I had every intention of sharing some sort of year end wrap up post with you this week. I probably still will, but I can think of nothing at the moment but this, so that will have to wait.
Yesterday, I almost burned my house down.
My kids and I were readying ourselves to leave the house and I had eggs boiling on the stove. We have more backyard eggs at the moment than I know what to do with so I figured I’d boil 6 of them to make a big egg salad later in the day. As I helped my daughter with something in the kitchen (I still can’t remember what it was), I said to her “I need to turn the eggs off before we leave.” Then my son came to me with a hand in each shoe asking me which goes on which foot and I went to help him. Then we walked out of the house.
After taking my daughter to her friend’s house, my son and I headed out on a date day of starbucks, gift card using, hand holding and joke telling. We drove 45 minutes away from home to do all of these things after we’d spent over a half hour doing some around town errands. All that to say that it was intended to be a full day away from the house. We’d been gone just over 2 hours when my cell phone rang.
A neighbor had been outside walking with his daughter when they went by our house and heard my smoke detector going off. I guess it’s a good thing those suckers are loud. He called his wife and she called me. Said “I’m sorry I’m bothering you, I’m sure it’s nothing but he says the alarm is going off at your house and I just thought I’d let you know. There isn’t smoke or anything, so I am sure it’s fine!” I interrupted her “$%&$#@!! I left my stove on with eggs boiling!” I panicked. I was 45 minutes from home, felt totally helpless and my mind raced trying to figure out what to do. My son and I ran to the car and started to drive home, but I was 45 helpless minutes away.
I gave her permission to tell her husband to check all the windows and see if he could get in. At this point, they still thought it was just the alarms and not a big deal. But when he went up to my kitchen window to check if it was open, he panicked because my house was full of black smoke and he couldn’t see across any of the house because of it. He found a window that had miraculously been left unlocked by my dad when they were here for the weekend and he bent a screen to get inside. He turned my stove off, let my dogs out, and opened all of my windows and doors. The house still smells of nasty-campfire-burnt-egg-emily-is-an-idiot smell.
I arrived home about 30 minutes after he was able to get inside. He said that the eggs had exploded all over the kitchen – the dogs had cleaned them up (yuck!) – and I marveled that my pan had survived the incident. I couldn’t help but wonder how any of the flying egg hadn’t caught fire on my cooktop. Or how my pan hadn’t melted. I guess they are worth it. I thought about how if it hadn’t stopped raining then that my neighbor wouldn’t have been outside to hear the alarm – that I would’ve been away for hours more.
I shook and was on the verge of tears for hours. Sure, it’s just the house. Just stuff. I hugged my husband for too long, apologizing for almost destroying the one thing in his life he’s worked the hardest on – this place we call home not just because it’s where we sleep and live but because of all the heart that has gone into it.
I want to tell myself that it was a mistake. Could’ve happened to anyone. But I hate myself. I am so upset and embarrassed that I let this happen. Can’t stop thinking about what if it was worse. Can’t help but be very very thankful with a whole new view of having a cozy place to sit today, a comfortable place to sleep, this space we call home. Even if it does smell like really really hard boiled eggs.
oh emily, the thing is, it *could* have happened to any of us! it’s nothing short of God’s grace that it {and things a whole lot worse} haven’t happened to all of us!
and i know what it’s like to go down the road of “what if”…what if we had been in that intersection just one second sooner….what if that tire had blown out 5 minutes before when we were racing down the freeway instead of driving 25 mph down our own street? but there’s nothing useful in “what if”…except to bring us to our knees in thankfulness for a Heavenly Father that keeps the “what if” from happening more often that we’re even aware of! {easier said than done, i know!} <3
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Emily Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 8:31 pm
Cheri, you are so right. Thank you for your comforting words! xo
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Oh, Emily! I totally agree with Cheri! But you said you wanted to write a year-end wrap-up post, and as much as I wish for you that it came about in a different way, it did sort of cause the right effect. (And if it helps, I almost burnt my house down, flames and all, on Thanksgiving)
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Emily Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 8:32 pm
Kel, I want to hear more of that story!
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So thankful the worst was just a big stink. I pray He soothes that helpless frustrated embarrassed feeling quickly…been there and it’s awful.
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Emily Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 8:32 pm
thank you!! xo
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I finally purchased a whistling teakettle this year after boiling a couple stainless steel pots of water dry and filling the kitchen with smoke. It happens. I’m thankful your mistake was caught in time too.
