NEARLY A WEEK WITHOUT POWER and the storm from hell!

[PJ]

I know you guys missed me:-dbut I was in the middle of the ice hell you have all been hearing abouto|

This was my landscaping that I bled sweat to complete over the years. My parents are immigrants so I don't hire people for manual labor.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a158/pjcd1/008.jpg

Then the storm where hundred foot oaks fell like toothpicks.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a158/pjcd1/08storm/DSC01428-1.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a158/pjcd1/08storm/DSC01415.jpghttp://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a158/pjcd1/08storm/DSC01423.jpg

This is the 30 foot pear on the left side of my house:-(
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a158/pjcd1/08storm/DSC01404.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a158/pjcd1/08storm/DSC01403.jpg

40 foot October Glory
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a158/pjcd1/08storm/DSC01407.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a158/pjcd1/08storm/DSC01406.jpg
Frank meant it when he said ICE.

That birch is completely bent to the ground.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a158/pjcd1/08storm/DSC01419.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a158/pjcd1/08storm/DSC01420.jpg

We are all safe and finally warm. I have not slept where I could actually see my breath...like last night. My chainsaw got a workout (along with me).

It was certainly and adventure and I did not snap pics of the oaks in back because, at the time, it was simply not safe. Suffice it to say it came in handy for the fireplace.

We feel blessed...

Phil

BTW the Evo got all the wrist time (B1 has not arrived). Did take it off for the yard cleanup.;-)

[Alan M]

Phil, good to hear that you are all safe.

You have a beautiful home and those trees can be replaced. I'm betting you will enjoy doing it as well.

Looking forward to the pics of a B1 cousin.

Best

Al

[rik]

wow! glad everyone is safe mate.

[davey vermaak]

Wow glad you are all ok!

Beautiful in not destructive scenes

Been up in Killington and hit by -20 and then windchill! Not fun to ski in but you do learn to use those edges!!!!

Davey

[kiwidj]

Wicked stuff mate. Sends a chill up my spine just looking at those pics. Stay warm and safe!

[Noven]

Glad to have you back. Hope the the comes soon.

[Broker]

I went 9 days in September of this year.

These pics are not my house:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3187/2847931975_c570308cc4.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3097/2847932233_c509c67340.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3024/2847934421_be22419d31.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3062/2845225145_160c828f4f.jpg?v=0

My house:

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z249/brokerrookie/Gustav009.jpg?t=1229611822

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z249/brokerrookie/Gustav010.jpg?t=1229611838

[PJ]

I went 9 days in September of this year.

These pics are not my house:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3187/2847931975_c570308cc4.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3097/2847932233_c509c67340.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3024/2847934421_be22419d31.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3062/2845225145_160c828f4f.jpg?v=0

My house:

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z249/brokerrookie/Gustav009.jpg?t=1229611822

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z249/brokerrookie/Gustav010.jpg?t=1229611838

Broker,

We often thought about what you guys went through over the days.

Mother Nature certainly rules.

[SpacemanSpiff]

Phil, you've got a beautiful house, good thing those trees are further away to do damage. It would really suck if you have no power and a gaping hole there. Glad everyone is okay.

Broker, those are tough pictures to look at, and hope everyone is well.

[TxKarateDude]

Broker, I hope you're getting things put back in order. Ike did a lot of damage all over the Gulf coast. I still see it's affects around town, and am still dealing with my own storm damage. But it DOES make you thankful that it wasn't worse, and that you're alive.

[Crazy Cajun]

Sorry to see that. Don't plant Bradford pear trees, they are notorious for breaking/splitting under snow/ice. Glad you got the heat back on. We were w/o power for about a week a few years ago, it really sucked and you realize there is alot we take for granted.

[PJ]

Phil, good to hear that you are all safe.

You have a beautiful home and those trees can be replaced. I'm betting you will enjoy doing it as well.

Looking forward to the pics of a B1 cousin.

Best

Al

Thanks Al. B1 gave me something to look forward to..nothing like a new toy:-!

wow! glad everyone is safe mate.

Me too!

Wow glad you are all ok!

Beautiful in not destructive scenes

Been up in Killington and hit by -20 and then windchill! Not fun to ski in but you do learn to use those edges!!!!

Davey

Davey you need sharp edges to ski on ice!

Wicked stuff mate. Sends a chill up my spine just looking at those pics. Stay warm and safe!

Some areas look like tornados went through them! We were lucky!

Sorry to see that. Don't plant Bradford pear trees, they are notorious for breaking/splitting under snow/ice. Glad you got the heat back on. We were w/o power for about a week a few years ago, it really sucked and you realize there is alot we take for granted.

Well I am hoping the pear will survive even though it is in half. They made it through 11 NH winters (I kept them trimmed back).

Guy's

I have to say that I really missed this forum and truly appreciate all of your well wishes.

[Broker]

Guy's

I have to say that I really missed this forum and truly appreciate all of your well wishes.

We all have our burdens but we're glad that you're back and in pretty decent shape!!

[Brice]

Hi Phil.
It's a pain to see your pictures...!
All my best wishes to you and your beloved ones in a such dismal stroke.

