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If the Bird can do it, So can we... |
There certainly are a number of things you are supposed to do after a fire consumes everything you own. I simply do not know what those things are...
And who would? Unless this has happened to you before. And you have not forgotten all of the steps and procedures you had to take to make things right again. It's kind of like setting up your new computer when you don't work at some tech store. After 4-5 years, all of the processes you did to make your old computer work are long forgotten. ( I know this, because I just spent three days setting up this new computer! Forgotten passwords, set ups, apps, preferences... etc.)
So for me... I can only start small. First, attempt to recover anything you can from the burned-out hulk. Mostly clothing that was flooded from the fire department. I was lucky! Dave lost ALL of his clothes! And although my clothes were spared from the flame, they were fully saturated with that terrible smoke smell. Even the ones inside the dressers! So for a good portion of the day on Wednesday, I worked on doing Laundry.
There is a funny thing about Laundry. I find the folding part a rather "Zen-like" experience. And since I was only there to get the smell out, I did not hesitate on dumping in as much detergent as possible. As a result, I think my clothes have never looked better! ( It could have simply been the lighting in the laundromat.)
Regardless, They still smelled like smoke... a little. But not nearly as bad as they did before. So I deem that a success. I'm still having my suit and blazers done by the dry-cleaners. Even they said it might be impossible to get all of the smell out, but dry-cleaning is a rather smelly process as it is. I'm sure thy will do the best that they can.
Plus! I was able to get all of my clothes organized and tightly folded so they all fit inside my car. Rolling things up was a nostalgic trip back to the Army days. When I was forced to live out of an A-bag for months on end. I did it then so there should be no reason I can't do it again.
By the way... The interview with Zebra went well. Paul and I go all the way back to
the beginning of the GXO days at that warehouse. So he said it was
merely a formality for me. He says I should expect a welcome E-mail on
Tuesday and from there we begin the onboard process. It still could
take a few weeks! But at least the ball is rolling...
A good Friend offered a place for me to stay for a few days while Dave and I hatch our next plan for shelter. I think it is a little easier that we split up at this moment, since most people probably can take one person, but not two. ( I can hardly imagine what happens when a family of four or more have to go through a disaster like this...) It also probably helps us focus on our own small section with autonomy. But what do I know? It's just a thought.
To help be less of a burden for the person who was kind enough to take me in, I have offered to walk her dog while she is at work, Ladybird and I have been doing laps around the apartment complex and enjoying the great outdoors as much as the weather will allow. ( it did rain yesterday...)
But after a dozen or so laps around the buildings, I thought Lady would want a little more adventure and exploration today.
So... We went Mushroom Hunting!
Honestly, I should take her with me more often! We found a full sack of Oysters and a couple of Fawn Mushrooms. There were also several clusters of Ink Caps ( Non-edible... Sometimes.)
No reason to pick those last two when I have a full bag of Oysters to bring home. Perhaps we can have some tonight...
Other than that, I now feel the hardest part is the waiting. Waiting for the insurance to kick in, the job to call back, the apartment to be applied for AFTER you get the income squared away. There is an order and a process to everything. And Murphy's Law dictates that the time between processes with always take longer than expected.
So buckle up! It's going to be a long, bumpy ride.
But there are lessons that the Army and Life have taught me. Be patient. Be understanding. Be flexible. And Trust that God knows what he is doing. ( And it never hurts to pray a little for all of the above...) Because, after any disaster where Survival was the hard part. Anything that follows should be easy by comparison. No matter how long it takes. Because, at the very least, you now have more life to complete things. And every second counts.