We heard it was coming, a few days after experiencing our first earthquake and it was supposedly one of the biggest storms to hit the New Jersey coast in recent memory.
We prepared, each in our own way and as much as we could, considering our house loses power whenever the town burps or hiccups, stocking up on can goods, batteries, candles, lots of ice and Ibuprofen (okay, that last one was for me) thinking that we would be without electric for a day or two.
Five (5) days later, my middle girl called me at the laundromat to say that the lights came on and I cried.
We fared better than most.
A week after the storm, it was announced that the federal government has approved New Jersey’s disaster assistance request for state residents in ALL 21 counties impacted by Hurricane Irene.
Just a few miles away, there are people we know who are still without power and/or draining a swimming pool in their basement.
As we wait our turn to estimate the cost of the damage caused by Irene (at last count, our living room ceiling sprung about a dozen leaks and the wallpaper by our front door burst open to expose a magical water fountain underneath) there is nothing that could not be repaired, or cannot be dealt with, over time.
Not when there were lives lost.
Although, I feel it safe to admit that…YES!…the last week or so has been very stressful.
Except, the part where we spent two gorgeous days and nights with my parents (see pic above!) or, hosting an impromptu virtual sleepover with online friends (thanks, you and Gabs do good face, Jenn!)
Oh, and ALL four of the kids are actually looking forward to starting school tomorrow (FTW!)
I, on the other hand, am very, very thankful to be able to sit here, in this house (filled to capacity with unmatched socks and mildewy as it may be) I get it.
People have experienced worse…of course, they always do…but, we WERE lucky and I am just happy to have the chance to write…again…after the storm.
Howeverrrrrrr, the next person who insists that…pssshhhh…Hurricane Irene was NUH-THING!…gets a Wet Willy (look it up!)
© 2003 – 2011 This Full House
Comments
104 responses to “After the Storm”
No hurricane, no matter how big or small, is an insignificant event. I’ve had to evacuate for at least three storms. They’re not fun, especially when there is extended periods of power loss, and tragically life lost.
I’m glad no one in your family was hurt, and I hope you can get your house back to good soon.
No hurricane, no matter how big or small, is an insignificant event. I’ve had to evacuate for at least three storms. They’re not fun, especially when there is extended periods of power loss, and tragically life lost.
I’m glad no one in your family was hurt, and I hope you can get your house back to good soon.
No hurricane, no matter how big or small, is an insignificant event. I’ve had to evacuate for at least three storms. They’re not fun, especially when there is extended periods of power loss, and tragically life lost.
I’m glad no one in your family was hurt, and I hope you can get your house back to good soon.
No hurricane, no matter how big or small, is an insignificant event. I’ve had to evacuate for at least three storms. They’re not fun, especially when there is extended periods of power loss, and tragically life lost.
I’m glad no one in your family was hurt, and I hope you can get your house back to good soon.
No hurricane, no matter how big or small, is an insignificant event. I’ve had to evacuate for at least three storms. They’re not fun, especially when there is extended periods of power loss, and tragically life lost.
I’m glad no one in your family was hurt, and I hope you can get your house back to good soon.
No hurricane, no matter how big or small, is an insignificant event. I’ve had to evacuate for at least three storms. They’re not fun, especially when there is extended periods of power loss, and tragically life lost.
I’m glad no one in your family was hurt, and I hope you can get your house back to good soon.
No hurricane, no matter how big or small, is an insignificant event. I’ve had to evacuate for at least three storms. They’re not fun, especially when there is extended periods of power loss, and tragically life lost.
I’m glad no one in your family was hurt, and I hope you can get your house back to good soon.
No hurricane, no matter how big or small, is an insignificant event. I’ve had to evacuate for at least three storms. They’re not fun, especially when there is extended periods of power loss, and tragically life lost.
I’m glad no one in your family was hurt, and I hope you can get your house back to good soon.
I’m so glad you’re on the way back to the normal routine. It’s underrated, sometimes, huh?
I’m so glad you’re on the way back to the normal routine. It’s underrated, sometimes, huh?
I’m so glad you’re on the way back to the normal routine. It’s underrated, sometimes, huh?
I’m so glad you’re on the way back to the normal routine. It’s underrated, sometimes, huh?
I’m so glad you’re on the way back to the normal routine. It’s underrated, sometimes, huh?
I’m so glad you’re on the way back to the normal routine. It’s underrated, sometimes, huh?
I’m so glad you’re on the way back to the normal routine. It’s underrated, sometimes, huh?
I’m so glad you’re on the way back to the normal routine. It’s underrated, sometimes, huh?
I’m so thankful, you’re all okay. Hurricanes just stink!
My family in Louisiana have water 4″ from the front door thanks to Lee.
