Are you okay? I saw on Mid-South forum you'd had a fire. Please let us know you're okay. And can we do anything to help.
Sandi
Podster...can we help?
Me, too.
Christi
Same here..
I'm sorry, I just found this thread. Thank you for your concern. We are o.k. with this although I must say it's not how I planned my weekend. I said it is another speedbump in life and one we will easily get over. No injuries to us, pets or the firemen that came to our aid. DH was a bit down but just said "when I rebuild...." I was happy to hear that, afraid he was discouraged.
The fire was awesome and the heat was so intense many of my bedding plants by the house 15 yards away are scorched. They will come back fine. We could feel the heat of it thru the windows of the house. Not something I ever want to relive.
The opportunity was ripe for photos so I took a few before the firemen arrived and a few after. Perhaps not something we'll want to remember... This was a heartwarming site from the front porch.
Podster, so glad you and DH are okay. It is great that he can talk about rebuilding....the important thing is that you are safe. Where are you at in "deep" East Texas? I'm pretty deep into it myself, LOL!
Thank God you woke up! Did the heat wake you up, or noises?
NOISE! I thought the hurricane had arrived... lol. What a roar.
I did find out that 911 works. I know the sheriffs dept number and called it first. DH is a volunteer with them so they all know where we live. Well they told me I had to hang up and dial 911 which rang them back. Then, they could transfer me to the fire dept. Kind of strange. I was also happy to know I function all right under stress. I could actually remember our 911 address! Yea! The only thing I didn't think of was throwing the breaker at the power pole but the first fireman on the scene handled that. I even had coffee made before they were done. A few of them picked at me saying where was the coffee? I directed them to the front porch and they were delighted. For a volunteer fire department, we had a large and fast turnout for which we were grateful. I knew the building was gone when we first saw it but we live in the woods and I worried about it spreading as it is so dry here.
Our generator got toasted in the fire. The gas tank was squished and the cord coating melted. DH fixed the cord, gased it up and cranked it. At least we won't have to eat everything in the freezer if the lights go out! LOL
Looking for hurricane rain but no worse I hope. I wish the same for all of you in Gustavs' path. Be safe!
Podster, i am so sorry you had this problem, but thank God you are all fine. Life can take strange turns. Bless You.
Josephine,
Can't decide if you're taking all this well...or still in a state of shock....but either way...let us know what we can do to help when your brain gets a chance to take it all in. Do you need help with tear down? Plant replacements? Anything?
Wait.....where's the real Podster anyway?????????????? And how did he fare?
Sandi
Glad that you are all safe. You are quite the calm one ....making coffee.Good thing they didn't ask for cinnamon buns! Please let us know if we can help in any way.
No shock here... no tears ~ just amazement. We will wait on the insurance co before we tear it down. It was built like a log cabin out of 4x4 untreated pine. We have a man that will load the metal and sell it for scrap value. The wood we'll probably wait for rainy weather and have a bonfire... the rest a dozer will bury. The plants will be fine, just enduring a suntan ~ but thank you! The real Podster is fine, laid out in air conditioned comfort as he was when the excitement happened. Three of the cats are accounted for and the fourth was seen as an orange streak when the firemen were here. She will return.
Bananna ~ calm? NO.... just in need of coffee myself at that time of morning. DH was too so I just made a bigger pot. Not calm, just selfish! LOL
Josephine ~ I have always believed the Lord will not give me more than I can handle. As long as I keep that thought in my heart I can deal with whatever comes my way! Thank you all for your kind thoughts and wishes.
Pod I am glad to hear you are okay and it wasn't the house. ..
I know a fire can really set you back at times even though they are a sight to see.
My DH was asst. chief back in IL at the Volunteer Department where we lived and I've been to a number of them with him.
They are a great bunch of guys that are on any volunteer department and no matter if you live in town or country they show up for fellow firemen.
What no donuts or cookies to go wtih the coffee??? (joking)
And you are so right the good Lord doesn't give you any more then you can handle that is my motto too and when it seems like he is...he is telling you to trust and lean on him more.
