Monday, November 28, 2005
A bad patient...
I let myself run out of medication, and I am depressed and angry. I've gotten my prescrip refilled, but it'll take a few days to get back to "normal". The noises in my head are so loud. I'm careful about saying "voices", because I do not hear "voices" telling me to do things, but my own thoughts are so random and scattered and plentiful. I couldn't sleep til after 3 this morning. I am just overwhelmed. And it takes everything I have to not cry - at everything. It's hard to pray when I'm like this because I can't think in a straight line. It's also hard to get anything done, because everything is a mountain. Then after a day or so of doing nothing this place really is a mountain. I hate feeling this way. Everyone deserves better.
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Elephants Help Clean Up New Orleans Zoo
By JESSICA BUJOL, Associated Press Writer
Panya and Jean are doing their best to help remove the debris at Audubon Zoo, mostly by eating it. Oak leaves and bark are a rare treat for the two Asian elephants, and Hurricane Katrina left them with a smorgasbord.
Though it escaped major flooding, the zoo is closed to the public for the time being. The animals are fine, but the zoo isn't in any shape to open. In the Jaguar Jungle exhibit, the giant bamboo stalks that once shaded a winding stone path have been blown sideways by Katrina's winds. Piles of debris still dot the landscape.
Most of the zoo's residents and a dozen or so key staff members stayed put for Katrina. The caretakers hunkered down in the reptile house, a building designed to withstand a hurricane and serve as a shelter. Food for animals and humans alike had been stockpiled.
"We have been planning for this for years," zoo spokeswoman Sarah Burnette said, adding that Audubon had picked up survival tips from the Miami zoo after Hurricane Andrew.
Elephants manager Ellen Frosch was among those who rode out the storm. Though it was windy and rainy, she said she wasn't worried after locking the elephants in their barn and heading to the reptile house. They were soon back to their routine, roaming the zoo in the early hours with their keepers for exercise.
Once the storm blew past, zoos from around the country sent in supplies and are now working on a fundraising campaign for Audubon. As a nonprofit, the zoo relies on the income generated by visitors to feed the animals; the assistance provided was crucial, Burnette said. Panya and Jean alone eat 150 pounds of food per day.
There are a few less residents to feed; two otters and a raccoon did not survive, and the sea lions were relocated to zoos in Texas because they require such specialized conditions.
Zoo officials will meet next week to discuss when and how to re-open, but that likely won't be before Thanksgiving. That news is likely to disappoint the elephants and orangutans, who are used to interacting with crowds every day.
"I think they miss the people," primates keeper Cyndi Ratliff said as she watched orangutans Feliz, Berani and Blaze swing upside down. Feliz held out her leathery hand, her way of asking for treats.
The two pachyderms, normally used to welcoming hordes of pint-sized visitors and putting on a daily show, entertained National Guardsmen who had camped out in the zoo's front yard. Frosch discovered them hoisting logs and dropping them again and again as the soldiers cheered them on.
Panya and Jean are doing their best to help remove the debris at Audubon Zoo, mostly by eating it. Oak leaves and bark are a rare treat for the two Asian elephants, and Hurricane Katrina left them with a smorgasbord.
Though it escaped major flooding, the zoo is closed to the public for the time being. The animals are fine, but the zoo isn't in any shape to open. In the Jaguar Jungle exhibit, the giant bamboo stalks that once shaded a winding stone path have been blown sideways by Katrina's winds. Piles of debris still dot the landscape.
Most of the zoo's residents and a dozen or so key staff members stayed put for Katrina. The caretakers hunkered down in the reptile house, a building designed to withstand a hurricane and serve as a shelter. Food for animals and humans alike had been stockpiled.
"We have been planning for this for years," zoo spokeswoman Sarah Burnette said, adding that Audubon had picked up survival tips from the Miami zoo after Hurricane Andrew.
Elephants manager Ellen Frosch was among those who rode out the storm. Though it was windy and rainy, she said she wasn't worried after locking the elephants in their barn and heading to the reptile house. They were soon back to their routine, roaming the zoo in the early hours with their keepers for exercise.
Once the storm blew past, zoos from around the country sent in supplies and are now working on a fundraising campaign for Audubon. As a nonprofit, the zoo relies on the income generated by visitors to feed the animals; the assistance provided was crucial, Burnette said. Panya and Jean alone eat 150 pounds of food per day.
There are a few less residents to feed; two otters and a raccoon did not survive, and the sea lions were relocated to zoos in Texas because they require such specialized conditions.
Zoo officials will meet next week to discuss when and how to re-open, but that likely won't be before Thanksgiving. That news is likely to disappoint the elephants and orangutans, who are used to interacting with crowds every day.
"I think they miss the people," primates keeper Cyndi Ratliff said as she watched orangutans Feliz, Berani and Blaze swing upside down. Feliz held out her leathery hand, her way of asking for treats.
The two pachyderms, normally used to welcoming hordes of pint-sized visitors and putting on a daily show, entertained National Guardsmen who had camped out in the zoo's front yard. Frosch discovered them hoisting logs and dropping them again and again as the soldiers cheered them on.
Cafe Du Monde, Hotel InterContinental To Reopen
Cafe Du Monde, Hotel InterContinental To Reopen
Fri Oct 14, 3:16 PM ET
There are more signs that life is getting back to normal in the Crescent City. After the longest break in its 153-year history, Cafe Du Monde will fill the air around Jackson Square with the aroma of beignets and coffee, when it reopens next week.
