3/11 Another great one

We went through Alabama into Florida. Went to Pensacola Beach and it was absolutely beautiful. Eric took so many great photos, and I can't wait until he posts them on his website.

Tomorrow we're going to New Orleans again. Right now I am super-tired so will hit the sack. Am looking forward to another fun-filled day tomorrow.

2/18 Home again

Yesterday it rained most of the day. The wind blew and we had tornado watches all day until 8 PM. But we had a short period of time when it was nice, so we walked along the beach and picked up shells for Genia.

The rest of the day we played cards, read, slept, and ate. All in all a perfect day. Yeah. I needed relaxation, and yesterday filled the bill.

We left Florida around 9 AM because I wanted to be at work by noon or so.

It was a near-perfect weekend. I'm so grateful to Caroline and her aunt. What a beautiful home, and Aunt Webbie is a beautiful lady.

But I'm glad to be home, with doggies all over me. It feels good.

Pictures later.

2/16 Florida notes

Arrived yesterday afternoon to Navarre Beach, where Caroline's aunt lives. Before going to her home, we stopped to eat at Sailors' Grill. Unfortunately the driver of our vehicle turned too quickly, and instead of going into the parking lot, drove into the sand. Even though it was an SUV we couldn't get out of the sand, and in fact kept digging in deeper. We decided to leave the car there and see if someone in the restaurant could help us.

We ordered our food and drinks, and noticed a handsome man sitting at the table next to us. One of us asked him if he could help. He said yes right away. Caroline and I went outside with him, and two young men stopped by just as we were trying to decide how his truck should pull us out. They helped the other guy (retired Air Force guy named Bob), and in just a few moments we were on solid ground. We were extremely grateful that it was so easily done, and we promised ourselves we'd be a lot more careful in the future.

We then arrived at Aunt Webbie's, and I was (and still am) flabbergasted at the beauty of her home. First of all it's right on the beach and it's absolutely gorgeous. Aunt Webbie is 94 so she stays on the first floor in a really nice bedroom with an en suite bathroom. Upstairs is the real master bedroom, but they turned it into a dorm for all the visitors they get. So Genia, Caroline, and I are sleeping in twin beds in the master bedroom. It's got a HUGE deck overlooking the Gulf, and the biggest bathroom I've ever seen. Can't even begin to describe it, but it is ultra cool. There's another bedroom upstairs with two double beds in it, and another private bathroom.

Everything is tastefully decorated with a definite beach theme throughout. Aunt Webbie is delightful and so bright and "with it." A lot of fun, and very gracious. We all had cocktails together, and after she went to bed the three of us played spades. Genia won every game. (I hate her. Hate her.)

Tomorrow I'll post about today and another driving faux pas. Hilarious. And later tonight, I'm going to whup Genia's butt in spades. My turn to win. Yes, it is.

2/16 Happy birthday, Quincy!

Yep, Quincy is one year old today. Can't believe how time has flown. I'll post pictures of her once I get back home.

Later I'll try to post about our wonderful trip here in Florida. Can't even begin to describe the GORGEOUS home we're staying in--right on the beach.

By the way, go to http://www.wlox.com and go to "More News and Videos" or something like that. Then click on Krystal Allen reports on Donald Powell's visit to South Mississippi. It's not too long, and I'm interviewed. Tried putting the link here but can't do it.

2/19 Going home tomorrow

Yep, found out this afternoon that I'm going home tomorrow. Am thrilled, because I have so much to do to prepare for my move to Biloxi next week. Wow, it's happening so fast.

Will write more about this Red Cross Florida experience when I get back to Rob and Beata's house tomorrow night.

2/17 Time goes by

Today we closed the service center in Lady Lake. I'm off tomorrow and Monday will work again at the temporary HQ in Daytona Beach. My hotel there is on the beach. It will be great to see the ocean--haven't seen it yet this trip. The Daytona 500 is going on tomorrow so Daytona Beach should be an absolute zoo.

Today, on the way back from work I stopped for lunch and as I finished a couple stopped me and said they just wanted to thank me for all the Red Cross has done down here. They were obviously fairly well off, but lost most of their house and furnishings. Yet they said they can't complain. They had insurance, but many of the people didn't. Plus there were 20 deaths, and they weren't even injured.

I walked away from the restaurant feeling really good.

2/16 I said YES

Just got in and am way too tired to post. But I called Austin and said YES! Will post details tomorrow. It should be a short day at the disaster mill.

2/14 Another busy day

The only reason I knew it was Valentine's Day was because some people had flowers delivered, and we also had candy all over the place. I ate way too many chocolates.

