The Wisdom of Bobby Kennedy ( His Famous Capetown Ripples of Hope Speech)

#Food4Thought I share this photo as Nelson Mandela remains critically ill, and as many still hold his legacy, his work, his hardship , his strength so dearly....Apartheid is not merely a memory , a stain..it is a dangerous condition that can creep into any society or culture or country, there are always people who will seek to create divisions as they greedily seek more power and they do not care who they harm in this process. Therefore there must always be people of courage and conviction who speak Truth and Fight Back.....photo via Twitter ( Michael Beschloss ) @BeschlossDC This image shows Robert Kennedy speaking in South Africa 1966 literally under sign of apartheid. LINK to the Speech and AUDIO is here and the AUDIO is in remarkable condition.

Saving Smokey.....

******************************** People say New Yorkers are tough..cold even. They even say that about Brooklyn folks...BUT...it ain't so....So out walking and we meet this amazing couple pushing a tiny baby stroller and in it is a tiny kitten. This is the Story of Anna...a local unsung Hero....she heard this poor kitten crying stuck between two buildings, and somehow she got him out. He is about 3 weeks old, will fit in the palm of your hand. He has a gash on his neck and needs to be bottlefed....Yeah, this tough wonderful angel of a New Yorker is hoping to save tiny Smokey. So bless the big heart of Anna and saying a prayer for Smokey.....( Posted June 14th....Social Media)

Courage Shoes...

#MyCourageShoes Many of us Women have been admiring Wendy Davis's shoes this week...it's NOT about the Shoes..they represent so much more...Raw Courage, GUTS, Determination, Endurance, Justified Anger, Claiming One's Better Warrior, Fighting Back, BadAss Battle Shoes...I have my own Warrior Wendy Shoes....I wear them on the Bus...the Subway....to the Gym....walking to the Dollar Store...They were 2 dollars 3 years ago, and the Magic Started when I painted them...They are my Kickass Shoes...they survived a hellish flood and a hellish move...They Are my Fighting Back Shoes...They are my #CourageShoes...#MyWendyShoes We all need to have some #CourageShoes ....

Gardens in the Concrete Jungle....

****************************** "Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come."~~~Anne Lamott ~~~// Waiting to hear SCOTUS decisions..Silently praying that Love Wins....Waiting to hear back on three jobs I applied for ....so much of Hope is tied to Patience...The Patience and Faith of Waiting...But Anne is right ...to have Hope one must be Stubborn....As Stubborn as a garden in the midst of a concrete jungle....

Up On The Roof.....

So I went up to the Roof..waiting for the Moon.....it was quiet....and a gentle breeze....Seagulls flying over....TV's humming from the buildings....some music floating on the breeze...#BeautifulNight #NYC

Petunias at Sunset....

"If you wish to leave the world better than you found it, you must care about others "~~Florence Griffith Joyner

When Caged Birds Sing....

********************************** "Hoping for the best, prepared for the worst, and unsurprised by anything in between."~~ From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" Maya Angelou. // #NYC So I was walking around (on the way to another job interview) and I hear Birds chattering and singing. And I turned my head and there lined up along the wall were their cages neatly lined up. And the Auto shop where they live, two of the workers were singing back to them. They were singing Lionel Richie..."Sail On"...( I think the Birds were singing too...) That is what I love about New York...What you least expect...in some way seems very normal...and Expected....Big Guys with Tools singing with their Birds on a hot summer day....

Finding Light.....

****************************** It's All About Finding The Light....So Helen Keller said "Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light." So I had Interviews yesterday....and four dollars in my pocket..I had Lunch at Grand Central ( coconut mango tapioca,seriously the very best thing I have ever eaten for $2.00) ..and I sat and watched People....and even in Survival Mode..you have to appreciate the little things around you...The Sudden Beautiful Light....couples in Love holding hands...children laughing on the subway.....I know many of us are searching for work and a Happy Ending ...a Better Life...we all have to remember we are not alone...or in the Dark...there is Light and we have each other.....

Flowers on the Fire Escape....

