A Few Words On Weather, Fires, and Electric Blankets

Fires don’t care how cold it is outside.  They just keep rekindling.

The fire last night a little after midnight?  Flames through the roof when our fire department got there; they fought it until five in the morning with local temperatures hovering between -14 and -18, depending on whose thermometer you believe.  They had to switch crews every fifteen minutes so no one would freeze – literally.  I listened to them till 3:00 a.m., worried about all of them.

They went back for rekindles at the same location twice today, and now, at midnight, the fire is burning again.  It is currently 8 below zero, and I don’t think it ever got above zero today.  It doesn’t seem to matter to a fire.  If it gets established, it’s hard to get rid of it until it has consumed everything in it path.

The good news is, apparently they saved most of the house.  Smoke damage and water damage, but structurally it is still mostly there.  The house is an old brick one (originally a stagecoach inn), and the fire was in a wood frame addition on the back that is now gone.  Still, there they are, back fighting it again in this cold.

It is so cold out I can feel it radiating through the walls of the house.  We have got to insulate this house better. 

That reminds me, I’ve been wanting to mention my favorite buy of the whole year.  At the Hammacher-Schlemmer outlet sale this past summer I picked up an electric mattress pad on a phenomenal sale.  Bud (aka Eskimo Man) thought I was crazy, but even he is enjoying it.  This isn’t just any old heated mattress pad – this is zoned heating.  It knows your feet are always the coldest, so that is where most of the heat is!  The temperature is then graduated up (or down, depending on whether you are talking anatomy or climate) toward your head.  I turn it on way before bedtime, then crawl into a toasty pile of blankets.  At that point I turn it down so low it is almost off, and it stays warm all night.  I saw these again at the local mall during the Christmas season, and they were marked way down then, too. 

What a bargain – you can set the thermostat back and save money while staying warm.

Hot Chocolate and Cold Calculations (Update)

Today was my third day teaching kindergarten, and I think I am getting comfortable with it.  We are already establishing a routine, and it includes a hot chocolate break about halfway through the morning.  After math, but before history.

We read A Chair For My Mother for the third time today, and N~ told me it is his favorite book now.  He remembers details well and enjoys relating them back, and while I first questioned why we were supposed to read this and discuss it three days running I now see how it goes a little deeper in his understanding each time.  He may struggle with phonics, but not with comprehension or long term recall.

With no segue, the temperature did not get out of the single digits today, and currently stands at six below. I pulled out my one and only pair of thermals this morning, which I bought awhile back to see what they were like.  Wow, what a difference!  I’m thinking I could use more of these.

Drat!  My fire radio just went off for a car accident with an entrapment, and they are asking for Care Flight.  Can you imagine being trapped in your wrecked car at six below zero, with wind chills of -20?  The only thing worse would be to have your five year old child lost in this weather, which happened earlier this evening.  Fortunately, the child was found quickly. 

Following the calls of the fire department comes with my job, and while it keeps me informed as to what is going on in the area it sometimes is more information than I want to have.  Some call are routine, but many have me saying prayers for the well being of those in need.  I don’t know how the EMT’s and paramedics can do this day after day.  From close-up experience though, I can tell you they enjoy their jobs.

Speaking of the fire department, we did select a new assistant chief at our meeting tonight.  We had eleven outstanding candidates, but one who seemed to be a superior fit for our department.  We have a really professional department for a medium sized township, and as one of the applicants said tonight, “People want to come here because you get such good calls.”  Translated, that means:  you have a lot of auto accidents and people in this line of work thrive on adrenalin spikes.

They’ve cancelled Care Flight, so looks like the accident victim will be okay. 

Drive carefully.  Salt doesn’t work in these temperatures, and it’s too cold to be stranded for even a few minutes.  Our fire chief just called dispatch to notify the state road department of a very hazardous intersection on state routes in the area, then added he knows there is probably nothing they can do to fix it in these temperatures. 

He’s right – nothing they have will touch it.  Maybe Saturday, when it is supposed to go back up into the 20’s.

UPDATE

At 12:30 our fire department was called out to fight a house fire – a two story house with flames shooting out through the roof.  Wind chills are well below zero – can you imagine spraying water over your head on a night like this?  Can you imagine losing your house on a night like this?  I think I’ll stay up and pray for all of them a little longer.

The Weather Outside Is Frightful

 

…but the fire is so delightful.

It is 7° outside right now, and the HIGH tomorrow is supposed to be 5°.  The low tomorrow night?  You don’t even want to know.  Okay, okay, your forced me to do it . . .  -10°. 

