Down Mulberry Lane

Fire Update: Cleaners came today to look around...

The cleaners came today to look around and WOW is all I can say.  They told me that I need to throw out any food in the kitchen that was in a box or in a jar... that the soot gets into the food and it is junk... he said if you want a head start ... start making a list of all the spices and foods in your cupboards here by the stove and in the cupboards in the kitchen.  UGH! 

They also took their special cleaning sponges and wiped in every room and found soot around the entire house.  They said this is worse than moving.  You have to take everything out and clean it and replace it back again.  Electronics... especially in the kitchen are likely junk and hopefully the insurance will cover.  Apparently the soot gets into the workings of the machines and will ultimately burn them out in a short time... that's my stove, my microwave (which I don't use alot, but DH does), two bread machines, my grain mill, my kitchen aid mixer and my bosch mixer, my fryer (which we were going to give up anyways), my smoothie maker, all that kind of stuff...   I'm wondering if the fridge qualifies as well. 

I seriously was thinking this is nuts... this was a small fire.  And you're telling me that cleaning up my house alone (just wiping things down) is going to cost between $5,000 and $10,000!!!  And replacing all this other stuff...   Not to mention the cupboard damage, the counter top damage and the hood vent damage.  The ceilings in the kitchen and dining room can be cleaned, but not completely... both cleaning companies suggested cleaning, then sealing, then painting over.... OR replacing completely.  I absolutely LOVED that tile!  It was unique with gold flecks in it... nothing on the market like it now.  GONE!  We'd rather see it replaced than painted however.  But what a mess that will make. 

I asked the guy after hearing all that they wanted done... every thing cleaned out of every box, every cloth item washed... every hard item wiped down (down to every single book ... everything (does he realize how many books we have????  I own a small library in my house!) .  I'm like... is this really reasonable for a small fire???  And he said... small fire big fire... it's still a fire and still smoke damage to the home.  He said realistically the  damage is the same except our structural support is still there.  He said it is like being pregnant... either you are or you aren't... there are no little pregnancies.   That made total sense to me and helped it sink in.  Cuz when I am sickest with my pregnancy is in the beginning.  (when I'm a little pregnant... ain't no one going to tell me I'm just a little pregnant!  LOL)

So, now I am befuddled over this.  I am trying to figure out what this little fire has caused in our life... a total upheaval!  My girls are leaving for summer camp on Sunday.  The one cleaning company said they can likely start on Monday after they leave.  That leaves me alone to work with them with Paige by my side and keeping her out of their hair as well.  If I clean, I can make between $8-10 an hour to decrease what we owe on our deductible...  great.  Perhaps we can work off our deductible considering the expected expenses...  But why this trial?  Why if we can make this work without too much added expense... what is the sense of this trial happening.  That is what I am pondering.  I am considering if it is God giving me an honest look at how much stuff we have and how if we didn't have this much stuff (which most of it is other peoples giftings to us)... how much easier it would be to clean...  Is it building character... Is it me taking an honest look at myself and my own abilities.  I just took on SS teacher at church and it starts this Week... now I have this mounting over me?  Wow is all I can say.  I'm sure God will show me what the true reason is in time. 

I'm still not mad with my daughter.  Her room actually the guy cleaning was going to be the worst of them to clean... they said 2 days alone in her room.  UGH!   And she will be gone at camp when they come to clean... so she will have little say on what stays or goes.  She is a bit worried. 

Well, tomorrow the adjuster comes and We will find out (hopefully) what the situation is with the appliances and damage to the cupboards and such.  The cleaners just eluded by past experience with other fires of what to expect. 

Until then,  ~Melissa

Untitled Comment

11:51 PM, July 1, 2008 .. Posted by safords

OH!! I am so sorry! I cannot believe it!!! WOW. I've never had this experience, but I would never have expected this... Well, I wish I lived near you to babysit your little girl so you could put all your efforts in one direction. Keep up your courage!