The Ice Age!!! (Pictures added)

I woke about 4am yesterday to snapping and cracking sounds, some loud enough to sound like firecrackers, others like gunshots. The ice storm had hit with brutal force! No electric, no internet, no dishwasher (yeah!!!) but we did have water b/c its county fed, needs no electric; and wood stove to heat and cook on, kerosene lantern for light, flash lights, candles, and plenty of food. And .... the generator we had bought in preparation of Y2K.... Here we are, almost 40 hrs after power outage, staying warm, cozy, well-fed and content!
We took showers early as the hot water was not going to last, then we checked the rabbit barn and found them just fine. Chickens doing okay too. I grabbed my camera and started taking pictures while hubby got to work and fired up the generator to keep our freezer and fridge going. The scenery was absolutely beautiful......

...........except, my little trees where my bird-feeding station is next to the house are all bowed and bent over, heavy with ice.

The little pin-oak tree in the front yard is laden down so heavy the branches almost touch the ground. Ice covers every thing! The barb-wire fence looks like pipes!

The gigantic trees about 50' from the house on the edge of the ravine are bowed down towards the house. There is snapping and cracking ocassionally down through the woods where trees branches are breaking off due to the weight of the ice.
Day 2
As of last night the power lines are down( as in "on the ground" down...), in the pastures on both sides of the driveway, across the neighbors driveway and ours. The electric pole at the end of our driveway had snapped off about 20' up, from the weight of ice on the lines. Michelle's electric pole is lifted out of the ground and balancing very precariously, held in place by 1 wire. It is that way all over our area for miles!
Day 3This morning was even worse as we got an added 2-3"snow to add to the weight of the ice on the trees. I wanted to take more pictures but thought twice about going near the heavy trees in my side yard! .
We will have internet about 4 hrs /day while the generator runs. But I can't post any pics (only write as I can only use lap-top now) as ...... guess what...... my new computer spewed its innerds b/c of power surge when generator first went on. We also lost 3 phones, DVD/VCR player, and battery rechargers for power tools. Those things can be replaced. I am glad of the way of life we have chosen to live, and that all the years leading up to now have us well equipped to deal with this weather. We are so blessed to work out of our own home. We can hunker down and wait out the storm.
In this neighborhood, we all have an eye out for each other.We can shower at Tracy's, and they are using our camping stove to cook on. Mike and Rita were out early cutting trees off the roads. They were given some kindling wood for their fireplace by Rodney who works installing hardwood floors. DH offered them a load of tree wood also for their fireplace. I am glad for the neighbors we have, and thankful to God for bringing us here to live. More later......