| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| JojoNH |
Posted - Feb 05 2010 : 04:54:01 AM
 Thank you to everyone for your kind messages of support.
We made it through yesterday, have heat and will need to at least sleeve the chimney in the spring. . . provided the final inspection shows the rest of the chimney to continue to be sound. Whew!
It will be an expensive fix, however, we are counting our blessings as many scenarios have run through our minds! The one most important thing that has hit me this morning, our smoke detectors did not go off . . . now we check them every 4 months, change the batteries twice a year, vacuum the dust off of them etc. So we are going to get new ones to install this week. These are old ones that came with the house and simply failed. . . so, moral of this story is update your smoke detectors if they are old! ( figure ours are at least 10 years old? )
Thank you again for all of your support!! I so appreciated hearing from all of you and it gave me the strength to get all that cleaning done!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Not the words I wanted to hear in the early hours this morning As I ran to the basement and opened the door I could already see a ton of smoke and flames. There was my guy, trying to beat out the flames, I grabbed the fire extinguisher and handed it off to him while I went and got wet towels.
Next, we realized it was the creosote that had caught fire in the stove pipe. . I told him what to do and most importantly what NOT to do. Choke off all oxygen!!!! Do not open up anything until we see there is no more smoke!!! We don't want to ignite the chimney!!
So here it is, 7:40 am, my house airing out from all the smoke and the tears are flowing . . . my very first thoughts were to put out the fire, be ready to call 911 and then. . . what do you save??
This is the moment that I realized two things. . one, I was very prepared for what happened. . thank God he gave me the strength as he always does in an emergency to stay very calm and focused, two we need to get our household contents onto a list with all documentation. If this had gone the other way, we would not have any proof of what we owned and it's value.
So, as all of you can see, I have a huge cleaning chore lined up for me over the next few days and many pictures and documentations to do as well.
If I can ask just one favor of all my Farmgirl Sister's, please stop what you are doing . . . right now!!!! and check to see three things:
1: Are you as prepared as you can be for a fire in your home
2: Does your family know what to do
3: Is your insurance up to date and do you have your household contents listed and in a safe place other than your home.
I must confess, I am sitting here counting my blessings. It was yet another wake up call to do what I have been putting off. Made me realize what was important to me and, most surprisingly, was what I was ready to save. . . Bob, Lucky, The Girls and Myself. . . let everything else go because it can be replaced. God's love does shine through and show us what is most important in life. . Life it's self!
Hugs to you all, I love each and every one of you!!
Joanna #566
JojoNH
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
http://Twitter.com/Eastwooddesigns |
| 18 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| JojoNH |
Posted - Feb 08 2010 : 04:55:56 AM
Thank you! Well, we made it through the weekend, stayed warm and got everything cleaned up except the windows. . . will do those later today.
We are blessed for sure!!
Joanna #566
JojoNH
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
http://Twitter.com/Eastwooddesigns |
| sherrye |
Posted - Feb 07 2010 : 07:14:20 AM
joanna, so glad you are ok. those new fangled stoves are tricky sometimes. will keep you in mind for sewing. glad the weather is cooperating. sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farmgirl #1014
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| Bear5 |
Posted - Feb 06 2010 : 1:55:33 PM
Joanna:
So happy to hear that everyone is okay.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
| Alee |
Posted - Feb 06 2010 : 06:29:20 AM
Joanna- I am glad that your husband is so handy and knows what to do!! *hugs* I am glad you have heat going!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| JojoNH |
Posted - Feb 05 2010 : 08:06:50 AM
Thank you so much!
Right now Bob has just about finished with the stove. It is a Gasification system, burns differently from a traditional woodstove.
Turns out the flap in the back did not close properly, allowing creosote to accumulate in the back chamber which ignited. So he knows how to fix that, a good thing and a blessing that the whole stove was not damaged.
Next will be the full inspection of the chimney. It is not looking good. We found several tile pieces on the bottom, more than from the one tile we can see that broke so, I will keep all of you posted as we continue to deal with the task at hand.
Hugs!!
Joanna #566
JojoNH
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
http://Twitter.com/Eastwooddesigns |
| delicia |
Posted - Feb 05 2010 : 07:57:32 AM
You were blessed and how wonderful that you were prepared for what to do. I am happy that you and your husband are ok. You have a great positive outlook and that with God's help will help you get through. We will be praying for you. |
| JojoNH |
Posted - Feb 05 2010 : 07:23:26 AM
Thank you all for your encouragement!! Right now Bob is cleaning out the flue and inspecting the entire chimney. . keeping my hopes that we only need to sleeve it for repair. . . otherwise we are going to be in trouble if the chimney needs replacing. As far as the rest of the house, we are sooooo lucky ( Thanks be to God!!) the only thing I really need to do is wash the curtains and a few of the blankets.
I was able to vent the smoke outside very quickly so very little "dirt" was evident once everything was cleared out. Of course I will need to wash the windows but I enjoy doing that. My sewing room is fine, Bob's office and the bedroom are fine as well. Counting my blessings once again!!
The only thing I really could use right now is work! There is no sewing work to be had around here and I am trying to get my business back up and running. So, if any Farmgirls know of anyone looking for a great seamstress, feel free to pass my name and email along!
Other than that, our day is going to be great! The sun is shining which means it will heat our home all day long, keeping us at a comfortable 70 degrees while we deal with our situation.
