Hi All,

Hi All, for those who know or do not know, our home suffered a minor burn. Though the burn was minimal, the smoke damage was extensive. I started this blog to keep friends and family informed on work parties and supply lists; and updated on the progress of rebuilding our home.

You can reach me by Phone 918-704-1330, by e-mail jessicaberbaum72@gmail.com, message me on facebook or comment here. I have friends willing to go pick donations up for me, a drop off place, or feel free to drive it on out to the mesa.

In the first and second pictures of this slide show, you can see how it smoldered in between the bales where there was some loose straw. Straw bales are pretty hard to burn when they are compressed tightly because there just isn't any oxygen. Basically the stove was burned so hot it was scalded white and either the straw ignited or something else more flammable, like a mouse nest, caught fire.

The straw bale walls were covered with an earth plaster, so we are talking about a seriously hot fire. In the picture of the corner beam, you can see how very close I came to losing the whole house. That beam is attached to the bond beam and roof. Most of the bales were thrown outside so it was a bit worse than it looks but isolated to a small section.

Most of the damage was from the smoke. The house is not livable and I don't even know yet what will need to be replaced. The beds are toast and this entire room will need to be re plastered. Possibly the whole house will need new plaster and I do not yet know if the ceiling insulation in the rest of the house will need to be replaced as well.

Asking for help is not always easy, anything you can think of is greatly appreciated. I am the kinda gal that likes to re-use/recycle. So, anybody who has stuff collecting dust, feel free to donate. I am still in the process of supply list writing but more immediately, we need clean plastic containers with lids to store all of our clothes and belongings in after they are washed. We will definitely need lathe, chicken wire and concrete. We have already been given all the straw bales needed and a pallet of adobes for the interior wall.
So, here begins the Bale Raising!

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

 
Hi All.

 I started this blog, because so many friends have been asking me what they can do to help Lykke and I get back into our house after it burned. And concerned friends and family who do not live in Taos are curious as well. I will be posting pictures to show everybody what's up. And informing everybody about work parties and supply lists. I am the kinda gal that likes to re-use/recycle. So, anybody who has stuff collecting dust, feel free to donate. I am still in the process of supply list writing. Right now I need clean plastic containers with lids to store all of our clothes and belongings after they are washed. Lathe, chicken wire and concrete.
 So, it is hard to tell the extent of the damage from these pictures. Basically the stove was burned so hot that either the straw ignited or something else more flammable, like a mouse nest? The strawbale walls were covered with an earth plaster. And from the first and second pictures you can see how it smoldered in between the bales, were there was some loose straw. Strawbales are pretty hard to burn when they are compressed tightly. There just isn't any oxygen. The stove was scalded white, so we are talking about a seriously hot fire. The last picture is how very close I came to loosing the whole house. That corner beam is attached to the bond beam and roof. Most of the bales were thrown outside so, it was a bit worse than it looks but isolated to a small section. The most damage done is from the smoke. The house is not livable and I don't even know yet what will need to be replaced.  The beds are toast and this entire room will need to be re plastered. Possibly the whole house will need new plaster. And I have to look into the insulation in the ceiling. I have only started cleaning out a Winnebago to call our home. We have already been given all the strawbales that we need to be replaced and a pallet of adobes for the interior wall! So, here begins the Bale Raising.                                                                                                                           










 
 
 You can reach me by Phone 918-704-1330. By e-mail jessicaberbaum72@gmail.com. Or message me on facebook or comment here. I have friends willing to go pick donations up for me, a drop off place, or feel free to drive it on out to the mesa. :)


Posted by at

3 comments:

  1. UnknownMay 9, 2013 at 9:26 AM

    How about those of us that want to help, but cant drop off at the spot or drive it out to the mesa?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownMay 9, 2013 at 9:45 AM

      Hi Lady. My brother is working on a link to paypal and crowd funding. And my friend Billy Gonzo has expressed an interest in setting up a benefit. Im a bit overwhelmed by it all. I've managed to take a step back and give it away. I'm a Mom first and working full time. I know You Know. Love.

      Delete
  2. UnknownMay 13, 2013 at 8:08 AM

    There is now a place to donate. But if your seriously coming for a spell! i'd rather put you to work, gives me a chance to spend time with you. xo

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)