Don’t remember what day was the last one I sent. We are finishing the transmission line today. Most everything was done last night, just clean up. We have a few little more items to do in Galveston, Stop. Just got a call in the middle of that and we will now be moving to KIWI??? I guess it is a high profile area. Or maybe just Hi rent? Anyways, that’s how things change. More and more activity on the island. Some of our crews stayed in Galveston last night after we were kicked out of the Hilton. We knew that would be too good to be true to last the whole storm anyways. We are in a hotel that was damaged by the storm. Room smells a little musty, but it is 30 miles closer to the yard, 30 more minutes sllep, and there are restaurants nearby to go and eat at. Not that the food is bad they are supplying, but it is starting to repeat and you can only season the same things so many different ways. Some of the California guys are going home since there is no more transmission. No word on our release though. We have heard that next Monday may be the day, but no one really knows. Yesterday was the first really muggy day, there was a thunderstorm pass through about an hour before we got to Galveston. It looked really cool driving towards it. It has been 75-85 for the highs, and @ 60-70 in the morning. The mosquitoes are coming out. Big and mean. We need to shower just to get all the repellant off if nothing else.
Need to get to work. It is nice to finally have game plans that only change once and hour, not every 10 minutes. Give one time to breathe.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
More from TX
I believe it is Wednesday. We headed back to Galveston, the whole KC/CO/UT/NV group, probably @ 75-100 men. It took @ 1 hour for the first group to go the 15 miles to town from our yard. By the time I left, it was 2-1/2 hours. I probably spent 2 just for about 5 miles. But by 3pm, the drive was only taking @ 30 minutes. The rumor is that the CEO of Center Point, the utility, called the governor of the great state of Texas and let him know that if he wanted any power restored on Galveston that the troopers had better open it up and let his trucks through. Anyways, we got started with our group running support for the other crews. We have all our trucks either on the ROW or at the airport on the runway. Only the Mayor and a helicopter, one plane, and our helicopter are going in and out right now. We are supposed to be the group for the island, but we are meeting tomorrow at 6:30 to make plans. Apparently they are still working on materials and outages. We are less frustrated than yesterday, and things will get better tomorrow.
There are still a lot of trucks and men, and the food has been pretty good. Tonight was pork chops or beef patties. We even had ice cream for desert. At least we got there early enough tonite. Breakfast has been the same, eggs, pancakes, biscuts and gravy, sausage and gravy. Lunches are sandwiches , chips and CANDY, yes.
Thursday
Had a much more productive day today. We were able to do work on the line and move more material. The goal is to have the line hot by Saturday night, and it looks like we will be able to do that. When we do that, a lot of things will come on line. The empty airport has become very full. The state troopers, FEMA, Search Rescue, and even the Department of Defense are here. I really believe we were the first utility crews on the island. We talked to some Forestry guys from Florida who had been there since Sunday to set up a support camp for all the operations listed and they are just now getting full strength. There is a carrier off shore and Wes got pictures of the amphibious ships coming on shore with landing craft and supplies. There were several Blackhawk helicopters flying around. Four planes landed in the course of one hour. We are making lots of friends, and starting to really have fun. At the same time, as we have time to drive lines and really survey damage, it looks even worse. Business owners are starting to clean out and so are the people who stayed through the storm. You really begin to see how bad things are when they bring things outside that are damaged. There are beginning to be piles of trash piled up everywhere.
The only thing that is constant is that things will always change. Our plans are always being adjusted to materials and where the priorities are. Not complaining, it is just the way things go on storm work they are saying. Example: Our Center Point Leader, Dick, has a plan to keep us on the island to do all the work. Part of the plan is to get things running so we can move down there. All day these plans seem to be getting closer to happening. We were even told that it could happen as soon as Sunday this afternoon. Now, just as we get into the room and are talking about it, Wes tells me that Travis, the one who told me this afternoon we would be there by Sunday, told him we are not going soon because the rooms have been given to others.