The restaurant is usually open 24 hours a day but closed the day before Katrina hit. Caf? Du Monde will reopen Wednesday at 6 a.m.
Another local landmark is also reopening for business. The Hotel InterContinental New Orleans, located on St. Charles Avenue in the Central Business District, will hold a ceremony at noon Monday, followed by a traditional New Orleans meal of red beans and rice.
Hotel general manager Scott Dawson said he views the reopening as the most important business milestone in the hotels 20-year commitment to the city.
Fri Oct 14, 3:16 PM ET
There are more signs that life is getting back to normal in the Crescent City. After the longest break in its 153-year history, Cafe Du Monde will fill the air around Jackson Square with the aroma of beignets and coffee, when it reopens next week.
The restaurant is usually open 24 hours a day but closed the day before Katrina hit. Caf? Du Monde will reopen Wednesday at 6 a.m.
Another local landmark is also reopening for business. The Hotel InterContinental New Orleans, located on St. Charles Avenue in the Central Business District, will hold a ceremony at noon Monday, followed by a traditional New Orleans meal of red beans and rice.
Hotel general manager Scott Dawson said he views the reopening as the most important business milestone in the hotels 20-year commitment to the city.
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Survived Rita!
We are okay! Lots of rain Friday and Saturday, with lots of wind. There are many more branches down than for Katrina, but no trees fell in our area. Power went out sometime early Saturday morning and came back on just a while ago. We didn't really have any big storms this time, just several hours of good old fashioned rain. And that we needed!
By what I've seen, Rose's home should be fine, but her shelter (sister's home) in DeRidder must have gotten a horrible storm. I doubt they have power yet. It's due north of Lake Charles. I've not seen much yet (with power out), but we listened to news radio most of the time.
Jason & Darlene (Greg's brother & his wife) went back to Metairie this morning. They didn't have power when they got there, but it was on when we spoke to them at 4 PM.
I've not yet been able to get through to my parent's in the Lafayette area, but I've spoken to both of my sisters, and they spoke to them yesterday. They had no power (but had gotten a generator pre-storm), but also had no damage.
I do have family all over southwest LA, and I know most live in weak structures at best. Still praying for them all.
By what I've seen, Rose's home should be fine, but her shelter (sister's home) in DeRidder must have gotten a horrible storm. I doubt they have power yet. It's due north of Lake Charles. I've not seen much yet (with power out), but we listened to news radio most of the time.
Jason & Darlene (Greg's brother & his wife) went back to Metairie this morning. They didn't have power when they got there, but it was on when we spoke to them at 4 PM.
I've not yet been able to get through to my parent's in the Lafayette area, but I've spoken to both of my sisters, and they spoke to them yesterday. They had no power (but had gotten a generator pre-storm), but also had no damage.
I do have family all over southwest LA, and I know most live in weak structures at best. Still praying for them all.
Friday, September 23, 2005
Freaking out
Maybe not quite freaking out, but I feel so, "wrong" is the only word to describe it. I feel like we should be doing something, but I don't know what. We have what we need - generator(s), radio, food, t.p., snacks, water, coffee, chocolate. This sitting and waiting stinks! It has been raining for about 3 hours now. Not much wind right now. My SIL and I went out to stock up on meat for the post-storm shortage. The stores were packed again. Gas stations have lines out on the street again. AGAIN!!
It's not helping that my SIL & I both got our "friend" 2 days ago. With friends like this...
I'm going to go read my bible for a while.
It's not helping that my SIL & I both got our "friend" 2 days ago. With friends like this...
I'm going to go read my bible for a while.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Here comes Rita
It has already begun to rain in N.O. (here too). We are going to get much worse weather for Rita here. East of the eye is always so much worse than west. That's why Biloxi looks like matchsticks. N.O. did okay through the actual hurricane, it was the levees breaking that caused all of the flooding. Those levees are still "under repair" and can't handle anything.
Gas lines this afternoon are crazy again. I've been keeping my tank full, and just refilled the gas cans for the generator. I'll have to access the food situation and may have to go into WalMart (aka hell). We could use some prayers too. We have other trees that aren't in very good shape. In fact, I was very suprised that it was our cedar tree that fell for Katrina. There's a big old oak next to Gregory's bedroom that is in bad shape. Good thing he's still sleeping with us!
I'm assuming we'll lose power again at some point, but will keep posting/reading as long as I can.
Gas lines this afternoon are crazy again. I've been keeping my tank full, and just refilled the gas cans for the generator. I'll have to access the food situation and may have to go into WalMart (aka hell). We could use some prayers too. We have other trees that aren't in very good shape. In fact, I was very suprised that it was our cedar tree that fell for Katrina. There's a big old oak next to Gregory's bedroom that is in bad shape. Good thing he's still sleeping with us!
I'm assuming we'll lose power again at some point, but will keep posting/reading as long as I can.
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Louisiana Ambassadors Say Hello
By: Chris Rose
Times Picayune
Dear America,
I suppose we should introduce ourselves: We're South Louisiana.
We have arrived on your doorstep on short notice and we apologize for that, but we never were much for waiting around for invitations. We're not much on formalities like that.
And we might be staying around your town for a while, enrolling in your schools and looking for jobs, so we wanted to tell you a few things about us. We know you didn't ask for this and neither did we, so we're just going to have to make the best of it.
First of all, we thank you. For your money, your water, your food, your prayers, your boats and buses and the men and women of your National Guards, fire departments, hospitals and everyone else who has come to our rescue.
