Conference misery::feline

    Why not get a bunch of feliners together with some mops, sponges and
    other implements of cleanliness?
    
    Without knowing the specific damage to her apartment, I can't imagine 
    it would take a handfull of people more than 4 or 5 hours to make the
    place inhabitable once again?
    
    Edd

    I just heard from Kim again.  The fire was in a mattress and released
    alot of toxic fumes.   There's good news and bad news.
    
    The good news is that her landlord has to pay to have the wall to
    wall in her apartment professionally cleaned to get the toxic 
    fumes out.  
    
    The bad news is that any cleanning has to be done in 1/2 hr batches
    because of the fumes and the furniture will have to be professionally
    cleanned.  The landlord will NOT cover the cost of the cleanning the
    furniture.  
    
    Kim plans to go into the apartment this weekend to start cleaning.
    If anyone is willing to help call me at DTN:  297-2313 or at
    home at 617 849-9771 and I'll see what I can arrange.   It would
    certainly be better to have several people go in for 1/2 each than
    to have one or two people spending several hours in a potentially
    toxic situation.  
    
    Also - If anyone has a couple of twin mattresses that can sell
    cheap, Kim needs them.  I think she's planning to just chuck
    the kids' mattresses and replace them.
    
    Thanks for your help.
      Nancy DC
    

    BTW - Kim is in Nashua NH.
    

    
    
    	Nancy,
    
    	Please give Kim my best wishes.  I wish I had some spare
    	time to help out, but unfortunately I don't.  I called my
    	mom cuz I thought they had a couple of mattresses out in
    	the barn but no such luck..... =(
    
    	JJ
    

    Count my husband and I in!
    
    K.C.

    Can someone send directions? 
    
    Edd (I can find my way to Nashua)

    Thanks for the offers of help.  You guys are great.
    
    The directions to my home are:  Take Route 3 North (from Ma) to Exit
    5E.  Just continue up the road.  You'll see St. Joseph's hospital on
    the right, then a cemetary on your left.  About three quarters of the
    way up the cemetary on the right side of the road is Kingsley Street
    Pizza.  Take that right it's Sawyer Street (no street sign).  I'm
    number 22, left hand side of the road about half way down the block.
    Just look for the refridgerator by the sidewalk.
    
    Please remember I don't know how toxic the fumes are going to be by 
    tomorrow.  I know I got ill last night just being in the house for 15
    minutes.  I don't want anyone to get sick helping me out.
    
    Thank you for the help.  I was really at the end of my rope when I
    talked to Nancy.

    If I can shake the remainder of this flu I'll be there...
    
    (Right now, just the *thought* of toxic fumes is setting off the
    old gag reflex...)
    
    Edd

Kim,

If I can help out in any way, please let me know.  I've got a big truck that
is enclosed and can be used to transport things.  PLEASE be careful with
all those toxic fumes!!  And don't hesitate to call...

Mary

    
    If I can get up there I'll bring my ALPINE AIR PURIFIER.  The Ozone
    does react with formaldihyde which is one of the things that foam
    gives off.  That will help.
    
    I just honestly don't know if I can get up to Nashua this weekend.
    

    I strongly suggest that folks bring rubber gloves, Clothes that
    they can peel off and throw in the washingmachine and masks if
    you have any.

    It goes without saying that you guys are going to keep the windows wide
    open when you're working, right/  Wish I could get there from Calif....
    

    Update...
    
    My husband and I showed up at Kim's home at around 10-ish on Saturday.  
    We would have been there earlier, but the car wouldn't start (Sorry, 
    NDC).
    
    My husband had talked to the fire marshall (as luck would have it, my
    hub KNEW the FM!), and he told us that as long as the apartment was
    well ventilated, there would be no problem - just be careful with
    certain chemicals - for instance, NO CARPET CLEANER.
    
    We took along a couple of fans to help with the air circulation, and
    set to work.  Whilst my hub ran errands, picking up this needed thing
    and that needed thing, Kim and I thoroughly washed and wiped down
    everything in the apartment...every stick of furniture, every
    knicknack, every toy, every everything.  Saturday we got the living 
    room, the Master bedroom, and one other bedroom done.
    
    Sunday my hub took every stitch of clothing, bedding, etc.  to the 
    laundromat, Kim and I cleaned the other bedroom and the kitchen...doing
    all of the dishes, the floor, etc.  After the laundry was done, I
    watched Kim's daughter while she and my husband took care of some other
    calls and errands.
    
    The whole place is now spic and span, and smelling like Potpourri (Boy,
    was that carpet freshener strong!!!) and the heat works.  You'd never
    know that there was ever anything amiss!
    
    Both days the weather held (heck...it was downright BEAUTIFUL) and
    although we all worked hard, had a wonderful time!
    
    K.C.

    Nice going, K.C. & hub...
    
    Edd (still feelin' queasy)

    Just in case some smell lingers, a firefighter friend offered this
    suggestion:
    
    Place small bowls of ammonia around the house.  I will absorb the smoke
    smell. Just make sure little paws/hands don't get into it.  Of course,
    you'll smell ammonia until you toss it out.  He said a few hours should
    do it, if the fire was confined to a couple of rooms.  Maybe set them
    out and take off for some last-minute christmas window-shopping?

