PART 4
The first thing I did when in Dallas was visit the Hibernia Bank. That was our bank which was based out of New Orleans. Luckily there was one in McKinney where my in-laws lived. Well, when I walked into the McKinney branch the first thing I noticed was a table with toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, soap, and other amenities for evacuees. They knew we were in town. It was sad. It made me feel sad. I didn't feel like a victim but the whole world was aware of what was going on in my life. I didn't take anything from the table but felt appreciative of their efforts.
When I approached the teller she gave me this very cheery hello. I told her my situation. The first thing she said was how sorry she was. Sorry for what I thought? I am not even sure what to be sorry for yet? She gave me a very genuine sympathetic look. I found it hard to look at her in the eyes. I just said I wanted to know if my husband's check cleared as I had payed all our bills online before we left for vacation expecting his direct deposit to go in. She said she couldn't check that information because all the computer systems were down for our account because of the storm but they were working to setup the backup system in Houston. It would be a day or two more. I was concerned about checks bouncing. She said not to worry that all fees would be waived. She asked me if I needed any money. I just gave her a questioning look and she explained that they were giving all their customers emergency cash up to $1000 to get them through and it would be deducted from their account when it came back online. I was impressed but declined. I had some cash on me leftover from vacation. Plus, my brother graciously gave me all his cash he had left before we left Virgina.
The next thing I did was call my insurance company. My in-laws used the same company as we did and had a great agent who went above and beyond to help us. I had no idea where to start or even what to tell him. I didn't have my policy with me of course. Who did? (I take it with me now when we evacuate! Along with birth certificates and other important documents!)
Ron Pope from Farmer's took care of everything and fielded every single question I had. He found answers to everything if he didn't know. He followed up with us even when we eventually went home! He assured me and told me everything would work out and be ok. I so wanted to believe him. I needed that reassurance.
After taking care of that we moved on to finding an apartment to live in. Hubby's boss was saying that there was no going back for a long time and to find housing. So off we went for 2 days looking for apartments. It was so bizarre. Here I had this broken house 9 hours away and it was as if I was building a new life overnight in a new city.
Well, just before signing on an apartment, the brakes were put on the apartment hunt by his boss. He was all over the place with the plan and it was not making it easy on anyone working for him. One day they are doing this and then the next day they are doing that.
The apartment complexes were offering evacuees month-to-month renting or no deposit to rent offers. We didn't need certain records to rent as we had no access to them. It was as if the evacuees were celebrities in Dallas. Restaurants ran evacuee specials, etc. Just show your proof of residence.
In the midst of all this I saw an ad in the local paper that they were having a food and supplies drive at a local church for Katrina Victims and needed volunteers. So I decided I needed to go. My MIL watched my daughter. I showed up to a husband and wife team running this whole thing. They put their own money forth to rent the semi trucks to fill with food and supplies. They rented three! They used the church parking lot as their collection center. The amount of people who showed up to volunteer was incredible. Almost too many. But it was the amount of people that turned up to donate that was even more astounding. At one point I had tears in my eyes. They were essentially doing this for me and my city of residence. Yet, I was there to help and expecting none of this to ever be mine. I in no way was feeling like a victim. For some reason I just couldn't.
At one point the man who organized it all gave a little speech to thank everyone. I asked him if I could say something. So I told them all where I was from, how I was on vacation so I wasn't there when storm hit and that I wanted to thank them all on behalf of everyone in New Orleans. And to this day, I still think the guy who organized it thought I was lying about where I was from. I can't explain it completely. He kinda cut me off and took the microphone away from me when I spoke and then blew me off the rest of the day. Never said another word to me until I went to leave. He said this, "For an evacuee that is a pretty nice volvo. Texas plate too." I turned around and said, "It is my father in laws. I don't have a car here. Mine is still at the New Orleans airport." I got in the car and left in tears.
I just gave 6 hours of hard work loading 3 semi trucks and that is what I get from him? Some rich dude who apparently thought all the evacuees in New Orleans were black and poor. Ignorant.
There were many volunteers who did come up to me after and hug me or ask me questions about my home and state of affairs as I knew them. I appreciated their concern. I thanked them again on behalf of all New Orleanians and Gulf Coast residents.
Continue to Part 5
Showing posts with label Rebuilding New Orleans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rebuilding New Orleans. Show all posts
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Old Town Pralines & Gifts
Yesterday my job gave me the opportunity to visit an extraordinary New Orleans business and meet the fabulous owners!
I visited Old Town Pralines & Gifts to meet with them and help them get their products online. (work still in progress!) My expectations were nothing out of the ordinary. Meet with client for maybe 2 hrs. Train, educate, discuss, etc. But what happened was that I got an education in the New Orleans culture like no other.
