Hurrican Irene - in pictures

 Day One
More wind than rain...  these pictures don't really do it justice. 
It's hard to capture that with the camera but it was awesome to watch.

The fact that we hadn't lost power for what seemed like "the worst" of it helped my awe.

This tree snapped and fell across the street.  The town had already moved it back off of the road when we (and the rest of the neighborhood) took our walk.  It was the photo-op of the day...  I should have charged $5 a shot!

I arrogantly began baking this pineapple bread pudding while the storm was still raging.  I finished baking it in the grill.
It was delicious.

Cook 'em if you got 'em.
They were talking about 5-7 days of power-free living before Irene even reached Connecticut so we were prepared.

Abby & Wyatt camped out on our floor...  it was very, very dark.

  

Day Two

After the lights went out on Sunday the wind continued to whip through the afternoon and night. 
It was very unsettling.  

The next morning, however, the sun was shining and the sky was a beautiful blue. 
Jay made us coffee with the camping coffee pot and we made breakfast on the grill. 
It was still pretty fun.  Our food was still cold and our adventurous spirits were high,

Gorgeous morning for hot coffee!  (Really, really hot!)

Juice boxes in the morning!!?  Aw, Yeah!

Helping Daddy pick up sticks.  Obviously.

Dinner by candlelight...

Goodnight!

A few things I did not get shots of Monday:

• Driving out to Nel's to grab showers & dinner and stopping to find Q broken & bleeding in the middle of Charles Lane.  Jumping into action for my girl only to find that I cried harder than she did while Jay called 911 and her parents.  I'm no good in an emergency.  (At least not when Jay is there and I don't have to be.)
• Watching Q get wrapped and strapped and zipped away in an ambulance.
• Seeing her on the couch 2 days later, smiling through the pain and flinching/crying as she tries to get comfortable while telling me the full story of what led to our finding her on Charles, bleeding.  (And my rage at all things teenage and stupid.)
• Her broken tib/fib, surgery with 2 rods, skinned and bruised legs, feet, toes and arms.
• Jody wrestling with frustration, sadness, anger and stress while maintaining patience, kindness and warmth.  Being a good mommy is so hard sometimes.

Day Three
Sitting around by candlelight was starting to feel a little icky.  We didn't want to be "quitters" but we were getting antsy sitting in the warm, dirty dark.  We missed running water.  A lot. 
So we decided that if there was no progress on Tuesday we would go stay at a hotel for a night or two.  We needed a break.  Or so we thought.

Dunkin' for breakfast with Hershey's Strawberry Milkshakes?!?!?

The fridge.  After.

The fridge, Before.

Come on, Ride the Train!!

Hello, Sanctuary!!

This room was as big as our first apartment.  That door on the left lead to our bedroom with 2 Queen beds. 
You also can't see the sectional.

Indoor pool...

...takes the sting out.

Day Four

Waking up in the hotel was nice...  air conditioning, comfy beds and warm showers are hard to beat.  Add free breakfast and coffee to that and well, I miss it right now.

Considering that we were staying for free with Points earned by Jay because he stays at Hyatts every week for work - he was not having a good time staying at a Hyatt "for fun".
And considering that our dogs were still at 131, we couldn't exactly go far...  we had to take care of them which meant driving back and forth two or three times a day.  It sounds cool, but it just wasn't relaxing, it was annoying.

By mid-day we were already planning our trip home.  We felt helpless and like we deserted our post.  One more night and we planned to head back, lights or no.

The final straw:  these 2 kids arrive for another day of fun in the indoor pool to find it locked.  "Maintenance" closed the pool.  We were already ready to go home but this sealed it for the kids.

 Day Five

It was really nice to get home.  

Jay got the fire pit going and we bribed the kids to pick up sticks by allowing them to toss them in.

It was a gorgeous day, the fire smelled great and I put a good dent in my book while relaxing on the deck.  Reading in the quiet, in the middle of the day, outside is one of the most relaxing, loveliest activities in the world.  One I intend to participate in far more often.  

(Especially once the kids start school!!  Did I mention school was supposed to have started on Monday of this week?  Not even Winter yet and already 5 snow days deep!)

We also decided on this day that without power we could not hold a proper Jaybor Day Celebration.  We pulled the plug on the 35th Annual Celebration.  I can only hope to make the 36th unforgettable.