We're a fiercely proud and independent people, and we don't cotton much to outside interference, but we're not ashamed to accept help when we need it. And right now, we need it.
Just don't get carried away. For instance, once we get around to fishing again, don't try to tell us what kind of lures work best in your waters.
We're not going to listen. We're stubborn that way.
You probably already know that we talk funny and listen to strange music and eat things you'd probably hire an exterminator to get out of your yard.
We dance even if there's no radio. We drink at funerals. We talk too much and laugh too loud and live too large and, frankly, we're suspicious of others who don't.
But we'll try not to judge you while we're in your town.
Everybody loves their home, we know that. But we love South Louisiana with a ferocity that borders on the pathological. Sometimes we bury our dead in LSU sweatshirts.
Often we don't make sense. You may wonder why, for instance - if we could only carry one small bag of belongings with us on our journey to your state - why in God's name did we bring a pair of shrimp boots?
We can't really explain that. It is what it is.
You've probably heard that many of us stayed behind. As bad as it is, many of us cannot fathom a life outside of our border, out in that place we call Elsewhere.
The only way you could understand that is if you have been there, and so many of you have. So you realize that when you strip away all the craziness and bars and parades and music and architecture and all that hooey, really, the best thing about where we come from is us.
We are what made this place a national treasure. We're good people. And don't be afraid to ask us how to pronounce our names. It happens all the time.
When you meet us now and you look into our eyes, you will see the saddest story ever told. Our hearts are broken into a thousand pieces.
But don't pity us. We're gonna make it. We're resilient. After all, we've been rooting for the Saints for 35 years. That's got to count for something.
OK, maybe something else you should know is that we make jokes at inappropriate times.
But what the hell.
And one more thing: In our part of the country, we're used to having visitors. It's our way of life.
So when all this is over and we move back home, we will repay to you the hospitality and generosity of spirit you offer to us in this season of our despair.
That is our promise. That is our faith.
Times Picayune
Dear America,
I suppose we should introduce ourselves: We're South Louisiana.
We have arrived on your doorstep on short notice and we apologize for that, but we never were much for waiting around for invitations. We're not much on formalities like that.
And we might be staying around your town for a while, enrolling in your schools and looking for jobs, so we wanted to tell you a few things about us. We know you didn't ask for this and neither did we, so we're just going to have to make the best of it.
First of all, we thank you. For your money, your water, your food, your prayers, your boats and buses and the men and women of your National Guards, fire departments, hospitals and everyone else who has come to our rescue.
We're a fiercely proud and independent people, and we don't cotton much to outside interference, but we're not ashamed to accept help when we need it. And right now, we need it.
Just don't get carried away. For instance, once we get around to fishing again, don't try to tell us what kind of lures work best in your waters.
We're not going to listen. We're stubborn that way.
You probably already know that we talk funny and listen to strange music and eat things you'd probably hire an exterminator to get out of your yard.
We dance even if there's no radio. We drink at funerals. We talk too much and laugh too loud and live too large and, frankly, we're suspicious of others who don't.
But we'll try not to judge you while we're in your town.
Everybody loves their home, we know that. But we love South Louisiana with a ferocity that borders on the pathological. Sometimes we bury our dead in LSU sweatshirts.
Often we don't make sense. You may wonder why, for instance - if we could only carry one small bag of belongings with us on our journey to your state - why in God's name did we bring a pair of shrimp boots?
We can't really explain that. It is what it is.
You've probably heard that many of us stayed behind. As bad as it is, many of us cannot fathom a life outside of our border, out in that place we call Elsewhere.
The only way you could understand that is if you have been there, and so many of you have. So you realize that when you strip away all the craziness and bars and parades and music and architecture and all that hooey, really, the best thing about where we come from is us.
We are what made this place a national treasure. We're good people. And don't be afraid to ask us how to pronounce our names. It happens all the time.
When you meet us now and you look into our eyes, you will see the saddest story ever told. Our hearts are broken into a thousand pieces.
But don't pity us. We're gonna make it. We're resilient. After all, we've been rooting for the Saints for 35 years. That's got to count for something.
OK, maybe something else you should know is that we make jokes at inappropriate times.
But what the hell.
And one more thing: In our part of the country, we're used to having visitors. It's our way of life.
So when all this is over and we move back home, we will repay to you the hospitality and generosity of spirit you offer to us in this season of our despair.
That is our promise. That is our faith.
Monday, September 12, 2005
Hummingbirds!
