Update on LIFE

Hi guys! Everyone has been asking me how things are going so I thought I would do a general post to update you all. We are still staying with friends. Living in someone's living room has been interesting to say the least. They have been very accommodating but I know it is just as much of a "pain" for them, as it is for us. We are hoping to be in our own place by next weekend (05/10) but that is still a bit uncertain. We own a small mobile home on the property next to our place that we rent out for a little extra income. The renter is now 3 months behind in rent so we started the eviction process on 4/19. She insists that she will be out by the end of next week so that we will not have to go through with the court date. We will see if she gets out and what shape she leaves the place in. We want to move in there temporarily till we decide what to do and so that we will be close to the clean up site to oversee things. We are still uncertain if we want to re-build on this lot or if we want to sell the lot(s) and move closer to our work. Both of us currently commute 45-50 minutes each way every day. The funny thing is, we actually work less than a mile apart but with different hours, we can't even ride together. Gas KILLS us! So there are several options we have to consider before we decide. Keep us in your prayers that we make the "right" decision. Insurance has been good to us thus far. The structure, out buildings and trees settlement covered our mortgage (thank you LORD!) and I should have my inventory sheets completed this weekend to turn in on Monday. I am still anxious to see what they offer for the contents. I added up my numbers on the inventory sheets and I am at over $60,000. This doesn't include anything from my bedroom or my jewelry boxes (I had 3). Surely we can get max pay out of $40,000 for this much "stuff." We were definitely under insured. This is something everyone should look into with their own insurance. Two things that I have learned from this devastation are 1) Fire box or safe- for every document and picture and 2) over insure everything. We had a small house (only 1240 sq feet) with a very reasonable mortgage. What we didn't spend on mortgage payments, definitely went into contents! We had more "stuff" than the law should allow. Our place was packed from floor to ceiling, wall to wall. At least that is how it seems now. In compiling the inventory sheets, it makes me wonder where we put it all. You can't even imagine what my closets looked like! That is why my bedroom is the last to inventory. I will be surprised if the insurance adjuster will even believe how much "stuff" we had. Bad thing is, we paid cash for most of it because we don't like credit cards. Very few items have any paper trail. Some items, like the Grandmother clock and most of my jewelry, were given or left to me by my mother who passed in 2004. I really have no idea how to value them. I have attempted to look up some things on the internet and found similar items. Not sure if the insurance will accept these numbers or not. If anyone is in the insurance business and wants to give me some tips- I would be most grateful!!!! Another thing I have learned- Video of every inch of your home- wall to wall- in the safe or safety deposit box! If you are really organized, pictures and inventory sheets with values of every new addition to your home. People have amazed us throughout this ordeal. We have had an influx of clothing, toys and books. In fact, I have had to tell people, NO MORE, PLEASE! I now have enough jeans to wear a pair every day of the month and then some, without repeating. DJ and David have the same. Everyday it is the topic of conversation when I enter the office about what and where I got my "new" clothes. They get tickled seeing me dressed differently everyday. I am having fun putting together outfits too. Every night I try on what I want to wear to see if it fits and looks the way I want. I have come up with some really cute outfits! We have offers for furniture and household items when we are ready for them. I really feel guilty some days due to all the goodness we have been blessed with. There is something in me that feels like I should be walking around in tattered, dirty clothes with no shoes. I think it is just the feeling of loss from the fire. I guess my mind thinks that if my home was lost, I am not worthy of any personal possessions. It is a mind game but some days it really gets me down. I told my boss that I was going to come in everyday wearing a pair of bibbed overalls and tee shirt that had been donated. That is what I feel like most days. I am sorry this turned into a novella! I will close for now. Thank you all for your support and for your help. We appreciate everything and everyone! Hugs, Valorie

You really sound like you are pretty good spirits... That is good to hear.... I am glad that you have gotten so much help from others... It definitely is an example of how people can pull together in a crisis... We will continue to keep you in our prayers... I hope you are in your own place soon, I can only imagine how it must be to stay with friends for so long.... Best of luck to you... HUGs, Shawn M.

You are amazing! I'm sorry you had to go through this, but I love the way that your character and attitude has been an inspiration to all of us.

Hey Valorie! Sounds like you are moving along - and SMART too ! I love that you are really *thinking* things through and not jumping into making BIG decisions - Bravo to you! I can imagine how hard it is for both you and your friends - to LIVE together. Hang in there - soon enough you will be on your own. thanks for the update - hang in there girl On a side note ....I am sorry I have not been *in touch* lately - had a bad GRAZING week - I feel like I a struggling to get back on track and stay there! I am determined to do it and I am WORKING every day to get back on track and STAYING there! I am in the process of RE-EDUCATING my self and JUST DO IT - follow all of the rules - all of the time! How are you doing with eating? Exercise? Email me and check in when you have a minute! sending you hugs, Britty