Over the last several weeks things have been crazy. We had a hurricane pass through and it was rough. Thankfully no damage, just a lot of debris. We lost power on Monday morning around 7:30 AM. It was out for millions of people--I was one of the lucky ones where it came back on on Tuesday around 3:30pm. Even today some are still out. I will tell you the time from no power to when it came back on--misery.
We are in the south. It's hot. Heat advisory hot. It's not feasible to be without power and air conditioning. After I lost power on early Monday morning I checked in with my neighbor who has a generator and they let me put all of my refrigerator items in their spare fridge. It's the first hurricane season where they've had the generator, so for some reason I didn't feel comfortable asking if I could stay over there. And they didn't offer. So, I drove around in my car trying to decide what to do and also just to stay cool. I happened to find a little cafe open so I could eat an omelet and charge my phone--my car charger decided right now was the time to quit working. Then throughout the day just kept going in/out of my house hoping we'd get power. At around 9:30 pm I found myself parked in front of lo.we's just sitting. I called as many hotels as I could bring up on my map and not a single one answered, so I gave up. Ended up driving home and sleeping at the house on the couch. It's eerily quiet when not a single thing is on. Of course it was just so hot so I found a squirt bottle and just laid on the sofa willing myself to sleep after squirting myself every 10 minutes or so. The silver living in this is the kids have been with Amy since July 2nd where we drove 1/2 way so they could vacation with her. They've been so busy with waterparks, swimming, bowling, etc. and I couldn't have been more thankful they were well taken care of and I just had to worry about myself.
I've had a lot of thoughts over the last several days and I'm just going to summarize here. Some about storms, some about parenting.
--I have never been so thankful for power as when it came back on late Tuesday afternoon. For air conditioning and fans. And at night just being able to turn on a light. It's a stark reminder how much we take for granted in America that we have power, we are cool, we have food to eat, tv to watch, and internet to use. We have an older lady Mary in our circle who lives by herself and her daughter lives around the corner....the daughter/family was out of town so on Tuesday when I found a place that was open for salads I called Mary and brought her one. I was at her house fanning myself with a paper plate when we heard the beep of her oven coming on and both of us shouted out loud. Then the sweet sweet feeling of cool air coming from the vents again.
--I'm thankful for sunlight. In the morning when I could finally see in my house without turning on my cell phone flashlight I was grateful.
--I spend a lot of time watching tv and reading articles on the internet. Without the ability to do so, I felt itchy like--what do I do? My brain kept wanting to occupy itself, but I had nothing. I suppose I could have pulled out a book, or organize bins, etc. but without power? Uh, no. I just wanted to watch TV and track the storm and aftermath. I was just reflecting on the fact that I occupy more of my time than I realized on mindless tv/internet. Not sure I like that...but also not sure what I'm going to change about it.
--Storms are so stressful. When they are happening you just sit and watch. Hope and pray you don't have severe damage. No tornados come, no flooding comes. We've had our fair share of storms over the years and some really bad ones. I'm kinda over it. Going through storms with small children by yourself is even harder. When the power came back on it was this huge release, like a huge exhale...and I could finally relax. I didn't realize how much I kind of 'hold my breath' in a way until everything passes and things go back to normal.
--I feel so happy when things are clean. On Tuesday when the power came back on I spent 2 hours dismantling and scrubbing down every part of the refrigerator. I'm not sure I had ever taken every bin/shelf, storage drawer out since I've had it for 9 years. It was a ton of work. But every time I open the refrigerator now I feel calm and good. It's amazing how having something clean and organized can just make you feel better.
--I had no idea how much mental energy I spend parenting every day. I'm consumed all day with--what time is it, what are we having for lunch/dinner, did you brush your teeth, stop arguing w/ your sister, go find something to do, do you want to play a game? Time to take a bath....it's not until I had the absence of it that I realized holy moly, I use most of my brain power during the day keeping the kids and the household going.
--With just taking care of myself these last 10 days--it is so easy. It is so simple. I don't have to cook if I don't want to. No one wakes me up during the night. I can have the TV turned up as loud as I want because no one will wake up. It definitely is much less stressful. Being a parent really IS stressful and a LOT of work. No surprise there, but you don't realize how much you do until you aren't doing it. That doesn't take away from the fact that I wouldn't trade it for nothin....I miss having them here. Dearly. I only cried once, so that's good. But I think it's important to acknowledge yes, it is hard. It is very hard at times.
--My kids are messy. With just me in the house I realize how much I pick up on a daily basis. Dishes and laundry galore.
--I enjoy hanging out with my kids. I love their energy, I like living with them. I like our conversations, I like hugging every day. I like our jokes and laughing together. I think I've built a good family unit where being kind, positive, and supportive are priorities to me. I also sing a lot when they are here. They will say a word and my brain will automatically recall a song w /that word and I belt it out. I get so many eye rolls (I'm really not a good singer), but it's fun for me. I didn't realize how much I do it on a daily basis. No wonder they roll their eyes.
To end this post, yes I do love my A/C. I'm about to love my new windows that should be coming in a few weeks. I haven't decided on the remodel...I can't wrap my mind around the cost yet. So, maybe I'll just paint for now and think about it for later. Not sure on that one. One thing at a time!
Summer is going to end before I know it. Kids go back to school August 14th and my daughter has a lot going on before then....she still has her strength and conditioning camp at the highschool from 12-2 Mon-Thurs until August 1st. Then her junior high starts its own conditioning camp. Then she has Dr. appoints/ortho visit/class schedule pick up, etc.. Pretty soon it's all going to start. I'm not sure what my son is going to do for the next few weeks...I may end up finding a soccer camp for him or something as he really needs structured activity.
I'm picking them up tomorrow and they are both ready to come home. I've talked to them every day at least twice a day....so after 10 days, time to come home. We are all ready for that, and to finish the out the summer strong!
