Hello everyone! I want to apologize for my absence from both my blog and the Papertrey forums! You may have heard we've been having some nasty weather & flooding here in Tennessee and my internet service has been intermittent. The Clarksville/Nashville area I live in has been hit especially hard with nearly 11 inches of rain in 48 hours over the weekend, but we have been very lucky in our specific part of town with limited long term damage.
We did have some minimal flooding at our house when the rain was at it's heaviest this weekend and I snapped a few pics with my iphone that I thought I would share. They are a little fuzzy, but they definitely communicate the large volume of water that our creeks & streams have had to process.
This was our front yard on Sunday. Our house is on a bit of a rise above the driveway, which proved to be a godsend with this type of weather. The water was about 3-4 feet deep in places. David could get his truck out of the driveway, but we were confident we couldn't have left the house with our mini van because of the depth in the middle of our driveway.
It's a bit hard to tell, but there are deep ditches down the side of the road in our neighborhood to help with drainage. The water crested all the way to road level. If you look carefully in the upper left corner, you can see the water actually flowing over the road.
My front gardens were under water most of the weekend. The water never actually got all the way to the house, but it did fill our crawl space, which David had to pump out.
My backyard flooded quite a bit as well. Our shed became waterfront property for a short period of time!
Our yard has drained completely now and everything is high and dry. The school's here have been closed since Monday and we are predicting the rest of the week as well since so many roads and bridges are impassable. Other than that, life is pretty much back to normal now. Thank you so much for all the phone calls, thoughts and prayers that have come our way. I truly appreciate all of you!
Jana says
Wow. So glad to hear that it didn’t reach the house in a major way. You’re right — a Godsend. I know many are struggling down your way.
Wahinelei says
Whoa that’s a lotta water! Must have been a bit scary watching your yard fill up! Im glad to hear that you and family are safe and that there is no long term damage in your area.
peggysue says
So glad it didn’t reach the house. That was wise not to tempt the water with the mini van. We had 100 – year rains here a few years ago and I floated the car in an intersection that I negotiated on the way to school to pick up DD and then could not negotiate on the way back five minutes later!
Francie says
Nichole, so happy that you and your family are okay and your home was not flooded. So many of your PTI fans were thinking of you this week!
Antoinette says
I was thinking about you and the girls at Memories in Bloom earlier. Thank goodness you weren’t hit too hard. Saturday I took my mom down to the airport and on my way home just “had” to stop at Opry Mills for a Cinnabon. Who knew the very next day that whole are would be as bad as it is?! (I’m in Cadiz, KY) Very happy to hear everyone is ok!!
Eveline van Heijst says
Good luck with the floods.
Eveline.
Ted says
Praying God keeps you and your family safe, as well as your entire town. Thanks for the photos and update and thanks for your faith. đ
Lisa Johnson says
So glad you all are safe!
Nerina says
Wow Nichole! That must have been a tense time for all of you! So glad to hear that you have made it through O.K. with minimal damage and that you are all SAFE!
Hannah says
oh my goodness!! How stressful and scary! I hope you are all okay.
Lori Winters says
It’s hard to imagine that much rain coming down in such a short amount of time, it must have been scary to sit and wonder when it was going to stop. Looks like the damage was minimal but none the less damage. Heartfelt prayers to your state and township.
SueB says
I was wondering if any of this had affected you. Glad to hear you are ok.
Ingrid Danvers says
Happy to hear that you and your family are safe.
Tanja (Polly72 says
Oh, you have a own swimmingpool! đ
Patsann says
Glad to hear that you and your family are safe.
God is an awesome God!
Alice W. says
glad to hear that the water is drained and you and your family are fine! sending you hugs!
bonnie weiss says
I expected to see people out in little rafts and boats! Happy to hear that you and your family are OK
Isabel Z says
Glad to hear that you and your family are safe and that there is minimal damage to your home. I know that others haven’t been as fortunate and I pray for you all.
Kathy Martin says
OMGoodness! Hope things are drying out for you! đ
Helen F. says
Oh Nicole, been watching the news reports and wondering if you were affected. So happy to hear you and your family are safe, sorry to hear of all the damage and problems of others there {{{HUGS}}}
jan metcalf says
What a mess!! Sorry you were in the middle of it, but glad all be okay for your family. Now about that boat….
Crafty Math Chick says
Oh goodness! Thank heavens you and your family are safe and well and that your house was spared as well.
Robbie says
Nicole, I hope things are better now. I’m sorry that ya’ll were affected BUT I’m glad it wasn’t devastating. Thanks for the pictures. It reallly brought life to the news when these come from someone you know.
Leigh Ann Baird says
I’m further East–near Knoxville–and luckily we didn’t get hit as hard as your area did. We have a pump in the basement that’s been working overtime–without it our basement would have flooded for sure. We live on the down slope of a hill and there is still some water trickling down the road. So glad your home is ok!
