Don't Let the Rain Get You Down

Ladies and gentlemen, the news is sweeping the country: Southern California is experiencing the worst storm in decades. It has rained 3 days in a row.

While I missed the Southern California sunshine this past weekend and there are real threats of flooding and mudslides to be wary of, 3 days of rain seems like just a drop in the bucket relative to rain collection in most other places of the world. Nevertheless, prepare yourselves, it's expected to rain for 2 more days.

But thanks to my co-workers Kimberly and Toni, not even days of rain is going to get us down! With the organization I work for, someitmes I find myself with tasks that I think... only at this job would I find myself doing this. It's part of the charm of my everyday work. Today, Kimberly and Toni we're put to such a task: taking Los Angeles by storm (quite literally!) for a pick up of donations - 12 digital cameras, a gigantic flat screen t.v., and a full-size bed - all to fit in our very own 12 passenger van. Not to mention that we asked them to drive 2 vans down only to park one in a strategic location in Los Angeles for January use. But of course we would find ourselves doing all of this on the rainiest day in California history.

I intercepted the duo in the second half of the journey and they were already soaking wet. But they were still smiling. The best part about them no matter what the task, they will bring joy to your day with their unique personalities. Toni is a giver. Not only does she donate funds to our organization, at the end of a tiring summer she takes the time to put together a relaxation kit for our staff, featuring the items and fragrances that she learns are the favorites to the individual. Kimberly, she's the character. She gives the most memorable relationship advice I've ever received and every conversation includes, with pizazz, her infamous lines, "Any which way..." or "Hasta Pasta!"

Today, they brightened the gloomiest of So Cal days with their reliable spirits in the midst of an obsucre, easy-to-overlook task. Four hours later, sopping wet from loading and unloading in the rain, "Hasta Pasta," Kimberly says with a smile as they embark into the LA traffic that they will surely find themselves in for another 3 hours back home.

And, as always, they'll both be only a phone call away anytime our organization needs them, even if it happens to be the stormiest day in the history of LA.

Toni rigs up a system to keep the larger-than-life TV safe.