Byproducts of a disaster

The fire continues here in Santa Barbara. Last night it grew from 200 acres to 2400 acres. We watched as it went from a small area of our horizon to engulfing almost the entire mountains to the west. It is not coming south so much though, so for now, we are safe. However, the fire has been reeking havoc in other ways.

1) Electric. Last night smoke affected the main power line to Santa Barbara, and we were without power for 5 hours. We had scheduled with friends, Jared and Katie, for dinner. They came over and we had a great time playing Apples to Apples and eating by candlelight. The babies also had a great time playing. Also, we did not open the fridge or freezer and so everything was fine. My popsicles didn't even melt. Yea!

2) Air Quality. It may not snow in Santa Barbara, but it sure looks like it today. Ash is dropping from the sky and it is "overcast." The picture below is from yesterday. Because of the poor air quality, Clark and Lilly aren't coming to visit this weekend.

3) Society in general. With the power out and the fire looming on the horizon, it has been reassuring to see neighbors helping neighbors and being generally social. In my own way, I really enjoyed the power outage last night. It was truly dark for once and everyone was congregating and talking. A lot of people left though.

Yesterday afternoon, the winds were easterly; hence, the billowing smoke.

Mmmm... Makes me want to breathe deeply.

Sunset

Today, the smoke covers the whole sky. The first picture is from the Independent. You can find updates on the fire here.

Here is the current info:

Fire! Fire!

Vivian took this picture. That is my house on the left and my car on the right. Niiiiiccccceeee...

We're on Fire!! No, really!

So, there is a wild fire that I can see from my front door. They are calling it the "Gap Fire." It looks pretty gnarly at night when you can see the flames. So, far they are estimating that it has burnt 100 acres and is heading this way. However, we live on the ocean and have pretty good wind coming off of the water. Also, it has been "moist" from these breezes. On the other hand, SB gets these crazy winds called "sun downers." They are these hot winds that come from the hills. We are predicted to get sun downers tonight which would push the fire towards us. We were predicted last night and thankfully, they didn't come. It still has to burn through the ranches, a few developments, jump the highway, burn a shopping center, and a big field before it gets to us... or it could go west then south and burn all of Elwood Mesa and get to us.

There was a fire 18 years ago that burnt into the city with sun downers. It was the Painted Cave fire. It was 4 miles from where this fire is burning.

The helicopters and planes have been going all morning and they've brought in firefighters from the two neighboring counties and from LA.

We'll keep you updated.

For those who understand fire lingo: http://www.wildlandfire.com/hotlist/showthread.php?t=5461

Here are the pictures:

The red dot at the top is the fire. This is the view from the ocean.

This is the view from Cathedral Oaks.

This is the view from Camino Cielo.

This is Eliza watching the news with Dad.

My Strawberries!!!

So, yesterday my buddy was back. Yup, him!

I go out this afternoon and all of my strawberries were stolen. He'd better watch out or I'm going to buy a voodoo doll off of Etsy. Check it out. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12253032

Description
Varmint Voodoo dolls are for those times when you have tried every humane thing you can think of to rid your yard, garden, home and life of these creatures, but are still plagued by them. No real or imagined hexes have been placed on Varmint Voodoo dolls, but dang if you don’t feel a little better after poking one with a pin* (three included).

Approx: 7“ x 6“ x 1.75”; it’s just the right size for humanely taking out your frustrations with your particular varmint(s)! This is a toy for grown-ups only; kids and pets already have enough toys. Watch out; pins are sharp!

Bubble Off Plumb Productions Inc. is a smoke-free, cat- & dog-friendly, potpourri-unfriendly studio. The Varmint Voodoo doll pictured may not be your actual Varmint. Each is handmade and may vary slightly, but all key Varmint features are the same.

*No one at Bubble Off Plumb Productions Inc. or anyone we willingly associate with endorses or approves of harming animals.

You can find ANYTHING on Etsy!! ;-)

Who needs Sea World when you live in Santa Barbara?

This was taken by a guy in SB.

Two friendly humpback whales watch us for an hour less than a mile from Santa Barbara on April 4th, 2008. A fluke of a whale story unfolded a humpback whale and his friend floated, spouted, twirled, dove, spied, and came nose to nose with the whale watchers. We were on Captain Don's catamaran boat, "Speed Twin" based on Stearns Wharf. The captain put the trip in his top 5 with 15 years of piloting. The marine biologist on board was stumped by the whales behavior. Killer whales had killed a gray whale two days before and 15 had been seen the day before our trip. He hypothesized that they were sticking close to our big boat for safety, although humpbacks are curious too. It was magical as the whale, just a couple feet away from the boat, vertically treaded water with its giant fins as it raised its head to gaze at us in mutual curiosity. If the boat were lower to the ground we could have pet his barnacled nose.

