Just Checking in...

[Linda L]

Hi all,
I pop in now and then to try to read the latest, but unfortunately I haven't had a chance to do much carving in the past few months. I've had some serious health issues, then we got hit with the flooding here in Washington State. I caught a post with someone asking if I was OK, so I wanted to let you all know I am!

We did have flooding at our beach house. 6" of mud flooded the garage/workshop, and the entire yard is covered with 4"-8' of silty (concrete) mud. Had to get equipment and cans off the floor, they were beginning to rust. We are right on Highway 101 (main highway up and down the west coats) and a creek across the street decided to flash flood and made a new channel---right down our driveway!

Lots of clean-up to do and with poor health, not an easy task. Also a stubborn husband who won't ask for help! Unfriendly neighbors (new) who could give a rat's A** about neighbors, so we are pretty much on our own. (Don't believe everything you read about good samaritans---they are out there and wonderful, but few and far between which was quite a shock.) UnHappy I made a point to check my neighbors places, even sent pictures to assure them their properties were no where near as bad as ours, and when they came out they didn't even stop to check on us. They are tech people with money to burn, and their answer to everything is to hire someone to do the work. We are retired, I'm disabled, and we can't go that route.

Calling the county emergency services to try to get them out to re-route the creek had been hopeless. We are caught between jurisdictions---Live in the County, but a State Highway problem. Head Bange As long as I had a river flowing under the mobile home there was no point in trying to start clean-up. Biggest concern was the longer the water flowed, the more likelihood we'd lose the place. They finally got out this week and put a temporary re-route in, so it will be back out to do some more shoveling/clean-up this week. Ho Ho Ho!!! Don't even ask about FEMA---Katrina all over again. Our County has had 2 deaths, but has not been declared a disaster area for personal help, only state help. Two counties have---the ones you see on the news.

Anyway, still here, still kickin' and hoping to get back to carving soon. Still trying to connect to Marc Gargac to purchase his CD on woodspirits, but he's a hard man to pin down, LOL!

I'll be back to bug everyone with questions soon, I feel like I am back at square one and having to learn all over again, so will probably have lots of questions---again!!!!!

Linda LSnorkel
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[gene-messer]

Linda .. Iam so sorry for your serious problems at the moment .. I remember after Hurricane Rita down here ... It was horrible .. The clean up was for months ..

Iam so sorry for your health and I will pray for help in some way that God will provide some kind souls to help with the clean up ..

I wish I was near enough to lend a hand .. because our neighborhood all pitched in and helped after the hurricane .. I have been through that for sure ..

We always realize how fortunate we are when we hear of others troubles ..

God Bless you and your husband in this difficult time and please take care of yourself ..

Gene

[Al_Hillis]

Linda, I too am sorry to hear the hard times you are going thru, wish I was closer to help you out, please take it slow and things will work out.

Al

[Eddy-Smiles]

Linda...
We feel your frustration and pray that things work out for you. There are a large percentage of us forum members out there that are, or would be in the same boat if something happened to their home.... too many health issues, too old...too tired...too broke! If thoughts count, we're with you all the way! God's speed!

[cats pa]

Linda, where you at on 101? I'm in Joyce in Clallam county, on Hwy 112, but I drive 101 every day. We got big wind, then flooding, but I've got the place pretty well drained...

Parker

[Marci MN]

Hi Linda!

I'm so sorry to hear of your troubles. If I didnt live half a nation away I'd be there with shovel over the shoulder and barn boots on!

I'm happy to hear your safe and sound and feeling like you may start to carve again. Carving is a good stress relief.. just take it one day at a time.

As for stubborn Husband.. let him know that asking for help may bring on some really good lifetime friends too.. one never knows where they hide at.

Marcia.

[Banjo]

Hi Linda! I'm so sorry to hear about your troubles. I hope things get better for you and your husband real soon. Sending lots of white light and positive vibes your way......

[Linda L]

Thanks so much for all the positive thoughts sent my way, they mean a lot---seriously. I'm in the process of rebuilding my faith in people, it took a pretty hard hit. Should have remembered that carvers are God's gift to the world. Never met one who didn't step up to the plate---even without being asked.

We have had several offers to help, mostly from family, but my dear hubby is the description of "set in his ways." all I can do is pray he will be safe and be there to try to make him take breaks.

The good news is they finally got the creek back into it's place (in a temporary way, it could still be a problem unless they get out with a permanent fix). There is no longer a river flowing though our property and now it's just a matter of clean-up. Kind of hard to do in some things. Things you don't think about. My hubby is a "jack of all trades" and can make/do just about anything. Consequently he has a lot of tools and equipment. The garage where they are stored flooded, just a few inches, but mud and silt remain. The table tools and big equipment as well as paint cans, gas cans, etc. were sitting in water and will/are beginning to rust. We haven't had a warm sunny day yet to be able to dry things out. He's taken everything out and dried them off, but the garage is unheated, so the moisture is still an issue. Will be OK though, just need some sun!

Parker you must have had quite a time travelling Hwy 101. There were 7 mudslides over the road within a quarter mile of us to the south (our normal way to get there, we live in Lakewood, and many more to the north---we couldn't even get to the place for almost a week. We are 1 1/2 miles north of Hoodsport---look for the large boat lift/boom! It seems to be the local "landmark." It used to be painted bright orange until I climbed it about 6 years ago and painted it blue---got lots of complaints from neighbors, LOL! It's 35 feet high, so an easy landmark from the water or highway to give directions from!

Been through Joyce many times on our trips into the Olympics. sounds like we have a few new members or I just didn't realize there was anyone else in my neck of the woods!

Thanks again everyone, back as soon as life settles back to just chaos!!!

Linda