Winter Blahs

Well, after having been able to spend a week in Mississippi aiding in the rebuilding projects, I was indeed spoiled by the nice weather there. Highs were in the 60's each day - in stark contrast to our chilly weather here in Minnesota. I am definitely struggling with this cold stretch, wanting it to be spring weather instead. I am very tired of the cold, the snow, and the usually gray conditions...hopefully it warms up/brightens up soon.

Friday - Final Day

Well, today is our last full day in Mississippi. It has been a great trip, and a very rewarding one as well. Today, Dan, Jamie, Phil, and I finished up with Ms. Sharon's house. Abs got some more painting in before heading to the airport to be with her Grandpa.

Ms. Sharon served us lunch today, to show her appreciation. She made us fried catfish, green beans with bacon, potato salad, and rolls - it was the best fish dish I've ever had!

We will have plenty of stories to share when we are back home. Thanks for your prayers! We're off to dinner at a highly-recommended rib place in Waveland (wish you were here to join us Eric)!

Hurricane Damage

This is a house that sits right behind the Christian Life Center, that is still left abandoned, almost 3 years after the hurricane. It looks like it was once a beautiful home, but it hasn't been touched in awhile and will need plenty of work to get it back to its glory days.

Thursday

Today, Dan, Jamie, Phil, and I worked on the carport again. We are just about finished, with the roofing left to do in the morning, and lunch to enjoy with Ms. Sharon afterwards! I believe Abs was out at the Hot Pink Puppy Farm again today, and maybe doing some window glazing at another job site as well (I haven't heard how her afternoon went yet). I will post plenty of action shots from today, sometime later tonight...I'm off to dinner!

New Orleans

After our day of work, Jamie, Dan, Abby, and I took off for New Orleans! It was about an hours drive from Waveland. I was amazed at the number of bridges we crossed once we got close to the city. We ended up driving right by the Superdome, and got stuck in traffic for last night's Hornets basketball game vs. the Suns. Our goal was to find somewhere fun to eat, as we were all getting very hungry.

After driving around for a bit, trying to follow the direction signs, we stopped at a parking lot to ask the attendant for directions to the French Quarter - it turns out we were only a few blocks from it! Once parked, we had a short walk to the French Quarter. We stopped into one fancy restaurant where there was a 30 minute wait, and after having a beverage in the bar area, we decided to find someplace different. Next, we found a local cigar shop where they rolled their own cigars, so I had to buy one of course! We ended up eating at a place called the "Desire Oyster Bar." Abs had a pork po-boy sandwich, Jamie had a crab legs po-boy, while Dan and I enjoyed some shrimp dishes. Jamie and Abs topped the meal off with some sort of chocolate dessert - it was a great meal!

On our way back to the car, we stopped into a gift shop, where Abs tried on several Mardi Gras masks (and Jamie tried one on too) - pictures forthcoming! Abs really enjoyed the city, while the rest of us found it a bit surreal. Check back later tonight for some pictures of our adventure, as I'm off to breakfast now!

Wednesday

On Wednesday, Dan, Jamie, and I were back at Ms. Sharon's working on her carport. Just about all of the siding is done, and we started the roofing late yesterday afternoon. We will be back there today, hopefully finishing it up (I'll get some pictures of the finished masterpiece). Ms. Sharon is going to be making us lunch on Friday, to show her appreciation - some sort of fish dish - should be amazing!

Abs spent the morning at the Center, but was finally able to go Weds afternoon to a job-site. She, Brenda, and Rico went to the "Hot Pink Puppy Farm" site to prime their interior walls. The house is hot pink, with pit bull puppies, giving it the fitting name! I gave Abs the camera today, so her pictures will be up tonight.

We spent the evening in New Orleans, so check the next post for some details

Tuesday

Today I helped Dan and Phil with the carport/garage. Those are my joist straps and hurricane strips - nice work, huh?! Jamie finished his tool shed roof in the morning and joined us in the afternoon. Abs was at camp again, cleaning in the morning, and finishing the on-site trailer in the afternoon.