So I last posted Tuesday right around 12:30. Then did my usual lunchtime call with my mom that involved some planning ideas for the upcoming weekend hurricane. During our call I heard what I thought was a truck coming through our neighborhood, but was clued in that this was different when my mom asked if I heard that sound. Then the house shook-- felt like forever but lasted only a few seconds. (We had an earthquake in 2003 when we lived here before but it was a 4.6 so mostly noise with a little shake.) I screamed at the kids to get in a doorway and my mom apparently complied too by going into her hall closet. The lights swung and D's fancy TV rocked on its stand and then it was over. Funny, I didn't stop shaking for a little while. It was a 5.9. OK West Coasters-- laugh at us if you will, but you do have to realize that earthquakes are not in our regular repertoire of natural disasters: flood, tornado, blizzards we can handle. The whole house shaking in a nonearthquake zone-- not so fun. Also,I am sure you feel very comfy mocking us from your structures and utilities developed to earthquake codes. Our homes are not bolted to foundations on a regular basis and there are no earthquake codes to build to. In Gig Harbor I even used sticky stuff to attach some of my breakable decorations to their display shelves, but all that I thought I had left behind. Who would've thought little old Virginia would have an earthquake large enough to merit aftershocks? So I guess this weekend we will have to figure out if the storm winds are shaking the house or if it is another quake. One crisis at a time please...
Thankful Thursday:
I am thankful there was minimal damage from the earthquake.
I am thankful that the timing helped me teach E the reason we always have our emergency kit ready-- sometimes you see the problem coming(hurricane) and sometimes you don't (earthquake).
I have filled the car with gas and am dealing with making extra ice blocks and beginning to move some things that are outside inside or securing them. I hope what the kids take from all this is to be prepared for what may come-- not panic, prepare. If it doesn't happen, then it is one more thing to be thankful for.
Will try to blog again before the weekend and give an update, but if I seem to disappear for a while it may be a power or cable issue due to the storms. Lets remember that with my cable company it is hard to keep cable and phones running consistently in nice weather.
love and hugs and don't panic--prepare, B
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Deja Vu All Over Again?
Let me begin with a rewind to life before the blog. We were about 3 months into living in Virginia the first time when we began to hear rumblings about a little storm named Isabel. D thought nothing of it and headed out to NY on business. While he was gone the rumblings grew until we had watches for a hurricane. By the time he came home it was a day away and I had already made all the preparations: outside things that could blow or break put away or flipped over so as not to blow, freezers on low with gallon jugs frozen as ice blocks, extra water/candles/flashlights located and stored in an easy to reach place, bathtub filled with water. D thought I had lost my mind. Then he got a day off work as the storm came in and the rain started and the wind and we tucked in to ride it out. Little Isabel came through Richmond as a weakening tropical depression. We lost a tree in the yard that we were about to have cut down anyway and the living room ceiling from a leak in the roof-- we could have really done without the living room ceiling thing. We stopped feeling sorry for our situation when my parents were on weeks one, then two, then three without power. After the storm and clean up D said that my prep had helped and next time he would pay more attention.
Fast forward to 2011 and it seems that the next time may be headed our way. This time her name is Irene (notice the I girl name---coincidence?). For now predictions bring her in nearly the same place as Isabel in 2003. Last night who was the one who turned off the TV for a few minutes to discuss what we would do to prep once things seemed more certain? Yes D, he has come a long way. He even emailed someone at work to make sure the disaster recovery plan was reviewed. I went this morning and picked up a few things that will get us ready. E says I am "spazzing out" but they are all things I had to empty from the emergency kit when we moved and needed to replenish. If we don't need some of the supplies then we are ready to donate them to whoever does need them on the east coast.
So weather reports are now at the top of the list of things to keep an eye on. We could use the rain, but I am not sure anyone can use a hurricane amount of rain (except the Dismal Swamp fire southeast of us--- they could use a nice soaking 12 inches to get that thing put out).
love and hugs and preparations never seem over the top when all the ice blocks, candles, and flashlight batteries are used by someone, B
Fast forward to 2011 and it seems that the next time may be headed our way. This time her name is Irene (notice the I girl name---coincidence?). For now predictions bring her in nearly the same place as Isabel in 2003. Last night who was the one who turned off the TV for a few minutes to discuss what we would do to prep once things seemed more certain? Yes D, he has come a long way. He even emailed someone at work to make sure the disaster recovery plan was reviewed. I went this morning and picked up a few things that will get us ready. E says I am "spazzing out" but they are all things I had to empty from the emergency kit when we moved and needed to replenish. If we don't need some of the supplies then we are ready to donate them to whoever does need them on the east coast.
So weather reports are now at the top of the list of things to keep an eye on. We could use the rain, but I am not sure anyone can use a hurricane amount of rain (except the Dismal Swamp fire southeast of us--- they could use a nice soaking 12 inches to get that thing put out).
love and hugs and preparations never seem over the top when all the ice blocks, candles, and flashlight batteries are used by someone, B
Friday, August 19, 2011
Thank Goodness It's Friday!
