September 3rd, 2010
12:12 a.m.
You know times when you really hope that special powers don't really exist and there aren't true mind readers anywhere out there?? Knowing that if anyone heard your true thoughts you would be SO embarrassed? Yeah that was me for the past 12 hours. We recieved word from National to take our ERV back to the Smithfield Chapter and not to worry about unloading and for us to keep all the supplies for our use. As we are about to pull into the parking lot we recieve a phone call saying that we need to bring the ERV back to the initial check point where we left from in Raleigh. So seeing as how we didn't want anyone to get in trouble for a mix up, we called one of the higher ups and asked them what we needed to do. He gave us the same answer; take the truck back to Raleigh and unload. Now don't get me wrong, the ERV truly is a big vehicle...in the back! I had felt so cramped up from all day that I was just ready to get out and lay down. Well, it was getting about time for some food so we decided to grab a bite before we dropped the supplies off that way we could come straight home after the check off and be done for the day. When we arrive at the drop off, they look at what we have and say, "No, why don't you just take all those things back with you. We have plenty here and you could probably use them at your Chapter. Don't unload anything, just get inspected and go home." Are you kidding me?? We just had to drive an extra 45 minutes to get to Raleigh when we were already home!!! The inspection took roughly 30-45 minutes and then we got back on the road only to find that Highway 40 was at a complete stand still. Awesome. Luckily, Tay Tay knew some back roads and we were able to exit right off of 40 and take a different route home. After unloading our things from the ERV we were about halfway home when Tay realized he had left his wallet sitting in the dashboard of the ERV. The fun never ends. Thankfully he is kind enough to drop me off at home before he heads back to grab his wallet and head to his house. I quickly came inside and got settled back in and was thrilled to get my hands on my 9 week old niece. She can always make a horribly stressful day all better with a simple smile.
Now I am home, safe and sound, as well as Taylor. Hopefully tomorrow will bring only smiles and we can attempt to have a stress free day. Is that too ambitious? Ohh that's alright. I strive for the unattainable. Makes life interesting. You never know how much you can truly do and achieve until you push yourself to the limits!
Until disaster strikes again,
-La La
Friday, September 3, 2010
Coming Home
September 3rd, 2010
2:31 p.m.
Well, one thing led to another and now we are headed back to Johnston County! Hurricane Earl came through this morning but the effects weren't nearly as bad as we were expecting them to be! The sun is out in Elizabeth City and you can barely tell it rained as we travel down Highway 17. We recieved only 2 notices of property damage and even those weren't very extensive from what we hear.
Over all, this trip still wasn't a waste. We were able to meet other Red Cross teams from both Georgia and South Carolina. They were wonderful and we surely had a great time. This just makes for one more memory to pack away and reflect back on when I am in need of a smile.
According to the GPS we are scheduled to be back at the Smithfield Chapter around 5:14 p.m. That is of course with no mishaps like our trip here! We are hoping for a safe and quick trip home.
-La La
2:31 p.m.
Well, one thing led to another and now we are headed back to Johnston County! Hurricane Earl came through this morning but the effects weren't nearly as bad as we were expecting them to be! The sun is out in Elizabeth City and you can barely tell it rained as we travel down Highway 17. We recieved only 2 notices of property damage and even those weren't very extensive from what we hear.
Over all, this trip still wasn't a waste. We were able to meet other Red Cross teams from both Georgia and South Carolina. They were wonderful and we surely had a great time. This just makes for one more memory to pack away and reflect back on when I am in need of a smile.
According to the GPS we are scheduled to be back at the Smithfield Chapter around 5:14 p.m. That is of course with no mishaps like our trip here! We are hoping for a safe and quick trip home.
-La La
Thursday, September 2, 2010
ARC Earl Update 2
September 2
9:40 p.m.
"Ahhhhh..." A sigh of relief as we finally can set our minds at ease that we have a confirmed place to lay our head tonight. Was I worried? Nahh, my head would have ended up laying somewhere, I just think this option was the more comfortable way out!