The branch that snapped and wedged itself into the "Tri-Tree" is huge.  It's basically a "Quad-Tree" now.

Widow-Maker.  Gotta find a tree guy.

It was nice to be back.

Day Six

We decided to take a break in a different way on Friday.  We headed to the gym - earlier than I have ever headed to the gym in my life because really, what else was there to do - exercised, showered and headed down to the shore.

We ate lunch at Flanders Fish Market.  

 Flanders offers the most delectable, amazingly delicious, creamiest, tastiest Lobster Bisque I have ever tasted, smelled or seen.  I highly recommend it.

This girl was...

telling me something...

very serious.

After lunch we took a drive and stopped to look at the drawbridge, some boats and just the water in general.  I had hoped to find a strip of beach to walk on...  fantasized about it, dreamt of it...  but we did not.  We weren't willing to pay or trespass so we just kept on driving.

Always making our day a little bit more interesting, Wyatt managed to get his head stuck on this little walkway.
He was released unharmed.

 After our shore excursion we headed to Nana & Papa's for dinner.  Nana baked something she called "macaroni".  We were so starved for home-cooking we ate it, but when enough time passes that we can make fun of her without it being too sensitive, we have every intention of doing that. 

She's a great Nana, but she's no Betty Crocker.

Wyatt steering the ship.

Our little mermaid.

CL&P had already promised us our electricity so when they promised again neither of us took it to heart.  Candlelit cards and a bottle of red wine, in bed by nine.  I was getting used to it.  Truly, I did not miss tv or internet or noise.  I missed water and clean laundry and showers but the peaceful darkness was becoming comforting.

That night, at 2am - give or take - the house lit up like a Christmas tree.  Bright and noisy with beeps and bloops and bops...  Jay and I jumped out of bed like we heard gun shots.  

LET THERE BE LIGHT!!  

It was comforting and a relief to know it was over.  But I have to admit, I will never forget that little sliver of sadness I felt when the tv lit up and the phone glowed.  

Irene, thank you for the cleanse.  We all needed it.

Things I will no longer take for granted:

Flushing.

Using soap and water together.

My dishwasher.

My pool.

Bright light.

Things I will find the time to stop and do:
 Play outside.

Read on the deck.

Take a walk.

Enjoy the silence.

As I wrap this blog entry, I have to say that I know I missed things.  I missed memories that I will never forget.  This week was not one that will be easily forgotten.
Moments of tension and stress you could cut with a knife.
Moments of laughter and peace and joy that couldn't be properly described.

Pride.  Happiness.  Fear.  Responsibility.  Community.  Love.
It's not something you can understand if you've never lived it.  
It is something that I am grateful I was able to experience.

Hurricane Irene

I have taken so many pictures over the past 4 days, I can't imagine my camera will hold much more, but I have vowed to unload them all at once, when it's all over.

And while the storm came and went in less than a day, her effects are still lingering and likely will, for a very long time.

Some observations:

• Hurricane Gloria was fun.  Because I was 10.
• Hurricane Irene is an adventure for my kids, who are 3 & 5, and have never experienced "no tv" never mind no lights or no cold food.
• People surprise you.  We know when to step up for each other.  We can be reminded of what's important.
• No one should have to live without electricity for 4+ days, not when it's not a planned camping vacation - and even then, you have running water.
• We may have to cancel Jaybor Day.
• My neighborhood is awesome.  I don't know how we wound up in Hebron but you can't pick a better town to raise a family.  Especially if you're lucky enough to live in The Heights.
• Q is one of the toughest cookies out there.  I saw her broken bones moving around under her skin and she was holding it together like a soldier.
• My husband's life of luxurious hotel rooms and restaurant meals is not nearly as luxurious as I once thought it was.
• Looking forward to planning our 1st Annual Hurricane Irene Reunion Party for the 'hood - it can't only be when the power's out that we all walk around and mingle.
• Realizing that Jody and her kids are our family, even though we always knew it.
• Mother Nature, in all her glory, is a force to be reckoned with.  And I reckon she kicked our ass.
• Hotels are for vacations...  relaxing, prepared and budgeted-for vacations.
• The pool water is fine for flushing and washing dishes but you can't drink it.
• My husband's preparation for this storm was legendary.
• Cleaning up the yard, smelling the fresh mow and the burning branches, grilling and sitting at night with AM radio by candlelight have never sounded so good.  I can't wait to go home.
• That said, the Hyatt has treated us better than well and I would look for this place on any vacation I planned and looked forward to!

