Almost finished then...BAM - wild fire

15 years ago

We were almost finished with a DIY interior remodel, good thing I wasn't loving my kitchen colors enough to be too devestated.

We lost our home in the Santa Barbara wild fire last week (or was it a week and a half already, geez). We all got out safe with the animals, some of the personal papers, some of the photos, the oldest computer in the world and my old laptop (we left the new computer behind since it wasn't completey uploaded with all the data. We wach grabbed a couple of sets of clothing and my son got his video games (priorities!!).

Luckily we had an open permit and all of our plans with us, we didn't grab the extenable folder with all the details though (bummer). I now get to completely re-do my kitchen (oh yea, the entire house too lol). This time I get the colors I absolutely want instead of trying to make do with a budget DIY. We'll still have to be careful (no Van Gogh granite) but I can definately upgrade the cabinets. I didn't go high end appliances and still won't but I will have my Fisher and Paykel dishdrawers again, I miss them already. Do you know that my dishes inside the dishdrawers survived? Too bad I only had a couple of pieces in there.

So anyway, you'll be seeing me on the boards more and more angsting about which color blue I want in my kitchen or which colors blue accessories work best :)

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Comments (42)

raehelen
15 years ago
OMG!

Thank Heavens everyone is safe!

How devastating. Sounds like you have an awesome attitude. Making lemonade and all.

Which colour blue in the kitchen is going to be the least of the decisions you're going to have to make! How much time do you have? Does insurance pay for accommodation for X amount of time?

Can't imagine it- (But do have to admit, I've had days where I kinda hoped I'd come home to my house burnt down, so I could start all over!)
farmhousebound
15 years ago
Sorry to hear about your house with the fire, but glad everyone, including pets, got out okay. It sounds like you have the right attitude to tackle the upcoming challenges and that you're making lemonade out of lemons--good luck!
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pbrisjar
15 years ago
Glad to hear you are safe and sound and have respectable insurance.

Have fun with your blank slate!
kelleg69
15 years ago
I am very sorry! My family's house had a fire when I was a senior in high school. It was mainly water damage for us, but we still had to move out for 6 months. I kind of know what you are going through. Good luck and good luck with redoing your kitchen--maybe that is the silver lining???
mbarstow
15 years ago
OMG how terrible. What a great attitude you have. It has to be devasting to lose everything. Glad you can look forward.
ccoombs1
15 years ago
Oh my...that is just terrible. Believe me...I DO know how you feel. It's been 28 years since my home burned down and I'll never forget the feeling of driving home from work and seeing the smoke the whole way there, knowing it wasy MY house on fire. I still get a little twinge whenever I see black smoke on the horizon, knowing someone is losing their home.

But like others have said....you have an awesome attitude. We will be with you for your re-build. The people on this site are awesome and helpful.
lyno
15 years ago
So sorry to hear about you being in the path of that horrible fire. So glad you all got out okay. I felt so bad for everyone and even wondered if any of the great GW'ers were amongst those whose houses burnt. You have a great come back attitude! I hope you have a lot of fun planning your new home and especially your kitchen! I'm sure you'll get a ton of moral support and suggestions here!
bluekitobsessed
15 years ago
I am so very sorry to hear that. I hope that your insurance co treats you well. Please be careful with the anticipated mudslides (today? tonight?). And if you need help with the inconsequential things such as which color of blue, I'd be glad to help :)

Blue
amela
15 years ago
I don't know that I've ever posted here but my heart and hope go out to you. Those fires were just devastating. Your spirit is shining through and I know your strength will carry you on.
cotehele
15 years ago
I admire your outlook! This is surely a tough time for you and your family. I wish you many blessings as you rebuild and resettle. If you had known things inside your DW would survive, hmmmm, what would you have poked inside in a hurry?
marthavila
15 years ago
Gee, what a Thanksgiving you will have this year! In the face of such a great tragedy, I'm sure you and your loved ones will says thanks with extra vigor on that day for just being able to be here to write about it! As others have already mentioned, Jenn, you are demonstrating such an upbeat, positive attitude that you are/can be an inspiration to others. Know that you can count on the GW family to send you all our best vibes, prayers and wishes for your own family to move forward, like the phoenix-- arising out of the ashes even more grand and beautiful than ever before (with exactly all the colors and other things you wanted for your kitchen in the first place)! :) God bless.
neesie
15 years ago
I'm sorry you lost your home but sure that you and your family will be giving heartfelt thanks this Thanksgiving that you made it out alive. I think it's wonderful that you can keep such an upbeat attitude after going through such a devestating situation.