Last, there are more lights on every night as we drive to the hotel. Traffic is also getting busier every morning and evening. One of the guys even heard that a majority of people will have power by Monday. I really don’t think that includes Galveston though. The picture I sent is our crews working and almost completing the area where I took the first picture I sent.
There are still a lot of trucks and men, and the food has been pretty good. Tonight was pork chops or beef patties. We even had ice cream for desert. At least we got there early enough tonite. Breakfast has been the same, eggs, pancakes, biscuts and gravy, sausage and gravy. Lunches are sandwiches , chips and CANDY, yes.
Thursday
Had a much more productive day today. We were able to do work on the line and move more material. The goal is to have the line hot by Saturday night, and it looks like we will be able to do that. When we do that, a lot of things will come on line. The empty airport has become very full. The state troopers, FEMA, Search Rescue, and even the Department of Defense are here. I really believe we were the first utility crews on the island. We talked to some Forestry guys from Florida who had been there since Sunday to set up a support camp for all the operations listed and they are just now getting full strength. There is a carrier off shore and Wes got pictures of the amphibious ships coming on shore with landing craft and supplies. There were several Blackhawk helicopters flying around. Four planes landed in the course of one hour. We are making lots of friends, and starting to really have fun. At the same time, as we have time to drive lines and really survey damage, it looks even worse. Business owners are starting to clean out and so are the people who stayed through the storm. You really begin to see how bad things are when they bring things outside that are damaged. There are beginning to be piles of trash piled up everywhere.
The only thing that is constant is that things will always change. Our plans are always being adjusted to materials and where the priorities are. Not complaining, it is just the way things go on storm work they are saying. Example: Our Center Point Leader, Dick, has a plan to keep us on the island to do all the work. Part of the plan is to get things running so we can move down there. All day these plans seem to be getting closer to happening. We were even told that it could happen as soon as Sunday this afternoon. Now, just as we get into the room and are talking about it, Wes tells me that Travis, the one who told me this afternoon we would be there by Sunday, told him we are not going soon because the rooms have been given to others.
Last, there are more lights on every night as we drive to the hotel. Traffic is also getting busier every morning and evening. One of the guys even heard that a majority of people will have power by Monday. I really don’t think that includes Galveston though. The picture I sent is our crews working and almost completing the area where I took the first picture I sent.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Update on Jimmy
This is an email from Jimmy, thought everyone would be interested.
I guess this would be like a blog, I have not a clue.I hope this would be interesting, but I am sure that it will probably get old for everyone, including me, by the time I leave.
We headed out for Galveston this morning, just the GF’s an Foreman, to look at a line that was down. I did not realize this, but the dog track we are mustering at is only about 15 miles from Galveston. Anyways, we headed south on the interstate and within 2 miles hit a roadblock. Once through, the scene very rapidly changed and it looked like a bomb had gone off. There way debris on both sides of the freeway, at places up to 5’-6’ high. Boats also were on the side and median of the freeway. The boats were just a few, but they were probably ¼ mile from the water. As we got further south, things got progressively worse. It is just amazing the force of the hurricane. By the time we got to Galveston and across the causeway, there were 50’ deep sea fishing boats on the side of the road. We think we were the first crews on the island. The water had to be at least 5’-6’ deep at the peak where we were. Along the freeway when we were coming in, there was debris at the phone level on the poles.
We drove to where the line started to begin to drive the line. It is supposed to be 23 miles long heading west towards Stewart? Unfortunately, we spent the majority of the day there (you may have seen the pic with all the trucks lined up next to the line that was broken). We finally drove to a few substations to look at clearance points and one other section that was down. This didn’t happed until close to 4pm. We just ended up getting the crews back to the race track and moved to another yard @ 3 miles away. It was a very frustrating day for all the guys, just seeing what we needed to rebuild and not being able to do anything because the utility is just to overwhelmed with the damage and amount of men to put to work. There was no material ready and we could not even get a clearance to start cleaning up. After being on the road for almost 3 days, @ 1500 miles, the guys are ready to do some rebuilding.