************************ I have not written here in months, partly because I find New Blogger cumbersome, not really user friendly. And then on another note I finally realized I hate coming to my old Blog because I see the FLOOD all over again, and I don't want to see it or think about it. I don't think folks realize that Disasters leave scars and wounds, that need time to heal. My son and I did make it to Brooklyn, we did find a nice landlord ( and Building Manager, and Super and even a really nice maintenance guy). So we got very lucky in NYC. And our rent and utilities and expenses are actually much cheaper than Cleveland ( yeah really). And I go for long talk walks with my neighbor, which also means that Lilly Dog has a walking buddy now. And living in a four story walk up is not so bad, it gets incredible Light. So there are good things here. But 6-6 and I have mostly been in survival mode this year,it has been very rough. And I think it will take a couple of years to get settled here, but 6-6 does not want us to give up his dream to be here, so I am giving it all I have got. The photo was some beautiful flowers spied on a fire escape down an alley...That is how NYC really is...you can turn the corner and something Amazing will take away your breath when you least expect it....Expect It.

Winter Dreams....

******************************* Trying to learn New Blogger Set Up....and still trying to get settled...and grounded...and connected...and stay Hopeful...so stay tuned.....( Columbus Circle on a cold January Night...it smells of popcorn and pretzels..and hot coffee).

August 17th Show Guests: Candidate Sue Thorn, Dustin DeMoss, and Gayle Leslie

Please do Listen to this week's show as we interview Sue Thorn and hear from her as she runs for Congress in West Virginia. She is working hard to help the Working Folks of West Virgina. She is especially focused on the rights and health of the Miners and their families. Many issues will be discussed including Sue's WPA family history , Energy issues, Jobs, health care and more. Please do read more about at her extensive website and follow her calendar, http://thorn2012.com/.

Second guest is Dustin DeMoss who is working with other Vets to start a Foundation that focuses on Remembering and Honoring those that have served. His American Hero Project is just starting and is also looking for Pro Bono Attorneys that could help with some of the legal issues and hurdles. This project is also to help the families find recognition for their loved ones. You can read more about the American Hero Project here, http://americanheroproject.org/.

And our final guest is Gayle Leslie who is a New York entrepreneur who is exploring ways to help businesses and individuals explore Branding and new PR strategies. You can find her on Facebook at GayleLeslieStrategies, http://www.facebook.com/GayleLeslieStrategies.

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August 3rd Show Interview with John Arvanites Running for Congress in New Jersey

Today we interview a Congressional Candidate running in 11th District of New Jersey. Please do see his website and his facebook page to follow his Campaign and events, http://www.facebook.com/JohnArvanitesForCongress, as he is really working hard for the people of his state. He is a CPA who is running for office in the 11th District. You can read more on his website, http://www.arvanitesforcongress.com/, and see he is focusing on the issues of Middle Class families and workers.

We will be discussing his campaign, his work for the people of his state and the issues facing New Jersey and the 11th District.

John will join the show a little after 3PM and the show starts at 3PM today.

As we enter this coming Election Season I am trying to have guests on from different states to explain issues and Living Conditions that are driving this Election so we all better know what our Country is facing. ( And so that we can view each other as Neighbors and connect as a Community, nationwide.)

#OccupyCompassion

This week I am giving two Shoutouts to future Guests on an upcoming Show who are doing stellar work to assist Vets.

(1) http://www.pawsandstripes.org/, "Paws and Stripes " is an organization based in New Mexico who are helping to match Returning Vets with Homeless Dogs. This is a win win that is providing a way to nurture and heal our returning Vets. You can follow on Twitter @PawsAndStripes

(2) http://www.homesforourtroops.org/site/PageServer?pagename=homes, Homes for Our Troops is helping build adapted homes for our returning Vets. Homes are disability Friendly and specially constructed/ modified and also green. They have helped Vets in many states and have built homes in over 36 states. Please do see their Map of the Work, as well as their website and their Ongoing Events. ( They do a great deal of Fundraising in the Summer).

#ShoutOuts :

(1) WeActRadio, especially David Shuster as a News Source on Weekends. They are doing an amazing job bringing Progressive Goodness 24/7. Nicole Sandler and Shannyn Moore are great in the eves before bedtime, and there is also Ring Of Fire, Thom Hartman. Bill Press, David Pakman.

