Last Days

Work It Girl
Group Shot at Peres House
My Entryway
Joanna and Steph at Daycare Center opening

Sorry for not updating the last two days. Last night, I was so tired that I fell asleep between 9 and 9:30pm. I didn't go out with anyone. Liz dropped me off after work, I showered, walked to get some sushi and then came back. My friends here were going out to the French Quarter to meet friends from their house. It was fine because I was too tired to do anything anyway. Friday nights are usually like that for me.

Thursday was a short day. We left a bit early from the site because we had a bash at Ray's Boom Boom Room. I love that name. Dinner of Jumbalaya, some Pasta dish with shrimp and Chicken wings was provided. It was so good yet now I'm okay if I don't have Lousiana fare for awhile. I definitely got my fill of it! The bash was fun because we got to see folks from our house, but others too. Afterward, Cheri and Chris (the sisters) had an appointment at the tattoo parlor down the street to memorialize their time here -- they both got the fleur de lis tattooed on them. We ended up hanging out there while they did it and then on the sidewalk in front for a long time after. One girl that is building on another house is a doctor and so is her husband. He's a surgeon and he was in town for this Congress of Surgeons thing. Anyway, we got talking and I asked him what his specialty was and it's Colo-Rectal. That led into a very interesting and funny discussion. At least the guy has a sense of humor about it! You really should if you're going to be poking your finger in people's rear ends for the rest of your career!

Yesterday was long and tiring. I think we women were all spent. Some people were getting on each other's nerves. Thankfully, I wasn't involved in any of it. The day started off in the master bathroom closet AGAIN. April and Liz were going to help, but April got frustrated due to not being able to persuade us to see her point of view. Then Liz left and I was left to do the finishing up with a newbie who had never done drywall before. So, I was able to be a drywall instructor! Yee ha.

At lunch, we all went over to a daycare center's grand opening. I have photos posted on Flickr. These kids were so adorable. They had uniforms at this place and they were really nice. The homeowners made us authentic New Orleans food and it was delicious. I tried a Muffaletta and it was alright. I even tried some hogshead cheese on cracker. It wasn't as awful as it sounds.

I was about in tears when I thought I would never finish the bathroom drywall, but I did! I was so thankful that I could feel some sort of accomplishment there - to see the fruit of my labor for real! I know the next team will do the next phase and the house will be well on its way to getting done. I think maybe just a couple more weeks! I am posting a photo of Melissa Peres and her son Logan so you can see who this work is benefitting. I got to speak to them for awhile yesterday and it was interesting to hear the story of how they evacuated. The whole family left together. At one point, 34 people were in one place. Can you imagine?

Melissa Peres and Logan

Anyway, this week has been so much fun and I have felt so empowered and useful. I can't wait to get back to Charlotte and start volunteering with Habitat on the weekends. I'm also mentally thinking of when I can come down to St. Bernard Parish next. Any takers????