Friday, October 2, 2009

AFTER MATH

It seems that we are still experiencing some tremors. Today was reported a 6.0 quake but I didn't feel it, I was probably at the sewing machine and things were moving pretty good and fast trying to get some things done.

So......what to do?? What to do? I want to help. My husband's boss is staying with us since there are no rooms in the inns. He is a great guy so that is not a problem, his home is in Hawaii, he is here to assess the damage.

So what to do???? Well.....so what to do? I can't sit on my hands....so I made a few quilts for my friend that lost all, she has five kids. but....that is easy...what to do.... So...I get a phone call.....need supplies, like pillow, pillow cases....sheets anything. So....I go to my closets, start gleaning through everything. Then I get another call....and yep...go to my closets again....and glean again.....then a third phone call...and you guessed it.....gleaned again. My husband calls me and said, so do we have anything left in our home....I just laughed and told him that our house feels lighter..... and it feels good, my hall closet is so nice and organized...it is great!!!

So.....what to do...what to do?????? I am thinking???? What to do???? Okay, I have a ton of fabric (you all have seen it). People here wear lava lava's (just about 2 to 3 yards of material) they tie in a bow around their waist or over the top ....like a sarong...you get it....so.....I thought...okay.....I can do this...I can give up some fabric.....and all you do is hem the ends...so I serged them....I went through my fabric and began making lava lava's (atleast that will allow people to wash the clothes they have on their backs)....

So....I am bored with this....I won't tell you how many I made, that is not the point..... So....okay, I am a woman, I like pretty things....so I thought pillow cases, pretty pillow cases...so you guessed it....pillow cases were made....aaaaahhhhhh I am doing something.....yepeeeee

All the items gleaned from my closet and the lava lava's and pillow cases went to our church to be taken to Leone....they have over 200 people living in the LDS Church Building, members and non members alike.... So we go over there and true to Samoan style....it became a ceremony....our people in charge had to find the people in charge and we all had to sit in a circle and our people in charge had to present the gifts and their people in charge had to give a speech and accept the gifts.... Hey, I am saying, lets just drop this off and leave...forget the cermony but....not the way to do things here in American Samoa.

So as I am there, I was told that they have 70 children and not enough food...the kids eat first and then the adults. The Bishop of the Ward was buying food for the rest...he can't do that....so hopefully, Fema will come in and help them but for now, the other wards (for those who are not LDS, there are so many wards, that make up a stake and this Leone Ward is part of our stake)...so I think each other ward will take a day in helping to feed them.

Tomorrow we are going to go and clean up Leone (they were hit real hard)...so Pat...you all have been to her blog....she sent me some gloves to sew with, they are garden gloves but...Pat, I am going to use them tomorrow, sorry....that is all I have and I want to thank you so much for them, sorry that I am not using them for the intended purpose.

So.....alot of you have asked what you can do to help and I am thinking pillow cases....never enough pillow cases...pretty ones....and they will not be too expensive to send if you use a flat rate envelope, if you just want to send a few. So....if any of you out there would like to make a few and send...just email me...and I will send you my address...if I can not get an email out to you with my address, I will have someone do it for me. Infact, I brought alot of pillow cases with me, don't know why but.....several times our church has asked for pillow cases...so even without this earthquake and tsunami, the pillow cases would still be needed.

Thanks again to all of you...you are awesome....you truly warm my heart.

Today bodies started floating up in the harbour. Momma's have found their babies. My husband said it just broke his heart to hear this family going up and down the harbour yelling for their little girl yesterday and today they found her in the ditch.....soooo very sad. People walk around in shock, not knowing what to do. Then there are those that have gleaned their closets like myself. One gal said, what do I need with three black dresses, one will do. Clothes she was saving for her grandchildren, she no longer felt a need to hang on to them. The youth going from family to family collecting items for the homeless. No one complaining just helping. There are alot of wonderful people out here in this world....yes there is the sadness and heartbreak but there is also hope and faith in mankind.

I was called by one friend to help this one village, I asked her if our little donations would be enough and she said, not to worry that what we will bring them they all will share....if one straves, they all starve but if one eats, they all eat. That is the true test of mankind.

47 comments:

Pat said...

