A DJ and DJ
Jeff is a DJ for KPIG
DJ, Ellen, Jeff & Brittany
Sammy & Jonathon working on the post holes
The trailer--before
DJ working inside--note the mold on the walls! How sad to have to live in something like this for almost 5 years!!
Helping DJ rip off part of the side
Getting close!
Today the team split into 3 groups: 5 people stayed to do sheetrock at the Purdy House and the rest went to Captain John's to work on the ramp and to demolish the Katrina trailer for scrap metal. The group has worked on Captain John's house for years and finally had the satisfaction of seeing him move into his new home during their April trip. He is a retired river boat captain and his home is right on a bayou where he loves to fish. (This is the one where in previous years Douglas was on the 3 level scaffolding in the water painting the house.) Not being a skilled post hole digger or ceiling sheet rock expert, I chose the demolition team. It was 36 degrees this morning and we wore several layers along with masks and goggles. The day warmed up and it was beautiful on the bayou--sunny and warm. Someone had already taken out the floor --which made it really difficult to work on taking out the cabinets, doors, walls, inside layer, insulation, etc. so we laid some of the doors down to walk on. DJ was here from Falls Church, VA, a retired, electrician who has been returning to Pearlington ever since his first trip in Feb. '06. He came with us today to help with the trailer. I found that swinging that crow bar and prying off cabinets and wall studs was a great stress reliever. (Mom's condition remains about the same, Beth returned home to CT.) We soon had our team set up and working with DJ, Gail and myself inside and Ellen and Jeff outside hauling stuff to the burn pile and we switched jobs as the day progressed. Folks in California would have a stroke over what gets burned here--everything in the trailer except the tin siding! The inside of the trailer had a lot of black mold both on the walls and in the insulation. There were also a few nests of what must be fire ants that DJ had the misfortune to encounter when he ripped open one wall. I took photos before, during and after so you can see what we were doing. The team working on the ramp was having a frustrating time with the mud and the post leveling but got several more done. We went back to the Purdy House to meet up with the others for lunch. In the car on the way there Sammy, Gail, and I were talking about sunburn and skin cancer issues when Sammy said she was Scottish and that's where her fair skin came from and as I joined in saying I was Scottish, DJ said he was too and it turns out he's a Johnston!! (My maiden name!) Guess we're long lost cousins--both from the same clan :)
After lunch we were back at it. We had several open places in the trailer now and as each major section came away we cheered. Several of us had tried to pry the metal door off and weren't able to get it so Jeff took it on as a challenge. He worked on the wall until he finally got the whole thing off--with the door in it. Around 3pm DJ brought the roof down and tomorrow we will finish clearing the debris. Back at the houses we showered, had dinner, and then our evening meeting discussing the day, singing songs, etc. Too tired to finish posting pictures--hope this isn't too rambling...I also put up the link to Brittany's blog--our group leader. Night!
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