Jim & Ruth Back on the boards

[JimVrhovac]

Hi everyone....

We finally got moved into the rental house and have the computers set up again.

They should be starting to fix our house in the very near future. We had app $70.000 damage from the hurricanes. There is a bright side to all of this!!!!!

1. The outside of the house needed repainting.

2. The roof was 12 years old and would have to be replaced in the next couple years.

3. The ceilings that fell down were dirty anyway and needed to be painted...

4. Ruth wanted to repaint the inside of the house anyway.

5. The bedroom set was only stained on her side of the bed and she is really picky..

6. We needed a new living room set anyway.

7. The television was getting old.

8. Those two computers only had 19 inch screens.

9. The spare bedroom furniture was old.

10. The screens on the porch were getting faded.

11. The fencing was getting faded.

12. The dining room set was fading and needed to be refinished.


GREAT NEWS

None of my slipper collection got wet or damaged. All 54 pairs are in good shape.


There is always a bright side to everything.

We have our health, the cats (3), the birds (2), the fish (4) and one set of cruise tickets for the Zuiderdam (Oct 9th)

We really need this cruise.

Jim & Ruth

[lka1012]

You have been missed. Tell Ruth to enjoy re-decorating. Why not look for things in the Carrib. and if she finds something she likes, just ship it home! Viva la shopping!

[localady]

Jim-

You truly are making lemonade out of the lemons!! :)

So glad to hear that you and Ruth have relocated temporarily. Hopefully by the Veendam 11/05 cruise, this will all be a kinda distant memory and you will be living in a newly built home. Great to have you back on the boards! You and Ruth deserve a fantastic cruise! :cool:

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Jim and Ruth, I am also glad you have your great sense of humor. You really do deserve this cruise. Go have a great time next week.

Watch out Caribbean Ruth is prepared to Shop!!!:D

[KSCnCA]

What a great attitude! We could all take a lesson from you. Enjoy your cruise! You really deserve it!

[saltydog28]

Hi Jim and Ruth- I'm glad you're settled in. You are making excellent lemonade. It's good to hear the slippers weren't damaged. Sometimes~life is an adventure.
Take care,
Pat.

[ger_77]

Hi you two, we up in the frozen tundra were worried about you - you hadn't been on the boards for some time and we didn't think you'd gone cruising just yet. Waiting for the before and after disk you're supposed to be sending us! Have a wonderful holiday - you certainly deserve it! Hugs to Ruth from your Canadian Connection.

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

[jasl]

MISSED YOU, welcome back. Any chance of bringing the 54 pair of slippers on the Veendammer cruise, you each could wear two different pairs a day!! Keep up that great attitude, it's what keeps us looking forward to your postings. Enjoy your upcoming cruise.

[dakrewser]

Welcome back! I'd say congratulations, but that just doesn't seem right in the circs. Maybe Good Luck would be better!

[Ziggy7]

Hi everyone....

We finally got moved into the rental house and have the computers set up again.

They should be starting to fix our house in the very near future. We had app $70.000 damage from the hurricanes. There is a bright side to all of this!!!!!

1. The outside of the house needed repainting.

2. The roof was 12 years old and would have to be replaced in the next couple years.

3. The ceilings that fell down were dirty anyway and needed to be painted...

4. Ruth wanted to repaint the inside of the house anyway.

5. The bedroom set was only stained on her side of the bed and she is really picky..

6. We needed a new living room set anyway.

7. The television was getting old.

8. Those two computers only had 19 inch screens.

9. The spare bedroom furniture was old.

10. The screens on the porch were getting faded.

11. The fencing was getting faded.

12. The dining room set was fading and needed to be refinished.


GREAT NEWS

None of my slipper collection got wet or damaged. All 54 pairs are in good shape.


There is always a bright side to everything.

We have our health, the cats (3), the birds (2), the fish (4) and one set of cruise tickets for the Zuiderdam (Oct 9th)

We really need this cruise.

Jim & Ruth
Awwwwwwww bless your hearts, you have been thru so much and can still see the good side of it all, what an inspiritation you are to others!
Enjoy your cruise, cant wait to see your photo's and slippers for this trip hehehehe.

