So glad to hear Mom and Dad are safe and that a lot was saved!!! I can only imagine how you felt being stuck in traffic and having no other way to get there and fearing the worse.Let me start off by saying that everyone is physically OK.
I got a call from Carolyn about 5:13 Wednesday night. She had just got off the phone with the neighbor behind my parents, and was hysterical...my folks house was on fire and the neighbor and Carolyn, couldn’t get ahold of them.
I left the office in a major panic, of course (one of my coworkers offered to drive me, and I thanked her, but, said I could do it, and another said she’d clock me out and shut down my programs), and I promptly got stuck in a traffic jam. I could even see the smoke over the hills in the distance from the main highway 15 miles away, stuck in traffic. It was white smoke, so I could tell the FD was dousing it. But, I was in a nightmare. About 15 minutes in, and still panicking out of my mind, I finally got a call from my mom. She was hysterical, but, said they were OK. But, she said the whole house had burned to the ground. Just total shock.
When I finally started getting more info from both DDs who rushed to the scene, the whole thing had definitely not burned to the ground. Mom was just beyond upset, and when I first spoke to her she was also across the street with a bunch of the smoke being blown towards them and masking the house...she just assumed it had burned to the ground. I knew the fire was out when I saw no more smoke from the highway, still stuck in traffic...so beyond damn frustrating. It took me about 1.5 hours to get home while goin’ back and forth on speaker phone with family.
When I finally got there it was dark and it was insane how many emergency vehicles were on scene...6 big trucks, 8 police, 2 EMS, and multiple first responders.
Wayyyyyyyyyyy beyond the importance of anything else, of course, is my folks were safe. They were actually eating dinner when it started, and as pop went out to try to douse it with a garden hose when mom noticed, mom was dialing 911 when lacrosse players practicing in the school yard across the street noticed the smoke, jumped the school fence and ran across the street to help. The garage door was open and the door between the bonus room and garage was unlocked, so the players went in, saw my mother, told her they already called 911, and insisted she get out. Mom told them pop was out back, and they did same with him.
Also, fortunately, sooo many treasures and memories that could have been lost have already been salvaged. There were so many emergency personnel on scene that some went inside to start putting tarps on stuff while the others started on the fire that was mostly up high. Most of the fire was contained to the rear of the house. So yes, that beautiful home, that I’ve posted sooo many wonderful pics from over the years from family celebrations, gatherings, etc., although badly damaged, still stands, and appears to be structurally sound.
All of the family, including all the grandchildren(sans my sis and her family in Louisiana) were there.
Local news crews were even on the scene, and I saw it on one station that night, and then saw my pop interviewed on another. Both newscasts said the damage was estimated at $150,000.
Just such a crazy night. I cannot remember the last time I was this out of sorts, not knowing if my folks made it out. And again, the most important thing, of course, is that they are physically unharmed. Pop has been stoic as usual, and even jokingly asked my mom if she wanted to go back in and finish dinner, as everything would have a nice smokey taste...!!!!!(Sorry, if I don’t laugh, I’ll cry.)
Mom is much better since it is not a total loss, but, you can tell they’re still both hurting very badly emotionally...43+ years in that home, and sooo many memories, but, they had plenty of insurance, and it will be repaired and back like a Phoenix.
The house, of course, cannot be lived in so my folks stayed at my next youngest bros house Wednesday night, and are now in a hotel, payed for by insurance, until more permanent housing can be found while the remediation and months of repairs are being made.
The FD was there until at least 11p that night to check for hot spots.
I still can’t believe that friggin’ night.
Again, prayers for my folks please, hug your loved ones, and thank you all in advance.
Some pics, especially the one of my pops favorite chocolate covered raisins that my youngest bro salvaged for him, because I reeeeeaaaaalllllyyyyy need to laugh right now...!!!!!
View attachment 445890
Sorry I held off on this news for a few days, but, I was just tryin’ to carry on as usual until I had more info to the point I felt it would be proper to post.
I also didn’t want to bring the thread down, but, it all could have been sooo very much worse and wasn’t, so I’m still gonna’ be the same silly ol’ goose I always have been...!!!!!
Plus, I (and all of us) have just been kinda’ numb the last few days...although we’ve been takin’ care of business like the loving family we are...!!!!!
How incredibly scary, devastating and heartbreaking. I share your sentiment that the most important thing is your folks escaped without harm. I’m sorry you were stuck in your car while trying to reach your family that is torture by the second.Let me start off by saying that everyone is physically OK.
I got a call from Carolyn about 5:13 Wednesday night. She had just got off the phone with the neighbor behind my parents, and was hysterical...my folks house was on fire and the neighbor and Carolyn, couldn’t get ahold of them.
