Trimleston House Fire — Day 2

My email to Granny.

Grant took some pictures of the damage inside the house with his phone and sent them to me...and asked me not to distribute. I am not "publishing" this, but want to have it as a record of what is going on.

I'm sure it is fine to send them to Randy. I'm not sure if it is because of insurance stuff or what, but we just don't want them getting out or being openly talked about.

Thanks...love you and am thankful for our chat today. I talked to my mom and dad this evening. My dad sounds as good as can be expected and my mom sounds good, but very tired. Neither of them slept last night. I think I probably got the most sleep of anyone in our immediate family at about 4 hours.

Dad said that the smell is the most overwhelming part. EVERYTHING reeks. Even both cars smell like smoke when the air conditioner is turned on. I think my mom really wants the house leveled to just start over because otherwise they will likely be fighting the smell for years...even with everything new. My dad had to get a new phone cover because even though his phone was in his pocket the whole time and he was obviously not in the middle of all the smoke, it smelled every time he put it near his face to talk.

They are going to get dinner somewhere tonight and go buy toiletries....they have nothing. They are staying at a Candlewood Suites through the weekend and then they will be at the VIP Suite at the Georgia Club through the end of the month (except next Saturday when a bride has it reserved). Then they are hoping to get a 6 month lease at a property within the Georgia Club. Grant told me my mom was wearing a "corvette" tshirt that their neighbor Linda gave her and my dad was in pocketless shorts because they have no clothes. The fabric people were already there to evaluate the clothing and very little is even being attempted to be saved. Among the things that they will try to save are my wedding dress, my mom's wedding dress and all the guys's letterman jackets from high school. I assume my mom's and my old cheerleading uniforms too, but she did not mention those specifically. Mom said unless it is 100% cotton it is almost impossible to get the smell out (according to the fabric people). I'm hoping that some of your cross-stitches, especially those that were under glass were not damaged too severely...and the ones that were not covered in glass, perhaps they can be cleaned and even under glass if the smell is unable to be removed.

The grandfather clock is still ticking.

The little red push car from the basement was not completely melted. It was near some of Odie's paintings, so although not likely, maybe some of those are okay....again, maybe just need to be framed under glass...not sure if that would work or not.

It got so hot, even upstairs where the fire never reached that all of the plastic lightswitch covers melted. The whole house appears very dark because every window is blackened from soot and smoke.

Some things can definitely be saved, but it will be a challenge to get the smell out of everything....period. My mom asked me to start making a list of everything I could remember that was in the den and in the basement that was completely destroyed for proof. I will have to look through pictures and go off of memory. Of course mine is probably one of the freshest, since I was just there. The structural engineers will be there in the morning around 9:30 and then the "contents" guy with the insurance company will be there at 10:00. Someone even told mom to inventory the contents of the refrigerator (milk: $2.69, etc.) to list out as a loss.....that is a bit overwhelming to say the least. She also asked me to try to remember everything in the pantry as well...so I've got to put my not-so-photographic memory to work!

The Apple Store gave my mom a loaner computer for 2 days because when they bought the iPad and MacMini on August 11, 2011 they got the "peach plan" and that was part of it apparently. Georgia is tax free tomorrow and Saturday, so they will get their new computer in the next 2 days. They also went to Belk's (department store) to get some clothes. Mom said she spent about $100 and my dad spent about $200. My frugal mother couldn't justify paying $40 for shoes that she didn't LOVE...even though she currently has no shoes. I think she got some....but not the $40 ones. I wish I was there to be her personal shopper. I guess I will just have to attempt to do it from afar....it just isn't the same.

Ok, I think that is all for now. LOVE YOU!