You'd think after enduring a hurricane and no electricity back in August, we'd be good for the rest of the year. NOT.
The Nor'Easter came blowing in on Saturday and dropped six inches of snow- in OCTOBER- taking our power with it. Thank God we had plenty of firewood outside.
One day turned into two, then into three and finally, our power was restored tonight. The town actually recommended Halloween be postponed until Saturday (out of safety), since most people didn't have power yet. Crazy, isn't it?
Sure it was cold and uncomfortable, but I have to say- there's plenty worse we could have been forced to endure. For all it's frustration, we enjoyed our time as a family in the confines of our home, passing the time away without electricity.
Charlie honed his fire starting skills (under parental supervision, of course).
The kids played chess multiple times, and took me to the cleaners once.
Books were read and finished.
We learned to "cook" over an open fire and even pulled out the smore fixins for dessert.
I'm done getting in touch with my inner Colonial self. No more living in the dark. No more cooking over open fires. No more going without warm water and modern appliances. Six days of it in two months time ought to earn me a pass on the next storm. And please, for the love of Pete, don't ever invite me to go camping.
Toodles!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Thing 21
Anyone who has moved will tell you it takes about a year to feel "settled". Since I'm nowhere near the year mark, I'll have to get back to you on that.
One thing I love about moving- and this is thing 21- is it forces you to make friends. Or not, if you're good with being a recluse and talking to only yourself all day. Me? I need friends. They make my world all the sweeter, and it gets me focused on something other than house duties (which is all I seem to be doing these days).
In the last week, I have been blessed to see my social calendar filled. Coffee dates, lunches, book club, and exercise class, have all allowed me to get out and meet with friends. It's beginning to feel more "normal" that way now...
Granted, it will take time for those friendships to grow and mature into the deep lasting kind, I treasure. For now, it's perfectly alright that they aren't. Time with friends remind me of how blessed I am, and I love that.
Toodles!
One thing I love about moving- and this is thing 21- is it forces you to make friends. Or not, if you're good with being a recluse and talking to only yourself all day. Me? I need friends. They make my world all the sweeter, and it gets me focused on something other than house duties (which is all I seem to be doing these days).
In the last week, I have been blessed to see my social calendar filled. Coffee dates, lunches, book club, and exercise class, have all allowed me to get out and meet with friends. It's beginning to feel more "normal" that way now...
Granted, it will take time for those friendships to grow and mature into the deep lasting kind, I treasure. For now, it's perfectly alright that they aren't. Time with friends remind me of how blessed I am, and I love that.
Toodles!
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Thing 20
On this day, my 14th wedding anniversary, it seems only fitting to have this post dedicated to my husband. Do you know the 20th thing I love about this move?
That out of all the people in this world, I get to go through it with the man I love.
Life is crazy, and moves are even crazier. Marriages can surely be tested through such circumstances. Ours is no different.
Every laugh, tear, and frustration of this move, is made all the more memorable because I have the pleasure of sharing it with my husband. And I wouldn't trade that for anything.
I love you Nelson!
That out of all the people in this world, I get to go through it with the man I love.
Life is crazy, and moves are even crazier. Marriages can surely be tested through such circumstances. Ours is no different.
Every laugh, tear, and frustration of this move, is made all the more memorable because I have the pleasure of sharing it with my husband. And I wouldn't trade that for anything.
I love you Nelson!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Thing 19
We've had some unusual circumstances in which to get to know our neighbors. Hurricanes and kitchen disasters make that easy, I guess. From day 1 of the move-in, people have greeted us warmly. Really, we couldn't ask for anything better. I'm just thankful it wasn't winter with snow coming down, and a baby in my tummy at week 37!
One of my sweet neighbors invited me over for a brunch to meet some of the other neighbors on the block. How thoughtful is that? I wasn't about to refuse since most days I'm left talking to myself. Three hours of chatting, and a delicious meal, left my tummy and heart in "overflow" mode.
There was one conversation that was a first: talk of the bear that roamed the block last weekend. Trying to picture that happening in our previous location is a bit awkward. But here, while it's expected because of the landscape, it's a bit frightening to endure. Welcome to the country Lori!
