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- On Saturday, July 26th, my house burned down. Then my cat got super sick. Then I got fired. Then the neighbor whose couch I was crashing on and never met before the fire, spent 3 days screaming at me that God set the fire because he can’t forgive me for my sins and I’m definitely going to Hell. The Red Cross gave me a debit card and the girl at the bank that issued it said the atm card from my bank wasn’t sufficient id to draw funds. She didn’t care that my house burned down. I had a freak out and had to get my therapist to come on an emergency with the mobile unit. And this is after I lost my poor daddy a year ago then got ecoli last spring and spent a week in the hospital. And that’s just this year! Details about fire below.
On the day, I was making crafts to sell at my first show when the a/c shut off. I assumed it was a rolling blackout from the heat, so I flipped the circuit breakers. It went off again. This time I knew something was wrong with the A/C. I pressed the off button and turned on the new A/C across the room. Then I heard a pop from the outlet the old A/C was plugged into. Seconds later, I smelled smoke, then saw smoke, then saw fire; a large flame coming from the outlet. I threw a blanket on it, which just landed on the shelf above. Then I grabbed my phone and ran outside. My cat was in his jungle gym on the outside patio. I grabbed him and ran a couple houses down and called 911. During the short call, I saw the flame grow until I could see it through the window. Then it moved across the living room, then the kitchen. I said, “Omg it’s a total loss!” while still on the phone. A police officer arrived first. The fire department came in about 10 minutes. It was far too late by then, of course, but they had the fire out as quickly as they could. The living, dining, and kitchen areas were toast. Half of the hallway and part of my roommate’s room were burned but not torched. My bedroom was smoked but not burned. The metal siding kept the fire inside the structure, and my one car just got a cracked windshield and both were covered in ash and soot.
Three days later, I got fired from my job—technically laid off, but it was personal. And yes, they knew my house had just burned down. When I quietly said, “So you’re releasing the person who needs the money the most,” my two bosses cracked up laughing in my face.
My poor foster kitty began coughing the first night and didn’t urinate at all the first day or two. He’s on the mend now with the help of his rescue people. I need a job, a place to live, basic necessities, and a shred of sanity.
It’s too crazy hard to live these days even without all that loss. We’re all struggling, so I don’t expect anything. But a few wonderful friends said I should start a GoFundMe, so here it is. Any and every penny will help, but I am most thankful for my friends and well wishes. Thank you all for being in my life.