Thankful

Wow, we are having a great day! I am so thankful for so many things I feel like I should let it out.

1. Thank you, Geico, for lowering my rates $300/year. Seriously! We've been GEICO customers for a long time and magically when we got our bill this morning it was $150 less. You rock, Geico! I love unexpected presents.

2. Thank you, Nana, for sending us another iPod so now Claron and I both have one. You are the best!

3. Thank you, Mom, for answering my crazy phone calls late at night (your time). The answers are usually things like: 2 lbs of kielbasa, OR it's just a rash, Amanda, settle down, OR aortic stenosis is hardening of the wall of the aorta. Poor mom, she listens to all of my crazy and is always patient. =-)

4. Thank you, Dude (or dudette) who invented baby swings. You are Eliza's hero.

I am having a very happy day. My house is immaculate. I pulled out Eliza's summer clothes that I bought ahead for basically nothing last year. It was like Christmas. Also, we beat Super Paper Mario last night. Yea! Hope you all are having a great day too!

Constantly Hugged Goats

Oh my! I have definitely met people like this!

I laughed so hard at this!
P.S. I'm enough of a yuppie to know that quinoa isn't pronounced KWINOH-Ah, but KEEN-wah

What a week! Voting, Beach x2 and a Dog Parade!

Busy as bees we've been this past week. I had my first Tenants Association Meeting and was announced as the official Vice President. Yea, me! Eliza and I went to the beach two times. We didn't make it to the zoo but I'm looking for a time this week. We went to two BBQ's, a dog parade, one of my favorite restaurants (Pacific Crepes) and I sneaked some "me time" at a Relief Society event that was so much fun. Here are the pictures. They are a bit out of order. Blogger gives me a headache sometimes.


We went to the parade on Saturday. Then to Crepes.

Parade Pictures



A Sheik and a Jewish Dog

Eliza yawning. Notice her dog shirt.

This dog was my favorite.

I loved the big dogs. Great danes!!!

The "tiger" Great Dane was huge and so sweet!

Look! It's Nana from Peter Pan!

A "Clydesdale" Great Dane

I hate to say it, but the little dogs were so cute!

A Fire Truck for my dad

This was the winning float

This Boston Terrier was awesome

Isn't that a huge husky!

Yes, that dog is riding the bike. Crazy!

After the parade, we went for Crepes.

I love this place!

We had a banana and nutella. Eliza LOVED it!!!

On Tuesday, Claron and I voted. Eliza was part of the process.


Eliza and Claron after voting.


On Monday, we went to the beach for the first time. Eliza did not like the water. She thought it was too cold. She did like watching the sea gulls and pelicans though.


On Wednesday, we went to the beach with our friends and had a great time. I got a bit sunburnt on the tops of my knees though. So weird and random!

Katie & Jacob

From left, Jocelyn, Rileigh, Roxanne & Esther

Taylor with a mermaid tail

Eliza hanging out (literally. Look at that tummy!)


Lounging under the umbrella

Esther, Roxanne & Eliza

Eliza later that day. I want to cut those bangs. I put a poll up. Claron is SOOOO... against it.

Eliza & Logan sitting on the bench.

Eliza took the following pictures. I think they are kind of artsy. They are of the inside of her hand. The white in the one is the space between her fingers. I think they have nice gradation.




Until next week... We have a busy one.... We start workout group tomorrow. We are also having the first Craft Day at our house. Claron has the Chem Award Ceremony. There is a Baby Shower, two parties and Father's Day! Wow! It will be fun!

Feeling Poor?

Can anyone out there beat this? =-(

A Citizen of the World

So, I was watching this the other day and this lady made a poignant statement. She said (translated from Spanish), "I don't want a first world, a second world, a third world. I want one world." What a wonderful statement. The disasters of the world have really be weighing on me lately, especially knowing how many people recently died in the earthquake in China and how few Americans truly care (especially considering the atrocious comments made by Sharon Stone). Claron made a comment in church this week about his trip to China and about how the people of China value their children so highly and how ghastly it is to think there are towns that lost their entire population of children. My only hope is to raise Eliza as a citizen of the world to be aware that all lives have the same value, whether American, Ethiopian, Iraqi, Chinese, Russian... regardless of your GDP.
Here is Eliza's start:

Claron bought these for Eliza while he was in China. She loves it. Eliza and I have a busy week. We're going to the zoo, the beach and a dog parade. I'll try to remember to bring my camera.