We just lost our family store

[Vickip]

Hi guys.

I'm truly sorry ... this isn't Meat Loaf related, but I've come to think of you as my friends and feel that I have to share this with you.

My parents own a flag store ... actually it started out as my Grandfather's Grocery store over 40 years ago, my father took it over as a Hardware store, and then switched it to flags a few years back when Desert Storm started.

We're located next to a creek, and had a major flood there about 4 years ago. At the time we thought we were going to lose everything, but managed to rebuild and move on. Well today I got a frantic phone call from My Parents ... the store was flooded again. They were standing there watching the water come in, and got out of there as quickly as they could. No sooner had they left when they found out that one of the walls had collapsed, and most of the windows were blown out.

They managed to get back over there ... and when they did, they said that the water outside was only about a foot lower than the roof ! They couldn't even see the air conditioning unit outside .... and when they looked inside, it was devastating. When my mother called me again from her car phone, I could hear my father crying in the background. The store was his life, and in an instant it was all gone.

My nerves are on edge .... and I feel so helpless. I'm sorry to burden you with this, but I just needed someone to talk to.

Time for me to put on some Meat music ... maybe that'll help cheer me up ..

Thanks for listening
Vicki

[ROSIE]

I'm so so sorry it must be devasting for you and your parents




Rosie

[CarolM]

Hi Vicki,im so sorry to hear this bad news your family must be devastated, working hard all these years to keep it going :cry: .Hope everything works out ok
Carol & Neil

[original sin]

Vicki
I am so very very sorry for you and your family. I cannot begin to imagine how you must all feel. Rather puts things into perspective.
Thank you for trusting us with your news

Sin xx

[dottie]

Vicki, Why? your parents must be asking themselves, everyone here is so sad for you :( They must be devastated, All of us send our hopes and prayers that somehow, someway your parents can get on their feet again.

[Vickip]

Thank you everyone ... I really appreciate your support.
It just came up so unexpectedly .. we're still in a state of shock.
Thankfully no one was hurt .. that's the main thing.

And you're absolutely right Sin .. it really does put things into perspective.

Thanks again

Vicki

[Crystal Eyes]

I'm so sorry to hear this terrible news. I hope everything works out okay for you and you're parents.
Crystal

[Vickip]

I'm so sorry to hear this terrible news. I hope everything works out okay for you and you're parents.
Crystal

Thanks Crystal .. I'm sure everything will be fine.

Vicki

[shadow1000001]

I'm really very sorry to hear about your parent's store. I hope that everything works out for the best for you and your parents.

Maria

[sherrie87]

Vicki,

I am so sorry to hear this! Thank goodness that your parents got out safely- in the end, that is the most important thing. My grandma's house of nearly 60 years burned down quite unexpectedly a few years back and it was so overwhelming- recovering personal items, handling insurance claims, just plain finding a place for her to live, but it helped to remember that the most important thing was that she had survived. I hope that you and your parents can find some peace in the near future.

Sherrie

[Vickip]

Vicki,

I am so sorry to hear this! Thank goodness that your parents got out safely- in the end, that is the most important thing. My grandma's house of nearly 60 years burned down quite unexpectedly a few years back and it was so overwhelming- recovering personal items, handling insurance claims, just plain finding a place for her to live, but it helped to remember that the most important thing was that she had survived. I hope that you and your parents can find some peace in the near future.

Sherrie

I'm so sorry to hear about your grandma's house ... and I'm so glad she was ok. And thank you ... when it first started, my mother wanted to stay and try to stop it. But thankfully my father talked her out of it, and they managed to get out just in time ... I don't even want to think about what could have happened.

You're absolutely right ... the fact that we're safe and sound is all that matters. Thanks for your support ... and thank you too Maria !!

Vicki

[little_dancer]

Vicki
I am so sorry...If you ever need to talk, please feel free, my heart goes out to you and your family.
Leah

[Vickip]

Vicki
I am so sorry...If you ever need to talk, please feel free, my heart goes out to you and your family.
Leah

Thanks Leah .. I really appreciate it.

Vicki

[Bren]

So sorry to hear this Vicki,..my thoughts are with you.

Bren

[Bigmomma]

vicki, i am so sorry for you,
it is just so lucky they didnt try and do anything to stop it or
the news could have been so much worse..
as it is we can all be thankful that no one was hurt, yes it is
terrible news but one of my mottos is "your health is your wealth".
your parents may not think this right now but soon they may.
as they will be needing every bit of there health to carry on.
kezzina

[RSG]

OH GOSH!! I am terribly sorry. I can't believe something like that would happen. I know I don't own a store or anything, but geez. All I can say is that I am very sorry, and I really FEEL for you and your family. I hope one can help you out. I really don't know much I could do. So, I will keep your family in my prayers tonight. I hope everything works out very soon. Again, sooo Sorry!