When power returns and the pictures are uploaded, I may return.  But for now, that's all I got.

Happy Birthday to the Love of my Life, the Fruit of my Loom, the Peas to my Carrots...

My heart, my soul, my provider, my best friend.

{& now Abby can stop telling everyone that Mommy is older than Daddy!}

Here we are in August.  Summer will end as quickly as it started at the end of this month.
School starts August 30th here and while I miss the days of "Wednesday after Labor Day weekend", it doesn't bother me that school starts before summer officially ends.  It is what it is and I'm excited to get back into the routine of it all.
Normally at this time of the summer I am planning our Annual Jaybor Day BBQ.  Jay's birthday falls right around Labor Day weekend so we host a party, a "kegger", if you will - and it is always a lot of fun to plan and always a lot of fun to host.
Attendance varies from year to year as Labor Day is a busy weekend for most but the good time does not.
This year, however, I am not planning our annual bash, I am searching the web for SeaWorld coupons and cursing myself for putting our luggage - packed - into storage.

We're headed down to Florida for a birthday-business-trip and I am unbelievably excited!
It started out as a business trip for Jay and is winding up as a week's vacation for me and the kids!
More on that as it comes, but for now - rest assured - Jaybor Day will return in 2011.

Speaking of summer vacation.  I haven't blogged much these past few weeks...  partially due to my addiction to my Bakery & Hotel on Facebook, I'll admit it.  Partial blame goes to Blogger for not allowing me to blog for a while.  I have no idea why or how it fixed itself or I fixed it.  And partial blame goes to the glorious sunshine of summer.  The kids & I have not wasted a minute of this summer vacation and we plan to party like Pre-K rock stars for these last few weeks of it.

We've been to the shore, to several lakes & ponds, visited family & friends, a few day trips, a few playdates and a lot of yard & pool time right there at 131.  Even Daddy has emerged from his cave (err - I mean office) for a few beach days and some pool time!
We're very tan, very tired at the end of each day and a very happy family.  Life is, indeed, very good here.

We have more beach days planned, in addition to Abby's swimming lessons every day.  We're headed to Davis' Farmland at the end of the month and then, of course, Florida!

When we get back, we promise to get serious.  School, Soccer, Gymnastics and the holidays will take over.  We'll cover the pool, pull out jeans and sweaters, plant mums, carve pumpkins and turn the lights on around 4:00.
For now, though, we'll carry on.

I am not babysitting this school year.  That will be a weird change.  I only did it for 2 years, but when you consider that Wyatt is only 2 - that's a pretty good chunk of my life.  Both kids are comfortable in Jody's house and with Q&K like they're family and really - they are.
It will be nice to only have my own kids to worry about.  Our own schedules, our own needs.  But I'm sure I will miss my daily dose of Q&K and I'm sure they'll miss me kicking their butts around their busy schedules.

W, K, Q & A
Just another day in paradise...

Tomorrow, after swimming lessons I am taking the kids to see Toy Story 3.  They have never been to the movies and I think, at this point, we are making more of it than there is to be made - as far as milestones go.  So, we're just going.

Originally it was Debbie's idea but since she's in labor right now, we're going without her.

Here's Deb.  This is from last year, when we played softball.  

She's probably using Jack as an excuse not to play Right Field.

Come on, baby!  Come out!  I need my drinking buddy back!

 

I have gotten such a good jump on my Christmas Shopping.
I always plan ahead but I rarely stick to my plan and I rarely get much done, actually purchased, before Thanksgiving.  So, I'm pretty psyched!

My goal, before I die, is to make every single "cooky" in my Betty Crocker Cooky Book.  It is the book we used growing up.  My mom was not a domestic diva by any standard but she liked to bust out the flour and sugar at Christmastime.
At some point in my life I want to be able to say "I have made every single cookie in the "Cooky Book".