Yes, that’s a minus sign, as in ten below zero.  When’s the last time that happened hereabouts?  I don’t even remember, but I hope it’s the last time for a long time.  Darned global warming!

I taught kindergarten again today, only this time at my house instead of at Katie’s.  I don’t know how she does it, with N~ being easily distractible and the other kids wanting attention.  She deserves a gold star.

We had a good morning, and the history lesson was SOOOOO-O-O appropriate – we “took a trip” to Antarctica and studied about icebergs, penguins, sea lions, krill, kruas (a kind of bird) and whales – some of the few animals that can live there.  Tomorrow it will feel like Antarctica here, and I hope all our furry and feathered friends are all hunkered down tight in warm little nests.

This evening I interviewed four candidates for the assistant fire chief position, and tomorrow will interview seven more.  There was one standout in this evening’s group, and one who would make a great addition to the department but is not quite ready for chief’s responsibilities.  For a township, we are fortunate to get people of such high caliber as those who have applied; it will be interesting to see who we get tomorrow.  We hope to be able to make a decision at the conclusion of the interviews.

When I came home this evening the roads were a skating rink, including the state routes.  It is too cold for the salt to work, so if you have to go out tomorrow be really careful.

It’s Been Years Since I Was Last A Substitute Teacher

Vowels, and word chains, and ordinals, and reading “A Chair for My Mother” – this morning I was a kindergarten teacher.

Katie is still struggling as she recovers from the accident.  Pain in the chest that limits range of motion (and is excruciating when one of the kids accidentally bumps her) is keeping her from functioning at 100%.  So, I took over as the home school teacher this morning.  I had planned to do that last week, but things were just too hectic then.  Poor N~ missed a week of school and we have to do some catching up.

Anyway, it was a delightful experience.  N~ tries very hard and is making progress, and today we reviewed the ordinal numbers and identifying relative positions for math, worked on sight reading cards and word chains in reading, he read a story to me and I read one to him, and in general had a great time.  I offered to continue doing this, at least for awhile, to take a little pressure off Katie.

She had her stitches removed yesterday, and it is never a good sign when the doctor says, “So, was this a small town emergency room they took you to?”  Not the best sewing job in the world.  She now has a permanent tuck in her right eyelid, and the scar between her eyebrows may not end up the neatest ever.  Still, as she said from the beginning, any scars will be reminders of how blessed they are that no one was seriously injured.  Besides, given a little time I expect they will smooth out and become less visible.

I spent the afternoon at the office, conferring with the city manager of the small city to our north.  We talked about ideas and opportunities for grant funding, and how we can work cooperatively to get more accomplished in the area.  It was a very positive meeting.  Then this evening we had our township meeting, concluding with an overview of fire department activities for the year.  We had some impressive fires this year – not that we want big fires, but the pictures elicited oohs and aahs from those in attendance. 

We have a great fire department, and t omorrow and Thursday we are interviewing to fill an assistant chief position.  Lots of good applicants will make it a difficult decision.

But first, I think I will teach kindergarten again.

A Positive Ending To A Negative Week

All was quiet on the western front today, with no children in the house and no going to houses where children reside.  Sean and Katie can handle the boys over the weekend, so I spent the day relaxing.

We finally got our Christmas decorations safely ensconced back in the attic.  We took the tree down last weekend and put the decorations in their festive red and green tubs, but then Bud got sick and there’s no way I can get them back up those steps by myself.  So, they have been sitting and waiting for life to settle down.  Done and done.

Joy of joys, my food storage order arrived from honeyvillegrain.com.  It came way quicker than I had expected; I’m chalking that up to the economy and UPS probably not being very busy after Christmas.

Anyway, I now have powdered eggs, cheese, milk, and butter to augment what storage I already had.  And best of all, the cherry hot cocoa arrived too.  I had to open a pouch right away to taste it.  I figured if it didn’t measure up I could give it to my children and come across as a beneficent mother concerned about their longterm well-being, not a fussy hot chocolate gourmet who was giving them the rejects. 

Well, they are out of luck.  It is really good, and Bud and I have each had two cups already.  I am still giving our offspirng a couple pouches each anyway, since I ordered enough to share.  (It is still available on their website at $2.89 for a 24-serving pouch, plus $4.49 shipping no matter how much you order from the site.)  It may be a luxury for food storage, but it is cheaper than buying Swiss Miss in the grocery store for those who are going to drink hot chocolate anyway.

I need mini marshmallows for storage now.

All Is Well

Katie was up and about most of the day today for the first time since the accident.  Good sign.

