It has been 469 days since we lost our home, and we still have no move-in date in sight. Heck, we don’t even have a “start building” date. At the end of last week, First Reader and I combed through our printouts and found a page with some helpful contact numbers. We called the one … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 70
Still no movement on the house. Our sales rep and the builder are as frustrated as we are, judging by the email string. Our disaster loan case manager asked for the closing documents and the building permit. We can’t provide these things until we get approval from the state. Our building plans are bogged down … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 69
We talked with a loan officer this week about the latest loan modification. Our loan amount has been increased, which, of course, means higher payments. That should be okay as long as our rental is paid off sooner than later (it’s close). The next step should be getting a phone call from our case manager … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 68
We heard back from the loss verifier for our disaster loan this week. He sent our file off to the loan officer with recommendations for additional funds added to our loan amount to account for increased building costs. We agreed to forgo some funds for things that we don’t plan to take care of until … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 67
The new year arrived with a bang in Colorado. New Year’s Eve brought the first snowstorm of the season, and frigid temperatures came along for the ride—the day after the most destructive wildfire in the state’s history. We drove to Estes Park, up the canyon, in the storm. We followed the line of traffic and … Continue reading New Year, New Habits
We took a few steps back this week. 🙄 Because the world has gotten more expensive, we needed to get another estimate for our home. So, I called our sales rep and asked for the requested numbers. I was a bit surprised when our plan came in lower than their requirements, and for a lesser … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 66
Can you believe that tomorrow is 2022 already? 😳 Twenty-twenty-one was a year of recovery for First Reader and me. We spent much of January, February, and March cleaning up the debris, making a list of possessions, and applying for federal disaster relief. That experience was as emotionally draining as the fire itself. Grief hits … Continue reading Reflecting on 2021
Happy Holidays everyone. This past week was eventful for a change. We talked with a loan officer regarding our loan. Even though we just took two steps back, we have a “reason” for the setback. The latest loan officer (we get a new person every time the paperwork goes back and forth) informed us that … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 65
Waiting, waiting, waitingWe’re forever waitingKeep these folks a waitin’For funds (Sung to the tune of “Rawhide”) This has, once again, been the story of our week. No word on anything—our building plans are still hung up with the state housing authority awaiting approval, and our disaster loan is stalled for the holidays. Which means that … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 64
It’s been another week of stagnation. The only progress we’ve made is crossing names off our Christmas list. Winter has finally arrived—sort of. Our area hasn’t had any snow to speak of, but the temperatures have sure plummeted. Morning walks now include bundling up with multiple layers, gloves, and earmuffs. If the temps get much … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 63
Tavern Tales
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J.J. Shaun 