Winter Ice Storm - National Emergency 2009

Friday January 30th: This is day 5, I think, of the worst ice storm we've ever imagined. I'm typing on my phone as that is the only electronic I have access to and it isn't transmitting at present. I will post photos when I can; that really tells the story. We've stayed warm with our gas log fireplaces and propane heaters. A few gas stations, Lowes etc have opened in town. The lines are long, but we are thankful to be able to get fuel.

AT+T, our cell network, was working a little last night, but is not consistent. Our home phones are all cordless and need electricity, so that was out at first. We were able to use a corded phone for a bit, but that is out now too. Fortunately, we had some cash in the house (rare for us). Stores, when open, are mostly cash or check. Thank goodness they will take checks.....that is trusting. As for trusting.....neighbor helping neighbor is what I've seen so far in my limited exposure. Kentuckians are generally very nice and caring. And, also self reliant. This is somewhat in contrast to our experience working in the gulf coast after Rita and Katrina.

Having everything, yet nothing to do is crazy. The first + second nights, Grandma Wanda and two of the kids’ friends were here. Last night AM and I slept in the basement bunk room with the two boys and slept nearly 12 hrs. 8 pm feels like midnight after 3 hours in a dark house! That room in the basement is all concrete block and stays pretty toasty. We ate lunch around 10:30 one morning, feeling like it was at least noon! The girls made home-made soap, which they haven't done in years. We are usually so occupied with facebook, internet, satellite tv, Xbox, DVDs, DS...we seriously don't know what to do w/o them.

The big kids have all "traded up". They switched houses with the friends and now have access to generators and warm showers. Grandma is in a warm hotel and we pray she doesn't have any health issues with her asthma. Grandpa is keeping their house thawed and bringing us supplies as we need them. So it’s just Jeff, AnnaMaria and me tonight. Jeff said he understood why families in the olden days had small houses or staff! The three of us have been toasty in the master bedroom after heating it up with the fireplace. I don't know how we will ever get AnnaMaria back in her bed! She was so sweet last night. She was squirming in the bunk room and I kissed her on the cheek. In total darkness, she turned and planted a big smacker right on my lips.

Now I'm up at 3 am on Friday worrying about making payroll today. This reminds me of the early days of business ownership! I can't calculate payroll because the time is recorded on the internet. I normally pay people by direct deposit, but our bank is local and all branches are closed. I attempted to hand write estimated checks yesterday, but USPS and Fed Ex are both closed. (BTW-The roads are bad, but my dad would have delivered mail in this) I have been somewhat of a proponent of a paper less society, but I'm not so sure now! I was glad to get my hands on some paper at work today.

We are fortunate not to have trees around our house. So many families have a yard full of limbs or even some through the roof. The ice is too thick and heavy for the trees to bounce back. As the weather stays cold, more branches fall daily. Our beloved tree-lined rail-bed is a mess. The tallest tree is still standing tall as a great sign of hope, but literally every other tree has been topped. It looks just like the trees in southern Illinois that were struck by a tornado a few years back. It will take a generation for them to be restored. Jeff worked so hard to clear a path for us to walk and ride the golf cart, now it is all to be done again. Even with that, there will still be potential danger of falling branches from the tops of the trees. Our safety is far more important than trees, but that loss does make us sad!

In case you don't believe in Divine intervention.....last week at church, Bro Earl mentioned that he and Berta would be out of town this week. Berta was longing to see their daughter in LA. This all transpired before the nasty weather reports. Since Berta is in a wheelchair, I think God picked a perfect time for her to insist on a trip south! Jeff was able to text w Earl and they are both well. He told us to check facebook when we can for photos. He's so hip w the kids (smile).

Update – February 2nd. Jeff was able to hook up a generator that preserved most of our food when the temperature got warmer last week. I was able to estimate most of the payroll checks and mailed them on Saturday. We also had several tax payments due on January 31st. Fortunately those were already figured, so I got those in the mail also. Hopefully I can get everything lined out and back to normal soon. Our internet and email at the office is still down, but we have power thanks to a generator.

The kids and I went north for the weekend to stay with my parents. We got to meet Alexus and play with all the cousins, so that was a nice break.

We got back today to find the mess of downed trees remaining in most areas, but power starting to return. Our power came on yesterday and everything except our home phone seems to be working. It rang and caller id worked earlier today, but there was no sound when we picked up the receiver. Cell phone coverage is still sketchy. The ice and snow have nearly all melted and it’s not nearly as muddy as I thought it would be. We heard on the news that the school will try to re-open on Wednesday. Grandma and Grandpa D are back home with power also.

Come back soon...we have lots of photos....just need the time to post them. Thanks for the prayers and concern. We are well, but many are still struggling, so please keep the region in your prayers.