We are in the process of finalizing claims from a tornado that passed through our town this summer. We've just had the last of the repairs made and are now dealing with lots of paperwork. But it's great to see a light at the end of the tunnel and I can also be thankful that my insurance company was so good to deal with. I don't take that for granted. Hope your claim will go smoothly as well. I'll be looking forward to your posts on the board!
loves2cook4six
15 years ago
Your attitude is amazing and inspiring. Thank goodness you all got out safe and sound and with the items you prioritized. Definitely makes one rethink the need for all this STUFF we have around us.

We're all here to help you as you start to rebuild.
nhb22
15 years ago
jenellecal - Bless you! Count me in as another house fire survivor. So glad that you had enough time to get yourself, family members and pets out safely. :)

"Do you know that my dishes inside the dishdrawers survived?"

Funny, we had the same experience. Also, my good dishes were packed in a box and stored in the kitchen. They survived too!

"I still get a little twinge whenever I see black smoke on the horizon, knowing someone is losing their home."

ccoombs1 - After 6 years, I too get that twinge when I see smoke, smell smoke, or hear a siren...especially when I am away from the house. Took me months before I would leave for long without having panic attacks, and I would have to run back home to make sure everything was OK. I still do that sometimes. :(

jenellecal - Have you posted on this board before? I look forward to seeing more of your post and seeing your rebuild. Will you be building back on the same property?
redroze
15 years ago
Ohmigosh!! With crisis comes opportunity, as they say. Best of luck to you.
mdmc
15 years ago
Oh my. I live in Simi Valley. I had to turn the T,V off because I felt so bad for all of you. I do have to say you have a great attitude. Not sure I could be so upbeat after such a loss. Best of luck to you and yours.
remodelfla
15 years ago
I just want to wish you and your family my blessings. I know how terrifying it is to sit, pack up and wait for a major hurricane it hit. We always have ample warning. I can't imagine the terror of having to grab things in a hurry. I pray that you and your family come through this with the same optimisim your demonstrating now. I'm confident you'll end up in a better place both figuratively and literally when you come through the back end of this experience.
petra_granite
15 years ago
Wow~I wish the best for your family as well. Life happens: and have to roll with the changes. Life is truly minute by minute. Glad you are all safe. ~peace
Nicole Valentine
15 years ago
Your optimism is an inspiration! In the end it's all just things isn't it? I'm glad your family is safe and godspeed on getting your life and home back in order.
footballmom
15 years ago
Big Hug......What a way to make lemonade out of lemons....Living in california, fires are just part of the possible wonder and fear of living there. How wonderful the most important things are safe. Someone was watching over you and yours.
busybme
15 years ago
Wow, jenelle, I am so sorry to hear about your misfortune. Glad to hear that everyone is safe and that you are focusing on the positive!

Sandy
pluckymama
15 years ago
I am so sorry. You are an inspiration with your thankful heart and positive attitude. We'll look forward to your future posts as you rebuild your house and your kitchen. God bless.
marybeth1
15 years ago
I am so sorry for the loss of your home. Your attitude is such an inspiration. I am glad you are all ok. Look forward to hearing about your progress on the rebuild.Warm wishes to you and your family.
maydl
15 years ago
Thank G-d you all got away safely! Best of luck on putting your lives back together and rebuilding home and hearth. Kitchen Forum is here for you during the process.
vicnsb
15 years ago
My prayers are with you for more of that awesome
strength you have...keep us posted.
vic
caligal
15 years ago
Maybe you can display the dishes that survived in your new kitchen. I am glad you all made it out safe. Your attitude is an inspiration to me. I hope you have a place to stay and somewhere to go for Thanksgiving! Take care.
stiles
15 years ago
Wow! I was just jogging through your neighborhood a year ago-It was so beautiful! My husband and I fell in love in SB and were married at the Biltmore-love, love where you live.

I am so sorry for your loss. You seem to have a good attitude about starting over. What a blessing that you and your family are safe. I look forward to reading about your progress. You are in the right place for great ideas!

Take care-and I am sure you will have a most Thankful Holiday.