[Vickip]

Thank you so much everybody ... your thoughts and support means a lot to me.

Just a brief update .... we went over there tonight, and they roped off the parking lot in front of the store and wouldn't let us inside. One time we tried walking over to it, and I had to grab my mother's arm before she got arrested. There were flags every where ... and the wall on one side of the building was completely buckled out on the bottom. We couldn't see the other side of the building, next to the creek (it was too dangerous). But a police officer said the wall was completely caved in .... so at this point we don't know how much structural damage was done, or even if they're going to condemn the building. Just have to wait and see I guess ...

Thanks for listening and caring .. it really means a lot to me and my folks.

Vicki

[Testify]

I dont know what to say. All i can say is that im thinking of you and your family and i hope everything will turn out ok.

Best wishes Testify

[Pixiedust]

vicki, i am so sorry for you all.
big momma told me last night and i was so shocked.
my prayers are with you all.
pixie

[Jen]

Vicki

Really sorry to hear this, hope you're able to get everything sorted out, just glad no-one was hurt.

Jen

[Vickip]

Thank you Testify, Pixie, and Jen
My folks and I really appreciate your concern and support.

You're absolutely right Jen .. thankfully no one was hurt.

I always say that God works in mysterious ways. Both of my parents are in their 70's and have worked hard all their lives ... so I think the flood was just his way of saying it was time for them to finally retire and enjoy themselves. We salvaged what we could today, and hired a cleaning / restoration company to take care of the rest of it for us. Eventually we'll get to the point where we can have a going of business sale.

Of course then comes the real scary part is I'll have to get a real job ... do you think Fire Ball has anything available ? :wink: Well it was worth a shot :) Actually I'm thinking maybe retail sales or website design .. who knows.

Thank you so much for all your concern. We just take it one day at a day, and we'll be fine.

Love you all!
Vicki

[heat]

Vicki,

I've just read your news and felt that i wanted to let you know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I know that there isn't anything practical i can do, but i just wanted to let you know that i'm here for you.

Hope things start to work out for you soon.

[Vickip]

Vicki,

I've just read your news and felt that i wanted to let you know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I know that there isn't anything practical i can do, but i just wanted to let you know that i'm here for you.

Hope things start to work out for you soon.

Thank you Heat ... we really appreciate it.

It's going to take a long time. We're meeting with a building inspector on Monday to check on the structural damage, and thankfully we hired a cleaning / restoration company to take care of everything else. Of course hurricaine Isabelle isn't helping any :roll: ... we're being hit hard with the rain and wind tonight :(

Thanks again for your concern
Vicki

[Louise]

so sorry to hear this, Vicky. I wish you and your parents better luck for the future. Glad you're all still alive and well though, that's the main thing.

love and hugs,
Louise xxx

[Vickip]

so sorry to hear this, Vicky. I wish you and your parents better luck for the future. Glad you're all still alive and well though, that's the main thing.

love and hugs,
Louise xxx

Thanks Louise.
We're just taking it one day at a time, and I'm sure everything will work out fine. You're absolutely right ... we're all ok, and that's the main thing.

Love and hugs to you too,
Vicki xxx

[Bigmomma]

so sorry that you and yours have had all this trouble this
week vicki.
an now this blinkin hurricane as well, hope that your luck will
change next week, surely it cant get any worse...
kezzina

[Vickip]

so sorry that you and yours have had all this trouble this
week vicki.
an now this blinkin hurricane as well, hope that your luck will
change next week, surely it cant get any worse...
kezzina

Hi Bigmomma.

Thankfully the worst part of the hurricane is over for our area, and it didn't cause any more problems. And right now it's bright and sunny ... so hopefully that's a good sign. They've made a lot of progress with the cleanup ... and we're going to meet with a structural engineer on Monday to determine how much structural damage has been done to the building.

We just take it one day at a time ... and hopefully everything will work out in the long run.

Thanks again for your support .. my folks and I really appreciate it.
Vicki

[Terri]

So sorry to hear your news.
Hope things go well with the structual engineer on monday.
Wishing you and your parents all the best for the future.

[Vickip]

So sorry to hear your news.
Hope things go well with the structual engineer on monday.
Wishing you and your parents all the best for the future.

Thank you Terri .. we really appreciate it.
Vicki

[Vickip]

Hi guys ...

I hope you don't mind, but I want to share some very POSITIVE news about the store.

My folks met with the structural engineer today, and he said that there was no damage to the main part of the store :)) The one room that was completely destroyed was only an addition that we can always add back on again later on if we want to .....

The cleanup is going really well ... and we have another contracting friend who's ready to help hang some new pegboard as soon as they're done !! It'll still take time ... but now they want to get us back in business as soon as they can :))

Like Travis Redfish says : "Everything will work out if you let it " lol

Thanks again for all your support this week --- I really appreciate it !!