Lisa says
Im glad to hear its all dried up now and that you are ok. I have family in the area dn they have been sending my pictures of their neighborhoods. Its CRAZY!! My cousin send us pictures of the Opryland Hotel where he works. Such a shame so much water and damage to that beautiful hotel but I guess we can Thank God that not too much lose of life.
Stay dry and safe!
Diane Jaquay says
Oh my Nichole, I’m glad you didn’t have major flooding in your house!! What a MESS!
I’m loving these 2 peeks, the bird image is just adorable, and I’ve been longing for more phrases/quotes/sentiments, etc. I’m definitely short on those! Can’t WAIT to see more đ
Angie Hamill says
Glad to know you and your family are safe *HUG* take care.
Anita Ritchie says
My thoughts and prayers have been with the people in Tennessee affected by this bad weather. I have family in the Memphis area and have been worried for them, but they’re okay. So glad things have subsided for you with minimal damage. What a deluge!
Gail E says
So happy to hear you, your family and your home survived the floods. My 3 sons all live in Nashville and fortunately only one had to evacuate his home for a few days. We’re heading there tomorrow for my son’s wedding on Sunday and am grateful the rain has stopped.
Gabriela says
wow… that looks so scary. I am glad you guys are okay and that your house is safe. Thinking of you and everyone else in living through this flood.
Gay Ferland says
Wow! That’s allot of water!! Sorry to hear you have been going through this wet season the hard way….hoping sunshine heads your way soon!
Kari D says
I somehow believe that everyone lives in Internet land where they are warm, dry, and safe and forget that there are bricks and mortor where peoples’ lives actually intersect with weather! So glad to hear that you all have remained relatively dry, though I am sure there were some urgent prayers sent heavenward as you watched the height of the water approach your front porch! Thank you for sharing! It is always good for me to remember that you do more than just stamp and create so I can read my blog in the morning! đ I appreciate all you do to nurture your family and your business and to bring art and the tools to create it to the rest of us!
Sheryl says
Nichole, you and your family came to mind while I was seeing all the flooding on the news and I am SO glad to see that you are all right and had minimal damage! Blessings to you!
Tracey McNeely says
Nichole, sending good wishes to you and your family. Crisis makes us stronger. So glad that life is resuming back to normal.
Vicki B says
Whew! Glad to hear you and your family are okay! Let’s hope things start drying up quickly.
Joy Taylor says
Nichole, I read your blog regularly and love everything that you do. Thank you for your constant inspiration and creativity. I also wanted to say that I am so pleased that you and your family are okay and that the flooding recedes soon.
Hugs.
Joy
Mary says
Wow! That must’ve been scary to see the water that close to your house. Looks like you were very lucky. Glad to hear everyone is ok.
joy says
Oh my word! Our family will certainly be praying for you! I’d be positively hysterical — trying to save my stamps and papers!
jennifer r says
you must have been a nervous wreck. so glad you’re drying out.
Carol says
Glad to hear that you and your family are OK and that you sustained minimal–if any–damage. My brother is in Smyrna, TN and had a lot of water in his yard (they were “tubing” in the front yard), but I haven’t heard of any damage to his home. Prayers are being offered for all in the area whose homes and property were devastated by the flooding.
Chelle (hanwayink) says
oh my goodness! Glad you only had minimal flooding…
Debbie Olson says
Yikes, Nichole! I’m glad that it hasn’t permanently damaged your house! Wishing you drier weather!
Melissa says
I’ve been thinking of you Nichole….I’m so happy to hear that all is well. What a beautiful area you live in, so green and lush and peaceful….minus all of the rain of course.
Melis
Angela W says
Wow, so glad it didn’t get in your house! Glad there isn’t any long term damage i your town too. I have a friend in Kingston Springs who were lucky to not get water damage, but her kids are out the rest of the school year.
Rachel Azarnoff says
Nicole,
It must have been quite devastating to watch the waters take over your yard. I am so thankful though that your house was spared and you are all ok. Thanks for sending the pictures to show us how too much water can be so damaging. I’m sorry your gardens were under water.
I am glad things are better and hopefully this won’t happen again.
Jessica says
Oh Wow, I had no idea you were in the midst of all that rain! I’m glad to hear your house wasn’t flooded! I can’t imagine having to worry about all my craft things getting wet! I’m glad that we don’t live in a flood prone area. We do, however, live in Hurricane country! I’d be loading up the trunk with all my tools, and most of my stash of paper etc… I’m glad all is well with you and yours.
Elizabeth S. says
So glad to hear that you and your family are safe.
Linda w says
Oh to be on a bit of a rise. I sit in my basement and watch the water pour in every hard rain we get. Never be the first to build on a street and follow ordinances. The big builders came and built as high as they wanted. I am glad you only had mimimal damage. We have put more money into repairing our basement than what we paid for our house. Tornadoes last night. Luckily not too much damage. But, new images always make me feel better.
stamp on…
Toni Storie says
I hope that you got to turn the catastrophic weather into fun family time.
