So, tonight is a night mom has been ancticipating for weeks now. Tonight at 7 pm at the Millville Fire Station there is going to be their normal meeting. But, more than just the usual guests will be attending. I spoke with her about 30 minutes ago and she read me the speech she will deliver at tonight's meeting. It's brief and straight to the point. She does not dance around the subject and there is no repetition. I will ask her if at some point in the next day or two, she can send me a copy of the speech and I will post it up here.
Also, as some may already know, she was featured in an article in the Record Searchlight. For those who may not know what that is, it's the local news paper for northern California. The article can be found at Redding.com, it is one of the main features and has a picture of mom on it, so it's fairly easy to find. Tonight KRCR Channel 7 will also be airing a similar story as well.
On another note, they have put money down on a new house and it will be on the property around the first of the year depending on weather. It will still be a few weeks from now before they will be able to move in, but at least it's something. Very good news to come at a very good time. They also are receiving close to $800 from the Homer Fund set up through the people at the Red Bluff Home Depot. This reminds me, the donation fund is still up and running. If you feel the need to help out in anyway, this could definitely be one of the ways! Thank you so much for your time and interest! More to come soon!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Much Needed Update!
It has been too long since I have updated on here! I can't believe it's almost been a month already since the fire. It has gone by so fast, but parts have seemed slow. And I still can't believe it happened. Sometimes I even find I'm trying to convince myself it never occurred. Wishful thinking.. Anyway!
They are still shacking up with grandma. I'm surprised they have all survived this long. Mom has spent a majority of her time making inventory lists and looking up prices of things. There was just SO much stuff. When she's not making lists she's doing research into information on the Millville Fire District. That will be an entirely different post of it's own. Larry has been working his normal shifts and helping out when he has the time. It seems like they hardly ever get just downtime!
They have a new mobile picked out, the old one (what was left of it) has been hauled off the property. They were hoping to have the new one in by Christmas, but it doesn't look like it will happen. Mom has a new truck. It looks pretty amazing, can't wait to take it for a test drive. ;o) They are pretty well set on clothing type items. Also, they bought a bed, the one at grandma's isn't very comfortable for long-term visits. This way they could finally get the one they have wanted. Other than that, they don't have too much else. They don't really want to start accumulating stuff until they have a more permanent place to put things. I sent off an espresso machine we had for mom in Texas.
They seem to be doing well and in good spirits. As much as I can tell from over the phone or computer anyway. I still wish I could just click my heels and end up on the doorstep. Luckily we will be able to visit in a month. I'm really happy to see how well my mom is handling all of this. I was probably the most worried about her. The events were definitely causing mom to experience PTSD and horribly upsetting her stomach. But for the most part, she's doing great. She even talked to the breeder she got Star from, and she will probably even have a new dog by March!
I promise to be more active with updating! Also, the donation fund is still up and running. I know with the holidays coming up and the economy the way it is, things can be pretty tight. If you want to help, by all means, go for it! Every little bit will help. The insurance claim isn't anywhere near enough. Thank you all so much for taking time to read this. It really means a lot to the family. Hope you all have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving!
They are still shacking up with grandma. I'm surprised they have all survived this long. Mom has spent a majority of her time making inventory lists and looking up prices of things. There was just SO much stuff. When she's not making lists she's doing research into information on the Millville Fire District. That will be an entirely different post of it's own. Larry has been working his normal shifts and helping out when he has the time. It seems like they hardly ever get just downtime!
They have a new mobile picked out, the old one (what was left of it) has been hauled off the property. They were hoping to have the new one in by Christmas, but it doesn't look like it will happen. Mom has a new truck. It looks pretty amazing, can't wait to take it for a test drive. ;o) They are pretty well set on clothing type items. Also, they bought a bed, the one at grandma's isn't very comfortable for long-term visits. This way they could finally get the one they have wanted. Other than that, they don't have too much else. They don't really want to start accumulating stuff until they have a more permanent place to put things. I sent off an espresso machine we had for mom in Texas.
They seem to be doing well and in good spirits. As much as I can tell from over the phone or computer anyway. I still wish I could just click my heels and end up on the doorstep. Luckily we will be able to visit in a month. I'm really happy to see how well my mom is handling all of this. I was probably the most worried about her. The events were definitely causing mom to experience PTSD and horribly upsetting her stomach. But for the most part, she's doing great. She even talked to the breeder she got Star from, and she will probably even have a new dog by March!
