McSleepy, McNappy, McMigraine & McBlind Share a Room

Okay, as usual an explanation of tonight's title. In the spirit of missing McDreamy, McSteamy & McVet last night, we have come up with our own McNames. Here's how each one came to be.

McSleepy-Nicole takes the cake for McSleepy (aka McSnorry) since she kept us all awake last night with her snoring. It's incredibly dry in our room, and it's about 60*, not condusive to sleeping after breathing in crap all day from sanding, etc...

McNappy-Sarah, who at every opportunity (other than at night) takes a little power nap to get her through the next activity. She's freezing when we're in the room, but as soon as the lights go out, she's up and complaining that it's 100* in our room (see above, it's 60*)!

McMigraine-you guessed it, yours truly had a migraine from being in the sun yesterday-but, thankfully it's gone now. The frequency of the laughter brings it back and forth, but it's not hanging out, which is a good thing!

McBlind-Dana, who as soon as dusk hits needs her guide person to help her navigate the streets of New Orleans.

McLucky-is Maureen, who is the smartest one of the bunch, and is on the 14th floor, in her own room.

Now, let me set the stage, the room S M A L L. We have two double beds, a very small bathroom, one little closet and a huge TV console/dresser combo and a desk. When I say we don't have room to breathe, I'm not kidding....we're a little crammed. Especially with four women and all of our stuff!

Today's work day was different for most of us. Dana & I both worked at Willie Mae's Restaurant and home. Willie Mae is a 90 year old woman who owns the restaurant. There were 52 of us on this job, not including the contractors who were finishing up the drywall while we were trying to sand it and get the first coat of primer on. The restaurant is also attached to Miss Willie Mae's home, and has been a staple in the Treme section of New Orleans since 1957. We met Willie Mae today and talked with her about what she has been going through since Katrina. She has been living with friends and family and wants nothing more than to get her restaurant back up and running. She told us the story about how she won the James Beard Award (an award that recognizes culinary excellence through awards, scholarships, guest chef events, educational programs, etc.) She told us how she never lets anyone go away hungry and that if she's closed and someone wants to come, she comes back and cooks for them. Her house had 4' of standing water after the storm and her home had to be gutted and rebuilt. We worked on sanding drywall mud and painting the inside and outside of her home/restuarant as well as cleaning up the weeds along the sidewalk.

We also learned today that Polly Feiner, a director and producer with Shamex Productions in West Hartford is making a documentary for the Junior League on this experience. Polly interviewed Willie Mae while we were there and brought tears to our eyes, listening to her tell us how she didn't want to evacuate, but she had no choice. Other than that, the highlight of our work day was the lunch that was brought to us by this year's James Beard winner, John Besh from Restaurant August. The food was incredible, chicken etouffe with rice, greens and cornbread. A Must Visit for your next trip to New Orleans!

Nicole's day continued at Ruby's house in the Freret area. In Ruby's house, they completed putting up the walls in the entire first floor. This house was gutted to the studs, floor to attic. They have done insulation, sheet rock, everything except for one ceiling. This house hadn't had any work done other than electrical work until Wednesday this week. Ruby had given money to a contractor and they left with her money. Her paperwork had been lost when she completed the application for Rebuilding Together, but she's back on track now. Unfortunately for Nicole, she had chicken salad for lunch.

Maureen also continued her work in the home on Freret Street where she has been working.

Sarah worked today with Habitat for Humanity in Musician's Village. She painted the outside of a house for a musician who was on the job site for the majority of the day. Sarah enjoyed a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch.

Tonight we wandered to find our dinner spot, and we're absolutely exhausted (only one of us slept!) and we're heading to bed. Tomorrow is our last work day and brings us to Freret Street. Dana & I will be gutting a home that has not had any work done yet, Nicole will be returning to Miss Ruby's house to mud, float and sand drywall and Sarah will be returning to Musicians Village.

So far, this has been a great experience. We have met so many great women, and their spouses/significant others, who have also given of their time to help rebuild New Orleans, and of course, we are doing our best to give back to the economy as well.

One more work day and a great night out and we'll be heading home. Back to work, our put together homes and our "normal" lives. Things here will still be a 'little left of center' but in our hearts, we know we have come here and made a difference. The Freret Street neighborhood does not have any assistance. The Junior League of New Orleans is the only help they are getting. There is no Habitat build there, there are no 'groups' coming to work in that area, it was us. They have so much to do, but they are so on their way, thanks to the JLNO and their organization of this event, we're makinga difference, one day at a time.

Until next time~All The Best