It all started with a spark...

Or at least I assume it did. Almost a week ago, the house caught on fire. Here is my account of the situation:

I woke up to Todd making quite a ruckus with the blankets. I saw him and said "What's going on?" He replied, not calmly, that there was a fire and I needed to get water. That's when I noticed the fire at the end of the bed. I really honestly believe that I never saw it, heard it or smelled it before that. So I flew to the bathroom (I am assuming flight, because I have no memory of feet touching the ground.) I grabbed the trashcan, dumped the trashcan on the floor and tried to fill it up - I had a little bit of difficulty because I was still sleeping, technically and my shower includes a home built mechanism. When I finally did get it working, the water seemed pitifully slow. I ran the trashcan and threw the water on the fire. By now the fire is about the width of the bed and twice as high I would guess. I looked at Todd and he was dripping sweat. He has been trying to smother the fire with blankets from the beginning so I don't know why this comes as such a surprise to me. I yelled at him to call 911 and ran back for more water. When I came back I realized we really are not making progress. I more insistently told him to call 911 - we are giving up. I then went downstairs where the dogs are sleeping and get them outside and start to gather the cats. By the time I get the cats out, the dogs are back in and on the couch looking at me like I am an absolute nutjob. I get them locked out in the fenced area and follow Todd outside who is by that time on the phone with 911. I then realize I was sleeping in a short t-shirt and run back into the house to the laundry room to grab pants (I was soon wishing I had also grabbed shoes and socks for both of us. It was very chilly - hence the electric blanket.) Soon the firemen were there and they were doing that voodoo that they do so well.

Lessons learned:
Insurance is a pain in the neck... but when you need it, it sure does make things feel less desperate. We didn't have content insurance, but knowing that in a couple of weeks we will be back in the house, with a new floor and dry walls and ceiling... it is all gonna be ok. The stuff inside was either able to be washed and repaired, was extra stuff anyway or will be replaced with a little time.

I should always know where my purse is - I should always put it in the exact same spot... and maybe my laptop should also be put away in a carrier bag? But definitely know where your purse/wallet/cell phone is in the case of emergencies.

Also know where your pants are... and maybe keep them close to your bed.

Backup your hard drive. One of the things lost was Todd's laptop... the pictures will be replaced because most of them were emailed to him by his family in the first place anyways... but a back up would be nice.

When you are throwing water on a fire, don't panic so much that you don't aim. Apparently Todd wasn't sweating that bad - the 1st bucket of water went straight into his face.

Be able to laugh. The jokes about our bedroom being a hot place, him/me being so hot the bed catches on fire, friction jokes, my inability to aim and stay calm.... all of these things have definitely helped keep me sane (or relatively less crazy than a psychopath.)

Help from your friends and family can't be taken for granted. If I have to go through this - this is how I want it to happen. Mom and Dad have done so much for us - I can't even begin to list. Todd's mom and dad and family has been a huge help too - having you guys out there to care... just knowing that when I publish this blog or when I shared the pictures - there would be so many people concerned about us. I can't tell you how important that is. So grab the pictures? Grab your laptop? Maybe - those things are important AND hard to replace. But way more important that that - know who you can call that can help you by listening, negotiating the insurance path and smelling all your clothes. And grab your pants and aim the water, doofus.

Love you all - happy to be here to post a blog. seriously - I love you.