Tonight, Abby and I made Thumbprints.  Kids loved 'em and we packed them up to be sent to our Troops!  Tomorrow we will make Snickerdoodles.
I have made these before so it's not helping my cause, but I know I love them and I know how they are supposed to come out so they're a good one to make for the troops and for Thanksgiving.
I have a few others I'd like to make this season - Candy Canes (another repeat, darnit!), Pecan Spice Cookies (for my mom), Mini Fudge Tarts (yum!), Krumkake and a few more.
Will I make it a whole Christmas without baking Chocolate Chips or Sugars or Oatmeal Raisins or Peanut Butters?
Probably not.  But I am looking forward to broadening my "cooky" horizon!


Lots of activity on the Blog lately.  A while back, I got rid of my "stalker log".  Or, so I thought.  I hadn't noticed that it was still on my page until I did my Thanksgiving decorating.  I flipped through a few pages and noticed lots of traffic coming in from some new locations.  I mean, lots!
So, I deleted the counter, once and for all.  I'm glad I thought I had already and glad I really did this time.
I write a public blog because I enjoy expressing myself.  For myself.
If you are reading, you must enjoy my expressions.  And I thank you for that.

Quiet around here lately.
Last year we partied like it was 1999.  We had Jaybor Day in September, Wyatt's 1st birthday in October, my mother-in-law's 60th in November, Christmas Eve and then Abby's birthday in January.  We really packed it all in - and we throw a pretty good party!
This year, we had Jaybor Day and Wyatt's birthday and we'll have Abby's in January but nothing in between.  It's a nice break.  And nice to be able to relax, enjoy and take my time with no one to attend to but the 4 of us.

I will still be very busy, cooking, baking, shopping, wrapping, attending, helping and enjoying.  And celebrating!!!  I love the season so much, regardless of where, it's such a magical time of year.
And my kids are so excited already.  At 2 years old, Wyatt can barely say the words that he's thinking but they're coming to him, fast and furious, and among those words you'll hear:

"Merry Chitmas",  "Santa", "ho ho ho", "Chitmas Chee", "Thanksgivin" and lots more. 

Both kids freak out when they see anything Christmas-related but nothing beats Wyatt's near head-explosion in Target the other day when he spotted the area that they sell the trees, outdoor decor and other Christmas goodness.  I think he could have stayed there all darn day, just staring at the lights and trees and moving blow-up things that tacky people put in their yards.

Is it strange to anyone else that I bought a whole new package of napkins for our party on Sunday, filled the caddy with the already-open package and - even though we fed about 40 people - never needed to re-fill and even had left-over napkins in that caddy?

***

Chilly out today.  Almost...  c.o.l.d. right now.  I love this weather, and I love Autumn - I've said it a thousand times.  But I feel like it really happened overnight.  The leaves are still green but the nights are practically frosty!

I plan ontaking pictures of one certain spot each week to sort of document Autumn this year.  I think of this every year.  We'll see if it works out this year.

***

Not a lot of action in the Blog world lately.  And as much as I bitch about my blog regulars not adding content, I haven't had much time or energy to say much lately, either.  So - peace.

Weening myself off of Facebook.
Sort of.
I don't intend to "quit it" but I have become a bit too addicted to it.
I am no longer "searching" now I am just straight up "stalking".  I mean, really.  250+ friends on FB.  Do I have nothing else to do but check and see if they're eating, going out or too tired but can't sleep?

Scored a gorgeous, handmade, solid and practically scratch-free bookshelf at a flea market yesterday.  
 $25.
Pledged it, threw our books on it and called it our Hallway Piece.
I love flea markets and tag sales but I rarely go because a) they're early in the day and I hate that and b) it's hard to bring kids along.
This bookshelf made my year.
The bookshelf that was in our hallway was $70 from Staples.  Much bigger but particle board and plastic - nothing compared to what we have now.
We put the Staples thing in our living room for lack of a better place, thinking it would stick out like a sore thumb but it really looks good.
The "wood" color matches the rocking chair which is right next to it and it really blends right in.
Love it.

Summer is fading into Fall.
I still need to sleep with the fan on in my window, but I wake up chilly.  Not quite "need a sweatshirt until my coffee warms me up" chilly but still - I'm not sweating.
I love the hum of the fan.  I hate when that season ends and I have to find a new way to fall asleep.  I like the white noise hum of my kids' monitors on my night stand - so I guess that will fall back into place as my standard sleep inducer.

