Last Day in Biloxi

Jan and Joseph in kitchen at Camp Biloxi
Jan from Georgia made Camp Biloxi even brighter this year
The sun was too bright for H and I
The Illinois group, H is second from left and Chris(Camp Biloxi staff member) second from right

This was our last day in Biloxi, H and I are both tired even though we quit early today. This morning part of the Illinois group were with us to move LV Lewis and Mary's things into PODS, they will be staying with family while their house is rehabbed. We then went to a house to finish removing insulation, masks and goggles very necessary. Even with them I had to keep going outside to breathe. Chris had been working on it earlier so we really didn't have much left. We were done by noon.

We spent the afternoon getting things ready to leave early in AM.

California Dreamin'.

Beautiful Day

Lewis by his Live Oak tree
Marv, H, Merv,Mary, and Lewis
Mary and Lewis in their home
Judy, director of the free clinic
Ann cooking at Bethel
Gretchen working in the free clinic

Today started out foggy but the sun came out and it was about 70 degrees. I worked at the clinic in the AM, but the doctor left so I went to the house where H was packing furniture to move into PODS. Marv and Merv were there doing electrical work there and several other homes. The home belongs to Mary and Lewis, the home had water damage from roof leaking during Katrina. They will move in with family until there home is gutted and redone. They hope to be in by March. I hope that happens.

Puzzle Done

Jigsaw puzzle completed
Marsha(Illinois) at the clinic

Today the jigsaw puzzle that some of our group worked on when they were here was finally completed. Marv and Merv put the last 2 pieces in just before dinner. Actually the group from Illinois finished most of it.

H has been playing Tripoli with Illinois, but tonight he wants to play Euchre. Another late night.

Today when I took my lunch break from the clinic, I went to Walmart and picked up a playpen for Hobbes. We have tried everything, even sedating him a little, but he still wants us to get up to feed him in the middle of the night. He literally jumps on me if I don't pay any attention to him. I have tried feeding him an extra dish of soft food just before we go to bed, but doesn't help. He won't eat the dry food unless I mix it in the soft. He also loves going outside on the leash. He meets us at the door when we return from working and purrs when we put the harness on. Who new you could teach an old cat "some" new tricks.

Big Day

Today I worked at the free clinic at Bethel Lutheran. We never know if there will be a doctor or if there will be nurses. Today there were 3 student nurses, 2 RN's, 1 LPN, and 2 Docs. Good thing we had that much help, as 41 patients showed up. That is a lot for any practice. Since all this is volunteer help, it is pretty amazing. We have donated medications and supplies, and we give medications if possible. If the doctor wants them to have something that we do not have, we try to make it something they can get for $4.oo or if they qualify, they may be able to get it thru a pharmacy set up down here for low income residents. The clinic has many referral areas to counselors, food pantries, low cost clinics so patients can have a regular family physician, immunization clinics, and more. Anyone who wants to assist in this type of volunteerism can phone the Bethel Lutheran Church in Biloxi, MS at 228-267-0008 and ask for Judy Jones. Needed physicians, nurses(do not need to have Mississippi license as can do intakes), social workers, data entry persons. Many people do not know about this need here in Biloxi, but please , pass this on to your internet friends, never know someone may know someone else who would love to come here to help. It is so rewarding, people here are so appreciative of our assistance. Please pass this on to others.

Beginning of work week

Daughter of homeowner(Willie)
Willie and 3 volunteers from Illinois
H and Willie

We worked in Forest Heights again today, on a house that our group worked in the first 3 days of last week. Forest Heights has 40 houses that Lutheran Disaster Relief is supposed to have done by March, 2008. Not likely to happen unless more volunteers come down to help. If anyone is interested in helping here in Biloxi, please call Camp Biloxi 228-297-2536. We made lots of progress today, all the walls are painted, all the trim that is up (windows and closet door frames) is painted, the electricians did lots of wiring, and put up 3 ceiling fans(they have 3 more to go). H did all the odd jobs to keep everyone moving. The tilers will be there tomorrow, we hope. After they are done the place will still need baseboards, trim around the doors, cupboards, and plumbing. But, every day you can see a big change. I mainly painted today, but I needed to sit down for a while, I put ceiling fans together for the electricians.

We had 4 inches of rain in Camp Biloxi yesterday. It was hazy this AM, but then the sun came out later AM. Beautiful day.

Tomorrow I will be back in the free clinic, not nearly as physical as what I have been doing.

Rain and More Rain

Sunday AM was very hazy, cloudy , and dreary. After church we went to the mall to find me some jeans. I got paint on one pair which left me with only one other pair. It started raining while we were in the mall. Today has been really slow paced.

We met some of the new people coming in today from Illinois. We will probably be working with them this week. Sounds like we will be going back to some of the same houses we worked in last week.

I think that I will be an expert trim painter by the time we leave. H does a multitude of things, from sanding to placing vanities, mirrors, shutters, and wherever he is needed. Only pray that we can accomplish even more this week.

SATURDAY

Sign on a Baptist church "Those who are thankful for little, enjoy much."