dieseldave is ok

[Greta]

Hey guys... I just spoke with Dave on the phone. He's doing well and I interupted him giving his son a ride on the lawnmower... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Dave sent me an email yesterday... he said I could post it here for you all... here it is:

[ QUOTE ]
Hey girl.

Still waiting on power. I have a trailer coming from FEMA on thurs. or fri.
that we will live in while we make repairs/rebuild. I think/hope my walls
and roof will be OK. I know the floors, sub floors, and joist are history.
I am going to see about pouring a slab inside my footers. I have started
buying new appliances and restocking the house. Everything below the 4.5
foot level is ruined which includes my whole kitchen including all the
cabinets. We will be fine but it's going to be a tough year. I DON'T NEED A
THING! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

2 dozen Surefire batteries arrived Sat, thanks to Don (I think) I reloaded
all my 2x123 lights and my 1x123 ARC LS. I finally got off moon mode on my
Surefire L4. The L4 has been the workhorse during the last 12 days. Moon
mode is plenty of power for most of my needs. It's not often you need throw
inside your house. The Tigerlight is outstanding at lighting up a large
room for an hour then getting recharged in the car. I set it on its end
pointed at the ceiling. I own two of them so I have a spare. I have a
Pelican 2xAA attached to my ball cap but it really isn't enough power to do
much. My ARC AAA hangs from a ceiling light in my kitchen. My Ultra hangs
from another ceiling light. My other 2x123's are little more than battery
eaters. The Pelican L1's have been very popular as a neck light for family
and friends. The two coin cell lights are OK but are easy to misplace. The
ones with momentary on switches are a pain.

I only have internet at work so I still won't be able to get to CPF,
blocked. Please let everyone know I'm doing great. I've had tons of help
and I miss you all, even Darell, that might be a stretch but tell him so
anyway. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Somehow I will be back in the next couple of weeks barring
another disaster.

Politics is about priority 200 but I am still getting out the word to vote.
I can get into the Underground from work, don't know why but I will not post
there or even take the time to read. I am just getting back to work so I
better do something.

Your buddy,
DD

[/ QUOTE ]

So now... to the fund raiser for Dave. It is being worked on. There has been a change in what is going to be done and how it's going to be done... so I need to get with everyone involved before I make any anouncements. I know I keep asking you all to stand by... and you're doing great... just keep standing... well... you can sit if you need to... but be ready to jump back up again when I give the signal... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinser2.gif

 

[B@rt]

Thanks for the update Sasha! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I'm glad to hear he's doing OK. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Stainless]

[ QUOTE ]
B@rt said:
Thanks for the update Sasha! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I'm glad to hear he's doing OK. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Ditto that.

 

[UncleFester]

[ QUOTE ]
Stainless said:
[ QUOTE ]
B@rt said:
Thanks for the update Sasha! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I'm glad to hear he's doing OK. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Ditto that.

[/ QUOTE ]
Ditto That

 

[Greta]

Hey guys...

Dave just sent me some pictures. I'll warn you that these may be disturbing... I know they have upset me more than I imagined they would... and especially after speaking to Dave and hearing how positive and strong he is now. Things like this have a way of straightening out ones persepctive and priorities... I know that even mine have been adjusted over the past few minutes since I've seen these pictures... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jpshakehead.gif

<font color="blue">Dave's house 36 hours before the storm...

Dave's house 12 hours after the storm...

Dave's yard 36 hours before the storm...

Dave's yard 12 hours after the storm...

Dave's pool 36 hours before the storm...

Dave's pool 12 hours after the storm...

</font>


... and this email that the pictures were attached to...

[ QUOTE ]
The "before" shots were taken 36 hours before the storm. The "after" shots
were taken 12 hours after the storm. I couldn't bring myself to take inside
shots.

I got power this AM. I am keeping it off until we go through the electrical
system. My FEMA trailer came yesterday and will be hooked up today. I was
the first person in Pensacola to get a trailer. The prayers are working,
life is good!

DD

[/ QUOTE ]


I am humbled...

 

[B@rt]

Dang...

Words (and pics) fail here... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon23.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/help.gif

 

[turbodog]

=:-0

 

[jtice]

Wow, that was a really beautiful place.
Looks like the house is still structually sound, and can be rebuilt. So at least thats good...

Thats alot of water in the backyard!
I imagine thats the worst part, all the water damage, Im sure the inside is soaked. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Best of wishes to you Dave, I think your of MUCH higher spirits than I would be.

-John

 

[Stingray]

Wow, major flood damage. Hopefully it can be salvaged and repaired without totally rebuilding. I can't believe your windows made it thru unbroken without storm panels or plywood. Ususally the windows get broken by flying debris and then the air gets in and lifts the roof right off the house. Then the walls fall down. At least your house dodged the fallen trees, a small consolation I know, but coulda been much worse. Thankfully you all stayed safe and unharmed, that's the important thing.

We're leaving Ft. Liquordale tonight for Pensacola to check on my girlfriends house. She lives on the only hill in Milton (northern suberb of Pensacola). No flooding on her street, but lots of big, old trees. Her next door neighbor had an old oak tree land right in the middle of the house, pretty much cut it right in half, has to be torn down. Hopefully her house will be salvagable, windows look ok but most roof shingles are gone...minor water damage due to driving rain getting thru sliding doors according to neighbors....keeping our fingers crossed.