FIRST of all, Barb.....if you can't get emails out with your address, you can have anyone email me and I can get your address to them ...mention that on your blog and give them the link to MY blog and they can email me through my information there....OR they can comment on my blog and I'll email THEM with your address. I have tears in my eyes reading your post. I just knew you'd be going like a dynamo to help in whatever way you could. I would be willing to join the pillowcase venture. QUESTION....sometimes you have a lot of trouble getting mail OR it takes forever. Do you think the quake and tsunami will make your incoming mail situation worse than normal??? I hope not...as that could mean the pillowcases would never reach you or would take way too long. *sigh* AND...lastly, of course, you can feel free to use the garden gloves for whatever you wish. Knowing you are going to use them in helping clean up a disaster area makes me feel like, in some small way, I am helping you there. My heart goes out to all who have lost so much...especially those who have lost loved ones.

LyndaG said...

Barb, It has been difficult hearing first hand from you the devastation. I would love to help any way that I can. I participated in the IBOL and sending the priority box is not prohibitive. Thoughts with you... Lynda

Gene Black said...

Barb, I am glad to hear that others are helping folks too. I knew you would be doing everything you can. That is just like you.

Linda said...

My prayers are with you and everyone affected. Where can we send pillowcases?

Carla said...

It just lightens my heart so to hear that you are ok although it breaks my heart to hear of the others. I can't imagine the heartbreak of those mothers and fathers.

Kaye said...

So, so sad and tragic. We don't know how lucky we are. Barb, can we send kids clothes? If so what is needed most for them?

West Michigan Quilter said...

So glad to know you are doing okay. So touched by your e-mail. My prayers are with you, your family, and all the people there.

Sarcastic Quilter said...

would you please email me an address we can send to?

Wendyb said...

Barb you are amazing in such trialling conditions!! I would love to help....I won't make pillowcases but I have an abundance of them...I can send them to you to forward on...can you send me your address???? I'd love to do more but...?????
Thoughts and prayers go out to all there.
XX Wendy B

Debi said...

Barb, I have a sew date with the Gang on 10/10 and I will be making pillow cases to send to you.

ooglebloops said...

Send me your address - I will send some pillowcases or something............

Jocelyn said...

Oh Barb, this is so hard. Thanks for sending the updates. I don't know how to make the pillowcases, but I certainly have some in my closet that I can send.
Jocelyn

andsewon said...

Will see what I can round up Barb.
I do believe with all my heart that
human kind has more good hearts than bad...we should all look out as best we can for one another in times of great need.
Hugs to you and all you are doing.
Pray you all stay safe.
Lola

~Laurie~ said...

Oh dear heavens! What a terrible tragedy - I can't even imagine what these poor mothers are going through - my heart is breaking! I'm glad you are OK and able to help - I know every little bit helps! Please send me your address so that I can put a few pillowcases in the mail to you. Wish I could do more!
Laurie

Pat said...

Well...DARN...I can't find my listing with addresses of my blogging friends. It's here SOMEPLACE. I have had one person already ask me for your address to mail some stuff there that may be needed and I had to tell her I'll get back to her when I can find the address or when someone else like Gene can give it to me.

IHaveANotion ~ Kelly Jackson said...

True human spirit...connectedness....love....faith...and hope.....

I'm just so happy you are well....I posted your photo like you were a criminal or something....but I didn't know what else to do....

I'll send what ever you want or need. Pillowcases....what ever helps....send me your address too...

IHaveANotion@yahoo.com

Hugs to All,
Kelly

Mandy said...

Barb, I hope things return to some type of normal soon. Until then, we'll all be praying for you.

Take Care... oh and maybe this will make you smile?

I'm having a giveaway at my blog if anybody is interested in entering!

http://thatssewmandy.blogspot.com

Weekes Family said...

Barbara-- is this the only way to communicate? I want to help... do you think an order of material from Trendex would be good or do you just want us to send stuff already made.. what about hygiene kits and stuff???

Carin said...

This just breaks my heart!
I am sure LDS humanitarian aid is on the way hopefully FEMA will be too. I would love to make pillow cases please email me back an address to send them too.
Do you think they have a special fund set up so when we donate on our tithing slips it can go to help you guys?
I have a little quilt group here maybe we could all make pillowcases. I feel helpless so very far away but I want to help these people who have lost so much.

Let me know, HUGS and love Carin

Sherry said...

Hi I would love to send some pillow cases could you send me your address. I ahve alot of material some is not cotton does it matter.

LINDA BYLSMA said...

You precous lady, you. I am so touched. i am here in Lima, but I will see what i can do to send some things to help.
God Bless you and yours ane everyone there.

Susan In Texas said...

I'm so glad you're safe and so sorry about the tragedy. I think it's wonderful that you are so quickly finding ways to help. What is the mailing address for the pillowcases?

All the best,
Susan in Texas
gentle_poster@charter.net

sewfunquilts said...

