Update on me and my family....

[MrsKreamer]

Hi everyone. For anyone who is interested, an update on us.

We are still in Arkansas. I found out from relatives who have gone back that it still isn't safe for omeone with a young child to go back. The air and water is just at the safe levels, and this is just in Jefferson Parish. My Mil's gf worked at a Walmart distribution center and they don't have enough food and supplies coming in to have employees work their hours. Gas stations that actually have gas are sparatic. So even if I wanted to go back now we would have very limited food, water, diapers...etc. My Fil and Mil will go look at the house thursday. Mil said it may take at least 6 months for us to go back b/c of water and food, and that is if our house didn't get that much water...

My family is completely spread out. My family that lived on the north shore, St. Tammany parish went back, and they are reporting the same, lack of food and Good water, and gas. My grandparents lost their home. They lived a block from the levee that broke. There is still a foot of standing water in their house. My mom lost her home in Mississippi. It is completely gone. My dad has a house but now no job. He is going back to truck driving. He leaves next week for Memphis and will be gone for a few months. My mil and her gf are in Texas and will probably stay there because they have no jobs to come back to for at least 3-4 months.

My husband was in school and will find out tomorrow whether or not he can take those classes online or if he has to enroll in another LA university. He was at UNO and they said they cannot open until next year. I was also enrolled in school, but it was a tech school for court reporting. I keep calling but I haven't heard anything from them. Neither of us have jobs to go back to. He finally heard from his boss, and thankfully he is alive. Unfortunatly Dh's job was to bring and pick up documents to and from the courts, law offices, etc. Who knows when the court system will be up and running again. My boss called me and basically laid me off. He said he was sorry but the phones won't ring so they don't need someone to answer them.

My son's first birthday is Thursday and my family is so spread out that it will just be the three of us and my FIL celebrating. I can't help but be sad that his first birthday will be spent away from his home and our family. I feel so guilty because there are still so many families missing their children and parents. :guilty:

So here we are in Arkansas. We want to find work but we have been holding off until we know exactly when we can go back to get our things or if DH can go back to school. There is so much uncertainty it is driving me crazy. Again I feel guilty for saying this b/c at least we have a sofabed to sleep on and food in our stomachs. In so many ways I just want to go home and in so many other ways I never want to go back.

Thanks for letting me vent. I can really use a friend right now, and I find so many here.
Thanks
Stephanie

[FroggyinArk]

stephanie, glad to hear you are alive and well, and you are still in my prayers:)

[WebmasterKathy]

Stephanie,

I know that the uncertainty has to be maddening... as well as the strange surroundings and the disorientation with having your family spread to the winds. (Not to mention the strange food- nowhere else do you find food New Orleans style!)

Your sweet baby will have a wonderful birthday, because he'll have the people who mean the very most to him right there.

It sounds like your DH finding out something about school will at least give you a little direction, just knowing where to focus his attentions to get back on track.

Whether you stay in Arkansas for a while or find another interim home, whether you make a new permanent start or just find a place to spend some time while you wait for NO to be fully habitable again, you do lots of people who care about you right here.

We're glad you're safe, and glad you're figuring out, bit by bit, what your next steps are.

[Charade]

:grouphug:

I'm glad everyone is ok but so sorry for all the heartache you must have right now. Sending my prayers and best wishes.

[bumcat]

:grouphug:

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

oops, meant to pm....

[dixipixi]

:wave2: Just to give you a report from around here. The northshore is slowly getting back to normal. Tangipahoa Parish is a step ahead of St. Tammany and Washington. But our damage was not as bad. Our kids went back to school last week and almost everyone has power restored. :banana:

Just about every gas station around here (as far south as Ponchatoula) is open and pretty well supplied. The food situation is still a bit iffy. You can get basics, but the stores are still out of a lot of things not considered necessities. :upsidedow

I know how you feel about not wanting to come back. We rode the storm out at home and if not for the gas shortages, we probably would have headed north sometime in that first couple of days. Things have been worse than anyone could have imagined. But...you have to come back...NO is our big city...we need you!!! We are all working very hard around here to get things back to normal (whatever that was...I think I've forgotten).

Just don't come back right now....the lovebugs are out and they are absolutely horrible this year! :scared1:

Wishing you all the best....another Stephanie from Louisiana. :hug:

[staci]

Im glad to see an update from you. I have been thinking of your family. Please keep us updated and let us know if there is anyway we can help. I hope you can find a way to make your ds's birthday magical where you are. :bday:

[Robinrs]

Oh, Stephanie...

God bless you, honey... what you've been through. Give that little man of yours a BIG hug for his birthday. Don't worry about him, he's happy as long as he has his Mommy and Daddy, and not everyone can claim that!

Hang in there, and you too, dixipixi!

God bless,

Robinrs

[Kitty 34]

:grouphug: Happy Birthday to your little one and thanks for the update. I've been thinking of you and your family.

[transparant]

Stephanie I'm so glad that all of you are ok! That adorable little boy of yours will have a great birthday I'm sure! You guys are his world and thats all he needs right now :) Please know that we are here anytime you need us!!! Hang in there sweetie!!! :hug:

[Mackey Mouse]

Hugs to you both and please wish that sweet baby a Happy Birthday from us all on the Dis. Keep us updated on how you are doing, we are thinking of you all in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast..

