Tuesday, January 28, 2014

And then This Happened...

I was going to tempt you with some tatting I've been designing...


Or tell you about the lovely gift I got from Wendy...


Lovely tatting! So pretty!
Or even tell you about the terrific place I went on a business trip, staying at the Biltmore Estate..


My room at the Inn on Biltmore Estate
But then this happened.

 
And if you're wondering - yes, that's my house. On fire.
 
Here it is now.


It's a total loss. Nothing is left. The house had been almost 3000 sq ft, plus a full basement. And lots of stuff in it.
 
But there were good things.
 
First - no one was home. This happened Friday morning, I got the call about 9:45 am. I was at work, DH was out of town, Larry lives in Florida now (he's really upset but is ok), Curly was at work, and Moe was at school. So no one was in the house, and we are all safe.
 
And we have insurance to cover us. The insurance company is putting us up in a hotel, has given us a decent advance on expenses, and is finding a house for us to rent while we are out of our home.
 
Plus all my friends, family, neighbors, and church family have jumped in to help, bringing money and gift cards and food and clothes and we have many offers of furniture and appliances for us. Folks are falling all over themselves to help us.
 
And my employer is being so great and supportive during this. My boss's boss insisted on following me home to make sure I was ok, and told me not to worry about work until I got things situated.
 
So, in many ways we are so very lucky.
 
But we lost all the pets.
 
It was 11 degrees F (-11.5 C) that morning, and we had all the animals inside. We are responsible pet owners. But now all our pets are gone.
 
 
My Cisco.
 
 
Mr. Vader.
 
 
My beautiful Lily.
 
Plus the dogs - Rocket and Abby,
 
and Curly's kitten Daisy.

The boys are sad. I'm sad. But we have to comfort ourselves knowing that the smoke probably got to them, and they just went to sleep. They didn't suffer.

They were darling pets. They will be missed beyond words.

We will be ok. God made me a tough lady who keeps her head in emergencies. Do not stress over me. We are being cared for. We will be made whole again.

We will be ok. Really we will.

I needed new flooring in my kitchen. Guess I'll get it now, huh?


PS I've already bought two shuttles and some Lizbeth. You can't keep a good tatter down!

39 comments:

  1. I'm so sorry for your losses. I'm so grateful you and your family are safe. It's so wonderful to hear that you are getting along so well. If there is anything I can do please let me know. I'm sure I can help you replace some tatting stash!

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  2. I am so sorry for your loss. I was just floored when Jane posted this the other day. I am so glad all of you are o.k. Too bad about the fur friends. I would love to help with moving or boxes or cleaning, but .... ND is a bit far. If I can help with your tatting stash rebuild please let me know.

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  3. Heartbroken for you. No words.
    Sending love and thoughts,
    Fox

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  4. OMG...so sorry to read about your loss..i was in tears when i reached the end of the post...but your words gave me strength.."God made me a tough lady..."..hope and pray God will give you strength to overcome this loss.

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  5. My heart is heavy and I'm still in shock after reading Jane's blog, and I can hardly believe these photos. It is good to hear from you, and also good to know you are okay. I know it had to be difficult to post the photos of the pets. I so admire your spirit and determination. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

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  6. So sorry, it was a terrible thing to happen, especially the loss of your beloved pets. I'm glad you have a lot of support.

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  7. You forgot to mention that mine (and Sally's) bedroom has gone too!!! Having lived through this dreadful experience with you since last Friday I would like to let everybody know what an EXTREMELY brave woman you are. Everything gone - except your sense of humour. New flooring indeed!!!

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  8. Thank heavens none of you were in the house at the time. You're right... the animals won't have known anything about it. I read it on Jane's blog too.... we're all thinking of you!

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  9. I live in Tennessee and heard it on the News It seems to be something that happens more in the unusually cold temperatures that is tragic, which is sad. I love pets and know they help us in life and listen to all our problems and entertain us, they will be missed but glad they were loved. And so glad the people in family are all okay! Looks like the community has been wonderful. And when you get settled I can help with the stash of tatting too! take care from Carollyn!

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  10. So Sorry for your loss of your home and family pets. Thoughts and prayers are with you!

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  11. It is such sad news. I am so sorry for your loss,



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  12. Sorry to hear about your home and pets. Read about it on Jane's blog, It is good to hear that the community and friends are helping. I also can help replace tatting stash. It is also nice to see that you still have a sense of humor.

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  13. I'm so sorry for your loss. Praying for all of you.

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  14. Sometimes life just kicks you in the behinder. Sounds like you have a good support system and understanding employers. The pets, now, that's just sad. I imagine you'll be missing all your mementos as well, since those are irreplaceable -- but I'm glad to hear you got shuttles and thread. Need more? Contact me at marty1066 at yahoo dot com

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  15. Having been a guest in your house and met the family and pets it just makes the impact of what has happened even worse, so just can't imagine what it is like for you. But so pleased to learn that everyone is being supportive. Wise lady buying some shuttles and thread though!