Please send me your address to:

sewfunquilts at sbcglobal dot net

and I'll be sending your some pillow cases. Anything else??

thanks for keeping us updated, prayers to all of those who lost family and God Bless You & your Hubby!

Unknown said...

wow...I feel for everyone affected, even you....even though you had nothing damaged, you know people that did and that still affects you. Pat was looking for your address earlier, I bet she's already gotten in touch with you by now though. We're thinking about you guys alot and praying. HUGS

pajudie said...

Barb - I am so glad to hear that you are ok - I've been thinking of you. I'm going to be away for the weekend but will try to get some pillowcases made and off to you - I'll let you know when they are ready.
Judie

hetty said...

Your post brought a tear to my eye, Barb. Send me your address and I will make some pillow cases. I've never made any before, but I'd like to help. Is there a tutorial or pattern somewhere?

sewfunquilts said...

Barb...send me your address to:

sewfunquilts at sbcglobal.net

I just posted about some of us helping the victims by making pillow cases & 1 hour totes. I'll be sending you some soon.

Prayers go to the families & God Bless you and hubby!

Melissa ;-) said...

So much sadness. I am glad you can see the dim rays of light there. I am going to make up some pillowcases and blog about your idea. I'll email you when I am ready to send and hopefully some of my readers will too.

quiltsbylee said...

Barb, how about gently used clothing for the kids? What do they wear there? I want to help too. Just tell us what is needed and I am sure you will have more than you need. What about soap, shampoo etc? You tell us. You are on the front lines and will know what is needed.

JJ said...

email me and I can give you Barbs address. mjeanjon@yahoo.com

JJ said...

you can email me and I can get you her address.
mjeanjon@yahoo.com

Pat said...

I did as you requested, Barb, and just sent emails to about 20 people who had asked (above) on your blog for your mailing information. A couple didn't have emails, so I went to their blogs and gave MY email so they can contact me for your address. Also...there was one family who didn't have a blog OR an email address....the Weekes Family....so if you know another way I can contact them, let me know via a FACEBOOK message (since that seems to work) and I'll try to reach them. Otherwise, post my "secondary" email address in a posting on your blog OR direct folks to MY blog and tell them I'll get the info to them. My secondary email address (which you can post on the blog) is pjcasad@hotmail.com I wish there was something more I could do to help other than getting your address out there and sending some stuff myself. I told folks kids' clothes and pillowcases right now. If you think of other things, let me know and I'll blog about it, too. I did post now on my blog for people to contact me for your mailing info.

Unknown said...

I just contacted Pat. Will be sending something asap. Keep us posted.
The kindness of people will amaze you!

Panda said...

Hi Barb- I saw a link to your site through my Aunt Judi's (the green fairy) blog. My Mom and I were so touched at your post, and we would absolutely love to do something to help. Could you please email me an address that we could mail things to? I would love work on a project like this for personal progress.
My email is panda.martridge@yahoo.com

Jodi Nelson said...

So good to hear from you and to get an update. What a great thing in doing pillowcases. I think I still have your address. So expect a package from me. ;o)

Rose Marie said...

I've got fabric pulled for pillowcases .... can you email me your address! Thinking and praying for all affected by this tragedy.

Jean said...

This is horrible but so wonderful of you to help. I will try to get some pillow cases sewn up this weekend.

fabricartist21 said...

Wow and to think I have missed your wonderful blogging until now. So sorry!! I will do whatever can be done just let us know. I will send some pillowcases also.

Mary L. said...

My heart is breaking for all the loss.

Julia said...

I'm so glad your Ok...I did not realize you were over there!
We have been watching the news, my heart goes our to everyone.
Julia ♥

Barb said...

I will be contacting Pat for your address to send pillowcases and then give it to my quilt guild to help too! My prayers and thoughts are with you all.

Michele Bilyeu said...

Contacting those who have already gotten addresses from you and Pat. And will do my best to make these needs known through my own blog. Bless you and all who are helping you! I'll do what I can, as well. Seeing this on the news was a heartbreaker, it's good to have a way to help!!!

Angela said...

I would like to help. May I have your address please?

Micki said...

I just found your blog, and it seems at a very tragic time. I am so sorry for that! My heart goes out to you all and my prayers.
I will keep in touch with your blog, and hope that all goes well.
Micki

Quiltdivajulie said...

Please send me the mailing address and I will get a box of pillowcases off to you yet this week.

Quiltdivajulie said...

Please send me the mailing address and I will get a box of pillowcases off to you yet this week.

Quiltdivajulie said...

Please send me the mailing address and I will get a box of pillowcases off to you yet this week.