Mary Lou and her daughter were my fabulous hostesses for the day. I walked into their little yellow shop that now resides on Veterans Blvd near Bonnebel. My first impression was that this was like a gift shop found down in the quarter. Similar items for sale and of course pralines. I was immediately greeted and told they would be right with me. I identified myself as they were expecting me but have never met me and was warmly welcomed and invited back to the open area where they make the pralines. I took a seat at their computer which was also right there.
It was 1 hr. before they closed on Saturday. I showed up at that time so we would hopefully have few interruptions. However, the flow of people continued and here is where I say I was completely amused in what was going on around me.
It was like something I have only read about or seen in a movie about the south. And here I was witnessing it first hand. (Remember I am a northerner)
First customer: Elderly woman walks in. Owners greet her by name as they know her (and just about everyone else who walks in). She says her daughter says hello and gave her some money to shop there. I watch as she unrolls one $5 bill and three $1 bills.
"Whatcha want, hun?"
"Pralines."
"Big or small, hun?"
"I'll take the small."
"It is $10.80 for a dozen."
"I'll take that."
She goes to pay. She starts to count her money. She doesn't have enough. The owner says,"Whatcha got there, hun? Eight dollars is fine. Let's call it square." She takes her money and hands the woman her bag of pralines.
Second customers: Two women walk in. One the owners know. The other ends up being her sister and of course after learning that they all remember each other. They start talking about when they went to school together at the Cathedral in the French Quarter and Jackson Square being their playground. They talk about the nuns. They talk about aquaintances. As they are going to pay, the sister mentions she is living in Tennessee. And then I hear the owner say, "Don't cry hun, cuz I will start crying too. Tennessee is not that far away." She comes around the counter and hugs her. The sister mumbles "I can't come back." I later learn her leaving is a result of Katrina. The pain still lives on.
Second customers: Man walks in and sits on the church-like bench that divides the store from the kitchen area. He starts chatting away with the owners. They of course know him by name. He even addresses me when he talks like he knows me. I guess because I was behind the counter he assumed I was someone they knew or part of their family??? Anyway, he goes on and on about Hillary and Barack. Finally, they say they really need to get to work with me. He bows out. They mention he studies politics and history so much that he is like a genius. He can go on for hours. He has even been banned from all the talk shows because he stumps the hosts and drives them crazy with his rambles and knowledge.
We work for a little while. Then a knock on the door.
Third Customer:It is someone to pick up an order. (Store closed 30 minutes ago) The man is there to pick up a Havarti cheese covered in praline sauce that has hardened. It is for a shower. He and the owners start talking about this unusual recipe and discussing the intricacies of the sauce. I sit and listen silently. The gentleman looks at me and says, "You would think we knew what were talking about huh?" And he laughs.
"How much?"
"No charge."
"Aw. C'mon now."
"Nope. No charge. We have never made that recipe for anyone and we don't know how it will turn out so we aren't charging you. If it turned out right, just let us know and we will make it for you again."
I later learn that a caterer in New Orleans used to make this recipe and is no longer around since Katrina so the customer was trying to find someone to make it.
Back to work we went. However, everytime someone showed up at the door and peered in they opened back up for business and let them shop. They sold pralines, hand towels, chocolates, etc. This went on until 5pm - 3 hrs past closing time.
And the phone rang off the hook after hours. Family members calling both the ladies. Apparently, they take care of a lot of elderly family at home and they all knew the shop should have been closed and were summoning them. I learned that every friday they feed lunch to their "cantankorus uncle" and his buddies who come into the shop, setup a card table and play cards. Never mind the customers shopping.
After our work was done, I stood there and talked with the ladies for almost 2 hrs. They have the gift of gab and were fascinating and intelligent ladies to speak with. I learned so much about their lives in New Orleans growing up and just general new orleans culture. Oh the stories!
I also learned that they used to be located on Royal Street in the French Quarter for many, many years. Then, they moved to Metairie Road after the storm. Then that location FLOODED! Now, they are hopefully high and dry on Veterns Blvd. (Read more about their history.)
What was so apparent that day was that the effects of Katrina still lives on. These women told me so many stories. They joked that they became social workers after the storm. People would come in and just sit there on that bench and let it all out. They listened. They cried. They hugged. And as I saw that day. They still do it.
As I was leaving I decided to make a few purchases. I bought my kids these great plates:
I also bought each kid a big swirl-ly lollipop as that is their fav. As I was paying, the owner walked up with two pralines and two bags of her version of Heavenly Hash called N'awlins Hash. "Just a little lagniappe for your kids." (That's means a little something extra for all you out of staters.)
Well, let me tell you this much! Heavenly Hash can't stand a chance to Old Town's N'awlins Hash! Here is a picture and it is incredible!
So if you are in the area be sure to stop by to visit Mary Lou and her daughter. Support an old New Orleans business that is struggling to keep going since Katrina.
Don't worry, you will get your laginappe!
