The family ranch is on the edge of the Hayman Fire. Dad, SMom, and the animals were evacuated yesterday. <p>No new evacuations ordered this morning by Teller County, so that could be good news. <p>SMom is as organized as all get out, so I'm sure she was ready with all the important papers and stuff, but I couldn't even ask about all the pictures....<p>I actually love to stand at the kitchen sink there, it's an amazing view of the mountains.<p>E

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Hang tough, Liz.

Praying for you and your family and all the other's in harm's way from the fire. Stay strong

justthewife - I live in Highlands Ranch, the smell of the fire has been terrible down here I can't imagine what it is like up there. <p>My thoughts are with you and your family.

Liz, you have my ever so diligent prayers. <p>Fire is one of my worse fears. <p>Lv,
Jo

I also live in Colorado and my job is actually to help families stay on family ranches through a variety of means -- anyway, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. This fire is incredible. My sister lives near the Coal Seam Fire and was evacuated but didn't lose her house thank goodness.

{{{{{{llama hhugs tto lliz}}}}}}}}}<p>Hang in there sista!<p>Llama

Thanks everyone. I'm such a mental case now. I've got the living room tv on CNN and the bedroom on MSNBC. I keep popping back and forth round the net looking for some kind of new update. It's just a waiting game, and I am not known for my patience. <p>If there is a place that could be called heaven on earth this is it. <p>The driveway is miles long, and winds up to the house. Our 2 goldens run to greet you, nasty tennis balls in their mouths. It's a toss up - ride the 4 wheelers or the horses first, or go into the kitchen and sit at the island and have some of Dads homemade salsa while SMom cooks for some unknown army. <p>Christmas there is finding the perfect 25 foot tree somewhere on the ranch and dragging the darn thing back to the house. The fireplace in the living room has a mantle with all the years of family Christmas pictures on it. SMom is the one who taught Martha Stewart about the perfect Christmas, so the decorations, the food, the wrapping on the presents, everything....<p>The kids have their own room there. SMom made it just for them. 2 sets of bunk beds, a closet for clothes and one for toys and books. The theme is cowboys of course, and she has little cowboy hats on each pillow.<p>Each bedroom (except for Dad & SMom's) has a little lined page blank book. One of those journal books you know? Every time anyone comes we write down when we came and what we did. All the little things about our visit.<p>I know that if it goes we could rebuild, and that the important thing is the people - not the physical things. One woman they know died from smoke inhalation yesterday. <p>Time to check the news again.<p>E <img src="graemlins/teary.gif" border="0" alt="[Teary]" />

JTW,<p>I sure hope your family and the ranch are safe.
Have you spoken with them today?<p>I can imagine how anxious you are awaiting word on the fire...<p>[ June 12, 2002: Message edited by: cleopatra ]</p>

<img src="graemlins/teary.gif" border="0" alt="[Teary]" /> <p>I hope they get this fire stopped soon.

I talked to Dad a little while ago, we've been checking in with each other every few hours. He sounds so sad. He does say that the ranch still stands though! <p>The horses are with my aunt and uncle quite a ways away, so they will be safe.<p>I'm going to go over to my sisters with the kids now so we can be together. We just talked and decided to go news free for a few hours. So, we are going to just sit on the porch and let the kids play outside and pretend everything is normal until after dinner when we call Dad again.<p>He said that he thinks the next 48 hours are going to be it. The fire will either take the ranch or they will get it under control. 48 hours is a reallllly long time.<p>Thanks again guys, once again you're keeping me relatively sane.<p>E

justthewife,<p>Am sorry to hear about your situation, family farm and ranches are so very important. Stay strong and try to enjoy the few news free hours!!<p>Dawn [img]images/icons/smile.gif" border="0[/img]

My heart breaks for you and your family Liz. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless!
BH

Thinking of you too JTW<p>Dancer

Elizabeth,<p>thinking of you.

You are in my prayers. Be strong [img]images/icons/tongue.gif" border="0[/img] [img]images/icons/tongue.gif" border="0[/img]
Layli

Liz,<p>I didn't realize you are so close to [H] and I. You and your family are in our prayers. Hang in there and let us know.<p>Our really good friends are really close to the Coal Seam fire. They check in every day. I'm really worried about her as she is a nurse at the hospital there. She can be called at any time.<p>Many hugs and prayers to you!!!<p>K

Thanks for hanging in there with me guys. I really appreciate all the lovin. It was nice to relax (kind of) tonight. Dad is sounding more stressed by the second. He was supposed to be doing this big business meeting thing in Chicago this week, so he's stressed about missing that on top of the whole fire a second away from the ranch thing. He needs a good nights sleep, I wish I could email him one of my marvelous xanax. 1mg down the hatch, I should hopefully be sound asleep in 32 minutes.<p>Knewjie, the kids and I live in Wisconsin, so we are not always close to you, we are there lots to visit Dad and SMom, and always spend Christmas there. But, if the ranch still stands next time we are out you should come over and play with our doggies and we can take a long hike and catch some fishies for dinner.<p>Love,
E [img]images/icons/frown.gif" border="0[/img]

Elizabeth,<p>I'm so sorry, and I will keep an eye on CNN too. Your dad's ranch sounds like such a beautiful place, with wonderful memories. I will put you in my prayers.