Thanksgiving 2010 Part 2...The tree is going to come down

Picking up the tree story where we left off...as the tractor arrived at Grandma's, the discussion began about how to get the limb down without...most importantly no one dying...and secondly not losing electricity. Joe, Dale and Jared discussed for a bit and then began the process of cutting some of the lower branches. After some of the cutting took place, they reconvened to discuss some more and then cut some more. Each time a new cut was made, we watched and prayed and held our breath until all was well. When the limb made any movement you could hear gasps in the crowd and the "cutters' would make a hasty exit from the area. When the all clear sign was given, they would go back to work again. The tractor and the winch on the truck were used to try to keep the limb stable while Jared would shinny up and down the ladder to secure the ropes up top. Watching the process was nerve racking, but nonetheless, the spectators remained nearby so as not to miss a moment of the excitement. Also, there was as much "prayer work" going on as there was tree cutting.

The whole tree debacle began around 7:00 in the evening, but evening soon turned into night and before we knew it, midnight was quickly approaching. By then, the guys' were exhausted and the rest of us were worn out from watching, and let me say it WAS exhausting watching the whole process. But, after the guys took a few minutes for some clear headed thinking, they decided the final work should wait til morning and with that decision, the Thanksgiving tree story came to an end.

Thanksgiving 2010 will forever be known as the year the tree tried to kill my car....but didn't succeed. It really was amazing that as big as the limb was and with as many cars as were there, not one other but mine got a scratch. There were some tense moments watching Jared up so high on the ladder, but God is faithful to answer prayer and there were MANY people praying fervently for safety and a happy ending. We got our answer. So many things COULD have happened....but didn't. The limb could have smushed Carrie's car if Lydia hadn't moved it earlier in the day, it could've fallen into the house with 20 plus people inside. It could've fallen on someone walking up the driveway. Cars can be fixed or replaced. We know all too well, people can't be.

I'm glad it's over but what a memory it made! Scroll down to see the many hair raising moments. There were many!

This angle looks like it's 5 stories tall. Crikey, it's scary looking for real.


The spectators are thinking......hmmmmm. Actually, I think 3 spectators are thinking hmmmm. Carlie looks like she's thinking, "I'm bored of it all." (In a British accent).


The following thoughts were recorded from left to right:
"How many thumbs am I supposed to have?"
"I KNOW I'm cuter than Mollie."
"Whitney, did I just hear you think you're cuter than Mollie?"
"I really do just tolerate these people."


Jeez Louise it's a bigun.


I took time for a photo op with my adorable son.


Owen and Maggie


Owen balancing on the limb 2 feet off the ground....good job Owen!


Love these pictures!


Emma just experienced a hair raising moment.


Now she's leading cheers for the woodcutters?


Getting the winch in place.


Oy


Dale and Jared discussing the placement of the winch in the tree.


Some spectators. Lindsey looks pist.


Lydia's added and Lindsey no longer looks pist.


Another viewpoint. The freaking basketball goal survived. It's really unbelievable.


A closeup of where the limb landed.


Jared at a very scary height.


See, I told you it was scary.


But Maggie looks confident it'll all be OK.


But Lindsey wants to ensure success with prayer.


Because Jared's still too tall.


Whitney thinks she's helping but she's really not. (shhh don't tell her)


Got lights, got camera, must say ACTION!


Jared's still scary.


The ladder's leaning on the broken limb. I almost can't watch.


Still securing things...


Don't hurt the basketball goal. It's priceless.


Thread the needle.


How did the 2 curly blonds end up in the big ole boy truck?


Dale's overseeing and I"M CERTAIN praying for his firstborn as well.


Just about ready to start doing stuff.


The chainsaw work's about to begin.


John can pick up the most poisonous snakes in the world (I'm not kidding, he's done it) but bring out a chainsaw or a bee and the man is on skates exiting the area.


There's some good looking firewood.


Jared looks like he's in a forest not a driveway.


Part 3 will have to wait, Olivia's commandeering the computer for Math purposes. I guess it'll have to take precedence.

Stay tuned.

Later....