Saturday, November 12, 2011

The Last Couple of Weeks


While Karen and I were away, Isabel organized the two set-ups at Westwood and did an admirable job.  She was flexible and unflappable and didn’t bat an eyelash when told the set-up organized for Friday had been moved to the following Tuesday. 

Their first set-up went quickly and smoothly and the unit, a ground floor on the freeway side, had all new furniture.  All was there and ready for the new family except the mattress which didn’t arrive in time for Isabel and Geraldine to make it look pretty.  Still, the family was, I’m sure, delighted with the new bed linens and pillows.

Geraldine did a great job in the kitchen and brought additional food and both she and Isabel brought fresh fruit so the cupboards were filled and the fruit bowl overflowing.  I’m sure it looked great. 

The second set-up that Isabel handled was postponed a few days, finally happening on a Tuesday, and thankfully she was able to handle the change in dates and, with the able help of Ildy, they created a nice home environment for the Franklin family who had moved in the day before.  Isabel reported that they had very little in the way of household supplies and so all that they did was greatly appreciated.   

Nefertari Franklin was in school, but Mrs. Franklin was at home as she was ill.  She was expecting TWC, though, and extremely happy and appreciative.  She loved everything that was provided and knew her daughter would really like the clothes and stuffed animals.  No photos, but a happy outcome! 

Ildy contributed fruit, rice, a couple of pillows and some shampoo…very needed items which we’ll use for further set-ups.

They were short a mattress pad for this set-up so Karen and I dropped one off later in the week.  Mrs. Franklin was so appreciative of everything Ildy and Isabel had done and was still glowing with happiness.

This past Friday Karen, Nancy Hanson and I headed over to Westwood for two small set-ups. Each had just one-bedroom with a trundle bed and we were able to do both within a couple of hours.

The first one was for Feydra Caldwell and her little one-year old son, Saedyn.  Unfortunately, her brand new furniture hadn’t yet arrived, but we managed to fix up the kitchen and bathroom and ‘pose’ the toys for little Saedyn.

Then we wandered next door to Oleisha Sanford’s one bedroom unit for her and her three-year old son, Marshawn.  We’ve got a few pictures of that set-up which went quickly and easily. 

Today when Karen and Mary went over to Westwood to drop off some items for an emergency move-in (that story follows), she saw Oleisha who came up to Karen and told her how very appreciative she was of everything we gave her.  She found it hard to express just how happy little Marshawn was with the little train we gave him.  “Thank you, thank you, thank you” was all she could say!

There also was an emergency move-in on Friday which Karen and Mary organized earlier today and then went over this afternoon so the family could get settled in.  Everyone was home and the father and his brother-in-law carried everything up to the apartment on the second floor which was very helpful.  They were so very appreciative and their little girl was over the moon with the stuffed animals we gave her. There was some confusion and the family was expecting TWC on Monday, so it was just good luck that they were home.  But it all turned out well; just not as tidy as we usually like it!

Still, none of that matters when you have a family that were as filled with gratitude as they were today.  They kept thanking Mary and Karen and shaking their hands.  Mom Wendy Moon said, “It feels like Christmas has come early!”  The three-year old little girl, Kassidy, took the stuffed bunny handed her and giggled and hugged it in absolutely delight.  Hard not to feel good about what we do when you see a reaction like this.  And all the while Baby Kaspian slept on in his pac-n-play in the middle of the living room!

So, it’s been a busy few weeks and who knows what the future holds!

Mary Morley (and her darling granddaughters) and Linda Mann (and her husband!) handled Friday's 'Open Bin' and when Karen and I got back to Pine Tree Circle after the set-up Mary and the girls were just finishing up.  Great job ladies!

Hope you all can make it to our meeting on November 17 at 7 PM.  Pictures follow from the set-ups.

 Ready to make some spaghetti for dinner.  Cookbooks to the left!

 No furniture yet but toys at the ready!

 All the bedding in front of the mattress.  The frame hadn't yet arrived.

 Bathroom ready.  Pretty shower curtain.

 Love the green and pink theme.

 Mom on top and little one's trundle bed underneath.


 A welcome note for the Mom and a sweet little Thanksgiving card made by a Topanga child (we think).  These were in the storage unit when we returned from our holidays.  Really sweet cards.

 The new living room furniture.  It's a lighter colored wood which feels fresher.

Mary's grandchildren busy helping at the Bin on Friday.

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