Phyllis
Amen! I keep thinking it could have been so bad if we weren't at home. It started a nearby garage on fire, ruining some woodworking tools. That garage also houses three old cars and the water well pump. If we weren't home we would have lost far more. We are blessed time and again if we will open our eyes. We are just fine!
Podster I'm glad you and your dh are okay. What a scare. When I first started reading the threads I was so afraid it was your house. I've been off line for a while and when I returned I was reading about a fire you had had. Thankfully you're alright and all the animals are accounted for.
Sounds like your plants will survive.
It's a little cooler over our way this morning. Sure feels nice too.
Lin
Lin ~ glad you are back online. Odd, one of the girlie cats that was out when the fire started doesn't want to be out and wants me in the house too. She normally spends her days outside. Another that was in bed with us when it happened, comes to the door and turns and runs off the porch. She's usually the couch potato!
Things are still smoldering here and the wind is kicking up. Looking for rain to wet things down and cool it off. I have been out repotting some plants that have been neglected this summer and enjoying the morning. Also finishing up laundry and cooking a roast so there will be cold sandwiches when the power goes out. Glad to report the generator had a warped fuel tank but still cranked and ran. I will be able to flush!!! Yea!
podster, I'm so glad you, your DH and pets are safe. Good to read the house was not involved. Volunteer fire departments are amazing!
Absolutely! We had been ready to reroof the shop but think the money will be earmarked as a donation to the VFD.
Glad to hear everyone is ok. We will all be willing to help replenish your garden with seeds and plants when you are ready. Thank God for insurance.
Thanks for the kind thoughts! We are patiently awaiting the insurance adjuster who is probably swamped with Gustav claims.
Many friends and neighbors are extending assistance with cleaning up and rebuilding. I will say time and again how much I love small communities.
Podster what town do you live in?
Not in a town actually... we live about 10 miles from town and an equal distance to Toledo Bend reservoir. Believe it or not, the communities we are near are Goober Hill and Possum Trot. Our postal route is San Augustine.
Possum Trot is about as funny sounding as Toad Suck where someone is from, forget now. LOL! Texas has some really weird names. Broncbuster did a thread about that once.
Keep your chin up and let us know if you need help.
Thanks ~ y'all are more than kind. I love the community names... something endearing about them.
Sheila it is eyesoftexas "Jerrie" that is from Toad Suck, LOL! I am considered East Texas Podster, where I'm at near Tyler, so I wondered where Deep East Texas was..
I have laughed many times at "east" Texas. From Texarkana to way down in the magic valley and everything on the east side of I45 is considered "east" in Texas. Tis a large state. I chose deep east TX for a location as our local REA is called Deep East Texas Electric Coop. Deep east is fitting as it is deep in the pineywoods and almost as far east as you can go... It is a backward area and the people are basically good to the bone. We have been here for 35 years but the times they are a changing. Lots of oil leasing and drilling beginning. Lots of new people in the area and tightly knit families now fighting over money and mineral rights. It is sad to see....
Glad everyone is ok, and animals accounted for. I know your DH will have an even better shop, soon. On the bright side - here is the chance for him to upgrade his tools.
Know what you mean by Deep East Texas - DW's aunt & uncle lived near Tenaha, but 15 miles out in the woods.
PUhLeeze ~ on the tool shopping! It has already begun. I feel many an hour ahead at Lowes, HD, Sears, etc. LOL The ones with a garden center will appease me! Thanks for your good wishes. I've been to Teneha too... it is a pretty area. Teneha has a small community called Tennessee Colony, I would bet the settlers there originated in Tennessee.
I worried on Sun, after the fire as DH moped and was subdued. By Sun eve he said, "when I rebuild...." I could have cheered. That can get you down as we get older and not in the best shape. We've had so many friends, neighbors and customers offer assistance. That will be more fun and easier too. Thanks for all your moral support! It IS appreciated.
One thing about rebuilding as you get older, you KNOW what you NEED and don't have to pay for all the frills you don't use. I laugh sometimes at HGTV shows where the kids are buying their first home and have the grandious ideas.
Absolutely, with more of an eye to accessibility and convenience. The only thing wrong that I've found with age is in our minds, we still think we can do all the things we used to... but it's not so!
