Blurred Vision

Here's what we were able to salvage from the demolished unit: most things in tupperware boxes (lots of sentimental value), the china cabinet (amazingly), dining room table, dishes, kitchen items and bathroom towels. We kept the one tall dresser but there was so much water damage that we're not sure if it'll be usable when the time comes to do so. All other furniture, mattresses, beds and the like had to be thrown out.

Jacob was very upset that his air hockey table didn't make it. He understood though.

I'd put all of my apartment and life into storage and moved in with my folks a few months back as a temporary thing while I got a more permanent job and would be able to move to a permanent residence. There was an F2 tornado here Monday night that ran just blocks from where I am and took a path that went right over the storage unit in Griffith, IN. Thankfully, we'd gotten into the crawl space in just enough time. We're all fine.
 
You may recall that two years ago September, I was living in a basement apartment in Highland, IN. I lost my home and everything to the flood (raw sewage actually). All I have left this time is the clothing that I had here at my parents house. Even my computer (my livelihood) was fried because of the lightening strikes. That's the only item that's covered by insurance. I didn't get insurance on the storage unit because it was just a temporary thing. And really, who expects to lose everything twice in two years? That doesn't happen.. execpt to me apparently.
 
Here are some photos that I took yesterday including some distance and aerial views of the storage area:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kfeno…
 
Here's a video I took yesterday:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gad…
 
Here are pictures from the newspaper (photo 22 of storage area too):
http://www.nwi.com/tabs/multimedia…
 
I'm at a loss for what to do or even say here. I could use some prayers, and good thoughts too. Really fighting anxiety attackage today.

On July 3rd Jacob and I went to a neighboring town's fireworks celebration. That's what the above photos are from. I had no idea he was making that goofy face in the photo of the two of us. I actually took a decent photo and the kid gets goofy. What a nut!

Then yesterday we went to the local festival. Jacob rode rides that he was too scared to ride before. A couple examples are the swings and the tilt-a-whirl. He loved them both so much that he rode them each about 8 times a piece. When we got home, we were so hot that I thought it would be fun to have an impromptu water gun fight. Here's a few photos from that:


This will give you an idea of what it's like inside a bumper car with my munchkin. I held my foot on the gas pedal, he did the steering. Here's the result:


Jaocb rode the the Tilt-a-Whirl for the first time, two times in a row. He really enjoyed the first ride. Here's what he had to say after the 2nd ride.. which my parents showed up during so they were there for this interview.


His first response to me, which I didn't get on film was, "I wanna go home!" When we did leave, not long after this, on the way home he said that this was the best day ever. Loved that. My boy is the best. :)

Things I've Learned This Week
At the Part Time Job

1. Brad Pitt is dirty.
2. G.W. is a drunkard.
3. The plot of Vacancy. (grrr)
4. I look 21.
5. I look almost too young to have my own car.
6. My boss was taught how to poop properly (not by me!).
7. The size, consistency and texture of his previous item.
8. I am heartily disgusted by said boss.

Tune in next week for another addition of "Things I've Learned This Week"!

One year ago today rain poured down from the skies, devouring much of the town that I live in. The water had no where to go after filling the sewers, drainage ditches and other retention areas. Some basements filled with water, others had massive sewage back-up, foundations were split and entire homes were deemed unlivable. So many people's lives were disrupted by this catastrophe; a catastrophe that the government declared an official State of Emergency. Today I share with you my reflections on the this day and these last 12 months.

I was living in a basement apartment on the north side of the town, where the worst of the storm occurred. Eight (plus) inches of rain fell there within a three-hour time frame. When the sewers could no longer handle the water, raw sewage backed up into my apartment. It entered through the bathtub, the toilet, the sink and the kitchen sink. Upon first inspection, there was about eight inches of sewage in the apartment. Later that night the level was about two inches higher, although looking at the water lines on the wall it appeared to have reached about 13 inches or so while we were gone.