I’m so thankful, you’re all okay. Hurricanes just stink!
My family in Louisiana have water 4″ from the front door thanks to Lee.
I’m so thankful, you’re all okay. Hurricanes just stink!
My family in Louisiana have water 4″ from the front door thanks to Lee.
I’m so thankful, you’re all okay. Hurricanes just stink!
My family in Louisiana have water 4″ from the front door thanks to Lee.
I’m so thankful, you’re all okay. Hurricanes just stink!
My family in Louisiana have water 4″ from the front door thanks to Lee.
I’m so thankful, you’re all okay. Hurricanes just stink!
My family in Louisiana have water 4″ from the front door thanks to Lee.
I’m so thankful, you’re all okay. Hurricanes just stink!
My family in Louisiana have water 4″ from the front door thanks to Lee.
I’m so thankful, you’re all okay. Hurricanes just stink!
My family in Louisiana have water 4″ from the front door thanks to Lee.
Yes, hurricanes suck wet poodle, thank you, Kim!
Yes, hurricanes suck wet poodle, thank you, Kim!
Yes, hurricanes suck wet poodle, thank you, Kim!
Yes, hurricanes suck wet poodle, thank you, Kim!
Yes, hurricanes suck wet poodle, thank you, Kim!
Yes, hurricanes suck wet poodle, thank you, Kim!
Yes, hurricanes suck wet poodle, thank you, Kim!
Yes, hurricanes suck wet poodle, thank you, Kim!
Terribly underrated AND yet totally appreciated, at the moment. Thanks for checking up on us throughout, Busy Mom!
Terribly underrated AND yet totally appreciated, at the moment. Thanks for checking up on us throughout, Busy Mom!
Terribly underrated AND yet totally appreciated, at the moment. Thanks for checking up on us throughout, Busy Mom!
Terribly underrated AND yet totally appreciated, at the moment. Thanks for checking up on us throughout, Busy Mom!
Terribly underrated AND yet totally appreciated, at the moment. Thanks for checking up on us throughout, Busy Mom!
Terribly underrated AND yet totally appreciated, at the moment. Thanks for checking up on us throughout, Busy Mom!
Terribly underrated AND yet totally appreciated, at the moment. Thanks for checking up on us throughout, Busy Mom!
Terribly underrated AND yet totally appreciated, at the moment. Thanks for checking up on us throughout, Busy Mom!
Gettting our house back to good…I really, really like that…Tara, thanks 🙂
Gettting our house back to good…I really, really like that…Tara, thanks 🙂
Gettting our house back to good…I really, really like that…Tara, thanks 🙂
Gettting our house back to good…I really, really like that…Tara, thanks 🙂
Gettting our house back to good…I really, really like that…Tara, thanks 🙂
Gettting our house back to good…I really, really like that…Tara, thanks 🙂
Gettting our house back to good…I really, really like that…Tara, thanks 🙂
Gettting our house back to good…I really, really like that…Tara, thanks 🙂
I missed you while you were (mostly) gone. I’m glad you and yours are all safe, and hope your house heals up really nicely. 🙂
I missed you while you were (mostly) gone. I’m glad you and yours are all safe, and hope your house heals up really nicely. 🙂
I missed you while you were (mostly) gone. I’m glad you and yours are all safe, and hope your house heals up really nicely. 🙂
I missed you while you were (mostly) gone. I’m glad you and yours are all safe, and hope your house heals up really nicely. 🙂
I missed you while you were (mostly) gone. I’m glad you and yours are all safe, and hope your house heals up really nicely. 🙂
I missed you while you were (mostly) gone. I’m glad you and yours are all safe, and hope your house heals up really nicely. 🙂
I missed you while you were (mostly) gone. I’m glad you and yours are all safe, and hope your house heals up really nicely. 🙂
I missed you while you were (mostly) gone. I’m glad you and yours are all safe, and hope your house heals up really nicely. 🙂
I thought of you that whole weekend & I am so glad that you are all safe and sound 🙂
I thought of you that whole weekend & I am so glad that you are all safe and sound 🙂
I thought of you that whole weekend & I am so glad that you are all safe and sound 🙂
I thought of you that whole weekend & I am so glad that you are all safe and sound 🙂
I thought of you that whole weekend & I am so glad that you are all safe and sound 🙂
I thought of you that whole weekend & I am so glad that you are all safe and sound 🙂
I thought of you that whole weekend & I am so glad that you are all safe and sound 🙂
I thought of you that whole weekend & I am so glad that you are all safe and sound 🙂
As I you, Heather, hope this finds you feeling better, my friend!!!
As I you, Heather, hope this finds you feeling better, my friend!!!
