For all of you who did not know, here is an update on me and my family. My youngest daughter Rosanne, or Rosie as she likes to be called, was to be a freshman at Loyola University New Orleans. Well, we all know what happened, but let me tell you our story. I tried to encourage Rosie to go to a Boston University but she was bound and determined to go someplace South. I have family in Texas and Louisiana who I have not seen or talked to in 30 years. So I went down to New Orleans with Rosie on Thursday August 25, and we stayed at this turn of the century Hotel, (built in 1883 "The Columns") on St Charles Avenue. I don't know where this girl got the idea that I like old stuff. You can imagine the room, no TV, full of antiques, an old tile bathroom, creaky pine floors and flower wall paper to die for. I told Rosie later when she wants me to visit, think Holiday Inn, Marriott etc. It was really quite charming once I got acquainted with the bartender. Apparently this is the spot for the local people at "Happy Hour". There was live music going on in another room across the hall. In all, the Hotel was quaint, with its large veranda that handled the overflow at cocktail hour, even thou there was no TV in the room. Friday was moving day and it was a very chaotic scene to see the 'freshmen' with their families moving into the dorms and waiting in long lines for the elevators. (I did not have the opportunity to go away to school when I was young just out of High School and my older daughter did not go away to college either.) I was so glad for this experience that I changed my schedule and stayed an extra day so I could spend the first night with Rosie in her dorm room. Her roommate was not due to arrive until the next day. I got up early Saturday morning and took the Famous trolley in front of the school on St Charles Avenue to find a coffee house. !What an experience!; I was alone, leaving Rosie asleep in her dorm room on the 10th floor of a 12 story building. I found a coffee shop on Oak Street and had a "full Southern" breakfast. I've been doing a full "Southern" for years not knowing how significant it was; I'm from California and grew up eating Cajun food. When it was time for me to leave on Saturday, I took a shuttle van to the airport. Rosie called me to say that the school is telling everyone that they must evacuate. The exact words were something more like "At this time, you must implement your personal evacuation plan". I say, "What personal evacuation plan?" "I don't remember being told to have a plan in case of a catagory 5 hurricane." I am stuck in traffic going to the airport so I told her to call Diane, my cousin who I only talked to the day before, after 30 years. I was bumped from my flight because everybody was trying to get out of town. Diane immediately got into the car with her husband Raymond to drive to New Orleans to get Rosie. . . . . Is this amazing or what? Diane lives in St Martinsville, which is about a two and a half hour drive from New Orleans going west. So I got home, and we thought this would be a few days delay from the start of school. The hurricane hit Monday, and by Wednesday we figured Rosie needed to get back to Colorado. After driving to several cities, they finally found a place to take the Greyhound Bus out. Rosie arrived in Houston, where she got a plane to Denver. She is safe now so what next? Everything is unfolding and it is so horrible. She arrived Thursday, September 1, and the next day, Friday, she enrolled at CU Boulder. How wonderful all the schools have been to the displaced students. Rosie had a dorm room, a new roommate, school has been is session for two weeks and it was only a week ago that we were moving her into her dorm room in New Orleans.. She had nothing but her lap top computer, thank God I told her to take it with her when she went to Diane's. All the new stuff that freshmen students 'got to have' is not there; clothes, contact lenses supply, eye-glasses, sheets, blankets, pillows, printer, books, school supplies etc. . . Rosanne is now a freshman at CU Boulder and she is safe from the horrors. I feel so bad that her first semester is so completely distorted with the events that shocked the nation. I am trying to be positive and encouraging and let Rosie flourish in her new life. A few weeks have passed now, so I am adjusting to the routine of having her at home on the weekend to do her laundry with her head in a book. I like being the mother of a college student who is only home on weekends. My oldest daughter, Roxanne, just turn 20 years old and I am so thankful to have them both close to me and safe. I hope you have enjoyed my little story. Stay tune for another story in the next issue of "The Latest". When you think of Real Estate, do think of me. I'm competent and "I've been around". Also I love referrals, Sincerely, Flora DuPree, Your realtor for life. Now is the most absolute best time to buy real estate. Do you need a new home or an investment? Call me

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