Our burnt house...
Good News:
A - I submitted plans to the County on June 8th - 5 months, to the day, after the burn
B - Soil test results returned with no need to remediate.
FYI: SoCal background levels for Arsenic in soil is up to 12 ppm! I better stop eating dirt. Lead is present in the soil though well under the EPA remediation level guideline - 200 ppm, and is near the upper limit for CA remediation level guideline - 80 ppm.
We have water running onsite and the Matilija Poppy is happy!
I miss the trees
Soil Testing is in-the-works
Our beautiful home and ADU were lost in the Eaton Wildfire on 1-8-2025!
PHASE 2 Complete
May 9, 2025
Next up:
Soil testing, Install hose bib, More debris removal (shrubs, patios, concrete), Transplant a couple plants
Thank you EPA and Army Corps, Anvil, ECC, Tetra Tech!!
Bye-bye Avocado tree. Bye-bye squirrels. Bye-bye shade...
Phase 2 is nearly complete.
Helpful Tips
Day 3 of debris removal
That BIG machine is NUTS!!!
PHASE 2 Debris Removal
Poppy doesn't care!
Army Corps just called me with my 72 hour notice!!! April 8th!
Phase 2 is coming...asbestos abatement is complete
Phase 1 complete! Thanks EPA!!
Renewal!!!
Will I be a renewed woman after this experience?
ROE sent to US Army Corp for Phase 2 Debris Removal!
Marilyn said this well: All the little stuff is what breaks my heart. Only sentimental stuff not of monetary value is the heartbreaker.
Thank you Donna!
Here I sit, lonely hearted,
at my house,blown aparted...
Refreshingly green in Sierra Madre
Wow! Beautiful!
A toast to the future!
This Nikon is done looking at the world.
Thank you, Samaritan's Purse, for working with us sifting through the ash to find our treasures.
Fire-proof cabinet worked!!!
Onions were transplanted to Sierra Madre!
THANK YOU, WCK for the Burritos and Apples, here and at the Post Office
So appreciated:
Disaster Resource Center in Altadena - compassion and info.
The Resource Center at PCC-East - compassion and info.
Fees waived for important documents
FEMA, Red Cross, SBA
The capable and efficient Tony at AAA Auto Club
Unincorporated Coffee supply give away in Eagle Rock
The huge donation center at the Santa Anita racetrack
LA County Dept of Public Health, coveralls, goggles, masks
Free hot meals from WCK
CalFire Foundation, J Crew - donations
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Altadena - donations
For those who have reached out to me offering help... Thank you! I appreciate your love, thoughtfulness, & generosity!
Loss & Recovery
We evacuated early, thankfully, with the RV, our two vehicles, many of our important papers, laptop, many photo albums and a few treasured framed photos, and PAYASO (the cat). Alas, we did not get everything we would have chosen if only we knew my house would be destroyed. We had all expectation we would be returning to our lives as normal the next day. The house is a mile from closest hillside!
We spent Tuesday night in the RV in the Rose Bowl parking Lot. Not much sleep, but some!
Our neighbor told us early the next morning that EVERYTHING is gone. We could not believe this news until he sent a picture.
We moved early WED morning to Brett's shop parking area in a nearby town for a few days with use of the bathroom and kitchen in the shop. Thank you Brett & Tracey!
We then stayed comfortably in a condo in Glendora courtesy of my good friends, Sandra & Jay. Thank you!
New ADU completed MAR 2024 - Tenants escaped unhurt
BEFORE
We were in Glendora until about mid-February when we moved to a new place which will be our temporary home while we go through the rebuild process.
We moved to our interim home in Sierra Madre canyon on Sunday 2-23-25!! We are so happy to be settling into a rental home close by our people and our burnt house in Altadena.
Check in once in a while, if interested, for updates
We love Altadena! (https://www.greetingstour.com/murals/altadena-mural)