For the past few weeks we’ve been under evacuation alert because of a forest fire, now finally contained, that was burning out of control and way too close to our home. I had to pack up and be ready to go at a moment’s notice. The truck was hooked to our trailer, and loaded with crates for our five dogs, and a freezer full of food – mostly for the dogs, as they are fed raw. 🙂 Our horses were moved to a friend’s property for safety.
Unable to take everything, I had the very emotional task of choosing the most important things to pack. So many times I would find myself with my hands full of things that I knew I could not take, and would have to put them down and pack only the most precious items. Difficult choices, and I am so happy to be able to unpack now that the fire is under control. And yes, of course my stitching supplies were among the first things that I packed!
We were lucky and most days the smoke was not too bad, but some days the thick black and orange smoke overhead, raining down crispy, partially burned pine needles was very unnerving.
We’ve had some wild thunderstorms and the rain has helped the firefighters gain control of the fire. The storms brought hail too; some piles took a couple of days to melt and the Corgis thought that was a most awesome way to cool off after a walk.
Very little stitching has been accomplished lately. I’ve been working on a the first block of Shannon Wasilieff’s Fantasy Stitch-Along. I am slowly adding the many, many beads to my princess in this lovely design.
I’ve not made any progress on my own designs, as my computer with my design software was packed away and has not yet been unpacked. I am working on a cute little scuba diver in blackwork, and hope to be able to show you some progress on that design soon!
I hope you guys are safe and sound!!
Yes, we are 🙂 Thank you!
very scarey!
you’re lucky you have your camper van to pack full. If you just had a car, the list of “important” things would have been even shorter
Yes, all of the most important things fit into the truck – the dogs and one small box of papers and photos – no stitching stuff! We were also very lucky that we had notice – 80 homes were evacuated and they had to leave immediately with really no time to pack anything.
a few years ago we had to evacuate our house at 3am with literally 60 seconds notice because of a gas leak in the road. I left the house in slippers, dressing gown, with my ID papers, keys and my dog ^^ I figured the cats could escape by the cat flap, but couldn’t do anything about the Parrot. As it turned out, we were allowed back home a few hours later.
I think it’s amazing that you managed to grab what you did! That’s a fast evacuation.
Ah, that’s a very intense thing to be dealing with! But you sound like you can handle it. I hope there’s a lot more stitching time in your future. 🙂
I had to stop and take some deep breaths at times! Now that the danger has passed, I am definitely stitching more 🙂
Oh my goodness I wouldn’t know where to start on packing my most precious items, I guess Beloved & the animals, everything else is just the icing on the cake, hope every thing gets back to normal ASAP x
First on my list were living creatures, so I made a plan for us, the dogs and the horses. Next was important papers that couldn’t be replaced, and after that it was exactly as you say – everything else is icing on the cake. 🙂
I’d forgotten all about important papers !! see that’s why I’d be in such a state in your situation, is the wildfire under control now ?
Yes, fully contained now, and they finally rescinded the Evacuation Alert yesterday.
I’m so glad they were able to contain the fire! Pretty stitching!
Thank you 🙂 Yes, it’s such a relief to have the fire contained.
Nothing more scary than watching a fire burned close to. We had to evaluate once and spend ione night and hoping the fire would be contain. Glad you didn’t have get out and your home was safe.
It’s very nerve-wracking, isn’t it?! And such a relief to get back home, I am sure! I feel very fortunate that we didn’t have to leave.
Yes, we feel fortunate that neighbor hurt us and very thankful for the firemen who work to put out fires.