Gratitude.....and a New Kind of Hell

I texted Carrie to say I bought 6 humidifiers.  She totally panicked!  MOM!  You were supposed to boy DE-humidifiers!  Which is what I have actually purchased, so it was OK.

They worked all day and every few hours Frank would empty about a gallon of water from the tank.  Since most of the wallboard is out, the studs are releasing water.  And the furniture that is left.  My five precious pieces.

The work crew showed up about 9 am. The 10 men worked hard for hours and hour and hours.  They pulled nails left in the studs.  They gave me a hammer and I worked beside them.  We finished demolishing the rest of the Sheetrock.  Anything with wallpaper had to be totally taken out.  Frank and 5 men worked in the little garage, clearing out his tools and saws, nails and screws, sanders and wood.  Most all ruined.  What was not under water is rusted.  His lawnmower, blower, edger, power,washer, all gone under.

After lunch they began to sweep up dust and debris from the floors.  Carrie's friend Kim brought her cabinet rep and we talked of the future.  Kim's family are Katrina survivors.  She hugged me and said I would make it.  I believed her.

Andrew came to bring me a small vacuum for the camper.  We are tracing so much dirt in there.  Frank was helping the men carry out the huge 2 x 12 beams from the den when a beam shifted in Frank's grip and a 4 inch nail went through his forearm.

Off to the ER clinic.

We were seen quickly, but the doc was very concerned with the infection forming on several cuts on his leg.  Antibiotics are all the rage!

Later, showers at Paula and Glen's house, a wonderful dinner and homemade coffee ice cream.  We sat and relaxed a bit, talking with good friends.

Driving up in our driveway, we were hit with the overwhelming smell of gasoline.

What fresh hell is this?

One of the generators was leaking all over the carport and out into the driveway!  OMG!  Gasoline. Frank was freaking out.  I turned Macguyver. I called andrew to rush over and bring empty gas cans.  I knew we had just tossed out a non-chemical pump garden sprayer.  I dug in my darkened pile of debris where I thought I saw it last.  Miraculously, I found it quickly.

I grabbed one of the two kitchen knives I bought  at the dollar store yesterday for the camper.  Slicing off the hose, I tried to get Frank to get out of the fumes and into clear air.  Andrew arrived and was able to siphon 3 gallons from the 6 gallon tank.

We had been running the hose to dilute the dripping gasoline, but the whole area still reeks of gas.

Another crisis averted.  We didn't blow ourselves up yet.  Hopefully we didn't damage out lungs.

And I still have not seen my dogs.  We still have to figure how we will deal with getting them home.  I cannot even yet imagine how that will work for the next three months.  I cannot even imagine dealing with them.  I think this is the first time in my life I have ever said this.

I am THIS close to losing it, folks.  I swear ......  If I see a snake I am out of here.