The dawn has been different every day this week. The bright, buttery sunlight that usually streams through my office windows most mornings has been an angry, oppressive sour gray tinged with red, and I can’t lie… It’s been terrifying.
The Sonoma and Napa fires keep inching closer. This whole part of California is all dry hills and trees, but we aren’t in any immediate danger.
El Hub and I were making our “just in case” plans the other night, like what we’d do if the winds picked up again like they did last Sunday night, when they blew across these hills at 50mph, which happens pretty often here in fall. The gas tanks have been filled, bottled water ready, clothes, devices are kept at or near 100% charged, and my family in the East Bay is staying ready in case we have to drive out there in the middle of the night for an evacuation.
Late Wednesday night, El Hub woke up at 2 smelling strong smoke inside the house. He said it was even a little hard to breathe, so he thought that another fire had started nearby. He walked around the neighborhood in the dark for an hour looking for signs of fire, but it was just that a slight shift in the wind had brought more of the smoke down from Napa and Sonoma.
I’m sorry, friend. I hope this isn’t bumming you out. I usually like to start Saturday Surfing on a cheerful note, but this has been on my mind lately, and it’s not a one-day thing. The worry wears on you. Everyone I’ve run into here in the North Bay has been on edge this week, myself included. I actually just heard a whole mess of loud sirens go by, which has been happening constantly for days, and my palms started sweating. “Does that mean there’s something close??” My mind is racing. “Sh*t, I’m still in my pajamas. Where’s Tabs?? I’ll have to strap the baby into her carrier first, then pop Tabs in his carrier… I hope he doesn’t fight me. Gotta grab the papers! The hard drives! Oh, no, where are my keys??”
Anyway, it’s been like that for days.
I’ve been trying to stick to my routines and do my work while reminding myself that stuff is only stuff — material things that can be replaced — but when you’re sitting in your office at noon but it’s dark like dusk outside and smells like the inside of a chimney, it’s hard to concentrate. The danger feels real and present, so all of this stuff is in my head…
I’m trying, though. Trying to stay busy and keep living life as usual, because what else can you do? And that’s why we’re doing Saturday Surfing right now. 🙂
- There have been so many amazing stories of survival this week, like this local couple who sheltered in a swimming pool as the houses surrounding them burned to the ground.
- When I have acne, it takes MONUMENTAL effort for me to not pick at my skin, which is why this post by Facenomics hit home.
- This is how Teen Vogue transformed into an online cultural juggernaut.
- This dude Photoshops himself into his childhood pics, and the results are hilarious! He’s got some mad post-production game.
- In the “Who would’ve thunk it?” category, there are spaces called “rage rooms” where you can go and break sh*t to let off steam.
- A whole lotta nudes from Lipstick Queen
- These cute metallic nails polishes by Pacifica look festive and very fall.
- My new favorite account on Instagram is The Hair Historian. They post pics of old paintings with a focus on hair, and I just love seeing bobs and braids styled though the ages.
- Well, this is a first! As this Scandlewood “striptease candle” burns (it’s from a new brand called Heretic), it reveals a very naked Dita Von Teese (Side note: I interviewed her like a billion years ago, and I’ll never, ever, ever forget her beautiful porcelain skin.)
Samantha is the cutest, and her reviews are THOROUGH. I especially like this video of drugstore dupes for high-end makeup!
I always learn something new from MAC Senior Artist Cher Webb. Her style is glam but totally doable.
I don’t mean to get too emo, but if you feel safe and steady this weekend, and you’re surrounded by people you care about, please cherish it, my friend. Love you. Have a good weekend.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I hope the fires don’t get to your neck of the woods Karen. I have an aunt in Fairfield who had to evacuate and we still haven’t found out if her house survived. Good luck to you, good thoughts and prayers coming your way.
I am so sorry. How stressful! I am praying that Northern CA gets some relief very soon!
Thank you for letting us know what is going on. I’ve been horrified by what I’ve seen on the news and I hope you, your family, and everyone else close to the fires reamain safe.
Karen, I hope you can be somewhere you feel safe. Even if there are no evacuation orders, why not leave now if you can? If you’re even slightly scared and the sky is red and hazy, maybe there’s a way for El Hub to commute (or telecommute) while you monitor the situation from afar instead of right next door. Stay safe!
I feel for you and everyone else experiencing this. I am snug and safe in my bed, but currently there are couple of volcanoes gurgling in Indonesia, and hundreds of thousands have been evacuated, some for months now. I can not imagine the uncertainty.
I wonder, Karen, if the important papers and other valuables should be evacuated or put in a safe? At least you have one less worry to think about.
Keep safe, keep smiling, and kisses for the Coywolf.
Dear Karen,
Just want to send you lots of love from Spain, hoping that you and your lovely family stay safe :***
I think of you every time I see a Cali fire update on the news. And I have a friend on an extended visit out there, too. We just went through a similar thing with Hurricane Irma, so I totally feel ‘ya girl. Keep all your evac stuff in one place, as near the door as possible. Don’t forget the important papers: birth certificates, etc, etc. And plan more than one evac route. Most people don’t think to do that, but fires (much like hurricanes!) are unpredictable. Stay safe and keep us posted!
