Thank You for the salt in the wound!!!!!!!
@BearArtistLady (5382)
United States
December 7, 2017 1:07pm CST
As some of you know, my home, possessions, and most important my furry children (animals) were destroyed in a fire on October second of this year. It was caused by our local power company. I've been on an emotional roller coaster ever since.
Today looked like it was going to be a good day for a change. I slept in for once. And even though each step was a new experience in pain I was still in a pretty good mood. We (Bill and I) had gone shopping last night. I had gotten some replacement sewing stuff. Thread, buttons, even a pair of scissors that were made in Germany that are perfect for making miniature teddy bears. I had received a box in the mail from my favorite bead company that had their latest master catalog in it. The day was looking really good!
Bill greeted me with a cheery "Good morning" and after I replied with the same greeting he informed me that the power just came back on. Without thinking I replied "I wonder whose house they're going to burn down this time?" My mood was still pretty good until the power company called to tell us the power was back on and that if we were experiencing a hazardous situation to either call them or call 911. It brought back the vivid images of all the fire engines, police cars, policemen and firemen surrounding the flaming rubble of what was once my home. The place that I gave sanctuary to to nine abused cats and one dog. The place where I worked patiently to gain the love and trust of these animals, only to have it destroyed by one spark from one uncaring corporation.
I'm sitting here trying NOT to cry without much luck. I would love another home filled with crazy critters that love me as much as I love them, but I couldn't leave the lot without worrying about their safety! I couldn't leave the lot without worrying about.....
Gee, thanks power company! It was going to be a good day.
5 people like this
7 responses
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
7 Dec 17
I had not heard about this incident @BearArtistLady and I am devastated. I am so sorry you lost everything including your furbabies. I would SUE that electric company in a heartbeat.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
8 Dec 17
@BearArtistLady 
I sure hope it all works out for you.
I sure hope it all works out for you.1 person likes this
@BearArtistLady (5382)
• United States
7 Dec 17
After I came out of the state of shock I went into at the scene of the fire I contacted an attorney to set the wheels in motion for the suit. I want my life back! I want my house, my studio, my fur babies, my car....the list is SO long but the house, fur babies, and car are the most important! Hopefully it won't take ages and ages for things to get resolved.
1 person likes this
@BearArtistLady (5382)
• United States
8 Dec 17
@nanette64 I'm hoping the same thing. Otherwise I'll be living in a tent on my lot. I guess it could be worse...it could be the dog house for my mini dachshund, C.D. who passed in the fire. I think one of my over sized feet might fit in the house.. but than again probably not!
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
9 Dec 17
This is trauma..you are traumatized Toni. Just one thing can trigger it all off. It is going to be some very hard work to avoid all triggers..believe me I know..
Dang that no good power company anyway.
Dang that no good power company anyway.1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
10 Dec 17
@BearArtistLady Oh they will now that you have developed PTSD..I suffer from it too, so that is why it is so easily understood by me...I am so sorry you have this affliction now to deal with, but once you know you have it and you begin to recognize what triggers it, you can somehow deal a bit better..it doesnt go away, just talking to someone helps though.
1 person likes this
@BearArtistLady (5382)
• United States
10 Dec 17
@TiarasOceanView Watch for a message from me a little later. I am currently working on a miniature rabbit and am hoping to finish him shortly. I have a question for you that I don't want everyone to have access to.
1 person likes this
@BearArtistLady (5382)
• United States
9 Dec 17
You're so right!!! When I spoke to the lady from Red Cross I thought she was a bit off when she told me I was suffering from PTSD. I thought that was for people that served in the military in battle zones. I realized last Wednesday when I was working at the antique shop that it was true. I froze when I heard the sirens from the fire engines and when the trucks went racing by I had the worst time keeping myself from chasing after them to make sure they weren't headed towards my place. You're the first to put a title to my problem and understand the basis for it. Bill, my Boyfriend, doesn't understand the situation totally and the cause of the trauma.
I just hope that the attorneys will be able to get somewhere with the lawsuit.
1 person likes this
@BearArtistLady (5382)
• United States
12 Dec 17
I'm spoiling the little brat because I realize how much we really need each other. I just found him a warm comfy blanket to curl up in on these cold nights. He loves it already! I peeked out the endow and he was curled up in his box in the morning sun snoozing away. I can get aggravated with him but I still love that bundle of fur!
@Morleyhunt (21737)
• Canada
7 Dec 17
Fire can be tragic. How was the utility responsible for your fire?
1 person likes this
@BearArtistLady (5382)
• United States
7 Dec 17
They are responsible because of equipment failure. In the report from the fire department it states that the power company's wires were arcing and shooting major sparks all over the area, including my house. From what the neighbors said (they all came to fight the fire while they waited for the fire department to arrive. The fire department was about an hour away fighting another fire.) the "sparks" would rival the ones from the fireworks at Disneyland's closing fireworks display. The sparks were massive and there were a LOT of them.
@Morleyhunt (21737)
• Canada
7 Dec 17
@BearArtistLady thank you for explaining. I see many people making wild and groundless accusations.. I am so sorry this happened to you.
1 person likes this
@BearArtistLady (5382)
• United States
8 Dec 17
@Morleyhunt It's the people who are making the wild and groundless accusations or inflate the value of their loss that make it so hard for people like me who only want reimbursement for their actual loss. I just want my home, some furniture, fur babies, and car back. I'm not in it to get "RICH", I just want some sort of life back. I want to get up in the morning and not cry my way through the day. I just want a few pairs of clear blue eyes staring at me when I eat...those blue Reyes belonging to Siamese fiends. And also have a small hairy four legged bone chewing barking tail wagging dog at my side. I don't need tons of money or things, I just need my " basics".
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
7 Dec 17
So sorry , but that was a huge thing to have to go through and it's normal to feel sad. I know nothing will every make it go away, but is there anything that can be done? Will they pay you back for the loss?
1 person likes this
@BearArtistLady (5382)
• United States
7 Dec 17
I hired an attorney and I am going through the process of filing suit against the company. Of course they'll deny causing the fire and we'll have a long drawn out process from there. That's why there's attorneys. What's great is I keep finding evidence in my favor. It's just all the pain in between.
@Hannihar (129482)
• Israel
8 Dec 17
Toni, I am so so sorry. I do not remember reading something here about what happened. I would be very angry too. After reading this I am crying for you. So so sad to have rescued them and a spark or fired destroyed their lives and yours too. I am glad you are able to come back but I am sure it will way on you mind for a very long time. My condolences to you. I wish I could give you a hug, but, I am far away so I will just say hugs from me.
