Archives
9:21:00 PM EDT
Another letter from my Mom
Hey guys,
Mom sent me another letter for you all. Here it is...
Thanks,
Mandy
Hi Everyone,
A week ago today, we had the fire and our world felt if it were
collapsing. Things are still very depressing, but they are, at least,
moving forward. We were even able to joke a little last night about how
scary some of the toys look when their faces have melted. The laughter
isn't very often yet, but at least it's a start to recovering a part of
ourselves that we lost last Friday.
To update you, the cleaning crews are in process now of taking every
item we own out of the house, down to the last scrap of paper.
Everything, and I mean everything, is documented, photographed, and
signed by Marv or Myself. Our job is to tell them whether we want to try
to clean it, to just replace it, or to toss it. Every item is also given
a value, and they really like to know when something was purchased,
which is very hard in some cases! Then, the items that they will try to
clean are taken to three separate warehouses, one for clothing, linens,
purses (yes Robin, all my Dooneys, except for the two that were
destroyed) etc, one for collectibles and household items and one for
furniture and appliances. After they are cleaned, we will go and inspect
them, and it will be at our discretion whether we feel satisfied, or
want it replaced. After everything is out of the house, they will start
the gutting and rebuilding process, and then we won't have to be there
all day any more. The bad news is that we will not be back in by
Thanksgiving.....or even Christmas. Because the soot damage was so
extensive, even our wood beamed ceiling will need to be replaced, so we
are looking at a mid January return. We are trying to look at it
positively like it will be a fresh start to 2009.....but it isn't always
easy to stay "up", although we are trying hard.
We are still staying at my parent's house, but have rented an apartment
that we will move into next week. It is very small and kind of old, but
it's all we need. The beauty of living in a small town is that they are
letting us sign a 6 month lease and go month by month from there. They
also lifted their "no pet" policy for us nd are allowing us to bring
Abby. Right now, we have nothing left to move, as what we do have is
being cleaned, so we will be borrowing mismatched things from friends
and family to live with. I told Marv that it will be like taking a bit
of everyone that loves us to our place of temporary rest! The good news
is I will have Internet connection there as of Tuesday, but the bad news
is I have no computer. However, they put a "rush" on it, and if it can't
be salvaged, I will get another one right away ( a promise from Marv &
our insurance agent!) so hopefully I will be back on line in a couple of
weeks. We took a few pictures of the damage and I will post them, then.
Until that time, I will try to keep in touch through Mandy, who has been
so wonderful to us, btw. Calling to check on us constantly, worrying
about our mental health, etc. She sent a gigantic care package filled
with everything you can think of that we might need such as aspirin,
razors, etc, even Abby got toys and bones. She put a sweet little note
on every item, and let me tell you....tears were shed by both Marv & I.
Especially when I saw a brand new "My Little Pony" with this note: "Mom,
I know how sad you were that my toys all burned, especially my ponies.
So here is a brand new one to start a collection for your Grandchildren
someday". How sweet is she? Yep, she's a keeper.
That's it for now, thank you for the love & prayers....Mandy is reading
all of them to me. Thank you also for the snail mail cards I've gotten,
I'm going to tape them on the wall at the apartment to brighten up the
place and remember how much support I have. Bless you all.
Pooh Hugs & Love,
Linda
Written by linnpooh Blog about this entry |
Add to del.icio.us | 
digg this
-
Hugs to you all, to you and Marv for making your way through yet another ordeal and to Mandy for being Mandy. The cleaning ordeal reminds me of a story a friend told me. Part of her sister's home burned as part of a kitchen fire. Her sewing room (she's a quilter) suffered extensive soot damage so they did the cleaning thing. Fabric, books, supplies. What amazed us all most about the story, though, is that the insurance company rules said that if it could be cleaned, it had to be cleaned. If it could not be cleaned, they would replace it. So the insurance company PAID wages to someone to clean her pins and needles. Which had to have cost tons more than just replacing them. What a system.
You are the Queen of Hanging in There. I sure wish you didn't have to do it again. -
Mandy you are a keeper:) tell your mom and dad they are in my prayers please let me know if i can do anything ok
Deb -
happy you are getting an apartment for now, It will help bring some normalcy back into your lives. You guys have been through so much. I'm so very sorry for you. Hope you get your computer soon, they better put a rush on it. Missing you and thinking of you. Hugs Marla
http://journals.aol.com/am4039/life/ -
Please send me your new address. I love you. I am so sorry this has happened.....Mandy is a joy and a WONDERFUL daughter!!
XO
7/15/08 9:57 PM
Dondie