A free Friday! Yippeee! So let me catch up (again) from missing Thankful Thursday:
Thanks to my sister S and her hubby J for letting my niece come and spend a week and a half with my parents-- it gave me a nice dose of having a girl around. If they ever feel the need to trade a girl for 3 boys she knows who to contact.
Thank goodness it is Friday and we really don't have anything that HAS to be done this weekend. So I am free to quilt and hang out and maybe even plant a bit of color for fall in the garden. Also time to look over the tomato plants and decide if they should stay or go since they are dreadfully potbound. I bought the book "The Help" so maybe that should be read before doing anything else. HHHMMMM... where to start a free weekend???
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!
love and hugs, B
Thanks to my sister S and her hubby J for letting my niece come and spend a week and a half with my parents-- it gave me a nice dose of having a girl around. If they ever feel the need to trade a girl for 3 boys she knows who to contact.
Thank goodness it is Friday and we really don't have anything that HAS to be done this weekend. So I am free to quilt and hang out and maybe even plant a bit of color for fall in the garden. Also time to look over the tomato plants and decide if they should stay or go since they are dreadfully potbound. I bought the book "The Help" so maybe that should be read before doing anything else. HHHMMMM... where to start a free weekend???
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!
love and hugs, B
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
A Few Rules for Summer Reading
Now that we are back in a school system that expects students to learn, we are also faced with reading during the summer. This summer the elementary kids were sent home with a list where they could write 16 books they read over the summer and a time chart to mark how many minutes they read each day. 16 books in 11 weeks not an overwhelming amount. E should be reading level 4-5 books and G should be reading level 2 books. The assignment could have been more specific. Here are a few guidelines I would have added to the list of summer reading.
1) You can't list 16 books you read last year, that were read to you in the past 2 years, or you looked at the cover in the library during the past 4 years. The books should be new-to-you that you will read on your own.
2) Toddler board books with a single word per page do not count when you are 10!
3) Personal Pet Peeve-- If it looks like a comic book and makes you giggle like a comic book then it is a comic book therefore not summer reading list material. Read away during your play time since it is 'junk food' reading. When you read 'good food' books your brain grows strong. When you read 'junk food' your brain grows flabby. I am sure "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" and "Bone" are truly valuable literature just not for summer reading.
4) We are going to miss a few days on the time chart. We make up for those times on the nights I forget to call "lights out" and the 7-year-old comes down at 8:48 to ask if he can please go to sleep because he is too tired to read anymore. You catch an extra hour of reading on those nights and I get one more tally mark as best mom ever.
5) Grade level reading doesn't always have to be chapter books at higher levels. Who would've thought that "The Tale of Jemima Puddle Duck" and "Pickles to Pittsburgh" were over 4.5 level books.
6) Teachers-- if you require the reading time/books then please do something with it. It is greatly discouraging to parents when they fight and force the reading over the summer only to have the teacher make no connection, not assign a project, or even bother to look at the chart when the kids return to school. Requiring reading then ignoring it sets up 2 problems: parents begin the year scowling and kids will be even worse about reading the following summer. Kids don't realize how much reading helps them grow so there has to be a carrot to lead (some of) them to the learning. Both boys are reading this summer for the mysterious "sweet treat" when they turn in their charts.
I do agree with having summer reading. I think it is the very least students can do to keep their brains working. I am a supporter of the year round school calendar and would still wish for some type of mental exercise for kids to do during the shorter breaks year round school incorporates. So until we get year round school we have summer reading. And there are only 2 and a half weeks to get that reading done. Time to go to the library again.
love and hugs and go read something! B
1) You can't list 16 books you read last year, that were read to you in the past 2 years, or you looked at the cover in the library during the past 4 years. The books should be new-to-you that you will read on your own.
2) Toddler board books with a single word per page do not count when you are 10!
3) Personal Pet Peeve-- If it looks like a comic book and makes you giggle like a comic book then it is a comic book therefore not summer reading list material. Read away during your play time since it is 'junk food' reading. When you read 'good food' books your brain grows strong. When you read 'junk food' your brain grows flabby. I am sure "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" and "Bone" are truly valuable literature just not for summer reading.
4) We are going to miss a few days on the time chart. We make up for those times on the nights I forget to call "lights out" and the 7-year-old comes down at 8:48 to ask if he can please go to sleep because he is too tired to read anymore. You catch an extra hour of reading on those nights and I get one more tally mark as best mom ever.
5) Grade level reading doesn't always have to be chapter books at higher levels. Who would've thought that "The Tale of Jemima Puddle Duck" and "Pickles to Pittsburgh" were over 4.5 level books.
6) Teachers-- if you require the reading time/books then please do something with it. It is greatly discouraging to parents when they fight and force the reading over the summer only to have the teacher make no connection, not assign a project, or even bother to look at the chart when the kids return to school. Requiring reading then ignoring it sets up 2 problems: parents begin the year scowling and kids will be even worse about reading the following summer. Kids don't realize how much reading helps them grow so there has to be a carrot to lead (some of) them to the learning. Both boys are reading this summer for the mysterious "sweet treat" when they turn in their charts.