After we got our bags in and settled into our rooms we were able to go out and get some dinner. After we devoured our yummy food at Andy's, me and my partner in crime made our way to the always amazing Walmart. There we picked up a few odds and ends to make sure we were covered for the night. But you know how you always go into Walmart with a certain list of things that you need to buy knowing that it shouldn't take you no longer than 10 minutes, and then no matter if you are 2, 20 or 40 something ALWAYS catches you eye and your 10 minute trip suddenly turns into an hour and a half trip? Yeah that was the case tonight as well. Once we finally pulled ourselves away from the vast amount of goodies Walmart had to tempt us with we decide to take the ERV and top it off with gas. Again, who knew that could be so difficult? I mean you need access numbers and mileage, and all sorts of things that you basically need a secretary to keep up with for you. But no, all Tay had for help was me. Needless to say I didn't do such a great job considering it took us almost 30 minutes to pump half a tank of gas!
After all of the stress we caused ourselves, we were VERY happy to make it back to the shelter where we immediately made our way to our beds and got comfy. You would be amazed at how much a small room inside a church can feel like home when you are so stressed and exhausted. I am thankful for the roof over my head tonight and the people I have surrounded myself with. This will truly be a trip to remember!
-La La
9:40 p.m.
"Ahhhhh..." A sigh of relief as we finally can set our minds at ease that we have a confirmed place to lay our head tonight. Was I worried? Nahh, my head would have ended up laying somewhere, I just think this option was the more comfortable way out!
After we got our bags in and settled into our rooms we were able to go out and get some dinner. After we devoured our yummy food at Andy's, me and my partner in crime made our way to the always amazing Walmart. There we picked up a few odds and ends to make sure we were covered for the night. But you know how you always go into Walmart with a certain list of things that you need to buy knowing that it shouldn't take you no longer than 10 minutes, and then no matter if you are 2, 20 or 40 something ALWAYS catches you eye and your 10 minute trip suddenly turns into an hour and a half trip? Yeah that was the case tonight as well. Once we finally pulled ourselves away from the vast amount of goodies Walmart had to tempt us with we decide to take the ERV and top it off with gas. Again, who knew that could be so difficult? I mean you need access numbers and mileage, and all sorts of things that you basically need a secretary to keep up with for you. But no, all Tay had for help was me. Needless to say I didn't do such a great job considering it took us almost 30 minutes to pump half a tank of gas!
After all of the stress we caused ourselves, we were VERY happy to make it back to the shelter where we immediately made our way to our beds and got comfy. You would be amazed at how much a small room inside a church can feel like home when you are so stressed and exhausted. I am thankful for the roof over my head tonight and the people I have surrounded myself with. This will truly be a trip to remember!
-La La
ARC Earl Update 1
Hurricane Earl
Update 1
September 2, 2010
3:23 p.m.
It has been an interesting and trying few hours. We woke up about 5 a.m. and loaded the truck to pick up the ERV in Smithfield, NC to take it to Raleigh, NC for initial check in and inspection. One thing led to another and we ended up having to do an additional inspection of ERV 1168 so the inspector could pass the truck and get us on our way. This was only the start of the mishaps. We made a stop and attained some completely unhealthy food and soda and began the almost 4 hour drive to Elizabeth City, NC. I was able to sneak in a nap while my wonderful driver, Tay Tay got us a little past Pasqutant County where we stopped and ate even more unhealthy food at Pizza Hut. I have to admit, we could have had worse even though Apple Dessert Pizza is always a must! Apple is healthy though, right?
After our lunch break we finished the drive to Elizabeth City, only to find that the Red Cross chapter had relocated to a new location (Mishap number 2). After finally arriving at our destination we were able to check in and meet the other volunteers from South Carolina and Georgia. We currently have 6 ERVs all together. One great thing I have already learned in my few months of being a Red Cross Volunteer is that you get to meet some of the most amazing and friendly people from all over. It makes for a great experience and I personally never pass up an opportunity to meet someone I can potentially learn something from.
