Month: December 2005

The days are winding to the end. The year will be over and I say thank god. I have never looked so forward to a new year in all my life. Especially since I am a lot older now, I like for the years to slow down so I can enjoy them, but Not this year!
The year began with all bright and promise. We ate with Aunt Olga and Uncle Bud -Pat and Theron. We did all the correct things. Ate our cabbage, black eye peas, cornbread, etc but I am seriously rethinking this for the new year.
Though I must say, our year was better than most people, it was one of the worst that we have ever had. If God had a purpose, which most christians believe, then it must be as one of my friends said. For Steve and I to grow closer, for us to appreciate what we do have, and for me to realize that life does go on good or bad. I do appreciate my children (young men). I enjoy them and will always have them close in my heart no matter where they may go. I do love Steve and appreciate his good qualities. I have learn to accept people for what they are and hope that I can cope with those who have an irritating problem.
Before the school year ends, we must make several decisions. All I can say is that we make them in the best interest of our future. I will have to decide what I will do jobwise. Hopefully, I will be able to continue what I am doing and do it where I will feel comfortable and with close friends. We must also decide whether to rebuild the big house for sure. It disturbs me to know that within a few months we must again worry about whether another hurricane will come and take what we have rebuilt. But 2006 will definitely be a year for reflecting and making difficult choices.

Before the trip to New York, we had hired Robb to come back and work on the chateaux. He worked the entire week before and really progressed with putting in insulation and putting up paneling. Also learning about “Grandfather Ramke’s” creative handiwork. Terri arrived the weekend before Thanksgiving and brighten up our days. She flew in and flew out…not literally. But she was here so quickly and gone so quickly we missed her before she left. She coined the phrase “my grandfather was creative” everytime Robb found some inconsistency in his building. Believe me, there was quite a bit of the creative handiwork. It was wonderful having a female around to talk to again after Michelle. Somehow I do not know what I would do without Molly’s girls. They are like the daughters I never had except better. They are like good friends!

After we returned from the New York trip, things began to fall into a routine. We were informed that the apartment would be out of rent by the company at the end of the month. We were planning to stay, but were not excited about paying for a place that was slowly falling apart. We also did not know how to get in touch with the owner. We had tried to inform them about their problems, but were unsucessful. The lady at MI told us that we should not rent the apartment, but look at another place that was paid up for quite sometime. It was a house in the old Myrtle place neighborhood. I was thrilled. That area of town was at one time a very quiet and pleasant neighborhood. We visited the house and were thrilled to know that it would be pleasant. It also meant that Fred could come back in our life. I had to find a place for him, since the people taking care of him were unable continue to keep him. It is fantastic to have him back.

We moved in one day. It was rough, but we survived thanks to Trey helping. This house is a little on the cool side, but it is fine.

Robb returned the second week in December and immediately began working. He worked very hard getting as much done as he could. We realized that there was too much to do for him to finish at this time, so he will return after the New Year.

David and Mary arrived on the 22nd for Christmas. Trey picked them up and brought them to our place. On Christmas Eve, Amanda’s parents came over to eat. We especially wanted them to come, because Ed has been such a help with the clean up at Bancker. Yes, we know it was for his daughter, but it was a very special thing for him to do.
Christmas has been wonderful. Trey cooked gumbo (all day) and we never stop eating. We really enjoyed the visits and will miss David and Mary very much when they leave. Trey will be visiting with them until the 15th, so we will be missing him also.

Next Christmas will be lonely. By then both of the guys will be living far away. It will be hard on me if 2006 goes too fast.

We have been blessed though. Throughout the entire ordeal that we have gone through, we still have each other and a wonderful extended family.

I am sorry not to have sat down and finished my time in New York. That was fantastic. Mary and I took off Friday also. Mary graded papers and I read. I was feeling better, but wanted to be able to really go far on Saturday. Steve and David took off to Atlantic city and had a good time. I enjoyed being with Mary. I was reading a book written by a good friend of hers. She had even helped her edit some of the writing. It turned out to be one of the best books I have read in the last few years. I could not put it down. Steve even took pictures of me sitting on the couch with Mary’s cat “Boogie” laying on my legs. Both of us were very comfortable and settled in. (Since I came home, I have been promoting the book to all my friends.)
Saturday, we took off for Manhattan while Steve and David took off to find a game of pool. I wanted to see NYU and Greenich Village. I was disappointed. I thought it would resemble the artsy area of New Orleans with artists on the sidewalk. But it did not matter. I enjoyed going to see it and taking pictures of fifth avenue, NYU and other interesting sights. I did buy Mary’s friend’s book. I knew that I could not finish it and I wanted a book by an author from Louisiana.
We left Sunday early in the morning. We were worried about getting there too late. We ended up there very early and were able to eat breakfast before leaving. The plane ride was fine, but we knew we were going back to the real world. Nothing makes it more evident than landing in New Orleans. Though the worse destruction is not in our landing path, the “famous” blue roofs are rampant throughout the area we travel over. For those unfamiliar with this, “blue roofs” are blue tarps put over the house with roof damage. Some have even been put on by National Guard to assist the owners. Insurance will not even look at your roof, if they are not covered in that way. I truly felt sorry for the people of New Orleans, but I know now that no one can truly understand it unless they go through it. Each person has their own and separate grief through their loss.