(2) AWOP radio Kim is really putting out great shows every Friday Night on a variety of issues, from rescue dogs to PitBull rescues to Autism Awareness to amazing music.

(3) Tim Corrimal every weekend - his show is up Sunday Eves , his podcast is sharp, insightful and also has humor.

(4) Kenny Pick of TUTN is a must on Friday Evenings. His show is out of Cleveland, another one who knows how to weave the Music, Humor and Political Meanderings of the week.

(5) HUGE NEWS John Fugelsang who many of us know and love, and whose clips I have played here as well , and who is part of the Sexy Liberal Tour is going to have a show on CURRENT this fall. So Stay Tuned....

(6) Lee Camp is still turning out Moments of Clarity that are amazing and do see the videos on his site and Buy his Book, as well as check his site for his CD and his Tour Dates. His CD "Pepper Spray away the Tears " is excellent.

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Bain and Suffering : How Romney is Taxing Trust Levels of Everyone...

As this ongoing Bain saga has been unraveling I have had some interesting discussions with folks. At first people were saying " Well, is releasing his taxes a big deal ? " That question kept throbbing in my head. Yes, it is a big deal, because all of us work hard to pay our taxes and some of us even know what it feels like to be audited. But on another level, the fact that he WON'T release his taxes and does not feel compelled, really is unsettling.

Mitt is running for President of Our Country, why would he not want to be forthcoming, open and share of himself. Especially as a Proud Businessman, which is what he keeps repeating like a broken record. Wouldn't his Tax records show what an amazing businessman he really is ? Wouldn't his Records be a source of Pride ? And wouldn't he want to release them to also build Trust with those sorely sought Independents ?

And so the Bain Saga has continued over this past week to take a life of it's own. And instead of being out campaigning , hitting the Talk Shows. He made brief appearances on Friday News Shows, but really did not answer a single question. This weekend there were photos of him sitting by a pool with his son reading his iPad. This is when the Campaign heats up and he is sitting by a Pool ? And then his handlers released silly statements only inflaming the controversy, demanding an apology from President Obama and his team ? And the height of semantical arrogance, stating that Romney "Retroactively " resigned from Bain ? ( Which actually sounds like something even Palin would refudiate).

So while the Silliness squanders more and more of the news cycle, we are left to wonder would this rich pampered less than honest man be fit to lead this country, Our Country ? We have Real Problems still, a hobbled wounded recovering economy, Millions still seeking work , and millions more working in less than Living Wage jobs barely holding on. This rich pampered Candidate who can't even be compelled to provide proper paperwork to prove he is meant to lead this country does not realize the Battle here is not about Taxes, it is actually about Trust.

I am just a mom, a nurse, no Harvard Degrees here...so what do I know ? All I know is when I grown man hides by the pool with his iPad, Something Smells....

99 Report for Friday July 13th Guests Rachel Lyn Brody of "HOT MESS " and Jason Leopold of Truthout

Today's show is at 3PM. We will have the return of certain segments : MittHappens, Occupy Compassion, Power of Five ( five things that the MSM is not really covering),Twitter Shout Outs and another stunning Moment of Clarity by Lee Camp. ( Be sure to see Lee's Website on the side bar as his New CD is out " Pepperpraying the Tears away").

In Light of the drastic weather patterns we have been seeing and ongoing discussion about man's effect on Climate Change and Global Warming Discussions we are having one of the authors of "Hot Mess" on the show.

Our 1st guest is Rachel Lynn Brody 3:10PM and she will be sharing about her Book " Hot Mess" a new book that explores Climate Change. She is an award-winning playwright, as well as an author, blogger and theater critic. Plays include Post, Playing it Cool, Mousewings and, in late 2012, Millennial Ex, a ten-minute play about marriage equality premiering at Glasgay 2012. Later this year, look out for original web series Unfamiliar Lives, co-written with and directed by Eric Sipple. Connect with Rachel on Twitter at @girl_onthego, or check out (and subscribe to) her blog at rlbrody.com. Hot Mess: speculative fiction about climate change can be purchased at Smashwords, Amazon, CreateSpace and Barnes & Noble.

