Pictures of the disaster ~ not for the faint at heart

For the beginning click here

Last week I spent a day down at ground zero with water and treats for the rescue crews and it really humbles you.

To see ALL this loss in such a short time on day 2 we took the ERV (Emergency Response Vehicle)
Me and my team getting the ERV ready to head out...

The blast on TV the night before

The blast zone where all the fire was coming from And what makes me sick about all of this now is that PG&E KNEW that the pipes were OVER PRESSURIZED before the explosion. That people CALLED them to tell them they smelled gas....
Getting the truck set up with a picture of me when we arrived.. Look at the contrast to us and then EVERYTHING is gone behind the truck?

This was the 2 homes immediately in front of the blast. The big hole is right behind these homes in the middle of the street
I took this picture because it was so ironic the green car is from a "Disaster emergency company" and the logo on the back of the car says "Like it never happened" and contrast to the homes on the street with NOTHING LEFT but the chimneys? I doubt they could live up to that motto in this situation.
I took this picture then asked permission to use it.. This fire fighter was crying while he surveyed the damage... Seeing firemen, and police cry really makes it hard to keep ones composure. I never want to see someone cry because it makes me cry, I have learned that when I see a grown man cry... I sob..

Melted cars
The whole block was gone...
It was so hot the glass melted...
A childs playground
This was the home where a family perished. There were 3 people home at the time, Jacqueline Greig, 44, her 13-year-old daughter Janessa, , and 81-year-old Elizabeth Torres..... The coroner said they did not even know what happened it was so fast.
As a sign of solidarity the fire and police hung this flag across the street from where the family perished where the worst damage was done at Claremont and Glenview..

The news states 7 bodies have been recovered and 53 homes lost. Please pray for these families in the days to come as the recovery process starts...

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The frustrations of moving..

So I got a text from the hubby at about 2pm that he needed a Hawaiian shirt for work tomorrow...

So I head out to the mall and I found one that just happened to be so ugly, well I went to use my Macy's card and it said "Not accepted" the guy explained to me that it was not declined it was just "Not Accepted"

So this morning I call to check it out and spent 40 minutes on the phone verifying EVERY address I have had in the US since we have been here.

And they did it with multiple choices was it A), B), C), D) I have never been so frustrated ever!

Now I am not sure if you are keeping track but we have moved a few times.

Colton, CA
Riverside, CA
Cheyenne, WY
Overland Park, KS
Pacifica, CA

Anyways its all sorted out so I called the electrical people to get our final balance so we can pay it AND THEY NEVER CANCELED IT! SO for the last month we have not been at the address we are still responsible to pay the electric there.

Wonder how that works? Well they contacted the building management to have it put in the buildings name so it would not turn off.. And well seeing how we still had to pay rent for Sept we are "technically" still the tenants.

Its a bunch of bull if you ask me.

Thats life though....

We made it down to the beach (1/2 block away) for the sunset the other day...

Called to action

So I am sure y'all have heard about the huge explosion in San Bruno, CA?

Anyways last night after watching the news till about 12am about all the destroyed homes I hunted down and dusted off my old Red Cross vest.


And headed down to ground zero for the relief efforts to see if they needed me.... And I was put to work gathering all the information from the people that were evacuated the night before...


And I made the news... Yeah I am on the right rubbing shoulders with California's lieutenant governor. (Arnold Schwarzenegger was in China) He was really nice and even posed for pictures after the press conference. I was asked to "Represent the American Red Cross" for the conference.












Hard at work.. That's me on the right...


And Monday I will be with the Red Cross again all day doing whatever they need me to...

Its amazing at the out pouring of help that has come from the community, people have such good hearts.

GET OUT THERE AND VOLUNTEER WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

There is nothing like the feeling of being part of something bigger than you are...

Get everything together

We are getting the house together and its all coming along....

We drove into the hubbys job today so he could sign in and get his blackberry and stuff and this is his drive to work.

Yeah its going to be tough he lives 10 miles from our new place and 7 miles are right along the ocean. Its so beautiful I can not even explain. I find myself at random just stopping and staring out into the ocean. There is something so calming about it...


And my new favorite picture for the minute..

WE ARE HOME!

