Don't understand why you potted it in cactus mix - isn't that for slow-growing succulents that don't need rich soil & for fast drainage? Suspect it's not able to draw enough moisture & nutrients from that mix. I grow Blue Bouquet, a hybrid of Caerulea, directly in the ground of clay amended with compost, topsoil & gypsum. It's at least 10 years old now, but when it was younger it definitely needed a good soaking every couple of days or it sulked. (Blue Bouquet has proven root & older cane hardy here in central Virginia zone 7A in an Eastern exposure planted beneath a stone wall.) Also grew another Caerulea hybrid in a pot years ago that spent the warm months outside & the cold ones in. Repotted that every Autumn until it filled a 22" pot. It also had regular heavy potting mix with vermiculite & perlite (no peat or sphagnum). You might move it temporarily so it only gets morning sun & repot in better soil until it improves. Then it can go back to the sunnier spot as long as it's well watered in the heat. You don't mention what type of pot it's in. If clay, that will deprive it of water as the clay will absorb any that doesn't immediately drain out. Even if the outside of such a pot is glazed, the unglazed interior will soak up water. Or your pot may be another dark material, which may be overheating the roots if exposed to the sun. So think it's a trouble-shooting challenge. Here is a link that might be useful: Blue Bouquet

Sorry, I always assume people read for content. The content of the following quote from my post to the Who's Here thread should lead you to believe that I've been gardening for some time. "We have about an acre that generally slopes down to the south (ranging from southwest slopes to south-southeast slopes in direction) that I am slowly (oh so slowly) trying to turn into a food basket (so to speak)." Slowly (oh so slowly) suggests that I have already been working on it and that it is taking a long time, thereby suggesting that I've been working on turning it into a food basket for some time, which means gardening and horticulture (or more appropriately permaculture) experience. "Currently we have raised bed gardens to the tune of 100+ square feet, as well as currants, strawberries, gooseberries, blueberries, hazelnuts (new last year), nanking cherries (new last year), black walnuts (new last year), butternuts (new last year), and roses (for the rose hips). " If I've already got 100+ square feet of raised bed garden that would tell you at least one year gardening experience, the list of berries and nuts, specifying some this year (meaning I put them in last spring, that may have legitimately been misinterpreted to mean I was putting them in 2010 except I followed with a list of items to go in in 2010) would tell you I'd been doing those for at least two years. Sorry for not just saying I've been gardening this location for the past five years and gardening in general (on and off) since I was four years old and helped my mom in hers. I assumed that the list would let you know I have at least several years gardening experience in my current location. Regarding everyone trying to be helpful. I ask for specifics in finding things in the Denver area and someone replies (from the WA/ID area) with: "I have an idea of where you can go" followed by no other information or personal message, what do you think I'm supposed to think? I think I'm being told to go to he**. You interpret that in some other manner? Thralen

"The restoration company put me up in a hotel (that insurance would reimburse)." Did you get it in writing? Hope you don't get stuck with the hotel bill. Whose name is in? If it is in your name you are legally responsible to pay it in full if you contracted for the room. Don't rely on a verbal promise from the restoration company. Also check your insurance policy to see IF they even pay for hotel expenses and/or if there is a cap on the total amount they will pay up to. Stay in contact with your insurance company. Call them daily. Find out the lease laws in your area to see if you are released from your obligation. There must be a landlord tenant group in your area to call for quick info. No one here can tell you anything specific without knowing the laws in your city/state.

We lived onsite in an ancient (and horrible) mobile home while our house was being built. We couldn't wait to get in, but with a small house didn't want to be in the way, so we did a minimal move-in. We moved only the essentials (food, some clothes, etc.), but we waited to move the bulk of our furniture and belongings. Granted, it was only my husband and me, but even with your children you have easy access to things you realize you need for the interim. With every other house we've owned, we had a short timeline to move out of the old house and into the new, so it felt luxurious to take our time bringing in items, arranging furniture, filling bookshelves, organizing closets and cupboards without having to maneuver around boxes.