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Second Guest on The 99 Report is Jason Leopold. JasonLeopold Editor of Truthout and founder of The Public Record. ( You can find him on Twitter @jasonleopold) We are having him on today to share about his ongoing Investigative pieces on GITMO and the latest post revealing Prisoners being medicated with mind altering drugs, http://truth-out.org/news/item/10248-exclusive-department-of-defense-declassifies-report-on-alleged-drugging-of-detainees

{{ He was originally scheduled to be on on March for to discuss his current ongoing series regarding his FOIA that is revealing the Monitoring of the Occupy Movement. ( We also may be discussing some other timely issues such as GITMO and current projects and works of Truthout and The Public Record.) We continue to be amazed at his stunning FOIA investigative pieces this year. }}

MUST READ Of DAY : Jason's ongoing series on his FOIA regarding the Occupy Monitoring. Please read and do see the Video.

Jason's ongoing fine Journalism is part of my "Power of Five" Today ::::
(1) This Post about Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfield on GITMO is a must read.....and was updated 1/9/12

(2) And this post from Nov.2011 is also shares perspectives from an Former GITMO Prosecutor.

(3) This November Post about the Pentagon Propaganda Video is also a Must read.

(4) This link is to the Interview with Leopold about his Interviews of David Hicks of Gitmo.

(5) This RT/Truthout Link is about Jason's Interview regarding NDAA and Ongoing Detention issues.

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The 99 Report Radio Show Returns Today with Guests Lee Camp, Joey Kirkman, and Col.Barry Wingard

Today’s Show Returns to Blogtalkradio at 3PM and I will be adding the Links and the Audio clip to this post later in the day.

Today’s Show has three amazing guests. At the start of the show we will hear from Lee Camp about his ongoing Moments of Clarity, and his Tour and his new smash CD “Pepperspraying the Tears Away”. Do see more at his website www.LeeCamp.net.

Our second guest is Joey Kirkman who will be sharing his amazing Healthcare story, as well as telling us about his radio show down in North Carolina and his new non-profit. A tax practitioner by trade, part-time tour manager and full-time antagonists on the international show, Bully the Bullies, Joey spends most of his free time combating religious fundamentalism and enjoying time with his children. He is currently co-authoring a book with J.D. Shapiro, who wrote Robinhood – Men in Tights, about the harms caused by religious fundamentalism. Joey has managed comedy tours across the country with different entertainment companies and is the founder of Be the Miracle Network – a secular non-profit committed to activism. You can hear him confronting religious fundamentalism bi-weekly.

• www.bullythebullies.com

• www.facebook.com/theendisnotnear

( There are three articles that explain this ongoing evolving situation that bears more watchful scrutiny and that I will be adding to this post). You can also read more at Barry’s Facebook page. I also recommend that you look for updates from Jason Leopold of Truthout as well as updates from Andy Worthington.

And finally we have Col.Barry Wingard who will be sharing the latest regarding his representation of prisoners at Guantanamo. There are developments to share as there have been Charges dropped against the Kuwaiti Fayiz, which is raising many questions and discussion as to what happens next for the Kuwaitis at GITMO.

( Please note I am trying to set up a New Blog/website for the 99 Report as there are ongoing problems with Blogger, so I will be adding the Links and photos and audio files during the day to both sites. Please bear with me while I make this transition. Blogger’s Layout has changed and links no longer work,. so this is an important change that I need to make to improve the show.)

More on GITMO:

(1) http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/06/25/2867424/change-of-command-at-guantanamo.html

(2) http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/06/29/2874431/pentagon-drops-kuwaitis-war-crimes.html?story_link=email_msg

(3) http://news.kuwaittimes.net/2012/07/01/relatives-misled-many-times-struggles-of-kuwaiti-prisoners-in-guantanamo-far-from-over/

#MittHappens Required Reading:

(1) The Vanity Fair Investigation Piece on Romney's Offshore Accounts,http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/2012/08/investigating-mitt-romney-offshore-accounts

#TwitterShoutOuts

(1) @Gottalaff and her New Parodies...I will post the Links later, but the Vagina one is very special

(2) @FlameGoddessLee Lee Ford is going to the Olympics and ParaOlympics she is an Archer so send her lots of love these next few weeks

(3) @DailyDimmick an amazing Aussie NewYorker who has Daily Videos that are inspiring and insightful and meaningful...( hoping to have him on the show before he leaves New York, but do Follow him and see his videos at www.DailyDimmick.net )

(4) @WeActRadio and David Shuster for rocking ACA coverage

(5) @LeaderDog for their work and Services for the Blind

(6) Do follow and support @Shannynmoore for her work fighting for Bristol Bay #NoPebble against Mining this beautiful place...

