Tuesday, August 23, 2011

A first for us and a change in perspective...

PhotobucketWhat a day...I spend so much time blogging about all of Addie's firsts but thought I should also mention that today we all experienced a first...think ground shaking and hysteria....yep, an earthquake on the east coast.  While chatting with a co-worker about the United Way campaign we paused to take in what we first thought was some work going on in the building...until we noticed the whole building was shaking.  As if in slow motion, we filed out into the hall to find everyone else doing the same...we all exchanged confused looks and systematically headed to the stairwells to file out of the building.  And not because an alarm had sounded...I suppose it was just our gut reaction to get out of the building....down 16 floors we all went.  Exiting the building was like joining the street party...people were every.where - it was surreal and at this point we still had no idea what was going on.  Honestly....earthquake didn't even cross my mind in those first 5 minutes but soon after joining the rest of my co-workers at our designated meeting spot we had it figured out.  Confusion set in as stories of shaking in New York and Roanoke spread from those that had been engaged in conversations with people in those locales when the quake hit.  Fortunately there was no damage...I forgot my phone and no one was able to get calls out anyhow...but soon after returning to my desk I got an email from my hubs and was able to get a call out to my parents to make sure everyone was doing well....everyone was safe...albeit a bit startled!  So...here I sit...reflecting on the fact that I experienced my first earthquake today...weird, right?!

PhotobucketAnd just because mother nature threw a curve ball at us today doesn't mean she isn't also up to some of her old tricks...according to my friend Jim Cantore at the The Weather Channel (insert sarcasm here - he's not exactly the person you want visiting your neck of the woods) Hurricane Irene currently has her sights set on our area..or at least somewhere close by.  It's amazing how much my perspective on these events have changed...prior to being a mother, homeowner, and responsible adult these scenarios were actually kind of exciting for me.  Losing power was an excuse to light all of those candles my mother stored away in the drawers and grill a freezer worth of meat...and it always seemed like the community really united during these times...and part of me really enjoyed that.  I didn't mind picking up branches and debris or taking cold showers...cold meals were ok in my book too.  But today as I sit here and type this...I must admit...I'm terrified.  I worry about the pine tree farm that my neighbor behind me has growing (these trees are literally like 100 ft tall) and what they will do to my house.  Losing power is my worst nightmare...we have SO much meat frozen and trying to give Addie a cold bath would be disastrous.  I love my neighbors...I really do...but spending what is supposed to be "vacation" for me next week in the streets exchanging stories of how we rode out the storm is not the least bit appealing.  So...please, send up prayers to send this thing off the coast.

J

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Earthquakes are scary!! We have family up in DC and Virginia!! I would be pretty terrified too! keeping all of you guys in our prayers!

Brittany said...

Praying for you and everyone on the coast, my best friend lives in DC!

Kimmie said...

We felt some tremors in NC today! Crazy!! We are also headed to the NC coast on Saturday for vacation so I'm praying Irene keeps moving East!! Prayers are with you and I can totally relate to your change of perspective!

Tami said...

I am definitely praying that the storm stays far away from the East coast- or at least doesn't do any damage. Our house is in NC and I can't imagine trying to deal with insurance companies from across the world! You guys stay safe!

Megan said...

Has even a tiny portion of that 200lbs of tuna and dolphin been touched yet?

We did get a call from Dave's parents that they're eating it tonight and we should come join them. hahaha.

That would not be pretty if it's all lost....

Samantha said...

We felt it up here in NJ too! Scary! Even though we didn't feel too much, I was terrified simply for the fact that I have a baby! Glad that you are all ok, and safe! I really hope Irene decides not to visit!

Natalie said...

That was earthquake was crazy! You just don't hear about those on the East Coast much. I'm praying that Irene leaves you guys the heck alone!

Unknown said...

Glad you guys are safe from the earthquake. We thought Irene was going to hit us here in Florida but it looks like we are just going to get bad weather. Hope you guys steer clear of her.

Erin said...

We felt the earthquake here in Vermont too. I was freaking out a bit. I was stopped at a red light and my car was just swaying back and forth for like 15 seconds.

I'm praying that Hurricane Irene takes a different course and goes out to sea... if not, I pray that very little damage is done!!

It's funny (sarcasm), we lost power here on Sunday night after a big thunder storm and being 16 weeks pregnant my first thought was not about the dinner we were cooking, but, what are we going to do next sprint/summer if this happens. Motherhood has already started to change me, and I'm just caring for my womb at this point.

Mrs EyeCanSee said...

Being from the midwest I've never dealt with an earthquake or a hurricane....but based on yesterday I guess I shouldn't count it out as a possibility! Well, except for the hurricane part. Pretty sure we're safe from that.

Sending prayers that Irene heads back out to sea where she belongs!

Happiness Is... said...

I totally understand your wanting that hurricane to turn. Being from NOLA we are on edge from June-November, which is half the year and probably explains why everyone drinks so much and finds any excuse to party!

Kelli Kegley said...

Oh no! Praying it just goes away all together!

Kate Clower said...

Prayers your way! I can not even imagine how terrifying the quake must have been. Also, living on the coast myself I totally understand your feelings on a hurricane, but at least with that you have time to plan ahead. A quake is whole other story. So glad that there was no damage...let's hope that end of it.

Jennifer S. said...

Oh my goodness! I am praying that the hurricane heads east! Stay safe!