[grannynurse]

Hey Jim and Ruth,
I'm up early to do some stuff before work and saw your post. What a relief!
I was really worried about you guys.

Our other "hurricane-tossed" friends also emailed yesterday to say they had booked the Zaandam on 12/28 and are coming with us. Two blessings in 24 hours, WOW!

So glad the slippers and pets are warm and dry. Thanks for your assessment update.
Just a professional note,
Avoid "relocation stress" r/t crazy winds AEB, oh never mind, all the cruises kind of offset this ND, what a cure, Huh?
Love you guys!
waiting for an email when you get back.
Our trip pix are up under Rotterdam transatlantic when you catch up with everything.
GN

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome back to the boards Ruth and Jim.

We have all been worried about you - especially after Ivan went through your area again.

Know you probabaly haven't had time to check out all your e-mails - sent you a couple a while back.

How did the cruise ship bears make out?

Have a great cruise on the Zuiderdam - you both need it.

[Little Feet]

You do really need the cruise! Have a spectacular time. You sure have the right perspective on things. Despite the horrid damage, you still have the most important things in life: each other, health, your pets, and the slippers!

Celebrate with wild abandon!

Little Feet

[vjb223]

Agree fla. - we are residents and need a cruise, roofs, power, trees.BUT still love fla. see ya'll sat. vjb223
waiting for roofer to come over now, told our kids they are getting roofs for christmas..ha ha

[vjb223]

I know what I pay our pet sitter and son lives in orlando so on your next cruise we will be happy to pet sit and then retire..

[Druke I]

Congratulations on keeping such a wonderful attitude and sense of humor.

Think I will stay out in earthquake country, which I still maintain is safer!

[OCruisers]

Ruth & Jim .... Glad to see you back on the board! In several of the "post-hurricane" reports here your names were mentioned several times. Think it was Krazy Kruizers who reported that you all were all right but your house was badly damaged. Lots of folks were very worried about you ................. and your collection!

Gee, you need that cruise!!!!

Happy Sailing! OCruisers :)

[RuthC]

Welcome back, Jim. Glad to know the slippers and jewelry came through intact---priorities, and all.

Just to catch you up a bit, we've had some new topics to discuss: food, clothing, and now you've added shelter. Just your basic message board!

[Carolina Cruiser's 1]

Great attitude. We live in "sunny" central SC and caught some of the remnants of Frances and Ivan. Memories of Hugo :eek: still linger. We (2 couples in our 60's) will be on the Zui 10/9/04 (cabins 6048 & 6050) and the Veendam on 11/26/05 (a first on both ships). Hope to see you on the ship.

Smooth sailing's :)

[GrammyPL]

Jim and Ruth - We are so glad you are OK. I am sure you will have a mess for awhile in your old house - but by the time our Veendam Cruise comes along you should be done with everything. Have a great cruise on the Zuid. Penny

[HeatherInFlorida]

What a beating you two took! And the humor will get you through and it doesn't hurt us any either;) . With a cruise right around the corner, what could be better. Welcome home, Jim and Ruth, we missed you. Can't wait to hear about your next cruise. Keep on smilin':D

[cusyl]

Sorry you had so much damage from the storms, but you certainly have a great attitude. Enjoy the cruise....
Please check out the library and see if the cruise critic visitors Log is still there. Thanks.

[JimVrhovac]

Ruth and I are taking this lightly for several reasons.

I owned a construction company the specialized in insurance repair work here in Florida for several years so we had a better insight into the system and how it works. Once I contacted the insurance company and reported the loss I asked who their Preffered Contractor was in this area. Once I got their name and phone numner I contacted them and signed a contract with them to do all the necessary repairs. I have yet to receive an estimate from the insurance company but I know that this contractor will work out the pricing with the insurance company.

The contractor works for us but he is paid by the insurance company with us and the bank cosigning the check. Pricing problems are worked out between the contractor and the insurance company and I don't get involved, unless I want to be involved. A repor has been built up between the adjusters and this company over the years and that solves a lot of problems as there is no advesarial relationship. Everyone is interested in getting the job done to our satisfaction and the check in the hands of the contractor.