(7) Prayers and Love and Light from the 99 Circle to @MaysoonZayid

"By The Way....Your Friends are people with you in your deepest darkness, not those who marvel when your star rises" from @CharlesBlow ( posted to twitter...very profound....)

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About Dreams and Promises....

For many years I have promised 6-6 that we would get to NYC....to Brooklyn ...so he could study and reach his Dreams..his future. And then in 2008 the Economic Collapse happened and everything was put on hold. And all of these years he has watched me work very hard ( and not always at Nurse Jobs) to keep The Dream afloat. And I know at times he lost hope and became discouraged. And then this year I know he was worried that so many things were taking his dreams further away. ( From money problems to MS to Landlord Problems and our dying Xena and a car accident to the Flooded Out Home....)

And through it all, I told him to Hang On, Hang On to Your Dream, that it matters. I told him that if we met people who understood and also valued his dream it would be okay. I told him that it mattered, that his future mattered. I told him that I had made a Promise and I was going to keep it, Hell or High Water. ( and yes , I wish I had not said that, as now that phrase has cryptic meanings that I know one day will make me laugh...just not yet).

And for the past 28 days we have been living in Hotels and I kept saying that we will find a home, that it will work out, that these are just bumps in the road. That the Flood was actually the beginning of our Adventure , Our Journey....But that the flood had clearly defined what mattered. That we had each other and the pets...

And so we began the trip to NYC not sure of what or who we would find. And we have met amazing people, people who did not know us, who reached out and really went the extra mile for us because they had to. And there were and are some circumstances that made this situation so precarious, but they did not let us down or back away....so I am beyond grateful. And 6-6 and I are thankful in ways I can not even measure or describe. A very small circle worked to save 6-6's Dream and they were and are so special, I will spend a long time making sure they know we value them.

Things are still Falling Into Place.....But this I know 6-6 is on the way to his future and he is in the Right Place.....Thank you to all who helped and especially this 2 months when so much was painfully broken, I am also grateful to you, you helped keep us hopeful and anchored.

When Things Fall Into Place....

We Have Been Flooded Out of Our Home.....( and do see the Posts and photos below...)

Ok...so you all know that 6-6 and I were trying to get to Brooklyn, and we had started to pack. And we were still looking, and that even our Landlord was being uncooperative by refusing to write a reference letter for us for NYC. ( Which one needs for NYC). We had rented from him for 5.5 years, and yes I admit that some of those years were difficult with him, but Rent and Bills were always paid. Always.But I also know I was an excellent Tenant and did my best. Our homes were clean, well cared for and yes beautiful thanks to many of my efforts.

Below you can read what happened very late Mothers Day Night, and read how a Water Disaster was actually made worst by the Landlord Response (or lack there of). 6-6 and I are living in a hotel, I have actually been spending my money I had saved for The Move ( and thank heavens I had it and thank heavens for those who Donated to our Move, for without that little nest egg 6-6,critters and I would have been Homeless by Wednesday AM. ). The Rental Insurance Company is working with us and will help, and have now put us in a Different Hotel, but this is going to be a process. We did lose almost everything. We have a little pile left, that the Insurance Company is storing and I will go through and try to salvage what I can. We lost

everything from clothes to furniture to electronics to books ( yes our precious Library).

I did have a Tornado bag that had some basic clothes ( jeans shirts and tea, and a screw driver and scissors and phone charger and flashlight and pet food...I wish I had put shoes in it , I really do....I did grab that) We did grab the one laptop ( it did get wet, but so far seems ok). And then I did grab my Signed Michelle Obama book ( I always wondered in an emergency would I remember that....I did...) And I did also grab the suitcase with the Photos. ( the ones in the storage part of basement and attic are gone.)

