So much for the rose tinted glasses...
second part of my counter top, that was to be installed "this week"- first "early in the week" and then friday, has now been pushed back to next week- my ability to roll with the punches is diminishing as the punches flow. Promises are regularly broken and it is so hard to deal with.  I am angry but I don't know where best to channel that anger, so here I blogging...
one phone call- that was what it took to get a t-molding that "could not be found anywhere."  my response... Really???
I am tired of the sadness that engulfs me when I am let down yet one more time.
Every e-mail I send gets blind copies with hope of someone answering, but no answers are forthcoming from contractor's rep or from the management company.
A sea of tape that cannot be navigated.

I want my rose tinted glasses back, please?

Another day, another unbelievable event...

Every day bring me another thing to deal with.. yesterday something wonderful!
I rarely enter contests, and seldom, if ever win- I did win a trip to the final four basketball series when it was held in St Louis Missouri- airfare, hotel and cash to spend- what a journey and special memory that was.
But, I digress... I entered Friends of Freeport in a radio station "Office of the Day" breakfast contest- if your office is chosen you receive a delivered breakfast for 25!  I got a phone call yesterday that we were chosen and they wanted to know what day next week we wanted to have our breakfast delivered!  So, the weekday warriors of Friends of Freeport will be receiving a Bagel Boss breakfast next week!
Something amazing and wonderful, as the weekend warriors are provided with amazing meals every Saturday during their activity.
Smiles all around.. might even get more volunteers to come out for a weekday event!

you'll never believe this story

So, this is an unbelievable story that has been shared with me... no names to protect the innocent, whomever they may be...

So a kitchen-cabinets, counter top and appliances- is ordered, it takes six weeks for it to arrive,wen it arrives the installer comes to look at the layout and begin the installation process, but parts are incorrect, and need to be reordered.  The calls go back and forth between the installer and the cabinet company, and a new order is placed, it is a "rush" as the need to return hoe is becoming pressing for the residents.

The new cabinets arrive and several days pass, finally the installation date arrives, and the cabinets are installed, but not to the original specifications, and surprise, surprise, it does not fit correctly. Two days later the contractor's designee comes to look and the owner leaves for a bit.   *poof*  all the cabinets are uninstalled...

really you cannot make this stuff up!

Still waiting

So, now it is June 23, 2013- six days before the eight month mark- who knew that things would still be incomplete?   I certainly thought things would have returned t"normal" (whatever that is) by now, but there are still things undone.  I have learned how to be my own best advocate- I bite my lip when I speak to the contracting group, so I do not alienate myself and prevent things from being completed.  I have ordered my own t-molding for the floor- since it appears one phone call is too difficult for anyone else to make, and have composed a letter to ServPro and TCM to let them know I have taken care of my own needs.
I listen to people here at The Anchorage vent their frustrations, and have helped to arrange two visits from Project HOPE to allow others to vent in a larger space. I will not let myself be dragged down, though I still have my moments.
I have come to know and like many more of my neighbors here at the Anchorage and feel great about what I am doing here- in addition to Project HOPE, I have made a connection for Friends of Freeport to come here and see if they can help us in any way.
I look around my community and now feel a part of it- VERY exciting!
Front doors- no, we don't have new ones yet, and when it rains we have to monitor ours so we don't get water.
Storm doors- still need to order on- but it can be BRONZE.
Garage leak- yup.. it does when we have really heavy rain, but the garage is set up so that the water does not really interfere.

I know that I am blessed in so many ways- I see the devastation that this storm has created and I am home, there are so many others who do not have that option yet, and some who will never be able to return to their pre-Sandy homes, or lives.

Friends Of Freeport

Friends of Freeport...

An amazing thing happened, built after Sandy

• Friends of Freeport NY is a not-for-profit organization which includes individuals who have close ties to the incorporated Village of Freeport. We have come together as a result of Hurricane Sandy to help in any way we can with personal recovery. We are committed to getting people back into their homes and to help them continue their lives after Sandy. We are on a mission to make a difference in people’s lives and move the community forward. We plan to make this a long term venture by continuing our work in Freeport after people have recovered from Hurricane Sandy and the initial rush of support has dried up. We are not affiliated with any religious or political organization. We are simply a group of people that want to make a difference.
  
  
  I have become an active member.. involved in planting, and painting and learning how to tape and spackle.
  I have conquered fear of heights- thank you to Justine, my painting guru, and have painted on a scaffolding in a home with ten foot ceilings.
  I cry when we plant and beautify someone's home,I cry when the home owner says a heartfelt thank you... THESE are the most awesome tears and I love that I am shedding them!
  
  
  I have a new and bigger circle of support- a group of people who can really understand what my life has been since Sandy since they too are living it...
  
  
  I got involved with Friends of Freeport on a lark- someone on Facebook had posted that there were magnets for sale to help raise funds to get Freeport residents home- two magnets- one said WE SURVIVED SANDY, the other IT'S A FREEPORT THING.. I asked how to get them and purchased a set.
  then I posted that I had the magnets but no fridge to put them on, in seconds I got a reply from Rich- one of the founders "Can we help you get one?"  I did not have a kitchen, nor was I home and this was one of the first non-family members to ask "how can I help you?"  I was hooked!
  I joined their facebook page and read about the weekly work that was being done- muck outs, rip outs, beginning the rebuilding process with people so devastated by Sandy....a post asked about creative people and I began crocheting, dropping off my handiwork to Justine during my Tuesday visits.  When I finally returned home and was sort of settled I joined the Greenthumbs- planting gardens for people who's gardens were demolished by the storm... oh my gosh this felt amazing!
  Then I decided to give the painting a try- I met Justine and we have spent countless hours together bringing walls in devastated homes back to life with paint and creating an amazing friendship.
  I am coming back to life by giving of myself...

the new normal

Search for ServPro... hunt them down and beg them to complete things,  beg, cry, beg...

Denis reconfigures the lower cabinets and he and Ray manage to install the counter, the plumbers come to install the sink- it leaks, of course, so I go out and purchase a replacement part- the wrong one and so we cannot use it for the weekend.  But we are moving closer to the new normal.

Joyce has returned home.  Rebecca, Andy and Sam visit, we get shelves to store items neatly in the garage and begin to arrange things in a more organized manner.  It is beautiful here, there are moments of absolute peace, I am sooo glad to be home!

But... the punch list is a mile long, and it is torture to get something done.

The washer and dryer arrive... no stacking kit, a ride to Home Depot, to find out that the stacking kit is inside the drum of the dryer... ServPro is not installing washer/dryers anymore, someone from SDK comes in for another project and they agree to install, but begin and find that the coupling is leaking, I must get the part for that, then they will install it for us.  Denis to the rescue- he attaches the part at the wall and we are good to go with the installation.  One step forward, two steps back.. it is the dance of the day.

Finally home

May First.....

Ray awakens, and says "strip the bed, we are going home today"

We pack the cars- how on earth did so much stuff get here to Bayside?

Our cabinets are installed, but the counter top is not- it does not fit correctly- so our kitchen has no sink.
But, it is time, and maybe we can get more accomplished by being present at the anchorage than by going as often as we can.
We have spent several days moving things so that upstairs is livable- still feels like a hoarders paradise, but we can easily sleep in our bedroom and use the bathroom or hose to wash dishes, if necessary...
Someone is coming to measure the counter today, and hopefully it can be  installed really soon and we can have the functional and beautiful kitchen that we selected!

There are so many little things that need to be done, but we are going home... YEA!!!!!!