Unfortunately Diana, We had a pretty traumatic occurence a week ago today. We awoke at 4:00 a.m. to weird noises. We soon discovered our house was on fire. It started upstairs in the chimney area. We were able to get us and all of our cats and dog out safe and the fire did not spread to the barns. The upstairs was completely destroyed, as was our bedroom and parts of the living room. There is a pretty good bit of water damage to the rest of the house and the builders are not sure until they start tearing down just how much will safely remain before they start rebuilding. They are estimating us being out about 6-8 months. We are presently staying next door at K.C.'s niece's house in her spare bedroom (us, 4 cats, and our dog). The insurance company has been remarkable and things are moving along pretty quickly. They contracted with a company that went into the house and packed and moved everything out. They are now cleaning and repacking all the items and furniture that is usable and moving it all to their climate-controlled storage facility until we move back into the house. They will then deliver our stuff back to us. The insurance company also wanted to relocate us to another house here in Zachary but we want to stay on site. So they have arranged for us to get a 39 ft. travel traile with 2 pop-outs. They are delivering and setting it up Wednesday, along with a POD (portable storage unti) for us to use for things we need but won't fit in the travel trailer. We will be able to be back next door with the barn and horses and K.C. will be close enough to oversee all of the rebuilding. The fire inspector determined that the cause of the fire was "paralized" wood half-way up the chimney in the studs of the wall. He said he has seen this only one other time. The wood becomes almost petrified and fails to breathe in and out and eventually self-combusts. That is really weird, isn't it?
We are doing OK, having good days and bad days. I can tell you though that this experience has been an eye-opener to us. We never realized how blessed we were with our family and so many good friends. We have been overwhelmed with help, support, encouragement, gifts, food, prayers, etc. It is really humbling. I am finally returning to work tomorrow and we are still going to Ixtapa next week. We figure it was paid for, we didn't get trip insurance, and by then we will really need the break for all this stress. Besides, things will be in the de-construction mode next week and there won't be a lot we will be able to do here anyway.
We're hoping that the Provence trip will still work out as well, depending on the status of the house at that time. We'll know more a little closer to the spring. Hoping to see ya'll then,
Margaret & K.C.