Comments | crashcmb: There's no place like home . . .

crashcmb

There's no place like home . . .

Sep 30, 2005 21:50

. . . unless your home is in New Orleans!

So, I drove from Houston to New Orleans and made it 'home' around noon today for a weekend visit. I spent the afternoon at my 'house' - doing a little inventory, salvaging, and pitching of the homestead. It's just not pretty - photos to follow at a later date ( Read more... )

katrina

Comments 13

southerngirl22 October 1 2005, 05:42:36 UTC

My uncle also passed away and his funeral is tomorrow.

The devastation and loss of property in N.O. and surrounding areas is just unbelievable. I know going back and seeing it must be stressful. I'm glad you got to be normal...if just for an hour. Enjoy your time with your family and my condolences on the death of your uncle.

crashcmb October 1 2005, 18:40:38 UTC

I just got back from my nephew's house. We had to take some creative driving to get through. It was my first time back in the city itself (as opposed to the suburbs where I live) and the city is like a ghost town. But it looks like quite a bit of cleanup is in progress - trucks, bulldozers, trailers, and military everywhere.

Thanks and condolences to you and your family as well.

elzed October 1 2005, 08:06:34 UTC

Oh honey, I can only imagine how distressing it must be when your home - your place of comfort, of safety, of retreat, is trashed. I sincerely hope you can fix it, and that your nephew manages toi salvage somnething from his condemned home. When you told me about his house, I really felt for him - not to be able to recover anything sounds so harsh...

Also, my deepest sympathy re: your uncle. You really don't need bereavement at a time like this. I'm sorry.

I hope things are settling in Houston...

Much love

crashcmb October 1 2005, 18:45:11 UTC

Home is definitely trashed. I snapped a picture of the bulldozer that was picking up the trash - aka the contents of the house - two doors down. Our interior walls have been removed, hardwood floors ditched and furniture strewn about.

But it looks absolutely lovely next to my nephew's so I'm not complaining.

Thanks for your kind thoughts as well. My uncle was quite ill for several years. I think the stress of the storm and it's aftermath just accelerated the inevitable.

elzed October 1 2005, 19:12:48 UTC

Oh, that sucks. All of it - the house, and the uncle whose end was hastened by the flooding, and, oh, crash, I feel for you.

On the bright side, well, at last you can redecorate the place the way you thought about but never got around to doing? (Please tell me you hadn't redecorated extensively just before Katrina...)

And I sincerely hope you can move back in sooner rather than later.

Hugs

crashcmb October 2 2005, 02:25:38 UTC

I'm trying to look at the bright side, really I am. But there's not too much there! I actually just finished laying down hardwood floors throughout the house less than a year ago.

But - new appliances are appealing. And I was due for repainting the place, so now I get to pick out colors, etc. So, I'm kind of looking forward to "sprucing it up".

Thanks again for the kind thoughts, words, and HUGS!

mel39 October 1 2005, 14:01:42 UTC

I saw from the news today how thousands are being llowed back this weekend. Good luck with that.
And I love sad neglected Ryan too *sob*

crashcmb October 1 2005, 18:48:12 UTC

Yeah, well we weren't going in the technically 'allowed' section of town if you get my drift. The area is indescribable. The house had been searched (looking for bodies in the attic) and is definitely trashed, but we were able to retrieve a few personal belongings.

chazper October 1 2005, 19:54:40 UTC

I'm sure anything normal is cause for celebration right now--a chance to feel like yourself again. My cousin's in-laws just sent pictures of the devastation to their neighborhood, and I can't even imagine what it must feel like to face all that in person. You sound like you're coping much better than I would.

I am sorry about your uncle, and I hope you gain much strength and support from your family time.

crashcmb October 2 2005, 02:29:03 UTC

Pictures just don't do it justice. Really. I drove through the city and City Park and the whole place has this weird lack of life. And everything is dull gray. Seriously, just no color to be founds, everything has been covered with a film of dried mud, dust, whatever.

Thanks for the thoughts. It's been great feeling the family connection. Even though we have been talking almost daily, it's been nice to spend a little face-to-face time.

famous99 October 2 2005, 04:18:03 UTC

*hugs* what a difficult time for you and your family.
Condolences on the death of your uncle. I hope you and your family only find happiness from hereon out. I know that isn't easy.
I don't even know where to start. I can't begin to imagine the loss of your house and home and all its contents. You are amazingly strong. But if you need anything, just let me know.

crashcmb October 3 2005, 03:08:55 UTC

Thanks a bunch for your thoughtfulness. I've just gotten back to Houston after a jam-packed weekend at home. It is still hard to believe it's happened. It's so weird to see the city like this. I'll be going back in about two weeks - I'll be eager to see what progress has been made.

famous99 October 3 2005, 19:30:17 UTC

It's eerie even imagining. It was hard enough imagining that man can cause so much destruction (9/11) but to see the havoc nature can wreak... just wow! But hopefully all will be well soon.