The random list of today

1. We still do not have electricity. (It went out Sunday at 6am). There is considerable debate in our town about how many days that means. To me this is my 5th day of no power.

Here is the opinion of the Office of Emergency Management in my town as posted on facebook.

"Just a reminder to those of you who are counting - today is DAY 4! The storm was Saturday and Sunday! Which means the count started Monday."

It is a little amazing that they are so worried about what day it is since the power went out. Too bad they aren't more worried about restoring the actual power, because that would be really helpful.

2. We were running out of propane to fuel the generator. If we don't have our generator we don't have things like -- WATER (since we are on a well and need a functioning well pump to have water), phone, internet, cable, TV, lights, etc. . . but here is my favorite photo of the day. I call it "FULL TANK"



3. I went to a friend's and did laundry. It sure feels good to have it done. Simple little luxuries that I am going with out.

4. The town provided dinner for all residents. It was really nice to not have to cook, hand wash pots and pans, hand wash dishes, and clean up. Thanks town -- now if you could just get the power on, you'd be great!!!!

5. Today, Sept 1st marks the kickoff of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness month. A year ago today, my mom was diagnosed with Stage 3c ovarian cancer. I wrote this blog post a year ago today. I was not expecting to drive into town today and find it all decked out in Teal ribbons. Given all that has been going on due to "IRENE", I (wrongly) assumed that those ribbons wouldn't be up . . .





Last year's photos were better, but hey given that school is not in session and power is not on and Owen is still not feeling good I am feeling pretty lucky to have snagged the photos on my phone!!!!

Lesson of the day : I'd give up all my electricity forever to have my mom back.

Quassy

With school out, we headed with a group of friends to Quassy. A small new England amusement park. We had a great time. It was small enough and not very crowded that the kids were able to go with their friends and ride all the rides and I could see them all. The weather was super. The waterpark section was nice. Here is Adam basking in the sun.


Unfortunately, Owen started to run a fever while we were there. Here is Owen feeling a little less than stellar.

The Cleanup

We all worked very hard outside both Monday and today picking up downed branches and limbs from the hurricane. Once we were done it looked so good I had to take these panaramic photos of the front and back yard.

Lousy photo, great news

The tree and the road out is clear. That means we can get out and get propane deliveries. It doesn't mean power is set to be restored, but I'll take it.

A nice video with the damage from our town

My good friend Ember put together this video as she drove around town to show some of the damage from the hurricane

You can watch it below or click on this link
http://youtu.be/5ph-Nijo9NE

Hurricane Irene!

Really??? Here in New England??? 

Yes.  Really. 

But we are ready.  It seems like Houston living was nothing but a drill to get ready for this one.  Here are my facebook updates for the day. 

‎2:00 pm update -- it is raining. Nana and Grandpa are still here. We'll be leaving to take them to the White Plains airport in about an hour. Their flight (originally is scheduled for 5:25 now has an official dept time of 5:47. Hopefully they will just squeak by before the airport closure at 6:00. Wish them luck!

‎3:00 update (and these updates are specifically for you Aunt Tami Bingham Cooley) -- it is still raining, we have not yet left to take Trent's parents to the airport but almost have finished installing flat screen tV to basement bunker -- if we're going to be watching hurricane news we want it on a nice TV

‎4:00 update -- Trent Handy en route to HPN to drop off his parents, the rain has stopped, been chatting with the neighbors, Trent also stopped at walmart to get 12 ft co-ax cable, new electric drill, and augur bit (TV in basement bunker is taking unusually high priority) -- also forgot to mention took Adam, Owen, and Me to dr this morning -- Adam has pneumonia -- Owen and me have colds. at least we got Rx.

‎5:00 update -- quiet and not raining- grandparents delivered to airport, trent not back home yet, but should be soon, then more work on the tv, been busy updating my blog with pictures from the last week!

‎6:00 update -- cooking dinner (sloppy joes), Nana and Granpa's plane took off!!!!!, rain just starting again, TV not yet operational
‎7:00 update -- done with dinner, kids in pj's, trying to finish ALL laundry, searching for a power strip, vacuuming wood shavings (from drilling holes for cords), rain stopped-- Yes, we are BORING!

‎8:30 update -- TV hooked up, kids setting up beds in basement, Owen asleep, last laundry load in, parents -- worried -- check out the current map that eye is a little too close for comfort

‎10:30. All kids still awake. Watching the new tv set up in the basement. Raining lots

‎11:15 update -- probably last update for a while. I am going to bed. All the kids are asleep in the basement. Here's hoping for a quiet, electricity filled night. Here's hoping none of the kajillion trees surrounding us uproot or lose limbs. Here's hoping that we all sleep in (since we don't have church in the morning). Here's hoping we awake to find out everyone's power is still on and their houses still intact! Goodnight Irene! Don't come callling!

Road Trip - Day 4 -- The race home!

We had big plans for today.  We were going to leave Maine and drive to Mystic, CT and go to the Mystic Seaport.  But Hurricane Irene altered our plans.  Instead we got up, packed up, and headed to the grocery store in Maine.  We have been through enough hurricanes to know how quickly the grocery stores clear out.  So we bought everything but the milk, packed it into the already crowded car and headed home. 




Good bye Maine!


Good Bye New Hampshire!




Good-bye Massachusetts!


Owen was really sad to be leaving!!!




Hello Connecticut!!!  Almost home!



Naturally right before getting home, Owen falls asleep. 




And so does Adam!!!!



We spent the rest of the day in a bit of a frenzy.  Nana and I headed back to the store for milk and a few other things.  Trent washed and cleaned out the cars and got them all gassed up.  We all worked on laundry.  We all helped take down the trampoline and move all the patio furniture inside.  It was busy around here to say the least!