ForumGarden

Happy Holidays to all my friends at FG. I hope that everyone is well and happy. I've missed all of our members so much. Forum Garden will always be my home forum, and I will always return home here to say hello, no matter what!! I'm especially happy that Bryn has taken over the helm since Tombstone has 'left.' Bryn is a wonderful man who has always been so kind, and I know that FG will blossom and survive with him as our new owner.

Since my evacuation from my home, I have not had internet access unless I shlepped my old laptop to a coffee shop to access the net. So, today I finally bought an apple ipod even though I can't afford it. I didn't realize that I could access the net almost anywhere because I have Verizon as my phone company. I was over the moon when I heard this....finally, I have access 24/7. Wowza.... Excuse me for any errors as I'm learning how to use the ipad as about an hour ago.

I knew that Sandy was a mega storm, but honestly didn't realize what an impact it would have on my State. We were basically told, at the last minute, that we need to evacuate our homes on my barrier island by Sunday as the storm was arriving on Monday. I spent so much time battening down the hatches on Sat. and saying good bye to my neighbors. I spent 2 days at my friend's home 10 miles north of my home. After two days of terror, the storm was finally over leaving such unfathomable destruction in our area. We knew that we had to leave our area and make our journey north.

My journey north to my brother's home was a nightmare. My cell phone finally dies out and there was no where to charge it. I was able to make it across the island, but then encountered tons of fires, car accidents, floods, and constant detours by the police, that turned us all around. I didn't even know where I was half of the time as there were no lights to guide my way. I finally drove 60 miles to my brother's home only to find out that they were also evacuated. I couldn't find them or anyone as I left my home so quickly that I didn't have phone numbers. So, I drove 60 miles home and then couldn't find any hotel available to book. You could not book a hotel from the east to the west coast of NJ.

Never in my life did I expect to be so alone...I was devasteted when I went into a fast food store and they wouldn't let me use their phone. Finally, I went into a diner and they were kind enough to let me use their phone, but my family wasn't home. I didn't know that they were also evacuated. I am now definitely pro cell phone. I've had a cell phone for years, but never use it except for an emergency. Now, it is my best friend.

I ended up sleeping in my car for two days and then sitting in a lounge chair in a holiday inn, due to the kindness of an employee. I had heat, coffee, water, snacks and good peeps to chat with.

I can finally go home, but I won't be able to stay until I'm able to turn on all of my utilities which I'm working on.

I'm a lucky woman and don't know how to thank everyone who has helped me so much. I've receive so many gift cards from organizations and supplies from the Red Cross that it boggles my mind.

We came together as a community and have helped each other so much. I just cry every time someone helps. I can't even tell you how many of my friends have asked me to stay at their home until settled.

I feel so blessed with all of my friends...real life and cyer to know that you're there for me, and I thank you so much for all of your love and kind thought.

Love you all,

Kathy Ellen XXXXX

Kathy Ellen, you have such a marvelous attitude & outlook and I think that's carried you a long way. It's hard to imagine what you went through those days living in your car and not able to get in touch with your family. Did your house survive the hurricane? Do you need repairs and then can live it again as opposed to having to rebuild?

Best wishes for a very merry Christmas! And next year you will spend it in your own home!

Nice to hear from you Kathy and that you are slowly getting yourself back to where you'd like to be. I'm sure its a long hard road but I'm equally sure you'll get there

Nice to hear from you, and happy to know you are safe and well.

tabby;1413765 wrote: Kathy Ellen, you have such a marvelous attitude & outlook and I think that's carried you a long way. It's hard to imagine what you went through those days living in your car and not able to get in touch with your family. Did your house survive the hurricane? Do you need repairs and then can live it again as opposed to having to rebuild?

Best wishes for a very merry Christmas! And next year you will spend it in your own home!


Hi Tabby,

Thanks so much for your kind reply. Thankfully, my town survived due to all of the work put into building sand dunes with plants in my town. That's why my home survived. My home survived and all is ok with the exception of my crawlspace. I need a new boiler, hot water heater, mega mold clean up and garage and shed clean up.

That's a dramatic way to spend time, Kathy. I'm glad you're getting things back on an even keel. You'll have stories to tell of the Great Storm for decades to come, I reckon.

Snowfire;1413766 wrote: Nice to hear from you Kathy and that you are slowly getting yourself back to where you'd like to be. I'm sure its a long hard road but I'm equally sure you'll get there


Thanks Snowfire, Yes, I will get back back to normalcy. Things are going well.

Wow Kathy that must have been awful, well done for staying strong and positive and I hope you are back in your home again soon.:-4

Betty Boop;1413780 wrote: Wow Kathy that must have been awful, well done for staying strong and positive and I hope you are back in your home again soon.:-4


Thanks so much BB....xx

Kathy Ellen;1413764 wrote: Happy Holidays to all my friends at FG. I hope that everyone is well and happy. I've missed all of our members so much. Forum Garden will always be my home forum, and I will always return home here to say hello, no matter what!! I'm especially happy that Bryn has taken over the helm since Tombstone has 'left.' Bryn is a wonderful man who has always been so kind, and I know that FG will blossom and survive with him as our new owner.

