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"TraVeL ThRouGh ThE LaNd Of “Soft in the Head”
...the home of “Singing and Dancing Mice & Humorous Frogs!”.

Where “Original Designs” of patterns and soft sculpture characters come to life..…

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Tuesday, July 3, 2012

We're Still Okay!

A "derecho"
Yep, the image you see on the left is what hit our area and that of many others June 29, 2012, a "derehco" with winds of 95-105 miles per hour.  We had no warning this was coming, kinda like an earthquake.  It hit and caused severe damage and left....just like a first time lover but this damage was more visible!  We lost one of our Boones Mill Firefighters in this horrific mess which has hit our small community pretty hard, more than any storm could! 

Dan and I found ourselves living in our car on Saturday, with the cats, because with the temperature in the 100's and having no power, water or and any form of air at our house,  the best thing for us was to get out of Dodge
or in this case Boones Mill!  We had no idea the incredible devastation that we would run into on our road trip.  First, there were literally hundreds of trees down everywhere,  not to mention the runs at grocery stores and convenience stores for ice and water.  Shelves were virtually empty everywhere!  
 






Dan and I traveled as far as Richmond (fours hours away) and realized there was NOTHING with power.  We were unable to find any kind of lodging,  ones that were with power were full.  We also had problems finding food since we had to use a drive through cause we had our cats with us.  Fast food restaurants were either closed (no power), running out of food, or the intense traffic of cars and people were causing 1 hour or more waiting times. 

Just when it seemed bleak and that we would have to return home to our "sauna" of a house we found the last available room in Lexington, at an inflated price of course!  The place was run down and not pretty put damn it, it had AC, a clean bed and RUNNING water.  You forget what a luxury a flushing toilet can be!  Sunday we headed back to Roanoke...power was still out in most places and no ice or water could be found anywhere....it was looking seriously bad for us. 


I had done our monthly grocery shopping 3 days before this storm hit and lost a freezer full of food and quite a bit from the frig as well. 

We spent Sunday night in our house.  With only one door that allowed air into the house we moved our recliners to the front and slept by the door.  Living in an antiquated home has its drawbacks.  Another storm hit that night so sleeping outside was not an option.  Still no water to flush with and very little for anything else but we managed.  Monday Dan had to go to work, his company had generators so it was expected for him to be there.  The house was to hot for me to do much of anything so I sat by the door and read with a wet towel draped around me! 
Early in the afternoon I started to get sick and I knew it was the beginning of heat exhaustion so I took two small bottles of water, drank one and dumped the other on over my head....felt a little better.  Managed to find a hotel in Roanoke that would take us and our cats but it was going to be $200 a night (funny how prices sky rocket when there is supply and demand).  Dan would be home soon and then we would be off to a nice cool place to stay with a flushing toilet and SHOWERS!!!!! After I finished grilling what meat I could salvage and packing us up

"LOW and BEHOLD our power came on!!!!!!!  They had told us it would be Friday before it would be restored so this was very surprising and emotional for me....I could flush!!!!!!!  We lost our money on the hotel but we gained a nice cozy cool house to sleep in and a FLUSHING toilet and a welcomed cool shower!  We feasted on grilled steak and turkey and veggies.  Dan was able to find some ice, of course we didn't need it now, but we had ice tea with dinner.  We felt like royalty!  



This was an adventure and not one we would EVER want to do again.  If we were 20 years younger or even 10 years younger I think Dan and I would have gotten through it better but as it is,  it took a serious toll out on both of us!  It's tough being in your 60's and virtually alone, one just can't do as much or as well as one use to.  I look in the mirror and I'm shocked at the old person looking back cause my mind still thinks that I'm in my 40's!  
Keep praying for all those that still are without power.  The heat is still raging this week with no relief in sight.  Stores, that are open, are running very low on everything so please keep all those that have been affected by this "freak of nature" in your heart! Blessed Be!

15 comments:

WoolenSails said...

I Have never heard of that type of storm, very scary.
I am glad you have your power again, have you thought about getting a generator? They are well worth it and it pays for itself with the savings in lost food;)

Debbie

softinthehead said...

Definitely planning on getting a generator...we would have this weekend but there were none to be found here (sold out everywhere. Neither my husband and I are up on connecting such a thing but I'm sure they will give us instructions and input! Never want to go through this again!!!!!

By Thy Hands Tinkerings said...

Pam, I am so glad you are all safe!!

I know what it's like to go through something like that... and yes, a flushing toilet, that wonderful sound!!!

Blessings,
Tammy

Deppen homestead 1862 said...

Scarey~ oh, my just gives me chills~
So glad you okay~
saying prayers for all~
Teresa

Angela Richardson said...

I've been thinking of you since your last post.
We have seen on our news here that you are having a tough time, this post really makes me realise how bad it's been.
Enjoy a cool nights sleep and fingers crossed that the weather calms down
Best wishes, Angela.x

Mt. Shasta girl said...

Glad the worst is over and that you and Dan are okay ! Does not sound like fun. Sending hugs !

Debs DIY Recipes and Graphics said...

It sure makes ya realize what we take for granted . It really peeves me that a hotel would inflate the rates to rake people over . Shame on them !!! It is bad enough the damage and loss , but to take advantage monetarily is B.S. I am so glad to hear you both are ok and your fur babies . I too think I am younger at times till I look in the mirror and feel saddened as I no longer see the youthful gal I once was , but I have many great adventures and experiences along the way , to remind me that it is a fact of life .
Hugs
Deb

Barb said...

WOW what a mess. The first photo looks just like I would figure trouble to look!!
Glad you are all ok!
Hopefully you can have a fun 4th of July!!
Barb

TeresaM said...

WOW!! Never saw any clouds like those before!!! What a scary storm. Glad you okay!

The Gathering Room said...

Pam, we have been excahniging points back and forth on " FB games" but now let me pass on (((great big hugs)))So glad you and Dan are safe in your home and my thoughts and prayers are with the city folks there as well,, we had similar go through northern Illinois when some towns were seriously affected and without power..thankfully not ours.

Alice ~ Folk Art Primitives said...

We had that same storm here but it went around our house! Our town just got electric this morning ~ we're on a coop electric company and it was out only 12 hours. So happy that you got your amenities back ~ and you're right ~ as we get older, this stuff isn't fun anymore!!

Kays Kids said...

My heart reaches out to you and all those affected by this horrible storm and heat. I'm so glad you are safe and at least have a cool home.
Hugs

Lora said...

I too had never heard of this kind of storm until it hit. Those pictures are shocking, they tell the story quite well. I am glad you are alright. My husband and I are in our sixties and I understand what you are talking about.

Barefoot Primitives said...

Wow sweetie! Glad you guys are ok. And yep, a generator is worth it...cause gettin' old ain't for sissies and we do likes our little comforts ;0)
Blessings
Debbie

A Magical Whimsy said...

So sorry you had to go through this. It just seems like the weather patterns have changed drastically in the past few years from Oklahoma toward New York. My brother is in Fredericksburg, Virginia and didn't have power for a week. So devastating for so many millions of people. Hope it doesn't occur again and passes your town by.
hugs from California
Teresa
http://amagcialwhimsy.blogspot.com/

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