January 8 update and story

Hi everyone,

Love the snow. Glad the house is tarped. It would be really difficult I think to see snow inside the house. Not sure why I think that would bother me, but I do. I've experienced being rained on in the house so why not snow. I don't know it just would feel different somehow.

I spoke to Replacement Resource Inc yesterday. They are the company that will give a value to all the inventory that has been recorded. Bob has been through most of the list, I made it to page 50 out of 100. I'll get back to it later today. It is a lot, it is confusing, and it is very important to remember everything and to give accurate descriptions. The two gentlemen that I talked to were great. Very helpful and encouraging. One of them was saying how much good work I had done to collect all this information and I said, it wasn't me it was the guy the insurance company hired. His comment was, "You have a really good insurance company." Now how comforting is that.

We have another contractors bid, and have one more coming. We expect to make the decision next week. Your prayers knowing that we choose just the right contractor who will be easy to work with, effective in working with the insurance adjuster and will rebuild us a most beautiful safe functional home, will be appreciated.

Paula encouraged me to share the things I need, so here is my list - mouse pad, mirror - free standing - magnifying and regular, brass cleaner or someone to take the brass chimes and clean them, help with clearing the xmas decorations from the front yard, (it is just so cold right now, this will have to wait), bond paper, 3 hole plastic cover sheets, help in moving a heavy bookcase, help in packing away Marcia's stuff here in the house. Oh and we are still looking for more drawers in the form of a chest of some sort.

Now back to the 'story.' - I spoke to Jim, my son, that night as well. I know he would really like to be here to help, but his work will just not allow. He got the word out on Facebook and while Tracy and I were running errands on Wednesday, I got a call from Jim's high school friend Jason. So uexpected and so welcomed. This is just one example of how wonderful-surprising-blessed things have happened over and over and over again.

Those first few days are such a blur. Talking to the insurance, after finding the right number. Do you know how to contact your insurance agent or even the name and town of where your insurance company is located? I didn't. It was written down, why did I need to remember it. Right. Meeting the adjuster, the investigator and others at the house. Trying to establish a base of operation. Getting connected through cell phone again. Lots and lots of details. And in all of that people reaching out to support us. This is where I am hoping people will help me remember the stories and events.

Because Sue called Marcia and Marcia said we could lease 201 West Park Place, we knew where we were going on Tuesday, and we were here on Thursday night. I have slipped out of telling the story in chronological order. I think I will get back to that.

On Tuesday morning, I am standing the the back yard. Bob is in the house trying to salvage some stuff and looking at things and Sue walks up. She thought I might be here and wanted to offer me her home. So with a little persuasion, I went to her house and made my phone calls. Her home became our refuge for the next tree days. I know I made a lot of phone calls and was very busy, but I can't remember what happened on that particular day. Tracy got in at almost 8 that night. Driving her by the house was hard. This was one of those moments when I really got that this was not just happening to me, but to lots of people.

On Wednesday, Tracy and I went to the house for her to see it and to see if we could get pictures out She dug through all sorts of stuff to get to the baby books and photo albums. Most were saved. We stood on the front porch and looked at what remaned of our tree and ornaments. We shopped for immediate needs. We called all sorts of utilities to get them turned off at 222 and started at 201. We shopped for a computer and went to HH Gregg to get a new TV. Bob and I had just splurged on a plasma 58" TV. It was our Christmas present to each other and it seemed really important to replace it. Somehow a computer and a TV and we would be OK.

On Thursday night, our first night at 201, Tracy and I came home and Charles and his wife, (our contractor and friend) were there delivering a real Christmas tree. It was so perfect, people had to touch it to make sure it was not fake. The stand they brought was not working. This tree was leaning precariously. As Charles left he whispered to Bob, you can fix it later. Bob didn't have to, the next night Rick and tom and Bob, i think, put the tree in a stand provided by Sue that was really pretty and help the tree perfectly straight.

Other folks were here and I can't remember exactly why, but out of that they organized a party to decorate the tree on Friday night. So on Friday night Rick, Tom, Sharon, Gerri, Sue, Eron, Lee Oh boy I hope I am not forgetting someone, came brought lights, ornaments, food including an ice cream cake and wassail fixins and decorated the tree. I sat there and just watched. I was almost overcome with emotion. It was so incredible. I wish I could find words to describe better some of the feelings I have had over the last few weeks. Bob and I held each other later and just were overwhelmed with the love that was pouring over us. And the tree was beautiful!

We had planned an open house and party weeks before for the Friday after the fire and had invited our neighbors. Obviously we couldn't do that, but we decided to invite everyone for Sunday after service. So some ladies came and cleaned house, other folks went over to 222 and helped to look for things that might be saved. On Sunday, the house was filled with people, laughter, food and warmth. Dinah said she knew what a house warming was, it was filling a house with the energy of others. We did that on that Sunday.

I'm feeling frustrated because I know I am forgetting major things. So, I will go get my day started and come back to this tomorrow.

Love and joy and thanks for walking this journey with me.

Rev. Carolyn