Disaster! Options

[Sunrise]

Glad to hear things are starting to move forward for you. Here's hoping you will be able to teach from your next rental, although it does sound educational making home visits!! Keep your chin up...

[BerkshireMum]

Hi,

Well, life took over for a wee while - getting my head around everything, house move, putting some of our furniture in storage, liaising with Disaster Care who came to strip out damaged floors, walls, and ceilings. (They have filled two skips with it!) We also seem to have spent half of most days on the phone liaising with the various people contracted by the insurers to deal with specific aspects of our claims.

The house we are renting is totally unsuitable, so we are moving again in a few weeks time to somewhere much more comfortable and also closer to home for picking up mail, phone messages, and keeping a general eye on things. There is a possibility I may be able to do some teaching there too, as I'm finding driving out to all my students quite tiring.

It's helpful doing home visits in some ways, though, to see what kind of set-up exists at home: the pianist whose piano sounds as though the sustain pedal is on full-time, the violinist who has been playing for a year and hasn't acquired a music-stand yet; the house where I have to let myself in and step over the cat to teach in a disorganised kitchen with siblings screaming in the background; the teenager who uses the missing ivories on her piano as a guide to find the notes she should be playing, and the house where I got a big hug and kiss from mum because she really felt for what we are going through.

Meanwhile, the house is drying slowly, and our study, living-room and bedroom are now all open plan with each other. OH and I are keen to restore some level of normality to our lives, so are just trying to get on with things; not easy, but it must be done.

I really appreciate all the support from the forum. And there is some good news in the Brand New Piano thread.

What a lovely, positive post, Misterioso. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) It's good to hear that you have risen above the awful circumstances and got on with your teaching life. Also good that things are beginning to move on your poor, damp house. It's incredible the damage that water can do and you were so unlucky to be on holiday when the radiators decided to leak.

Very excited to hear about your new piano. It's sad to lose a loved instrument, but who knows, maybe you will like this one even better? I can't wait for it to arrive in Manchester so that you can try it out. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piano.gif)

[Misterioso]

What a lovely, positive post, Misterioso. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) It's good to hear that you have risen above the awful circumstances and got on with your teaching life. Also good that things are beginning to move on your poor, damp house. It's incredible the damage that water can do and you were so unlucky to be on holiday when the radiators decided to leak.

Very excited to hear about your new piano. It's sad to lose a loved instrument, but who knows, maybe you will like this one even better? I can't wait for it to arrive in Manchester so that you can try it out. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piano.gif)

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Thanks, BerkshireMum. My piano was taken away last week; it's going to be used for spares by a piano dealer on the mainland. I'm glad it doesn't have to go in a skip - and also relieved I wasn't there to see it being taken out of the house.

Our house is DRY!! Disaster Care came back today to check the sensors in the walls and to take the dryers and dehumidifiers out. It's strangely quiet now. We are hoping the insurers won't take too long to approve a builder to start work.

Beginning to feel vaguely hopeful...... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

[Susie]

Very good news. At least you feel progress is happening.

I'm glad you were able to not witness the exit of your piano, but it's nice to feel that some bits of it will do good and live on.

Fingers crossed for you that this is a good beginning to the next stage. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Cyrilla]

Very good news. At least you feel progress is happening.

I'm glad you were able to not witness the exit of your piano, but it's nice to feel that some bits of it will do good and live on.

Fingers crossed for you that this is a good beginning to the next stage. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

[Aquarelle]

misterioso, I think you deserve a medal. I don't know how you have coped and I am full of admiration for your courage and positive thinking.