My last posts were made over Labor Day weekend when my husband and I were in Chicago to help our youngest son move. We flew back from that trip on Tuesday to prepare for Hurricane Irma.
Two weeks ago today we sat in our home experiencing the wrath of Irma. It was very stressful as we watched this storm shift further and further west bringing the storm to hit head on where I live in Naples Florida. While the damage was significant in many areas, we were so fortunate we did not experience the storm surge they predicted even as the storm was hitting. A second eye wall saved our community.
The photo above was captured on August 24th from our backyard. I love this vista with our beautiful oak tree framing the sunrise and the small lake. Unfortunately we lost this majestic tree to Irma. Overall we lost 8 large beautiful trees. They all miraculously fell away from the house minimizing our damage from the storm.
Here is the tree in the lake as the eye of the storm went over us. You can see here the sun trying to shine through. It was the most surreal experience – total calm as we waited for the back end of the storm. We were in the eye for about 45 minutes.
And this was us working today to take apart the big oak tree one branch at a time. #irmarecovery. We were without power for a week and had a boil water and water conservation order for 11 days. This experience reminded us of how fortunate we are to live with the luxuries of electricity, A/C, clean water and sewer systems. There were convoys of electric power trucks coming down from the north to bring millions of customers back online. So grateful to all these men and women who came to our aid.
Here is the back of our home with all our shutters up prior to the storm. During the storm we stayed in my closet which is the most inner place in the house. When those winds were gusting I was very glad to be there. To add to all this craziness we are in the middle of a renovation in our home. I have never lived in such chaos!
Did I mention I work in the insurance industry?! It has been an incredibly stressful and crazy few weeks. Recovery in our community will takes months and even years for some areas. Well now you know what I have been up to…
A quick card created with the Painted Harvest Photopolymer Stamp Set. This stamp set is wildly popular and creating with it is very fun. I have seen Christmas Wreaths made with this set as well. It is a very versatile stamp set.
The white dots are created with White Nuvo Drops.
The sentiment is from the retired set Thoughtful Branches. Can you see the fru-fru bow? It was created with Crushed Curry Thick Bakers Twine.
I hope you have had a wonderful weekend.
Michelle
Oh, Michelle – what a nightmare! I am so glad that you are safe, but so sorry you lost your beautiful trees:-(. And as far as the insurance industry – I can’t image! Yikes! Take care and hang in there!
Such a shame to lose all those beautiful trees, but it could have been much worst. We have family in Sarasota and Ocala and Tampa. They all came out in fairly good condition as well. We were praying for everyone impacted by the storms in Texas, Florida and all the islands in the Caribbean. They are still in our thoughts everyday and we are very grateful for living in one of the safest states in the Midwest Michigan winters can be rough and we might get a severe Thunderstorm or tornado threat, but that’s about the worst of it.
Glad you are safe.