We have been bombarded w/hummingbirds! Maybe they are displaced. :)
I've been filling the feeder every other day, and over the weekend, one got onto my screen porch. He/she was determined to go through the screen. After taking the picture (first things first), I tried to "shoo" it back out the screen door. I "shooed" it alright, right through my back door and into the den! It was pecking at my back window, and of course, that one won't open. I called Greg to tell him and to freak out a bit. He said just catch it, but I knew if I got my hand on it, it would peck at me and I would freak out. I was afraid of hurting it. It would peck at the window for a while then land on the top sill(where the window lock is) and breathe heavily for a few seconds before going back. Then he landed and DIDN'T breathe heavily, which freaked me even more. No way could I handle this beautiful little creature dying in my home. Greg reminded me that the other window in the room does open, and afer several minutes of trying to get it to go to the window, it finally did. :)
I've been filling the feeder every other day, and over the weekend, one got onto my screen porch. He/she was determined to go through the screen. After taking the picture (first things first), I tried to "shoo" it back out the screen door. I "shooed" it alright, right through my back door and into the den! It was pecking at my back window, and of course, that one won't open. I called Greg to tell him and to freak out a bit. He said just catch it, but I knew if I got my hand on it, it would peck at me and I would freak out. I was afraid of hurting it. It would peck at the window for a while then land on the top sill(where the window lock is) and breathe heavily for a few seconds before going back. Then he landed and DIDN'T breathe heavily, which freaked me even more. No way could I handle this beautiful little creature dying in my home. Greg reminded me that the other window in the room does open, and afer several minutes of trying to get it to go to the window, it finally did. :)
Encouragement from friends
Another saved email
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
----- Original Message -----
To: ccu-list ccu-list
Sent: Saturday, September 10, 2005 4:09 PM
Subject: [CCU-List] Deanna & Penny
***I have saved both of your posts on how you're doing these days. Every time I reread them, I think, "Yep. Life comes at us fast sometimes." Big hugs and know I keep you in my prayers, along with everyone else on the list. This whole loss of most of NO has hit both of you so very hard, along with pets dying and everything else... Penny, I am keeping your sisters in prayer, too, as they begin to realize life has just changed course for them, and your parents. And take some time to mourn the old cat, OK?
***Jaci
Not deleting this either. [[[hugs of thanks]]]
My younger BIL & his wife left for her parents' home Saturday, but should be back in a few days. She has enrolled at LSU, so she'll be coming down each week. So everyday, things get a little more "normal."
Got to see one of my sisters Friday. Like I had mentioned, it was her granddaughter's B-day. They reached us by phone and drove down to pick us up & take the kids to Chuck E Cheese. Much needed respite. And another laugh line - When they were allowed to go into their home to clean up, my BIL was cleaning out Kayla's closet. She really only lost her stuffed animals. Most everything else had either gone with them or was off the floor. Anyway, he was putting the stuffed anilmals in a trash bag, and Kayla started to cry. Of course, that made Terry (BIL) cry. When they returned to his mother's home that night, she was telling everyone, "You should have seen my pawpaw crying like a girl"!!
Penny - who finally found fresh eggs at a small grocery store!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
----- Original Message -----
To: ccu-list ccu-list
Sent: Saturday, September 10, 2005 4:09 PM
Subject: [CCU-List] Deanna & Penny
***I have saved both of your posts on how you're doing these days. Every time I reread them, I think, "Yep. Life comes at us fast sometimes." Big hugs and know I keep you in my prayers, along with everyone else on the list. This whole loss of most of NO has hit both of you so very hard, along with pets dying and everything else... Penny, I am keeping your sisters in prayer, too, as they begin to realize life has just changed course for them, and your parents. And take some time to mourn the old cat, OK?
***Jaci
Not deleting this either. [[[hugs of thanks]]]
My younger BIL & his wife left for her parents' home Saturday, but should be back in a few days. She has enrolled at LSU, so she'll be coming down each week. So everyday, things get a little more "normal."
Got to see one of my sisters Friday. Like I had mentioned, it was her granddaughter's B-day. They reached us by phone and drove down to pick us up & take the kids to Chuck E Cheese. Much needed respite. And another laugh line - When they were allowed to go into their home to clean up, my BIL was cleaning out Kayla's closet. She really only lost her stuffed animals. Most everything else had either gone with them or was off the floor. Anyway, he was putting the stuffed anilmals in a trash bag, and Kayla started to cry. Of course, that made Terry (BIL) cry. When they returned to his mother's home that night, she was telling everyone, "You should have seen my pawpaw crying like a girl"!!
Penny - who finally found fresh eggs at a small grocery store!
Thursday, September 8, 2005
Losing my mind and other thoughts
Another saved email
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
**Penny, how in the world are you coping???
Not very well today I am afraid. Today is the last day that our families from Metairie are able to go in and retrieve things. So Gregory & I are alone. There are lots of ways I could take advantage of the time, but I just can't do anything. I had not yet been able to talk to my sisters, but was getting info thru my dad about them. I finally got an email from one, Jane, today. I emailed right back for an address. Tomorrow is her granddaughter's 6th birthday. So she emails back an address, saying it'll be their address for at least a year. And they only had 9 inches of water. But everything that stayed on the floor is ruined. The walls, insulation, maybe even studs will all have to be replaced. All flooring will have to be replaced. My other sister lives just a few blocks down the street from her, so I am sure she's in the same boat. I think of Kayla (my great niece). How can this little girl understand that all of her things are gone, that her friend's won't be coming for a birthday party, that she won't be going back to her school (small happy note - she'll be homeschooled)? It's just too much. My in-laws are in total denial about how long they will be away from home. I'm prepared for them to be here through Christmas. They are thinking 2 weeks.
And while I'm telling my sob sorry, my dearest friend in the world will be evicted next week. She has 4 children. My home is full. My pockets are empty. I can't dig her out this time. She's recently turned back to God and is trying so hard. We've been going to church, and I know she's reading the bible. She's sad, but keeping her faith. She' needs a miracle today.
My incredible son is holding Mommy up today. He asks why we don't pay Miss Brandie's rent for her (can't - it's too much), why they can't live here (we don't have room to add another family of 6), can't we just take one or 2 of the kids (this we may be able to do)? Then he holds me and pats me on the back and says, "it'll be okay. We'll pray for them." Then he says, "every story with a happy ending has to have a sad part." How did he get so smart? He floors me.
