ONE Hour

Have you ever wondered what you would do or what you would pack if you had only ONE Hour to evacuate your home?  Today we had to answer that question.  It was an eye-opening experience. 

This evening as I am typing to you, I am watching thick, dark smoke billowing from less than a half mile away ….

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This morning Doc was getting ready to leave for school he said, “The sky is getting really orange out there.  Do you think that could be a fire?”  I looked out and replied, “Yes, I’d say perhaps a 99% chance of that!”

We watched the TV coverage of the Etiwanda Fire as it grew … Doc said, “If we had to evacuate with the dogs, where would we go?”  Within 60 seconds our phone rang.  It was some dear friends of ours, the Zells, who live 3-4 miles away offering for us to bring the dogs and take shelter at their house.  Talk about manifesting!

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Doc was not sure if he should go to school and teach today or not.  I encouraged him to go saying that fire was several miles away. But just in case I did need to evacuate, what would be important to him?  We quickly walked through each room noting key items.  We had some good laughs when both of us said we would pack Solar Car team Posters, the Australian boomerang award, and other solar car stuff!  LOL

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Doc left for school just before Noon.  At noon, a Sheriff drove down the street with a bullhorn saying there was a Mandatory Evacuation!  I began packing and loading my pickup truck, Pippy.  Dogs, documents, computer, overnight bags, and the precious solar car posters and awards!  :-)

Within one hour I was ready to depart.  Just before leaving, I stood in the Grand Room and asked the Angels to watch over the Penny Palace.  Very much as I did back on December 1, 2011, Day #1077 of Penny Tales.

After dropping off the load of things at the Zells, I returned to the neighborhood to see if anyone else needed assistance.  Most of the neighbors said they were staying until forced to leave.

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The mandatory evacuation was lifted at 5:30 p.m., so I retrieved the dogs and some of our gear (such as this desktop computer). On the way to fetch the dogs, I told the Angels they needed to quickly provide today’s coin.  (It is now Day #319 of this consecutive streak). There were no cars at the drive through for one of the fast food diners, so I parked Pippy and ran through there.  Got my penny for today!  Thanks Angels.  The car wash was closed due to the fire, so I couldn’t resist just a quick look around there.  Found 20 Pennies, two Nickels, and two dimes.  (At least I think that’s what they are.  They are dirt-coated and need to be washed to verify that).  Wow!  That was quite a find.

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Question:  If you had ONE HOUR to pack up the precious things in your home, what would YOU take?  It sure makes you think ….

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This email was ready to send out to you when the house phone rang.  It was our neighbors at our Crestline Cabin (50 miles from here) asking if we were prepared to evacuate?  I said I was just getting home and all is well.  He said, “NO!  I’m talking about your cabin!”  That is the Matterhorn Fire! I called my other neighbor there.  She said they were ready to leave at a moment’s notice.  Three houses on the block had already burned down, there were injuries, there area 7 engines on the street and dozens of firefighters working the area.  She asked if I needed her to use the house key and get anything of value out of there.

LOL - Earlier today Doc said if we needed to evacuate, we could always go stay at the cabin!

What are the odds that BOTH our houses would need to be evacuated due to fires on the same day?!  Life is full of surprises.