I do agree with having summer reading. I think it is the very least students can do to keep their brains working. I am a supporter of the year round school calendar and would still wish for some type of mental exercise for kids to do during the shorter breaks year round school incorporates. So until we get year round school we have summer reading. And there are only 2 and a half weeks to get that reading done. Time to go to the library again.
love and hugs and go read something! B
Monday, August 15, 2011
Extended Family Time
My niece has been in town for a bit over a week so we have spent bunches of time with my parents and another sister and her kids. We went to the beach last week where all the cousins played together and I had a great opportunity to get some pics of all the cousins together.
We even got a pic of our whole family together-- a rare occasion.
Notice the fin in the water out past where the children were-- dolphins were playing and when I tried to get their picture I couldn't catch them, but got them accidentally in a shot of the kids.
Saturday we went to the zoo together. All but D and E who were not into the zoo and my little sister who had some work to do.
Niece R wanted pics of herself with a bunch of animals. I took all the shots, but this one with zebras behind her is the best.
Feeding the giraffes was the most popular activity. If you blow up the first pic you can see the look of child-like wonder on my mom's face. She is usually happy, but when you put her around animals she becomes a kid again. It didn't even matter that it rained on us a bit.
Feeding the budgies was another fun stop. Not sure what dad had in the collar of his shirt, but those birds found it very enticing.
That is all the news from the visit so far. Will update with further pics when the visiting ends later this week. Today is a baking day since the weather is cooler, but I must have forgotten how because I have already burned a batch of molasses spice crackles.
Notice the fin in the water out past where the children were-- dolphins were playing and when I tried to get their picture I couldn't catch them, but got them accidentally in a shot of the kids.
Saturday we went to the zoo together. All but D and E who were not into the zoo and my little sister who had some work to do.
Niece R wanted pics of herself with a bunch of animals. I took all the shots, but this one with zebras behind her is the best.
Feeding the giraffes was the most popular activity. If you blow up the first pic you can see the look of child-like wonder on my mom's face. She is usually happy, but when you put her around animals she becomes a kid again. It didn't even matter that it rained on us a bit.
Feeding the budgies was another fun stop. Not sure what dad had in the collar of his shirt, but those birds found it very enticing.
That is all the news from the visit so far. Will update with further pics when the visiting ends later this week. Today is a baking day since the weather is cooler, but I must have forgotten how because I have already burned a batch of molasses spice crackles.
love and hugs, B
Monday, August 8, 2011
Checking In
Hello! Just putting in a quick post to tell you I can't post.
To sum up the past 2 weeks: church camp was terrific, but dismissing at 12:30 with all 3 beasties meant finding a quick lunch before running errands on the way home and spending afternoons playing referee to tired children and trying to keep the housework halfway done. That's what we did.
This morning just as I thought things were getting set back to normal I headed out to run errands and with a single attempt to use my 'clicker' to open the back of the van the whole morning was blown to bits--- battery dead....again...for the second time in as many weeks. After calling D for a second opinion on how to handle it (call the tow truck or wait for him to come home tonight and see if the store can charge the battery enough to get it going?) I had the morning wide open to do things around the house as we waited for the tow truck. Yuck! Mini-van seems to have developed major problems.
I missed my new blogging theme of Thankful Thursday so let me catch up with that:
I am thankful that I taught church camp and that I had the best fifth grade class ever!
I am thankful we have been at home the last 2 or 3 times the battery has been dead in the van-- much better than being trapped out somewhere with the boys.
I am thankful that my kids are pretty flexible and handle changes to their schedule well. The last 2 weeks wouldn't have been possible without the kids rolling with the changes.
I am thankful we had time to hang out on the front porch while the van was hooked to the two truck so the boys could discover a nest of baby birds in a tree and watch the mommy bird feed the babies.
So I am as caught up as I am going to get for now. Will try to post again later in the week perhaps even with some pictures.
love and hugs, B
To sum up the past 2 weeks: church camp was terrific, but dismissing at 12:30 with all 3 beasties meant finding a quick lunch before running errands on the way home and spending afternoons playing referee to tired children and trying to keep the housework halfway done. That's what we did.
This morning just as I thought things were getting set back to normal I headed out to run errands and with a single attempt to use my 'clicker' to open the back of the van the whole morning was blown to bits--- battery dead....again...for the second time in as many weeks. After calling D for a second opinion on how to handle it (call the tow truck or wait for him to come home tonight and see if the store can charge the battery enough to get it going?) I had the morning wide open to do things around the house as we waited for the tow truck. Yuck! Mini-van seems to have developed major problems.
I missed my new blogging theme of Thankful Thursday so let me catch up with that:
I am thankful that I taught church camp and that I had the best fifth grade class ever!
I am thankful we have been at home the last 2 or 3 times the battery has been dead in the van-- much better than being trapped out somewhere with the boys.
I am thankful that my kids are pretty flexible and handle changes to their schedule well. The last 2 weeks wouldn't have been possible without the kids rolling with the changes.
I am thankful we had time to hang out on the front porch while the van was hooked to the two truck so the boys could discover a nest of baby birds in a tree and watch the mommy bird feed the babies.
So I am as caught up as I am going to get for now. Will try to post again later in the week perhaps even with some pictures.
love and hugs, B
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