As I you, Heather, hope this finds you feeling better, my friend!!!
As I you, Heather, hope this finds you feeling better, my friend!!!
As I you, Heather, hope this finds you feeling better, my friend!!!
As I you, Heather, hope this finds you feeling better, my friend!!!
As I you, Heather, hope this finds you feeling better, my friend!!!
As I you, Heather, hope this finds you feeling better, my friend!!!
Since we’re looking at the bright side, does that mean that you’ll be getting a nice shiny new roof? and repairs inside those waterfall-y walls? Yay!
Since we’re looking at the bright side, does that mean that you’ll be getting a nice shiny new roof? and repairs inside those waterfall-y walls? Yay!
Since we’re looking at the bright side, does that mean that you’ll be getting a nice shiny new roof? and repairs inside those waterfall-y walls? Yay!
Since we’re looking at the bright side, does that mean that you’ll be getting a nice shiny new roof? and repairs inside those waterfall-y walls? Yay!
Since we’re looking at the bright side, does that mean that you’ll be getting a nice shiny new roof? and repairs inside those waterfall-y walls? Yay!
Since we’re looking at the bright side, does that mean that you’ll be getting a nice shiny new roof? and repairs inside those waterfall-y walls? Yay!
Since we’re looking at the bright side, does that mean that you’ll be getting a nice shiny new roof? and repairs inside those waterfall-y walls? Yay!
Since we’re looking at the bright side, does that mean that you’ll be getting a nice shiny new roof? and repairs inside those waterfall-y walls? Yay!
Heh, actually, I may just keep those waterfall-y walls (sounds very Zen, right?) and just tell folks it's supposed to be like that.
Heh, actually, I may just keep those waterfall-y walls (sounds very Zen, right?) and just tell folks it's supposed to be like that.
Heh, actually, I may just keep those waterfall-y walls (sounds very Zen, right?) and just tell folks it's supposed to be like that.
Heh, actually, I may just keep those waterfall-y walls (sounds very Zen, right?) and just tell folks it's supposed to be like that.
Heh, actually, I may just keep those waterfall-y walls (sounds very Zen, right?) and just tell folks it's supposed to be like that.
Heh, actually, I may just keep those waterfall-y walls (sounds very Zen, right?) and just tell folks it's supposed to be like that.
Heh, actually, I may just keep those waterfall-y walls (sounds very Zen, right?) and just tell folks it's supposed to be like that.
Heh, actually, I may just keep those waterfall-y walls (sounds very Zen, right?) and just tell folks it's supposed to be like that.
So glad ya’ll are OK and being without electricity for five days is NO laughing matter but definitely an excuse for a pitcher or margaritas! (or three!) 🙂
So glad ya’ll are OK and being without electricity for five days is NO laughing matter but definitely an excuse for a pitcher or margaritas! (or three!) 🙂
So glad ya’ll are OK and being without electricity for five days is NO laughing matter but definitely an excuse for a pitcher or margaritas! (or three!) 🙂
So glad ya’ll are OK and being without electricity for five days is NO laughing matter but definitely an excuse for a pitcher or margaritas! (or three!) 🙂
So glad ya’ll are OK and being without electricity for five days is NO laughing matter but definitely an excuse for a pitcher or margaritas! (or three!) 🙂
So glad ya’ll are OK and being without electricity for five days is NO laughing matter but definitely an excuse for a pitcher or margaritas! (or three!) 🙂
So glad ya’ll are OK and being without electricity for five days is NO laughing matter but definitely an excuse for a pitcher or margaritas! (or three!) 🙂
So glad ya’ll are OK and being without electricity for five days is NO laughing matter but definitely an excuse for a pitcher or margaritas! (or three!) 🙂
I like your suggestion Jamie, seeing as I am still recovering, ahem, it's STILL a good idea 🙂 Thanks!!!
I like your suggestion Jamie, seeing as I am still recovering, ahem, it's STILL a good idea 🙂 Thanks!!!
I like your suggestion Jamie, seeing as I am still recovering, ahem, it's STILL a good idea 🙂 Thanks!!!
I like your suggestion Jamie, seeing as I am still recovering, ahem, it's STILL a good idea 🙂 Thanks!!!
I like your suggestion Jamie, seeing as I am still recovering, ahem, it's STILL a good idea 🙂 Thanks!!!
I like your suggestion Jamie, seeing as I am still recovering, ahem, it's STILL a good idea 🙂 Thanks!!!
I like your suggestion Jamie, seeing as I am still recovering, ahem, it's STILL a good idea 🙂 Thanks!!!
I like your suggestion Jamie, seeing as I am still recovering, ahem, it's STILL a good idea 🙂 Thanks!!!