Melinda
caryscott
15 years ago
I can't even begin to imagine. All the best to you and your family.
fondantfancy
15 years ago
You are definately an inpiration to us all.

I've been feeling misable all week because we are in the midst of renovation, have no kitchen, no hot water, no heating (and of course it is freezing outside). But I do have a house. Every time I feel down about this I will thing of you!

I really hope you and your family manage to build something fantastic out of the ashes.
alice462
15 years ago
Am so very sorry to hear of your loss and so inspired by your positive outlook on what you are facing. All the best you in this rebuilding process.
jenellecal
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks everyone!

For those who've had house fires and other disasters - I'm sorry, it stinks!

For those who cringe when they see smoke or hear sirens - The 5th or 6th day in the hotel the fire alarms went off. My DH and I were standing in the room with a "I can't freaking believe this" loom on our faces and tried to decide what we could carry out of the room. Luckily it was a false alarm. I can't get myself to buy candles right now though, I think I'll by the flameless ones.

Newhomebuilder - I used to post all the time on this forum but got to a stalled point in my remodel that I kind of dropped off a bit.

I must admit I wasn't loving the new colors of my kitchen. My cream cabinets (by default) ended up yellowing within 6 months and the kitchen was taking on a more rustic feel than the open, airy, light feel I wanted. (again by default).
juliatallmadge
15 years ago
jenellecal, my thoughts are with you. we lost our home in a fire last november. we were home when it happened, but everyone was safe and, like you, we were thankful for that and the few items we were able to save... and tried to immediately focus on moving on.
we are finally rebuilding now after a terrible, painful time of it with our insurance company - i hope you don't encounter the same with yours and can get rebuilding and back home soon.
I can sympathize with your hotel story too! the first rental apartment we were in post-fire actually had something wrong with the smoke alarms so for the first month every week they would start beeping really loud. (an electrician finally fixed it). Oh and the alarms would go off if we so much as boiled water on the stove without the microhood on! This, when I was about ready to evacuate at any small noise like the microwave beeping. It was a nightmare-- our nerves were so much more fried than we even realized.
Anyway if you ever need a sympathetic ear (especially as the months go on) please don't hesitate to reach out. Also, I hope you don't experience the same-- but if you run into problems with your insurance, I would be happy to share our experience. As I've learned there are a few companies that are quite notorious for not operating in good faith.
Best of luck to you and your family.
nhb22
15 years ago
Within a month of our fire, we had alarms go off in our hotel and had to evacuate. There was a small fire with that one. A few days later, I was in my daughters apartment (helping her after having surgery) and her smoke detector went off. Scared me to tears!

jenellecal - I am just now starting to use candles again, but very carefully. BTW - That's not what started the fire, I'm just very careful. It wasn't our fault.

Hope you all have a wonderful THANKSGIVING!
cosmo_nj
15 years ago
Yikes - glad you are all safe. My stepmother came thisclose to losing our home in San Diego County last month - a few acres of fruit trees were destroyed.

All the best to you.
love2decorate
15 years ago
Glad you are safe, but so sorry you had to suffer this tragedy.
rosie
15 years ago
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, Jenelle.
chefnewbie
15 years ago
Oh ... I really don't know what to say ... except I really admire your bravery and your wonderful attitude. Hope you do find the exact colors and that your new kitchen and house are more specatacular than you can imagine.
bdaykitchen
15 years ago
A Thanksgiving wish to you and your family for better days ahead. We'll look forward to hearing your rebuilding progress.

All the best!
auntiebubba
15 years ago
jenellecal - I am so sorry about your house, especially after all that hard work!

I remember the problems you had with your cabinets and all you went through to make them right. It's ashame you will have to start over because of the fires, but hopefully the process will be easier and more enjoyable... and you'll get just what you want this time!!!

Good luck and keep us posted on your choices and progress.
susanlynn2012
15 years ago
Happy Thanksgiving with your wonderful attitude. That is so awful that after all your hard work, your house is gone. We all hope your new home is easier this time around with the learning curve past and the love of your family and pets that were saved and that is the most important thing.
igloochic
15 years ago
Happy Thanksgiving, and I'm so glad you're sharing it will all your family, pets and those old computers :) You've gone through something awful with a very great heart :)
kulagal
15 years ago
A blessed Thanksgiving all the way from London - I admire your positive attitude - it will take you far.

Almost finished then...BAM - wild fire

Comments (42)

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