PARKERSBURG TORNADOS PT. 3
Thanks to the wonders of the internet, my friend Holly just sent me a "before" picture of the house in Parkersburg where we lived. Here is the complete before and after.
BEFORE:
BEFORE:
AFTER:
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Parkersburg Tornados Pt. 2
PARKERSBURG TORNADOS PT. 2
Ken, his sisters Kathy and Maria, and I went to Parkersburg on Monday (Memorial Day) to see the devastation of the town and her house firsthand. When we learned there wasn't much we could save from her house (she did have a few boxes of items in the garage, but nothing too major), we moved on to the home of a soldier in Ken's unit. His home was pretty much destroyed as well, though we were able to help them save a lot of their furnature, clothes and dishes.
This is the home of the soldier we helped. He lived here with his wife and two young children. They survived the storm by getting to their basement. When we arrived on the scene, the two adults were trying to get out as much of their stuff as possible from the house. They shared with us that their families couldn't help because two sets of them (wife's parents and her brother's family) had also lost their house in the tornado as well and were busy cleaning theselves out -- doing the same thing. What you see here is the back of their house. The rubble in front where the car is sitting was where their garage stood. You can see the roof of the garage to the right.
This is the side view of the soldier's home. This RV trailer was originally located at a lot across the highway at least a mile, I believe, away. The tornado picked it up and molded it to the side of their house. People were constantly driving by and taking pictures of this. It surrounds the window to the family's dining room.We spent the whole day here working on their house: from about 9 am-6 pm. (The town is being evacuated each night at 8 pm to maintain safety and keep people's possessions safe as well.) Only residents are allowed in as the town was trying to keep gawkers away.
Throughout the day, the streets were crowded with people and trucks that were working to help residents salvage their belongings. One of the things I noticed was how the people of Parkersburg, this soldier and his family in particular, remained upbeat throughout the day. Everyone kept repeating, "It's just a house. These are just possessions. Everyone is safe." It became sort of a mantra that people repeated, I think, to just get through this. Though their own homes were in disarray, and in some cases completely gone, people all over the town were checking on each other, hugging each other, and asking what they could do for each other. I only saw people get teary a few times when talking about places around the house where their kids would play, when they wondered aloud where they would live now, or when thanking each other for all the help and support that was given.
By midafternoon, several people made their way into town bringing vehicles to help load household items. It was really touching how many people gave up their holiday weekend to travel into town (some from as far as Cedar Rapids) to help this soldier, his family, and other townspeople out. The Waterloo-based National Guard was also there along with the Red Cross and several church groups who graciously made sandwiches for lunches, bringing them to each house so people didn't have to quit working. Here are some soldiers talking with a fellow soldier who lost his home. They were busy packing household items in the truck in the background.
Here is a picture of the main highway (57) running through Parkersburg. On the left would have been the town's grocery store and on the right down the road, the Kwik Star. The amount of devastation is indescribable.This final picture is one I took from the back yard of the soldier we helped. While taking a moment to look around at the town around us, we were surprised to see a familiar sign in the background. We all agreed that it was almost as if we were being told that everything will be ok. Judging from the response of the people I met and worked alongside yesterday, I believe it will be.
Parkersburg Tornados Pt. 1
PARKERSBURG, IOWA -- MAY 26, 2008
As many of you know, Parkersburg, IA was hit by a terrible tornado on Sunday, May 25, 2008. This small town of approximately 1,600 people was where Ken lived from February-May 2008 when he returned to Iowa to work and while I was in Illinois finishing school. During this time, he lived at his sister Kathy's house which she was selling. The house was a lovely 1970's split foyer house with an attached garage. When you walked in the front door, you would either go up 5 steps to the main level or down 5 steps to the sub-level basement. The house was quite large: 3 bedrooms, 3 full baths, a newly remodeled kitchen and remodeled two bathrooms, and a large open living room with a fireplace. (I don't have a "before picture" of the house to share right now.) I also lived here from May 11-May 23 after I returned from IL and before just last weekend when we moved out of it and to Waterloo which is only about 20-25 miles away. (You can click on any of the pictures to enlarge them.)
