Catching a Break...

Daughter-in-law Kate says we are due. We have had an eventful 24 hours-- weather related that is. The day was cruising along and busy with cleaning along with my two regular Amish ladies, delivery of our new television, shopping for clothes with Ron, and picking up a young Amish couple who said they would help us put in the dock at Wee Cottage for Kate and kids. We ordered pizza for pick up from the Draft Horse and were all eating together at our house when it appeared our chance of severe thunderstorms was indeed developing quickly. Soon it was pouring, thunder and lightning. We couldn't see across the road or the lake. Kate pulled up severe weather warnings with south Branch County, where Gilead Lake is, mentioned specifically. Cautioned to move to the safe area or lowest level of your home, immediately we headed down to our lower level which is a walk out on the hill that leads to the lake. Oh, yes, I forgot to mention that by now it was dark, and our power had gone out.

We had a few flashlights in tow and settled in on the couches downstairs. We cuddled up in blankets, and the train set and toys were close by for entertainment in the dark. Anna moved out to the toy area and when returning to the L-shaped couch area, she jumped; water splashed, and Henry the beagle started lapping a drink of water from the carpet. We knew we were going to have a problem. Will flashed his light over to the wall with two window wells, and there was a waterfall down the wall from one of the windows. We threw several beach towels, blankets, and bedspreads on the floor. It was still storming and pouring rain. We headed up the stairs, and the ceiling was dripping water by the laundry room. I went outside to trench a ditch away from the house. It was lightning too much to use my pole to free the clogs in the eaves troughs. We had over 5 inches of rain in about 3 hours-- have had over another inch today.

George, Anne, and I used 3 wet vacs on the carpet the next morning (today) and hauled all the wet linens outside, they did hold quite a bit of water. Things are drying nicely now, and I have had to use my pole on the downspouts 3 times today to free the leaves, etc. that keep damming the downspouts when it rains.

I am not even go into the issues with getting the new TV to work. It worked at installation yesterday but this morning ( and I am trying to see the humor in this) our ONLY channel that would come in was ESPN. We thought we had had trouble with the old TV but have now switched out DVRs and TVs, so it appears the cable is the problem. The satellite feed is problem free with the other two TVs in other rooms. Direct TV is sending a service person Friday. The diagnostic testing with a representative by phone was interesting.

Ron put things in perspective for me today when he said, "well, Jan, no one was hurt.". I can only imagine how upset he would have been in days past. He didn't even go downstairs to look at the clean up process. It really didn't bother him at all. And I felt like I was ready to move to a condo!

Love to all,
Jan