We have been told that there is much more on Galveston. More crews arrived today. Our yard that has the transmission crews only has as much equipment in it as the dog track last night. When we left the dog track, where we still eat, it was 8 pm, trucks were still rolling in, and it was just as full as it was last night. It was quite a site to see a line of @ 30 tree trimming trucks lined up on the freeway to get into Galveston.
I feel sympathy for the people who have been affected. There were several people we met that rode it out. It had to be a near death experience.
I will get pictures out as I can, since I can only do it with my “air card.”
Jimmy
I guess this would be like a blog, I have not a clue.I hope this would be interesting, but I am sure that it will probably get old for everyone, including me, by the time I leave.
We headed out for Galveston this morning, just the GF’s an Foreman, to look at a line that was down. I did not realize this, but the dog track we are mustering at is only about 15 miles from Galveston. Anyways, we headed south on the interstate and within 2 miles hit a roadblock. Once through, the scene very rapidly changed and it looked like a bomb had gone off. There way debris on both sides of the freeway, at places up to 5’-6’ high. Boats also were on the side and median of the freeway. The boats were just a few, but they were probably ¼ mile from the water. As we got further south, things got progressively worse. It is just amazing the force of the hurricane. By the time we got to Galveston and across the causeway, there were 50’ deep sea fishing boats on the side of the road. We think we were the first crews on the island. The water had to be at least 5’-6’ deep at the peak where we were. Along the freeway when we were coming in, there was debris at the phone level on the poles.
We drove to where the line started to begin to drive the line. It is supposed to be 23 miles long heading west towards Stewart? Unfortunately, we spent the majority of the day there (you may have seen the pic with all the trucks lined up next to the line that was broken). We finally drove to a few substations to look at clearance points and one other section that was down. This didn’t happed until close to 4pm. We just ended up getting the crews back to the race track and moved to another yard @ 3 miles away. It was a very frustrating day for all the guys, just seeing what we needed to rebuild and not being able to do anything because the utility is just to overwhelmed with the damage and amount of men to put to work. There was no material ready and we could not even get a clearance to start cleaning up. After being on the road for almost 3 days, @ 1500 miles, the guys are ready to do some rebuilding.
We have been told that there is much more on Galveston. More crews arrived today. Our yard that has the transmission crews only has as much equipment in it as the dog track last night. When we left the dog track, where we still eat, it was 8 pm, trucks were still rolling in, and it was just as full as it was last night. It was quite a site to see a line of @ 30 tree trimming trucks lined up on the freeway to get into Galveston.
I feel sympathy for the people who have been affected. There were several people we met that rode it out. It had to be a near death experience.
I will get pictures out as I can, since I can only do it with my “air card.”
Jimmy
Monday, September 15, 2008
WE'VE MOVED!!!
Wow what a whirlwind that last couple months have been. We are finally moved into our new home and, for one, are thrilled. The joys of no stairs, gotta love it. After painting most of the rooms, with alot of help from Michelle and Rob (no more red!), new flooring and a couple new appliances we are up and running. Today we had a leak on the roof fixed that we noticed with the recent rain storm but all in all things are good.
In the middle of everything I "had" to go to Ed Week, because August would just not be August without Ed Week. What an awesome time we had (Jessica and Jeana went too). Not only did we get to spend time with Laura, Chelsea, little Matthew and Cheryl but the things we were able to hear were so incredible.
Well, just as we were finishing the move and things were starting to get unpacked, Jimmy was asked *told* that he was going to Texas to help in restoring the power out there. This was hard for him. He loves storm work but felt bad not only leaving us to unpack but leaving his soccer team to someone else and leaving our poor bishop with no counselors. Right now he is in Houston and leaves early in the morning for Galveston, one of the hardest hit areas. I heard on the news that they have over 2 1/2 million people without power in TX and LA WOW! He will be working long hours and we pray that things go quickly so he will be home soon.