Looks like the service center might close this weekend. Our work is drawing to a close in this area. When that happens I'll drive back to HQ in Daytona Beach. I hope it's after Sunday--the Daytona 500 is making traffic crazy over there. Makes me glad I'm further west.

Even though I'm told things are winding down, we were sure busy today. Clients are still coming in to see us...some of them for the first time. Others were having problems still, and came back to talk about them.

Tonight I picked up my dinner from the hotel restaurant and will settle in for the night and watch American Idol. Then beddy-bye.

2/13 Very relaxed

I went to Bob Evans for a very late breakfast, then to Barnes and Noble where I picked up several paperbacks for the road. Then to the mall where I got a horrible haircut. The thunderstorms were supposed to start by 2 PM so I came back to the hotel. Turned on the TV and promptly fell asleep until 4:30. Woke up and the storms had passed. Nice way to spend a storm, I guess.

Spoke to Pete who took my place for today. He sounded very busy and even a little frazzled, so I'll wait until tomorrow for details. Met a nurse at dinner tonight who said three of her comrades were sent home today. Sounds like things are winding down a bit.

I got plenty of rest so am really looking forward to going back to work tomorrow.

2/13 I'm free

...just for the day. Will go back to work tomorrow.

Slept from 10-7:30. Feel decadent. After my shower and a very late breakfast (brunch) I'll go to the mall for a while. I hear there's a big bookstore. :)

Then after "lupper" at Cracker Barrel or another gourmet restaurant I'll come back here for some computer games.

Yes, my life is exciting and I know you envy the fun I'll have today.

Some people go to Orlando on their day off. I just want to sleep; and am forcing myself to get cleaned up and out of the room. :)

More later.

2/12 More tomorrow

I'll write more tomorrow since I have a day off. Right now I'm just beat. The work continues, people are being well-served, and overall I feel so good ab out what we are accomplishing.

2/11 Still tired

Just got home and ordered dinner from an Italian place. I really don't care what it is, as long as there's no meat in it. Am that tired. Love to all.

2/11 Up early

Today I don't have to leave the motel until 11 AM; we've been given a half day off since it's Sunday. Everyone is supposed to get one full day after working seven days, so I'm making sure my folks are getting a full day in addition to this one. I'll take a day when I can.

Instead of sleeping late I got up at 5:30 to do my laundry. There are only two washing machines and I knew they'd be busy. Now my laundry is done and I can relax for a while.

Anyway, someone in my writing group asked me for details about what I do here, so thought I'dc post the answers here.

Here's are my functions:

1. Coordinate disaster mental health services--sending out mental health workers with Outreach Teams. Teams consist of two client caseworkers (people who determine financial need, based only on this disaster, not previous need), a health services worker (nurse or EMT), and mental health person (at least a master's degree and license to practice independently). Normally you can only practice in the state in which you are licensed, but when the president declares a state of emergency that rule is waived.

2. Assess need--all of our outreach people do this, but when a client comes into the service center I do this as well. We try to have another MH person with me so I can do the managerial stuff, but yesterday everyone was out all day. So I was able to interact with clients. It's a privilege.

3. Assist volunteers and paid staff--it's a stressful job and sometimes people need to go home. We help evaluate volunteers and staff and ensure they are doing okay. When people are due to rotate out we also speak to them to make sure they'll be able to re-integrate into their community. Sometimes we see horrific things and need to be debriefed, just like cops and firefighters.

4. Respond to emergencies--we do "hot shot" calls when we hear of emergent needs. These happen fairly often, and a mental health worker and health services person usually respond together.

5. Compile reports--the Red Cross strives to be a transparent organization, one that has no secrets. After the Gulf storms of 2005, which caught all agencies unaware, the RC has put in many safeguards. So I have to do tons of reporting. Not a bad thing, and certainly important, but I'd rather work with folks.

I do love the job I have though. Other than being tired, I could do this all the time. The people in this area are so grateful and so kind to us.

2/10 Stopped by a cop

I have a 30 mile drive to the service center. Today a cop stopped me. I was nervous, knowing how I usually speed. But luckily he stopped me to tell me my brake light was out. No ticket. Whew. Tonight on the way home from work I stopped at an Auto Zone and said, "I need a hero." This nice guy said he was one. Actually it was cute. He made muscles in his arms and jumped up like a super-hero. Really great guy and I appreciated it so much.

Today was the busiest day ever. But I feel so good. I was able to help so many people affected by the tornadoes and also talked to several staff who were feeling the strain. It was a really good day.

