Post Hurricane Irma

I am glad to report that all our family members 

throughout the state are safe and faired VERY well.

Jim and Nereida had her during daylight hours.

This is the picture of his tree that fell on the neighbor's house.

Clif and I in Orlando had her in the middle of the night.

Hearing things hit your house, thumps, and howling winds

leave your imagination soaring.

It doesn't help either that your husband finds it thrilling to stand on the front porch and pop his head in occasionally, giving updates.

He may as well work as a news reporter.

Levi wanted to go out with him.  He didn't like being told no.

I think he thought if he put his boots on, I'd change my mind...not.

I made a safe place in the hallway because tornado warnings were issued constantly, this way we could quickly get into the closet if needed. Our weather forecasters were awesome, they would actually name intersections that were on track for one.

I resorted to wearing my earbuds and listening to the local news. 

I had instrumental piano/flute music playing on my laptop for 

Levi, and turned off the TV. 

Levi just thought we were camping out.

Our power stayed until 1:42 am.  That is when we were

receiving the northeast side of the storm next to the eye.

The eye did not pass over us.

I finally fell asleep about 2 am and up at 7.

Pre-hurricane tree that was thinned in May.

Post-hurricane tree.

A trip to the backyard showed us we'd get our workout.

 

This kind of flying debris is why we board our windows.

Look at the sod it peeled back.

If you saw the video of Levi outside before the hurricane, 

you will be able to compare what a beating our front tree took.

I am very grateful it didn't fall down!

But here is what that tree looks like now.

I figure next month, I'll call the tree company to

trim the trees so they can rebound and be healthy.

 

Levi was excited to be able to get out and play.

 

 

Later, I decided to take a walk around the neighborhood 

and take some pictures.

Our neighbor asked us to check on their house.

They stayed with the daughter.

Backyard was a mess, the house was fine.

The good news is no one had any structural damage.

A huge improvement from when Hurricane Charlie

came through in 2004.

I am glad God listened to the many prayers lifted up to Him.

He showed mercy on us.

And for that, we give Him thanks and praise!

 

I had originally prepared this post a week ago, however,

my hard drive crashed and I lost everything.

I am using Clif's laptop, and it is powered by a generator.

It is now Monday night, Sep 19.

We had our powered restored last Thursday afternoon.  Unfortunately, when I plugged in the refrigerator it sparked and set off an alarm on our stove.  Where the time usually displays read the words "bad line". Clif immediately turned off the breakers until he got his testers.  Upon testing the circuit breakers as well as the outlets in the house, it was apparent we had a problem.

Needless to say, we have been without power (outlets) since.

However, the good news is that we can run the air conditioning and the hot water heater. The better to have given the circumstances.  Duke Energy called Sunday evening to let us know there are still 5,000 customers without power in our area and the earliest they will most likely get to us is Friday.

Good thing Clif and I are campers.  We have adjusted!