Still evacuated. Still staying at boss’ house. We went into the office for a few hours today, but the air was just too bad to stay for long. I called my doctor’s office and begged them to call in an inhaler. I haven’t had an asthma issue in years, but man, I could barely breathe last night. It’s been rough.

I also called my Auto/Property Insurance peeps, and they were super helpful. They said to keep all receipts for things I have to buy while evacuated, including food and clothes. I’ve bought food, but not clothes. So I went back to the mall and bought a few small essentials. Then I took a nice long shower and put on clean clothes and I felt like a new person. It’s amazing what a difference it makes.  I’m no longer dirty, and I’m no longer wearing boy clothes. It’s nice. It will be enough to last a little while, but I’m hopeful that I’ll get my care package tomorrow, so that’ll be perfect.  The Insurance also said they’ll be in touch with me to instruct me how to proceed if I need to report actual damage. I’m very glad that so many CA places require Renters Insurance.

 (JS is patting my head right now. It’s very nice.)

Hopefully I’ll be allowed back in soon, if nothing else than to assess any potential damage. A lot of people who are allowed back in are saying that their homes are uninhabitable for at least a week…until it’s professionally cleaned. I’m hoping that’s NOT the case for me.

It’s weird….I’m very detached most of the time (to the point where I can’t even engage in conversation). Other times I’m perfectly fine, and it’s like I’m on vacation. Still other times, I feel so on edge; anything can bring me to tears (like having to explain to the pharmacist for the 3rd time why I don’t have my prescription paperwork on me and why I can’t just go home and get it) or to sudden anger. I guess that’s to be expected, considering the circumstances, but it’s not pleasant. And I assume that it ain’t much for for JS, either. He has been so wonderful this entire time, too. Very understanding of my horrid moods.

Keep your fingers crossed that the fire fighting continues to improve, the winds stay down, and everyone remains safe. Also that I can go home, soon. But that’s not as important as the other ones.

Tags: 68, 90, 92

The fires are everywhere. I’m worried about my family. Please keep us in your thoughts.

Tags: 68

JS and I were headed up to Julian today to take some fall foliage pictures. The leaves were supposed to be lovely. And in San Diego County, changing leaves aren’t common.

On our way up, I noticed some smoke. It kept getting heavier the more we drove. I kept thinking that if there were a big fire, that they’d stop us from driving…this must be residual smoke from a smaller fire they already put out. Obviously, I was wrong.

There was a roadblock about 10 miles from the town. We pulled over on the side of the road to survey the world. I took a few shots before I got too freaked out and waited in the car to leave.

Julian Smoke 1, originally uploaded by WonderSpot.

And then this one:

Julian Smoke 4, originally uploaded by WonderSpot.

I looked behind the car as we left and the flames were steadily coming over the hill where we had stopped, pushed by strong Santa Ana’s.

Even at home, about 30 or so miles away from the fire, ash is raining down and the smoke stings my eyes and throat.

The fire is not at all contained, and the winds aren’t expected to die down until maybe Tuesday. And it’s not the only fire in SoCal right now. Pretty scary.

Tomorrow I might actually empty my place out of a few of my more precious things and put them in my car, just in case. Pictures and what not. Maybe my TiVo.

Fall pictures will have to wait for another year.

Tags: 68, 91