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Waiting

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I’ve been edgy and nervous for the past couple of days, as we prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Sandy. I keep hoping, of course, that she’ll change her course, but I know that we must be prepared. There have been trips to the store to get flashlights and batteries and lanterns and candles. More trips to get gas and dog food. And still more trips to get food for the pantry. Quite frankly, this is an expense we don’t need right now, but again, we have to be prepared.

The pantry has never been this full.

Very hard to get a photo of the pantry while holding the door on the left open with my foot!

Don keeps telling me everything will be fine, that he thinks the forecasts have been over-hyped. So does our neighbor, Bill. But I think that’s a guy thing. We’ve cleaned out the gutters. Anything that has to be secured or put away has been taken care of.

This time, I took the top off the birdbath. During Hurricane Irene, I didn’t and it broke in two. The chairs have been stashed on the side of the shed. Tools have been stored. Today we’ll remove our window air conditioners (it was time for that anyway) and I’ll bring in the plants from the porch.

We may lose power. I have a book review scheduled for Tuesday, so I’m going to write that today and schedule it to post. Ideally, I would prepare a few other posts and schedule them but I tend to write my posts on the day I publish them. I am a blog-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of blogger. So, if you don’t see posts or I don’t respond to your comments, you’ll know that I have no power, thus no cable or wi-fi.

I may be doing a lot of this as I nervously wait out the storm. We have a lot of trees that are old and I worry about them. I worry about the animals who live on our land. I worry about our house and our roof.

So, please, say a prayer for us and for everyone who lives in the path of this storm. Send us positive energy. I believe in that.

Happy Sunday.

Comments

  2. Claudia, I would be nervous too. They did that with us a couple of years ago..we were suppose to get a huge snow storm, everyone was out buying everything. Nothing came of it. SO I pray it will ..blow over or run out of steam. But if not you look prepared, just keep crocheting.

  3. I think things will be better than they are anticipating. Stay calm and picture the protective bubble around your house.
    Hugs to you sister,
    M

  5. Claudia,
    This will give you time to make several of these beautiful scarves. I love the solid color scarves and would like to order one for my daughter for Christmas! So I’ll be watching. You have done all you can to prevent this storm from doing damage. And like others I believe the media likes to scare us to death. Many times they are wrong. Best to you as you wait out the storm. You’ll be in my thoughts and prayers as you knit and take pictures of the storm.

  7. Everything’s going to be ok ~ you’re covered in prayer by many friends. Take shelter in the knowledge of that, and try not to worry. xo

  8. Dear Claudia:
    Don’t forget to stock a few gallons of water, too. Before we added our whole house generator (here in hurricane country), we always added water for drinking and cooking. When we get hurricanes, there’s always lots of rain to follow, so we can get “flushing” water by putting out containers, so it’s really only the drinking/cooking water we worry about. Friends whose sons are former soldiers told us yesterday that they always take a chain saw into the place where they wait out any storms just in case they need to use it to get out of their safe place. If you store one in a garage, you might have trouble getting to it later if there’s too much debris in the way. I thought that was another good suggestion for anyone in the direct path of a storm. People down here always tell us it’s better to be prepared and safe, than sorry.

    Please stay safe. We’ll be praying for everyone in Sandy’s path.
    xoxo
    Donna

    • We have lots of water, Donna. I’ll be filling up more containers today. We have a well, and that means if the power goes out, the well pump won’t work. So I always make sure we have water. Unfortunately, we don’t have a chain saw or a generator. Our neighbors on both sides have one.

  9. We’re making preparations here in NJ as you are, and praying for everyone in the path of this thing that it won’t be as bad as forecasted. Wishing you safety!

  10. Been sending out prayers for days now. So worried about my baby girl and all you friends in the path. Vulnerable greenhouse friends, depending on now canceled shows friends, and already flooded twice in 2 years friends..

