"When Disaster Strikes'

My friend Meredith shared this blog with me today:

http://blog.freshideasgroup.com/?p=184

I will let Sarah's words and pictures tell the story. She lives in Glendale Gardens, the neighborhood next to ours.

One thing I find ironic about the aftermath -- Sarah pointed out something about people who owned chainsaws: Our chainsaw and other power tools were in the garage. Eventually Tom was able to pull it out, and although the case was crushed the saw itself helped clear debris for weeks afterward. But for that first 24-36 hours, it was out of reach. We still don't know who cleared the street in front of our house. By the time we got back on the 28th, the road was open.

--Jennifer
(this magpie is something like a phoenix)

never too late for an update

We moved back into our house over the 4th of July weekend. Work is still ongoing well over a month later, and of course the insurance and mortgage companies don't make anything easy. But we are back in and are hosting a shindig for our neighborhood this weekend on our shadeless driveway. Fun amidst the recovery!

--Jennifer
Oooh, look, shiny things! 

catastrophes and whatnot

I have a new appreciation for the word "catastrophe." Ever since the day we took the Subaru to the State Farm tent (May 3), where I saw the nice people wearing their Catastrophe Team hats, shirts, and badges, I've realized what a loaded word that is. Since then I've seen it on trucks and banners and vans all over town -- all of the insurance companies and aid organizations have sent their catastrophe teams to deal with us.

This afternoon I need to respond to an email from State Farm; the sender name is HOME CLMS-CATASTROPHESERVICE and the address is statefarm.catastropheservices@.... *sigh* It feels odd to be a catastrophe. Another sign of normal being nowhere in sight.

--Jennifer