My name is Marie Hartmann and I live alone in River Ridge. I have lived in this same house for over 50 years. I am 86 years old and I do not want to leave my home. I did not want to leave for the storm, but my son came a got me the night before the storm. We went to Baton Rouge, to my granddaughter’s house. Her and her husband live in a two bedroom town home. There were 7 people staying there. I stayed downstairs in a recliner. I could not get up the stairs because of my bad knees. There was no shower or bedrooms downstairs so I sat in the recliner all day and slept in the recliner at night. One of my daughters who was evacuated nearby came every other day to take me to another friend’s house so I could take a shower. I wanted to go home so badly and could not understand why we had to stay in Baton Rouge.\r\n Day after day I sat in that recliner. I am so old I can’t remember much and I can’t remember anything people tell me. I just know I wanted to go home. I would go in the bathroom downstairs and cry everyday. I did not understand why I couldn’t go home. \r\n Finally, after 3 weeks my other daughter comes and takes me to her house in St. Charles Louisiana. It is better, there is a bed and a shower I can use, but I am still not in my house. All I want to do is go to my house! Nobody would take me. I don’t know why. \r\n After another 2 or 3 weeks, they finally bring me home. Now that I am home, I will never leave again- no matter what. I don’t care if another storm comes or not. They will have to drag me out of here. My house has survived all these years and nothing bad has happened. There is no reason to leave.\r\n\r\nThis was typed by me, Kim Mould for my grandmother who wanted to tell her Katrina story. She does understand that while her house may be ok, she would have to live without water and electricity. She still insists that we will have to drag her out of her house kicking and screaming before she will ever leave again. I am sure one of my brothers will be happy to oblige.