sj - it's one of the dangers of hanging around with Buffistas (I knew I belonged here when I was walking by a couple of co-workers who were discussing the Hershey spa and, after one mentioned the chocolate mud bath, the other asked why someone would want to do that and I automatically responded they could have someone lick it off)

Saw an article at the Mercury News about a terrible fire at an unoccupied home in the Oakland hills. I think I've seen pictures of JZ's dad's house. It seems even sadder to know this is newsworthy.

Days of bad air at my house. My lungs feel like they are lined with cement. Carrying groceries into the house yesterday got me so winded I scared DH with my gasping for breath.

My mom saw that story, too, although she didn't realize whose house it was until I mentioned it (she'd found a print copy of the obituary, so she did know something of JZ's travails this year)

The air actually seems better today here, although that is a relative thing.

I feel like HoYay is a valid litcrit thing - although not the preferred term, probably

sigh ... I heard something on the news about a woman whose house had burned down while she was evacuated; the first she heard of it was when a reporter contacted her to ask how she felt about it.

Oh, that's awful.

We just got informed that we *are* having the outlet sale this year. I am shocked. They aren't requiring everybody to work 2 shifts, at least, and they outlined extensive safety measures but it still seems like a bad idea to me.

This year ... the Cuyahoga is on fire (last time was 1969).

well, maybe a new Burning River Ale?

Timelies all!

Got up at stupid o'clock for a 7 am dentist appointment, then went to work. Tired as usual.

Well, I've seen the house. It's shocking to see a place you know so well destroyed by fire. The kitchen, the living room, the dining room all charred beyond recognition, with fire retardant foam covering the floor and the charred ceiling open to the sky.

All the Thanksgivings and Christmases we spent there.

My poor brother-in-law, Chris, was feeling so close to the finish line on selling the house and the business. They were going to put the house on the market in September and expected it to move quickly.

They will probably take the most expedient route with the house, which means putting in a new roof and stripping the interior down to the studs and selling it to a contractor to fix and flip.

Between the insurance (which is comprehensive and deep) and the overall value of the property lot and its size and location, they'll make about the same money they would have anyway. So not a financial hit, but a huge hassle, delay and, of course, all the irreplaceable things lost. I guess that's why he paid for the good insurance.

So sad

I'm really glad JZ has been posting pictures of at least some of her finds to FB as she was sorting

What -t said, David. What an awful, awful year for her.