Aftermath

I have no hairbrush. No emery board. No band aides. Things you don't even realize you had in the first place. So much of my "stuff" was written off....everything under the kitchen and bathroom sinks. Anything paper or plastic. I had to get on a plane to go to a conference and the cleaners hadn't even gotten to my sewing room yet, so I don't know what was "written off" in there....I shutter to think about it. I had just bought some great storage organizers from IKEA and OfficeMax, they didn't come cheap, I might add, and I bet they are gone. I know the insurance will cut me a check to replace them, but it all seems like such a waste.

Since the textile specialist said my fabric should be written off, I went ahead and inventoried it. I was a captive audience, anyway. I had 3 hours to kill from the time the cleaning companies showed up until my friends picked me up for the airport. I used the time to save a few valuables I didn't want ANYONE touching (one of a kind photographs, jewelry, etc) and to inventory the food and fabric.

All the food, except the canned goods were a write off. I had 7 BOXES (who has 7 boxes?) of TEA alone that was now trash. Hot chocolate, spices and seasonings, cereal (5 boxes), cups of soup, cake mix, etc. got tossed. Even a brand new case of water they had me toss, since the smoke permeates plastic. Almost everything in the fridge was gone (the building went almost two days without power) and even though it looked like a bachelor's fridge, it turns out to be a sizeable amount of food when you write it all down.

It is hard to describe for you my affection for (or is that affliction with?) fabric. I always joke to people by telling them "everyone has a vice....some people drink, some smoke, some do drugs, play video games, whatever. Mine? I buy fabric. No matter how hard I try, I just can't stop. I even started working at JoAnn Fabrics at night recently, and my favorite "job" there? Folding, tucking, touching, smelling fabric. Since I have a discount, I occasionally upgrade from $1.00/yard to $10.00/yard, especially if I have a coupon. When the textile specialist walked in I picked up the first bolt I could (denim with cherries embroidered on it,) smelled it, and got choked up. I said "this cost $20....can you imagine what the entire collection cost?" I am guessing 200-300 yards of fabric...I'm not sure, I'd have to add it up. I had just purchased some fabulous fabrics in San Luis Obispo....not easily replaced.... it's not like I go there every other weekend. In fact, I had spend about $50 on oilcloth (a plasticy/vinylish fabric) that we don't even carry at JoAnn. I KNOW they will throw it away. It just pains me to think about it.

I'm in Atlanta now. I've spent the last 3 days at an amazing conference which really helped to settle my soul and get my mind off things. Last night was "Prom Night" and I dressed in a tacky 80's prom dress and won "Bessed Dressed" for which the prize was a $50 Coach Gift Card! If they only knew how much I needed it. I had to buy a new purse just to go to this conference. Not to mention suit case, socks, underwear, yada yada yada. Well, my mom bought it. What would I do without my mom? She took me right out, got me what I needed, and sent me on my way. This fire (nor Gati running away) would have kept me from my conference, and my mom made sure of that.

Jesse Gearhart is on his way to pick me up. I'm going to stay with the Gearharts for a couple of days before returning to Las Vegas to figure everything out.

I just keep telling myself "God will not give you more than you can handle" to which I always respond "then he must think I am one tough broad!"