Thank you for being there for me, I feel your hugs as I continue to push forward!
Hugs!
Joanna #566
JojoNH
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
http://Twitter.com/Eastwooddesigns |
| Sue Feely |
Posted - Feb 05 2010 : 07:15:17 AM
Jo - OMGosh! How horrible, what a nightmare! So glad you are all OK, and your thinking was so brave! Please let me know if I can help you in anyway! Its at times like this, I wish we all lived closer to one another to be able to come and help!
Sue |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Feb 05 2010 : 06:57:35 AM
So glad you are safe, and that you kept your head. I still don't know what I would do, and to be honest, fire is one of my greatest fears. I often think that is more a negative than positive--sometimes fear renders one unable to function.
So glad, again you are safe and sound. Will be thinking of ways we can be, in our home as well.
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
| Alee |
Posted - Feb 05 2010 : 06:54:57 AM
Oh Joanna! I am so glad that the fire wasn't worse! That is so scary! I remember when Nora was only a baby and I was in our office talking on the phone with my mom and suddenly my husband is running up and down the hallway and I thought I heard the word "fire" so I hung up on my mom and sure enough, our kitchen was on fire and my husband had been looking for a fire extinquisher (there was one under the kitchen sink, one in the coat closet and one in the linen closet!). I grabbed the one from the coat closest and got the fire put out. We were really lucky that it didn't even sear the paint- I could have sworn there was going to be some serious fire damage.
It's amazing how in an emergency your mind just shuts down a bit and gives you just the information you need at the time. All I could think was I had to get the fire out to protect my family and if it was going out then Doug was going to get Nora out of the house along with the dog while I would continue to work on the fire while we waited for the fire department. Of course I would leave if the fire was uncontrollable.
I too need to make a list of items that would need to be replaced and I need to purchase renter's insurance. Thanks for th reminder!
So glad your family and home are safe!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Feb 05 2010 : 06:47:48 AM
What a horrible thing to wake up to. I am so glad it didn't get any worse and ya'll were able to put it out fast.
Thanks for all the advice. That is something I am terrified of and am most definitely NOT prepared for. So what do you do? Take pictures of everything in your house? Do you have a safety deposit box? And I guess if you have real valuable stuff you could put that in the box, too. I need to put all my pictures and albums in one place by the front door so I can grab them because that's the only thing I could not replace.
I hope you have a good day despite the beginning. And there is always something to be greatful for.
Hugs, Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| melody |
Posted - Feb 05 2010 : 06:45:33 AM
Joanna...Is there anything you need right now?
Please let me know.
Thank goodness everyone is alright!
"The best mirror is an old friend."
- George Herbert
Melody
Farmgirl #525
www.melodynotes-melodynotes.blogspot.com
www.lemonverbenasoap.etsy.com
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| JojoNH |
Posted - Feb 05 2010 : 06:39:41 AM
We are doing okay, glad it was not worse that it was! We are able to see into the chimney and know it was in the stove pipe and the hole that connects to the chimney. There is a tile that let go, so we will need to get a replacement for that . . . a little later, Bob will inspect the chimney from the top down. . . just to be safe. We may need to order in some oil and fire up the oil furnace. . it has been a back up for us and not used for 3 years.
Thank you for all your well wishes!
Hugs!!
Joanna #566
JojoNH
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
http://Twitter.com/Eastwooddesigns |
| AsiyahK |
Posted - Feb 05 2010 : 06:29:33 AM
Before I got married and had children, I lost EVERYTHING I had (including my two dogs) in an apartment fire. It happened while I was at work so I didn't know I was homeless until I pulled up to the complex.
Needless to say that devastation has stayed with me since October 30, 1998 (the day it happened). We are very prepared in case of either fire or tornado (experience taught me this).
I'm so glad you are okay. Your note is a reminder that it can happen to anyone.
**
Visit my blog at http://mypointohtwo.blogspot.com |
| chaddsgirl |
Posted - Feb 05 2010 : 06:24:47 AM
Oh goodness Joanna!! I'm glad the results weren't any worse, but good grief! That is still a really traumatizing situation. I'm glady you are o.k. and I'm glad you were able to make it through so calmly.
A person is a success if they get up in the morning and get to bed at night and in between does what they want to do. Bob Dylan
Deeperrootsfarm.etsy.com |
| JojoNH |
Posted - Feb 05 2010 : 05:47:55 AM
Thank you, we are very blessed indeed. On the bright side, my spring cleaning will be done early this year!
Joanna #566
JojoNH
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
http://Twitter.com/Eastwooddesigns |
| Fiddlehead Farm |
Posted - Feb 05 2010 : 05:29:29 AM
This same thing happened to me quite a few years ago. It also made me realize what is really important. You are right, stuff can be replaced. I am so glad that you all are OK. If I was closer I would help with the clean-up. Thanks for the wake up call.
Why not go out on a limb, that's where all the fruit is! "Mark Twain"
http://studiodiphotosite.shutterfly.com/
farmgirl sister #922 |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Feb 05 2010 : 05:14:25 AM
So proud of you for being calm in the face of disaster. Thank God you are okay and the house did not burn down. I will pray for your strength during clean-up and thank you for the good advice.
Farmgirl Sister # 31
www.blueskyjeannie.blogspot.com
Psalm 51: 10-13 |
