The Gaines Gang

A week ago today our day started out like any other.

The kids got excited to see a heard of deer running through our backyard at breakfast, 14 in all.

They were all smiles as they dressed up and prepared for 50’s day at school.

We went about our normal TGIF routine and as I was patiently awaiting the arrival of Sonic Happy hour at my office my sister called.


Sister: Hey, are you at home?


Me: Ah…no, I’m still at the office.


Sister: Have you not been watching the news!


Me: Ah…no, I’m at the office!


Sister: There is a huge grass fire out by your house.


Me: Ah…whatever, they happen around her all the time.


Sister: Not this one!


Me: Ok, I’ll look out the window….OMG!


I hung up, grabbed my phone and bolted to my car. We only live about 8 miles from work so I could see the plumes of smoke off in the distance. But, as I got closer and turned off onto the main HWY that leads to our neighborhood, I burst into tears. I was not prepared to see what I saw…hundreds of fire trucks and men everywhere and thick smoke that burned my lungs as I sobbed away.


The puppy, oh the puppy…. We had just put his fence up but I left him locked in his crate. My pictures from the era before everything went digital. My Christmas ornaments….

You fail to take pictures of it all as you are frantic with fear and trying to plan out what needs to be done. We were blessed that we barely made it to our home before they closed the roads off. We ran around like made trying to pack as much as we could as the fast, smoke filled, wind swirled around outside. It is in this moment you realize just how little, in your home, has true meaning. I gathered up things the kids had drawn throughout their short little life. Original hand written cookbooks passed down to me. Cross-stitch pictures and blankets made with love by dear family members. Ryan grabbed autograph baseballs and his golf clubs! Clearly now I know what he loves the most, LOL!


With our last bag packed and the pup safe in the front seat they {police} finally came through saying it was a mandatory evacuation and we had to leave NOW!

Here is the view looking back as we drove away from our home at 3:00 in the afternoon…

I was calm, we were safe and whatever was to happen we could tackle. With God’s grace our home was spared and we were allowed to return later that evening. Here you can see the plumes of smoke from my office as the sun sets on a very long day.


Yes, our house smells like a meat smoke shop…but it’s still there. Many families were not so lucky and are struggling with having lost everything!


Grass fires are a scary thing up close and personal. When your town has not seen rain fall for months and months and a careless driver tosses their light cigarette at the window. People lives can change in a blink of an eye over one carless mistake.


So, with Spring Break being this week and us recovering from quite and eventful weekend I have neglected this little blog of mine.


But rest assured I plan on being back next week…my creative juices are full of so many projects and ideas that I want to share.


Have a blessed weekend!