P3 had a bit of insomnia last night and kept waking me up. So finally, I just got up with him and we sat and watched the lights twinkling outside. It was pretty hypnotic so finally he got tired enough to fall asleep.
P3 and the rest of us really appreciate all your kind thoughts and comments. We're glad you are enjoying our views of Chicago from up high.
Fire saga (for my documentation, no need to read further unless interested - it's cathartic and it's practical for me to make these lists as it is how I am keeping track of things large and small that we may need to remember in the future):
Good things:
1. Demolition continues to move along
2. Contractor is going to remove the roof deck and find a roofer for us who is reputable within the construction community. I trust our contractor so that is a relief.
3. Our insurance agent has sent the denial of our claim for the roof to the higher ups for further review and consideration. Hoping for at least a partial payment from them.
4. Parking is a problem in this area, but there is a parking garage in our building. We have one slot for our car, and finally were able to get a second card that allow a pay per use so that we can have guests able to park in the garage. Card was delivered today (promised originally for last Thursday, but at least it is now here).
5. Computer continues to act up now and then, so new computer ordered with 1TB of memory - that means LR/PS is in my near future.
6. Landlord had new dishwasher installed in our temporary condo and it works fine. Feels luxurious to have one!
Not so good things:
1. No word from content company on our inventory list or on receiving requested items.
2. Credit card was compromised, new card to be delivered tomorrow. I get to change all the auto-pays to the card set up last week after the fire so that we could have mostly paperless billing. My brother suggested my password should be 'areyoukiddingme?' But now that I've shared that, it won't be the one.
3. The roof is going to cost a ton and was totally unexpected and it will take more time, and it's critical as winter is coming. When completed, our house will finally be the way it should have been in the first place. The silver lining? Maybe we'll get to enjoy these beautiful views longer than we thought.
Keep sending a roof claim up up up. I had to go through 2 denials, but the third one was the charm. I know it's such a hassle. The bokeh is beautiful here. Hoping to make some pretty bokeh shots this season. I'm so sorry you are going through so much at such a hard time of year. Hugs.
Beautiful composition and capture. Really beautiful.
When I read the description of your life I feel I should not complain, since I have had a list of things happening in my house due to a rain leak in the roof that has developed a chain of events and fixings... I just want November to be over and see if the new month is better (and less expensive) or should I wait for the new year...
P3 and I would get along well together in the "lack of sleep" department. I could've easily have joined him (and you) until about 2 when I finally fell asleep. Not looking much more favorable this night/morning.
The notes seem to be more good than bad - emotionally/psychologically - with the bad being heavier on the pocketbook that easily tips the scale. I'm sorry for that but remain glad that you and yours are safe and sound with promises of a return to your home. I like that you seem to find the silver lining. That's so very important! :)
You should not use the same password for everything. And using a pass phrase makes things easier to remember. using 3 for e and ! for I and things like that add to the strength. Okay this is the accountant in me talking. I imagine the lights were like ambient sound such as water running in a brook. But this made for a neat pic.
Such lovely bokeh. I can't believe your saga, and it's so crazy you have to laugh! Glad you are getting a new pc - I could do with one too! Perhaps you should name and shame the Contents Company?
Lovely silhouette against the golden light. Taking pictures helps me, when I feel overwhelmed, so maybe it helps you, too? Glad things are moving along on the rehab front... one step at a time. :)
Awesome bokeh and shot! I like how you share the details of your situation (I didn't last night purely out of exhaustion and laziness). Good luck with the roof...keep pushing it!
Beautiful shot Taffy!! P3 is such a good model and that fabulous bokeh just makes the shot. Join the club in the bad sleeping - never been very good and recently really bad!! Trouble is now my sister lives with me I don't like to get up and wander round. I feel so sad for you that all this is happening at Thanksgiving time. I hope it doesn't take the shine out of your very American celebration!!
@pamknowler Thanks Pam! So not me not to sleep! But I am cutting myself slack on this. Frustrating to have so much out of my control, as I recognize I'm someone who very much needs to be in control (not in a bad way, of course). So many moving targets. But T'giving should be nice -- we celebrate today with Bill and Junko since she's flying out again tonight, and then tomorrow with 'kids' meaning stepson and family. Then see some friends over the weekend. We are, basically, going to be fine I know...
I'll be thinking of you Taffy at this special season for Americans. I don't like the kind of delays you get from insurance companies. Love the bokeh in this shot.n
Wonderful shot, Taffy...love the bokeh. Keep making lists, taking notes, etc., and hang on to them until the entire reno project is complete. They will come in handy when you do the final walk through.
