So great to read of the help and support you're receiving Marilyn. The aftermath is much longer than the actual event and you and others need as much help as possible until it's no longer needed!

What a sweet looking helper for your horses and so nice to see them being paid good attention to.

I agree very different than last year. So many volunteers now and helpers. I honestly don't know what we would have done if the wonderful disaster team from the Southern Baptist convention had not come to help us. They have taken over and done everything, every day they get there early and stay all day working. This would have cost us several thousand dollars to have done. We paid for it last year and of course this year is much more work. The house is pretty much stripped bare, just studs and concrete and tile. See through from one end to the other. The garage is next. A true Godsend!

Every day various people and businesses drive through the neighborhood with free food for anyone who wants it. Cases of water just appear! Neighbors helping neighbors. We are getting to know a lot of them we had never met. The men have started night patrols with the police trying to stop the looters. Our house got hit this week. We have no place to store stuff so it was in crates around the rv. Someone went through it and stole a lot of stuff. The little bit we had salvaged. It is unfortunate that those types of low life's exist. But many are being caught and it's serious business, theft during a national disaster!

I really like the positive attitude so many people are trying to maintain, not easy in these situations.

Marilyn I am so glad you are doing well and getting what you need to get back to a semblance of normal, if that can ever happen lol.

Thanks for the updates from both of you. Appreciate hearing from you.

good news all around!

I am so happy to hear that Marilyn and Raven's cleanup is almost finished and maybe the rebuilding can begin soon. I have no idea how far either of you has to drive to get to an area with groceries, medical supplies, clothing, animal feed, vehicles or even appliances to purchase. My mind boggles with the hardships even while things are progressing for you both.

Marilyn, I bet that hot meal tastes good after a day full of cleaning and dealing with the mess. I am glad that the cleaning supplies and clean clothes are there for you also.

That little girl is going to be a horse lover for life! She seems to handle them so sweetly.

It's good that you and your neighbors are getting help with animal feed. It seems that the donations and volunteers this time were more organized and realistically geared toward the true need rather than just handing out 15 pairs of jeans or shoes for everyone.

The world is full of good people. Unfortunately we mostly just read about the bad. When we first moved to Virginia, in the first 6 years we lived here, we experienced 3 of the 5 worst storms in the the history of Va since they were keeping records. An ice storm, hurricane Floyd and hurricane Isabel. None of which were the likes of Harvey or Irma. We personally had no real damage just inconvenience, but when I drove around town and saw all the utility vehicles from so many different states, I was overwhelmed by the wonderful feeling one gets when they see everyone coming together to help. I imagine if I magnify that 100 times, that is what you all are feeling in your town right now.

Not only is it wonderful to read that you're both recovering, it's very gratifying to learn that the organizations and private groups that volunteered to travel to your area to help...have done so. My State...like so many other States...and even my immediate geographical area...sent truck loads of food, cleaning supplies and workers to help with clean up and survival. I'm so glad they're succeeding and helping to make your lives a little easier through this horrible disaster.

I was very relieved they found you, Raven. When I read about your husband's near breakdown...I cried. There's no amount of money that can ease that kind of emotional stress. But kind, helping hands will...and do.

Marilyn...this is horse country here and I know that many of our local groups packed it up and headed your way with supplies. It wouldn't surprise me at all if you've bumped into a few. These people turn words into action...just as you do...and no animal will go without if they can prevent it.

Reading your updates has been a very soothing way to start my day and I thank you for bringing us all up to date. As Georgysmom said...the world is full of good people. I'm very glad they found you both.

There were volunteers offering to help clean, but we didn't need help

We had no drywall (Sheetrock) to tear out and no carpet. We have basically just worked half a day on it each day. That is clearing the room and cleaning the floor. We didn't want to clean the water line until FEMA gets here.

This morning Jody is putting front brake pads on the truck that was loaned us. As a thank you to the guy who loaned it.

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Good people helping good people.

How heartwarming to read these posts! It's wonderful to realize how many people have simply made time to pitch in and do some very hard work. I'm so glad for you both, Marilyn and Raven. That is most kind of Jody to put in new brake pads; even when you are having tough times, he's doing something kind for someone else. Good thoughts continue for both of you and your neighbors.

There should be a place in hell for looters who scavenge thru people 's things who have lost almost everything. I'm so glad you have had these wonderful volunteers to help you. The good and the bad of our society.

I almost always agree with you, Lily! Of course, about this too.

I am POSITIVE that looters in hell will be trying to grab something and it is always out of reach. Forever and ever until the end of time.

More kindness towards me...a friend who is volunteering at one of the fairgrounds told me they have some Safe Choice Senior, which is the brand I feed and she put aside 4 bags for me. Went to pick it up and they also gave me 4 cans of spray for the horses and two bags of peppermint treats.

I went by my rehabpartner's business to get something she said she had for me, and it was a feed bag full of halters, leads, and I don't know what all because I am writing in the truck and I haven't had time to look yet. Also a pair of Ariat boots, slight worn. Very, very slightly. And the lady keeping my horses texted that she got a new pair of rubber boots for me.

Honest to gosh, I am astonished and over whelmed at the kindness and generosity of so many people.

We hear the big citys, but not the small areas, that often get little to no help. It is nice to know how things are getting done it those places.

This is exactly why the world has not come to an end. There are still so many good people following "Love One Another" and "You are your brother's keeper". I'm so thankful that the little towns people are getting the help they need.

This is very different than after Ike, in 2008 (I think). I could be wrong about the year. People got ice and water and MREs....is that what you call the military type meals? We ate at the city hall again today...chicken fajitas, Spanish rice and refried beans. And they gave away loaves of bread. We have food but we have been eating the noon meal at the city hall because it is convenient and we don't have to stop working to fix food.

I asked my partner who donated the boots and the horse stuff. She said someone gave her the boots. She didn't know them or the people who donated the horse halters and leads. Six halters and 3 really nice lead ropes. People asked her what kind of donations she needed for the wildlife and she said she needed horse equipment too. Now I have more than I need and more than I have ever had, so I will pass some of them along to other people.

We just came home from working in the house. For the first time looked in the other building where most of my furniture was stored. Total devastation. It was on a concrete slab, so only 6" up as opposed to the house which was almost 4' up. So water had to have been 8' in there. I couldn't stand to look very closely. Actually we couldn't get far enough in to walk around.

You know, I am not going to worry about it. It is what it is. I will salvage what I can. There is no use in worrying about it. We will finish cleaning the house and work on it then.

I'm glad that you are getting so much help. Our church and all the churches in our Diocese is taking up a special collection at all masses this weekend for those affected by Harvey. Hope you get lots more help, you need it and deserve it. I went thru a flood here in 1972, I wasn't affected, but my MIL and thousands of others were. It was heartbreaking to see everyone's household possessions on the curb, waiting to be picked up by the garbage truck. Still praying for you all.

It burns me up that some will steal from flood victims. It's one thing to pick up trash on the berm, but items clearly set aside and drying off are off limits.

I can not imagine that anything stolen from Raven was a life essential for the thief. Those were not people scrambling to survive - they were simply theives.