Starting Over

June 12, 2016
Fire began outside house about 2pm or so. I threw dog and cat in my car, swooped all the keys off the key rack, had my phone in pocket already. Drove to a safe location away from the burn.
Fire trucks showed up about 45 minutes to an hour later, but it was too far gone by then.
Neighbors had brought us gatorade and paper towels. I poured water into a change well in my car for the pets.
As sunset began, we had told people we were safe, everything was gone, and a neighbor gave us cash to get a hotel for a couple nights since our wallets had burned.
About 9pm we were finally able to leave and get settled into a hotel (for two nights).
Then went to the store and bought animal bowls, litter box, food, litter.
Second trip was for night clothes; the hotel provided toothbrushes, paste, soap, shampoo, and deodorant.
The next day we bought new clothes, got new driver's licenses, started coordinating with insurance company, and picked up the official report.
The third day, we packed up and drove an hour away to the next town. Pets got to chill at a friend's house while we ate lunch there, did a little more shopping, and then set up in the hotel where the insurance placed us.
We were at this hotel for about 10-12 days.
One friend visited and brought a computer so "normal job" could resume.
One friend volunteered to watch cat while we took off to salvage, and another friend watched the dog.
We were then moved to a rental house by insurance and stayed there about a month and a half.
During this stay, two checks from insurance were mailed to us, demolition began, and the new home builders are standing by to begin after preliminary work is finished.
So the first things one needs when they have nothing is:
soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, tweezers, nail clippers, lip/skin balm, towels
dog and cat food and water bowls, food, water, treats, bedding, brush, shampoo, litter, box, and scoop
tea, tortillas, peanut butter, apple, beans, cheese, crackers, chocolate, yogurt, tuna, salad, dressing
fish, meat, pork, flour, sugar, yeast, condiments, oil, seasoning, cleaning wipes, and paper towels
clothes soap, dish soap, blankets, thank you cards, games, books, wallets
wine, cocoa, nuts, chocolate chips, oats, raisins, candy, coffee, butter, egg, milk, vegetable and fruit

August 14, 2016
About 2 months and 2 days from the date of the fire, we will move to another rental house which is right next to where both the old house stood, and where the new house will be built. Thank you cards will have all been given out and mailed by now.