That's the first thing I heard when I got back in town and I knew I was back at my WV home. Instead of saying "Hi, how are you?" or "What's up?" like we do at my PA home, here most people start with "What you been up to?" or "What you been gettin' into?" I like it. Starting out a conversation this way can lead to pretty interesting conversation starters about what needs fixed (no one says "to be" here) or what they are fixin' for dinner or anything really.
I had a decent drive back. I left at 5:15 am and got here at 4:30 pm. I told my hardware store that I'd be in at 1 (they are who I'm supposed to check-in with here and they asked me to call them when I got back to PA). I hit three big sections of traffic then some snow and I also stopped in Winchester and went to a great GoodWill store and got a cute new candle holder that looks like a lamp for my new desk. When I got in, I checked our center out and then got to unpacking. I moved into the Center Director's room which means I now have a window and a dresser. Moving all of the mail I hung up on my wall in my old room to my new room was a great reminder about how much support I have from back home. I also switched my desk to the Center Director's desk which has better drawers than my other one did. It's the little things that make me happiest.
Today, it was back to work! We have volunteers coming in tomorrow at 3 pm. Before the volunteers arrive, I needed to sign a work agreement with two new families, write work orders for the crews coming in, go to the hardware store and get materials, get food for the volunteers to eat, make sure the cooks know the volunteers are coming, clean the center and the shed. There's a whole lot of preparation necessary to have a smooth volunteer visit. I'm pretty excited about this season. We're working for a new family that I really love. The little girl was practicing writing her name today and gave me the sample to hang up in my room. She's real sweet and I think the volunteers will love her.
We don't have too many crazy projects lined up yet. Three porches, underpinning on two trailers, a bathroom floor repair, painting, and putting in a new door. This week we only have four work crews but in March and April we could have eight at a time so we'll be sorting through our 300+ applications again soon to find more homes to work on.
I had a great time at my PA home but it was also nice to get back to my WV home. When I first moved here, I didn't know anyone so it was a bit overwhelming. Now, the ladies that work at the gas station, my facility manager, and our hardware store workers gave me a big welcome home. Carol, my friend from the post office would have I'm sure but she's in Wyoming. I found that out today when I went into the post office. I never bring my post office box key because Carol always just gives me my mail when I walk in then we talk for about ten minutes each day. Well there was some random guy in the post office today and when I told him I forgot my key, he made me show him my ID and then was only going to give me the mail that said "Jacqueline Glace" on it but, when I explained that no one's ID was going to say "Appalachia Service Project," he decided to give me everything in our box but told me he'd appreciate it if I didn't forget my key again. I definitely miss Carol.
I didn't miss anyone as much as I missed my hardware store owners and workers. I called them on my way home yesterday to make sure the roads were all right. They got about 5 inches over the weekend and I didn't know how icy the mountain roads were going to be. Melvin, one of the owners, had my call him when I got back home and today when I went in, he told me I should have slept at his house last night because he knew I was at the center alone. I think I'll take him up on the offer next time if I'm ever alone again because it's a bit scary at night staying in a big school by myself. I didn't have too big of a list for the hardware store but I ended up staying for two hours. This store is a whole lot different than Ace hardware or Home Depot or Lowe's back home. Here, when I go in, I sit on one of the small ladders, catch up with everyone for the first 15 minutes or so, then I tell them what I need, they help me load it all up, and then we usually sit by the fire and talk some more. Today's visit was 2 hours long. I missed them a whole lot. The two owners are Gail and Melvin and they live right next door to the store. The guy that helps me load up everyday is Rambo or Destry. Then there's Charles who helps out at the store a lot. They all look out for me which is comforting. One day there was a miner looking at me in a way that I didn't want him to and Charles glared at him, stepped between the two of us, and said "Don't you be lookin' at my woman." Today, when we were loading concrete, I told Rambo how I heard a strange noise today and was nervous about it, he said he'd talk to the Sheriff and have him and his guys drive by and check out our center late at night from now on because "no one's gonna be hurtin' my woman." I'd probably be really angry, no, I'd definitely be really angry if someone at home referred to me as "their woman" but here, it's a lot different. I know they're doing it out of kindness and just being protective of me. I certainly appreciate it because I need locals looking after me.
Well, it's time for me to get back to work! I'm happy to be back and have a busy schedule again and to not have cell service. I found I don't like being on-call as much as I thought I did. In a few months, I may not say I like not having cell service but it's definitely nice to have a break.
Love and miss everyone!
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