Storm Pictures

These aren't very good. We just drove through without stopping. They were starting to work and we didn't want to be in the way. We are cutting up our tree today, which is a comparatively small job compared to what you see in these pictures.
                                                                      

Clearing after the storm, from our backyard

The following are Ohatchee. There used to be houses here.

Ohatchee, what remains of houses along Hwy 77

Ohatchee, clean up including burning debris

Ohatchee

Ohatchee, along Hwy 77

Horse barn--horses were in the field, I can't remember how many were killed in the storm

Church set up with recovery items--food, clothes

These are near Glencoe

There used to be a church here

There are fields of trucks ready to head out. This was taken early in the morning, as they were arriving to begin work for the day.

Some Stories

One of the most memorable photographs I have ever seen was taken on 9/11. It is of a mother feeding her infant who is sitting in one of those infant bouncy seats. They are on a rooftop and in the background you can see the twin towers burning. To me it is such a profound statement that even in the midsts of the worst tragedies, life goes on.

This morning started early, as the girls and I woke up to watch the royal wedding. It felt so good to be watching something so joyful after all the horror of the past two days (has it really only been two days?!). And then we were back to school after being out yesterday. I was happy to return to the routine to get my mind on something other than the tornadoes.

However at school there were several stories. Some were hopeful: the cousin of one of the teachers who was sucked up out of his apartment, but fell into his bathtub (which was no longer in the bathroom) and a piece of the roof fell on top of him forming a safe "cocoon". Some were heartbreaking: the grandmother of one of my students who was crushed by a falling car. Some are going to give me nightmares: the co-worker of one of the teacher's son who received a call from his wife telling him she was laying on top of their three children in the bathtub and the tornado was coming. He raced home (which took 4 hours because of the damage) and found his children scattered outside (the house was gone) with various broken bones and such. It took rescuers a long time to find his wife, who had been killed. That was in Fort Payne--which hasn't even been mentioned on the news.

No one at our school was hurt. One of the first graders lost her home though. A few of the students have lake homes which were destroyed. While it is sad, at least those are just secondary homes which can be replaced.

Many of the students had stories of debris they have found in their yards. One had a picture with a name on the back. I encouraged her to try to find who it belongs to and return it. Someone in Mr. C's class found a hundred dollar bill. Mr. C  found a five dollar bill. Several people found checks and financial papers. Can you imagine on top of everything else to have to worry about having your financial papers land in some stranger's yard? One of M's friends found a Milo's cup with a receipt taped to it which showed it came from Tuscaloosa. One of my students found a pair of jeans in their yard. I think everyone has found some insulation.

We are all suffering from minor inconveniences. Hubby has been without power since Wednesday morning. We had to cancel Serendipity Day at our school. (Serendipity Day is only the coolest thing that any school I've ever been to does.) The most disturbing thing (for our family) is that due to Huntsville not having any power, Space Camp has been cancelled for next week. They may reschedule it, but they will probably just refund the money. Mr. C is devastated, but... I remind him that we are all in one piece and that is more important.

At least I haven't been worrying about the house (not) selling this week. And I've completely gotten over the garage door being shot out by the neighbor. Oh, I didn't post about that did I? Well, I'm over it.

Sorry for such a long, rambling, somewhat depressing post. I'm too tired to proofread this or reword the awkward sentences.

Numb

We just got our power back and I could see the news from overnight. Numb is the only word to explain how I feel right now. We are all safe, thank God. When everything turned white--it went from dark gray, to pale green, to white (like looking through a massive bunch of whirling bubbles)-- out the window we went to the laundry room. More of our tree fell, but that was all of our damage.

We ventured out far enough to see how extensive the power outage was, so I could get an idea if there would be school Thursday. We saw several emergency vehicles racing south. Today I saw this in the local news. O'Hatchee is maybe 5 miles from us. All I can tell from the article is that there were "several" deaths there.

We were very lucky last night. Sorry I don't have any pictures. A little too shaken to get out and gawk.

Prayer Request

Our damage--hopefully this will be all

Just requesting prayers for us and everyone else in Alabama/Tennessee/Georgia tonight. We just watched, on TV, a massive tornado rip through Tuscaloosa (University of Alabama). I've never seen anything like it in real life.  WJSU probably has footage of it. Debris from Tuscaloosa is falling in Birmingham and they said it may fall as far away as Chattanooga.

We have heard of several deaths today. Some in the county right next to us. Right now it is just popping up all around us.

Hubby called from Chattanooga. No power. He had to drive off-road to get back to his apartment. Several trees down. When he got home, the golfball size hail started. We will have to pay the deductible to fix his car, but at least he is safe.

Please pray for us. Thanks.

Welcome to the Family, Nathaniel

Someone's dad brought twelve of these to school today. They came out of the river. Mr. C was one of the "lucky" ones who brought one home. He immediately named it Nathaniel, but said we may call him Pint-Size until he grows up.

I was working the car line when one of my 4th graders told me that Mr. C was in the classroom looking for someplace to put a turtle. My first reaction was "No way!" But during the 15 minutes of car duty I thought about how fast they are all growing up. In a few years he won't care about turtles, but for now it is a huge deal. So he is researching what to feed it and then we'll head out to find something better than an old butter tub to put it in.

Secret Powers

You can't see me

Mom: It's after 9. Get in bed.
Mr. C: I'm an invisible ninja.
Mom: I'm an invisible ninja mama. Now get your little invisible butt in bed.

Date Night, Kind Of

Every Wednesday night the girls go to church and then out to eat at El Tap (Mexican restaurant). Or M goes and S goes to work. So Mr. C and I are on our own. We somehow started a tradition of going to McDonald's to get two cheeseburgers, two fries, and two apple pies on Wednesdays. Then we sit on the couch and watch The Middle and Modern Family. So how's that for a cliche American family dinner and entertainment?

But you know what. I look forward to it each week. Because no matter how much Mr. C pretends like he doesn't know me in public, I know that every Wednesday night he'll sit next to me on the sofa and lean up against my shoulder as we laugh at some cheesy TV.