Elaine took the kids and skedaddled back to Radiator Springs around lunch time, ahead of The Great Midwestern Storm scheduled to hit us today/tonight/tomorrow.  I hated to see them leave and was relieved when they got home safely.  Good drive.

Drew was supposed to drive to my brother’s tomorrow to do some work on his car, but has decided that, with almost a foot of snow projected for that area, it might not be a wise idea.  Good call.

I haven’t heard from Doug today, so I’m assuming “no news is good news.”

Bud is still on Cipro for his infection but seems to be getting better.  Really good news.

I crocheted a mop hat that turned out really cute.  It was supposed to be newborn size and was going to be for Katie’s baby (yes, I’m hoping for a girl), but the gauge definitely did not turn out right.  It is easily large enough for a toddler, so it will go to K~, who is a precocious two year old.  I will make another, using a smaller hook.

So, all in all, life really is beginning to get back to normal.  I missed work all week except for the work session on Tuesday.  I have to get back to business next week.  There is a meeting on Tuesday, and we are interviewing candidates for the position of assistant fire chief on Wednesday and Thursday.  We have some excellent candidates and it will be difficult paring them down to just one.

Life is good.

Looking For A New Car

Katie and Sean are out this evening, looking for a replacement vehicle.  When you have to transport a familiy of seven your options are limited – Chevy Suburban and extended Ford Explorer are the two they have been looking at and the Ford seems to have the lead. 

So, right now I have three of Katie’s kids while they are checking out a likely prospect they found on the internet.   It’s at a dealership over an hour away.  Elaine is also here with her five kids.

That’s down one from earlier, when all nine kids were here.  My friend Dixie showed up then with food for supper today and lunch tomorrow for everyone, and took time to tell the kids a cute story.  She does storytelling for events and is quite good, and held their attention very well.  

Nicole showed up at Katie’s earlier with dinner for tomorrow, so they are well cared for.  Thanks to the Young Women’s Presidency on Katie’s behalf.

I took a laptop over to Katie yesterday, since they currently have no computer in their house, but I see she hasn’t blogged yet.  She has been sleeping a lot – that combination of first trimeter and the body’s healing process is taking its toll.  When she is up and about the kids are really needing her attention.

With her permission I am posting a picture of the stitches on her face – eyelid and bridge of the nose, with one little stitch above the eye and to the side.  I thought they were to come out Friday, but she said one hospital worker told her Saturday and one said Monday, so she is going with Monday since her doctor will be in the office then.

Just got a call – they are on their way home and are buying the Expedition they went to look at.  It will be a day or twobefore they can pick it up.  Katie commented that E~, who went with them, is absolutely terrified of being in a car.  She said he shakes his head “no” and cries every time they make a turn, hit a bump, etc.  Poor little guy.

Life is starting to look more normal.  Now if she can get over the hurting in the ribs, chest and back so she can move normally and pick up the baby all will be well.  As they say, time heals all wounds.

The Third Day Is The Worst

At least it is the worst day Katie has had so far.  On Sunday she was running on shock and pain meds from the hospital, and on Monday she ran on adrenalin.  Tuesday though – not so good.  The bruising had become visible and painful.

She slept a large part of the day and vegged in bed watching TV some.  She hurts everywhere, and has massive bruising across her chest.  Sean said the air bags must have deployed and punched her in the chest, but Kelli and I both said we saw no evidence of that when we cleaned out the car.  I showed Sean photos of the interior, and you can clearly see that the air bags did not go off.  The bruising must be from the seat belt, which would have hit several times as they rolled, and then hit massively as they landed upside down. 

Sean’s grandmother (who is only a few years older than I am) came over yesterday to help too.  She kept the older boys downstairs cleaning up the toy room, which looks fantastic now, while she did laundry.  I kept the baby upstairs while I worked on that level, and Kelli cleaned bathrooms and helped with general cleanup.  We are trying to catch Katie up on everything – with four little kids and home schooling it’s hard to keep caught up, let alone all the laundry and putting away you have from a vacation.  Throw in the brother-in-law who lived in their house while they were gone and all the yucky stuff fom the accident and we are swimming upstream here.

Maybe I can get that dratted Christmas tree down today.  It’s still standing in the corner.

Thanks to Jennifer K. for the advice on the soggy down pillow.  It worked wonderfully and the pillow will be used for a long time to come now.  Also, thanks for the shepherd’s pie she brought last night.  I hear it was wonderful (I had a township meeting that started at 4:00 and lasted clear through dinner, so I foraged at my house later).