Got home and called Rob, then called Jill. Got to talk to Kayla and Hunter too, so my day is made. But the best news ever is that my roommate moved somewhere else. Although she was nice, I have a room to myself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2/9 A good day

Today was my first day at the service center. Lots of nice people doing lots of good work. I know I'll enjoy my time there. The woman I'm replacing took me on a tour of the affected areas. It's funny how different it looks from the aftermath of a hurricane. But thousands of homes were destroyed---yet you can see where the tornado jumped or how it arbitrarily hit one million dollar home and left the neighbor untouched. This time we saw so many wealthy people displaced. The difference is that they have resources and insurance. The trauma remains, and money alone can't fix that.

I did an intervention with a dog today. A guy in a wheelchair was coming out of his house and his dog snuck around him and took off down the street. A big dog. I sweet talked him into coming my way (the dog, not the man). Then I "dog-whispered" him into going back into the house. Felt good.

2/8 A brief respite....

I'm driving from Daytona Beach to Ocala where I'll be staying for a while. I'm now going to be the Disaster Mental Health Supervisor at the service center at Lady Lake, FL. After a while I'll go back to HQ, but for now this adventure will be fine.

So I stopped for lunch at a Barnes and Noble Cafe where I could sign on to the internet. What a major treat!

The Daytona 500 is happening soon the Daytona Beach is becoming a madhouse. Yikes. I'm so glad to be moving to Ocala for a while. This new job will be challenging because I've never done it before, but it really makes me happy to do it. I've learned so much at HQ. It's amazing.

So many people are being helped and so many good things are happening. It's such an honor to be part of it. I'll write more later. But for now, I've got to get going. Love to all.

2/6 Daytona 500

Because of the big race we have to get out of our hotel rooms by Friday. I'm lucky enough to be moving to another hotel today. Otherwise I'd be in a staff shelter. They're not horrible, but a room with only one roommate is a bit better for getting enough sleep.

Gotta run. Work is calling. I love you and hope to write more Wednesday night.

2/4 Tired, but tired

Wait, I meant "tired but happy." Nope, I really meant tired but tired.

I finally got the deployment call yesterday at 3:10 PM. We wanted to leave home by 5 in order to run some errands and get to the aiport between 6:30 and 7, after an hour drive from Sanford.

I'd already cleaned out my "go bag but hadn't really packed anything until I got the official call.
So those two hours were a bit frantic. Rob and Beata were awesome though. Beata packed up a great CARE package for me full of granola bars and candy. Rob helped by looking up some info on the internet for me and some other things.

We had a funny drive to RDU. I kissed R and B goodbye and was gratified to hear how much they'll miss me--and this being after I've been there 2 1/2 months. :) I'll miss them too.

At the airport I remembered to call Jill to let her know about my deployment. She and the kids are visiting her dad and his family near Fresno.

Rob was surprised to find out that, until I landed, I wouldn't know if I was staying in a hotel or a staff shelter, or even if I had to drive to Daytona Beach immediately or wait until the next day. How it works is that as soon as you land you call the DR Info Line and get all the pertinent information. You don't get the info ahead of time because things change fast, and the information might be out of date by the time you land.

When I arrived I was put with some other folks in rental cars. We stayed at a hotel at the Orlando airport last night and drove this morning to Daytona Beach. I can't even begin to describe all the work we did today, but will try to talk more about it tomorrow.

Right now I'm at a Days Inn--connected to an IHOP. Could even heaven be better than this? (No need to answer, it was just a joke.) I am so incredibly tired, and this is only Day 1. Pancakes tomorrow and then back to work. (Today I woke up at 5:45 AM and got to my hotel at 9 PM. But it's all worth it.) Love to all.

2/3 Florida bound...

I'm leaving tonight on a Southwest flight from Raleigh to Orlando. Will have to drive to Daytona Beach where the HQ is. I imagine I'll be working from HQ, but won't know until I get there.

Once I arrive, I need to call the Disaster Info Line to find out where I'll be staying, and where I need to report for duty.

I'm excited, and hope that I'll be able to help. Will try to blog as often as I can. I'm taking my laptop, even though it's at my "own risk."

2/2 The Red Cr oss calls...

Tonight I received a call from the Mental Health folks at the Red Cross DOC (Disaster Operations Center) asking if I was available to go to central Florida to work on the tornado disaster. I told my pal, Peggy, "Oh yeah. I've been hoping you'd call." She was pleasantly surprised and said she's recommending me and it will go to the staffing department tonight.

So it looks like I'll most likely get called tomorrow. If so, I'll be in Florida by tomorrow evening.