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Emily Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 8:33 pm
Not glad that happened to you, but glad to know I’m not alone. Thank you! xo
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As distracted moms we are not perfect, ever. I say this because six weeks ago I was cleaning my kitchen and (stupidly) put two large tupperware containers in my oven so that my kitchen was all picked up. I was busy through out the day and went to make lasagna. I started browning the ground beef and turned the oven on to preheat. As I finished browning the meat I noticed a smell. I looked at the bottom of the pan and to see if something could have been stuck to it that was burning. Nope nothing, I then notice the fire in the oven. I still was at a loss as to why there was a fire. Then I saw the melting plastic and it quickly turned to a big oven fire. I ran to get the kids out of the house and call 911. By the time I came back inside the black smoke was everywhere. I got out and much to my dismay the fire trucks and all of my neighbors arrived on the scene. The house was fine but we were out of the house for several weeks as they cleaned and refinished the hardwood floors that were burned from the melted plastic. Thankfully no one was hurt but I was so mad at myself. The guilt was the hardest part. Leason learned for me that I will never (I had only ever done it a couple of times) store anything in my oven. I am sorry for your experience. Don’t be too hard on yourself. As I prove daily, we all make mistakes. Hugs, Jen
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Emily Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 8:34 pm
Oh WOW Jen – that is so scary, I am glad you all were fine – just a bit displaced. You are right – the guilt is the hardest part. Hugs to you!!! xo
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What a scary day you had! Please take the advice you would give others and be gentle on yourself. The blessing of your safe home, the kindness of your neighbors and your willingness to share this story will help all who read it to slow down just a little and might save others. Thank you for being open and order take out tonight
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Emily Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 8:31 pm
We went for pizza last night after it happened. I was fairly certain I might never be trusted to cook again.
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That is so scary Emily, and totally something I would do! So glad it all ended okay, hugs to you.
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Emily Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 8:35 pm
Thanks Melissa! xo
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The house was easy work and I could do it again anytime. You and the kids are the real good hard work.
Good comeback with the turkey soup today!
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Emily Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 8:37 pm
It was yummy, wasn’t it?! I was trying to fight the burnt egg smell in the house with a something yummy smell
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Oh, wow. Emily, I have to second what others have said – it could have happened (and in some cases *has* happened) to any of us. I’m so glad everyone is fine. Do be gentle on yourself.
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Emily Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 8:36 pm
Thanks Jen, I’m trying!! xo
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Oh bless your heart!!! my first visit to your blog and bless your heart, I know you probably do feel guilty, but really, it could happen to anyone. I did the same thing years ago and it burnt and ruined the pan – but I was renting a room from someone! Oh my gosh! Just take it as a lesson learned. Can’t wait to read the rest of your blog
)
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Thank goodness you have such vigilant neighbors!!! I’m so thankful you all are okay and didn’t suffer the loss of your home. You are very brave to share such a harrowing tale!
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Emily Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 8:33 am
We do feel so thankful for them. I’m going to bake them a cake
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Oh Emily! I know how you feel. we have all done stupid stuff that “could have” ended in disaster. But, it didn’t (thankfully). Have a good cry – at least that is what I always do, and give everyone an extra hug. Hugs from here, take care. I hope that we see you soon.
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Emily Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 11:27 pm
Thanks Jenny – see you Monday!
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Wow- I’m so sorry!!! We all do things like this at some point. And it’s hard not to when we seem to be hurrying about- especially with kids. Glad everything fell into place and it all worked out for you. Hope you are not too shaken and not being too hard on yourself! Hugs to you!
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Oh wow! So glad that you’re all ok and your house is too! I’m always so afraid that I’m going to do something like that too.
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One time I asked my daughter to turn on the burner under the beans for dinner. She turned on the wrong one–under a tea kettle with no water in it. We had a ceramic burner and the porcelain coating on the tea kettle had fused to the burner before we caught it. One ruined tea kettle and another burner that didn’t work later–but luckily no fire! I was thankful for that one. It could have happened to anyone–I know I have left burners on and left the house–only came back because I forgot something. God was looking out for you (and the rest of us who have done something like that!)
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Been there, done that – with EGGS no less. Only I was out on the front drive visiting with a friend and totally forgot my eggs until I could smell a burnt, BBQ essence coming from my house. Ruined my pot, eggs EVERYWHERE and smoke to boot. You aren’t alone…
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Emily Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 8:35 am
Any tips for getting the smell out? We’ve washed everything and are freezing our buns off with the windows open and the smell is not as bad but not gone either.
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Wow. Thank God for good neighbours. I’m glad things were not worst.
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This is definitely something that would have happened to me. I need to learn to use timers!