I still haven't been able to mourn Sophia, our old cat. I am so busy most times that I just forget she's gone.
Then when we see satellite images of the city and I see places I know and love and lived and went to school just under water... I've got to get out of here for a while. Tomorrow is HS park day, and I need it so bad. I wake up and the sun is shining, my power is on, my home is intact, and then I remember. This nightmare is so far from over.
On a hopeful note, we are not seeing much news footage of the French Quarter. I also cannot get any satellite images of it. This makes me think it wasn't affected too badly. If it were, we'd be seeing it. The only footage I've seen of the Quarter was of military personnel walking the street and a tank driving down it (not an amphibious vehicle, a tank). That's encouraging. I also haven't heard anything about the zoo or aquarium.
My people have returned. BBL
Penny
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
**Penny, how in the world are you coping???
Not very well today I am afraid. Today is the last day that our families from Metairie are able to go in and retrieve things. So Gregory & I are alone. There are lots of ways I could take advantage of the time, but I just can't do anything. I had not yet been able to talk to my sisters, but was getting info thru my dad about them. I finally got an email from one, Jane, today. I emailed right back for an address. Tomorrow is her granddaughter's 6th birthday. So she emails back an address, saying it'll be their address for at least a year. And they only had 9 inches of water. But everything that stayed on the floor is ruined. The walls, insulation, maybe even studs will all have to be replaced. All flooring will have to be replaced. My other sister lives just a few blocks down the street from her, so I am sure she's in the same boat. I think of Kayla (my great niece). How can this little girl understand that all of her things are gone, that her friend's won't be coming for a birthday party, that she won't be going back to her school (small happy note - she'll be homeschooled)? It's just too much. My in-laws are in total denial about how long they will be away from home. I'm prepared for them to be here through Christmas. They are thinking 2 weeks.
And while I'm telling my sob sorry, my dearest friend in the world will be evicted next week. She has 4 children. My home is full. My pockets are empty. I can't dig her out this time. She's recently turned back to God and is trying so hard. We've been going to church, and I know she's reading the bible. She's sad, but keeping her faith. She' needs a miracle today.
My incredible son is holding Mommy up today. He asks why we don't pay Miss Brandie's rent for her (can't - it's too much), why they can't live here (we don't have room to add another family of 6), can't we just take one or 2 of the kids (this we may be able to do)? Then he holds me and pats me on the back and says, "it'll be okay. We'll pray for them." Then he says, "every story with a happy ending has to have a sad part." How did he get so smart? He floors me.
I still haven't been able to mourn Sophia, our old cat. I am so busy most times that I just forget she's gone.
Then when we see satellite images of the city and I see places I know and love and lived and went to school just under water... I've got to get out of here for a while. Tomorrow is HS park day, and I need it so bad. I wake up and the sun is shining, my power is on, my home is intact, and then I remember. This nightmare is so far from over.
On a hopeful note, we are not seeing much news footage of the French Quarter. I also cannot get any satellite images of it. This makes me think it wasn't affected too badly. If it were, we'd be seeing it. The only footage I've seen of the Quarter was of military personnel walking the street and a tank driving down it (not an amphibious vehicle, a tank). That's encouraging. I also haven't heard anything about the zoo or aquarium.
My people have returned. BBL
Penny
Wednesday, September 7, 2005
Blame Game
Another saved email
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
----- Original Message -----
To: CCU-List@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, September 07, 2005 9:02 AM
Subject: Re: [CCU-List] hurricane was stuff
****If a democrat was in the white house there would plenty of people blaming that person. It's all such a friggin waste of time and breath.
**But the Blame Game is so... so... AMERICAN, ya know? Gotta blame someone else!
I think finding someone to blame helps people feel it would never happen to them, because they would do XYZ... Helps reinforce the false sence of control we have over our lives.
Penny
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
----- Original Message -----
To: CCU-List@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, September 07, 2005 9:02 AM
Subject: Re: [CCU-List] hurricane was stuff
****If a democrat was in the white house there would plenty of people blaming that person. It's all such a friggin waste of time and breath.
**But the Blame Game is so... so... AMERICAN, ya know? Gotta blame someone else!
I think finding someone to blame helps people feel it would never happen to them, because they would do XYZ... Helps reinforce the false sence of control we have over our lives.
Penny
Tuesday, September 6, 2005
Post Katrina stuff
The following is one of many emails I've decided to preseve here on my blog. It was originally written 9/6/05.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So far, we've been blessed to be able to find what we need. I was able to buy quite a lot of meat the day we got our generator, but there's none at the stores now. Still no milk or eggs at stores. Gas is scarce, but that has gotten better each day. Our area is more affected by the evacuees than the storm, so our supplies are beginning to be replenished. They just go fast. I think at this point over 95% of Baton Rouge & the surrounding area is back up with power, and we never lost water service here. We did have to boil it for a few days (I still am).
My SIL (and I) love thrift store shopping, so today we headed to Goodwill to look around and get a few things, but mostly just to get her mind off things a little. On the way, I saw a hand written sign "Women's Hope Center ---->" I had heard of it before, it's generally a crisis pregnancy/battered women help place. We went in and they just started giving her all kinds of things. They asked her sizes, and pointed us to boxes. They had clothes, bedding, personal hygien things, you name it. We left with several bags of things. They said to come back in a few days to look for more. They need people to help sort the donations, so in a few days, we'll go to their warehouse to help. That will help us feel better too. People are reaching out from everywhere.