I promise to be more active with updating! Also, the donation fund is still up and running. I know with the holidays coming up and the economy the way it is, things can be pretty tight. If you want to help, by all means, go for it! Every little bit will help. The insurance claim isn't anywhere near enough. Thank you all so much for taking time to read this. It really means a lot to the family. Hope you all have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Donation Fund
Alright folks, the donation fund is up and running! I was able to open it in their name, Betsy and Larry Bivin Donation Fund, through my local Wells Fargo. There are zero Bank of Americas in Utah, so I just went through WF since I know they are all over as well.
It looks like the easiest way to make a donation would be to visit a local WF branch. You don't have to go to a personal banker or anything, you can just walk up to a teller and say you want to donate to the fund in their name. That is the easiest way since you don't have to have an acct with WF to donate at a local branch. If you do have an account with WF, you can call the name on the back of your debit/credit card and speak with a personal banker. You would do the same as if you were walking into the bank, all you have to do is give them the name of the fund.
If you have any other questions or concerns about this, please feel free to email me at Zanedivaneh@aol.com!
As of today, it has been a week since the fire. They have been talking with insurance companies and have tried to just accomplish the basics in the last week. They bought some clothing items and other necessities. But, there still isn't a whole lot they can do at the moment. And I wish there was more I could do for them. Living in Utah makes it rather difficult to offer them any kind of immediate help. So, I sent out a package last Monday, and I will hopefully send another on Tuesday. As a parent, you want to do absolutely anything and everything for your child. Well, as an adult I'm finding I not only want to give my children the world, but my parents too. They have done so much for me, I just want to repay them somehow.
Thanks to all who have been reading this. It really means a lot to our family. Any little kind of help would be greatly appreciated. Have a very happy and safe Halloween everyone!
It looks like the easiest way to make a donation would be to visit a local WF branch. You don't have to go to a personal banker or anything, you can just walk up to a teller and say you want to donate to the fund in their name. That is the easiest way since you don't have to have an acct with WF to donate at a local branch. If you do have an account with WF, you can call the name on the back of your debit/credit card and speak with a personal banker. You would do the same as if you were walking into the bank, all you have to do is give them the name of the fund.
If you have any other questions or concerns about this, please feel free to email me at Zanedivaneh@aol.com!
As of today, it has been a week since the fire. They have been talking with insurance companies and have tried to just accomplish the basics in the last week. They bought some clothing items and other necessities. But, there still isn't a whole lot they can do at the moment. And I wish there was more I could do for them. Living in Utah makes it rather difficult to offer them any kind of immediate help. So, I sent out a package last Monday, and I will hopefully send another on Tuesday. As a parent, you want to do absolutely anything and everything for your child. Well, as an adult I'm finding I not only want to give my children the world, but my parents too. They have done so much for me, I just want to repay them somehow.
Thanks to all who have been reading this. It really means a lot to our family. Any little kind of help would be greatly appreciated. Have a very happy and safe Halloween everyone!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Regarding Donations
In the next few days we will have the donation fund up and running. Until then, we don't have a donation button. By the end of the week there should be something at the top of the page! So keep checking back with us..
Also, Betsy and Larry would greatly appreciate it if people send addresses and phone numbers to their po box. The address is as follows:
Larry and Betsy Bivin
PO Box 12
Millville, CA 96062
Mom doesn't have either her cell phone or address booklet, they were in the house at the time of the fire. If you are not a fan of snail mail, you can also reach them at grandma's or via email. One thing to add, mom doesn't check her email very often, so snail or phone would be preferable.
Also, Betsy and Larry would greatly appreciate it if people send addresses and phone numbers to their po box. The address is as follows:
Larry and Betsy Bivin
PO Box 12
Millville, CA 96062
Mom doesn't have either her cell phone or address booklet, they were in the house at the time of the fire. If you are not a fan of snail mail, you can also reach them at grandma's or via email. One thing to add, mom doesn't check her email very often, so snail or phone would be preferable.