I visited Old Town Pralines & Gifts to meet with them and help them get their products online. (work still in progress!) My expectations were nothing out of the ordinary. Meet with client for maybe 2 hrs. Train, educate, discuss, etc. But what happened was that I got an education in the New Orleans culture like no other.
Mary Lou and her daughter were my fabulous hostesses for the day. I walked into their little yellow shop that now resides on Veterans Blvd near Bonnebel. My first impression was that this was like a gift shop found down in the quarter. Similar items for sale and of course pralines. I was immediately greeted and told they would be right with me. I identified myself as they were expecting me but have never met me and was warmly welcomed and invited back to the open area where they make the pralines. I took a seat at their computer which was also right there.
It was 1 hr. before they closed on Saturday. I showed up at that time so we would hopefully have few interruptions. However, the flow of people continued and here is where I say I was completely amused in what was going on around me.
It was like something I have only read about or seen in a movie about the south. And here I was witnessing it first hand. (Remember I am a northerner)
First customer: Elderly woman walks in. Owners greet her by name as they know her (and just about everyone else who walks in). She says her daughter says hello and gave her some money to shop there. I watch as she unrolls one $5 bill and three $1 bills.
"Whatcha want, hun?"
"Pralines."
"Big or small, hun?"
"I'll take the small."
"It is $10.80 for a dozen."
"I'll take that."
She goes to pay. She starts to count her money. She doesn't have enough. The owner says,"Whatcha got there, hun? Eight dollars is fine. Let's call it square." She takes her money and hands the woman her bag of pralines.
Second customers: Two women walk in. One the owners know. The other ends up being her sister and of course after learning that they all remember each other. They start talking about when they went to school together at the Cathedral in the French Quarter and Jackson Square being their playground. They talk about the nuns. They talk about aquaintances. As they are going to pay, the sister mentions she is living in Tennessee. And then I hear the owner say, "Don't cry hun, cuz I will start crying too. Tennessee is not that far away." She comes around the counter and hugs her. The sister mumbles "I can't come back." I later learn her leaving is a result of Katrina. The pain still lives on.
Second customers: Man walks in and sits on the church-like bench that divides the store from the kitchen area. He starts chatting away with the owners. They of course know him by name. He even addresses me when he talks like he knows me. I guess because I was behind the counter he assumed I was someone they knew or part of their family??? Anyway, he goes on and on about Hillary and Barack. Finally, they say they really need to get to work with me. He bows out. They mention he studies politics and history so much that he is like a genius. He can go on for hours. He has even been banned from all the talk shows because he stumps the hosts and drives them crazy with his rambles and knowledge.
We work for a little while. Then a knock on the door.
Third Customer:It is someone to pick up an order. (Store closed 30 minutes ago) The man is there to pick up a Havarti cheese covered in praline sauce that has hardened. It is for a shower. He and the owners start talking about this unusual recipe and discussing the intricacies of the sauce. I sit and listen silently. The gentleman looks at me and says, "You would think we knew what were talking about huh?" And he laughs.
"How much?"
"No charge."
"Aw. C'mon now."
"Nope. No charge. We have never made that recipe for anyone and we don't know how it will turn out so we aren't charging you. If it turned out right, just let us know and we will make it for you again."
I later learn that a caterer in New Orleans used to make this recipe and is no longer around since Katrina so the customer was trying to find someone to make it.
Back to work we went. However, everytime someone showed up at the door and peered in they opened back up for business and let them shop. They sold pralines, hand towels, chocolates, etc. This went on until 5pm - 3 hrs past closing time.
And the phone rang off the hook after hours. Family members calling both the ladies. Apparently, they take care of a lot of elderly family at home and they all knew the shop should have been closed and were summoning them. I learned that every friday they feed lunch to their "cantankorus uncle" and his buddies who come into the shop, setup a card table and play cards. Never mind the customers shopping.
After our work was done, I stood there and talked with the ladies for almost 2 hrs. They have the gift of gab and were fascinating and intelligent ladies to speak with. I learned so much about their lives in New Orleans growing up and just general new orleans culture. Oh the stories!
I also learned that they used to be located on Royal Street in the French Quarter for many, many years. Then, they moved to Metairie Road after the storm. Then that location FLOODED! Now, they are hopefully high and dry on Veterns Blvd. (Read more about their history.)
What was so apparent that day was that the effects of Katrina still lives on. These women told me so many stories. They joked that they became social workers after the storm. People would come in and just sit there on that bench and let it all out. They listened. They cried. They hugged. And as I saw that day. They still do it.
As I was leaving I decided to make a few purchases. I bought my kids these great plates:
I also bought each kid a big swirl-ly lollipop as that is their fav. As I was paying, the owner walked up with two pralines and two bags of her version of Heavenly Hash called N'awlins Hash. "Just a little lagniappe for your kids." (That's means a little something extra for all you out of staters.)
