Instead of my typical favorites from the week, this is just going to be a Friday post because it has been a crazy week to say the least.
Do you remember this post I did at the end of the year about super crazy things that happened in 2015? A big part of the craziness was the bad weather we had (and always seem to have) in Texas. We had some bad tornadoes and some record hail storms last week that left our new car completely totaled and a large retaining wall falling down from flooding. We picked up the pieces and moved on eventually, but since then, I have DREADED with all my heart the coming of spring storms.
I don’t know why we can’t just have rain in Texas. Rain always comes with horrible Texas storms including hail, wind, lightening, and tornadoes.
That is what happened on Tuesday morning, and to be honest with you, it was one of the scariest experiences in my life. I would gladly move back to California and deal with earthquakes versus this stuff. Do you follow me on snapchat (username @alexisroch)? If you do, I shared a little bit of the aftermath there.
Without going into too much detail, which I could totally write a book on now, I just wanted to share with you my experience a little!
Tuesday morning around 7:30am, without any type of warning, we had a tornado come through my neighborhood. I was about to take Ruger out to the bathroom, when I head a horrific boom and my house starting shaking. I immediately grabbed him by the collar and practically threw him into the bathroom that is in the middle of our home (the picture above is Ruger waiting out the storm, he was very sweet and calm!). I was still in my pajamas with my slippers on! We sat there as the house shook and kept hearing the ripping of wood and other unsettling sounds.
Then it ended, and I thought okay, we are fine! I started to get dressed when I heard sirens going off, my doorbell was ringing, and people yelling. I immediately looked out the living room window which typically has just a big tree branch blocking the view of everything like you see on the left side, and instead I saw straight to the road. My heart just stopped!
I walked out the front door and it was still raining. Honestly, I felt like I stepped in a twilight zone!
My truck had been moved all the way across the driveway into my yard, with the back window busted out. This 200 year old oak tree that typically blocks my entire view of the road was twisted into pieces with just one little limb left standing. I could see all the way to the road. There was debris all over my yard. Shingles, the vents from my roof, the street sign that was all the way down the road, and pieces of who knows what.
I just stood in the rain for a moment, completely dumbfounded at what occurred. Of course, my husband was at work, so I was alone. The house up the road from me was in bad shape, the entire front portion was ripped off. I went to my neighbors house and just started crying. Their poor yard was gone too.
Anyways, my roof was in bad shape with the plywood showing, so we got it covered with tarp. I spent awhile covering the back window of my truck with some tarp too to keep the rain out.
I wish I had a picture to show you how that tree took up the entire space and spilled into my yard a few feet! Here is a little perspective of how it used to be.
There will be a lot of repair and rebuilding, but I keep thanking God for keeping all of my neighborhood safe from injury, and I am grateful for a good community that pulls together!
The scary thing to thing about is the fact that it isn’t officially spring yet! That post I had up on Tuesday about my potted mini rose bush series? Well, that poor little bush is somewhere in a field, I saw the planter crushed into many pieces on the other side of the road. Most of my plants, patio furniture, and outside stuff scattered all over!
There were many more pictures, but I really just wanted to share the story with you! Tornadoes have always been my number one fear as a Texan, and after this, I think it has escalated!
On a lighter note, don’t forget to enter our $50 amazon gift card! And check out this post about our favorite summery activities, all I know is I could SURE go for one of those right about now 🙂 Thank you for all your sweet comments on instagram and snapchat this week too!
Enjoy the weekend and hopefully good weather! P.s – Monthly newsletter comes out this weekend too!
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Alexis is an investigative chemist sharing her expertise in cleaning, skincare, gardening, and home hacks. She personally tests out products like the best skincare products or home products then shares not only the science behind how it works, but also her personal results. She is the mom of two living in Texas with her husband. Find her on Instagram for fantastic videos, tips, and behind the scenes.
I’m glad to hear you are ok!! A tornado sounds pretty scary.. I’m glad I don’t have to deal with weather like that in PA!!
Christina :: Simple and Delish
Thanks Christina! I really hate this weather…and it is definitely the downfall to living in Texas!