    I'm so sorry to hear about this, Kim. I wish I had been in the file
    last week. This is the first I've learned of this. Did you loose any
    personal property? Christmas tree? Presents? Clothes?
    
    It was so nice of the feliners in this file to come to your rescue!
    
    Bonnie

    I was lucky the loss could have been worse.  My daughter was at my
    Nanny's instead of home like she usually is.  So everything I've lost
    was material.
    
    I had to get rid of two twin mattresses, all the holiday baking I did,
    and alot of spices.  The coach (SP?) is going also.  It's a sleeper and
    I opened it up last night.  Let's just say I closed it real fast.  As
    for clothes I won't know yet.  I haven't finished washing everything.
    My losses are estimated between $400-$500.  My landlord has to deal
    with about $4700.00.  So I really did luck out.
    
    Thanks again for all the support and to K.C. and Leigh, you guys were
    great.  Plus I got to met Rico and Alex.  They are adorable!!!!!
    
    Kim

    Way to go, guys!  Baking soda is a good odor absorber also;  I don't
    know if it's dangerous around cats.  I keep boxes of Arm and Hammer in
    some cupboards the cats can't get into, and in the fridge.
    

    Yes - thanks to K.C. and Leigh.  I just couldn't make it up from
    Braintree, but I DID get some of Kim's Christmas shopping done for
    her so she could clean.  Also, Brian from Magestic Mattress in
    Wareham is GIVING Kim two twin mattresses that they made up
    3 inches too short - FREE!    So Mary - we'll probably need
    your truck to transport them.  
    
    Also - there were no kitties in the apartment either.  They were all
    safely at another Feliner's. 
    
    Nancy DC

    Have truck, will travel!!  And since I live in Nashua, it'll be a
    breeze!!  I'm home thru the hols, so just let me know when and where
    and we'll be there!!!  My truck, thru prior experience, holds twin
    mattresses quite well.
    
    Mary

    The support and love coming through in this file is truly wonderful. 
    Kim, I'm sorry you went through this, but I'm glad you have had so many
    people there to help you.
    
    Merry Christmas everyone!
    
    Karen

    
    
    	Kim,
    
    	I'm glad to hear things are starting to fall back into
    	place.  I'm just sorry I wasn't able to help out.  I hope
    	that despite everything that's happened, you and your 
    	family have a wonderful Christmas.
    
    	And a big hoorah for those who were/are able to help out!
    
    	JJ
    
    	

    Kim -
    
    Is it possible for you to list the sizes in clothing that was lost
    and how about sheets, pillow cases etc.
    
    If you could post a I NEED/WANT list it would be very helpful.
    I know you mentioned spices, what other food staples do you
    need?
    
    Barbara
    

    
    Yes Kim,
    
    Do post a WISH list.  I'm sorry I couldn't make it up over the 
    weekend (what kind of friend am I, right?) but if you post a
    wish list, I can do a little shopping for you, o.k.?
    
    And Kim, we'll talk offline, but wanted you to know that the
    kittens have a home!  Two went together, and the third went
    to another FELINER who already has a 6-month old kitten she needed
    a companion for!  You'll have LOTS of pics.....took a roll and a half!
    
    :-)
    
    Have a good Christmas.  I know things could be better, but DO
    hang in there!  
    
    Nancy

    If Kim posts a wish list, folks should probably also post what they'll
    get.  That way she won't wind up with a zillion of one thing and zip of
    another.
    

    I feel kinda funny doing this.  I really appreciate all the support,
    you guys have no idea how much help just knowing people care can do for
    a person.
    
    Spices:
    
    Salt	Pepper		Onion Powder	Garlic Powder
    Nutmeg	Ginger		Cinnamon	Anise Flavoring
    Allspice	Pumpkin Pie	Oregeno		Bay leaves
    Italian Spice		Marjoram (sp?)	
    
    
    Food Stables:
    
    Flour 	Sugar		Coffee		Yeast
    Bread	Apples		Confect. Sugar	Red & Green sprinkles
    Graham Crackers		Jimmies (multi colored)
    
    
    As for the rest it was all stuff I had made to do Christmas baskets.
    Cheesecakes, brownies, cookies (4 different kinds), candies, breads,
    etc.  That really can't be replaced.  I have to get the stuff and do
    my baking all over again.  I've already told people their baskets are
    going to be a little late this year.
    
    As for the clothes I still haven't finished washing.  I think I'll be
    able to salvage most of my bedding, the only thing I'm worried about is
    my towels.  I've got a couple of really thick ones that I'm not to sure
    will come clean.  As for the clothes even if I do lose stuff I'll
    replace it.  It was nice of all of you to offer to replace, but trust
    me kids clothes are expensive!!!
    
    Nancy you're a great friend, thanks for the great news on the furballs.
    I can't wait to see the pics.  Only a roll and a half huh gee I was
    hoping for some pictures.  :^)  Just kidding.
    
    Well I'm working til 5 but everyone else have a great one!  Merry
    Christmas!f

    Is there an address where we can send stuff to, for those of us who are
    out of the area but want to help?
    
    Karen

    RE: .27
    
    My full address is Kim Trainque, 22 Sawyer Street, Nashua, NH  03060.
    
    

    It's so nice of everyone who helped out.  I sure do hope that the help
    will be remembered and reciprocated (sp) when and if needed.
    
    Lori B.