Pouring footings!

These were actually taken on Tuesday, but in my normal running-all-the-time mode, I'm just now getting to the posting part!  We might actually have some walls by now!  They finished the footings that day and said they needed to cure for a day or two, then they would need to haul all the bricks down by hand.  I was going to gather up some neighborhood boys and see if they needed help with that, but I ended up taking a trip to the Apple Store instead.  That is always helpful!  Computer seems to be okay, but might reinstall the operating system when I get done here.  Anyway...  think I might see how early the neighborhood boys get up and if we can be of any help.  I know we need to be cutting off some nails so they can replace the seal plate, but have no idea how one would go about doing that.  But I just might learn!

More changes...

Things always change as we get into a project! It's now looking like poured walls won't work as well for us because it would be too tricky to get the forms under the garage or something. Anyway, we'll have more usable space if they build it with blocks. This also takes out a whole construction crew and just leaves the one we already have to do all the concrete work. I hate to cut anyone out of a job, but he says he has enough to do that he doesn't need to fight for the jobs that are easier by another method! It also doesn't sound to me like it will go any faster or slower this way, so it's just a different way through. I am excited that it won't cause delays. They can still get started on this by Thursday, which was probably the earliest they'd be pouring, anyway.

More blocks!

The blocks are coming along!! They nearly have the three additional rows done and have started digging under the bedrooms. On the east, they found a wall that was caving in due to the water and dirt pressure. They already have that fixed, and I have the bill! The SBA is still trying to decide what they think needs done here and what they're willing to lend us money to do. Funny how that should be their concern, but when you have nowhere else to turn...

Anyway, we're still moving forward and just trying to deal with FEMA/SBA paperwork at the same time. It's been a way of life lately. They are now requesting their SIXTH copy of an 8821. Go figure. Good thing I just keep faxing everything. That way, I still have copies to fax them again after they can't find their last copy. Nobody ever tells me the same thing twice, either. If you don't want to file Economic Disaster on the business, you don't need to file the business papers. Unless you own 20% or more of a business. Then you need to file those forms, too.

Well, I suppose I should get back to it. They sure don't send themselves in!

Only the Government...

Been getting some calls from the SBA today. This is the "loan branch" of FEMA. We've been denied for a rebuilding loan due to the debt to income ratio (we just built 4 years ago), but they will be able to offer us a business loan once we get the house fixed and get back in. So, if we can come up with the money to fix our house and get back in, and if we can get a new stream of income, we can have a loan to fix our house. Wow... you don't think ... sorry, forgot this was the government. Makes me want to get a paper route just to say, "Okay, we have a new income stream!!"

Anyway, very thankful that God's got our back. Friends from church and work have sent us quite a bit of help, as well as a church in Harlan adopting us! FEMA did send us about $16,000, and friends have sent about $10,000, so we have had enough to get out some deposits to get work started. God is good and will not let us down. I know he has something to teach us here, but it's not always easy to see. It's usually in the quiet that I can hear Him speak, and He is Good. All the time.

And waiting...

We heard from Steve today. He's doing the digging and laying the block. Apparently, the rain made a less-than-desirable puddle under the house! Since the weather is going to be cold for a couple days, he's going to let that freeze and then scoop it up in chunks. By the time he gets the basement dug, it looks like things could be warm enough to lay block. Yes, indeed, Morgan didn't have it right about being able to lay block at 5°. Steve says you do have to have double digits to lay block! Now just praying that the delay is only a couple days!

Getting things moving!

Well, I hope things are moving forward! Our house is now 4' off the ground. Our bedroom floors stayed on the concrete slab... I was NOT expecting that!! I don't know why, it seems everyone else knew that would happen. Not me. Shocked, I am!!

I'm really just hoping that things keep progressing through cold weather. I don't know what can or can't be done and what conditions stop processes, I only know that I really want my house back. After living out of boxes for 5 months, I'm ready to go home!! Our cats have dispersed in unknown directions and one of our dogs didn't make it. This has been a really hard summer and fall on all of us.

Anyway... The next things we're waiting for are the digging out under the bedrooms and laying the blocks for the higher foundation. We'll be adding 3 courses of blocks (that's 3 rows in common language!) under the kitchen/dining room and living room. The new basement under the bedrooms will be poured concrete. Morgan is saying that he heard them say that it only needs to be above 5° to lay block. The temp in the car says 37°, but I don't see anyone laying block!!! Yes, a little impatient, but you have to believe that you would be, too!

I also wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to all those who are making this happen. We have had donations coming in from people and places you would never imagine. We have a really big God and He is GOOD!! ...ALL THE TIME!! From the friends and strangers who helped us evacuate, to those offering us housing for ourselves, our stuff and our pets, to those who helped tear out and clean up and to those who are helping us rebuild: We just don't have the words to properly thank you! Thank you for the time, the effort, the prayers and the words of encouragement... Thank you for keeping us going! We've also had builders helping as much as possible. Getting started with a deposit that barely even covers materials, knowing that we can only hope that the money will come in. They've all been great!

I've had a really hard time wanting to keep this blog going this summer. I've been so disappointed, so angry and so lost; all while trying to stay strong for my family. I just haven't usually been very optimistic and I don't like how most of my comments sound. I've been doing better just not saying anything at all!! I know that people are now anxious to hear how things are moving along and how they can help. It's all waiting right now and that's the hardest part for me! I know that's pretty normal, but that doesn't make it any easier!! Since digging, pouring concrete and laying blocks aren't my specialties, I just have to wait until it's my turn to help. I seriously can't believe the mess in the house! Sawing through the concrete floor created a blanket of dust unlike anything I can describe. It must not have anything to do with gravity, because it's everywhere!

Ok, want to get this posted for the day and then maybe I can start getting some of my thoughts together in an organized fashion to update it frequently. We only have a few more days to beg FEMA for more money, so I need to fill out more forms and appeals. They haven't been easy to work with and they don't understand that my copies of everything they want are in storage and may not be seen until we move back in! I don't know what's so hard about them coming up with government copies of what they want. It's all there and there doesn't seem to be any privacy where the government is concerned!!

Oh, well... onward...