So we have arrived.. And we are slowing getting our place together…
I tell you what, I will NEVER get sick of the sound of the ocean. It’s amazing how beautiful it is here. Not to brag or rub it in your face buts its AMAZING!
I will start taking pictures soon I promise. The beauty makes me want to capture it all.
The good news is all my clothes fit in the closet….per the husband who has been banished to the guest room closet so I get the BIG one all to myself!
Daisy is adjusting well. She is taking to looking at herself in the mirrors all day.. She did so well on the trip I am so proud of her. She is not liking the sand too much but I am sure she will get used to it.

Now just a few items to take care of.

1. Get a job.

2. Get a job.

800 miles down

Only 1300 more to go.

We have stopped in Cheyenne WY to spend time with friends.

We had to make a change to our plans of taking 10 days to travel because the movers said its only going to take 5 days to get our stuff to CA.

Daisy is doing REALLY well! We are so happy, she LOVES the car and she seems to be herself so we are going to stop worring..

So once our stuff gets there we are going to leave and finish our trip!

I can not wait to get there!!

I found a place!!

I made it to San Francisco with only a few delays....

In Kansas 10 minutes before we were able to board a HUGE thunder and lightning storm passed through. You could not even see the airplanes out of the windows the rain was that hard.

My flight connected in Salt Lake City and I had 15 minutes to spare to make it to my connecting flight. Well I BOUNCED off the plane and ran to the agent meeting the plane

We landed at B4

Yeah my connecting flights was at E76

I ran like crazy, people were grabbing their children and gasping at what I site I was running like a mad man through the airport..

I did not make it.

And this is what I looked like after the mad dash, I am one of those people who works out and goes BEAT red.



Yeah so it was 3 hours till my next flight but the airport had these wonderful little stations

They were little cubicles so you had this little private area with a plug in to do whatever you wanted...It sure made the time go fast..

Saturday I was up super early to start my apt hunt. I promised myself I would not fall in love with the first place I saw and I would be objective, and have an open mind...

Well after 18 apartments (yes it was a VERY busy, exhausting day) I kept going back to the first one I saw. I am SHOCKED at some of the prices and the garbage that people rent out here...

But in my defense did anything else really stand a chance??

(view from the bedroom)
Our front yard
The BEAUTIFUL kitchen....
Off the patio....
So who's coming to visit?

Living out of suitcases

And I am not even upset!! Super excited to head out on this new adventure.

Its so funny how things happen some times.

As of yesterday everything is a go (we were anxiously awaiting approval to have the move paid for) because there is no way we could afford to pay for it on our own.

Its approved, movers are booked and tomorrow

I AM FLYING TO SAN FRANCISCO to find a place to live!! I am so excited! I am a little nervous about being there alone. Hubby needs to stay behind to help hire the 2 people that will be doing his job (figures huh?)

But its exciting. And we bought a GPS so it will be easier for me to find things. The peninsula is not that big so other than wrong turns its like an island so hard to get lost.

I have 5 appointments on Saturday with people looking to rent. I am also meeting with a Realtor to look AT NEW HOMES!! (well not new, new because we are not millionaires )

I have 4 days to find somewhere to live!! Akkk Wish me luck!

Hello VACATION!!!

Sooo it may have come a few days early...

My last day was supposed to be Thursday however I went in for my shift this morning and I had to leave.

When I talked about hanging up my apron strings I was DEAD SERIOUS, this idiot this morning (keeping in mind its my first table of the day) I go over to greet the table this is how it goes.

Me "Good morn....."

Jackass "Coffee, and water and I need a large glass for my water" (there are already water glasses on the table"

So I get back to the table with coffee and water

Jackass "uuhhh geezz can we get some "fresh" coffee..mubble mubble"

Me "Oh the coffee that was poured 2 minutes ago with a pot that has a hold time of 6 hours is not fresh enough for you?"


Annnnddd I hand my apron to my manager and walk out.... Yep.

Done.

3 more days was not worth my sanity. And I do not even feel bad. I mean I was not even supposed to work the last week because I had given my notice 2 months ahead of time but they were so short staffed that I agreed to stay longer...

And Done.

Making complete strangers cry

So being that we are moving and all, I had a HUGE box of stuff that was left over from couponing, stuff that I would not be using in the near future.

Anyways I went back to My new love Craigslist and posted the whole box for $20 there is probably about $150 worth of stuff in there.

So I had a lady call wondering the different prices of everything and I explain its for everything and they had to come get it that night.

She said her husband would be by in about an hour.