I spent all week dragging wet stuff to the curb, because Landlord would not allow SERVE PRO to house, so I basically emptied a 3 story house by myself, and it was strange watching so many people come and pick through my wet stuff at the Tree lawn. I am documenting everything here and Facebook and I do have two TV investigative teams reading/ following these posts and updates. So you might see a story soon on Local News on why a SHUT OFF VALVE is so critical on ALL Toilets.

The Renters Insurance Company have been wonderful, once they realized we lost our home they have been great. And the Fire Dept I can not thank enough or sing their praises loud enough, I am beyond grateful that they tried to save my Art and books.

It's funny as a Nurse for years I have taken care of people in Disasters, even worked for Red Cross, and even tweeted help to Japan and Haiti, and I never thought I would have one. I always have had a Earthquake or Tornado Bag, but never thought I would need to use it....There are Lessons in all of this, and I know 6-6 and I will find them...Lilly Dog and Harry Cat and 6-6 and I are at a Hotel, and we are grateful to have beds to sleep in and a place that is warm and dry.

So for now 6-6 and critters and I are in Hotel and trying to figure out what next and what to do and how to get through this. We are survivors and we are strong and we will somehow still get to Brooklyn. I am doing a 99 Report this Friday to explain about this Critical Toilet Issue, Renter Rights, and why this matters. I think with so many renting due to the Housing Collapse, some of these Renter Skills might be helpful for others. And yes if you want to help during this crisis, we would be grateful, as it will be awhile before there is a check from the Insurance Company ( PayPal is on the side). And yes do send us good thoughts, much Light....we would be grateful. Thank you.

Photos of the Flood Damage....

These photos show the Dining Room Ceiling falling and the fan hanging by a thread ? and the debris and water in the dining room. ( More Explanation below). I even tried to set up barricades with boxes and mattresses to keep water out of the front rooms, out of all our rooms there only two rooms I was able to keep the water out. My son's front bedroom ( although his TV Room and back clothes room and hallways closet were ruined). And the downstairs Living room, although there was some water-just not as bad as the Diningroom-here you can see the stairs and the diningroom floor. and the tarps. Under the Tarps in the dining room was all of my stuff packed for the move- my clothes, my books, my music, my favorite things. And some of Rob's books. ( we had a really beautiful library, two whole rooms of books that we had moved all over the country. That Library was Our Thing....And yes, the Tread Mill got soaked....and then some of the furniture in the basement got even more soaked underneath). The Front part of the radical attic did get some water-but I used a box spring to keep some out, but it was everywhere, I have to say Mattresses did work to save some of the rooms or absorb some of the water. I actually had waves in the attic and in the basement as it rained down. It was up to 8 inches deep in the basement by 3AM. The photos don't really show the water Raining from floor to floor, I had trouble photographing that so you could see it. But it did rain down all three floors.

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Ceiling in TV room under 3rd floor gave out within 30 min. Black water hitting everything. I was frantically trying save and salvage stuff, slipping and sliding and dodging falling debris. ( I could have seriously used a hard hat). The TV Room on the 2nd floor is....was our Family Room, it is where all of our Music, Films and Games and even favorite books were. It is where we watched TV, Netflix, Battle Star Gallactica Marathons. We were due Monday to start a DrWHO marathon. And it is where all of my son's games were, his playstation, all that gaming stuff that guys need to Save the World....and yes it is where the computers were, because we had just been watching Sunday Night TV when this happened.....I have never seen that much water rain down...it seriously reminded me of Seattle. It was like watching a Monsoon or a Hurricane in the House. I have lived through much and helped many disasters when I worked for the Red Cross ( quakes, hurricanes and floods), but I never thought I would go through such a thing and be fighting to save what matters minute to minute.... And the Landlord refused to come and shut off the Water to the House. And the Fire Dept even called him and told him to come and he refused. It's all on record, including my frantic phone calls to 911. I seriously wonder if the amount of water that flooded the house, all three stories and basement set a City Record. The Fire Dept - God Bless them, I am so so grateful to them, and I need to make them cookies.

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This is the Kitchen the Night of the Flood.Ceiling and Floorboards from above falling all over kitchen. Water Raining Down. The Photo next to it is the actual kitchen ceiling falling ( lamp is still holding..or hanging there. I put that lamp in....it still looks nice). Firemen brought in 5 huge tarps and they collected some of the water, but sadly stuff under the tarps was already soaked.

