Extreme Makeover

We were lucky enough to be able to go out and volunteer at an Extreme Makeover Home Edition that is taking place in the High Desert. They are not only building the Alquist family a new home, but an Animal sanctuary and a Learning Center. The family runs Forever Wild, an animal rescue. We were helping in the VIP tent. Due to rain, they were behind schedule, so only those who were pros that had jobs to complete were allowed in the house, sancuary, and learning center. So, we helped where we were needed. Then they said, that due to the rain, the free Concert by Billy Ray Cyrus had to be moved, and they forgot to arrange food for the band. So, we all put our resources togetehr and somebody got Domingo's to donate food, but they couldn't deliver. SOOOOOO.....Kasey and I said, we'll do it!!!So, we pick up the food from Domingos.....and there was not enough, plus they wouldn't give us the tortillas to put their fajita mix in. So, we stopped at Staters and Kasey ran in and bought tortillas and salsa (which they also wouldn't give) and I ran into La Casita, the best Mexican Restaurant EVER! They made a call to their owner and said they could and would help us out. So, we headed over to Boulder Creek Ranch in Hesperia where the concert was taking place, with our VIP badges and EMHE shirts on, and delivered the food we had to them....we walk in and who is sitting there, playing his guitar... BILLY RAY CYRUS!!! Right there, like five feet away, smiling at us so we just jeep carrying in food and 150 bottles of water that my dad had donated. We finished bringing in all the stuff, then went to sit outside on the patio to wait for a call from La Casita. Then the owner came out and asked if we got to meet him. We said no, so he took us inside and introduced us. Billy shook our hands and thanked us for bringing him food. Then he signed our shirts and took a pic with us!
We hung out for a little and he was singing in the lodge while we waited. Then he left for a sound check. La Casita arrived and we helped them get all set up. We were going to leave before they got there, but the only driveway in was totally blocked with cars trying to get into the free concert.So we stayed. The La Casita ladies and men were super nice. They just got new shirts and gave me one. I love their food. I would eat there every day if I could! The pic above is the La Casita owner and one of their workers in the kitchen. Below is Billy Ray Cyrus' band enjoying the food. The guy in teh black shirt with curly hair with his back to the camera getting ready to take a bite is Miley's drummer. She wasn't there, but he was!
This is Stacey. He is Billy Ray's Drummer. HE was super nice. He was just sitting and talking to us and was so friendly. He was telling us who everyone is and just super nice.

This is The La Casita Girls with Stacey. They were super nice to come and provide food for the band at the last minute. So, we were just snapping away at pics and all of a sudden, a fireman runs in and says, everybody out, the building is on fire. The owner was like, no its just the fireplace. And he said, NO, everybody out. The building is really on fire. So we grab the little kids that were there (La Casita's kids and the owners grandkids) and everybody runs out. We are stnading there and the chimney is super smokey and sparks are coming out of it.

Next thing you see if fire spuing out the top of the chimney. The fire is in the attic and the chimney.They send us all to the tent where everyone who was waiting to see the concert was, then they evacuate us to the parking lot, in the rain.
The entire lodge, which was absolutely beautiful, was a total loss. I feel so sorry for the Hasting Family who own the place. They had this there out of the goodness of their hearts, and now their beautiful lodge is gone. It was so scary though. There was propane heaters all along the outside on the balcony and they started exploding. They had everyone else leave, but our car, along with about six others, was parked on the other side, right outside the burning lodge. So, we were stuck, out in the parking lot, in the rain and wind, freezing and worried. Then finally they got the fire lines all laid and they were able to take quads over and the security guys got our cars and brought them to us. We left, knowing that the poor family must be devastated. They were supposed to have the wrap=up party at tehir place tonight for the crew and the family. They are the nicest family. Now we'll see who steps up to help them rebuild! Hopefully EMHE and ABC won't drop the ball and will help out!