Now on to Mishap number 3. After our arrival we were able to atleast let our bodies rest while our minds were churning from all the possibilities and talk of what could possibly happen. One option we are looking at is possibly back tracking about 50 miles away from the Coast because the weather could potentially get a lot worse than what was originally expected. Another option is that we wait it out and just see what happens. I’m personally not too sure how well that one will work out. We are now stuck in limbo trying to see what will happen to us within the new few hours. Hopefully the hurricane will not push us back to where we just came from, but that is always a risk we take. Weather is truly unpredictable and I am more than happy to stay out of the wrath of the path that it chooses to take.
Finally our 4th Mishap (and surely not our last). I’m not sure if you would consider this more of a mishap rather than a lack of being prepared, but we currently have no where to sleep. Many options are being thrown around. We will possibly be getting hotel rooms which would be my choice if I had any, but I do what the boss man tells me to! Other options are to put up cots and stay here at the Chapter or even go to one of the Shelters that were opened for the evacuees. The unknown is not a friend of mine and it sure is giving me a headache having so much to think about and process, but I guess this is just all part of the Disaster Relief process. You never know what you are getting into until you are in it! Either way I will stay open minded and accept anything that is thrown my way.
For now we sit and wait, or atleast I will be. My partner in crime, Tay Tay is curled up on a couch getting some sleep. I guess it’s his turn to sleep since I took mine on the drive here! I will continuously be keeping a check on the weather outside and seeing when things start to get ugly. Hopefully it will not get too rough, but we will handle anything that is brought to us.
-La La
Update 1
September 2, 2010
3:23 p.m.
It has been an interesting and trying few hours. We woke up about 5 a.m. and loaded the truck to pick up the ERV in Smithfield, NC to take it to Raleigh, NC for initial check in and inspection. One thing led to another and we ended up having to do an additional inspection of ERV 1168 so the inspector could pass the truck and get us on our way. This was only the start of the mishaps. We made a stop and attained some completely unhealthy food and soda and began the almost 4 hour drive to Elizabeth City, NC. I was able to sneak in a nap while my wonderful driver, Tay Tay got us a little past Pasqutant County where we stopped and ate even more unhealthy food at Pizza Hut. I have to admit, we could have had worse even though Apple Dessert Pizza is always a must! Apple is healthy though, right?
After our lunch break we finished the drive to Elizabeth City, only to find that the Red Cross chapter had relocated to a new location (Mishap number 2). After finally arriving at our destination we were able to check in and meet the other volunteers from South Carolina and Georgia. We currently have 6 ERVs all together. One great thing I have already learned in my few months of being a Red Cross Volunteer is that you get to meet some of the most amazing and friendly people from all over. It makes for a great experience and I personally never pass up an opportunity to meet someone I can potentially learn something from.
Now on to Mishap number 3. After our arrival we were able to atleast let our bodies rest while our minds were churning from all the possibilities and talk of what could possibly happen. One option we are looking at is possibly back tracking about 50 miles away from the Coast because the weather could potentially get a lot worse than what was originally expected. Another option is that we wait it out and just see what happens. I’m personally not too sure how well that one will work out. We are now stuck in limbo trying to see what will happen to us within the new few hours. Hopefully the hurricane will not push us back to where we just came from, but that is always a risk we take. Weather is truly unpredictable and I am more than happy to stay out of the wrath of the path that it chooses to take.
Finally our 4th Mishap (and surely not our last). I’m not sure if you would consider this more of a mishap rather than a lack of being prepared, but we currently have no where to sleep. Many options are being thrown around. We will possibly be getting hotel rooms which would be my choice if I had any, but I do what the boss man tells me to! Other options are to put up cots and stay here at the Chapter or even go to one of the Shelters that were opened for the evacuees. The unknown is not a friend of mine and it sure is giving me a headache having so much to think about and process, but I guess this is just all part of the Disaster Relief process. You never know what you are getting into until you are in it! Either way I will stay open minded and accept anything that is thrown my way.
For now we sit and wait, or atleast I will be. My partner in crime, Tay Tay is curled up on a couch getting some sleep. I guess it’s his turn to sleep since I took mine on the drive here! I will continuously be keeping a check on the weather outside and seeing when things start to get ugly. Hopefully it will not get too rough, but we will handle anything that is brought to us.
-La La
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