I Almost Burned Down My House Today

It's true. I would have, too, if not for the divine intervention of angels in heaven and Wally next door. Today is a day I have to be very grateful for the big everyday miracles, not just the little ones.

My intentions were good- put on some black beans and let them soak while I go do some family history research. They only needed to boil for a couple of minutes and then soak,, unheated, while I was gone. When I got home, I would finish cooking them and they'd be all ready for black bean quesadillas for dinner tonight. Why not use some of the beans I so diligently canned earlier? I'm asking myself that same question right about now, but at the time I was thinking I'd save the canned beans for the summer when I don't want to cook them. Thinking ahead. Just not thinking right now.

The trouble started, as it usually does, when I turned on the stove and left the kitchen to go change the laundry. (It's the laundry's fault.) By the time I changed it, gathered everything I needed, and got my coat on I had completely forgotten about the beans. I did look back at the dining room table as I left the house and thought, "Flylady would do her dishes before she left." I answered back, "I only have three hours, I can wash the dishes after I get home." Too bad I didn't listen. I would have seen the beans. Let this be a lesson- never leave the house with your breakfast dishes undone. You'll regret it- especially after the police and fire fighters and your neighbor have been over for a little visit. The beans continued to boil merrily on their way for the next hour or so, on high, until there was no more water left in the pan. Then, they proceeded to turn into charcoal, let off a bunch of black smoke, and I think pretty much ruin the pan I make hot fudge sauce in. (Yes, I am sad.) But, they did NOT burst into flame and consume my kitchen. (Yes, I am thrilled!)

Meanwhile, back at the family history center- I'm happily scrolling away on a computer. I had tried to stop in to see Greg on my way in. A little thought said to let him know I was DOWN THE HALL! Yes, if there weren't walls, I could have seen his office from the FHC. He was at a meeting and the door was locked, so I went back to the FHC. The beautiful, or not, thing about the library is that cell phones (or at least ours) don't work on the first or second floors because they are underground. So, I couldn't call Greg and leave a message on his phone at work and my neighbor couldn't get hold of me sometime after 11:00 when the alarm company called them to say our fire alarm was going off. She tried a couple of times and also tried Greg. I was blissfully unaware. They must have called the University Police, too, because Greg had missed calls from them on his cell and work phones. Greg was in a meeting and ignorinng all the times his cell phone kept vibrating. When he got back to his office and saw that he'd missed 5 calls, he thought it might be a good idea to check some of the voicemails he'd received on his cell phone.

By then it was after 12:00. Wally, not being able to get hold of either of us at 11:20, ran around the house when he could see smoke through the windows. He found a certain window unlocked (having a talk with said certain child this afternoon), slid it open, ran up the stairs (after almost killing himself to get through the wonderfully cleaned- not- room), turned off the stove, put the charred beans outside, and opened all the windows. He was there to greet the police and firefighters. The firefighters were later than they'd have liked because they were across town doing some training. Thanks to Wally, there was nothing for them to do, so they left.

Greg got home around 12:30-ish. He checked my google calendar which told him I was at the temple. Fooled him, I did! I was down the hall from his office! I continued to blissfully search away, not once even remotely thinking about the beans, until 1:15. I managed to find several names I didn't have before, so that was fun. I stopped at Gregs' office again on my way out to the car and wondered how many meetings he could possibly have on a Friday. When I finally reached the main doors, my cell phone vibrated to let me know I had a couple of messages. They were from Jill, Wally's wife, letting me know that the alarm company called. I called Wally to find out what was up and he told me the fun story. I then spoke with Greg and apologized.

I stopped at school to get the kids, today being early out, dropped off the neighbor kids, and picked up the carpet cleaner from a friend that had borrowed it, since there's a good chance I'll need it to help with the smell. Greg was still home when we got here. Do you know what he did? He smiled, gave me a big hug and told me he loved me. He's the best. I'm glad somebody did because I was doing a pretty good job of feeling stupid by then.

So, good thing it's sunny and relatively warm (mid 50's right now). We have all the doors and windows open and a big fan (from Wally) helping to blow the smell out. I tried some Febreeze, but I think the smell combination isn't the best. Both Erica and Spencer walked in the door from school and asked why the house stinks like cigarettes. As soon as I'm done here I'm going to make something yummy (like applesauce cake, definitely not anything with black beans) and then take it over to Wally. Hopefully baking will help counteract the smell.

The scriptures say we should be grateful in all things and I can honestly say that in this case I am. Yes, my house smells like a smoker's lounge, but I am SO grateful I have a house to be in. Yes, it's chilly in here, but at least it's not 1000's of degrees in here with flames licking at what's left. It also could be freezing or blizzarding and then what would we do? Yes, I feel really foolish, but I'm so grateful for a husband who can see past my huge blunder, not be angry or rub it in, and love me just the same. Those beans didn't catch fire, Wally was home, and the alarm company called Wally and sent help. Were we watched over? I think so. And for that big everyday miracle I am extremely grateful.