So today started off like any other day... I'm pregnant and I'm tired. I was avoiding doing anything b/c I'm just so tired. At 2:30 Jake, Kandee and Tiffany came over as they always do after school and let themselves in. We talked for awhile and then Tiffany convinced Jake and Kandee to walk back to the school with her to get some forgotten homework.
After they left I was working on some choreography for a ballet class. As I'm standing there facing the mirrors I notice black scorch marks on the white paneling under the mirrors. I get down on my hands and knees, peel back the trim and feel steam with my hands. And I smell smoke. (This is where being pregnant helped out)
I "she-hulk" the stack of boxes from in front of the basement door, unlock the little bolt and fling open the door to see the basement full of smoke. I. Freak. Out. I run upstairs screaming shrilly "HONEY, THE BASEMENT'S ON FIRE!" I only got to the landing before he heard me. I run back downstairs and dial 911. By this time I'm panting. She answers and she's like "911 what's your emergency?" I'm like "there's.... smoke.... in.... the..... basement.......I think it's on fire". So she asks me the address and the city (called on my cell phone). Mark called dad. Dad instructed Mark to take a crescent wrench and turn off the gas.
It seemed like forever, but they came: 5 firetrucks from 3 villages and one ambulance. Of course the emt that came was an ex dance mom who owed me money. Should have asked her to write me a check. Meanwhile Jake, Kandee and Tiffany came back. I instructed them to sit outside against the building and stay out of the way. A little while later my MIL Sandy pulled up with Preston and Jacque (who was hysertically in tears at the site of all the lights and sirens at her house). I told Sandy everything was okay and the kids sat down against the building with the other 'kids'. Pretty soon Chelsea is stopped at the light and waves Jake over to get the scoop. She was on her way to get Evy from preschool 4 blocks away. Jake told her the situation and Chels (thank God) prepared Evy for the 'exitement' by telling her in an excited voice "there's a bunch firetrucks at YOUR house, wanna go see? It'll be fun!"
Anyhow, they decided it was something wrong with the boiler, which makes sense, b/c when I turned the thermostat up when I got there today I never heard the steam screaming from the radiators. So I turned it up. Oops. Nonetheless, I don't have any heat, dryer, or stove until it gets fixed. And someone broke a brass fitting on the boiler during the whole maddening process. Need I remind you that the person who is supposed to be fixing it was supposed to be getting a fitting for my radiator for the kitchen. It's been 4 years. It's a balmy 62 degrees in here right now. Thank God for electric heaters and the electric skillet and electric water heater. Otherwise I'd be at Comfort Inn in the swimming pool right now. Okay, so that's kind of a bummer.
At any rate, I am thankful that God spared my building where I live and work. Thank you, God for putting it all into perspective for me. I appreciate a reality check every now and then.