I just finished my insurance claim paperwork. It's not an exhaustive list, but I'm exhausted, physically, but especially mentally, so I'm done. I'm more than $10,000 over the limit of my insurance policy, so I really don't need to go on. Thank God I got my clothes out on the day of the fire or I'd be up shit creek without a canoe, none the less the paddles. My insurance policy is enough to cover what I need, and I've got been able to meld that with what I want, so I'm doing alright. I've also had a few generous friends hit the gift registries and cough up some of their own skills, so I'm not hurting for things. It does, however, make me re-evaluate how much insurance coverage I really need. I think I'll go have a little sit-down talk with my agent this week and talk about upping my policy, especially since I have more space and more furniture now.

I'll see you soon, my peeps. Even Pooh King gave up on me 45 minutes ago.

Finally! I did it! The wireless is hooked up. Hooray for me! No, seriously, you don't know how hard it was. There was enabling and disabling... and well, we know I'm an excellent enabler, but disabling? Not so much. So the fact that I finally got it finished and actually working is down right remarkable.

So now you can look forward (the 3 of you who still actually read here, besides my mother) to frequent posts. YES, I MEAN FREQUENT! Oh sweet hey-zeus I've been having a lot to say! Like how I actually have been proposed to twice now. The first time PB was down on one knee in my kitchen with me in my pajama bottoms, unpacking boxes, and the ring is great, and I didn't care at all that I was in my pajama bottoms. Then he put my dining room table together. It was perfect. The second time was tonight in the car at a stop light. Seriously.

Turns out I used to wear a size 8 or 9 ring on my ring finger. Since losing almost 30 pounds, I now wear a size 7. So, PB had my ring upsized to a 9 before popping the question. The ring was nearly falling off my finger every minute of the day. I thought about wrapping yarn around it, a la high school, but figured in the end that might get a little stinky, what with all the handwashing and old-person touching I do these days, so we went to the jewelery store today to have my finger measured so the ring could be resized. Yep, a 7. Funny thing? That's what the ring started out as. I have a yo-yo diet ring. I should have it back in a week or two. So we got a plain silver band and I made him ask me again so I didn't have to have a naked finger until then. Crazy but true.

And there's more. So much more.

:O

She's back!

I'm trying to set up my wireless connection. It's not going so well. :(

It's official... I'm getting hitched! Date to be announced. :)

Oh, and I should have internet connected tonight or tomorrow. Like that shouldn't bring unpacking to a screeching halt.

I bought Pooh a new bed over the weekend. $89. Oz slept on it last night while he stayed on the thin one bought right after the fire. Sheesh.

Good news Mom... you can tell Dad I have a toaster!

It went well. Now no one has to figure out how much antique china is worth. Woot!!!

I'm really sorry I haven't been able to keep you all better posted on what's going on here. I'm stealing the internet signal from the neighbors and it's kind of hit or miss for actually working, so bear with me a few more days until I get into the house.

Yes, that's right, only a few more days until I move into the house! Okay, I'm excited about the house, but it's still a very sore spot. I feel like if I could click my pair of ruby slippers (which I don't have) together, I don't know where I'd land. My old place doesn't exist, my current place isn't mine, and my new place doesn't exist yet either. It's really weird.

But, there is a house, and it has stuff in it that I own. And soon it will be "my place".

And tomorrow, I get to go back into my apartment. For 2 hours, I will get to go in and drag out the things that can be salvaged. I will work hard to get out the things that can't be replaced. That's what I care about and what I'm after. I've made my peace with the rest, but damnit, I'm getting the sentimental stuff.

Ole ole ole, ugh ugh ugh!!!

(Oh, and the signal has gone out 3 times while I wrote this!!!)

For those who are interested, I've started a housewarming registry at Target.com and Bedbathandbeyond.com as "Tiffany Big Burn King", where "Tiffany Big Burn" is my first name. Should you feel so compelled, go see it. I'll be adding more as I am able to steal internet signals from my neighbors and Huddle House. Don't you judge me.

I officially move in on Friday, but it will be a process. Looks like I'll be on the sleeper sofa for a week or two. Aaaah, the good life!

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Check out my new pretty things!

Have you ever seen where a fire started? Who knew one little cigarette butt could do so much damage? One cigarette butt took down a whole building, and nearly everything in it. Thankfully, all living things made it out. Unfortunately, lots of things that are still useful, still meaningful, and still sorely missed, are still inside. They will never come out. Because of one little cigarette, my Great Grandmother's fine china, my friend's family photographs, my bike, a friend's jewelry, and countless other treasures, will be bulldozed to the ground with the building. My insurance company will cut me a check, and I'll never touch that china again. I will not pass it on to my daughter some day. Now, I know my Great Grandmother would not have anyone get hurt trying to get her china out, but it does not change the fact that one person's carelessness took so much from the rest of us. It is almost unbelievable. It would be unbelievable if it happened to someone else. But we all know it didn't.

And after getting in a heated discussion with my insurance adjuster this morning about whether or not she would transfer my benefits to an available corporate apartment offered by my hospital or leave me in a slightly shady hotel, I'll be moving tomorrow. She implied that I was milking the system and trying to stay in temporary housing to avoid finding a permanent home and suck more money out of the insurance company. I firmly, and in no uncertain terms, reminded her that I was in no way obligated to take substandard housing to save my insurance company money while using a benefit for which I had been paying a premium for years. I mean, seriously, the house I looked at yesterday was the Taj Ma-Hole and had mold growing in the closet. NOT GOOD. Needless to say, tonight is my last night in the hotel, tomorrow I start at the corporate apartment, and I think she was crying before I stopped talking... oh, and my short term housing has been extended to Oct. 23, WHICH I DIDN'T EVEN ASK FOR. What is wrong with people?

But proving that it pays to know people that know people, one of my former patients (who probably loves me a little too much) really pulled one out of his hat and contacted a friend who has been trying to sell his (overpriced) house for quite a while without success. Everyone loves a good sob story (and money), so sure enough, the guy was willing to meet me and show me the house. I almost peed my pants before I even got out of the car.

I could live on the porch alone. And it's painted in almost the same colors as my apartment was. And I pink puffy heart it. And I didn't even think to take pictures downstairs of the two other bedrooms, or bathrooms, or living room, or lower porch... or POOL TABLE. Or riding lawn mower. Jealous?

And there's a double stove-thingy/bread-warmer-whatever-it's-for-thingy. And the fridge is HUGE. And check out the spiral staircase and reading nook with storage/playroom. Otis and Oz may never come in off the porch... Pooh King may not either, come to think about it.

So a week later, things are settling back into a more "normal" pace. Well, as normal as you can get for being a week out from having lost most of your material possessions. We've basically settled back into a nomadic life, but that will be over Oct. 23, when my new lease starts. It will be different than decorating the new apartment was, but I can do it. :)

I didn't even cry today. Really. A little misty, maybe, but no crying.