I want Barb in charge of any evacuation situations I might find myself in.

The problem I had with State Farm is that they are agent-centric.

I had renter's insurance (on this place), years ago, through State Farm and had a LOT of trouble with the agent. He made a bunch of mistakes and was really difficult to reach. I knew something was wrong when I got a super-bad, scary vibe off of him. Before long, though the company would not go into detail, it came to pass that he was no longer a State Farm agent due to some criminal activity. I was glad to be shut of him and never blamed State Farm for his behavior...but when it became financial difficult to maintain the policy, it wasn't hard to let go.

Which is why I'm even more appreciative of Vortex's recommendation.

In an emergency evacuation situation, assuming Pete didn't need my help, I would grab 1)cats 2)Clovis 3)purse.

Huh, I don't have a plan that involves important papers, and boy do we have some papers that would be necessary. Not that I'd have a chance to do anything, Hubby would probably be throwing me out a window in an evacuation setting.

Connie, maybe invest in a fireproof safe in which to keep those papers?

I ought to do the same, come to think of it.

Lewis said I kind of scared him, how efficiently I managed to execute the plan.

When stuff hits the fan at work, I often get stunned or awed looks, to which I respond, "You didn't know a big girl like me could move that fast, didja?"

I had auto through State Farm for a few years, but Geico was cheaper when I got my new car. Haven't had issues with either.

I've decided that, while cheaper can be good, I value knowing that I have excellent coverage and will be taken care of, should I ever need.

I chose State Farm because 1. I know the company is a good one, if you have an even decent agent and 2. I really liked this agent when I talked to her. I did chose her over other State Farm agents.

And, wow, was I ever glad when I was in an accident because she was amazing. Plus they always call if I've missed any notices. Me and mail, man...

Connie, maybe invest in a fireproof safe in which to keep those papers?

Hm, we inherited his mother's safe, sounds like a plan.

Knowing that TC would hide and die rather than come out to be rescued by any stranger, I had the softsided carrier ready at all times. First priority was grabbing him before he could hide and stuffing him in it. Then with the carrier on my hip, check on other adult people, grab the purse if it's handy, and out.

DS doesn't have to be instructed, he'd do the same.

Punkin, on the other hand, never met a stranger, so he'd be fine. He's also familiar with the outdoors, so if no one has time to stuff him in a carrier, he'll do fine outdoors till we can catch him. Dump TC outdoors without a container and we'd never see him again. His panic is such he wouldn't recognize us; he'd hide, then flee. So container it is, if nothing better than a pillowcase.

Bartleby has a crazy capacity for doing exactly what I need him to do in every emergency situation we have ever been in. Usually, it is me tearing down the street to take care of an accident victim, or me rescuing a baby bird (insert: crow, mouse, cat, dog). Every single time, he goes down where I tell him to and doesn't move until I can focus on him again.

A couple of years ago, I downed him at a dead run to take care of an old lady who had jumped the curb and crashed into an iron fence. I didn't even think about him (which is bad). About a half hour later, as we were walking home, an older woman came tearing down the street saying "I HAVE to compliment on your dog. I watched him the whole time you were working on that woman and he never took his eyes off you and never flinched. That's impressive." I was massively chuffed.

Today, he soaked up my anxiety and was pretty freaked by me, but he behaved ever minute...even with the smoke and the very loud (multiple) trucks.

Sigh. I am, indeed, blessed.