Saturday, October 24th seemed to start off like any other normal day. I woke up, began my usual routine, then picked up the phone to call my mom. We talk to each other everyday, if I go a day without talking to her something feels out of place. We mostly talked about my girls and mom's puppy, Star, especially that morning. Star was trying new ways of seeking attention, and we were having a good laugh over it. Everything seemed to be starting off so well that day.
I didn't get another call from her until after 2 o'clock my time, we're an hour ahead here. I was shopping with a friend and didn't hear the phone ring, so I checked my voicemail. All it said was it was an emergency, the house burned down. I tried calling back any number I could, trying to get reach her. She called me back 10 minutes or so after I started calling her.
The fire started in the front of the house on the porch by my old bedroom. As to how it started has yet to be determined, there are speculations, but nothing concrete. Mom was sitting at her computer when Star started to get her attention. That's when she heard a commotion coming from outside. She ran to the front door and saw smoke. Then, she looked out the door and saw the flames. She immediately called 911 and tried to get Star to follow her to the backdoor. Thank goodness there was another door to the house! She couldn't find the puppy and knew she had to get out, smoke began filling the house by that time.
Only one engine with one guy showed up at first. Neighbors came to help, later more from the local volunteer fire department also arrived. A neighbor and one of the firefighters went into the house at separate times to look for Star. All mom wanted was to get her puppy to safety. They were fortunate to have the cat, Spike, escape safely on his own.
Knowing there was nothing they could do, my mom and dad watched as their home went up in smoke. Most of the back wall was still standing, but next to nothing was salvageable. My dad was able to cut a hole out and reach in to what used to be their bathroom and grab the "bingo money" jar. The firefighters were able to save most of a cabinet and 2 computer towers. My mom left the house with just the clothes on her back, no shoes even. Shoes were always kept by the front door. My dad had the things he took with him to work that day, but nothing else. My mom's truck was also destroyed in the fire.
They are in the process now of trying to get everything sorted out with the car and house insurance. Unfortunately these sort of things aren't handled over night and it will take time for everything to be sorted out. They are fortunate to have family nearby. I wish I could be there, but we would just be in the way. I can't wait for Christmas, I really hope to make this the best Christmas ever for them.
I didn't get another call from her until after 2 o'clock my time, we're an hour ahead here. I was shopping with a friend and didn't hear the phone ring, so I checked my voicemail. All it said was it was an emergency, the house burned down. I tried calling back any number I could, trying to get reach her. She called me back 10 minutes or so after I started calling her.
The fire started in the front of the house on the porch by my old bedroom. As to how it started has yet to be determined, there are speculations, but nothing concrete. Mom was sitting at her computer when Star started to get her attention. That's when she heard a commotion coming from outside. She ran to the front door and saw smoke. Then, she looked out the door and saw the flames. She immediately called 911 and tried to get Star to follow her to the backdoor. Thank goodness there was another door to the house! She couldn't find the puppy and knew she had to get out, smoke began filling the house by that time.
Only one engine with one guy showed up at first. Neighbors came to help, later more from the local volunteer fire department also arrived. A neighbor and one of the firefighters went into the house at separate times to look for Star. All mom wanted was to get her puppy to safety. They were fortunate to have the cat, Spike, escape safely on his own.
Knowing there was nothing they could do, my mom and dad watched as their home went up in smoke. Most of the back wall was still standing, but next to nothing was salvageable. My dad was able to cut a hole out and reach in to what used to be their bathroom and grab the "bingo money" jar. The firefighters were able to save most of a cabinet and 2 computer towers. My mom left the house with just the clothes on her back, no shoes even. Shoes were always kept by the front door. My dad had the things he took with him to work that day, but nothing else. My mom's truck was also destroyed in the fire.
They are in the process now of trying to get everything sorted out with the car and house insurance. Unfortunately these sort of things aren't handled over night and it will take time for everything to be sorted out. They are fortunate to have family nearby. I wish I could be there, but we would just be in the way. I can't wait for Christmas, I really hope to make this the best Christmas ever for them.
Monday, October 26, 2009
The Nightmare Begins
On Saturday, October 24th, 2009, the Bivin family lost all of their possessions, their new puppy, their car, and their home in a horrific fire. Thankfully, they are physically okay, but now they have to start over. You can find the news story here.
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