The ladies are down to earth and so sincere. We're planning on beginning a book club, something that I sorely miss- (shout out to the Lexington Ladies!). Trips into NYC to explore/shop are also on the docket. Looks like we found the perfect place after all. Not that I had any doubts.
Remember these photos?
One of my sweet neighbors invited me over for a brunch to meet some of the other neighbors on the block. How thoughtful is that? I wasn't about to refuse since most days I'm left talking to myself. Three hours of chatting, and a delicious meal, left my tummy and heart in "overflow" mode.
There was one conversation that was a first: talk of the bear that roamed the block last weekend. Trying to picture that happening in our previous location is a bit awkward. But here, while it's expected because of the landscape, it's a bit frightening to endure. Welcome to the country Lori!
The ladies are down to earth and so sincere. We're planning on beginning a book club, something that I sorely miss- (shout out to the Lexington Ladies!). Trips into NYC to explore/shop are also on the docket. Looks like we found the perfect place after all. Not that I had any doubts.
Remember these photos?
We were confident that we'd been blessed on Lexington Rd. We trusted that God would do the same here. And He is. It will be different, but no less important.
The 19th thing I love about this move is that my neighbors are people I'd happily choose as friends.
Monday, October 3, 2011
The good and the bad
I could complain about all the little (or sometimes not so little) glitches I've had in the last few months. But where would that get me? Besides, I repeat so often to my children, the scripture "do everything without grumbling or disputing" that I have to follow it myself or risk becoming "that" mom.
Anyhow, back to my lovely Monday morning.
Good thing- it was a lovely crisp clear morning for running.
Bad thing- the air compressor at the local gas station was "out of order". My tire would hopefully wait for air.
Good thing- we made it to school in one piece. Car parked in the lot, this mom heads out for a run.
Bad thing- run finished, I come back to a car with only 3 tires inflated.
Good thing- I'm in a safe place, in the daylight and have no where to be for awhile.
Bad thing- car jack operation- enough said.
Good thing- roadside assistance comes to my rescue.
Bad thing- creepy roadside repairman- eeewwwww.
Good thing- my running legs could have me sprinting to safety if I was feeling creeped out too much.
Good thing- tire gets fixed and I was on my way to finish out the day's list of chores. Wait- is that a good thing???
Hope your Monday is as bright and sunny! Be thankful for the little things...
Anyhow, back to my lovely Monday morning.
Good thing- it was a lovely crisp clear morning for running.
Bad thing- the air compressor at the local gas station was "out of order". My tire would hopefully wait for air.
Good thing- we made it to school in one piece. Car parked in the lot, this mom heads out for a run.
Bad thing- run finished, I come back to a car with only 3 tires inflated.
Good thing- I'm in a safe place, in the daylight and have no where to be for awhile.
Bad thing- car jack operation- enough said.
Good thing- roadside assistance comes to my rescue.
Bad thing- creepy roadside repairman- eeewwwww.
Good thing- my running legs could have me sprinting to safety if I was feeling creeped out too much.
Good thing- tire gets fixed and I was on my way to finish out the day's list of chores. Wait- is that a good thing???
Hope your Monday is as bright and sunny! Be thankful for the little things...
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Paradise
New Jersey can be paradise on it's own- when there's not hurricanes or flooding, or ditches jumping out at your car.
But when that just won't do, we get out of Dodge. And let me tell you- we needed this vacation like a southerner needs their sweet tea.
A week in paradise- total bliss for the entire family. The photos aren't yet in, so I'll make you wait. Suffice it to say, we had an AMAZING time AGAIN. St. John, USVI is our new favorite spot. We snorkel, we boat, we sightsee, we pool floozy, we relax, we float, we snorkel. You get the idea. My only worry all week, was which bathing suit to wear each day. Rough.
Hope your week was great too!
But when that just won't do, we get out of Dodge. And let me tell you- we needed this vacation like a southerner needs their sweet tea.
A week in paradise- total bliss for the entire family. The photos aren't yet in, so I'll make you wait. Suffice it to say, we had an AMAZING time AGAIN. St. John, USVI is our new favorite spot. We snorkel, we boat, we sightsee, we pool floozy, we relax, we float, we snorkel. You get the idea. My only worry all week, was which bathing suit to wear each day. Rough.
Hope your week was great too!
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