Dave. if you need anything brought up from here, water, gas, food, batteries, etc. post here (or ask Sasha to)before 5pm and I'll bring it up for you if possible. We're leaving at 7pm, should get there around 5am barring any road detour problems.

 

[Greta]

Dave has no access to CPF. I do know that he is pretty much set with supplies for now. Thank you Stingray... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif ... I'll be talking to Dave later this evening... I'll ask again if he needs anything.

 

[KevinL]

I can't think of what to say either other than that he's got to have incredible strength to stay cheerful despite the amount of damage. I know I don't have what it takes.

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

We didn't suffer from Allison in '01. But this city was FLOODED!!! Some houses were TOTALLY under!

I feel very bad for DD. But it seems as though the prayers are helping!

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Sasha,

Thanks for the update. It looks like Dave has his work cut out for him.

Dave, my son is looking for a job...

Tom

 

[turbodog]

Updates?

 

[Greta]

Turbo... thanks for the "nudge"... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif I completely forgot to post the email that I received yesterday from Dave...

[ QUOTE ]
I got power on Thursday. Two complete rooms and several other outlets and
switches are inop. even though Jim Moran worked on them for two days. My
FEMA trailer has power so we are good. The building inspector came by
yesterday and put a sign in the front of the house saying the house is not
habitable and you enter at your own risk. It is not condemned at this time
and that's because of the monumental amount of work that's been done by
volunteers and tree cutters. None of my neighbors are allowed to get power
or water and their houses are being condemned. I would estimate there has
been between 1000-1200 man-hours of work performed at my house since the
storm. This past Saturday we had 30-40 people from my Church cleaning up my
yard. One of the volunteers, a sweet 15-year-old girl had a small pine tree
fall on her and it broke her leg. The break was very bad. She had surgery
Sat. night and now has a plate and screws in here leg. It happened by a
freak accident when one of the sponsors decided to cut down a small pine,
(20' tall) He didn't know it was rotten when he started cutting. It fell
when he was just over half way through the tree. 4 young girls were walking
and talking as it fell so they didn't see it coming.

I have sodded 1/2 my back yard for my son and fenced off the rest of the
back yard. 80% of my yard is clean and the interior of the house is cleaner
than before the storm. The floors are sagging more and more and mold is
becoming a problem. I will probably tear out the kitchen cabinets this
weekend and drill holes in the walls to spray in bleach. I have a new
washer and dryer, dishwasher and stove. I am getting a new AC sometime in
the next two weeks. The AC should really help dry out the house. My walls
have several cracks floor to ceiling that I believe is related to the
sagging floors. I don't know when we will start tearing out the floor. The
best idea I have so far is to pour a slab under my house. I am hoping to
get a FEMA/SBA loan for the work.

I still haven't heard from an Ins. adjuster and am starting to get
aggravated about that. I am very lucky compared to many that live in my
area. There will be a lot of vacant lots near me over the coming months.

The family is holding up well and we are very thankful for all the prayers
and support. The Red Cross has been great as well as FEMA. The list of
people that have given financial and physical support is so long I don't
dare try and spell it out, but to all of you, thanks. I have had people I
don't know working at my house for several days in a row. I get checks in
the mail from people I don't recognize as well as so many family and
friends. I've had many volunteers come from Texas as well as one that came
from CA. At one point my yard looked like a U-Haul store when both my
parents and my sister showed up with packed vehicles and packed trailers.
All the support everyone has given is what has kept me from throwing the
towel in, it's been amazing. Keep up the prayers and once again, thank you,
thank you, thank you.

David Hammon



[/ QUOTE ]

Look for a "MEGA" benefit raffle this weekend to help Dave out! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

 

[raggie33]

he should have a small amount money comeing to himi sold mystreamlight aa for his fundi wanted to herlp more but i dont have much money

 

[LitFuse]

Hang in there Dave, I didn't see an adjuster for six weeks after Charley. I hope you can save your house, but look at it realistically. I know that sentimental feelings can get in the way and there are lots of memories, but maybe it would be better to start over if the damage is too great. Water damage, and especially mold, can be an insidious problem to deal with completely. It would be a shame to put in all that work only to have problems surface down the road.

Best wishes to you and your family. I hope things work out in the best way that they can for you.

Peter

 

[daloosh]

Glad to have the update Sasha/Dave, Peter's right about the mold. If you can cut it out and dehumidify, it can be controlled, but if humidity stays up, it could be tough to lick. The outpouring of support is awesome, best of luck!

daloosh

 

[photon555]

Yes, be careful of mold. It can cause serious illness. High levels of ozone can kill mold but the mold must still be removed. The spores can linger for a long time. You may need to tear out all interior drywall to get it all. Check at moldkill dot com for some info, also search the web of course. We will be praying for you and family.

Jim

 

[Darell]

[ QUOTE ]
DD via Sasha said:
I miss you all, even Darell, that might be a stretch but tell him so
anyway. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
And here I was just thinking that Dave has been such a slacker lately that we should consider revoking his Mod priveleges. Now he just went and melted my heart with this. :sniff: /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Glad he's doing so well. What a beautiful home he has! Well... *had*.