My gracious family and I spent a couple of hours that night and the entire next day cleaning out the apartment. Here's what I was left with: a duffel bag of clothing, kitchen table, computer, and dishes in the upper kitchen cabinets. Everything else had to be removed and placed in the dumpster. devastating is one word that I would use to describe how this experience was to me at the time. For three days I felt like I was in a daze. I didn't know how to begin again or what to do next.



I am so very thankful to the Red Cross for their immediate assistance. They gave me a debit card with quite a bit of money to buy clothing, bedding, shoes and food; all of which I was without. In addition to the Red Cross' help, some of my internet friends put out a call for help. Donations came in totaling slightly over $400 which helped in purchasing many of our other necessities. There were lots of clothing donations and gift cards supplied by family, friends and co-workers. I must say that this was a time where I really doubted that any good still existed in this world. I learned that there really are good people out there, in fact there's a number or really great people.

Sometimes it may just have to take a disaster to bring out the good in people or open the eyes of those who are unable to see it.

After about three days of being distraught and confused, I collected myself. I decided that I couldn't keep going on in the manner that I was. Something had to change. What was I missing? That was a question that I asked myself. Besides all of the obvious material possessions, I was missing something more. I hadn't prayed at all during those three days. I didn't turn to God when I really needed him. When this realization came crashing into the forefront of my mind, I stopped what I was doing and gave it all up to the Lord. For me, this was a tremendous change. I felt lighter, as if I could handle all of this finally. If only you could imagine how this internal change made a difference for me.

Approximately 34 days after the flood occurred, I was moving into the apartment that I currently reside. Family, friends and the families of my friends donated every bit of the furniture that I currently have (with the exception to the captain's bed I bought for Jacob and my kitchen table which we saved from the sewage). The apartment I am living in is not a place that I could afford on my own. There's an individual, who prefers to remain anonymous, offered to cover half of my rent for a year. What an amazing and generous offer this was. I gladly accepted and I honestly don't know where I would be without having had this offer extended.

There have been a number of occasions over the past 12 months where I've told people about the flood. Their reactions are generally the same across the board: how terrible, I'm so sorry. Mine is a bit different than that. It's so different to where people will wonder just what plain of existence that I live on. I tell them that I'm thankful that the flood happened. I wouldn't wish for another, that's for sure, but I also wouldn't be the person that I am now were it not for that flood.

I don't have to carry all of my shit (ha!) myself.
There are people out there that rock.
Things are just things.

I pray that over the next 12 months I can learn and grow just as much, if not more. Thank you to all who have been a part of my life, be it in my physical life or otherwise.

I wrote a while back (I think) about having started a new podcast. Yes, this is one that has lasted beyond two episodes. W00t for me! I have so much fun doing this podcast. Some might say I share a bit too much (see Episode 001).  Tomorrow (Wednesday) night we're going to record a podcast covering our favorite television shows. We do it live, so you could actually come and listen to us while we record, chat with other listeners and even request to talk live on the show. That would rock. Maybe you'd be interested in it?

To cover again what this podcast is about.
www.GirlsNightInPodcast.com
We're four girls who get together every other week. We alternate between reviewing a movie and then have a topic discussion of one host's choice. We sprinkle in some other stuff like what we have been listening to on our MP3 players as well as "What If" questions. We really have a lot of fun and would love to have others join us in the fun. I'd love if one of you guys here on my f-list might come check it out. If you can't make it, would you consider calling in or emailing your thoughts on the following stuffs?

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Assignment number 1: TV questions:
1) What are your favorite summer shows?
2) What shows are you looking forward to coming out this fall?
Maggie requests that you leave out the shows that will be coming out after the new year.

Assignment number 2: What If questions:
1) If you were given one hour to spend an unlimited amount of money in any store in the world, what would it be?
2) If you could choose to live on a different planet, which one would you choose?

There are a number of ways that you can give us your feedback. You can send an email to hello@girlsnightinpodcast.com, leave a voicemail on our listener line by dialing 206-666-6418, record an audio file on your computer and include it as an email attachment or show up for the LIVE SHOW on Wednesday, September 5 at 8pm central time.