Heather says
I am sorry to hear about all that is happening in TN and all that have been adversely effected by these floods. As a victim of Hurricane Isabel, I have been where you are. It’s horrible to watch and horrible to clean up. I will say a prayer for your family as well as all those effected.
Thank you for continuing with the new website and the May release – though I’m sure your loyal customers would understand completely if your attention needed to be elsewhere.
Troy Louise says
Thank goodness you are all okay. I’ve experienced something similar, and know that it is very scary. Please know we are sending good thoughts to you, your family & everyone in the area.
Mary Ann Huntington says
I’ve been following the floods on the news. Amazing photos. I’m so glad you escaped serious flooding.
Donna says
While it’s great knowing you and your family are safe, I feel so badly for all the displaced families who have lost everything. Thanks for letting us know you are ok.
Linda C says
Nicole, glad you and your family (and home) are ok. How are Georgie and the other gals at Memories in Bloom? How is the store? I have been worried about all of you in Clarksville. We are ok in Murfreesboro. LindaC
Kim says
So glad you guys are OK and didn’t have too much damage. I grew up in Western KY..not too far from you.
paula e. says
so glad you and your family are safe and dry! i’ll keep you and all those affected by the flooding in my prayers.
Ketha says
Glad the water is leaving/gone. And especially glad it didn’t get into your home. Flood water can be cleaned up, carpets cleaned, walls painted, etc, but there’s always a lingering “smell”… Have been praying for all in that area… We certainly have had some strange weather patterns this year.
Roxanne says
Yikes! And I thought my weekend was stressful – really puts things into perspective. Glad the house stayed dry for you guys! Hang in there!
Ally V. says
Wow! So glad to hear your home was spared for the most part and that you & your family are safe!!
Kristin says
I just started following your blog a few weeks ago….and didn’t realize you live in Middle Tennessee. I do too! Thankfully, my house is up high on a hill so no damage for me. But wow, the weather was crazy! This weekend holds lots of clean up.
Love the projects you feature and PTI. Very thankful your house made it through okay.
Jessica Rosario says
Oh goodness! PTL you and your family are doing safe.
Blessings
Kelly says
You poor thing – I’ve been watching this on the news in horror! Glad to hear it’s clearing up…prayers are with you and your community!
Rebecca B. says
My gosh I’m so glad that your family is okay. Whenever I hear of distastrous things happening in this country, i think about all my online friends and say a little prayer that they are okay.
Jeanine says
Do you ever wonder what’s happening in our world today, why is this happening? It’s a shame because 80% of those people didn’t have flood insurance(who would have thunk!). Your lucky we here in SE didn’t get anything like you but thank the Lord you didn’t flood.
God Bless,
Jeanine
http://www.blstamper.blogspot.com
Susan McRae says
Wow, so much water! So glad you and your family are okay.
Kim says
Nichole…I had no idea the flooding was so bad in TN…where are the news reports?? It’s terrible there!! Anyway, so glad that all is well at your home and the family is safe and sound!! Praying for the rest of the state…
Sallie says
Oh my, Nichole, your pics REALLY brought home what a natural catastrophe this was in TN! There were many views on the national news, but when it affects someone you “know”, it takes on different proportions! Glad you and your family are safe, your home was spared, and all will return with minimal damage. You’re in my thoughts!
Sandy Kay says
First of all, so glad you’re all ok! I cannot believe all the rain that TN got! Hope there’s no lasting damage to your property.
Tina-Marie says
Hi Nicole,
I have to start off by giving a big shout out and THANK YOU to all the folks in Nashville that worked to evacuate 1,500 of us that were guests at the Gaylord on Sunday and took care of us at McGavock High School (what a very selfless act. My husband and took a flight from Virginia to Tenessee on Sunday afternoon, to attend a covention in your beautiful city. While it wasn’t the trip we expected, it was an experience we will never forget. Best of luck to you and all your neighbors. I have no doubt that you all will recover and will do it with pride and dignity (an example for the rest of the country!) We are home safe because of the care and thoughfulness of so many folks who put our needs before their own. We are very grateful.
Sincerely,
Tina
Millie says
Will be thinking of you and your clean up in the coming days!
Caryn Davies says
Oh Nichole, I really feel for you. I hope you haven’t suffered any long term damage and things can start to dry out quickly for you too. We had some terrible flooding here (UK) back in November and our little waterfront apartment we own up on Lake Windermere got completely flooded. The whole thing has had to be stripped out and won’t be ready again until mid June. Obviously it isn’t our primary residence but still it was really painful. I hope those who are suffering in your community a speedy recovery from it all.
My thoughts are with you all,
Hugs,
Caryn xxx
Jeanne says
I am so glad that your home was kept safe and that you and your family are safe! I could hardly believe the pictures that have come from Nashville and surrounding areas. This has been devastating for so many. Will continue to keep you in my prayers as the clean-up ccontinues.
Kathy Archer says
Having dealt with a small flood in our basement I can sympathize with your trouble. I do want to warn you not to keep up the photos of your “waterfront property” in case someone gets the bright idea to raise your property taxes