My house was flooded

[douglisa]

Here's another .

Isn't it funny that strangers are willing to step right up to help and family won't? It's amazing and sad at the same time.

Your DH sounds like my Dad. Nothing gets done unless Mom is directing his actions and even then he wanders off to take breaks.

Thank you, yes. They behave worse than strangers that is how I will regard them now.

 

[douglisa]

Good news!! My county was included in the disaster area
Now our community will get the help we need.

 

[RUDisney]

That's good news, Lisa! I hope help comes in quickly!

 

[Terry36]

Lisa my heart goes out to you Iowains. I know how you feel. It was tough for alot of us here in the New Orleans area. I hope you get help faster than most of the people here did.

I am so sorry your inlaws are not being so heartless at this time of need. I really am flabergasted at this.

 

[JodiR]

You are lucky that you are getting money so fast from insurance. I have a split foyer and since we do not have a walk out on the 2nd level, then my coverage is limited. I will probably have to cough up $8,000 to have it fixed. Red Cross is only giving shelter and meals at this time. No food vouchers or cash assistance. I do not have gas, electricity or hot water yet.

Today was the only day I haven't cried. It is going to be a long process.

 

[Terry36]

You are lucky that you are getting money so fast from insurance. I have a split foyer and since we do not have a walk out on the 2nd level, then my coverage is limited. I will probably have to cough up $8,000 to have it fixed. Red Cross is only giving shelter and meals at this time. No food vouchers or cash assistance. I do not have gas, electricity or hot water yet.

Today was the only day I haven't cried. It is going to be a long process.

 

[RUDisney]

You are lucky that you are getting money so fast from insurance. I have a split foyer and since we do not have a walk out on the 2nd level, then my coverage is limited. I will probably have to cough up $8,000 to have it fixed. Red Cross is only giving shelter and meals at this time. No food vouchers or cash assistance. I do not have gas, electricity or hot water yet.

Today was the only day I haven't cried. It is going to be a long process.

Oh, Jodi...

The year after we moved into our house, an icicle hit an air conditioner that was built into the wall. We had a drop ceiling in our family room that was nailed into the ceiling joists instead of being screwed into them. The force of the icicle shook the ceiling and caused it to crash into the room.

When I went downstairs to check to see what all the noise had come from, I immediately burst into tears. That pales in comparison to what you're living, but I understand seeing how fast your perfect home can be brought into shambles and the emotions that it brings out.

My heart goes out to you.

 

[douglisa]

You are lucky that you are getting money so fast from insurance. I have a split foyer and since we do not have a walk out on the 2nd level, then my coverage is limited. I will probably have to cough up $8,000 to have it fixed. Red Cross is only giving shelter and meals at this time. No food vouchers or cash assistance. I do not have gas, electricity or hot water yet.

Today was the only day I haven't cried. It is going to be a long process.

Oh yeah, the guy changed his mind on the money. He said he has to talk to his boss.
So I am going down tomorrow to apply for assistance.
I really did not want to have to do it but there are things I need and one of them is to get home. I heard that if you go to the department of human services they have emergency funds for flood victims only, they just said it on the news today. I am going to pm you.

 

[chris1gill]

Thank you! Unfortunatly our insurance will not cover hotel expenses. Our agent is suposed to come tomorrow to have a look see. I told Doug to ask since I have asthma and alergys to mold if a medical situation would warrant them to allow us to stay at a hotel. I had not thought about contacting the Salvation Army or Red Cross. I have a good thing that I want to tell about.
Today I took ds 7 to Goodwill to find him another pair of shorts. All we have with us was one pair. Anyway, I have no form of ID and the only money I have is $20 on my husbands ATM card. They were not going to take it till I got tears in my eyes and explained the situation. Out of no where came a beautiful person, she paid the $1.19 and then gave me a $10! I about lost it and started blubbering like a fool. She hugged me and said "Thank you for letting me help you." The lady at the cash register told me they had just given some clothing vouchers to the fair grounds at the temporary shelter. I told her we would be fine, all we needed was the one pair of shorts. I would do it if I needed it but we have some things where others have nothing.

Lisa, I am so sorry, I haven't been on the board for days, but I've come to find your story..... I have no words other than to say I will be thinking of you and hoping for a quick positive outcome. I am so extraordinarily sorry.

 

[RUDisney]

Lisa, what happened with your IL's BBQ? Hopefully, your DH went there for a break and then went home to work. Hopefully with some volunteers.