We've been looking at sattelite images all day. Really sad to see some places completely under water. Many areas of the interstate have entire sections gone. But our immediate family's homes all look fine. I still don't think the idea of not returning for at least a month has sunk in for any of them. Becasue their homes look okay, they think they'll be home in a few days. Denial.
Like my mom said today, even with the tsunami, the water receeded. This horror is ongoing. They're estimating it will take no less than 2 months to drain the city. Then much of what is left will have to be torn down completely. Everything will have to be cleaned. Sanitation just doesn't exist their right now. There are dead bodies all over the place. And there are bodies & caskets from the flooded cemetaries to be dealt with(remember, their cemetaries are above ground). All bridges and major structures have to be inspected and repaired before they can even think of reopening the city. Many evacuated families are separated and don't know where their people are. It's horrific.
God is holding me up, and I know He will continue to do so. So are all of you. I sincerely mean that I love each and every one of you for your prayers and support. Thank you Elisabeth for the bible verse. I've printed it out & will place it on my fridge. Everyone sees that. :)
And yes, there's soap for sale. :)
Love,
Penny
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So far, we've been blessed to be able to find what we need. I was able to buy quite a lot of meat the day we got our generator, but there's none at the stores now. Still no milk or eggs at stores. Gas is scarce, but that has gotten better each day. Our area is more affected by the evacuees than the storm, so our supplies are beginning to be replenished. They just go fast. I think at this point over 95% of Baton Rouge & the surrounding area is back up with power, and we never lost water service here. We did have to boil it for a few days (I still am).
My SIL (and I) love thrift store shopping, so today we headed to Goodwill to look around and get a few things, but mostly just to get her mind off things a little. On the way, I saw a hand written sign "Women's Hope Center ---->" I had heard of it before, it's generally a crisis pregnancy/battered women help place. We went in and they just started giving her all kinds of things. They asked her sizes, and pointed us to boxes. They had clothes, bedding, personal hygien things, you name it. We left with several bags of things. They said to come back in a few days to look for more. They need people to help sort the donations, so in a few days, we'll go to their warehouse to help. That will help us feel better too. People are reaching out from everywhere.
We've been looking at sattelite images all day. Really sad to see some places completely under water. Many areas of the interstate have entire sections gone. But our immediate family's homes all look fine. I still don't think the idea of not returning for at least a month has sunk in for any of them. Becasue their homes look okay, they think they'll be home in a few days. Denial.
Like my mom said today, even with the tsunami, the water receeded. This horror is ongoing. They're estimating it will take no less than 2 months to drain the city. Then much of what is left will have to be torn down completely. Everything will have to be cleaned. Sanitation just doesn't exist their right now. There are dead bodies all over the place. And there are bodies & caskets from the flooded cemetaries to be dealt with(remember, their cemetaries are above ground). All bridges and major structures have to be inspected and repaired before they can even think of reopening the city. Many evacuated families are separated and don't know where their people are. It's horrific.
God is holding me up, and I know He will continue to do so. So are all of you. I sincerely mean that I love each and every one of you for your prayers and support. Thank you Elisabeth for the bible verse. I've printed it out & will place it on my fridge. Everyone sees that. :)
And yes, there's soap for sale. :)
Love,
Penny
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Gregory's birth story
This will be long. Get a cup of coffee...
We waited 10 years for this. Never thought it would happen. I was even in denial throughout most of my pregnancy. I was prepared to, at any minute, have someone tell me that I wasn't pregnant, just fat.
Because of the surgeries I've had related to Crohn's Disease, I'd been told years before to not try vaginal birth. So early on, my doc marked my chart for a C/S. I remember sitting with my day planner (back when I knew what day of the week it was) in January and planning what would be a good day for my C/S. I was due August 13th, but I did not want to go into August pregnant! So I looked at the last week of July. Monday the 27th was my BIL's b-day, so we wouldn't choose that. I'd read that you don't want to be in the hospital over the weekend if you have a choice (having to get used to a different weekend staff), so I thought Weds. the 29th would be good. Greg could be with me the Weds. then go to work Thurs and Fri while my mom stayed with me at the hospital. Then we'd go home Saturday, and Greg could take the following week off to be home with us. I circled Weds., July 29 as the day. Further along in my pregnancy, I asked about scheduling the C/S and my OB said they'd let me go to 39 weeks. I was crushed. That put me in August again.
My best friend was pregnant with her 3rd son at the time, and due August 1st. She was induced Monday the 27th, had a vaginal birth, and went home the next morning. Tuesday the 28th I had an OB appointment. My mom went with me, and then we went over to the hospital to pre-register. After getting that taken care of, we walked the hospital and I showed her where the nursery was. We went shopping after that. Then I had an appointment to get my hair cut. It was a busy day. That evening, I told DH we needed to go see Brandie and her baby, because I might not be getting out of the house again before my C/S scheduled for 13 days away. I love my friend dearly, but we're 180 deg. apart on parenting style. We went for a visit, and with a house full of people, no one was holding the baby. His mom was so proud that no one had to hold him. I held him! Then I went home and rubbed my huge belly and said, "you can come anytime now baby. I promise I will hold you!".
I awoke at 5:00 to go pee. I wiped, got up, and then peed a little more, OOPS! So I did it again, and OOPS! So I got my book out and started reading about water breaking. DH asked why I was up and I told him. He jumped up and yelled "Let's go!". "No, baby, I'm having a C/S in 12 days!" His blank stare said it all. "Do you think the baby knows that?" he said. I wouldn't even call my doctor till after 7. When I did, he said , "well, go!" I didn't even realize until we were driving that I was having contractions about 4 minutes apart! We got to the hospital, and the escort asks, "are you in labor?" I think I said, "I guess." Total denial!
