Well you guys are not going to believe what happened!I'm always sharing how hot men get in the club.This time we took friction a little too far.My precious little club caught on FIRE!This is no stupid Ole April Fools thing.My club actually caught FIRE!Realistically it is probably considered a small amount of damage.Unfortunately there is nothing small about the bills that are blazing their way through my funds.Things have happened before that I wasn't thrilled with paying for but I still had an income.Now it's all going and there is nothing coming(there is going to be a bunch of stressed out men in our city).This really really is bringing me down.I'm keeping in touch with the girls and minimizing the damage while maximizing my optimism.Don't get me wrong I am happy it wasn't any worse.We should be able to open back next weekend.That's what I keep telling everyone but it will probably be the following week.
That club means so much to me.It represents my finally accomplishing something.I bought my first car with money from that club.My youngest son has had an incredible education thanks to Ambrosia.We have been able to help family members in a way we never could have imagined before opening the club.
The fire started first thing in the morning.Diana called to tell me she turned on the heat and smoke came from the vents and maybe I should call the a/c guy.I went to Adam and asked what could cause smoke from the vents.There was a little spark igniting in me pulsing fire, fire ,fire.I just didn't want to acknowledge it.I called Diana back and told her I would hold for her to go outside and see if there was any smoke coming from the top of the building."Yeah,the building is on fire"she said."Call the Fire Department now" I said."Do you know the number or can you look it up for me?"asked Diana."Dial 911"I said.
Standing at home thinking of our only means of income literally going up in smoke I stayed completely calm.When someone calls out,or other little annoyances occur I get livid.I can throw tantrums with the best of them.Then here I am faced with potentially losing everything and I am completely calm.My voice doesn't raise,my jaw is relaxed and tears are not even a thought.Maybe it just hadn't sank in yet.I have always been this way.I do not get excited over major events.Adam has given me a $3000 bracelet and got a smile.A couple of weeks ago I was squealing over a .30 pack of Razzles candy I hadn't seen for sale in a few years.Maybe it truly is the little things in life.Little things or not I want my club back NOW(okay yesterday)!
When I got on the scene the fire had been put out and the firemen were reeling in their hose and preparing to leave.I first spoke with two men who were obviously in charge.(The highest ranking guy is a regular of ours)They explained how the fire started and the steps I would need to take and the agencies that would be involved in our reopening.Then I was led into the building by a different man and the property damage was explained to me.The firemen had done more damage than the fire.I am not complaining and do understand it was necessary to ensure there was no hidden smoldering.The fire fighters actually went beyond their duties to ensure as little property damage as possible.They stacked our chair to the side away from dripping water and the crumbling Sheetrock ceiling.Our pictures were removed from the walls and placed in a safer location.When I get the club reopened I am going to do something nice for them.Maybe get a catered meal or something sent to the fire house.Jo flirted with a few and invited them to come back to see her when we reopened.That's my girls ,never miss an opportunity.After the building was "turned over to me" Diana came in to see if I was alright.When I had walked through the door and actually saw the damage the emotion kicked in.I didn't let any tears flow until the firemen had left me alone but it was hard to contain.I went in the dark office to call Adam at about the same time Jo and Sommer walked in.I heard Sommer crying loudly and Diana did her best to usher them out without letting them see me.I hate people to see me in my weak moments.I am suppose to be this super whore(I am not really a whore but as the Queen of them I am guilty by association.As I think back on some of the "respectable" members of society I have encountered I think I would be more proud to be a whore.) that is always in control.Everyone knows I lose my temper and have pretty bad mood swings.That's okay just not the crying helpless little victim role.Wow,maybe I have issues,YOU THINK! In the end Diana and Adam were the only ones to see me cry.The funny thing is as hard as I fight to be strong and in control everybody treats me like a porcelain doll.People always want to take care of me and don't think I can do hard work.Diana didn't want to let me help with cleaning up the initial insulation and fallen ceiling.She said it would make me itch and irritate my hands.She's a girl too!Adam wouldn't let me help rip out the wet ceilings.I did a bit when he was occupied else where anyway.My mother-in -law and her husband do construction and they never let me do anything but paint.No Doubt did a song I always refer to as my theme song I'm Just A Girl.While I'm whining my Dad never let me do yard work either,it wasn't for a girl.Sometimes it's nice to have people try to take care of you but I can do stuff too.Yeah,I've got my 13 year old pursed lips and scowling face plastered on.
The city is making us rewire the entire building.The wiring is old and does not meet current codes.The fire was not caused by the wiring and almost none was damaged.I called the attorney and was prepared to wage war(again).He let me know I was right about there being a clause for older construction not having to meet the current standards as long as no more than 50% of the structure had not sustained damage.We are closer to 15%.I had some time to simmer down before I got his answer and decided it was quicker and easier to have the whole bitch rewired.The electrician got the permit today and will start tomorrow.(somebody up stairs looks after me)We could not even object the issue until Monday and the project will be over then.I still can't believe the electrician is working on a Saturday and his full crew will be there Sunday.It really pays to be nice to people.Our usual a/c guy is MIA.We have a friend of a friend coming in on Monday.I am hoping he can start on Tuesday.We had a larger company give us an estimate.They wanted $7000.00.If we didn't have to leave the building in 8-10 months I would look at it as an investment.But we do,so I don't and I will wait till Monday for another estimate and hopefully a deal.It must be safe but I want to get off as cheap as possible(don't we all:))Our savings for a new location is going bye-bye at an alarming rate.The main objective is to reopen as soon as possible.My girls are accustomed to cash on a daily basis.Most of them have no savings and it is the first of the month and rent is due.I have called them regularly and assured them we would be open next weekend.I cannot afford to loose any of my Old Faithfuls.It's like the make new friends but keep the old ones song.Gold is more valuable than silver and it's all about the money.Well most of it anyway.
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