 

[douglisa]

I guess this post has become somewhat of a journal now for me.
When I am able to go back home and am done with it I am going to print it off.
I am feeling really blue today. Yesterday I found out we will not be getting the money so today I have to go apply for assistance. I keep thinking of all these things that need to be done but because I am stuck here I just can't.
I need to call our mortgage co, and other bills and explain the situation.
This morning I found out that all classes at me college are closed till Wed.
My class, my last one till I graduate, is only a 4 week class. Last week we missed two days, this week 3. I am so worried that they are going to cancel it and all my hard work will go down the drain. There is much starting over in my future and I hope it will not be another thing I will have to start over.
I have emailed my prof but he has not answered me, yet another frustration.
I was kinda looking forward to going to school today, something normal.
I and ds are so bored, I have been taking him to a different park every day.
I am hoping that I will get some money from assistance so I can maybe take him swimming or to the dollar store. He has been so good.
Last night it hit him, go figure, here I thought he was doing okay and it was not even bothering him. He has been sleeping w/ me because he gets scared sleeping by himself at grandma's. Different sounds and such.
Anyway I was talking to him about the different yard things he lost so he will be prepared. He started sobbing because dh was not able to find his bike. He then asked me about the house and what is different with that. So I told him that it is possible that they may say we should not be in there because there are cracks in the foundation. Stupid, stupid, stupid! I should have kept my mouth shut. So then he asked where would he live. And I told him we would move closer to my family. I was relieved when that got me a "YAY!"
But then it was followed by more crying. He relized he would not be with his friends anymore. Why did I say that to him? I swear sometimes I just do not think before I speak. Part of me thought maybe it would be better to get these things out in the open w/ him so that he will be prepared.
But now I am not so sure.

 

[douglisa]

Lisa, what happened with your IL's BBQ? Hopefully, your DH went there for a break and then went home to work. Hopefully with some volunteers.

He did not say much about the bbq but he did get the work done
Thanks for asking. Ds told him Happy Fathers Day and got a little teary and said "I miss you so much. I miss watching wrestling with you, I miss playing games with you, I miss helping you fix stuff, I miss being around you..."
AWWWW I said. LOL

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

One of the best things that FEMA assistance does (other than money) is bring in a bunch of different disaster assistance agencies (volunteers and others). They usually have counselors for kids and they are wonderful! We had art therapists here after the midwest floods in 93 through 97 (yep, it flooded significant parts of Missouri for 4 years in a row). The art therapists were great!

The FEMA disaster declaration also triggers other forms of emergency assistance (such as emergency food stamps and small amounts of cash assistance). Please do go apply for assistance. I'm sure even the food stamps will come in handy right now (they will help "extend" your parent's food budget to help cover the added costs of you and your son). There is NO shame in using emergency food stamps when your entire life has been turned upside down or in receiving any type of disaster assistance.

Please remember that this is a temporary situation (though it will likely go on longer than you expect something "temporary" to go on). Hang in there..and even if the one class is cancelled, it is only one class and your entire education will not go down the drain!

I'm so sorry for all you (and others) are going through right now. Please continue to update us and know that we are all pulling for you.

Karen

 

[RUDisney]

You're doing the right thing in being honest with your DS. It's gonna hit him now or later and it's good that he's expressing his emotions instead of bottling them up. My Dsis took about 6 months after my DGF died when she was about 10 to show emotion and when she did, my parents got scared, but dealt with it until she was ok.

When he cries about his friends, remind him that he can still visit them and they can come to your new house, assuming that is what happens, to visit him. You and I know that once he gets settled and makes new friends, at his age, he'll forget about missing his old friends.

You also did a good thing in explaining what is missing of his from home. Better that he is prepared than to look in the back yard to just see a mud pit that took away all his toys and such.

Another thing, you sound like me, wanting to take care of everything on your own without assistance. Get over that and accept what is offered to you by the agencies and govt. You paid your taxes and are every bit as entitled to receive aid as someone who has led a less fortunate life. Right now, you and they are in the same boat. Just be happy that you have support from your family (exclusive of ILs if they are still being goofballs.) Many people have only themselves on which they can rely. You've been making lemonade out of the lemons you've been handed. Take the breaks you need to cry and feel sad, but realize that you are luckier than most.

