ladyjanelly: (blue)
[personal profile] ladyjanelly
We had a catastrophic house fire last night. The house and almost everything in it are totaled.

So yesterday at around 5, I put Sami in the car to take her to my friend Michelle's house so I could leave to go to my hockey game before Sam got home since he was going to be running late. I realized I didn't have my phone or the number of the girl I was going to meet at the game, so I ran back in the house to get it. While I was in, I was like "What's that smell?" and I checked the stove to make sure I didn't leave it on, but it was cold. I turned around, and there was black smoke pouring out of the AC vents. I grabbed the closest cat in one hand and dialed 911 with my thumb and ran outside, tossed Blue into the car with Sami, ran back in, and flames were pouring out of the AC closet. I found Piff in the smoke, hiding and crying behind the kitchen table, grabbed him and ran out again. And then I couldn' think of anything worth going back in for (but now I wish I had somehow had the presence of mind to grab Sami's baby pictures hard drive as I was running out). I left Sami and the cats int he car and ran around the front of the house (still talking to 911) and told my neighbors nobody was in the house before someone could run in. And then we stood on the neighbor's lawn across the road and watched our house burn. All our neighbors were great, I think we had 5 offers of a place to stay the night.

We had just put in the new AC/Heater because the old one was from 1975 and cobbled together--it had a different blower and heating element and parts held in place with duct tape--but it didn't catch on fire, so maybe we should have kept that one.

Our insurance agent is treating us great. The adjuster showed up with a check for living expenses before he stepped foot in the damaged house. They're setting us up with temporary housing and reimbursing us for hotel expenses, etc. We've got to go through and itemize the things we lost. It looks like the house is a total loss. We're talking with a restoration place about saving the keepsakes like the quilts from my grandmother and Sam's grandmother. Everything we own is burnt, melted, soot-covered and/or soaked. But it's just stuff.

I have no idea what my daily routine is going to look like for the near future while we get the house torn down and rebuilt. I have to do the inventory of stuff, but after that, I see a lot of writing time opening up (hopefully). I need to pick up a new laptop today, and we're going to get smart-phones now so we can deal with some stuff since we can't be home.

We're doing okay. Sami is at that stage where her toys are her friends, so she's having a few rough moments, but otherwise she's okay. We're replacing some of the special pieces (Grover, Wolf-puppy, her cupcake lego set).

Date: 2013-12-11 07:53 pm (UTC)
peaceful_sands: butterfly (Default)
From: [personal profile] peaceful_sands
So sorry to hear that. My thoughts are with you all. *hugs*

Date: 2013-12-11 07:55 pm (UTC)
peaceful_sands: butterfly (Default)
From: [personal profile] peaceful_sands
Reading again - I am so sorry to hear that the house is totalled - but thankful that you and your family are all safe and well.

Date: 2013-12-11 08:00 pm (UTC)
joatamon: (RennerArms)
From: [personal profile] joatamon
I don't even know what to say: I'm so sorry. Thinking of you!

Date: 2013-12-11 08:35 pm (UTC)
lqc: Short ass haircut - March 2013 (Default)
From: [personal profile] lqc
Wow, I am very glad that you got lucky enough to save the animals and no one was hurt. Also glad that insurance has been quick to step in. Good luck with the adjustments while life is in flux.

Date: 2013-12-11 10:14 pm (UTC)
james: (Default)
From: [personal profile] james
Glad all the people and animals are okay! Stuff can always be replaced. *hugs*

Date: 2013-12-11 11:49 pm (UTC)
sasha_feather: Retro-style poster of skier on pluto.   (Default)
From: [personal profile] sasha_feather
Wow, I am so sorry! I am glad you and your family are OK.

Date: 2013-12-12 01:23 am (UTC)
grackle: denis leary looks pretty (Default)
From: [personal profile] grackle
I'm so terribly sorry to hear that. If there's anything I can do to help, let me know.

Once you get settled in one place I have a TON of legos I will send to Sami. I'd been trying to figure out what to do with them before now and I think this will be the best use.

Date: 2013-12-12 09:21 am (UTC)
cougars_catnip: (Default)
From: [personal profile] cougars_catnip
Oh God, I am so sorry to hear about the lose of your house but so thankful you are all ok! Thank goodness you were there to see the start so you could rescue your pets. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you.

hugs!
CC
Edited Date: 2013-12-12 09:23 am (UTC)

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ladyjanelly

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