Monday, September 15, 2008

Home Safe & Sound

.......and as of about 2 hours ago, we have POWER!!!!! WOO HOOO!!

As we figured, it was a long drive home yesterday - 8 hours. We saw amazing destruction coming thru Houston, and we were amazed at how much damage there was that far north. The closer we got to home, the worse it got. We were very nervous.







We decided to check on Bubba's Mom & Dad's house first, since it was on our way home. Thankfully they had no major damage, but a lot of trees and tree limbs down, and some debris blown about.



Then we headed home, praying that we fared well. And we did! No major damage at our house, either - just a lot of tree limbs and leaves everywhere and no power, but no broken windows or water in the house! For some reason a rush of emotion hit me when we walked in the door to find we were OK, and I burst into tears.



Because we knew that not far away - not far from home at all - there were scenes like this:






I feel very, very blessed that we fared as well as we did. Last night as we ate steaks that Hubby grilled on the charcoal grill, and mac-n-cheese that I cooked on our gas stove, dining by the light of one light bulb and with our refrigerator working thanks to D... and Big D loaning us their generator, I felt like a queen. We had no A/C, but all our windows were open and we had a relatively cool breeze coming thru and we were safe and sound. Praise God!

We did have a bit of a scary night. We turned the generator off and went to bed at about 11:00. With no power in the area, it is really dark and really quiet! But we weren't too uncomfortable with all the windows open and a nice breeze coming in. At about 1:00 a.m. I woke up to a loud BAM! I woke up Hubby and we kept hearing it, BAM! BAM! Then voices. Then Hubby saw a flashlight beam next door and told me to call 911 - looters were breaking into our next-door neighbors' house! The police came and didn't catch them, but did scare them off. We were really, really scared. Thank goodness we have our power back on so we can lock up tight tonight, and have some outside lights on.

I want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughts and prayers for us during this ordeal. And it has definitely been an ordeal. D... and I were just talking about how we feel guilty that we fared so well when others lost so much. But for the grace of God it could have been us. He was watching out for us this time.

19 comments:

Katie Lady said...

Yay! I'm so thankful it's all ok.

Anna Maria Pellizzari said...

Glad to hear your home is all right!

Anonymous said...

I've been watching the news and praying for you guys. Mr. clairol was baffled by my sudden interest in national news, even more so when I explained that I have friends in Texas. He just doesn't get the blog thing.

Wes Raine said...

Looters? That is so crazy! I hope they got that stupid idea scared out of them by their brush with the law. Glad to hear that your house is okay and that you have power back.

Wendy said...

Great to hear that your house is okay. Looters -- how scary!

Jenny86753oh9 said...

I'm so glad you guys made it back safe and sound. You guys were blessed, that's for sure. Glad Burly Hubby didn't have to open up a can of whupa$$ on some burglers. They probably felt the "vibes" and skipped your house! :-P

Kristi said...

That is so scary. I don't know if I would have been able to close my eyes for a week afterward. thanks for the photos...it helps us up north to really appreciate what you are all going through down there. I hope recovery is swift.

Jim and Jami said...

Soooo glad everyone and everything is safe and sound at your household.....I have been thinking and praying for you guys all weekend.....

D... said...

Amen, bff, but for the grace of God...

Stacey said...

I'm so glad to read you're fine. Still so sorry your community is torn up like it is. What fortune Big D has a generator for you guys, hooray!

Stuuuupid looters, sheesh! That scares me, girl. xoxo

Unknown said...

Wow! Thanks for posting the pics!

DD said...

I'm glad to hear your damage was minimal. I'll continue to pray as yall walk through this.

kris said...

glad you are ok, been wondering.. one of your pics is by my house which has been condemned as of yesterday. Go check out my pics on my blog. I am at MIL's for now then who knows, will check in when I can! Hang tough!
kris

The Apron Queen said...

Glad you're OK. We fared well also. Some damage, but nothing major. All easily fixable or easily cleaned up.

Screwed Up Texan said...

Glad to hear you are okay...

Looters are a shame.

Wow, your pictures brought amazement to my eyes when I saw the boats on the highway. Our family was just down there this past March.

Threeundertwo said...

I came over from the Apron Queen's blog. Thank you for the pictures and I'm so glad your house is alright. I think I would have cried too!

All the best to you and your loved ones for a successful clean up and recovery. We're all cheering for you.

Forgetfulone said...

I'm so glad you made it home safely! My in-laws, who live in Seabrook, were very lucky as well. No structural damage, no trees on the house, just lots of debris. My brother-in-laws both have boats, and they both made it. Just a few miles down the road, it's another story, though.

Anonymous said...

I am so glad to hear that your house and fmaily are ok. I have been praying for y'all! Oh, and I know I would have cried, too, at seeing my house still standing. I'll keep you in my prayers as the long clean-up begins.

Anonymous said...

Wow, with such devastation and disaster you guys are so lucky! We had a tree down in our yard (in Arkansas) from the high winds!