Good morning Folks, it’s the Lord’s day and I am going to take a break for I am beat to my knees. As I am sure many of you know where I live – SWFL, North Fort Myers to be exact. I’m sure you’ve been watching the TV and heard about us down here. It is, in every word, a War Zone. Mind you, there are a lots of folks worse off than Nancy and I, and they need our prayers, but we were hit hard, very hard.
We just got electricity back late yesterday afternoon, but no internet yet and that will probably take quite some time. We have water, but must still boil to drink. With power now I am able to use my laptop, which happened to be high on a shelf thus saved, and the hot spot on my cell phone, albeit cellphone coverage is limited at best as we lost many towers.
At the height of the storm, we have 2 1/2 ‘ of water in the house. Nancy and I were sitting on kitchen chairs on top of the LR coffee table and the water was still up to our ankles. This was not my first rodeo having grown up on the Chesapeake Bay, but I have ever seen 155 MPH winds. Trust me, if you haven’t you do not want to! I understand Ian was 2 MPG short of being classified as a Cat 5. Our community is (was) completely shaded by beautiful live oaks, which now look like cactuses.
About three quarters of our “stuff” is sitting out by the street with all my neighbors things waiting for the eventual pickup whenever that will be. Both our cars were toasted and have already been hauled away by USAA. Since they were a 2012 and a 2013, we won’t get squat for them as they are not treated as being in an accident – strange.
At our age, the last thing we would have wanted to do was start all over again creating a live-able home, but that’s life. Like I said earlier, there are lots of people who don’t even have a roof over their head. We at least have a solid structure to begin creating that home. Just wanted to give an update to let you know Nancy and I are alive!! And that’s what is important.
Jim & Nancy
PS, please keep emails to a bare minimum as that’s all I have to communicate with Insurance companies, etc. Thank you
Wishing both of you well.
God bless you and yours, Colonel.
Please let me know if I can be of service to you and Nancy. I am in Utah (as you know), but if you need help, I will do my best to assist you.
Know you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Semper Fidelis Jim,
Lee
Swift.Silent.Deadly
You tuff old Marine, shit! Lol I don’t blame you for not leaving your home , I wouldn’t either. Glad you folks are safe and on the afterwards side. God bless peace
Happy to hear you are both safe, Sir.
Prayers for you and your wife…this is a true test of faith. I’m sure it’s difficult not to feel completely overwhelmed…remember: “How do you eat and elephant?…one bite at a time.”
Please know you both are in my prayers and you both will will overcome. After all, it is in your DNA where semper fidelis is not just a motto, but creed.
Praying for you each day. God bless you both. Chuck J
Jim, SOO sorry for all you and your wife went through. For some reason I thought you were on the east coast. I was shocked to hear you were in the middle of that nightmare. I hope you get all the help you need to get back to normal life. Hope your animals are all okay.
JIm and Nancy. Linda and I have been following storm and cleanup. So very sorry you and so many others got hit so hard. We sent some $$$ to the Florida Recovery Fund. If you think of anything at all we can do to assist you both, please do not hesitate to let us know. We hope your family and well loved pets survived as okay as possible. Seems like your governor is on this as well as can be.
Best, Doug
Yes he is Doug, what a Gov! Thank you for the comments, bless you both
Always in our prayers Jim.
Thank you sir!
So glad you guys are safe. Know it will take time to get back to normal (if ever), but if we can help in any way don’t hesitate to let us know. Semper Fi, Paul
Thank you Paul!!
God bless you and Nancy. I have thought of you guys often and glad you are physically ok. Please know that we have plenty of room in our Georgia home and you are welcome at any time for as long as needed.
I appreciate that Richard, but we have an intact house and now have electricity, and reclamation has been completed. Now to rebuild and make it a home again. That. I’m afraid will take years, which I pray I have.