Monday, July 2, 2012

Counting my blessings

On Sunday, an unexpected storm ripped through my town at approximately 11am.  Minutes before the storm hit, the skies were blue, not a cloud in the sky.  The storm came in fast and furiously. 


And, where was I when this storm hit?  Goodwill.  Though I am an avid thrift store shopper, this was the last place I wanted to be.  Apparently, I must have been alone in feeling this way because, as you can see from the picture below, people continued to shop. 

 
The storm is now being reported as having had heavy winds equivalent to a high-end Category 1 hurricane.  Not your typical Chicagoland area weather, that's for sure.
 

When the storm subsided, the typical 10 minute drive home took over 40 minutes due to flooding, uprooted trees and downed power lines.  


As I frantically tried to return home, hoping for the best but preparing for the worst, my prayers were answered and my family and house survived fully intact {besides for a power outage}.  We were lucky, there were many people that did not fare so well.  

Beyond a doubt, this is one of the most terrifying things I have ever experienced. So, I'll focus on counting my blessings and will be back to blogging again next week.

36 comments:

  1. it is very scary!! we live on the gulf coast and we decided to stay thru Hurrican Ike. We decided that we would NEVER do that again. so glad ur family and house are ok.

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  2. wow, i am so glad u guys are ok! we got a nip of a bad storm here, i seriously thought it would knock power out here, but all ended ok!

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    1. Thanks Carrie. I'm glad to hear you didn't get hit with any of this nasty weather.

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  3. I was just thinking about you. We experienced a few hurricanes when we lived in FL and it was *not* fun. I'm glad you're okay!

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  4. Glad you and your family are ok! Do you have power? Ours is still out so I armholes up at our cottage in Michigan (I know, rats!) til it comes back on. And btw, what were you doing at Goodwill on Sunday? I thought we were going to go on a Monday? One of these days!!!
    Did you get anything?
    Erin

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  5. How scary! I'm so glad you and yours are safe and sound and secure ....

    Linda

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  6. So glad you are all safe and ok. Take care and squeeze each other tight. xoxo

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  7. Praise God you are all ok! The tree that was uprooted and on it's side must have been so surreal to see. Praying for you!!
    Janiene

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  8. Glad you are okay. What a horrible storm.

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    1. Thank you so much Niki! Still feeling incredibly blessed especially since people are still without power.

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  9. Wow! Glad you're all safe! My sister lost some trees in Plainfield.

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  10. OH WOW!!! So glad to hear you are OK! The picture of the tree ... wow!!

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  11. I'm so glad you are all OK! That's life in the midwest for you, the weather can change at the drop of a hat!

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  12. Oh I can imagine what you dealt with! We got the southern edge of that storm Sunday and that was bad enough. Thankfully we didn't lose power again like we did from the one that tore through here on Friday.

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  13. Oh wow Amy! That storm was horrible but I didn't see any damages in my area. I'm so happy to hear that you, your family, and your home were free of harm. Hugs:)

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  14. I came here from your sweet comment on my blog and yes, I'm hoping you have power as you were able to post. That storm looks terrifying! We have tornadoes here but I don't think I've ever seen the level of damage you found on your way home. I'm really glad you're safe and I have to admire, the stoicism of the people still shopping in Goodwill.It might be the end of the world, but that's no reason to miss a bargain, right?

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  15. Scary stuff! Seems like whenever we are in IL they have BAD storms! I'm glad your family is safe and sound. Enjoy your week and holiday! {P.S. Loved the rest of the circus party posts!}

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  16. Amy,
    I know what you mean... we've had 2 of those storms in the last 4 days and the sheer winds to 85 mph are SCARY!!! A tree limb hit my Mom and Dad's car and shattered their windshield and left 4 nice dents in the hood of their car.. But other than that we were all okay... A car can be fixed.. I'm always happy just so long as the people I love are okay.. I'm sure you feel the same.. It's that time of year for these severe storms... they still have around 12,000 people in the Cincy area without power.. I'm so glad your family was safe and well... that's all that counts...


    Carri

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  17. Woah! We had a storm like that here in Seattle a few weeks ago! My husband and I were trapped at Safeway! I'm glad your safe though! I wanted to let you know that I'm giving you the Liebster Award! Check it out here:

    http://thewellcraftedhome.blogspot.com/2012/07/liebster-award.html

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  18. Thats crazy! So glad yall are ok! Prayers for the rest of the community.

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  19. Amy, so scary. I had a similiar thing happen last summer while with my daughter at the grocery store. I tried to hold it together for her but was completely terrified.

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    1. It's amazing the strength we are able to muster when it comes to being brave for our children. I am glad you survived your storm last year. Thanks for your kind words.

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  20. Hi, this is Erin from crafty-biggers.blogspot.com stopping by to let you know I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. You can check it out at http://crafty-biggers.blogspot.com/2012/07/versatile-blogger-award.html

    We had that same round of storms come through Central Ohio and lost power for 5 days. Good to hear you were all fine. :)

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  21. that is scary. Just glad you are safe and sound xo

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  22. I laughed a little when you said folks were still shopping! EEEKKK!

    I'm glad all is well though! Storms are the worst.

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  23. Geez Amy, that looks very scary. i am so happy that you and your family are alright.
    the thing that i find most unsettling is that it came so suddenly. reminds me that we are guests on earth, and that she can wipe us off quite eaily if she wants to...
    hugs to you
    jutta

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  24. And I will be counting blessings right along with you! So glad that all is well with your home and family. Have a good weekend!

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  25. Amy, I'm so happy you and your family were safe. Sometimes we forget how truly blessed we really are. Take care!

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  26. OH MY! Thank goodness that everything went well.... storms are so scary, but you are right, you were blessed! So glad that everyone is okay.

    Have a great - storm free - weekend!

    Hugs,
    Heather
    Stringtown Home

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  27. I'm so glad you and your family are ok!!

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  28. Amy, wanted to let you know that I enjoy your blog and nominated you for The Versatile Blogger Award. You can check it out here. http://mylifesatreasure.blogspot.com/2012/07/another-award-this-is-my-lucky-week.html

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  29. I'm new to your blog but just wanted to say it is lovely. I'm so glad you were all safe!

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I am head over heels you took the time to leave me a comment.

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