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  16. Oh dear. I'm so sorry to read this. Hugs. And I'm praying for you and your family during this rebuilding/recovery.

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  17. I'm so, so sorry for the loss of your four-footed children. Thankfully you and the rest of your family is safe. If you need tatting supplies, just ask...I have plenty!!

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  18. I am so sad to hear about your loss. I see that your spirits are up and nothing is going to bring you down. You made me smile when I read that you needed a new kitchen floor and now you will get it. :)

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  19. I am so sorry to hear your news, the loss of your pets and the house, is enough for anyone, at least you were all safe even if the house was not. I think you wil get your new flooring.
    Take care my thoughts are with you and your family, sending you a big hug
    Margaret

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  20. Oh! Glad the family is unharmed. For the rest, I am speechless.
    You are, indeed, a tough lady. And you have the right perspective: family safety is the important thing.
    When you settle, if you send out the word, you will be inundated with tatting paraphernalia. I know your youngest is in Scouting. Let us know if anything can be done there. (lareiff at yahoo dot com).
    Hugs and love.

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  21. OH I am so sorry for you loss..I found your blog via Green Girl. My heart and prayers go out to you.

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  22. I was stunned when I read this on Jane's blog - I'm SO sorry, but you are a strong, brave woman and you will put this in context and recover. Poor precious animals......what joy we've all had in reading about them over the years.
    This story has made me think very hard about the touchstones I would save, should this happen in my life - and what are my priorities.
    You must Look Forward - that's what my mother always said, she never looked back - it's on to the next stage, the rebuilding - the next chapter in the narrative. Context.

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  23. I am so sorry for your loss. Stay strong. God is with you.

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  24. So sorry to hear about your loss, but glad you are all ok. Also glad that your boss/boss's boss are being helpful. Stay strong. It's GOT to get better from here, right?
    StephanieW in NC

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  25. I came over from Green Girl's blog. I will be praying for you and your family.

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  26. Wow. I am glad you are okay, and strong, but I am still just so sad that you had to experience this. I hope the recovery and rebuilding go smoothly and quickly.

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  27. Glad your family didn't get hurt!! Prayers for you all!!

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  28. I read this with such shock, what a devastating thing to happen. I am so so sorry for you all.

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  29. How awful! I'm glad everyone is safe. I'm sure you'll miss your beloved pets. Please let me know if there's anything I can do to help you out.

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  30. Just heard of your loss through the blogosphere. I don't even know you, and yet I cried for your pets. I'm glad you and your family are safe and community supportive. God bless you and tat on!

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  31. Hugs..lots of hugs.. I don't know if you remember or not but a while (ok a long while) back I mentioned how your Cisco and Lily resemble two of my cats, my Maine Coon, Kouga and my Siamese seal point, Jezika. Now all your pets are special, but reading about the loss of these two hit a spot in my heart....I'm glad the rest of your family is going to be okay. I also throw my card in with everyone else in helping you 'stash up' instead of de-stash, when your ready to receive. No doubt the Postman will have to 'bulk up' to carry all your packages to you.

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  32. I'm glad to read that you and your family are safe, so sorry for your pets and your home. I wish you all the best, everything could be fixed.

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  33. Dear Crazy Mom, I'm so sorry to hear about your tragedy! I am amazed at your resilience and optimism. I wish you and your family all the best in the coming days and months, while you get sorted out into a new home.

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  34. So sorry to hear about this, but glad no one is hurt. Good to know you are strong and will continue to keep your chin up. Praying for you and your family.

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  35. I'm so sorry for you and your family. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

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  36. I'm very, very sorry about what was happend. It's terrible! I'm a tatter mother too (I live in Poland and I' mother of four daughter) so we are very similar because I love my pets very much, like you! If I may to help you in any ways - please, write to me!

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  37. OMG I can't believe that this has happened to my dear dear friend.i am so glad that you are all safe(humans that is) and am so sad that you lost your pets.Bricks and mortar are 'easy'to replace. Sending big hugs to you.A dear friend if mine lost everything in hurricane Katrina, my daughter told her 'it's not everyone who gets the chance to start collecting things all over again!' So please think like that.

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  38. My heart breaks for your losses and celebrates for your strength. Please know how many people care deeply for you.

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  39. It has been a while since I have had time to catch up, caught a couple of references to your sad happening and had to look your blog up and comment...I am so sorry that this happened to you and to your home, and so grateful that you are being so taken care of. I know words can do little to advert that which already occurred, but perhaps saying that we care soothes your soul a bit during a time that has to be difficult for you.

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