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Girlfriend! I did the SAME THING just 2 weeks ago! We were in the house, though…so I agree with the comment about how God watches over us all. When I made the first discovery, I instinctively went to put the pan under the faucet, which actually just caused the remaining two eggs to basically explode in my face. No physical injuries, though, thank God! I took it as my loud, stinky reminder to keep my head in the game…I was thoroughly allowing myself to let all of my “to-dos” take me away from the present. I’m glad for both of us that things turned out all right. I spent the entire day cleaning up that stinky, eggy mess…when I had soooo many other things to do! I kept all the windows open for a couple of days in a row…and turned on all of my Scentsy warmers! haha! I believe my first text to my husband to let him know about it read, “Good news: the kitchen will be cleaned from ceiling to floor today. Bad news: it’s currently covered in egg.” So, all that to say that you’re in good “company” (online!)
and don’t be too hard on yourself or embarrassed. (You and I both seemed to be pretty focused on our kids…which was some comfort to me the morning of our eggs-plosion!) 
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Emily Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 8:36 am
It is true – the part about being focused on our kids. I have definitely taken it as a reminder to keep my head in the game, slow down and to also appreciate all that I have.
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Something like this does make you step back and say, Thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU!
So glad everyone is fine.
So what kind of pot did you use?
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Emily Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 8:36 am
It was one of the little Le Creuset dutch ovens. I had to throw it away. *sob*
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Maja Reply:
January 1st, 2012 at 10:14 am
I was wondering if it was a le Creuset, since it looked like it. I also wonder if your house would be still standing had it been any cheap other pot. I am sorry ou had to throw it away! I just got my first one and I know that would be terrible, but that French little wonder might have saved your house!
I have done this twice while in the house, with potatoes in a pot (total trash) and with a waterkettle (trash) that glued itself to my stovetop. Yes, it helps to be reminded of ‘intentional’ living = one thing at a time. That’s been my motto lately, otherwise the keys get locked into the van, unsecured cash flies out of the purse or other things forgotten. I’m glad all went well. What a way to end the year!
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You guys are too sweet. Emily – I bookmarked your site a few weeks back and then with the holidays have not gotten back to read until tonight (today?). This is such a great blog. We have three boys and sometimes we can barely remember who is loaded in the car or has their shoes on, let alone whether a burner is still on (although it’s a fear of mine!!). It could happen to any of us. Beautiful blog.
Thank you.
Claire
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Claire Reply:
December 30th, 2011 at 4:35 am
(I was actually trying to post this under the soup comment between you and your Hubby – ahhh technology
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Emily Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 8:37 am
Thanks Claire! I think that’s the 3rd time he’s ever commented on my blog. He can be cute
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Emily, I am a LONG time reader but very occasional commenter; I feel compelled to write after this post. I was in tears reading it not only because of the close call but also because of your sad closing comments. I know you are feeling guilty and sad, but when I read this I saw a LOT of things that you did right: you were focused on your kids and in the moment with them right before you left — something that is so hard to do as a parent, you actually know your neighbors well enough that they didn’t blow off the smoke alarm *and* they have your number *and* they called you. Not only that, but your neighbor braved the smoke –not being sure what he was walking into. What a testament of how much they care for your family. Your window just happened to be unlocked because your dad had been there. I have no idea what my next-door neighbors’ names are and my parents *never* visit me (and they live just an hour away). You’ve also probably taught your kids a powerful lesson about checking on things before leaving and reminded your neighbors of that fact too. Okay, so your house smells like eggs… boys in my high school used to pay good money for those stink bombs — for you, free. And let’s not forget: you’ve got some damn good cookware! Please don’t beat yourself up or let this mar the end of 2011. Despite the misstep, SO many things went *right* in this scenario — I hope you’ll remember that too. I am so glad you & your home are okay.
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Emily Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 8:38 am
Aleisha, thank you so much for that wonderful perspective!! xo
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Wow! This post hit home because I did the EXACT SAME THING yesterday. Put my happy little eggs on to boil and then went down to the basement to check on the kids. One thing led to another which led to teaching my boys (age 2 and 3) their new bible character match game and puzzle cards that they received in their stockings. Not sure how long it was until we all trekked up to the kitchen and found mommy’s mess. (I am notorious for leaving the stove/oven on, my darling husband always asks “Are you cooking anything else?”, without the least bit of sarcasm or accusation, and then turns it off for me.) Being the frighteningly frugal person that I am I actually peeled them and cut off the burnt/exploded parts and found that they tasted the same (which is more than I can say for the veggies I usually burn) :-/
So, not to worry, not only “could” it happen to any of us, it “has” happened to many of us. And there are no “what ifs” only what IS. Thanks for giving me some added perspective!
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Emily Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 8:39 am
Kate – nice to know we aren’t alone. xo
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Wow, a qteiuson about open source software, cool! Ive helped launch this platform at three other newspapers, but Ive never been asked a qteiuson about the software.
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