Tuesday started off with an earthquake. I was in the bathroom and everything started to shake. I knew exactly what was going on BUT was a bit freaked out because I thought they are NOT supposed to happen HERE. So I went into panic mode and slid on the floor next to the sofa (assuming if the place did collapse i was next to something large that would protect me) ...then it occurred to me - I'm on the 3rd floor. So playing it cool I ran downstairs and outside and checked the mail... (funny what you do when you are in panic mode). It didn't help that the mailboxes we still swaying and there was NO ONE around.
All of a sudden a man comes running down the street to make sure everyone was okay - however, I was the only other person out. We concluded we were both okay and it was scary and then went back to our homes.
I quickly called Colton and experience crazy busy phone lines and learned it is IMPOSSIBLE to get through to anyone local. It really made me realize we need a serious communication plan during times like this. Luckily, he was fine -- working away and in his words. "pushing heavy stuff along bumpy stuff - regular day of Colton Palmer" so he didn't feel it but did notice the telephone polls swaying and didn't think that looked right until someone clued him in as to what just happened.
Everyone downtown on Capital Hill went home early thinking it was a Sept 11th type event, as well as my friend in NYC who thought a bomb had gone off. Sad how we are so on edge these days.
Looks like millions of dollars of damage to the National Cathedral and some new cracks on the Washington Monument.
Well if that wasn't enough... we were quick to learn that the upcoming weekend hurricane IRENE was due to hit. Typically it is a tropical storm by the time more hurricanes hit DC but didn't hurt to be a bit prepared. Saturday morning started out pretty dark and gloomy.
I ran some errands in the morning but was home by noon and stayed home for the rest of the day as the storm increased. We did park my car in a near by parking garage just in case of flying debris in the middle of the night.
That night I was awaken around 1:30 because of the heavy winds. It seriously sounded like the sides of our bedroom were about to be ripped off. It would come in loud bursts as the sideways rain pounded against the window (I thought our windows were going to implode) Colton wasn't phased AT ALL. I think the siding on our building didn't help the extreme noise along with the faux shutters that were threatening to come off all night long.
After 3 hours of trying to fall back asleep I finally did. We awoke to the skies were clearing up and it was turning into a beautiful 75 degree day!
Again, nothing of our was damaged! We lost power from about 2am to 10am. Many other areas are unfortunately still without power and had some serious flooding. Church was canceled for our whole Stake as of Saturday night. So we enjoyed our lazy Sunday morning with a full pancake breakfast, eggs and bacon.
It was an eventful week with a lot of lessons learned about how prepared we are and what we still need to do! We are looking forward to this next weekend...Labor Day!! Friends will be in town, Colton will be off work, weather should be beautiful as we all bid our goodbyes to summer and welcome fall!
