You Are NOT Going To Believe This

I'll show you pictures first, then I'll tell you the story.

Ok, so I have to start the story off with this: EVERYTHING is TOTALLY fine!  Breathe normally.  Smile.  Laugh out loud for a second.

At 10:00pm last night the fire alarm went off in the hotel.  I heard it in the distance and then I heard the alarms cascade down the hall.  I said to myself, "Yeah, right.  It's nothing.  Just remain calm."  Then sure enough the alarms and the flashing lights went off in my room.  I went next door to my parents' room to make sure that they were getting covered adequately for our trek downstairs.  Yes, downstairs.  We're on the third floor.  I then went back to my room for just a few things: only the essentials.  I thought to myself, "If this is legitimate I'm gonna want my Bible, car keys, wallet, cell phone, and charger.  The rest can burn.  As I looked around my mom's room I thought to myself, "MEDS!  Get Kim's meds!  Grab her medicine/recovery journal!"  We quickly got the only things we needed and exited the hotel quickly.  I escorted them down three flights of stairs and we then went to the car.  We knew we could stay warm there.

Three fire vehicles arrived: two engines and the inspector's truck.  Fire hydrants were opened.  Firemen ran inside the building with axes drawn.  The ladder truck arrived, the supports were deployed, wheel blocks were set in place, the ladder was extended.  A fireman went up the ladder to inspect the roof.

In between belly shaking laughter at the comedy and the timing of it all my mom says, "I have to go to the restroom really bad.  Like REALLY bad."  I'll save you all the details on that one.  Talk to her face-to-face if you want a really good laugh.

So an hour later, the hydrants were covered, one truck pulled away and we were all let back into the building.  What happened?!  I still don't know.  I may never know.  But, we were glad to be back inside.

It took a few extra minutes before we could get back to our room because my parents were unable to walk up the stairs.  Once a fireman rode the elevator down we were given the "all clear" to head back up.

Frank: calm, collected, and having a great time.

Kim is calling her urgent care coordinator to
see if she could climb the stairs if needed.

Wahoooo!  Seriously.  I now know what it's like to stand outside in my pajamas on a cold night around people I don't know.  That's one for the books.

Laughing so loud you can hear me down the hall,
Melissa Culver