HOUSEThe picture to the left shows what is left of this house after the tornado Sunday night. What you are looking at is the driveway leading to the 2-stall garage which was attached to the house. To the right you can see some of the brick archway that led to a small attached workspace / storeroom. This was about the only part of the house that is left. The rubble you see before you is the top half of the house which was torn off the sub-level. The tree you see sitting to the left in the picture was ripped from her backyard and is actually sitting on the whole house (living room and bedrooms). You can see the neghbor's house to the far left in the picture so you know where her house would have ended.
After surveying the house, we all agreed that no one would have survived if they'd been in it at the time of the storm. There just was no safe place to be. Too much of the basement of the house was covered in debris, and where it wasn't covered, the top of the house had been ripped off. We were very blessed that no one was living in the house at the time and all of Kathy's, Ken's and my belongings had been moved out. The house was, for the most part, empty and so we did not lose as much as others in town.
This picture of the back of the house shows a better picture of how the top of was ripped off. All that remains is the brick-covered sub-level basement. Here the garage was to the left of the sidewalk and the rest of the house would have been on the right. The small patch of concrete in the center of the picture was where a little playhouse stood. It was kind of a smaller scale version of the bigger house. There is no sign of it left and we couldn't find any of it. It's as though the whole thing was picked up and dropped somewhere else. All we found was a few pieces of a weather vane that sat on top of it.
Here is another shot of the back of the house. The window with the green paint was the laundry room and the cats' litter box and eating room. Here you can also see where the tree was that is now lying on top of the house. Interestingly, all the landscaping around the house, trees, and playhouse still looked pretty good. The tree didn't even have stump left on it; just sharp pieces of it sticking out of the ground.
This is just a shot of part of the devastation of the town. This is the Parkersburg water tower and a shot, I believe, of what was the new bank. One of the things we noticed was that the trees have no leaves and many of them have no bark on them anymore. What was once a beautiful city filled with lush green trees looks like the dead of winter.I'll post more pictures of the town and the people we helped in a second blog posting.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Job: YES. Home: YES
I finally have internet at home again. What a relief!
Home Update: Ken and I are now settled into our new little home (pictures yet to come). We moved in this past weekend. While we’re still getting things settled, we’ve got a lot of it put together already. I’m busy going through things and getting boxes packed of things we just don’t need. Apparently we have millions of dishes I didn’t remember having or ever acquiring. Many of these will be going to Goodwill or possibly even on a garage sale if I ever get my act together.
Job Update: I interviewed for a few jobs the week before graduation. One was for a writing position at John Deere and the other for a teaching job at a community college in Mason City, IA. I’m pleased to say that I was offered both jobs, but as you can imagine, it was difficult to decide. I’ve always wanted to teach at a community college, so when that position came up, I was pretty excited. The downside was that it is located an hour and 15 minutes away from where Ken works. That would mean a 2.5 hour commute for me every day. The writing job is in Waterloo, actually in the same place Ken works (same building), and we’d have a 10-minute commute to work each day. Ken and I considered living partway between the two, but in the end, we decided that with gas prices so high and threatening to go higher, the commute for both of us would be pretty expensive. Plus, we really value our time not working or driving and decided we didn’t want to both be on the road for up to an hour + to work and home each day.
And so, in the end, I accepted the position of Communication Specialist at John Deere in Waterloo. I’ll be working with writing and different forms of communications (Deere documents, internet, broadcast video, employee relations, event planning, etc.) for the 5 different Waterloo-based Deere plants. It’s a full-time ontract job, so I will continue to look for full-time Deere or possibly teaching jobs in the area for now. Word is that many people being as contract employees at Deere and are then hired on eventually. Some of the projects I know I’ll be working on include their new plant broadcast system and planning two upcoming events: the annual managers’ meeting and the 90th anniversary of Deere in Waterloo. My start date is Wednesday, May 28, so I have a few days left to enjoy the summer. Interestingly enough, Ken and I can even carpool to work as we’re in the same building.
