Sad Day

My childhood home is no more.

Yesterday morning my dad and Carol heard noises coming from an upstairs bedroom. Upon investigating they discovered that there were flames coming from the wall near the chimney. They called the fire department and tried a fire extinguisher. The volunteer fire department arrived and was able to get the fire out after it had severely damaged two upstairs bedrooms and did considerable smoke and water damage to the rooms below. Everyone got out safely, thankfully.

Fortunately my dad has a trailer on the same property that he rents out which is currently vacant, so they have somewhere to stay while they cleanup.

Unfortunately the story doesn't end there. This morning they awoke to find that there was another fire (there must have been something smoldering in the wall) and by the time they got to it there was nothing to be done.

This house has a lot of history and memories and it is sad to think that it will no longer be there when I go to visit. The home was built in the 1920's on the farm that my grandfather purchased in the 1950's.

I am just grateful that everyone is safe.

http://www.kxly.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?ClipID1=3610386&h1=Fire%20strikes%20Sagle%20couple%27s%20home%20twice&vt1=v&at1=News&d1=148767&LaunchPageAdTag=News&activePane=info&rnd=6233654

http://www.bonnercountydailybee.com/articles/2009/03/31/news/doc49d1c181a500c991523108.txt

The house two years ago

Goldie and Con

Yesterday was a big day for the Vernon family. There are now two more hearts beating under the roof of our home. Several months ago I made a deal with Nicole, Nolan and Parker. The deal was that when Nolan and Parker were potty trained that we would get a pet. We discussed what kind of pet they would want and I was very relieved when they settled on a fish. I know, big commitment, but I am not ready to deal with litter boxes, pet hair, or poop in the back yard, I mean the whole point to this deal was for me to not have to change dirty diapers. Well I am happy to say that Nolan is now pretty independent when it comes to going to the bathroom and I have to say this was no small task. Parker is not quite there but we decided to let Nolan and Nicole pick out there fish right now. Parker will be rewarded accordingly when he makes the transition. The fish have been named Goldie and Con (as in convict, it is orange and white striped).

Nicole quietly watches the fish. She has been in this position ever since the fish came home.