Greetings

Hi everyone,


Sorry we've been incommunicado for so long. There have been glitches w/ the new laptop which seems to be fine now. Also I've been in Scranton w/ my parents. My Dad needs a cardiac cath next week for EPS(electophysiology studies) and a possible pacemaker. It seems the conduction system in his heart is very slow and this last cardiologist we saw thinks his heart was the cause of all the "spells" he was having in the Fall.....sheesh, why didn't I think of that??!! And Bob and I were both knocked out w/ severe colds/coughs/flu? over the last week.


Not to mention that we are still caught up in the daily chores of trying to get things on track w/ the house, insurance, etc. Currently we have a 48 page inventory of things that were lost in the fire(isn't that a movie that's out now?.....I know we won't be seeing that one), that we need to go through item by item and put an age and value on everything. We have been to the house several times now and it was heartbreaking and depressing. And while it reinforced just how fortunate we were to get out with our lives, I can't describe the overwhelming sadness at seeing many most cherished possessions charred and melted and shattered. And those of you who know me well, also know that I love Christmas and had a number of collections, but the things that I feel the loss of the most are the heirlooms, ornaments from Czechoslovakia that were my Grandmothers.....tablecloths and scarves that she embroidered or crocheted or tatted, Bobs Mothers' fine, delicate china....the list seems endless in my head. The accumulation of 3 generations of 2 families, holding onto things that were dear and meaningful, and wanting to pass onto the next generation. And I know these are just "things" and not the most important things in the world, but still I grieve over them. And I know Bob does too, but I think his greater worry concerns doing the right thing as far as getting the house rebuilt. We were told that the fire started in the subflooring of the kitchen. And for those of you who haven't heard this already....I did smell something the night before, like a fireplace or woodburning stove. The smell was stronger in the front of the house, but we didn't see anything amiss, and when I opened the front door the smell was very strong outside, so I thought it was a fireplace or woodburning stove. It never smelled "electrical", and as I told the fire chief, if I even had a tiny suspicion that it was a fire we would have called them. I was working the morning of the fire and thank God for that because if I wasn't we probably would not be here. I got up, showered, dressed and came down at 6:45am to find about 1 foot of smoke in the kitchen. I yelled up to Bob to get up and get out, than raced thru the first floor but couldn't see any fire. I screamed to Bob again when I saw black smoke in our powder room, grabbed the phone to call 911 and opened the front door, which is when I saw that the wooden blowout in the front of the house was on fire. When I saw Bob coming down the steps, after getting his wallet, cane, glasses shoes!!!!, I called 911 as I rang our neighbors doorbells. And then we watched our house go up in a matter of 15 minutes as we waited for the fire companies.

Well, we have learned a lot in the month since than. First and foremost, and as always, is that we are so, so blessed with amazing and wonderful friends and family members. Secondly, check your insurance policies and make sure your fire insurance is up to date. Thank God, Bob has an excellent provider in USAA, and a good policy. And lastly, if you have things of value, collectibles, antiques, etc....take photos or videos or get appraisals and keep them somewhere safe.

So, we're okay right now. Jacobs Woods is a lovely place...the management is wonderful, and the location is central. I've been working a few days a week, except for this cold. And Bob seems to have weathered his first big cold post-transplant fairly well, though he still has the runny nose and congestion. Also need to tell you that Bob is now down to monthly HUP visits and his PICC line was taken out the day of his last visit....much to the chagrin of Nurse Kathy who was hoping for that honor, and whom we are now missing greatly, since Bob doesn't need at home labs anymore. But that's all good, as my man is better.

Well, I've got to run as Bob needs the computer to work. He sends everyone his love and thanks, as do I. Also want to thank everyone who e-mailed w/ addresses and phone numbers. That was a big help in starting a new address book. We hope everyone is well and congratulate any Giants fans and say too bad for you Pats fans. It was still a great year for New England.

All our love,
Bob and Mo