Praying for your safety and everyone in harm’s way out in northern California!!!!
Praying for California. Stay safe!
Hi Karen,
You and your family are in my prayers, as are all in the path of fire.
In my neck of the woods, west of Chicago, we are hoping to avoid floods.
Be safe!
Your lipstick pal,
Lauren
Prayers for you Karen. I know you must be scared. It’s hard not to be anxious these days, because there are so many natural disasters happening at the same time. It’s so bizarre. Anyway, I pray that you and your family are safe, and that it comes nowhere near you. Please keep us posted. Take care!!
It’s real bad here in Yountville. There is fire literally less than 5 miles from the North, East, and West of me. It’s just tragic. My car is packed and I’m on edge and have barely slept for days. When I do fall asleep I wake up to the sound of helicopters and airplanes above me and the sound of sirens. The scariest thing is waking up and the smoke has managed to seep into the house and you look outside and it’s just dark and grey and red all around. I just pray this ends soon and no one else gets hurt.
I have been thinking of you especially when I see the news reports about the fires. I kniw it must feel stressful and a bit scary. I remember feeling that way in the city after the Twin Towers fell and you coukd see the ash and smell the smoke even where were. The constant traffic of emergency vehicles and the eerie silence on the streets during the days after were disturbing. All I couldnthink about was that we were together and safe. If you need to evacuate, I hope you can be somewhere safe.
Be well and stay safe.
It’s easy to understand why you’re so keyed up. It’s awful to be on high alert for an extended period of time. Praying for your safety and that soon this situation will be over.
Thanks for the update. When you are slow to post, I wonder if something bad is happening. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as well as the other folks in the fire’s path. How scary to be so helpless.
Thank you for writing about the fires today Karen. I was having one of those out of sorts days, complaining about a bunch of stuff that doesn’t amount to sh*t. I needed to hear what you had to say. Thanks for reminding me to focus on the great things in my life, the love of family, kitties and friends. Hope the rain comes to California soon. You, your family and all in California remain in my thoughts and prayers.
Man, I feel for you. 🙁 I keep reading the updates on the fire situation and it’s terrifying to hear how the fire keeps jumping around due to the wind factor. Even though I’m in the South Bay, I can smell the smoke, and there’s a haze that’s been covering the sun the past several days (really apparent during dusk). I can only imagine how difficult it must be for you, unsure if it’s okay to stay or if it’s time to temporarily vacate. Ugh.
Even though it’s a bit far off, hopefully the rains that are predicted for Thurs/Fri will stop the fires from spreading. You and your family are in my thoughts. Please, please keep safe.
Thanks for keeping us all posted, Karen. I wonder about you and your family every time I see the news. Cannot believe what happened in Santa Rosa and all over the Northern Calif. wine country. Hope you pack your car, and are ready to leave at a seconds notice. Please don’t wait until it is too late – so many people barely made it out in time. I am keeping your family and all of the people of North Cal in my prayers. Please stay safe! Hoping all of this is over very soon.
Hi Karen,
I actually was thinking of you and your family the other day when I heard the news of the fires. Thank you for sharing your experience, and glad to know you’re safe at this point. Hoping the fires come under control VERY soon, and praying for everyone affected. Sounds trite, but when things like this happen it makes you appreciate what’s really important – that adorable little Connor, El Hub, your family, and of course Tabs!
It is so sad to see what is going on out there! It must be terrifying and I will for sure be thinking of you! I’m happy to hear you have somewhere to go incase you need to evacuate. 🙁 If you need something to take your mind off of the madness, I highly suggest the show Poldark. (You can watch it on Amazon Prime if you have it.) It’s one of the best shows I’ve watched in a while! xoxo, Kristina
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Thinking of you and your family, we appreciate knowing you’re safe.
I am such a face picker. I have a friend who does acrylics to prevent doing it but acrylics kind of weird me out.
Hi Karen, trust those instincts to evacuate if you feel nervous. I think in Novato you’re pretty safe. I’m in Santa Rosa and lost my home. Our family barely made it out of our house in time. Learn from me…I always wished I put things that I can’t replace in a safety deposit box. Baby announcement, tracing of a hand print, a lock of my daughter’s hair from her first haircut. Our family is devastated. Live in the day not the someday I will. Stay safe.
Everything crossed (Including our two kittehs paws) from the UK that you and your loved ones stay safe. We are lucky not to have to worry about really crazy weather or things like wild fires most of the time, so I can only imagine what it is like. And don’t worry about us, we’ll be here on the other side and are more worried about you. So post about what you want and need to, rant, use us as sounding boards, whatever YOU need.
Hugs and Luck
Hi Karen,
Sending you and your family safe wishes. I smell the smoke pretty badly in Santa Clara, so I can only imagine the air quality you have there. I’m praying every day that the fires get controlled soon.
Kate
Hey Karen thanks for the update on the fires. I’ve been beating my brain about how unpredictable and tragic these fires can be. I’m glad to hear you’re ready to get out. Your family is in my thoughts! 😢
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Keeping you guys in my prayers! Keep safe!
I’m so sorry for you and all the people who are affected by the fires. I wish there would be some rain soon, but see that’s not likely. Thoughts and prayers for all of you. 🙁