I have mums in my yard.  But my impatiens are still colorful.  That is a sure sign of the end of summer.  I love mums so much, I start to buy them as soon as the stores put them out and I really don't stop...  really.  I think I had about 22 of them - all sizes and colors one year.  That was the year we had Abby's baptism - ironically the same date that Wyatt would be born a year later - so the mums and 50 million pumpkins and corn stalks became my obsession.  We're always hosting a lot this time of year - so why not, right?


Jaybor Day is next weekend and the 10-Day forecast is calling for a sunny, mid-low 70's sort of week.  Great weather for Fall but not very "pool friendly".  These cold nights and yesterday's rain storm have dropped the pool temp back to the low 70's.  Combined with 70 degree days, that makes for one COLD pool!  Even for us Northerners!
It's really down to only a matter of days before we close her up and look down a the black cover instead of the crystal blue water.  That makes me a little sad.

But it also revs me up.  I have been so sad about the end of this summer.  It was a great one.  Now my kid goes to school, I have Q&K 5 days a week after school, Debbie (my BGF) is back to work and the routine has returned.
Today, after mourning the imminent pool closure, I had an epiphany.
This is my favorite season.  My best time of year.  Why am I not enjoying it?!
I love mums, pumpkins, chilly mornings and hosting parties.  This is my season!
So - bring it on!  And after this we have Thanksgiving and Christmas, then Abby's birthday in January and then lovely nothing-ness.
Then, it all starts over again!  Spring clean up and planting, Summer beach days and pool nights and Fall!!

God!  I love New England and how beautifully You have blessed us with four fabulous seasons!

I am a little bummed that my amazing tan is fading, though.  Today I noticed my coffee stain birthmark on my leg for the first time in months...  it blends into my tan.  Now it's back.  Darn it.


So, with Fall on the verge of full display I have to find a new Lawn Guy.  Our previous "landscaper", if you will, missed us completely one fall and again this past Spring so I kindly requested he remove our name from his list.
Now, I have to find someone else.
I could do it myself.  Sure.  But having it done ensures it gets done, all in one swoop, for one price.  Gardens are clear, borders are respected, piles are carried deep into the woods.  And it takes a professional a few hours.  It would take me, and my rake, several days.  And it still wouldn't look as good.
So - let the hunt begin...

I love the sound of my kids running through the house on the hardwood floors.
I can't wait to replace the living room carpet with more wood for more pitter-patters... ok, more like thud-thuds... especially from the one who's feet are taller than they are wide. Often referred to as Barney Rubble.

The kids have decided they no longer need the child-safety cushions around the brick hearth of the fireplace. They have pulled them off and use them as swords.
As far as I can remember, neither child's head has ever been spared because I placed those cushions there, so let's hope it doesn't come up now that they're off!
It is nice to have the brick back completely.

Making Beer Bread right now. Kimmie made it one time and I haven't been able to get it right since. I am also making the "Garlic Dip" by Tastefully Simple that she paired with it. The bread is Pampered Chef, tho - wonder if that's the difference? How different can Beer Bread be?
Using Guinness, never fear, my friend!

Planning our "Non-Consecutive 5th Annual Jay-bor Day BBQ". Can't decide on decor. I might just skip that expense and concentrate on food & drinks.
Thinking about placing on the invitations "please bring a salad or side that you love" and that avoids everyone asking and the aggravation of prep and fridge-room.
I will make the main courses and appetizers, and of course - DESSERT!! Is that tacky?
My aunt did it one year and she said it was awesome - so many different sides and salads, and a great conversation starter for people.
We'll invite the family and our smallest circle of friends - because just that is about 35 people.
Inevitably, it becomes bigger because my big mouth invites everyone I run into between now and the actual party, but whatever - once you're doing it, you might as well do it, right?
{I promise I won't do it this time, babe, in case you're reading this!}

After Jay-bor Day comes Wyatt's birthday. I cannot decide between one more Sesame Party, Dinosaurs or Diego. I am leaning toward dinosaurs... but if I don't do Sesame Street this year, I'll never get to do one again. And it is so cute, and Wywy really loves Elmo, Ernie and Cookie - and Grover and Zoe, too. And, he's 2, so it's really up to me.
I think it will come down to availability when I hit the Party Store. We'll see. I'm sure you'll see considerably more as Labor Day actually kicks off "Entertaining Season" here at 131. And I really love that!