And on the tools, I hope less variety. DH always wanted the tools to do whatever job came up. We had them but surely won't have need for all of them in the years ahead.... hopefully!
My DH has realized that he can't do what he used to on the heavy stuff; had all the tools too. Now he is buying the techie stuff!
Ummmm, now that could be a whole "nother can of worms! LOL
Before DH makes a lot of purchases, he needs to check out Woodworker's Paradise down here in Lumberton. Nice stuff; might be a lot pricier -- I don't know as I only do a little hand carving myself. But worth checking out. He might google them.
Glad to know y'all and the critters are safe. I'm right down the road, so let me know if there's anything I can do!
Podster, I am so sorry! I always say good comes out of chaos. Wishing good for you!
Thanks for the goods wishes you two! Billyporter ~ I have always believed things happen for a reason and it will always work out for the best. I haven't been proven wrong yet... although many times I wonder. Thanks Brigidlily for the tips on Woodworkers Paradise too. I must say I jealously guard my tools so am trying hard to stay out of his tool shopping this time.
This week there have been insurance claims agents and fire investigators out & all seem to jump to the same conclusion DH did. He had some rechargeable batteries on a charger. These batteries work in all the little tools like dremel type, etc. We also have two flashlites that use them. In preparation for the hurricane, charging batteries and apparently the charger went south! When DH told me he suspected that, I ran in the house and unplugged two more chargers. The ac adapter units were hot, hot, hot! The insurance will cover the better part of it and I have a hunch they want to go after the tool company to help absorb the cost. Right now, DH is listing and finding replacement costs. Then, let the work begin...
BTW, as a point of interest... as our minds don't always function well under stress, I intend to take photos in the house, garage, etc. of all rooms, all walls, closets, pantry. The photos will be burned to a cd and stored in a safe place. Then, if needed we can take a virtual tour and list losses visually. 'Twill be far easier.
Lessons to be learned I guess.
"eyes" loves it...Possum Trot, Goober Hill, and Toadsuck...think we can form an alliance?
"eyes"
Don't you know there are a "swarm" of small communities out there that will be jealous... 8 )
Podster, I'm so glad you're ok. I admit I was confused at first when I was reading this thread. I thought it was your house that burned. I'm glad you mentioned the thing about the rechargeable batteries because we have some of those plugged in all the time in our wood shop too. I will check on them tomorrow. A fire there would be very bad because that's our main source of income.
Thanks for the good thoughts. This was mentioned on another thread first and the photo was posted there. It was DHs shop which is near the house. It was made out of 4 x 4 pine. We built it years ago to look like a log cabin. He had it heated, airconditioned, fireplace, ceiling fans, screened windows, screens on the doors, a porch spanned one side of it... I kept threatening to move in. It hurt his feelings for the goodies he lost and mine for losing that neat building. It was only about 25 yards from the house and I was amazed at the intense heat we could feel in the house thru the insulated glass windows. It was intense enough that it started the garage (metal siding) next to it on fire. That, in turn damaged so many tools.
We still have two more of those same chargers. Those batteries work in flashlights, screwdrivers, drills, etc. But I guarantee I will NEVER have any chargers plugged in again unless I am sitting looking at them! When that fire started, I had the other two charging batteries due to possibly losing our lights because of Gustav. When he said that was the only thing plugged in, I ran in the house and unplugged them. I was shocked at how hot the adapter unit was...
My heart goes out to anyone that would lose their home to a fire, making me convinced how blessed we are! Thanks... pod
Pod....I'm worried about the chargers. Can you tell us what type they were without giving brand name? We too have a lot of rechargeable batteries here for drills, saws, cameras, flashlights, etc. I read your post late at night and ran to garage to check on the big ones. I will always be a little wary of chargers now.
Podster, I'm so glad insurance will help pay for this. I'm glad DH is feeling better about it all. It's a big loss. Thankfully it wasn't your house, or you might be living out there instead :o)
We had an expensive battery charger that got very hot. We swallowed the cost and bought a different one. It works so much better, but your experience leaves me leary. I just charged camera batteries yesterday.
Our first charger was Kodak, I think. The new one is Duracell and holds 4 AA batteries.