And if that wasn't enough...the day he left we had our usual soccer games. Things were going pretty good until the second half when Jillian came off the field hurt. I took her to the hospital and they said it was bruised just take a week off, ok no problem, however; sunday afternoon we received a call that she might have a small fracture and to see an orthopedic dr. I was able to get her in the next day and low and behold we have not only a small bone break off *the doctors words were a flake of bone* but she pulled and possibly tore some ligaments. Good News (yes there is some), the ligament she hurt is one that hardly ever needs surgery and should heal fine on its own and the bone *flake* won't require surgery either YA ME! She is in a cast, a nice orange one, for about 3wks and no PE or Soccer for 6wks (which is going to kill her) but she should heal fine and be on the field next season good as new.
I am grateful for the immense amount of help we have received not only from friends and family but from the Lord. Its nice to know you have friends and family who will stay up til all hours helping put stuff together or pack. Its wonderful knowing that I can call someone at any time for a blessing and they just show up. The love we have felt is so powerful that I cannot even begin to describe it. I know that we can get by while Jimmy is gone and that he will be safe without a doubt. I feel the Lord's hand in all that has happened good and not so good. My testimony is strengthened through all this and more.
In the middle of everything I "had" to go to Ed Week, because August would just not be August without Ed Week. What an awesome time we had (Jessica and Jeana went too). Not only did we get to spend time with Laura, Chelsea, little Matthew and Cheryl but the things we were able to hear were so incredible.
Well, just as we were finishing the move and things were starting to get unpacked, Jimmy was asked *told* that he was going to Texas to help in restoring the power out there. This was hard for him. He loves storm work but felt bad not only leaving us to unpack but leaving his soccer team to someone else and leaving our poor bishop with no counselors. Right now he is in Houston and leaves early in the morning for Galveston, one of the hardest hit areas. I heard on the news that they have over 2 1/2 million people without power in TX and LA WOW! He will be working long hours and we pray that things go quickly so he will be home soon.
And if that wasn't enough...the day he left we had our usual soccer games. Things were going pretty good until the second half when Jillian came off the field hurt. I took her to the hospital and they said it was bruised just take a week off, ok no problem, however; sunday afternoon we received a call that she might have a small fracture and to see an orthopedic dr. I was able to get her in the next day and low and behold we have not only a small bone break off *the doctors words were a flake of bone* but she pulled and possibly tore some ligaments. Good News (yes there is some), the ligament she hurt is one that hardly ever needs surgery and should heal fine on its own and the bone *flake* won't require surgery either YA ME! She is in a cast, a nice orange one, for about 3wks and no PE or Soccer for 6wks (which is going to kill her) but she should heal fine and be on the field next season good as new.
I am grateful for the immense amount of help we have received not only from friends and family but from the Lord. Its nice to know you have friends and family who will stay up til all hours helping put stuff together or pack. Its wonderful knowing that I can call someone at any time for a blessing and they just show up. The love we have felt is so powerful that I cannot even begin to describe it. I know that we can get by while Jimmy is gone and that he will be safe without a doubt. I feel the Lord's hand in all that has happened good and not so good. My testimony is strengthened through all this and more.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Playing Catch up
OK so yes, I am terrible at keeping up our blog. Well, here it is; the low down, the 411 and all the info up til now.
Things have been pretty busy this summer even though I promise myself every year that it will be fairly laid back. We started, as before noted, with soccer camp where the girls spent a week at BYU soccer camp learning, playing and having a blast.
Next up was celebrating Jessica's birthday since we were going to be at camp during her "actual" birthday. She felt the need to light her own candles *mom sniffs* and did pretty good at it.
A couple of days later we (Jessica, Jeana, Jimmy and I) loaded ourselves up and headed to Girls Camp in Deerhaven. We had a blast! The weather was wonderful and even though I brought a nasty cold home with me, I must say the week was AWESOME! The YW in our ward totally ROCK! We had so much fun doing cheers, cooking, hiking and sitting around the fire. The girls found a log to have everyone carve their names or initials into and since we didn't get to burn our "friendship log" it was brought home by one of the girls to be burned next year. We had alot of good food. Some girls even washed their hair. The trailer was unloaded in record time when we got home that saturday afternoon, I think they were ready to be home.
