A Thank You Note From Ed Jr & Wendy

"I wanted to express our sincere appreciation to everyone who has helped (and offered) over the past week. As some of you may already know, Ed Jr and I were having some work done to our house at the river. To make a long story very short, when the rain moved in from the tropical depression, it literally rained in our house. We were scrambling at 1 a.m. to arouse 5 sleeping children (including a newborn) and get them out of an interior rainstorm while trying to also grab our pictures and other sentimental valuables that couldn't be replaced (as well as everything for my home-based business).

We are still awaiting confirmation from the insurance company, but it appears as though the entire interior of the house will have to be gutted (ceilings, walls, etc.). We hastily grabbed what we could salvage and moved back to our house on Grimesland Bridge Road on Sunday. We expect to be here for anywhere from 3 to 6 months, depending on how quickly the repairs progress.

I hope I don't leave anyone out...here goes my "thank you" list:

Judson risked life and limb to go up on the roof with Ed during the storm as everything was going on to try to see if there was something that could be done to stop the "flooding." He has also been overseeing the "recovery efforts" of moving out furniture, tearing out wet insulation, and generally helping to manage affairs, etc., in Ed's absence while he is at work.

I would like to express our sincere appreciation to Annette and Farrish, who so very graciously came to our Grimesland house early Sunday and began cleaning so that we could begin moving. This was an especially difficult task, as the house had not been lived in (with the exception of a couple months) for 3 years. I'll leave the rest to your imagination. :(

On Thursday, April very graciously picked up Savanna and spent her day at our river house wading through the aftermath (with no AC, WET, and smelly) to see what she could salvage and bring to us. She volunteered to go do this for me so that I could spend the day working on a new account I had just started the Friday before our incident (not to mention the fact that I was still working on our GBR house as well as being 3 weeks postpartum and still physically "limited"). Had I missed an entire day of working for them, I very likely would have lost the account, so I am very thankful to April for her time and efforts.

Beth has been helping with laundering clothes that were left behind. I am very thankful for this, as we all know what a pain it is to have even more laundry to do. :)

Aunt Connie kept 3 of the children at her house for a few days while we tried to get the GBR house "livable." My mom helped with Maverick, and Trey hung tight with mom and dad.

Also on Thursday, Dynita came and spent the entire day helping to clean our entire house at GBR. I had spoken with her on the phone just that morning, and although she had just come back into town from being away for 2 weeks, she showed up at my door within an hour armed with a box of cleaning supplies and food.

We have also received several calls and offers of help from others. Thank you, to you all. Thanks, Caroline, for your offer to keep the children. Please forgive me if I left anyone out. As you can imagine, our stress level is a bit high these days, and my days and thoughts are running together, so please forgive me if I failed to mention someone's act of kindness."

Much thanks and love,
Ed and Wendy and family (Savanna, McClain, Camden, Maverick, and Trey)

Little "Twin" Shrimpgirls

Judson sent this picture of his grandchildren, April & Kevin's girls, catching shrimp at the river.

Kelli & McKenzie Visit

Kelli and her friend, McKenzie, spent the night with Ed and I last night. Before yesterday's storm they were able to get in a little swimming!

My Friend's Cruise to Canada

Constance, husband Mike & kids went on a cruise aboard the Carnival Victory from June 23-28th, Canada/Nova Scotia. Her mom and Mike’s parents joined them. They all had a great time, as you can see from the pictures! Thanks for sharing.

Stokes-Pactolus Reunion-You May Recognize Attendees

Stokes-Pactolus Class of '54 holds reunion
The Daily Reflector
Sunday, July 06, 2008
The Stokes-Pactolus 1954 graduating class, the first class to graduate from the consolidated schools of Pactolus and Stokes, held its 54th class reunion at the home of Jeanett and Joe James of Greenville.

Three members of the class are deceased:

Dare James Williams, Allan Simmons and Jack Hardison.

Visitors attending:

Kay Gray, Joyce Cherry, Burney Clark, Jeannett James, Shirley Brown, Hilton Vernelson, and Nell Eastwood.

Members of the 1954 Stokes-Pactolus graduating class included, seated, Russell Brown, Ann Jones Vernelson, Betty E. Smith and Floyd Eastwood. Standing are John Gray and wife Kay, Glenn Cherry, Betty Haddock, Janie Turner, Dot Clark, Joe James and Charlie Meeks.
Members unable to attend: Mildred Williamson, Bobby James, Ann Laird, Carl White, Judy Warren, Nancy Warren, Janie Tyson, Pat W. Pierce, and Jean Haddock.

Plans were made to hold the 55th class reunion at 63 Ridgecrest Drive, Moore's Beach, Chocowinity, on June 13, 2009.