First thing I did was grab the dog leashes & put them on the pups. BTW - Esa was at the back door ready to get out of there. Zed was still in bed - he came running down maybe about 20 seconds after I did.
We both ran around trying to figure out if there really was a fire. We didn't think there was because there was no reason for a fire - we keep everything unplugged if we are not using it and there wasn't a storm/lightening that might have caused it.
Then Dan did something out of habit - he pulled the smoke alarm by the kitchen. We have ALWAYS had issues with that smoke alarm. The builder install smoke alarm was ALWAYS going off - it was just too sensitive. About a year or so ago, we installed a "kitchen" smoke alarm and it seemed to fix the problem.
After a couple more screeching beeps, it stopped. Obviously, it had to be that right? (Timeline for all of this action - 10-15 minutes. Seriously.) Then we sat there wondering, should we call the fire department? (Timeline - another 10-15 minutes)
The alarms never went off again, so we assume that was the issue. The alarms would have gone off again if there really was a fire.
Which comes to one of projects I have been meaning to do FOREVER. A control log. I've been trying to find templates on Pinterest, but they are mostly for cleaning and a family schedule. I want something I would grab in case of an emergency or just so hubby knows what is what (especially since I oversee the finances & such). I have a book that lists a lot (mostly for estate planning) called All Together Now that helps with what I'm looking to include in the control log.
The next question - what to grab if there is a fire. That went running through my mind too last night. I have 2 hard drives that have all my digital pictures on it & another that has all of our files on it (ie taxes, scanned old bills, etc.). This list would also be something that would be in the control log.
Insurance companies say to have a house inventory. There's something that goes through your mind - would you be able to list EVERYTHING in your house for proper reimbursement from your insurance company?
Next question - emergency guides say to have a security deposit box. Need that too & decide what to put in it. I know one item that needs to be in it and is biggest item that we have been talking about and been putting off - a will and estate planning items.
So - those 30 minutes last night all of these items/projects were running through my mind. One of my biggest fears is losing everything. Not that I'm materialistic - I think it's just that I want to be in control and make the decision of what I get rid of and what I don't.
OK - maybe it has something with losing my parents when I was 20 & my life was turned upside down. It may also have something to do with the generation. At one of my previous employers division meeting, we had a marketing session that talked about the different generations and I remember - "OMG - that describes me to a T!" Of course I can't find this information now, but I remember it had something to do with the cold war and the threat of being bombed at any time. I can remember having bomb drills in school.
Anyway - future Housewife Tour projects:
- control log
- house inventory
- set up a security deposit box
- get the "estate" in order