But the Firemen were amazing, they did little things, like tried to save my art and my paintings. Much of my art was painted by AIDS patients in Seattle, so it is priceless and irreplaceable in so many ways.

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The Illegal Plumbing Set Up in the 3rd Floor Toilet that caused Our Flood

There are lessons in all of this, so that is why I am sharing. This is the attic toilet ( yes, the little tiny toilet on the 3rd floor, in the Radical Attic), and no one ever believe that this little tiny tubing could and did cause so much damage. A little after MN, I had gone upstairs to wash my hands, go to the bathroom, and get ready for bed. I was falling asleep watching TV with 6-6, I had had a very nice quiet Mothers Day. I turned to go down the stairs and I heard this Giant WHOOOSH...then I went in the bathroom and that little tubing was shooting massive amounts of water all over, it was like a fire hose gone wild. I could not hold on to it , or direct the water out the window or to the tub ( it was too short). And I was slipping and sliding and falling all of over the tiny bathroom battling it. I was soaked and the room was filling with water, so I did what any woman would do. I slammed the door and barricaded it with a bunch of packed moving boxes and blankets etc. But by then the bedroom was filling and the storage area and water was rushing down the stairs. So I really quickly ran downstairs told 6-6 to go to the Living room, threw the cat in a crate ( poor thing) and leashed up Lillydog for 6-6 to hold on to. Within Minutes it was raining down on all floors. Room by room I was trying to set up barricades or cover things or gather what we treasured. The whole time banging on wall next door trying to wake up neighbors, because Shut Off for the Water is in their basement-not mine. And I tried to call landlord- it rang and rang. I called PD, they said to call plumber or landlord. Finally 40 minutes into this fiasco I called the Fire Dept, and they arrived within 7 minutes. They tried to save what they could with huge tarps, sadly most of what I owned was already wet and ruined by then. I am grateful they tried to save my art. I am grateful that I have had Renters Insurance since I was 17 and never used it...ever until now. The Fire Dept did crimp the line with Pliers ( I wish I had thought of that), and then banged next door and finally accessed basement shut off of all water, and they did call Landlord and speak to him. The Huge Tarps did collect the rain that fell all night and the falling plaster. The Next Day I alone dragged those huge heavy tarps outside to get what water I could out of the house. I did call Renters Insurance that night and did also call SERVE PRO and get a claim Number to come to home and assist with Water Clean Up. Landlord arrived at Noon., and refused to allow me to call SERVE PRO. He said he would have "His People" come. They never did. At 3PM he arrived worried about his "floors" and even left me phone messages about cleaning his floors. He brought no people, he brought one bucket, one dirty old fan, one dirty old wet mop, and three towels and one hefty garbage bag. I will blog separately about what he said to me at Noon, as it is unbelievable. At 4PM Monday he brought his Plumbers in and they replaced the Illegal Faulty Toilet Set up. ( They left stickers on the new set up that was purchased at my local ACE hardward. For Less than 10 Dollars much damage to Home and My belongings could have been prevented.). None of his "people" ever arrived to the home to help with the Water Clean Up or removal, I alone cleaned up ALL the Debris while ceilings and water were still falling. I put it all on the Curb. For five days I did all of this by myself, with no help from Landlord or his people. He did leave me messages expressing concern re. the Condition of the Floors. 6PM he tried to get me to Mop said Floors. I left Mop on backporch where he placed it. I removed all the water and wet debris in an effort to prevent mold. SERVE PRO would have come and dealth with it better than me- it's absurd that he refused this service that would have helped so much. IF you have insurance and a claim number, let them come, they are the PROS.

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The Main Plumbing lesson in this for all of us Renters is that ALL Toilets must have a Shut Off Valve. And that all Renters need to have access to Water Shut Off for house or access to Someone who will come shut off water. Landlord Refused to come to house, and even refused when Fire Dept asked him to come.

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NOTE TO ALL FUTURE Landlords : Don't EVER hand me a MOP to clean your floors after your negligence flooded my home and my belongings. I am an Excellent Tenant, but cleaning Flood Damage is not my responsibility.