Vicki

[The Flying Mouse]

:twisted: Hi Vicki.
That's great news :D .
Glad things are looking up.

[Vickip]

:twisted: Hi Vicki.
That's great news :D .
Glad things are looking up.

Hi Mouse !

Yes .. thank you :))
I really appreciate it.

Vicki

[Bart]

Say hi to your parents from all of us here. maybe they can say/write here something too :D

[Vickip]

Say hi to your parents from all of us here. maybe they can say/write here something too :D

I sure will Bart ... thanks :))
Sounds like a good idea to me !
Vicki

[heat]

Vicki,

I'm so glad that things went well for your parents - it must be a huge relief to know something is finally going your way :D

[Vickip]

Vicki,

I'm so glad that things went well for your parents - it must be a huge relief to know something is finally going your way :D

Hi Heat :)

Thanks !! And yes it's definitely a big relief :)
Vicki

[Terri]

:D Hi Vicki

Thats great news.

Wishing you all the best for the future!!!!!

[Vickip]

:D Hi Vicki

Thats great news.

Wishing you all the best for the future!!!!!

Hi Terri

I really appreciate it .. thank you very much :))
Vicki

[Bigmomma]

oh vicki that is fantastic :D
at last some good news on this bit ...
kezzina very happy for you all.
just told pixie dust and she is thrilled for you as well.

[Vickip]

oh vicki that is fantastic :D
at last some good news on this bit ...
kezzina very happy for you all.
just told pixie dust and she is thrilled for you as well.

Yes. That's great Bigmomman ... thank you very much :)
Vicki

[dottie]

Vicki, Just when everything looked so bleak, your angel was waiting at your parents shoulder. I am so pleased for you and your family.

[Vickip]

Vicki, Just when everything looked so bleak, your angel was waiting at your parents shoulder. I am so pleased for you and your family.

Thanks Dottie :)
You're absolutely right ... and I've always said the Lord works in mysterious ways.

Vicki

[Vickip]

Hi guys !

Just an update for you .... as you may know, last September, my parents and I thought we lost our family store to a major flood. Thanks to a local restoration company, we've managed to get back on our feet, and have been up and running again for about two months now :)

They ran a great followup article about us in the local paper today :

http://www.delawareonline.com/newsjournal/local/2003/12/27flagsarestillfl.html

And Fire Ball --- in case you haven't found a place in your office for that Texas flag, I have an in-ground flagpole with your name on it :wink:

Thanks !!
Vicki

[LostSoul]

Hi guys !

Just an update for you .... as you may know, last September, my parents and I thought we lost our family store to a major flood. Thanks to a local restoration company, we've managed to get back on our feet, and have been up and running again for about two months now :)

They ran a great followup article about us in the local paper today :

http://www.delawareonline.com/newsjournal/local/2003/12/27flagsarestillfl.html

And Fire Ball --- in case you haven't found a place in your office for that Texas flag, I have an in-ground flagpole with your name on it :wink:

Thanks !!
Vicki

These are great news! GOOD LUCK! :D

[Vickip]

Hi guys !

Just an update for you .... as you may know, last September, my parents and I thought we lost our family store to a major flood. Thanks to a local restoration company, we've managed to get back on our feet, and have been up and running again for about two months now :)

They ran a great followup article about us in the local paper today :

http://www.delawareonline.com/newsjournal/local/2003/12/27flagsarestillfl.html

And Fire Ball --- in case you haven't found a place in your office for that Texas flag, I have an in-ground flagpole with your name on it :wink:

Thanks !!
Vicki

These are great news! GOOD LUCK! :D

Thank you very much LostSoul :))
Vicki

[shadow1000001]

That is a wonderful article Vicki. I'm so glad that everything has worked out for your parents :D


Maria

[Vickip]

That is a wonderful article Vicki. I'm so glad that everything has worked out for your parents :D


Maria

Thank you very much :))
Vicki

[ChrissybabezNI]

Firstly I'd like to apologise for my lateness in replying to thns as I was unable to get online yesterday. Vicki I'm so glad everythings worked out for you, That was a terrible thing to happen, I'm thinking of you all

chrissy

[Vickip]

Firstly I'd like to apologise for my lateness in replying to thns as I was unable to get online yesterday. Vicki I'm so glad everythings worked out for you, That was a terrible thing to happen, I'm thinking of you all

chrissy

Thank you Chrissy .. I really appreciate it :)
Vicki

[CarolM]

So happy for your parents and you, :D glad everything is going well , :D im glad there is a happy ending. :wink: stay lucky always. :D

[Vickip]

So happy for your parents and you, :D glad everything is going well , :D im glad there is a happy ending. :wink: stay lucky always. :D

Thank you :))
Hopefully it'll never happen again !
Vicki