We had a great Christmas, and many thanks to all the well-wishers who wished us well through the holidays. We opened presents, visited grandparents, saw a movie, and went to bed. A great Christmas day was had by all.
Then, this morning, the house caught on fire. We don't know what started the fire, but it was probably the furnace or water heater, as that was the room with the flames and smoke. I ran in to put it out, and ran out coughing and yelling "call 911!!!"
Everyone got out ok, and we're all healthy and happy to be alive in our pleasant hotel room. The fire was bad, but not so bad that the house needs to be condemned. The fire department broke out every window in the house but three to ventilate the smoke. It was bizarre. Totally surreal.
My hair is singed. Everything in the house is covered in a layer of toxic ash.
Disaster? Catastrophe? Huge heaping pile of shit?
Honestly, I don't think so. This whole thing seems like it's been ordained from above. I'll talk more about it as things unfold. It's just very ... interesting.
Head for the Red: The ongoing adventures and insights of a magician's attempts to accomplish the Great Work.
oh wow, talk about a blazing holliday.
ReplyDeletewell, i'm glad you seem to be taking it all in stride. One of my best friends also had a big fire some 8 years ago. the house was completely destroyed, and he himself got second degree burns on his hands and arms trying to put it out. But since then he's told me, the fire was the best thing that ever happened to him, he felt free, unincumbered and on the whole the event changed his outlook on life... purification by fire, i suppose. all the best to you and yours
Interesting...that is how I described the powerline falling down and hitting the back of the house a few years ago. I am glad that you are ok. We might have to exchange disaster repair horror stories later...hopefully not, but if it happens on your end, I have mine own to trade.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, I'm so sorry to hear of your house fire. I send positive energies for a quick recovery of your property and security.
ReplyDeleteHoly cow! If my house caught on fire, I would be -- disconsolate.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it wasn't condemned. Repairing those windows will be expensive, but if you replace them with double-paned glass you can possibly get a tax credit. But man, I am sorry to hear that. My thoughts are with you.
Just glad that everyone is okay. The "stuff" is replaceable.
ReplyDeleteOh, man I'm so sorry to hear it! Glad no one was hurt and hope this doesn't throw you for too much of a loop.
ReplyDeleteChristopher Warnock
Sweet Jesus! Glad everyone is OK and hope everything is salvageable or insured or something.
ReplyDeleteA million to one shot that you found it soon enough to save everybody and there were no injuries. Fires creep me out. Had the same thing once and I fought it out and saved everything. Ditto the damn heater.
Still the fire-guys came in and completely wreaked the place - lol.
Eh - two months latter we were back in it and all was well.
Count your blessings and enjoy the room service:)
Frater EH'e...
I'm sorry to hear that frater, let us know if you need anyone to sling some juju your way.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to here this Fra RO-glad you and your family are safe!!
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss brother. I lost a home and possessions in a fire many years ago, we were young and had very little of value, but I had to give my dogs away.
ReplyDeleteBut your a parent. Please keep us updated as much as possible, and we will keep you in our prayers.
I'm glad you and your family are ok. Hope this will be solved in the best way possible and you have strenght in this moment.
ReplyDeleteso sorry to hear that, really glad you, your wife & kids are OK, you seem to have a fairly healthy attitude towards the fire, which is good, but I just hope its not delayed shock or anything & that you are all ok.
ReplyDeleteTake care of yourself (when I say 'yourself' I ofcourse include your family in that sentiment)
Josh,
ReplyDeletePlease let me know if there is anything you need.
My family's thoughts are with your family today.
Wow! You don't mess around when it comes to dramatic transitions, do you?
ReplyDeleteSo, who (meaning which spirit) woke you up just in time to get out?
Wow sorry to hear about this. If there's anything I can do to lend a hand feel free to shoot me an email. Were you doing work to replace your furnishings or update your home ;)
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about this. And in absolute awe of your positive attitude.
ReplyDeleteWishing your whole family the best.
This is my gal, sorry logged in under the good Frater.
ReplyDeleteOh crap! I am so sorry to hear of your exciting holiday adventure. I am glad that everyone is OK and yes stuff can be replaced.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you guys. You are in my thoughts and prayers (Yes Thelemites pray :) )
So glad you got out and everyone is ok. This must be something going on; on Christmas Eve I called the fire department because water was pouring into my house from the apartment above mine. The fire chief said it was coming from their water heater, as well.
ReplyDeleteLet us know if we can do anything! The more light you try to bring the more the dark tries to interfere.
I am happy to hear that you and your family are ok. That is what matters after all.
ReplyDeleteI was close to lightning once. That was a very humbling experience. But that was only one person, and before I realized I may had been in danger - it was over.
I hope that you and your family will have a peaceful time at the hotel.
Eh, so move up to Jersey, already! :-)
ReplyDeleteSeriously, though, I'm glad everyone's OK, and your house isn't gone. Cleanup isn't going to be fun, nor cheap, but it can be done. All insured, I hope. I'd have commented earlier, but, as you may have heard, I've been pretty flattened myself.
They BROKE the WINDOWS??? To ventilate the place????? Nice work. One of the things you're supposed to do in a fire is close the dorr you leave from, to help suffocate the fire, or at least to keep it short of air so it slows down. And they VENTILATED it. Nice. I thought that was why they have those respirators and the tanks. :-(
Well, take care, and keep us posted. We have a few things to talk about, anyway. Let me know if there's anything we can do from up here.
Im sorry to hear about this. But Fire is the bringer of change. All creation leaves behind some destruction.
ReplyDeleteDud! Sorry to hear about the Fire - we lost our house and goods to fire a decade ago, and spent 2 weeks in a hotel suite, so I know what it feels like. I was lucky to keep many of my tools and handwrittenitems - hope yours are cleanable.
ReplyDeleteRest easy while you can, and remember to breath deep when the time comes to deal with contractors to fix the place up.
I am glad your family is ok man.. I'm so sorry you had to go through that. All things considered you have the best attitude one can have in the situation.
ReplyDeleteMy prayers are with you and your family man.
Is the Red Cross assisting you? If not, would you like me to act as a liasion for you to them?
Would you be opposed to giving us an address where people can send things to help? What do you need? Food, clothes (please give sizes if so), books, small appliances, etc?
Would you be opposed to having a fund set up to help you in the interim while the insurance, etc. is being sorted? If not, would you be opposed to having an internet fund drive, possibly with an internet auction as well to help?
Email me if you are interested, dude: jowness at gmail dot com.
Sorry I'm late. Happy to hear you're all doing well. If you need anything, don't hesitate to post. I'll gladly pitch in to give you a hand.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear that something like this has befallen you and your family. Like others, I can only be thankful no one was hurt. And I stand in awe of your attitude towards the whole thing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
ReplyDeleteWow. I am glad that you and your family are OK. The same thing happened to our neighbors some years ago - Christmas eve of all nights. I don't know if I could be so calm about it...
ReplyDeleteI will be keeping positive thoughts for you and yours.
Josh, my thoughts and best wishes are with you and your family. What a crappy thing to happen at x-mas.
ReplyDeleteYou are strong, you will rebuild, bigger, better and brighter than ever. You have what is important, your family, the rest will sort itself out in time.
Wishing you good fortune and a smooth clean up. You will get through it mate.
Love Kathy