They got me upstairs quickly - remember I pre-registered yesterday! Once I was in a hospital gown, my water really broke WHOA! Then the contractions started to hurt. I was checked & was "closed shut", barely effaced, no where near ready for a delivery. But there was that magical "C/S" written across my chart. So here comes anesth. I guess I was a bit dehydrated because the nurse couldn't get my IV started. The anesth. got there, so he was about to try. He had no gloves on, and I said, "Umm, you're going to want to put gloves on, I have Hep. C." I'll never forget the look on his face. I'll bet he never forgets to put gloves on again.
So I am finally being wheeled to surgery, and I cannot stop crying. I was so scared. I've had so many surgeries and none have been good. It was a PTSD moment for sure. The epidural injection was not bad. I don't remember it hurting. I remember hearing nurses counting the equipment on the surgical trays. I guess they do a count before and after to be sure nothing is left behind. Feeling the epidural take over was horrible! It was as if the harder it was to move my leg, the more I wanted to do it. Losing feeling was the strangest sensation. DH joined me soon after that, and the OB finally arrived. I was told I'd feel some tugging when the baby was taken, but no pain. The anesth. offered me a mirror, and I regretfully said no. I didn't feel the incision, but the OB talked his way through. Then I did feel the tugging, which was wierd, but not painful. Then I hear DH (the one I was afraid would pass out) yell, "Head's out!". Next thing I know, a nurse is walking a baby across the room. I don't think I believed, really believed, I was pregnant until that moment. He looked like my FIL! DH got up and was watching the cleaning/checking. I reminded him to take pictures. Gregory was crying the whole time. Then they weighed him, swaddled him, and handed him to Daddy. That's when he stopped crying. A nurse took a picture of us all, then Gregory & DH went off to the nursery for more checking & I went off to recovery. Coming out of the epidural was equally strange. I remember I could move my right leg a little. I'd move it, and it'd hit something hard. I figured they'd put a board between my legs to keep me from hurting myself (I'm very medicated at this point). But when I looked, the hard thing my right leg was hitting was my still-numb left leg!
Gregory had some trouble breathing at first, and while he was away from me he was given a bottle of formula and a bottle of sugar water. I was so angry when I found out. I'm afraid I was very rude to the neonatologist who delivered that news. But that still makes me angry. No one had any good reason to put a nipple, formula, or sugar water (!!!!!) into my baby. By the time he got to me about 6 hours later he was already on an IV of anti-biotics "incase" he had a lung infection. We found out before leaving the hospital that he did not. My poor baby. Barely here 6 hours and his system had already been violated by 3 different substances that I never wanted him to have.
We were finally together about 4 that afternoon. Those huge brown eyes! I was in love immediately! I think we spent about 5 minutes just staring at each other. I unswaddled him and did a "once over". Yep, all parts accounted for. I must say that I think he has the most beautiful feet, then and now. He could be a foot model. I'd spend what seemed like hours just holding those little feet, or rubbing that left knee that had been in my ribs for so long.
We had trouble getting breastfeeding started. We found out later he had jaundice, so he was very sleepy at the breast. I did have a good lactation consultant team, and they worked hard to get us going. Pumping, stripping baby down, skin to skin contact. By the time we left the hospital, it was getting better. We dealt with the jaundice at home for several days, but his nursing got better, slowly, anyway. Once the jaundice was cleared, he nursed like a champ and began to gain one pound a week until at 12 weeks he weighed 19 pounds!
I can still remember being wheeled out of the hospital, thinking, "are they really going to let me take this baby home?" Some miracles are just that hard to believe.
Gregory 2 days old
A few notes of interest:
Gregory was born, of his own choosing, on July 29th, the day that I had decided way back in January would be perfect for my C/S.
There were a couple of things that I’d often said about my own pregnancy (long before I was pregnant)
1) I did not want to be hugely pregnant in August – due August 13th, delivered July 29th.
2) I thought it would be just perfect to be about 7 months pregnant when Greg graduated from LSU – he graduated May 22, 1998 when I was 7 months pregnant.
None of these things were planned by us. But God showed His fingerprints all over this child.
We waited 10 years for this. Never thought it would happen. I was even in denial throughout most of my pregnancy. I was prepared to, at any minute, have someone tell me that I wasn't pregnant, just fat.
Because of the surgeries I've had related to Crohn's Disease, I'd been told years before to not try vaginal birth. So early on, my doc marked my chart for a C/S. I remember sitting with my day planner (back when I knew what day of the week it was) in January and planning what would be a good day for my C/S. I was due August 13th, but I did not want to go into August pregnant! So I looked at the last week of July. Monday the 27th was my BIL's b-day, so we wouldn't choose that. I'd read that you don't want to be in the hospital over the weekend if you have a choice (having to get used to a different weekend staff), so I thought Weds. the 29th would be good. Greg could be with me the Weds. then go to work Thurs and Fri while my mom stayed with me at the hospital. Then we'd go home Saturday, and Greg could take the following week off to be home with us. I circled Weds., July 29 as the day. Further along in my pregnancy, I asked about scheduling the C/S and my OB said they'd let me go to 39 weeks. I was crushed. That put me in August again.