Cheers,
Brice

[PJ]

We all have our burdens but we're glad that you're back and in pretty decent shape!!

So true...Thank you Broker.

Hi Phil.
It's a pain to see your pictures...!
All my best wishes to you and your beloved ones in a such dismal stroke.

Cheers,
Brice

Thank you for the kind words Brice.

[Greaves]

Wow Phil, what a storm! Glad that you and your family are safe, albeit a little uncomfortable..

Take care.

[helderberg]

PJ, I almost feel guilty for not having lost power. The worst I had was my cable went out for a few hours. When I got out and saw what had happened all around me I realized how lucky I was. Very sorry for what you had to go through but it is good that you are back on line and will be able have some normalcy.
Best health, Frank
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x94/osterlitz/icetree.jpg?t=1229657939

[newmedia]

i move from NEW ENGLAND over the summer to Texas, love it down here ..:-!

Beautiful country in NH and Maine, hope you guys get through the winter in one piece..

[PJ]

More snow on the way Frank! Where are you going in NC? May join you.

[areyes926]

What a devastation but the main thing is you are all safe. Everything can be fixed.

[gaopa]

Wow, what storms! So sorry for your loss, but glad none of you were injured. Here in our part of NE Georgia we are having very mild weather for this time of year. It was in the mid-70's yesterday which is crazy! Cheers, Bill P.

[helderberg]

PJ, Meet me at "Red hot and blue"in Raleigh, but my new Granddaughter may have something to say about the time. 22" long and 9 lbs 15 oz's. Longer than her sister but one oz. lighter. We grow them big!!!
Best health, Frank
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x94/osterlitz/IMG_23912.jpg?t=1229717635

[PJ]

PJ, Meet me at "Red hot and blue"in Raleigh, but my new Granddaughter may have something to say about the time. 22" long and 9 lbs 15 oz's. Longer than her sister but one oz. lighter. We grow them big!!!
Best health, Frank

She is beautiful...my daughter was only about five pounds! Raleigh is a nice place to live...the snow dumping down right now has me thinking about ito|

[Verner]

Hi PJ,

glad you are all safe. A week without electricity!!! How´d you manage????
The "Big Fella Upstairs sure can throw us a curve ball! (using an American Expression)".

Here´s a few pics of my house which might cheer you up....


Julia checking out the Master Bedroom:-

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/little_daffodil/BJJulialookinginBedroom.jpg

Kitchen:-

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/little_daffodil/AKKitchenandDiningRoom.jpg

Master Bedroom:-

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/little_daffodil/AOMasterBedroom.jpg

Still, with a few nails here and there and a lick of paint.............. ;-)

Have a good Christmas PJ and I hope the Electricity Fairies are kind to you and your Family,

Best wishes,

Verner

[PJ]

Verner what happened? That looks like a fire. Thank God it was brick and you and your family are ok!

We froze in the house for a couple of nights (below zero). Then I got a room for the girls (by luck) and I stayed at the house (there were some shady people driving around).

We just got another foot of snow with more to come:-s

[helderberg]

Verner what happened? That looks like a fire. Thank God it was brick and you and your family are ok!

We froze in the house for a couple of nights (below zero). Then I got a room for the girls (by luck) and I stayed at the house (there were some shady people driving around).

We just got another foot of snow with more to come:-s

I just took the dog out and I was in shorts and a tee shirt. Raleigh NC, it may be harder than I thought to go home!!!
Best health, hope your Snowblower is running good, Frank
:-d:-d

[PJ]

It was used 3 times today!

[helderberg]

What I am going to have to pay for snow removal while I am here is going to be more than my airfare!!!
Best health, Frank :-s:-s

[Verner]

Verner what happened? That looks like a fire. Thank God it was brick and you and your family are ok!

We froze in the house for a couple of nights (below zero). Then I got a room for the girls (by luck) and I stayed at the house (there were some shady people driving around).

We just got another foot of snow with more to come:-s


Hi PJ,

no, they were "before" pictures. My "house" is a 200 year old stable/animal-block/barn. Those pictures were when the renovations began, which then took 19 months to complete. I just thought it might make you feel not so bad. ;-)
The builder had literally just dug out several feet of ancient animal "pooh" (that´s "S H 1 T" in American money) ;-)

That sounds scarey with dodgy people driving around. Luckily the girls had you to protect them. I can´t imagine what that would have been like.

Delighted you are all well and safe, and I hope you all have a much better Christmas/New Year.

Best wishes,


Verner

[PJ]

Hi PJ,

no, they were "before" pictures. My "house" is a 200 year old stable/animal-block/barn. Those pictures were when the renovations began, which then took 19 months to complete. I just thought it might make you feel not so bad. ;-)
The builder had literally just dug out several feet of ancient animal "pooh" (that´s "S H 1 T" in American money) ;-)

That sounds scarey with dodgy people driving around. Luckily the girls had you to protect them. I can´t imagine what that would have been like.

Delighted you are all well and safe, and I hope you all have a much better Christmas/New Year.

Best wishes,


Verner

That is so cool...would have loved to see the construction! It is a beautiful setting. We are now on our second foot of snow (must be global warming:-)

You too have a lovely Holiday:-!

Phil