I don’t know what it will like not to be teaching as that’s what I thought I’d be doing after getting a PhD, but I’m excited about the new opportunities with this position. As a tech writing teacher, this industry experience will be good for me if I decide to teach again in the future. I may even try to adjunct a writing course at Northern Iowa or the community college in town once I get used to my work schedule just to stay in the classroom.
I’ll try to post some pictures of graduation, the open house in Normal, and our new place once I find out where Ken packed the digital camera.
Home Update: Ken and I are now settled into our new little home (pictures yet to come). We moved in this past weekend. While we’re still getting things settled, we’ve got a lot of it put together already. I’m busy going through things and getting boxes packed of things we just don’t need. Apparently we have millions of dishes I didn’t remember having or ever acquiring. Many of these will be going to Goodwill or possibly even on a garage sale if I ever get my act together.
Job Update: I interviewed for a few jobs the week before graduation. One was for a writing position at John Deere and the other for a teaching job at a community college in Mason City, IA. I’m pleased to say that I was offered both jobs, but as you can imagine, it was difficult to decide. I’ve always wanted to teach at a community college, so when that position came up, I was pretty excited. The downside was that it is located an hour and 15 minutes away from where Ken works. That would mean a 2.5 hour commute for me every day. The writing job is in Waterloo, actually in the same place Ken works (same building), and we’d have a 10-minute commute to work each day. Ken and I considered living partway between the two, but in the end, we decided that with gas prices so high and threatening to go higher, the commute for both of us would be pretty expensive. Plus, we really value our time not working or driving and decided we didn’t want to both be on the road for up to an hour + to work and home each day.
And so, in the end, I accepted the position of Communication Specialist at John Deere in Waterloo. I’ll be working with writing and different forms of communications (Deere documents, internet, broadcast video, employee relations, event planning, etc.) for the 5 different Waterloo-based Deere plants. It’s a full-time ontract job, so I will continue to look for full-time Deere or possibly teaching jobs in the area for now. Word is that many people being as contract employees at Deere and are then hired on eventually. Some of the projects I know I’ll be working on include their new plant broadcast system and planning two upcoming events: the annual managers’ meeting and the 90th anniversary of Deere in Waterloo. My start date is Wednesday, May 28, so I have a few days left to enjoy the summer. Interestingly enough, Ken and I can even carpool to work as we’re in the same building.
I don’t know what it will like not to be teaching as that’s what I thought I’d be doing after getting a PhD, but I’m excited about the new opportunities with this position. As a tech writing teacher, this industry experience will be good for me if I decide to teach again in the future. I may even try to adjunct a writing course at Northern Iowa or the community college in town once I get used to my work schedule just to stay in the classroom.
I’ll try to post some pictures of graduation, the open house in Normal, and our new place once I find out where Ken packed the digital camera.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Moving Day!
Just a quick post right now as I'm at the library and am about to be logged off. We moved yesterday. I send out a great big thanks to the whole family for coming to lend a hand. Thanks, too, to the wonderful people who made food. I forgot how my family likes to pitch in even when they can't lift a thing. Grandma, Aunt Sheila and Mom all made treats and brought drinks for the family movers. I ordered pizza for the lot too. So, a quick thanks to the Wilson family, Brother Tom, Sister Maria, Jeff and Aaron, Melissa, Mom, Grandma, and Sheila. And thanks to anyone i may be forgetting. You're all the best! Now if only we could get you all to put it all away for us too.
The cable and internet people are coming tomorrow! Woo Hoo! I'll be able to "compute" at home from now on! More on home and job info then. My 5 minute log off warning just popped up. Gotta go!