Well, let me tell you this much! Heavenly Hash can't stand a chance to Old Town's N'awlins Hash! Here is a picture and it is incredible!
So if you are in the area be sure to stop by to visit Mary Lou and her daughter. Support an old New Orleans business that is struggling to keep going since Katrina.
Don't worry, you will get your laginappe!
Friday, February 1, 2008
New Orleans based businesses you can support no matter where you live!
I've had this list on my blog left side bar for some time but thought it might be a good time to make it a blog post! These businesses offer their products via their website or provide a service that can be utilized by customers nationwide. If you know of a business that meets the above criteria and should be added please email me at mybayouvieux@gmail.com. Thank you for supporting New Orleans based businesses! (I do not make money on these listings. This is just free promotion!)
AngMarie Jewelry
Hand-made and beautiful!
American Tradeshow Services
Registration, attendance tracking, products
Audubon Dermatology
Order skincare products online!
Bayou Country Store
Everything Louisiana!
Blue Roof Denim
Premium denim boutique for men and women
BSI Comics
We’ve got issues!
Crescent City Packaging
Your total packaging solution!
Framin’ Place Gallery
New Orleans Art and Custom Framing
Gambinos
New Orleans World Famous Bakery!
Haydel's Bakery
Home of the world famous Cajun Kringle!
Imagination Movers
Featured on Disney Radio and TV!
Johnette Downing
Music and books for children!
LiquorGear.com
Officially licensed beer and liquor apparel and accessories!
Mamas Little Monkeys
Handcrafted items for children and adults!
Mignon Faget Jewelry
Everyone in New Orleans collects this!
Old Town Parline & Gifts
Pralines, New Orleans Gift Baskets and more!
Orient Expressed
Children's Clothing, gifts, home decor.
Papillion
Cajun, zydeco & New Orleans kids music!
Perlis
Cajun Clothing Company!
Randazzo's Bakery
King Cakes and more!
Ross Downing Autos
SGM Baby Bags
Create your own custom baby bag, blanket or other accessory!
SJRP Custom Creations
New Orleans artist - Slate, Canvas or Pottery!
Toledo Enterprises
Butterfly chairs, directors chairs and more!
Whitewood Farms
Jams, Jellies, Preserves, Marmalades, Butters and Gifts!
Wireless Broadband Internet
Sprint wireless cards for laptops and pdas!
AngMarie Jewelry
Hand-made and beautiful!
American Tradeshow Services
Registration, attendance tracking, products
Audubon Dermatology
Order skincare products online!
Bayou Country Store
Everything Louisiana!
Blue Roof Denim
Premium denim boutique for men and women
BSI Comics
We’ve got issues!
Crescent City Packaging
Your total packaging solution!
Framin’ Place Gallery
New Orleans Art and Custom Framing
Gambinos
New Orleans World Famous Bakery!
Haydel's Bakery
Home of the world famous Cajun Kringle!
Imagination Movers
Featured on Disney Radio and TV!
Johnette Downing
Music and books for children!
LiquorGear.com
Officially licensed beer and liquor apparel and accessories!
Mamas Little Monkeys
Handcrafted items for children and adults!
Mignon Faget Jewelry
Everyone in New Orleans collects this!
Old Town Parline & Gifts
Pralines, New Orleans Gift Baskets and more!
Orient Expressed
Children's Clothing, gifts, home decor.
Papillion
Cajun, zydeco & New Orleans kids music!
Perlis
Cajun Clothing Company!
Randazzo's Bakery
King Cakes and more!
Ross Downing Autos
SGM Baby Bags
Create your own custom baby bag, blanket or other accessory!
SJRP Custom Creations
New Orleans artist - Slate, Canvas or Pottery!
Toledo Enterprises
Butterfly chairs, directors chairs and more!
Whitewood Farms
Jams, Jellies, Preserves, Marmalades, Butters and Gifts!
Wireless Broadband Internet
Sprint wireless cards for laptops and pdas!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Still recovering in new orleans
This is a blog I occasionally follow and thought it was worth reading and maybe someone has the resources to help.
Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round
Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round
Sunday, January 6, 2008
See New Orleans isn't all that bad!
My internet friend NolaNotes wrote this blog recently - Karma Must Exist.
And not that long ago I wrote this one that is similar. - There are good people in this world
So to all you New Orleans Negative Naysayers - Pooey on you! Go find something else to be negative about!
And not that long ago I wrote this one that is similar. - There are good people in this world
So to all you New Orleans Negative Naysayers - Pooey on you! Go find something else to be negative about!
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Rebuilding New Orleans Cartoon
I received this in an email and thought it was worthy of posting here. Sorry to whomever deserves the credit line. I can't read it!
For complete description of materials and how to build it please refer to Genesis Chapter 6:14-16
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