Clean up

Well, after a total of just over 90 hours of clean up by ten people, our yard is looking much better.

Even the smallest Stine helped. Gavin hauled logs to the drive.

They needed to rest and have a photo opp on the massive limb that came down.

The gaping hole from where the branch was is big enough, but it also tore a ton of bark off the side of the tree.  We are concerned because of the two massive branches that remain, one is over our light and drive and the other is over our kitchen.  While we don't want to remove the tree, we will if that's what Mr. Tree Man says we should do and insurance will cover it.  (Hopefully, he calls today.) 

What continued to surprise me, as the hours of clean up seemed drag on, was the generosity of our neighbors, friends, and family.  We are truly blessed!   

• Immediately after the storm, a neighbor a few houses down came to make sure I was okay since she knew I am home with the boys in the summer. 
• The man across the street helped David clear the drive so I could get the van out if need be. 
• My father in law's neighbor loaned us a brand new chainsaw from his shop when ours wouldn't start right away. 
• Our friends Aaron and Kathleen (pregnant even!) helped with clean up both nights.  We'd still be working if it wasn't for them.
• My mother in law dropped by with beer and ended up staying to help load brush.
• David's cousin rode by on his bike and stopped to help.  He came back later with a second chainsaw for us to use.
• My brother David loaned us an extra tools, including a massive chipper that was put to good use.  He also loaned us his generator since we had no power. 
• My nieces and Mom all helped by either watching the boys or running errands for us. 
• After the limb came down, we were able to cut it all up and a friend's uncle took ALL of the wood away.  He filled the back of his truck and a huge trailer with it.  That was a huge relief because we couldn't figure out what we were going to do with it- especially since the tree may still have to come down. 
• The mom of one of my high school friends offered to let us sleep and shower at our house if we didn't have our power on.
• The dad of one of my students came over and asked if we needed a generator "because we can't have our son's favorite teacher without power."