I love your photo, Taffy. The circles of light and P3's silhouette are great. I find it hard to rest, relax these days too. Still a neighbor issue for us. May get some resolution soon but wondering how it will go down exactly and if there will be any retaliation. I sure hope not. It is really sad to think of how poorly our homes can be built. So glad you have a contractor that you trust as that is the first step and the most important step. Maybe there was a reason that this happened though so very sad and feel so bad for you and your husband. I have said over the years maybe we needed to start from the ground up with our house. Have you seen a show called "Catch A Contractor"? It is on Sundays on Spike tv. People are left in the lurch after paying way too much money for work to be done. The two contractors that do the show, help people get the job done right but first have someone look for the contractor that left people in the lurch and give that person (usually a licensed contractor) options. Super interesting though not on this coming Sunday. You are so smart to keep this as your journal as there is no way to remember blow by blow or day by day. I hope you are also taking photos as the work is done too. Sounds like it may take longer than 6 months. I was wondering if you would say that at some point in time. Friends that had to leave due to water issues both households I know of took longer than originally told. One day at a time. You are doing great in my book. FAV
Well, you went to sleep and woke up; I couldn't get to sleep so I stayed up (until I got tired). Not that it's really a problem for me since I have no where to go in the morning! One thing I do when I can't sleep is pray more- so you've been in my prayers. Hang in there P3- this too shall pass. Pretty bokeh and silhouette!
Super silhouette of P3. At least even though he woke you up he was a good subject for the camera. Love that you're able to find so much good through all of this, that's the best way to make it through these kind of things.
Taffy..wanted to be sure to wish you and your family and Happy Thanksgiving..it has been a tough time for you. I know though that you have much to be thankful for....your family is safe and together. Hope you will have a memorable and love filled day.
@eyesmile Thank you so much Gena, and the same to you and yours. We do know that we have much to be thankful for, and that this holiday could have been so much bleaker under other circumstances from that night. Enjoy your holiday time!
@olivetreeann Thanks for having us in your thoughts Ann. It has much such a difference hearing daily so many encouraging words and reading so many others' stories. While I can't say I feel lucky, in some ways, I do feel so fortunate that I'm here in a nice home being able to work on my computer. Another hour without the smoke alarm and who knows what it would have been like today. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
@radiogirl Thanks you so much for your kind thoughts! It really does help a lot to feel so supported by this community. Who would ever have guessed we'd all have so many people we count as 'friends' that we may never meet in person!
@darsphotos Thank you Darlene for your encouraging words. I'm going to have to find that photo! I also have thought I'd ask a lawyer friend what legal issues there would be in my naming the original builder as that is part of the public records. If I were in a home that his company had built, I'd be quite worried at this point! Especially knowing both the fireplaces and the roof were done below minimum standards. And the roof we will have to pay for ourselves, it turns out, because it was not a sudden disaster, according to our insurance adjustor. I feel like while all this is going on, it is important to not name companies by name, though. I'd love to see the Spike TV show! Just to see how contractors that have 'done wrong' respond when given the opportunity.
@seattlite Thanks for the visit Gloria -- and you are so right about lists. I've got a little notebook (digital) where I have been doing mental walk throughs of the house. Next I have to align the walk through lists with photos I've taken, but I'm waiting to get back several photo sets that were taken out by the cleaning company and hopefully restored. Being a list-maker is coming in handy these days! We're just starting to get the inventory lists back...so depressing!
@ceilidh Thank you Margaret for the Thanksgiving wishes. We do have a lot to be thankful for given how it could have gone. I just wish our Condo Association (just the two units) had gone with our insurance company rather than the one used by the people in the lower unit which was less expensive. I've learned the hard way that you do get what you pay for. I would tell everyone that the company for our personal insurance (Chubb) has to be one of the best companies anyone could have. There's such a difference in the way the two different companies have responded to us.
@voiceprintz Thanks JT -- yes, despite how frustrating things are -- and particularly depressing seeing inventory lists of what is not salvageable on the same day we learned we will be paying for the roof out of pocket -- we do know we have a lot to be thankful for!
@kwind Well...we did try pushing on the roof but lost the battle today...apparently if the fire fighters had hacked through the roof, they would cover it, but because it was damaged from the quality of work originally done in building the house, they won't cover it. AGH!!! So frustrating! Thanks for sending the note about it being okay for me to continue my lists and not worry about boring people!
@888rachel No 'naming and shaming' since they have all our contents!! But I did smile when I read your note. Thanks as always -- I'm so glad we had the chance to meet face to face last month!
@darylo We appear to have lost the battle today having gone up 3 levels. What was it about your claim that you think made them change their minds? I was told if the firemen had hacked into the roof, we would have a claim, but since it was slow damage over time, they don't have to pay for it 'by contract.'
@taffy they have to prove slow damage over time. You have a clear argument that had they not hacked into it you would have a roof after all. Had you ever done any repairs before? You had no previous claim I'm assuming. You have to push real hard. Have roofer also consult with you on causes that fit criteria. It's like getting educational accommodations in place for IEPs and 504 s. Parents are deliberately not informed of the terms needed to acquire assistance. "Free and appropriate. "It's maddening.Insurance is the same way.
@darylo That's the problem for us, I think...they can prove it was slow and over time because of the degree of rotting wood around the perimeter. I made the argument that we would not have had to replace the roof right now but their argument is that the roof was not damaged more than what was already there before the fire, and all the fire did was reveal the problem when they got down to the studs. But, I will talk with the contractor and with our adjustor to see if there is anything at all that they should pay for re the roof. The interior work on our unit will be covered because of the fire damage and smoke and the need to go to studs to do all the repairs and cleaning. The exterior will be us.