If you need to listen to a motivational speaker, listen to Randy Pausch on youtube. There was a thread started about him yesterday. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1857611 He has terminal cancer and has the most positive attitude of anyone I've ever seen. When you think about him, and what he's going through, vs. you and your issues, you will feel like your load is lighter. He asks the question, are you a Tigger or an Eeyore? Only you can decide this, but to me, you sound like a Tigger.

 

[java]

OH my I can't believe I missed this until now. Lisa I am so very sorry. What a mess you are dealing with.
You really sound so strong through it all and thought quick in a crisis!!
I hope that things start turning around soon! How is the weather now?
You will be in our prayers. Stay safe and dry.

 

[douglisa]

OH my I can't believe I missed this until now. Lisa I am so very sorry. What a mess you are dealing with.
You really sound so strong through it all and thought quick in a crisis!!
I hope that things start turning around soon! How is the weather now?
You will be in our prayers. Stay safe and dry.

Than you, looks like a beautiful day so far.

 

[douglisa]

I went to apply for assistance and found out that the news had reported wrong. There is none except for FEMA a Salvation Army. But they do not have what I need, cash. They said that the mail could be held up for my husbands next check too. So I called his work and told them what was up. They said to call back later, hopefully they will change their minds, the jerks!

 

[douglisa]

I got home thanks to dis member Deb In Iowa's super secret back roads instructions, lordy it was bumpy But I am so glad to be home.
We got Dh's check.
Now I can get Service Master in here to clean, my eyes are burning and my nose is running because of all the mold. My asthma is wonderful too, NOT!
You should see all the mud tracked through! I am making everyone wear their shoes and removing them when they enter a carpeted area. I cant help but to have the heebie jeebies thinking what the dirt contains, I do not even want to look at my lawn. Ds was walking barefoot in it and I yelled at him, I felt so bad. I had to explain about the germs. I am such a germaphobe. I am not going to clean my floors till after Service Master comes as I am sure they will just track more around. So thankful I have hard wood floors on that level of my house.
I will take pics tomorrow of the town so you all can see some of the destruction. I only have 3 photos of the flood because we were made to leave the area near our house.

 

[douglisa]

You're doing the right thing in being honest with your DS. It's gonna hit him now or later and it's good that he's expressing his emotions instead of bottling them up. My Dsis took about 6 months after my DGF died when she was about 10 to show emotion and when she did, my parents got scared, but dealt with it until she was ok.

When he cries about his friends, remind him that he can still visit them and they can come to your new house, assuming that is what happens, to visit him. You and I know that once he gets settled and makes new friends, at his age, he'll forget about missing his old friends.

You also did a good thing in explaining what is missing of his from home. Better that he is prepared than to look in the back yard to just see a mud pit that took away all his toys and such.

Another thing, you sound like me, wanting to take care of everything on your own without assistance. Get over that and accept what is offered to you by the agencies and govt. You paid your taxes and are every bit as entitled to receive aid as someone who has led a less fortunate life. Right now, you and they are in the same boat. Just be happy that you have support from your family (exclusive of ILs if they are still being goofballs.) Many people have only themselves on which they can rely. You've been making lemonade out of the lemons you've been handed. Take the breaks you need to cry and feel sad, but realize that you are luckier than most.

If you need to listen to a motivational speaker, listen to Randy Pausch on youtube. There was a thread started about him yesterday. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1857611 He has terminal cancer and has the most positive attitude of anyone I've ever seen. When you think about him, and what he's going through, vs. you and your issues, you will feel like your load is lighter. He asks the question, are you a Tigger or an Eeyore? Only you can decide this, but to me, you sound like a Tigger.

Thanks! GRRRRR
Love my fellow disers!
Their grrrreat!

 

[RUDisney]

I am so NOT a germaphobe, but I'd have yelled at my kids if they were walking barefoot in the remnants of a flood. Germs are one thing, toxic chemicals and bio-waste is completely another. Your DS has to learn, at least for a while, that he needs to be on his best behavior insofar as keeping his shoes on and not touching things that are dirty from the flood.

I got to see my Mom yesterday and I asked her about my Iowan cousins. She never told me that last year they moved to Kansas, so they aren't in the flood zone anymore. I remember from a trip we took to visit them in the early 70s that they lived very close to the Mississippi River though I couldn't remember in which town.

So, now I shall worry personally about Lisa and Jodi and them getting safely into their homes and back to a normal life.

I'm so glad that you finally got your DH's check, Lisa! Take care of your allergies and asthma! Your health is most important.