David and I had decided on a very low key valentine's day this year, and by that I mean, he was going to go to work, we were not going to exchange gifts (I have pictures to buy!) and I had planned on doing nothing all day because I was prepared to have a hangover from Friday night. Funny how things never work out the way you plan. I was going to cook some lunch so David would have food to take to work with him. Well, I needed some vegetable oil and since I had lent mine out the night before, I asked David to go ask one of the neighbors for some. He got some from our neighbor Cindy and gave it to Ryleigh to bring back in. I proceeded to pour some in the pot and put the heat on high because I had already cut up the pork chops. Before I had a chance to put the meat in however, David came in telling me that Cindy is going to have to put her dog Jake down because he has a tumor in his leg and there is nothing else that can be done. Anyone that is a dog lover and/or has lost a pet knows how devastating this is and it made me really upset. David suggested that I should go say bye to Jake and see Cindy, so I did. You probably know where this is leading...I COMPLETELY forgot that I had grease in the pot on the stove. Ryleigh and I walked next door and we were there for probably 5 - 10 minutes. We had gone out of the front door and left it open, luckily, and as soon as we came around the corner all I saw was a rolling cloud of black smoke pouring out of my house. I immediately started running and screaming for David and when I turned into the kitchen, all I could see of the top of the stove were flames. The flames had completely engulfed the microwave and cabinets and were shooting up to the ceiling. My heart completely stopped, I just knew I was about to lose my house. I grabbed the kids and threw them outside and then came back in. By this point, which felt like a lifetime but was probably 30 seconds, the smoke was already starting to descend to eye level. David grabbed the pot and ran and threw it out on the back porch but the few knick knacks that were on top of the cabinets had also caught fire so he had to come back and put those out. We ended up with soot, water and plastic particles everywhere but at least we still have a home. I am so happy and lucky to be able to write this and say that everyone in our family is ok and that is the most important thing. I still am in complete shock and keep thinking that it is a bad nightmare that really didn't happen but everytime I walk into the kitchen the proof is staring at me and anytime I walk into the house I am greeted with the unpleasant smell of burnt plastic. I can't believe how heavy the smoke was after just a few minutes and how badly my lungs hurt afterwards. David ended up with a few burns on his arms but nothing worse than a cooking burn. I am glad that as scary as it was neither of us panicked and tried to pour water on it, although I am still not sure how either of us was capable of a rational thought at that moment. PLEASE PLEASE everyone invest in a fire extinguisher if you don't already have one, I know we will be. Of course noone ever thinks that something like this will happen to them, but it does and all it takes it one second of a distraction and then you are on a different path. My love to all and wishes for everyone's continued safety and health.
.JPG)
.JPG)