I need to go over to Katie’s now, as Sean has left for work.  N~ will be going back to school today, with me as the teacher.  Katie just isn’t up to that yet, among other things she isn’t up to.  Elaine is coming down from Radiator Springs tonight and will stay for several days.  Since she is homeschooling too, and also has a kindergartener, she will take over the schooling duties with N~ starting tomorrow.

It’s so great to have family and friends to help during times of crisis stress (it was almost a crisis, so I’m not using that word).  Thanks again for all the prayers, concern, offers of help, etc.  Know they are appreciated.

The Adrenalin Has Run Its Course

You know how when something dramatic happens you have a burst of energy that keeps you going beyond what you could normally tolerate?  That’s an adrenalin rush, and mine has finally rushed right out the door.

After the shock and worry yesterday at the news of Katie and Sean’s accident; twelve hours driving down to pick them up and bring them back; little sleep last night; helping at her house today; going shopping; cooking dinner; and helping Kelli decipher a crochet pattern for a really cute baby hat this evening, I have had it.  The energy has drained right out of me.

The kids are dealing with the aftermath of everything in their own ways:  N~ not wanting to be alone, W~ not talking about it at all but acting up and whining a bit, C~ seemingly unfazed, and E~ terrified of being in a car seat.  That’s the really hard one, because you just can’t explain things to a baby.

Katie said the nurse at the hospital told her they have hydroplaning accidents at that location often when it rains, and someone died there just a few weeks ago.  They are trying to get federal funding to fix the problem. 

Being in government I fully understand the shortage of money for highway projects, but you know what? – signs are cheap.  They could post hazard warnings to give travelers a clue, and a chance to make it through the area unscathed.  It seems unconscionable for the state to know there is a problem (actually two – one there and one about five miles up the road) and do nothing about it.  If you travel I-75 through Kentucky, be warned that there is a low area that collects water and causes accidents between mile markers 77 and 83, and another between markers 83 and 87.

Their suitcases were in the rooftop carrier and took a flying trip of their own.  They look a little worse for the wear and are now set out for trash pickup tomorrow.

Sean plans on going back to work tomorrow, although maybe for only half a day.  Bud is staying home again because the medicine is taking longer to kick in than he had expected and he still is not feeling at all well.  I may go into work for a short time tomorrow, although Kelli and I want to help Katie get her Christmas tree down.  They left the day after Christmas so still have that chore to tend to.  We also want to finish with cleaning and organizing for her since she is so bruised and sore.

Does anyone have any ideas on what to do with a down pillow that got wet?  It isn’t dirty, although the pillow case has mud on it, but it did get damp.  Can I wash it?  Should I just let it dry and not worry about it (it’s mostly dry already)?  Should I throw it away?  It’s such a nice fluffy pillow I hate to do that.

We still haven’t found C~’s Leapster, which I just bought him for Christmas.  He wanted one so bad since his brothers both had them that I am going to try and find him another one.  I got that one at closeout prices – probably won’t be that lucky again. 

One of the older boys’ Leapsters sprang to life this evening sitting in a box on the dining room table with all the other electronic stuff.  Other than Katie’s camera, that’s the first electronic thing that has shown any life.   The Wii, the DVD players, and the GPS are still iffy, and the computers still had water leaking out of them this afternoon.  Bad, bad sign.

I want to thank all who have offered to help, left messages, and said prayers for Katie and Sean and their kids.  They are all so appreciated.  We take life and normalcy for granted, and it can all change in an instant.  It is going to take awhile to get back to normal.

Everyone in my extended family is just so grateful that everyone in Katie’s family made it through almost unscathed.  Things can be replaced, or even done without.  The important “things” made it through just fine.

Again, I offer thanks to my Heavenly Father for the lives and health of my children and grandchildren.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Update

Katie is doing pretty well today, but says she looks like she belongs in “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”  It isn’t that bad, but the cut between her eyebrows will certainly look a lot better once all those black stitches are removed.

We have been cleaning today, and inventorying.  C~’s Leapster appears not to have made it back, but the other two did.  They will wait several days before turning them on to see if they still work.  The computers are soaked so things aren’t looking too promising there.  Mud everywhere.  I will take a photo of their suitcases and post it to show how bad everything got beat up and covered in mud.

Katie and I just returned from grocery shopping.  She wanted to go, but not by herself.  There is now food in their house, and I am fixing a ham at my house for dinner tonight. 

The two oldest kids mention an ache or pain every now and then, but that is all.  Sean and Katie took the brunt of getting beat around in the car, and Katie’s glasses were the culprit in the facial cuts.  The air bags did not go off because the car never hit anything with its front bumper – no sensors in the roof I guess.

We are all still so thankful for their safety, and for the concern of so many friends.