Let's be honest... two weeks has felt a little more like two months. Fans, dehumidifiers, and even heaters have been running full speed ahead. Who knew that it would take soooo long for the walls and studs to dry out at the Spoon so we can get some rebuilding done? For us, the good news is that we have gotten some other things done while we wait... and with all of the love and support of family, friends, customers, and our incredible community, we have every reason to be grateful! We can't imagine how those throughout North Carolina and beyond are feeling as they have waited for 14 days for the waters to recede all the way and start the arduous process of restoring their homes and businesses.

This past week, with the physical and financial help of many wonderful people (including yourselves), we were able to finish ripping out the wet drywall, have an electrician come and do some wiring, Jesse and Billy Diggs re-shingled and repaired the roof, we bought a new catering freezer (our two were floating on their side), and we tested one of our frozen yogurt machines... and it worked!! This coming week we plan to crank up all of our machines to see if they can be salvaged, shop for a new two-door reach-in freezer (also flooded), and hopefully start repairing the walls if they are dry enough... if we have enough energy we may even have a tent sale on Saturday with the "Hurricane Matthew" Spoon tees!

We had two highlights the last few days!! An amazing human and friend, Annette Lamm, drove back to her hometown of Lumberton, NC on Friday to take supplies to those in need. So many people are living in shelters and have lost everything. Our church, friends, and other businesses helped fill up her truck with useful items. Because of YOUR GENEROSITY, Bear and I were able to fill up baskets of supplies for families, and purchase a Wal-Mart gift card for one specific family that lost all that they had; thank you for being a part of this mission! We are hoping to help more families in the coming weeks, especially down in Hatteras...

Today (Sunday) we were blown away once again by the support and encouragement of others! One of our very favorite restaurants, Mama Kwans, held a fundraiser for us. It was so beautiful, sweet, overwhelming, and FUN! The lovely owners, staff, and their awesome kids baked tons of yummy treats - enough to fill 3 big tables - and took donations for them. When we left this evening, most of it was gone (and being that I'm "eating for two", I may have eaten 2 rice krispie treats, a piece of poundcake, and a cookie... all that after a delicious/famous pork plate, haha). They raffled off one of Jesse's surfboards, Matt Lusk artwork, and 2 Premium Memberships to Surfline.com AND had epic live music (thanks guys!!). We don't know the outcome yet, but will post it when we find out. We do know that a rad little grom, Talon, won Jesse's board and is so stoked! Mama Kwan's, we love you!! Thank you!!!!

Your continued prayers are so appreciated as we take this journey one day at a time. Once again, we cannot THANK YOU ALL enough for your kindness and love! ~Whitney + Jesse + Bear

Ain't that new freezer pretty?