Day 65

Sometimes it’s hard to even concentrate. And it’s definitely harder to even plan. I made a list of things that will have to be done in the recovery/restoration of our home. The list spans three pages so far. Each task is not a simple task. Each task requires some sort of measuring and calculating or a trip to the home improvement store or an installation process. Jon just looked at my list, shook his head and called me nuts. For me, the list provides some sort of sense of control in an otherwise out of control world.

I attempted to do some shopping on Saturday, since it’s hard to shop during the week; working until four, the boys to pick up, meals to make, and oh by the way, the majority of the businesses close early because they no longer have the employees to remain open to the pre-Katrina regular hours. The shopping trip was a major frustration.

We stopped at Party City first, since Jonny wanted a costume for Halloween. I think everyone else on the coast was there. Well, everyone except the individuals who were also at Walmart and Home Depot. I wanted to stop at Home Depot next, to purchase our first round of paint. Jon called me on the cell phone and told me not to bother, it was packed and lines were ridiculously long. So I skipped Home Depot and tried Walmart in Gulfport.

After circling the large parking lot with dozens of other cars and finding not one single parking spot, I decided to drive to D’Iberville and try the Walmart there. At least I was able to find a parking spot. By the time I finished at Walmart, it was time to head home. Jon and I had to get ready to go to the Navy Ball. The Navy Ball was held in Louisiana, about an hour from Diamondhead. Attending the Ball pretty much took away time in the afternoon and evening that we could have spent working on the house. We went because it was, after all, the Navy Ball.

We found out yesterday that the house we’re staying at has a lease that has been arranged for next month. So we have to be moved out by December 1^st. I am quite overwhelmed by the thought since our house is absolutely empty. No furniture, no countertops, no cabinets. Everything we were able to save is spread out between the upstairs bedrooms (stacked up all over the rooms), the garage and the house where we are currently staying. I really couldn’t tell you where anything is at, and in some cases, if we still have a particular thing. I don’t function well in disorganization and chaos.

On the upside, Jon works better with a deadline. So, maybe this will be a blessing in disguise and we’ll have to press forward to be ready to move. I think it covers about a quarter of my three-page list. We did find out today that our cabinets are scheduled to be delivered on November 21^st.

We will not be able to visit family for Thanksgiving due to our moving deadline, but we will be able to hopefully use the time to install the cabinets. I am in the process of getting cost estimates for countertops. I didn’t realize the countertops could cost half as much as the cabinets.   We are looking at concrete, solid surface and laminates. We also have to make a decision on the flooring, if we want all carpet again, or wood laminate floors.

So many decisions, it can be quite overwhelming.

Hanging in there

Grace & Peace