After getting home Jessica, Jeana and Jillian got their haircut. Of course, Jessica only had a trim and highlights but Jeana added a cut to her highlights and Jillian chose a cut too. They look adorable but nothing could make them look anything but cute.
Jordyn and James had their first swim lessons and passed level one. They had alot of fun and learned alot too. Johnston will be starting some lessons soon. I am hoping that the lessons he takes keep him from just jumping into the water like he tends to do now when we swim and helps him learn some swimming techniques too. He is such a daredevil!
We celebrated Independence Day by hanging at home, being together and shooting off fireworks. We also sat in the backyard watching the fireworks on the base which is everyones favorite. Our street was filled with fireworks and kids, total fun.
Jimmy's birthday was our next celebration. He received a Wii for Fathers Day and Rock Band for his birthday. Holy Crow is that thing loud and FUN! The kids and dad love to play and sing to the songs and mom loves to watch, I haven't had the nerve yet to get on any of the stuff and don't know a whole lot of the songs either.
We are also in the process of *get this* buying a new house!!!! It isn't in our same ward or even the same elementary school but is only a mile or so from the house we are in now. If things go as planned we should be in by the end of August.
Well, as I said earlier, things are busy but lots of fun. How can it be anything else in the Skinner home.
Things have been pretty busy this summer even though I promise myself every year that it will be fairly laid back. We started, as before noted, with soccer camp where the girls spent a week at BYU soccer camp learning, playing and having a blast.
Next up was celebrating Jessica's birthday since we were going to be at camp during her "actual" birthday. She felt the need to light her own candles *mom sniffs* and did pretty good at it.
A couple of days later we (Jessica, Jeana, Jimmy and I) loaded ourselves up and headed to Girls Camp in Deerhaven. We had a blast! The weather was wonderful and even though I brought a nasty cold home with me, I must say the week was AWESOME! The YW in our ward totally ROCK! We had so much fun doing cheers, cooking, hiking and sitting around the fire. The girls found a log to have everyone carve their names or initials into and since we didn't get to burn our "friendship log" it was brought home by one of the girls to be burned next year. We had alot of good food. Some girls even washed their hair. The trailer was unloaded in record time when we got home that saturday afternoon, I think they were ready to be home.
After getting home Jessica, Jeana and Jillian got their haircut. Of course, Jessica only had a trim and highlights but Jeana added a cut to her highlights and Jillian chose a cut too. They look adorable but nothing could make them look anything but cute.
Jordyn and James had their first swim lessons and passed level one. They had alot of fun and learned alot too. Johnston will be starting some lessons soon. I am hoping that the lessons he takes keep him from just jumping into the water like he tends to do now when we swim and helps him learn some swimming techniques too. He is such a daredevil!
We celebrated Independence Day by hanging at home, being together and shooting off fireworks. We also sat in the backyard watching the fireworks on the base which is everyones favorite. Our street was filled with fireworks and kids, total fun.
Jimmy's birthday was our next celebration. He received a Wii for Fathers Day and Rock Band for his birthday. Holy Crow is that thing loud and FUN! The kids and dad love to play and sing to the songs and mom loves to watch, I haven't had the nerve yet to get on any of the stuff and don't know a whole lot of the songs either.
We are also in the process of *get this* buying a new house!!!! It isn't in our same ward or even the same elementary school but is only a mile or so from the house we are in now. If things go as planned we should be in by the end of August.
Well, as I said earlier, things are busy but lots of fun. How can it be anything else in the Skinner home.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Soccer....AGAIN
Yep, soccer camp that is lol. Jessica, Jeana and Jillian spent last week at BYU's soccer camp. They were definitely tired when the week was over but not happy to come home to the 100 plus heat here in Vegas.
The week began with Jimmy driving the girls and two of their friends up to Provo, Utah for soccer camp. He stayed for a couple days and probably wouldn't have come home til the end if he didn't have work stuff to do and a subpoena (that again he didn't have to go to court for).
