Where to Start
We got up north, did two shows (they both went well), and are trying to find ourselves someplace permanent. Right now we're in a very temporary place in Hamden, CT. On the first of April we move to another temporary place in New Haven,CT. I can't tell you how sick I am of temporary places. Right now, we have 3 folding chairs and three mattresses (no box springs) in a four-bedroom house. We bought a set four place settings and four pots just so we could cook. The April through mid-August place only has two-bedrooms so it won't be as comfortable, but it won't be as empty either.
FEMA offered us additional housing assistance in January and we mailed back the form the very next day. When we called them at the beginning of March to find out what was up with it, they told us they never got the form back. We faxed our copy of the form to them about 2 weeks ago, so hopefully they'll fork up something. The state of Connecticut gave us $200 to cover half of the hotel bill we ran up when we first got here. That's more than any other state has done for us. We still need to apply for food stamps and WIC here. The SBA told us we've been approved for a loan for the business, but that won't come through until they finish checking on the area to see if we need to carry flood insurance. The home owner's insurance hasn't coughed up diddly yet, but at this point that's because the structural engineer hasn't given us his report to pass on to them. He saw the house in December and has promised us a report "next week" ever since. Tonight when we spoke with his assistant she said he's "very backlogged and will get to us eventually." In the meantime, he could give us a letter for the insurance company which basically would say that he's working on it. That won't do much since they can't assess the claim fully without the written report.
I guess the short answer to everyone's question is: We're doing the best we can do in limbo land or We're more or less right side up in our upside down world.
On a more decisive note, we've decided not to sell the house until after hurricane season. Instead, we're going to try to rent it. We're looking at houses up here and hopefully we'll be able to buy something in the next few months. It's not our first choice, but at least it's a direction.
If I sound frazzled, go with that thought. I still don't have regular internet access, but that might come with the place we're getting in April. Actually, I know it will come because we'll order cable. In the meantime, this cafe is closing down and they've put on something loud and annoying while they start their closing routine so I need to get out of here before my brain explodes.
-Ned
FEMA offered us additional housing assistance in January and we mailed back the form the very next day. When we called them at the beginning of March to find out what was up with it, they told us they never got the form back. We faxed our copy of the form to them about 2 weeks ago, so hopefully they'll fork up something. The state of Connecticut gave us $200 to cover half of the hotel bill we ran up when we first got here. That's more than any other state has done for us. We still need to apply for food stamps and WIC here. The SBA told us we've been approved for a loan for the business, but that won't come through until they finish checking on the area to see if we need to carry flood insurance. The home owner's insurance hasn't coughed up diddly yet, but at this point that's because the structural engineer hasn't given us his report to pass on to them. He saw the house in December and has promised us a report "next week" ever since. Tonight when we spoke with his assistant she said he's "very backlogged and will get to us eventually." In the meantime, he could give us a letter for the insurance company which basically would say that he's working on it. That won't do much since they can't assess the claim fully without the written report.
I guess the short answer to everyone's question is: We're doing the best we can do in limbo land or We're more or less right side up in our upside down world.
On a more decisive note, we've decided not to sell the house until after hurricane season. Instead, we're going to try to rent it. We're looking at houses up here and hopefully we'll be able to buy something in the next few months. It's not our first choice, but at least it's a direction.
If I sound frazzled, go with that thought. I still don't have regular internet access, but that might come with the place we're getting in April. Actually, I know it will come because we'll order cable. In the meantime, this cafe is closing down and they've put on something loud and annoying while they start their closing routine so I need to get out of here before my brain explodes.
-Ned