The cable and internet people are coming tomorrow! Woo Hoo! I'll be able to "compute" at home from now on! More on home and job info then. My 5 minute log off warning just popped up. Gotta go!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Welcome Home to IOWA
After spending the last five years of my life living as a graduate student in Illinois, I'm now back home in Iowa. It feels a little weird to know I'm not driving back to Illinois in a few days (as if my weekend home were over). It also feels strangely fine. Comforting even. I'm home. I'm actually home again. When I left for Illinois in August 2003, I didn't know what the future was going to hold. I knew I was working toward a PhD, but I didn't know if I would finish it. I remember saying to myself, "Just give it a year." I didn't know if I would stay in Illinois, return to Iowa, or move to a different state altogether. I didn't know what it meant to get a PhD or what kind of work (other than teaching) that would bring. Now I know more about things and though I'm not sure what I want to do with the rest of my life, I feel strangely comfortable with my decision to return to Iowa.
And so, here I am. Right now I'm still in Parkersburg as Ken and I prepare to move yet again to our little duplex in Waterloo (Saturday's project). I don't have email at home yet, so I'm at the little library here in town. I've been here about 1.5 hours and am really surprised they haven't kicked me off yet. So far since I arrived on Saturday night, I've engaged in the following exciting activities: mowed Mom's lawn, had a cook out with my sister Melissa and family for Mother's Day, and ran errands around town getting things ready to move. Not a whole lot really, and it feels great! Today, I actually slept in! Believe it or not! I never do that.
I've gotten some job offers and think I've decided on what I want. I just hate telling people no, so I'm putting off calling the others. More on that later once it's all settled.
I also want to write more about the wonderful turnout at my graduation open house in Normal and the fabulous family & friends that drove all the way to Normal, IL for the ceremony. I'll have to do that later though when I can also post some pictures. That's a little hard to do on a public computer. We'll have home internet again as on Monday! Yay!
I do have to share this though. My favorite quote from Sunday (Mother's Day): My 86 year-old grandmother reflecting on the fact that 4 of her 7 gradnchildren have returned to Iowa. Grandma says, "Having more of them back here means I can have more of them do more for me." Nicely put, Grandma. Now I'll go mow your lawn.
And so, here I am. Right now I'm still in Parkersburg as Ken and I prepare to move yet again to our little duplex in Waterloo (Saturday's project). I don't have email at home yet, so I'm at the little library here in town. I've been here about 1.5 hours and am really surprised they haven't kicked me off yet. So far since I arrived on Saturday night, I've engaged in the following exciting activities: mowed Mom's lawn, had a cook out with my sister Melissa and family for Mother's Day, and ran errands around town getting things ready to move. Not a whole lot really, and it feels great! Today, I actually slept in! Believe it or not! I never do that.
I've gotten some job offers and think I've decided on what I want. I just hate telling people no, so I'm putting off calling the others. More on that later once it's all settled.
I also want to write more about the wonderful turnout at my graduation open house in Normal and the fabulous family & friends that drove all the way to Normal, IL for the ceremony. I'll have to do that later though when I can also post some pictures. That's a little hard to do on a public computer. We'll have home internet again as on Monday! Yay!
I do have to share this though. My favorite quote from Sunday (Mother's Day): My 86 year-old grandmother reflecting on the fact that 4 of her 7 gradnchildren have returned to Iowa. Grandma says, "Having more of them back here means I can have more of them do more for me." Nicely put, Grandma. Now I'll go mow your lawn.
Friday, May 9, 2008
A Few Updates
So, things have been happening around here, and I don't just mean graduation and preparing to leave ISU. I went home to Iowa last weekend for my last Illinois-to-Iowa/Iowa-to-Illinois trip before moving home. Ken and I went to his Army formal Saturday night, which was nice. There weren't a lot of people there since it was out in Ft. Dodge, but it was a nice time overall. Gave me a chance to seek Ken all dressed up in his fancy uniform again.