[dcentity2000]

:grouphug:



Rich::

[Rajah]

So good to hear from you, Stephanie. :grouphug:

[mickeyfan2]

:grouphug:

[minkydog]

:cake: Give your birthday boy a big fat hug and a lovely, messy cake. Even if the whole family can't be there, you'll be there and that's all that really matters.Someday things will be better, I'm sure of it.

[ead79]

Stephanie, I know you must feel twisted in about 1,000 different directions right now. Uncertainty can be the hardest thing to deal with. I will remember your family in my prayers, and I certainly hope that you get some clear answers soon. :hug:

[yecats]

Hi Stephanie, yep another person from LA. I also work in the legal industry and the courts are currently attempting to be up and running from everything I am hearing by Oct. 1st. I have been relocated to the Lafayette area and am wondering when my office will attempt to open back up in N.O. as well as that creates a whole new problem of where to live. I know downtown NO still doesn't have fresh water as of yet but most buildings do have the electricity back on. As far as Jefferson, I believe it has been dried out and most people I know have electricity back on there but still no fresh water and no exact word yet as to how long that may take. The Covington area just got electricity back about 3 or 4 days ago so some of your family may be okay there but I have heard telephone service there may take another 3 months (friend of mine living in Covington was told this).

My family has lost everything, we all lived in St. Bernard Parish (I lived about a block from the Mississippi River as well). We also are now scattered to the winds. I am sorry that your baby will have a smaller family gathering this year but please DREAM big for the years to come and maybe even DREAM that he'll enjoy a future bday at Disney. Best wishes to you and yours for a quick recovery and future job.

[MrsKreamer]

Hi Stephanie, yep another person from LA. I also work in the legal industry and the courts are currently attempting to be up and running from everything I am hearing by Oct. 1st. I have been relocated to the Lafayette area and am wondering when my office will attempt to open back up in N.O. as well as that creates a whole new problem of where to live. I know downtown NO still doesn't have fresh water as of yet but most buildings do have the electricity back on. As far as Jefferson, I believe it has been dried out and most people I know have electricity back on there but still no fresh water and no exact word yet as to how long that may take. The Covington area just got electricity back about 3 or 4 days ago so some of your family may be okay there but I have heard telephone service there may take another 3 months (friend of mine living in Covington was told this).

My family has lost everything, we all lived in St. Bernard Parish (I lived about a block from the Mississippi River as well). We also are now scattered to the winds. I am sorry that your baby will have a smaller family gathering this year but please DREAM big for the years to come and maybe even DREAM that he'll enjoy a future bday at Disney. Best wishes to you and yours for a quick recovery and future job.
October 1st seems a bit too good to be true. I worked for a plaintiff attny, most of our clients are elsewhere, so there isn't much to do.

Disney. The funny thing is we were supposed to go to Disney next week fo his birthday. We officially cancelled when DH lost his job 2 months ago but we still had some hope of going. Now we just want to figure out where we are going to live. Strange turn of events...

[snoopy]

I can't even imagine. :(

Thanks for letting us know how you are doing. My best to you and your family.

[we3disneygo]

thanks for the update-our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family --have fun on the little one's birthday! give him lots of hugs and kisses.... :grouphug: :wizard: :dog:

[JennInTN]

Stephanie,

Sending good wishes and lots of hope. Please know that you and your family remain in my prayers.

Happy, happy (belated) birthday wishes to Kurt, Jr.

[4nana]

Bless your heart Stephanie :hug:. Thx for keeping in touch and updating us. My hearts goes out to you, as I can't begin to imagine how or what you are feeling, all your family having lost so much. You are so foruntate you have family you can stay with and praise God, you, DH and son are together :goodvibes. Know that you're in the thoughts of many, as we send love, faith, hope and best wishes for a better tomorrrow.

:cake: Belated Happy Birthday to your little Kurt, Jr.!!

[Kermit]

It's good to hear from you, but I wish it were better news. I'm praying that life will return to normal, or at least, close to it, very soon.

[MrsKreamer]

Thanks everyone! We had a good day today. My little man had choclate cake everywhere! I miss my parents and grandparents so much. I couldn't help but think of my mom and dad today as we celebrated Kurt jr's b-day. I never knew what a parent's perspective was like on someone's birthday but it was...wow. I thought of the day he came into this world. We are going to get through this, I have my husband and my son, and that is all that matters now.

God Bless anyone in Rita's path. My side of the family are in Houston but they are bunkered down and should be safe.
Take Care
Stephanie

[JennaTX]

Stephanie,

So glad to hear that you and your family are somewhat settled. I know it must be very sad to be celebrating your DS's first birthday without all of his family around. But like you said, you have got your husband, your son, and yourself, and that is what matters! You have been in my prayers since I first heard about your situation from others here on DIS, and you will continue to be in my prayers until you and your family are truly settled! :grouphug:

[rascalmom]

I'm glad you had a good day today. Happy Birthday to your son!

I'm sorry you are missing your family - hopefully you will all be together again very soon. You can have another party for you son then - don't worry, he won't mind having more cake!

Hugs to you all. Take care!

[nursetink]

Stephanie I wanted to let you know that the U of A school system is giving Katrina evacuees free tuition and so is the University of Central Arkansas.

UCA is in Conway, which would be 1 1/2 - 2 hours away from Pine Bluff. The closest schools in the U of A system are UALR in Little Rock and UAPB in Pine Bluff. I know that driving to Little Rock or Conway would not be a good solution, but what about some online courses? If you need any help with contacts I will glad to help you.

:bday: A great big Happy Birthday to Kurt Jr.