Helping Hands and Full Bellies

Today at church I lit a candle of joy for being part of the AmeriCorps family that has developed in the little more than a month we've all been here.  Let me tell a little bit of what's been going on and why I'm so thankful for this family:

My old car died.  Well, it needed way more work and parts than it was "worth."  I had a little red loaner car that I was zipping around town in while I waited to hear the final diagnosis of Lucy the Subaru.  Because there was a big sign on the car the said stated it was a loaner car many of my friends and colleagues would ask if I had heard anything about my car or if they could do anything to help.  This helped take a little of the stress out of the situation.

On Friday the AmeriCorps team had a day long all team meeting.  When we broke for lunch a bunch of us went to a nearby sandwich shop where there was a very scared, timid, skinny dog.  Michelle, an awesome woman on the AmeriCorps team, took the time to get the dog to come to her and with three other AmeriCorps members got the dog in the car, and took it to the Humane Society.  When they got there apparently the dog ran across the freeway.  My amazing roommate, Marie, chased after the dog and got it to come to her.  The dog eventually was brought to our house and cleaned up.  Marie graciously shared the house, the hose, and the dog shampoo she had in order to get Percy the Golden Retriever cleaned up.  He went to his new home that night with Michelle and, by all reports, is doing well in his new home.

Also on Friday I got a "new" car.  I was happy to have the car drama behind me...or so I thought.  That night I offered to give my friend a ride home since it was raining, and we also were going to pick up two other friends at a bar.  I was already in my PJs so I decided to wait in the car for the few minutes it took them to come out.  While waiting I turned off my engine, but not my lights or radio and then when I tried to start the car it wouldn't start.  Long story short, it ended up just being a dead battery (for the moment).  The friends that I was going to give a ride home instead helped me by pushing my car, in the rain, up a hill into a parking lot so it could be safe.  When I got home I was a little upset and I was greeted by my roommate, Megan, who assured me it would be ok and offered to go with me in the morning to help me in whatever way she could.  She waited while the tow truck came, jumped up and down with me when the car started after a jump, and then rode with me for an hour to recharge the battery.

Some of the Fakesgiving food

Last night my roomies and I hosted a "Fakesgiving."  Tomorrow is Canadian Thanksgiving so we decided to celebrate a little early and have a potluck dinner.  Man, did my AmeriCoprs teammates deliver!  We had so much amazing food!  My fridge is stocked with leftovers right now!  Yum!!!  It was cool to have a large part of the team there, hanging out, laughing all together.  Some people even helped with cleaning up and doing the dishes!  Score!

Scout

Lastly, today while Benny, Suze, Marie and I were at the Crab Festival on this gorgeous, sunny day another dog found us.  This time it was a dog that looked like a Husky.  He has chunks of fur shaved off, and some sore looking spots on him.  He bravely endured a cold bath and ear treatment.  Now he is the newest member of 124 W 5th Street!  He is very chill and sweet.  He knows the commands "Sit" and "Shake," especially when there is a good smelling treat in your hand.  Also, he's really good about not trying to eat off your plate.  He is skinny and will be going on a visit to the vet for a check up and to see about the sores on his legs.  Hopefully he will just need some TLC :)  Marie once again saved the day, taking charge, figuring out how to get him home, and what he needed immediately.  She is amazing and has a huge heart and I am so fortunate to not only know her but live with her!