It has been just over one month (August 29) since Katrina hit. I wanted to give folks an update now that things are a little clearer. Some info is a repeat of past info on the blog…for that I am sorry, but I am trying to bring many folks up to speed.

HOUSE
• I live in Metairie. I am about 6 blocks from Lake Pontchartrain and about 2 miles from a infamous 17th Street Canal (where there was a breach in the levee.)
• Only “damage” to my home– replace freezer and refrigerator. (spoiled stinky Cajun food after electricity failed.
• No flooding or shingle/roof damage. Minor screen damage.
• Lost a small (5 x 8 ft) outdoor shed. Contents were okay; shed was blown away.
• We’re allowed back to live there, but are not moving back in (more under “FUTURE” PLANS)
• Marlene and her parents went to meet the insurance adjuster earlier this week. They worked liked Trojans to cut the grass, which was 16 to 20 inches high. There were tree twigs and limbs all over the yard.

MARLENE
• Marlene has been working from Lafayette (she works for an internet related company and can work as long as she has access to the internet).
• She was amazing in the days after Katrina, finding her co-workers and then advocating for her department workers (making sure that they were okay before they could get back up and running to work).
• When hurricane Rita struck, she had to “start over”, because many Katrina evacuees were now scattered again.
• Her bosses continued to be flexible and creative in allowing her to work from Lafayette.

MEGAN
• Megan is enrolled at St. Pius Elementary in Lafayette and is doing well there from all indications. She has been a trooper, rising an hour earlier to adjust to a new schedule.
• She is on the School’s volleyball team (Go Cougars!) and they won a game this week (not a match, but they were so excited!)
• She does miss her friends but really enjoys St. Pius. Her “old” school St. Catherine’s opened on Wednesday. I don’t know a lot of details about that but I have been reassured from her principal that she is welcome to return when she wants to. We’ve been blessed to have worked with 2 wonderful schools and faculties.

MIKE
• It’s been hard to be away while Marlene and her parents tend to the details of cleaning up. They have been wonderful through this all.
• I am almost done with a busy speaking stint.
• Flying out of Lafayette, rather than New Orleans, has been fine.

CURRENT REALITIES
• My in-laws are kind enough to allow us to continue to live with them. They have been accommodating beyond belief.
• We are trying to work out creative solutions to allow Megan to finish a semester at St. Pius school. It is juggling travel schedules (between Mike’s traveling and Marlene’s work schedule between Metairie and Lafayette.)
• We have a renter in our home which allows for someone to be in the house and provides for the mortgage to be paid.

FUTURE PLANS