My best friend was pregnant with her 3rd son at the time, and due August 1st. She was induced Monday the 27th, had a vaginal birth, and went home the next morning. Tuesday the 28th I had an OB appointment. My mom went with me, and then we went over to the hospital to pre-register. After getting that taken care of, we walked the hospital and I showed her where the nursery was. We went shopping after that. Then I had an appointment to get my hair cut. It was a busy day. That evening, I told DH we needed to go see Brandie and her baby, because I might not be getting out of the house again before my C/S scheduled for 13 days away. I love my friend dearly, but we're 180 deg. apart on parenting style. We went for a visit, and with a house full of people, no one was holding the baby. His mom was so proud that no one had to hold him. I held him! Then I went home and rubbed my huge belly and said, "you can come anytime now baby. I promise I will hold you!".
I awoke at 5:00 to go pee. I wiped, got up, and then peed a little more, OOPS! So I did it again, and OOPS! So I got my book out and started reading about water breaking. DH asked why I was up and I told him. He jumped up and yelled "Let's go!". "No, baby, I'm having a C/S in 12 days!" His blank stare said it all. "Do you think the baby knows that?" he said. I wouldn't even call my doctor till after 7. When I did, he said , "well, go!" I didn't even realize until we were driving that I was having contractions about 4 minutes apart! We got to the hospital, and the escort asks, "are you in labor?" I think I said, "I guess." Total denial!
They got me upstairs quickly - remember I pre-registered yesterday! Once I was in a hospital gown, my water really broke WHOA! Then the contractions started to hurt. I was checked & was "closed shut", barely effaced, no where near ready for a delivery. But there was that magical "C/S" written across my chart. So here comes anesth. I guess I was a bit dehydrated because the nurse couldn't get my IV started. The anesth. got there, so he was about to try. He had no gloves on, and I said, "Umm, you're going to want to put gloves on, I have Hep. C." I'll never forget the look on his face. I'll bet he never forgets to put gloves on again.
So I am finally being wheeled to surgery, and I cannot stop crying. I was so scared. I've had so many surgeries and none have been good. It was a PTSD moment for sure. The epidural injection was not bad. I don't remember it hurting. I remember hearing nurses counting the equipment on the surgical trays. I guess they do a count before and after to be sure nothing is left behind. Feeling the epidural take over was horrible! It was as if the harder it was to move my leg, the more I wanted to do it. Losing feeling was the strangest sensation. DH joined me soon after that, and the OB finally arrived. I was told I'd feel some tugging when the baby was taken, but no pain. The anesth. offered me a mirror, and I regretfully said no. I didn't feel the incision, but the OB talked his way through. Then I did feel the tugging, which was wierd, but not painful. Then I hear DH (the one I was afraid would pass out) yell, "Head's out!". Next thing I know, a nurse is walking a baby across the room. I don't think I believed, really believed, I was pregnant until that moment. He looked like my FIL! DH got up and was watching the cleaning/checking. I reminded him to take pictures. Gregory was crying the whole time. Then they weighed him, swaddled him, and handed him to Daddy. That's when he stopped crying. A nurse took a picture of us all, then Gregory & DH went off to the nursery for more checking & I went off to recovery. Coming out of the epidural was equally strange. I remember I could move my right leg a little. I'd move it, and it'd hit something hard. I figured they'd put a board between my legs to keep me from hurting myself (I'm very medicated at this point). But when I looked, the hard thing my right leg was hitting was my still-numb left leg!
Gregory had some trouble breathing at first, and while he was away from me he was given a bottle of formula and a bottle of sugar water. I was so angry when I found out. I'm afraid I was very rude to the neonatologist who delivered that news. But that still makes me angry. No one had any good reason to put a nipple, formula, or sugar water (!!!!!) into my baby. By the time he got to me about 6 hours later he was already on an IV of anti-biotics "incase" he had a lung infection. We found out before leaving the hospital that he did not. My poor baby. Barely here 6 hours and his system had already been violated by 3 different substances that I never wanted him to have.
We were finally together about 4 that afternoon. Those huge brown eyes! I was in love immediately! I think we spent about 5 minutes just staring at each other. I unswaddled him and did a "once over". Yep, all parts accounted for. I must say that I think he has the most beautiful feet, then and now. He could be a foot model. I'd spend what seemed like hours just holding those little feet, or rubbing that left knee that had been in my ribs for so long.
We had trouble getting breastfeeding started. We found out later he had jaundice, so he was very sleepy at the breast. I did have a good lactation consultant team, and they worked hard to get us going. Pumping, stripping baby down, skin to skin contact. By the time we left the hospital, it was getting better. We dealt with the jaundice at home for several days, but his nursing got better, slowly, anyway. Once the jaundice was cleared, he nursed like a champ and began to gain one pound a week until at 12 weeks he weighed 19 pounds!
I can still remember being wheeled out of the hospital, thinking, "are they really going to let me take this baby home?" Some miracles are just that hard to believe.
A few notes of interest:
Gregory was born, of his own choosing, on July 29th, the day that I had decided way back in January would be perfect for my C/S.
There were a couple of things that I’d often said about my own pregnancy (long before I was pregnant)
1) I did not want to be hugely pregnant in August – due August 13th, delivered July 29th.
2) I thought it would be just perfect to be about 7 months pregnant when Greg graduated from LSU – he graduated May 22, 1998 when I was 7 months pregnant.
None of these things were planned by us. But God showed His fingerprints all over this child.
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