Back to summer

The wacky weather this year has made for a beautiful showing of tri-colored flowers on my Hydrangea bushes out front. Lavender, pink and blue together on each of the plants.

Things are starting to get back to "normal" around here. Last week was alot of dealing with insurance adjusters and FEMA. Neither one is going to be able to help us with the Kensington house. We knew the insurance would deny the claim - as we didn't have flood insurance. FEMA insists it is our "secondary residence" and has it listed as a rental property since they don't have any way of putting it as a land contract sale in their data base. That means that the drywall, insulation, carpet, furnace, water heater, electrical and electric panel, etc. all will not be covered under FEMA's help because Amy is considered a "renter". They referred us to the SBA for a loan, but we are not eligible for that, either. So Amy will be having to pay for these things out of her own pocket. On a lighter note - her church has been wonderful in helping with clean up and repairs. They already have offered to put up drywall once the basement floor has had a chance to truly dry out. In the middle of all that last week I took Katie and Jaime to IU for freshman orientation. Never done that before - didn't attend one myself for Univ. of Cincinnati. I think they both felt comfortable on campus. They got to stay in the same dorm building they will be sharing come fall. They were both a little surprised by the smallness of it all....but already have plans on how to make the most of it.

I spent the night with Lauran and Cory and had a great time. It was a nice to be able to spend some quiet time getting to actually talk with Cory. With all the crazy stuff going on this summer and Megan in summer school until July 17th! - there really aren't any vacation plans for us. So I broke down and bought a three person slip and slide for the girls this week. As you can see it has already been put to good use with their friend, Katie. Tons of summer fun right at home!