What is the contractor doing?????

We have moved what we want into the rental unit.

They will come in inventory, pack, and then store everything left in the house. Furniture that needs to be repaired or refinished will go out to their subcontractors.

Once the house is empty the will come in and tear out all the ceiling so we can see the extent of the damage. Myself, the contractor, and the adjustor will then meet and discuss the extnet of repairs needed and agree on that. I intend to ask for specialists to test for mold residue and certify that the house is free of mold or mildew (correct and proper to do).

Once the house is ready for rebuilding we will make all the standard choices: Paint colors, carpeting, tile, cabninets, etc. Any upgrading will be priced out and agreed upon with the contractor and monies exchanged if necessary.

The house will be rebuilt, furniture returned and placed in appropriate spots, they will move us back from the rental unit, the house will be cleaned, and the keys will be handed to us and then we will endorse the check and give it to the contractor.

Because of the price a draw system will be set up with the contractor and the insurance company.

I have been a little long winded here in the hopes of education you in the system and how it works at its ideals. It can be smooth or rocky depending on the emotions of the persons involved. It is really important to try and keep emotions out of the process. It is hard but it is benefical to everyone involved.

I sincerely hope that none of you have to go through this type of problem but one piece of advise I would give you is ask your insurance company who their preferred contractor is in your area and keep that name and phone number with your insurance documents.

We are looking forward to a great cruise and am starting to pack tonight. The hard thing this week is deciding which slipers to take.

PS:
None of Ruth's cruise teddybears got severely damaged. Some have to be cleaned but no permanent damage done.

Again thank all of you for you prayers and well wishes. Will be intouch. We are planning the trip to Ft Lauderdale Friday and will do a report on the trip. The restaurant with the swamp cabbage was damaged but they are working out of a tent next to the still in the back corner of their parking lot.

Jim & Ruth
JVrhovac@AOL.com

[ger_77]

Jim ... back away from the swamp cabbage ! ! ! My question re swamp cabbage would be: did you or Ruth stock up on emergency air fresheners to be used during the hurricane season???:D

I didn't know what you folks had to go through to have the necessary repairs made to your home after the hurricanes - thank you for going into such detail. You do have a wonderfully positive attitude, and it seems to spill over into every aspect of your lives. Enjoy your trip - you two certainly deserve it. We'll look forward to hearing a report upon your return.

Smooth Sailing ! :) :) :)

[vjb223]

I do not know how to copy just your stuff on ins. could you make a note of it or copy whatever and give to me onboard? looked like good advice -see you sat. vicki and harold

[jcike1980]

thanks for the info. jcike

[HeatherInFlorida]

I do not know how to copy just your stuff on ins. could you make a note of it or copy whatever and give to me onboard? looked like good advice -see you sat. vicki and harold
vjb, you can just "copy and paste" the info you want into an email to yourself. With your mouse just highlight the part you want to keep. Then under "Edit" click on copy. Open an email and paste it into the email to yourself. Then print it out.

[Cracker Ken]

Jim - Where is that place where y'all stop for swamp cabbage? I was curious since I'm up and down the E. coast of FL from time to time on business. I was going to check it out since I wondered if they serve other types of FL Cracker type food there. I'm not too crazy about swamp cabbage though. When I was growing up, my grandma and uncles use to fix that stuff frequently. I never got into that mess.

Ken

[JimVrhovac]

The restaurant it is Kenansville, just south of St Cloud.

Only restaurant in town. Only business in town also.

Take some antacids and air freshners for the return trip home and make sure it is not raining so you can keep the car windows open...

Bon Apitite......

Jim

[Cracker Ken]

Jim - Thanks for the info. I still remember the environmental problems caused by swamp cabbage back when I was a kid and they cooked up a batch of it:D . My uncles used to go out in the woods in S Polk County, find a cabbage palm, and cut it fresh. We also used to have BBQ's with a fresh hog. One of the by-products of the BBQ was often "chitterlings." Have you ever had those? (or worse yet, smelled them cooking?):D . This sure does bring back memories.

Ken