Nice to know that things are moving on for you and you are finding things to be pleased about. Sometimes things happen for a reason and its great to find that reason at some time or another!
That's ridiculous. That's like saying hardwood floors couldn't be replaced by a flood because they were warped or overly worn before the flood. Talk to a roofer for the way to argue it and then have adjuster come out again but with a roofer present (not theirs) I had to really push for our roof (they made same argument--even went as far as to accuse me of creating damage to get a claim. I almost lost my mind.But I prevailed).
Oh Taffy...I have had no time to read all your saga (and less time to look at anyone's photos for the present) but I've been thinking of you and hope you're going to spend tomorrow with special people and have a lovely Thanksgiving. Though it's not easy at present, I'm sure, I know you have a great deal to be thankful for. You and Jim are in my thoughts and wishing you the best... Happy Thanksgiving...
great shot....Taffy,,,,this news is awful.I have been so busy with my own stuff..i had no idea! I am so sorry friend.All i can do is send some cyber love and support.And my grandmas favorite exoression..."This too shall pass." Have a Thanksgiving filled with love!
@Weezilou Thanks so much, Louise! I appreciate it. We've had one T'giving dinner tonight with close friends, Bill and Junko, and tomorrow are with stepson, daughter-in-law, grandkids, and other family members, so that will be really nice. Macaroons have been made (my specialty) and I'm looking forward to a relaxing day. I hope you and your family have an enjoyable day and some nice times together.
@mzzhope Thanks Hope -- I do appreciate all the support I've gotten from 365 friends and your comments -- cyber love and support -- mean a lot to me! I love your grandma's expression -- it's always been one of my favorites. Although I do think my brother's recent one of "Are you kidding me?" feels like a reasonable alternative!
@taffy We had to replace all of our flooring due to moisture coming up via the foundation that is concrete. I fought with the builder and was at our insurance company one day and mentioned this to them loud enough that one girl popped up from her short partition and said we have a latent defect and it is covered for 10 years. I sent a letter off to our builder and told them they have to replace our kitchen, dining and laundry room flooring as it is all the same and wanted the upgrade that we paid for ourselves. Our builder is no longer in business much like those that blew through our development putting in windows, doing roofs, etc. I hope you can locate your builder. Their standards were substandard for so many during the boom and when you are not an expert or looking at what they do often. We trust and we can easily get taken. So sorry you have to pay for the roof. You should have seen me dig into problems we had including the not smart pool that we had put in along with solar on our roof. I spent so many hours on problems with that mess. I got so much information and pushed hard short of losing my temper and saying something I may later have regretted. The insurance paid for replacing our solar, long story and dinged us for 33% increase on our homeowners insurance as we went over their $3,000 limit on losses. We paid the increase premium for 3 years and 3 years almost to the date, we were broken into and lost $12,000 worth of property so back to the 33% increase in premium for 3 more years. When it went back to normal premium finally after 6 years, it was quite high so I asked and was told that premiums had increased. Really! I could not change insurance as all companies that were worth having said we could not have a loss and had to wait three years. Now they say we will pay the same premium no matter who we have. We have AAA for over 30 years. I am sorry, I would not name a company either, I just wanted to mention the show as it is very informative. May have repeats or previous episodes on Demand or online. Best of luck to you. Oh, our problem neighbors could not get into our cluster mailbox tonight (their box) so used a hammer and screwdriver and runnier two mailboxes. Another neighbor called the police while her husband recorded it happening. The one that has damage to hers reported it. Before the police arrived the problem neighbors and whomever was there left and returned once the police were gone. A police scanner and cameras on the house now too. Not sure what those can see though very obvious on the outside. It is not going to be easy to get them out and with their anger issues, we all are on guard and keeping in close contact. I took more photos of more cars today, very carefully. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Sorry if I am writing too much. I truly care and if one thing I say helps then that is a good thing.
lovely bokeh penguin shot... so sorry you're still dealing with those frustrations... just keep focussing on the good things... hopefully the "balance sheet" will continue to shift in their favour...
This is so cool lighting and silhouette of your little friend. I pray you continue to be encouraged in the little things as Hope said, "this too shall pass". Take care and chin up.
I love the photo, there's a wistful, sorta mysterious element in there that really appeals to me bigtime.
When I read the description of your life I feel I should not complain, since I have had a list of things happening in my house due to a rain leak in the roof that has developed a chain of events and fixings... I just want November to be over and see if the new month is better (and less expensive) or should I wait for the new year...
The notes seem to be more good than bad - emotionally/psychologically - with the bad being heavier on the pocketbook that easily tips the scale. I'm sorry for that but remain glad that you and yours are safe and sound with promises of a return to your home. I like that you seem to find the silver lining. That's so very important! :)
Great pic of P3
I'm thinking of you Taffy during these difficult and trying days.........hang in there.