We also continued to look for places to live, and I am pleased to say that we found one (FINALLY!). Some of you know already what a pain it has been trying to find a place in Waterloo or Cedar Falls. The main reason for this, I am sad to say, is because of the cats. Places just don't like to rent to people with pets. At last, however, we came upon a cute duplex in Waterloo. It's a 2 Bed/1 Bath with hardwood floors in the living room and new carpet in the bedrooms and hall. We even have a nice basement where we can store things and put our washer/dryer. Plus there's a one-stall garage with a door opener and a side parking area for the other car. We do need to clear our own snow and mow our lawn, but that's ok. Overall, we're pretty happy with it so far and think it will work out well as an in-between place until we decide when to buy a house and where to buy a house. We're planning to move in the weekend of May 17-18, so I'll share pictures soon. I may be off the blog for a bit until we get Internet in our new place.
Last weekend I also had 2 job interviews. One was for a full-time teaching position at a community college in Iowa. It was a good interview and I think I would enjoy it there. The only real downfall is that it's an hour from Waterloo, so that would mean 2 hours of driving each day. The other interview was for a writing position at John Deere, ironically in the same building where Ken works. This one was very appealing to me because of its location and the pay was ok too. The downside to this is that it's a contract position, which means that there aren't any benefits right now. I would have to buy some insurance for myself for now until Ken and I get married at which time I can get on his Deere insurance. It may be a good stepping stone to other FT Deere jobs and it's close to home, so it may be the best option in the end. I'm waiting to see what happens today. The community college said they'd hoped to have their decision made by Friday (today). Even if I'm offered it, it may not be worth it in the end to have to make such a long drive each day. Will keep you all posted!
So, today's graduation day. Family are coming in this afternoon/early evening to attend the ceremony at the arena tonight! I'm working this morning and then will do some running around taking care of odds and ends until they arrive. This may be my last blog posting from Illinois.
We also continued to look for places to live, and I am pleased to say that we found one (FINALLY!). Some of you know already what a pain it has been trying to find a place in Waterloo or Cedar Falls. The main reason for this, I am sad to say, is because of the cats. Places just don't like to rent to people with pets. At last, however, we came upon a cute duplex in Waterloo. It's a 2 Bed/1 Bath with hardwood floors in the living room and new carpet in the bedrooms and hall. We even have a nice basement where we can store things and put our washer/dryer. Plus there's a one-stall garage with a door opener and a side parking area for the other car. We do need to clear our own snow and mow our lawn, but that's ok. Overall, we're pretty happy with it so far and think it will work out well as an in-between place until we decide when to buy a house and where to buy a house. We're planning to move in the weekend of May 17-18, so I'll share pictures soon. I may be off the blog for a bit until we get Internet in our new place.
Last weekend I also had 2 job interviews. One was for a full-time teaching position at a community college in Iowa. It was a good interview and I think I would enjoy it there. The only real downfall is that it's an hour from Waterloo, so that would mean 2 hours of driving each day. The other interview was for a writing position at John Deere, ironically in the same building where Ken works. This one was very appealing to me because of its location and the pay was ok too. The downside to this is that it's a contract position, which means that there aren't any benefits right now. I would have to buy some insurance for myself for now until Ken and I get married at which time I can get on his Deere insurance. It may be a good stepping stone to other FT Deere jobs and it's close to home, so it may be the best option in the end. I'm waiting to see what happens today. The community college said they'd hoped to have their decision made by Friday (today). Even if I'm offered it, it may not be worth it in the end to have to make such a long drive each day. Will keep you all posted!
So, today's graduation day. Family are coming in this afternoon/early evening to attend the ceremony at the arena tonight! I'm working this morning and then will do some running around taking care of odds and ends until they arrive. This may be my last blog posting from Illinois.
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