I left the office in a major panic, of course (one of my coworkers offered to drive me, and I thanked her, but, said I could do it, and another said she’d clock me out and shut down my programs), and I promptly got stuck in a traffic jam. I could even see the smoke over the hills in the distance from the main highway 15 miles away, stuck in traffic. It was white smoke, so I could tell the FD was dousing it. But, I was in a nightmare. About 15 minutes in, and still panicking out of my mind, I finally got a call from my mom. She was hysterical, but, said they were OK. But, she said the whole house had burned to the ground. Just total shock.
When I finally started getting more info from both DDs who rushed to the scene, the whole thing had definitely not burned to the ground. Mom was just beyond upset, and when I first spoke to her she was also across the street with a bunch of the smoke being blown towards them and masking the house...she just assumed it had burned to the ground. I knew the fire was out when I saw no more smoke from the highway, still stuck in traffic...so beyond damn frustrating. It took me about 1.5 hours to get home while goin’ back and forth on speaker phone with family.
When I finally got there it was dark and it was insane how many emergency vehicles were on scene...6 big trucks, 8 police, 2 EMS, and multiple first responders.
Wayyyyyyyyyyy beyond the importance of anything else, of course, is my folks were safe. They were actually eating dinner when it started, and as pop went out to try to douse it with a garden hose when mom noticed, mom was dialing 911 when lacrosse players practicing in the school yard across the street noticed the smoke, jumped the school fence and ran across the street to help. The garage door was open and the door between the bonus room and garage was unlocked, so the players went in, saw my mother, told her they already called 911, and insisted she get out. Mom told them pop was out back, and they did same with him.
Also, fortunately, sooo many treasures and memories that could have been lost have already been salvaged. There were so many emergency personnel on scene that some went inside to start putting tarps on stuff while the others started on the fire that was mostly up high. Most of the fire was contained to the rear of the house. So yes, that beautiful home, that I’ve posted sooo many wonderful pics from over the years from family celebrations, gatherings, etc., although badly damaged, still stands, and appears to be structurally sound.
All of the family, including all the grandchildren(sans my sis and her family in Louisiana) were there.
Local news crews were even on the scene, and I saw it on one station that night, and then saw my pop interviewed on another. Both newscasts said the damage was estimated at $150,000.
Just such a crazy night. I cannot remember the last time I was this out of sorts, not knowing if my folks made it out. And again, the most important thing, of course, is that they are physically unharmed. Pop has been stoic as usual, and even jokingly asked my mom if she wanted to go back in and finish dinner, as everything would have a nice smokey taste...!!!!!
Mom is much better since it is not a total loss, but, you can tell they’re still both hurting very badly emotionally...43+ years in that home, and sooo many memories, but, they had plenty of insurance, and it will be repaired and back like a Phoenix.
The house, of course, cannot be lived in so my folks stayed at my next youngest bros house Wednesday night, and are now in a hotel, payed for by insurance, until more permanent housing can be found while the remediation and months of repairs are being made.
The FD was there until at least 11p that night to check for hot spots.
I still can’t believe that friggin’ night.
Again, prayers for my folks please, hug your loved ones, and thank you all in advance.
Some pics, especially the one of my pops favorite chocolate covered raisins that my youngest bro salvaged for him, because I reeeeeaaaaalllllyyyyy need to laugh right now...!!!!!
View attachment 445890
Sorry I held off on this news for a few days, but, I was just tryin’ to carry on as usual until I had more info to the point I felt it would be proper to post.
I also didn’t want to bring the thread down, but, it all could have been sooo very much worse and wasn’t, so I’m still gonna’ be the same silly ol’ goose I always have been...!!!!!
Plus, I (and all of us) have just been kinda’ numb the last few days...although we’ve been takin’ care of business like the loving family we are...!!!!!
B and I are planning on getting up at 6 on Monday. We can walk over in about ten minutes.
We were there opening weekend. Boarding passes gone by 6am then.
We're all here to serve!Thanks to you and @Rista1313 for the in-depth research on Sloppy Joes! It's nice to have various recipe options (can or packet), for this gourmet meal!
Editing here: I just saw @ajrwdwgirl 's comments about Sloppy Joes, so I'm adding her here to the "thank you" list!
They're open at 7 now and you can't get a group until 7. This morning there were backup groups at 9:30, so I think we're good if we get there at like 6:45 and we're in at 7.
I have quoted myself for the somewhat embarrassing question I have to ask. After 71 years of existence I have encountered a situation that is minor yet, leaves me unable to decide what the right thing to do is.
have a greet time!
looks like a new version of the California Grill?
I agree.
I found a pair of Bluetooth earbuds on Amazon for like $20. They're actually pretty good. And waterproof, which is good for me, who leaves stuff in her pockets and runs it through the wash.AirPods Pro. Seriously the best thing to happen since.... the iPad..