Wednesday night was tough because Jillian finally got homesick enough that we were trying to figure out the quickest way to get to her, oh yeah it was about 10:30pm Vegas time and I was already leaving in the morning to go get them. Jeana went to her room and between Jimmy on the phone, Jeana and Jillians counselors things got better and she finally went to bed.
Thursday morning I loaded in the car and headed to Provo to pick up the girls. They had a wonderful time and made alot of friends. On the way home friday we stopped in Beaver and had ice cream at the Cheese factory and took some pictures in the big rocking chair and licking the big ice cream cone.
It was amazing to watch the thermometer in my car go from the 80's to the 100's in the short drive we had, it almost made you long for winter.
The week began with Jimmy driving the girls and two of their friends up to Provo, Utah for soccer camp. He stayed for a couple days and probably wouldn't have come home til the end if he didn't have work stuff to do and a subpoena (that again he didn't have to go to court for).
Wednesday night was tough because Jillian finally got homesick enough that we were trying to figure out the quickest way to get to her, oh yeah it was about 10:30pm Vegas time and I was already leaving in the morning to go get them. Jeana went to her room and between Jimmy on the phone, Jeana and Jillians counselors things got better and she finally went to bed.
Thursday morning I loaded in the car and headed to Provo to pick up the girls. They had a wonderful time and made alot of friends. On the way home friday we stopped in Beaver and had ice cream at the Cheese factory and took some pictures in the big rocking chair and licking the big ice cream cone.
It was amazing to watch the thermometer in my car go from the 80's to the 100's in the short drive we had, it almost made you long for winter.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Last Day of School
Well, school has officially ended and I can say with a surety that I am torn.
I love having the kids home during the summer. Even when the arguing is enough to drive me nuts (or for a walk in the 116 plus heat) I wouldn't trade it for anything. We can sleep in, go places, hang out together etc. I even dislike that my 4 month calendar already has the first day of school posted on it *bad calendar*. So, why, do you say, do you feel torn? Sounds perfect.
I am torn because I hate knowing that my kids are now older in school. I now have 2 high schoolers, 1 middle schooler, 2 elementary kiddos and one home that may be doing some preschool to deal with separation issues. I am not exactly sure if it is that they are getting older or that it forcefully makes me realize I am lol.
Despite all of that, we had an incredible year. The kids had wonderful teachers, as usual and really worked hard. We did spelling bees, field day, field trips, awards assemblies, concerts, school trips and more.
I am not sure that dads feel the same nostalgia that we as moms do. They pretty much get everything are kids do second hand since they are out slaying our dragons. I will admit there are alot of times I am glad I have a couple kids who are older now. It really helps with babysitting for date night and they are really fun to listen too when they talk about their day. That being said, I want to enjoy as much as I can this summer because there won't be many more like it.
I love having the kids home during the summer. Even when the arguing is enough to drive me nuts (or for a walk in the 116 plus heat) I wouldn't trade it for anything. We can sleep in, go places, hang out together etc. I even dislike that my 4 month calendar already has the first day of school posted on it *bad calendar*. So, why, do you say, do you feel torn? Sounds perfect.
I am torn because I hate knowing that my kids are now older in school. I now have 2 high schoolers, 1 middle schooler, 2 elementary kiddos and one home that may be doing some preschool to deal with separation issues. I am not exactly sure if it is that they are getting older or that it forcefully makes me realize I am lol.
Despite all of that, we had an incredible year. The kids had wonderful teachers, as usual and really worked hard. We did spelling bees, field day, field trips, awards assemblies, concerts, school trips and more.
I am not sure that dads feel the same nostalgia that we as moms do. They pretty much get everything are kids do second hand since they are out slaying our dragons. I will admit there are alot of times I am glad I have a couple kids who are older now. It really helps with babysitting for date night and they are really fun to listen too when they talk about their day. That being said, I want to enjoy as much as I can this summer because there won't be many more like it.
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