Permanent Magenta was over this morning and we were happily sitting on my bed exchanging gifts. My gift to her was an incomplete poncho made out of fuchsia Donegal Tweed. I smelled faint smoke but thought nothing of it, even with the sound of the fire alarm going off next door (must be their timer.) Then sirens. "Poor chumps," I thought...having a fire on Christmas. And the BANG BANG BANG and the "fire brigade" as Husband calls them, burst on in...THERE'S A FIRE - GET OUT!! Are you having deja vu?
What do I do, again? Right. Laptop into purse. I was tempted to grab the jumbo bottle of Baileys in our bedroom which we'd enjoyed while wrapping gifts last night. Permanent Magenta raced down the stairs to help out with the kiddos. We were all still in pjs which is always fun when it's snowing out. (We'd made the little snow heart above earlier.) The kids were sobbing terribly, with memories of the previous fire close in their mind, and the people whose house we go to when our landlords have a fire (this is their third) were gone for Christmas.
We all sat down on the curb like we usually do, but when the firemen got on the roof with the axe and more fire engines arrived the crying increased into howling and other neighbors took us in. The neighbor husband was hobbling from a recent vasectomy. If I'd just had a vasectomy I'd have run for the hills rather than host two hysterical kids and their blank looking mom in weird rainboots. Thanks, Dave - you're our hero, as are you, Jen my new-found Etsy/Pinterest friend! There is no damage to our side but nobody wants to make Christmas dinner anymore. I want sushi in bed with a book and Husband wants a real meal around the table to materialize from a fairy godmother. I think we might serve the breakfast leftovers Junior brought us at 430am which were also last night's dinner leftovers (shown above). With plenty of wine, it'll be just great. Merry Christmas, all!
I am worried about all of you. THREE fires??? Are you sure you can't decide on a house? Couldn't that tudor be brightened up? Or what about the sunny 1700's house? Could you combine some of the small rooms? I am quite sure you found a way to make the day fun for the kids. Still, noone should have to spend Christmas like that. Please tell me if there is something I can do.
Posted by: rainydaymuse | December 26, 2011 at 05:20 AM
i'm glad that everyone is okay. let's make plans to have a big catch-up lunch + cookie session with P.M. soon!
xo
elyse
Posted by: elyse | December 26, 2011 at 07:14 PM
gawd... i can't take this anymore. i am worried for you all living in this house. especially after that awful fire in new york on xmas. move, already! k?
Posted by: pigtown*design | December 28, 2011 at 02:39 PM
really!? i just read (been MIA from blogs for a while)... fires?! i';m so sorry to hear about it. i'm glad you have all got each other and that hubby was with you! heart goes out to you. xxox
their THIRD fire!? something needs be done?
Posted by: audrey | December 28, 2011 at 06:38 PM
Thanks, guys. We are worried, too, and are REALLY REALLY looking for a place.
Posted by: Pink mohair | December 29, 2011 at 10:07 AM