Since my evacuation from my home, I have not had internet access unless I shlepped my old laptop to a coffee shop to access the net. So, today I finally bought an apple ipod even though I can't afford it. I didn't realize that I could access the net almost anywhere because I have Verizon as my phone company. I was over the moon when I heard this....finally, I have access 24/7. Wowza.... Excuse me for any errors as I'm learning how to use the ipad as about an hour ago.

I knew that Sandy was a mega storm, but honestly didn't realize what an impact it would have on my State. We were basically told, at the last minute, that we need to evacuate our homes on my barrier island by Sunday as the storm was arriving on Monday. I spent so much time battening down the hatches on Sat. and saying good bye to my neighbors. I spent 2 days at my friend's home 10 miles north of my home. After two days of terror, the storm was finally over leaving such unfathomable destruction in our area. We knew that we had to leave our area and make our journey north.

My journey north to my brother's home was a nightmare. My cell phone finally dies out and there was no where to charge it. I was able to make it across the island, but then encountered tons of fires, car accidents, floods, and constant detours by the police, that turned us all around. I didn't even know where I was half of the time as there were no lights to guide my way. I finally drove 60 miles to my brother's home only to find out that they were also evacuated. I couldn't find them or anyone as I left my home so quickly that I didn't have phone numbers. So, I drove 60 miles home and then couldn't find any hotel available to book. You could not book a hotel from the east to the west coast of NJ.

Never in my life did I expect to be so alone...I was devasteted when I went into a fast food store and they wouldn't let me use their phone. Finally, I went into a diner and they were kind enough to let me use their phone, but my family wasn't home. I didn't know that they were also evacuated. I am now definitely pro cell phone. I've had a cell phone for years, but never use it except for an emergency. Now, it is my best friend.

I ended up sleeping in my car for two days and then sitting in a lounge chair in a holiday inn, due to the kindness of an employee. I had heat, coffee, water, snacks and good peeps to chat with.

I can finally go home, but I won't be able to stay until I'm able to turn on all of my utilities which I'm working on.

I'm a lucky woman and don't know how to thank everyone who has helped me so much. I've receive so many gift cards from organizations and supplies from the Red Cross that it boggles my mind.

We came together as a community and have helped each other so much. I just cry every time someone helps. I can't even tell you how many of my friends have asked me to stay at their home until settled.

I feel so blessed with all of my friends...real life and cyer to know that you're there for me, and I thank you so much for all of your love and kind thought.

Love you all,

Kathy Ellen XXXXX


Kathy Ellen....glad to see you are well and sending vibes of rebuilding your home and life.

If you ever need a place to stay I am right down the coast from you and open my humble home to you.

always,

Lady J

Týr;1413776 wrote: That's a dramatic way to spend time, Kathy. I'm glad you're getting things back on an even keel. You'll have stories to tell of the Great Storm for decades to come, I reckon.


Thanks so much Spot. I have a week off from school, so I'll be spending my week cleaning up. Just keeping my fingers crossed that my insurance sends a check soon to replace my boiler and other items. I'm so lucky that my town was wise enough to build those sand dunes.

Lady J;1413787 wrote: Kathy Ellen....glad to see you are well and sending vibes of rebuilding your home and life.

If you ever need a place to stay I am right down the coast from you and open my humble home to you.

always,

Lady J


Thanks so much Lady J. I appreciate all of your kind thoughts.

I just now saw your thread, Kathy. It is so good to hear from you. I have missed you. I wish that I live closer to you as I would have gladly had you stay with us. Know that, for whatever it's worth, I am with you in spirit.



Merry Christmas to you!

along-for-the-ride;1413805 wrote: I just now saw your thread, Kathy. It is so good to hear from you. I have missed you. I wish that I live closer to you as I would have gladly had you stay with us. Know that, for whatever it's worth, I am with you in spirit.



Merry Christmas to you!


Thanks so much Diana, I've missed you also. It's good to be back in FG.

Merry Christmas to you and family xx

I was thinking of you only last night Kathy when I put on that lovely pink Jersey Shore tee-shirt you sent me In the post.

Every time I've seen people on facebook whining about not having enough money for Christmas, I've thought of you and I'm just relieved you are alive and well..

Love to you and the family, from us at Oscar Towers. xxxxx

oscar;1413824 wrote: I was thinking of you only last night Kathy when I put on that lovely pink Jersey Shore tee-shirt you sent me In the post.

Every time I've seen people on facebook whining about not having enough money for Christmas, I've thought of you and I'm just relieved you are alive and well..

Love to you and the family, from us at Oscar Towers. xxxxx


Thanks so much Oscar. Love to you and Peter. Hope you have a lovely holiday:-6

Sounds like you had quite an adventure. Happy to here you and your house came throughs in one piece. I hope you have a merry Christmas even if it's doing clean up. Sometimes the adventure is the blessing in the end.

So good to see you here, KE!! And really glad the damage to

your little house wasn't too bad and that you are okay. Some

day maybe I'll get up the gumption to come visit you back there,

I know we'd have a grand old time!

>

Getting to your brother's home and finding it empty must have been one of the low points of your life, getting back into you own home should be one of the highs - Godspeed Kathy.

What a tale! I saw you were away in time and just assumed that was that and you were fine. Congratulations on the way you coped.