So glad to hear you guys are ok- those storms are no joke!! xo, biana –BlovedBoston
I’m so glad too! These Texas storms are just taking a toll on us!
I’m so glad you’re OK! Sorry to hear about your car and yard. 🙁 Spring is my least favorite season because of tornado season in Texas.
I know! It’s too bad because spring is so pretty in Texas too! 🙁
How terrifying! Thank goodness you are okay, but those kinds of experiences unfortunately stick with us for some time. Hope those storms stay away from you for awhile!
Stopping over from the linkup! Hope you can drop by my blog as well. Have a great weekend!
Hi Caitlin! That do say with us for awhile…the day after was super weird, but things are starting to feel normal again which is good! Thanks for stopping by, have a wonderful weekend!
Happy Friday Alexis. I know it’s been a tough week for your family and community. Our California earthquakes can be problems, too. Right now some areas are dealing with flooding, we are being deluged with (ahem, much needed) rain. We praise Jesus for His protection of you all during that tornado. It will take time to clean things up, but you’re okay. Keeping you all in prayers for everything that needs to be done. hope the weekend will be calming and relaxing. xo
Thank you for all the prayers Laurie! I am really looking forward to a calm weekend and some relaxing time 🙂 And hopefully a break from the rain soon!
Oh my goodness girl! First, I am so happy to hear you’re ok and that your house didn’t have as much damage is it could have. Second – tornadoes are the EXACT reason I moved out of the midwest. Ok well, I didn’t really have a choice, my parents moved but it’s the main reason I never moved back. I hope your storm season isn’t too bad and that this is the worst you guys get this year. <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
I seriously don’t blame you for not wanting to move back. It is really a buzz kill having to be terrified every spring! And the bad news is, it’s technically still winter! Thanks girl!!
Wow! What a scary thing to experience. Glad to hear everyone is ok.
Thank you!! It was super scary!
OMG that’s crazy stuff! So glad you’re okay. Tornadoes are SO scary. I had one hit us a couple years ago and hid in the bathroom terrified. Sorry to hear about all the damage.
They really are the worst!! All you can do is wait it out!!!
Tornado’s are very scary. One time my husband and I had just gotten back from a Missouri to Minnesota drive and we ended up sleeping through one that touched down right outside our house (basically). When I got to work, people asked if we were ok, and I was like, ‘Why?” lol. Glad you’re ok!
http://www.shesleaninginblog.com
Omg that is crazy! But kind of cool you didn’t know about it lol. We had some neighbors who slept through this one we just had, and half there house was ripped open. I seriously don’t know how they slept!
Oh my goodness that is SO scary! Glad you are okay, and hope the damage can be repaired quickly 🙁
http://www.amemoryofus.com
Thank you! I hope they can too! We are hoping to get things rolling next week on repairs!
I found you’re mini rose bush daughter, and planted it in a container by your front door. You were dazed and confused at the time. Love mom. Jesus is our refuge. Ps 5:11
Thanks mom, so glad you were there to help me that day 🙂
Oh my goodness, so scary! So so so glad you guys are ok, and the house didn’t sustain more damage. Tornadoes frighten me, as they come without much warning and cause so much destruction. Sending *hugs* your way for a much safer weekend <3
Green Fashionista
They are so terrifying! I hate that they come out of nowhere like this one we had on Tuesday…I think being taken off guard like that is what makes it worse! Thanks so much Kate!!!
Alexis, I’ve been MIA for awhile and am just catching up. I’m so thankful that you are ok and weren’t hurt. I totally understand the fear of storms and the damage. We haven’t had that type of weather here this week but we have in the past. Once again, just thankful that you are physically ok – homes can be repaired. XOXO PS – Ruger looks like he’s standing in the corner in that picture. 🙂
Thanks Sheryl! I am so grateful as well…we have just been so glad this week that things weren’t worse. I just wish we didn’t have to deal with this devastating storms all spring. Praying this year we won’t have too many more rough ones 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Wow Alexis, so glad that you are okay. Tornadoes sound really scary and I’m sorry that you now need to deal with the aftermath. Hoping that you don’t have to deal with too many more storms this spring.
Thanks so much! We are really hoping the storms aren’t abundant this year too.