Fire drills are important afterall

The insanity continues.  Our alarm system has not been working lately, and we've had some pretty interesting experiences because of it.  The first was when, of course, my mom was taking a nap and I was sitting right next to the blaring speaker, and we both nearly had a heart attack.  

The second?  Ohhhhh the second.  I was really excited to go do some Christmas wrapping because I absolutely love wrapping gifts.  Just as I got settled on the floor with everything around me the gosh darned alarm goes off again.

Now.  This is no normal alarm.  The alarm screams "FIRE! FIRE! EVACUATE THE PREMISE!" and then this fun phrase is followed up by the sound of an enormous fog horn.  That part I don't quite get, but I mean, the sheer terror that this thing evokes would turn a dead person over in their grave.

Oh but there's more.  In the midst of the alarm, the alarm company calls to see if it's a real emergency.  Of course I can't hear the lady talking, but in the midst of screaming "FALSE ALARM"  I hear her ask for the password.  the password?  How on earth am I supposed to know the password?

So in one hand I've got the landline, and in the other hand I've got my cell phone, and I repeatedly try to get a hold of my parents.  No answer.  Ever.

The lady puts me on hold and after about four minutes the alarm goes off.  thank GOODNESS!  I continue to stay on hold as my ears are ringing, and about 8 minutes go by.  Finally I just hang up on this lady.  

Just as I do so, I hear the St Helena Fire Alarm go off.  CRAP!  Now the whole volunteer firemens' fleat is dropping whatever they're doing to come put out a false-alarm-fire.

The really sad thing is that I did not even think to call 911!  I've heard that in times of panic people sometimes forget that they're supposed to call 911 - that or I'm just trying to make myself feel better.

Long story short, the fire marshall comes to my house, and just as the fire truck's wails get closer, he tells them its a false alarm, and they could go back.

Just a typical Wednesday at the Phelps Household.