We Survived!

Goodness it has been a long time since I've posted
anything.  Things have been a little crazy around here.

One week ago we were hit with devastating East
Canyon winds with gusts up to 100 mph.  We haven't
had bad winds since about 1999 so I guess we were
do for one.  We really looked like we were in a war
zone.  The winds whip down three canyons by
us and it can be quite nerve wracking.  Our town of
Kaysville, Farmington, Centerville and Bountiful
took the brunt of the storm.

Our community will never look the same.    One of
the golf courses 1/2 mile from me lost 419 trees.
The beautiful pines we had lining main street are
gone.  Pine trees really took a beating as did other
trees.  Roofs, siding, trampolines, patio awnings, etc
all gone!  My neighborhood now has a new look to
it.

I have lived through several of the east winds, but
this was the worst!  We were blessed to only lose
some branches from our large Maple tree in front.
Thank goodness I had followed my prompting a
few weeks earlier to trim back as far as we could the
limbs overhanging the roof or I'm sure we would
have had some pretty bad damage to the roof from
them.  Many trees and limbs were just snapped in two.
Our patio awning pulled loose and ripped the
aluminum, but it didn't go flying.  I was worried
about my windows and the neighbor's house.

We live in a awesome area where everyone pitches
in to help their neighbors.  My neighbors were there
with their chain saws cutting and stacking my tree
limbs before they did their own trees.

Two of my children and their families lost power.
My son and his daughter stayed with us Thursday
night.  The kids all thought it was great to have a
sleepover at Grandma's.  My daughter and family
were with me through Sunday evening.   Their
power was restored late Saturday night.  We never
lost our power which was highly unusual for us.

Sunday all our church meetings were cut short as we
were supposed to have more winds (up to 75 mph)
in the evening.  Everyone (in the 4 cities) was asked to
help cleanup the piles of debris so more damage would
not be incurred from flying objects.  We tied down
the awning as best we could.  The national
guard was also called in to help and areas were
opened for dumping.  In about 8-10 hours things
were cleaned up that would have taken the city weeks
to do.  We have an awesome community and people.
Thankfully, we did not have more wind.

When we came home Saturday morning from my
grandson's baptism, some one had come and hauled
all my limbs away.

We are so thankful no life's were  lost or anyone
injured, although a few people were swept along
with the wind. 

I have great empathy for those of you who have
also been through devasting storms, floods, fires,
earthquakes etc.  Thanks goodness for insurance.

Things are beginning to settle down and now I
hope to get some decorating down for Christmas.

Be well and safe,
Nola