Day 7

I find it hard to believe that only a week has passed since the storm. Seems like an eternity ago that we were hunkered down in the Centroplex--camping out like the Clampetts on their way to Beverleeee. Crock pot cooking on the banquet table. Peanut butter & bread. Cereal and milk. Movies. Dawg. Wish I could have found those little boxes of cereal that you open up to make your own bowl. When my family moved when I was a kid, Momma would sometimes breakdown and buy those for us. What a treat. I remember coveting the Rice Krispies and the Frosted Flakes. Even though I'd stake my claim early, I didn't always get my hand on the box in time before someone else snatched up my prize. Something about the smell of milk mixed with cardboard makes be feel nostalgic. I always thought this was indeed the perfect food--cereal and bowl all in one--no clean up. I think all food should come like that. Come to think of it, it does.

Maybe it's the dairy and cardboard combo I find so intriguing. Like Velvetta Cheese. That's food (actually "cheese food"), container and make-believe shoes all in one.

I was just too beat down to write yesterday. Today was better. I handed off one of my hats today. Volunteer coordinator. whew. one less thing to feel guity about. Elizebeth says I'm too hard on myself. Her teacher said that if you talk bad about yourself then other people are going to start believing it too. Smarty pants. She said I should be proud of myself--particularly for raising a kid as great as she is. She's so amazing. of course, this little self-assured prepubescent (who won't brush her teeth and informed me this morning she had lice) cried herself to sleep last night. She saw a girl have a seizure at church yesterday. Well she didn't actually see it but she heard the story recounted over and over again. She misses her daddy. He's working all the time. and she's scared. Just plain scared. Me too.

President came to Baton Rouge today. Really wish he'd just stay home. Governor's office didn't know about it until 6:30 this morning. they wanted Kathleen to sign over control of the National Guard. She refused. Bet he called her a bitch. Someone needs to bitchslap him. Staying on the ranch while people died. Must have been reading that book about the goat again. Those big words are tough.

John Travolta came today in his jet. Didn't get to see him though. Would have liked to. Oprah was here (she never returned my call--I may never email her again). Jesse Jackson, Sean Penn, who knows who else. New Orleans has been drowning for years and year--did they ever pay any attention then? They were too busy partying--like Mr. W himself. I can just see him in some nudie bar on Bourbon--maybe the one where the legs swing out. or puking up a few Hurricane's next to the Lucky Dog cart. Yeah, he's a wild man alright.

Lots going on at office. I felt like there was real movement today. We needed a dose of Exlax. Some folks need a few more squares. About 1/4 of our staff worked today. I'm going to go off on some folks if I seem them playing solitare or reading novels. I'm going under. Deborah too. We've got planes ready to take folks all over the coutry, but have no folkSr. I asked Sr. yesterday for something important--she was too busy trying to locate a priest to say mass. She knew Sunday was coming last Monday. Sunday morning is not the time to arrange mass. With any luck, we'll be fully staffed by the end of the week.

I've made a few friends with the New Orleans staff. They seem like great people. I like the way they operate. No BS. No micromanaging. Very New Orleans.

Kids go back to school tomorrow. They just got their homework finished. Except elizabeth's Inca brochure. Not sure if she's supposed to be "selling" the Inca culture. Inca---the Gold Standard. They were communists. Didn't know that. They probably didn't know that either.

Speaking of Nazi's (close enough)--We've got this secret society of guys coming this week from Germany. Read on the internet they have ties to Nazi Germany. Like I care. Just bring us some $$$, help us get through this mess, and don't make me decide what you're going to eat. I'm liable to get some flak about the lesbian couple donating their rv to us next week. I don't care. PK--I would have. AK--no worries. Fire me--please. Maybe the secret society guys can smuggle me away. I'm dying to learn their secret handshake.

I'm going to start a morning ritual. Cry before I get started with me day. I know that's a typo but it makes me feel like a pirate. Arrrrr. Night. Don't let the bed bugs bite. Or the water raise so fast you drown.