Please remember my poor daughter in your prayers. She just called from her conference in Chicago all upset because her home and new business are so close to that bad fire that the areas have been evacuated. Nobody is allowed to go in and collect anything so her friends were not able to go get any of her possessions from her home ie photos, musical instruments, quilts I've made her, other sentimental treasures. She and her business partner have used their loan to get the offices all set up. My hubby, mom and I are all ready to go visit her next Wed for the big Open House/ Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. I sure hope this disaster is over and that the fire never reaches either her home or business. She's especially concerned about her little dog, but I assured her that her friend of several years, who loves the little guy too, will take good care of him. She knows that, but still... to be so far from her baby at a dangerous time is wrenching her heart. I wish I didn't live 8hrs away or I'd go get her shelter adopted darling little chihuaua-dachsund-minature pincher (I call him a chihua-oxie-pin).

Santa Barbara, on the California coast, is a gorgeous place to live but when there is a fire that is bad, it's always because of winds. I guess everyplace has it's own weather problem.

Oh Cathy, whata worrying time for you and you daughter. Fingers crossed, I really hope that their home and offices and the pooch are ok. Keep us posted

Oh I so sorry to hear that. I've been reading about the horrible fires there.
I'll keep your daughter in my prayers.

Oh you and your family are in our prayers. But i do need to see a picture of this dog.

Oh gosh--how frightening--and frustrating!!

I'm very sorry. I hope that they'll get the fire under control very soon everything will be okay.

I will be thinking about her. I am watching it on TV it is not that far away as the crow flies.

It is all that is on our local news.

We were ready to evacuate last year, as the helicopters flew down our street dropping water and the Fire Fighters were backfiring the houses on the hill behind us. It is very scarry. The winds are suppose to be really bad again today. It is already 85 degrees. They are warning about the particulate matter in the air quality. We have fires within site of our house several times every year.

Prayers going your way!

Hope they are ok. please let us know.

Prayers that "All is Well"!

Thoughts and prayers are with you. Please keep us posted as you can.

I just went through that with the So. Cal fires. We didn't get evacuated, but it was awfully close! My heart goes out to all those people who have lost their homes. It must be very frustrating for your daughter to be so far away and hearing about it on TV. Remind her, please, that the TV news always exaggerates EVERYTHING!

I'm attempting this photo entry for the first time without my husband. I hope I do it right!

Per request...
Here is Nobi, a chihua-oxie-pin. Sometimes 1 or both of his ears tip over.

Here he is with his mommy, my daughter. Her home and new business are in danger from the fire in Santa Barbara.

Here I am, recovering from shoulder surgery, with Nobi and my wonderful Border Terrier, Sunny, who passed away in January and I miss so much.

Prayers going her way!!!!

Hope all is well and she gets reunited with her baby real soon.

My prayers go out that your daughter gets to come home to the same thing she left. I heard about that fire this morning. What an awful thing for those that have been affected.

Update.... sadly, no big change yet.
Winds are expected to start getting worse again in evening/night... called the Sundowner Wind. Last night 70mph were blowing the fires fast and furious. At least now there are more firefighters, helicopters etc. My poor daughter's home and business are still in the lockdown zone where there are police at every corner keeping people away, for their own safety (lots of foolish people in this world). If the winds grow that fast again, they could push the fire down the canyons like a chute straight into the downtown State Street with it's quaint rows of shops and restaurants. That's where her offices are. She's still stuck in Chicago, but anyway, even if she was there, she'd have to be in a motel, if there's any room, or the tent shelters provided for the evacuees.

Thanks for keeping us updated, we'll be thinking of you.

You are in my thoughts.

The Sundowners have started it is really warm and windy in our area and we are a little ways from Santa Barbara.

My prayers are with her. Hope soon all is OK. Keep us posted.

My prayers go to all those afflected with this cruel act from Mother nature.......hope they get it under control very soon!!!

It was on the BBC news last night, looks awful. Still hoping for you that they can stop it soon x

My thoughts are with you, your daughter and all of the people being affected by this!
K

Checking in this morning, hoping you and your family are all okay.

Prayers are still there for you and family. We pray for the best.

Thank you for your prayers and hopes and wishes. I am continuing this topic in the Main section because I suddenly realized this has a lot to do with quilting; if daughter loses her home, she will lose all the quilt projects I've made her! I can make new ones... but still!

Prayers for your daughter. I lived in Laguna Beach when the fires went through 12 years ago. They are so unpredictable and I have been following the Santa Barbara one on the news. Pleeeease keep us updated.

the latest....
My daughter finally checked in with us. Unfortunately, I don't have answers to all my questions because she called her dad at work this afternoon knowing I was probably asleep for my daily long nap. What he did get though, is that she is ok. Her business is still there, but vandalized already; their brand new, classy, very expensive sign was stolen. Why would someone want a business sign? I hope she took a photo of it before she left for her conference. Sadly, she is not allowed anywhere near her home so she's still scared about it's outcome. She is staying with her friend who had her dog and car. There's no room for us there or at any motel but we can stay at my cousin's about 2hrs away if she wants us to come help clean up or something. I barely clean my own house these days but there are probably small tasks I can do. She said she will call us on Monday; hopefully she will know everything by then. DH didn't think to ask about her asthma in the smoke-filled air.

The temperature is more mild and the winds are less which are helping the firefighters.
Although improving from the 10% containment to 30% now, it still is very bad. The official guess is this won't be considered controlled until May 13th. Hopefully, her house is safe and continues to remain so.

I will update you again on Monday. Maybe Vanessa will call me tomorrow, if in all the chaos she remembers it is Mother's Day. I sure understand if she doesn't, except that knowing her, she will be so upset with herself later.

Thank you again for all your prayers and concern,

My thoughts are with you and your daughter! I'm so glad her furbaby was safe with a friend! Thanks for the pictures too.

Sounds like things are picking up. She will be distracted, I'm sure, so let me wish you Happy Mothers Day, dear. And to all of us Mommas out there, who worry and care while our kids are busy being distracted.