Back to a routine

We have fallen into such a routine lately that I just realized today it has been almost two weeks since I have updated this blog.  It's not because I don't want to or don't have time to, it's because nothing much new is happening here at the Crosleys.  

The girls and I are going to school, Lori is working.  We are in sort of a holding pattern in our lives waiting for the inventory company to go through our things and let us know what needs to be replaced and what we have to store. We are beginning to think about looking at houses to find one we like.  Looking at listings on the internet has been interesting. There are a few houses that fit what we are looking for, but not really knowing what kind of final insurance settlement we are getting makes a price point hard to nail down. Another interesting thing is that not too many people want to sell in the winter, I guess. It is hard to wait for warmer weather because I am ready to go on the house hunt and get out of the hotel house.

We still are asked about how we are doing. The answer is hard to give without sounding rude or acting as if I am tired of answering. I appreciate the concern for us and our situation. The tough thing is what to say! "We are good! We are just waiting to see what kind of houses are available and find one that we like. We can't think of anything we need right now. Not much has changed. We are just waiting on the insurance company to tell us what is next. Yes, our insurance company has been great."  All of these answers are starting to sound scripted, but they are the truth. I feel bad when someone truly wants to know what we are doing and all I can answer is "Good!"

This weekend I have spent more time in this house than any weekend since we moved in. The chairs and the couch aren't as comfortable anymore. I miss our old couch and my ancient chair.  I miss reading my books and the office room Lori and I shared. I have to go to the bookstore and get some replacements. I want to go to Knightstown and get a truckload of my stuff and bring it here.  Problem is, there is no place to put any of it.  I am ready to have my things around me again.

Enough complaining.

Last weekend was the First Responders Dinner planned by the neighborhood and Southport Presbyterian Church. It was a great dinner and recognized all of the agencies that either responded on the night of the explosion or were there to help us in the aftermath.  The mayor was there and all of the chiefs of the emergency agencies in Marion County and Greenwood. The room, food, atmosphere, service, and purpose of the night were absolutely top notch. I am looking forward to an appreciation dinner for the Prosecutor's office after the trial and conviction.  THAT will be a party.

This sudden cold weather has caused a two hour delay at Roncalli tomorrow.  Molly jumped for joy in the hallway (I may have shown some joy as well). Betsy's school has no delay. She is not pleased.  I told her it was because the grade school kids are tougher than the high school kids. She did not believe me.  Oh well. Life isn't fair, Betsy.

If you are living around here, stay warm next week. If you live somewhere else, check local listings. Take care and thanks for reading. 

Back to the real world

We are back to the real world after a great Christmas Break and wonderful cruise.  We are tan, rested, and ready for 2013. Well, I'm not so tan, but certainly rested. We came home to snow and cooler temperatures. We got home on a Friday and went to work and school the next Monday.  It's like we went from zero to 100 mph in no time. I feel like I have been going non-stop since the plane landed.  I am not complaining in the least.

Recently we met with the insurance adjustor and received a few checks to pay off our mortgage.  This is good for us so we don't have to make mortgage payments on a house that doesn't exist.  We have also met to see what the inventory company has listed as not salvageable. We got a 41 page long spreadsheet listing over 300 things they found to be ruined. On the spreadsheet was the item, how old it is, the replacement cost, and the amount of depreciation to make a final value for the claim.  It was overwhelming to see the detail in the report. It listed a Matchbox car that my Mom gave me as kind of a joke up to the dining room furniture and everything in between. Some things have not been inventoried yet and we are curious to see when the rest will be listed. A concern I have is that the inventory company got its replacement price for many or our things by looking at a Walmart or Target catalog. Those are both good stores, but you can't replace the antique furniture we lost at Target.  We are able to go over the list and add things we think about. The tough thing is remembering what we lost.

To remedy that Lori and I are going back to Knightstown on Saturday to look at the things that are ruined and add to or edit the list.  Lori is working on a list of things we would like Mike (our restoration guru) to try to find in the storage room.  Hopefully we will be able to make a more comprehensive list and also get some of the things we have been thinking about in the last two months.   

While on the cruise, the four of us toasted the new year at midnight on the deck of the ship.  We all agreed that 2013 will be a great year for us and could not think of a better way to bring it in.  We all hope your new year is the best ever, too.