--

And if you all don't already know, I'm a podcast junkie. There's another podcast out there that I would recommend based on some great conversation and listener interaction. It's called Flick-a-Brac. Darren Blake hosts this show and really involves his listeners, and for me this is the big hook. He talks about movies, genres and some other topics along the way. Check him out if you get the opportunity!
http://flickabrac.blogspot.com

I've come to find out that Kindergarten is much more expensive than I had even imagined. Jacob has been in Kindergarten for a week and a half now and within that time frame I've received seven different requests for money.

"Please just donate $1 or loose change and sign the attached slip with your child's name on it."
Ok, this one isn't too bad. I have loose change.

Market Day: Helping schools with every bite.
I used to love Market Day. I may consider this if I ever have money to spare.

School Spirit Wear
$10/$22/$25, respectively

Scholastic Books
When I was a kid I would beg my parents to order me practically every book from these forms. I may have to get a few for my munchkin.

C is for cookie, it's good enough for me; oh cookie cookie cookie starts with C.
The first fundraiser is upon us! Anyone want to buy cookies, $13/box? I'm takin' orders!

Book Fair Coming Up
It's that time of year again where we all donate money to the teachers via Gift Certificate for books!

Highlights
Get out those markers! No, nevermind, it's those kiddie books. Not buying these either.

At least I have no guilt about what I can and can't do here. I feel sad for the parents who have that social pressure to buy into all of this stuff.

Jacob loves Kindergarten. He says he is going to make more friends with boys this year. "One year I make friends with boys and the next year I make friends with girls. I switch it up mom." I asked him why the only names he's reporting back to me are boys because he usually hits it off with the ladies best.

Today Jacob and I had the opportunity to head a couple hours to the east. My future boss invited us to a cottage on a lake that his family owns. We did a number of things that, let me just say, were totally fun and awesome.




Shortly after we got there we all headed out for a ride on the pontoon boat. Let's preface this with the fact that Jacob only stepped onto a boat for the first time last week when I took him to the Bass Pro Shop. Obviously, that didn't involve water or the wind blowing in his face. Cool but not cool at the same time. Anyways, he was scared to get on the boat because he was worried it would go too fast or he'd drown in some way or another. The child braved his way right onto the boat. He clutched my arm and wrapped it around his shoulder so that he would feel safe. Less than a minute later he was up and walking around the boat as we cruised across the lake. He loved it!

A short time later, the captain of our vessel told Jacob to come over by him. My little man couldn't have been happier when he got to pilot the boat for the rest of the ride. He steered us to-and-fro, around the lake and over as much wake of the other boat's that he could find. He ruled.



After the boat ride ended, I laid on the concrete as he put on his life jacket and swam by the dock. He met an interesting lil bugger while out there playing with a child's casting pole (the kind with the fake fish on the end for a weight). If I can recall the correct type of fish, I believe that it was a Bluegill that followed in his casting weight, thinking it was either lunch or his long lost relative. That was super-cool!



While we were swimming, the host of the cottage pulled a golf cart up to the edge of the dock and told us to have at it. Well, that ended our swimming adventures at least for that moment. Jacob sat in the driver's seat of the golf cart while I sat in the passenger seat. I was scared. Very scared. Thankfully, I was operating the foot pedals, brake and gas (actually engraved in the pedals: STOP and GO). We went tearing around the acre of land that was available to us. I swear that we nearly rolled over three times as well as avoided imminent crashing into a tree or three. Frequently I grasped onto the oh-shit bar that I was so thankful was there. A time or two I needed to grab the boy's hips to ensure he stayed planted on the seat. It was seriously way too much fun. Eventually I had to call it quits because he kept going in tight, fast circles and I was getting motion sick.



Burgers and brats were on the menu for lunch so we took a break there. After we finished our munchies the future boss' wife wanted to go out onto the paddle boat. Jacob and I decided we would accompany her. I was a little disappointed I wasn't going to get a bike ride in today, but this ended up filling it's spot as pedaling like a mad woman (that I am) worked up the sweat and heart rate that biking would have done. Jacob didn't like it too much because the future boss' wife kept making comments about how if we didn't steer well enough we'd end up getting stuck on the sand bar. I had a blast though. We maneuvered 'round and 'round and eventually figured out how to use the little steering pole to get us home.