Then about 10 minutes later she called me back, and went on to explain to me that she lost her job when she was diagnosed with cancer and they went to apply for assistance but because her husband has a good job with the post office they would not give her assistance and they have twin 12 year olds.

Times are tough and she asked if I was doing any more couponing before we leave if I could keep her and her family in my thoughts and anything would help.

So hubby and I got to talking and I asked him if I should just give her all the food in our fridge and freezer (it has to be cleaned out anyways) and the 3 boxes of dry goods (pastas, sauces, soups ect) that had already been packed. We were worried about offending her so I called her back.

She cried on the phone and said she "knew" God would provide and its in his hands. After her family came to pick everything up (her husband looked stunned as I refused his money) she sent me this text

"I just wanted you to know that even though its not Christmas it felt like Christmas to us. Even my husband broke down and cried as we prayed and thanked you and God for the blessing that was bestowed on us this evening. GOD BLESS you on your trip and if there is anything we could ever do for you please let us know"

We are so blessed in our lives it makes my heart sing to be able to help someone else who is in need.

Craiglist Love Part 2

So I told you about my love for Craiglist

Well it continues

I have been able to pawn off (tee hee) all the stuff we are no longer using with almost no pain.

And the BIGGEST score ever?

Well I was perusing (cause I love it) I found MY DREAM BED!

Really we have been wanting a Sealy Posterpedic King size Memory foam mattress FOREVER, but really the $3000 price tag was a little out of our league.

Well LOVELY craiglist had a posting for $600!!

But I thought eww someone elses mattress...

So I called anyways, turns out this lady works for Dillards and they bought the bed AND IT DID NOT FIT! STILL HAS TAGS ON IT!!

I may have squealed in glee and I offered $300 (gotta try right?) although it was a GREAT deal and I went to check it out and its BRAND friggin new and he countered with $400!!!

Oh and the best part? 20 YEAR WARRANTY!! AND THE RECEIPT TO SEND IN THE WARRANTY!!

Really who's a lucky girl?

AND he is delivering it. For free!

I love you Craiglist **sigh**

Highlights of the 10 day ROAD TRIP!!

Well we wait for our stuff to get to San Francisco we are going to embark on a little road trip!! I am so excited! They told us to ship one of the cars it would take about 17- 20 days so we have opted to drive them ourselves and enjoy the sites!

Daisy LOVES the car we even have to spell C. A. R in the house or she freaks out so there will be lots of this!



First stop is Wyoming.. Where we moved to Kansas from to spend some time with friends


And then a day on the road till we get here




Yes we are FINALLY going to the Grand Canyon!! How cool is that! And they just opened that new glass thing to walk out! So cool!

And then we may stop here for a bit



Or we will drive through it anyways...

And then on to sunny California, the hubbys family is there so we are going to spend a few days..


Hubby and his mom.. there will be lots of hugs for sure!


I am SO EXCITED!! 2 weeks from today and we will be on the road!

Hanging up my apron strings

I think I may give up being a waitress

For good.

I have done it for almost 20 plus years off and on but I think I am done. I LOVE the job, the people (most of the time) but its time.

So fingers crossed I find something great in San Francisco!

I think I want to be a nanny. Seeing how we are not having kids I think it would be so much fun to help raise someone elses?

Does that sound weird?

It would be the best of both worlds, I LOVE kids, LOVE them and I could take care of them all day and then go home to the hubby and Daisy (truly our baby).

Well I am looking at a few options and I just hope I can find something I LOVE!

23 days till the big move!!! I am so excited!!

Don't say I did not warn you..

So I have the DIY bug. Bad. I have a TONNE of projects on the go that I am dying to share but have yet to finish ....

While perusing design blogs I can across this one called Catalog Living they make fun of pictures from design magazines. Some of them are so funny!


Here is a little taste:


Sit on it.....


Gary, I just can’t believe that after months of research that’s the chair you chose.




Out of the closet...



While Gary and Elaine were in the kitchen getting popcorn, the brave yellow sweater attempted its escape.




A twist of something...



Elaine was not amused by Gary’s passive-aggressive response to her request to “garnish the cocktails.”




Go check them out.. But do not say I did not warn you...

Something that I have missed

Y'all know how I am a photographer at heart.

But its so weird, I go through phases, where I LOVE to take a million pictures and I try to find photo opps in everything.

And then I go weeks or a month without "really" taking any pictures?

Does this happen to anyone else?

