Going home. Going home. Now what? I can't remember the next line of that old song, though if you call me I'll hum it for you. Anyhow, that's what we're doing tomorrow. Sue and Scott are going with us to help with the driving. And also to take any overload of luggage and so on. We all came away with three outfits (well, I did anyway) but then there was a trip into town to pick up some more things so we have a bit more now than we had at the start.
Yesterday the authorities invited us to return. The water is good. Telephones are up and running. Electricity is going and so is cable TV. There is one grocery store near us open from 9 to 3 but I'm guessing more will open next week. The filling station on the corner from me is open and doing a brisk business at $2.39 for regular. That's a good bit less than we're paying in Lawrenceville. I could have stayed another few days, but the others are very anxious to get back. Elizabeth is going to a rent house near Katie's in Madisonville. She's not moving all of her furniture; it will be a sort of camping out for a month or two. No work has started on their house, but the FEMA and insurance adjusters are supposed to show up any day.
Christina has to report to school next Wednesday and classes will start on Monday. She heard today they may be platooning to accommodate displaced students. Jackson and Jacob will start school on Wednesday at St. Rita's. St. Tammany parish will start school on Monday. The children of Orleans and St. Bernard parishes will be out of school the entire year and that includes public, private, and parochial. What a shame.
Thank you for all of your kind words, good thoughts, prayers, and cash. We are so appreciative of our wonderful extended family.
Love, Aunt Ginnie
Great. Hope to see you one day soon. I'm kind of wrapped up with all sorts of work, private and professional.
Aunt Ginnie, I'm so glad that you are able to go back home. It will be great for you and your family to get back to your routine. I'm sure it will take some additional time for the emotional healing. I pray that God makes it easy for you.
Rob - It's great to hear from you!! We missed you on the blog. How is Pasty?, The house and pets?
We're all fine, Janice. Sue and Scott passed through here on their way back to Atlanta. It was great to see them.
Great news! I'm glad you get to go home, & that many are starting to put the pieces of their lives & homes back together. It is too bad some kids will miss the entire year of school - are any of the immediate family-members affected by that? I'm sure Sue's friend in St. Bernard parish must be one that is affected by the school closings. A couple months of "camping out" will seem like a long time for Elizabeth & Scott. I hope FEMA shows up soon, & that they're able to provide assistance quickly. As always, our prayers & thoughts are with all of you. Please let us know if there's anything we can do to help.
Also hoping 'Rita' doesn't kick you while you're down....
Hello to my childhood friends!
Just checking in to let you all know the DeRoches made out ok. Mom and dad in St.Charles parish suffered no damage, power outage for a few days, same goes for Ralph and his family and Deb and hers. In Springfield, a lot of tree damage, power, water and phone out for only 11 days, no property damage, thank God. Minor stuff only. Good luck to you all and if any body needs a place to park a temporary home, I have 3 acres to share! Heck, stay as long as you want, doesn't have to be temporary!
love, prayers, and luck to all, Donna
Glad to hear from you Donna! I wondered how your family did with the storm. I talked to Miss Joanne yesterday and found out that all the Bonuras did okay except for Angie whose apartment in Kenner lost the roof so damaged all her stuff. Miss Joanne said that she had renter's insurance, though, so that was good. They all camped out in Katie's apartment in Baton Rouge. We just got back tonight from our weekend trip to Kenner to help Mama, Angela, Christina and Lizzie get back. The trip back to Lawrenceville went quickly. Scott drove the whole way while I wrote a few thank-yous. I have many more to go which just means we were given SO much to be thankful for!