More crazy golf-carting commenced until I practically fell out of the cart from dizzy-head/motion-sickness. We ended our day of fun by playing some mach-badminton. All-in-all we had a fantastic day which ended with us arriving safely home.

As many of you know who've followed me over the past few years, I've written a lot about the past that has not been too enjoyable. I've decided that I need to start writing again. This won't consist of reflecting on the bad anymore. I believe that I've worked my way through the bad and I'm content with the place that I'm at. Writing as a way of healing has worked wonders. It's time to do some reflection of the past that I really enjoyed.

For the past month I've spent a lot of time talking with a really groovy guy. He's shared a number of memories that even just listening as an outsider made me happy and giddy. I begin to fathom how awesome they must have been to him. During those conversations I have had a rather difficult time thinking about the good and fun stories that I could share. I've written and talked so much about the bad stuff that to me sometimes it seems as though there wasn't much fun; so I don't really have a whole lot to share back with him (unless of course I want to depress him, which I don't).

I know that I have had a lot of fun and there are some really cool memories buried within cavern that is my mind. Now it's time to start taking note of them, giving them the acknowledgment that they deserve. The key here for me will be to step back far enough to thumb through and really focus so that I can take a page and appreciate it. I will not be putting myself on any kind of time table for writing so many things a week or a month, but I do plan on tackling this. I need to do this, not for anyone else but myself, hence this being my journal. Anyone that still reads this, well you just get to come along for the ride.

My username is GoodThingsComin, which obviously is my stand that good things are coming. They really truly are. I can't keep anticipating what's ahead. I need to appreciate what I've had, what I do have and also what's ahead.

On a side, I'm somewhat disturbed by the fact that I'm saddened that I can't recall these things. I've realized that it's my own fault that I haven't made my own good/wholesome memories. I plan to stop letting that little voice in my head stop me from doing things that I know I would enjoy. That voice causes all sorts of fear to rise up and take hold. The only thing I have to fear is fear itself. I'm going to make new memories and do fun things that I know won't be included in the bad list come future reflection.

I will share some pretty nifty things that have happened as of late. First, last week I won a trip on the radio to go to Las Vegas for 3 days and 2 nights. Rawk on! That same day I found out Jacob will be attending full day Kindergarten for free. That's one of the coolest things because full day K here is tuition based at $2,000/year. I've met some really awesome people through a video/chat site that I set up. You can come check it out sometime, because I would love to chat with you. It's at www.goodthingscomin.com where I have a chat applet on the page and 10 video streams that are active only when that person is actually streaming. I'm there streaming much of the time, not necessarily on the weekends though. Lots of folks just come over to text chat through the applet. So, come by and say hi and I'd love to introduce you to some rockin folks.

One of my last updates was that I had lost my job but started my own business from home. My biggest client called me last week and said, "Kim could you come over for about 5 minutes just so we can BS a bit?" It made me a bit nervous, but off I ran. He has been overwhelmed by the amount of business he's gotten since I've been doing all kinds of cool things for him and now he just can't handle everything on his end. He asked me to come work for him full time, completely flexible hours that can be whatever I want provided I get in 40/week and insurance to be included. This is fantastic news. As much as I enjoy working for myself and setting my own hours here, the money hasn't been as steady as I'd like it to be. I recognize that it takes time to build up a client base and market yourself. I have my son to think about taking care of here and having a steady cash flow will really help.

On top of that, a couple weeks ago I took on another part-time job which I'll start next week. I will be working for my mom's boss shampooing hair two days a week. This will be a cash job that will go straight into mah pocket. So, two weeks ago I had one job which I was barely making it with and as of this past week, I now have three jobs. I'm very happy. I'm going to be very busy, but very happy that I'm going to have money again to pay everything on time and might even head out to the theater to see a movie again.

So, today is the start of something new for me. I pray you're all doing absolutely fabulous.