So, folks are coming

[xiphias]

In a couple hours, two people and five cats whose house in New Orleans was destroyed will be here to stay for a couple months while they get back on their feet. We've never met them before, but got their names from www.hurricanehousing.org and we've talked to them on the phone a couple times, and they sound like Our Kind Of People. I mean, they got out of NOLA in their van with two bags of clothes, five cats, a guitar, and a laptop computer, which tells me that they've got a reasonable set of priorities.

Here's the thing. Construction on the downstairs is like NEARLY finished. And the place is a mess. And I've been working for hours cleaning it up.

And it's TOUGH for me to work for hours. I just get exhausted very quickly, so it's been "work an hour, rest an hour" all day. So we won't be able to present them with a nice, homey, all perfect place to stay like I'd wanted.

Comments

[felis-sidus.livejournal.com]

More important than having a spotless, charmingly arranged, space will be the warmth and welcome you give them. "Home" isn't in things, it's in the heart, and yours is more than equal to the situation.

[xiphias.livejournal.com]

I know, and I've told them what the place looks like, and they're cool with it. I just wanted to be all perfect-hosty and all.

[rebmommy.livejournal.com]

you know about home - glad you were part of ours when the kids were growing up. What is your email address? I want to invite you to our game night in October. You can leave it on my phone machine, or on my new email address. Did I gove you my new email address?

[copperpoint.livejournal.com]

Something tells me they wont hold it against you.

[ailbhe]

I ...

It gives you great honour, that you do this thing. And it's evidence that you're as good a person, as good people, as I knew you were.

I love you...

[cheshyre]

Maybe this will make you smile.

It's a photo from the LA Premiere of Serenity.

Love you. See you when I get home...

[jenett]

This is very incredibly cool, and I'm with all the other people who are saying "It's the opening and making available and trying" that make the difference.

[girl-named-fred.livejournal.com]

Greeting- I found you livejournal via the boston feeds section of universal hub. Its great that you are able to provide housing for some evacuees. Do you need any supplies to help them get set up? Dishes, blankets other household goods? I have a pile of stuff that is looking for a new home. Thanks. CMD

[xiphias.livejournal.com]

Dishes would be AWESOME. They seem okay on clothes -- people have been giving them clothes all the way up. Yeah, that would be cool. Thank you so much.

[navrins]

Dishes!

I have three boxes of my grandmother's nice dishes, which I am unlikely ever to... well, unpack. Donating them to hurricane victims who have lost theirs seems like a fine way of respectfully ceasing to have them in my closet. Do you know where I might bring them for this purpose? They're on the breakable side - more "restock a new home" sort of dishes than "something to eat off of in our temporary lodgings."

[angelovernh.livejournal.com]

Wow.. That is great that you are helping people like that! Too bad about not finishing it in time, but it's going to work out. Maybe they can help finish it.

[mattblum.livejournal.com]

I think you're doing a great thing! I felt bad that Jen and I couldn't do the same, but with two little kids in the house we just didn't feel comfortable, y'know?

Re: So, folks are coming

[pir-anha.livejournal.com]

you guys rock.

don't feel guilty. they come from a much worse mess, and an all-perfect place might in fact not feel anywhere as homey as your place as it is.

here's hoping their stay goes well for y'all.

[rebmommy.livejournal.com]

You are a mensch. cheshyre is a menschette. It will all work out. I am proud of you both.

Hurray

[deerdancer22.livejournal.com]

What a wonderful thing to do. I signed up on another list but didn't get a call. With all the transition I am in and in and out of depression maybe it was best. As soon as I feel more on my feet I am going to see if there are people who still need a temporary home.

I am about to start work again or would love to be a Red Cross volunteer in LA. Hopefully my life will stay fairly sane and stable now and the next emergency I can get in my car and go.

You guys are the best!

My house and basement is a mess.

[wolfdancer.livejournal.com]

I would love to have some one with some skills trade fixint it up for a year of living rent free.
If I were homeless I would hate a "free hand out." I woudl feel better about something that I could feel that could "work for in some way buy helping out some how. This is how we as humans keep our deginity. or self respect. or how ever we spell it. tired now. sigh.

Re: My house and basement is a mess.

[cheshyre]

I would love to have some one with some skills trade fixint it up for a year of living rent free.
This can be a tricky arrangement. We had some of that with our previous tenant, and ended up with a lot of unkept promises and half-done work and lost money on the deal.

Also, taxwise, it may be preferable to at least pretend there's money changing hands. Landlord pays tenant X for work done, and tenant pays landlord X in rent.