Where you go crazy for a bit, then take a step back?

I was thinking today and I started perusing photography sites again and I spent about 2 hours just marveling at the beauty in the world.

I also went back to one of my FAV photographers sites.

Herb Ritts

It was his print that made me LOVE photography, I am not sure what it is about this print but I LOVE it. Its so beautiful.

A little emergency surgery to get the blood flowing..

So Tuesday the hubby texts me he is going home sick.

Ok just a little back filler THE MAN NEVER GETS SICK! Serious in 12 years he has barfed 1 time. He does not take anything for a cold, does not even like to take advil for a headache.

I call him to check in and he tells me his belly hurts.

We both chalk it up to gas, or maybe he just has to poop.

I get home from work and he says

"I think we have to go to the hospital"

So the panic starts, but I try to stay calm, so does he. He says he may just try to sleep it off but the pain in his belly is REALLY bad. (I try to think of how strong I was LAST time)

We error on the side of caution (because we are both worried about another ER bill) but we go anyways.

We shimmy into the hospital and are seen RIGHT AWAY, we did not even have a chance to sit in the waiting room.

We get shown into the room and there are 3 nurses there. All doing different things. We wait a little bit (maybe 20 minutes) for the Dr.

He comes in, does his tests and then says its 1 of 3 things.

Kidney Stones
Gall Bladder
Appendix

And off to a ct scan he goes.

Yep appendicitis. They use words like life threatening and emergency surgery.

We wait a couple of hours for the surgery team to get there, 2 anesthesiologist, 4 nurses and one trauma surgeon everyone was on call.

It was VIP service all the way. The hospital WAS AMAZING! Hands down I have NEVER seen service like this.

He is doing great! They insert CO2 gas into the belly and the gas has moved into his shoulder (completely normal) which has caused him lots of pain but each day is getting better...

But I have had this pit/nausea/panic thing that will not go away? Its so weird, its all done, he's ok but I can not shake this anxiety?

Just before they wheeled him away and I cried like a baby...

And in true blogging fashion we took a picture but he will not let me post it.... Well because I promised not to show the world. He looks so cute!

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DAMN YOU HGTV! My first DIY project

I am addicted. So is the hubby.

Its GOOD.

ALL OF IT!

Design on a dime, Income Property, House Virgins, and Bang for your buck and Homes on Homes?.

Yeah its like crack. The hubby and I watch it almost EVERY night.

Well I have been bitten by the bug. The design/DIY bug.

BAD I have about 6 projects on the go.


This was the first "small" thing I decided to try and I was super excited! I found this REALLY beautiful frame however ugly it was... It was brown but the shape was good so I popped out the glass



Used primer! (so important I have learned I will have to show you my HOW NOT to project I had started)

Then while its drying I headed off to the craft store to find fabric. Yes fabric. I saw it on Design on a dime and I thought "I can do that" So I did. I tapped the fabric to the filler thing that was in the frame.


Then I looked at the frame when it was dry and did not like it. Did a little research that took me FOREVER because I fell in love with no less than 90 Design blogs and then I


Sealed it because thats what the design blogs said to do and its beautiful!!


Voila!


What do you think?

(please try to ignore that I did not iron the fabric first I was too excited!)

Craigs List love!

So now we know we are moving. We have quotes from the movers (AKKK so expensive but less than what we both thought) so now we purge.

We had decided to get rid of our couch and love seat because we would BOTH love a new one, We have had it for almost 7 years, its been good to us. And we have been fairly gentle to it too.

Soooo Just testing the waters I posted them to Craigslist (which I heart btw) and within MINUTES I had about 4 emails about it. Within the hour someone committed to buying them (but it fell through but I am not worried)

And we also posted tires that came off the hubbys car last year when he bought fancy smancy rims and new tires.

Those were gone in 1 hour too!

We also have side stands and a coffee table just cheap from Target maybe we spent $60 on them and I posted those as well and I got this email

Hi, my name's Lauren and I'm a student at Emporia State. I'm moving into my first apartment this year and since I'm a pretty poor college student, I'm looking for some inexpensive furniture. I would LOVE your three tables. Are you still asking just $25 for them?
-Lauren

So when her and her dad came to get them SHE LOVED THEM, and went on excited about her first place and college and everything...

So I told her she could have them but she had to do good in school!

Her dad gave me the biggest bear hug and said "You have no idea the lesson you are teaching our daughter right now"