    You are prepared, you are not being overly cautious or naive..you have done what you can and what you should.. Do some good healthy breathing and try to relax….have yarn have films have books..we’ll see you on the other side of Sandy :D

  11. Hi Claudia- I am just back after a long break. I will be praying for you as you weather this storm. The good thing about the full pantry s that even though you have a big cash outlay now it should hold you for a while and you won’t be shelling out money on a lot of extras in the next bit of time. Stay safe- xo Diana

    • That’s what I was thinking, Diana. Even if we don’t need it now, winter is coming and along with it, snow storms. So we’ll have it on hand whenever we need it.

  12. Claudia, I know how scary the waiting is, as I lived on the coast of North Carolina for several years. I am praying for you and your home and all of the people along the coast. I agree with Diana (who I am glad to see is back) that you will be able to use all of the supplies in the months ahead. Please stay safe.

    Extra hugs,
    Laura

  13. We are also preparing for the storm here in VA, not sure what it will look like, but we are as prepared as we can be. Hope you stay safe!!

  15. Hopefully it is being hyped up and will turn out to be a pansy storm you can crack jokes about later.

    I hope you get to keep your electricity. After Hurricane Ike we lost ours for 2 weeks. (Not fun in our weather. The hurricanes don’t scare me, but the aftermaths are another story). After we got our electricity back 15 days later, I felt like I was hooked up to a grid. Lol! And I could even feel our dogs and cats relief, because for all that time they were suffering right along with us. (Probably more so actually, with those fur coats).

    Stay safe!

    Kristin

  16. Claudia,
    You, along with all of those in the path of Sandy, are in my prayers. Sounds like you are ready. Stay in and stay warm and safe! Love the scarves!
    xo Kris

  17. Claudia, you should lay the base of the birdbath on it’s side; if it blows/falls over it will crack the basin of the birdbath in half.

  18. yes am praying …

    here in western pa they are beginning to talk about flooding and high winds that we’ll see on monday…perhaps 60 mile per hour. not sure how it will pan out here or elsewhere but good luck and God Bless to all!

  20. Hopefully, it won’t be that bad. I once waited for hurricane Bill in Halifax and was very nervous too as I haden’t experienced a hurricane before. Good luck to you all!

  21. Hi Claudia,

    Read in Toronto’s Globe and Mail that Sandy plans to show her face in southern and eastern Ontario, as well, where all my family lives! Even here, on Crete, we’ve been hit with southern winds coming from North Africa, at 40 mph. You’ve prepared well and have taken precautions. There’s nothing else you can do but to relax and stay calm and cozy and keep knitting your beautiful scarves. We will continue to pray for all of you who are in her path, that she change course and disappear into thin air, just as quickly as she came!

    Stay safe.

    Poppy xo

  22. Claudia, I pray that you will be safe from the storm. I lived most of my life within a very few miles of the coast, and spent hours soaking up water with towels when I was a little girl. We had jalousie windows then, and the driving wind forced the water through the panes.

  23. Claudia-
    Saying prayers for everyone on the east coast. Hope you all do well through the storm or it misses all together.
    we’ll see you when you get back! Pat

  25. We too are waiting & prepping. Here in the Chesapeake Bay area we are concerned about flooding in addition to the wind damage.We always lose our power for multiple days so trying to get some baking done today. Need to feed teenage boys so trying to get salsa made, French toast cooked and eggs hardboiled. Cookies baked too! This storm will be especially trying because of being in a leg cast recovering from surgery and not able to walk. I am also worried about our trees; we lost 4 during Irene. Praying for us all. Stay safe Claudia!

    • Thanks for the reminder about hard boiling eggs! We’re cooking up some frozen pizza and a few other things ahead of time. Praying for you and your family, Kim. Stay safe.

  26. I’ve been thinking and worrying about you, Scout and Don already. Saying prayers for you all.

    Hugs,
    Gina

  27. I will be keeping you all in my thoughts Claudia… hoping the threat passes quickly and you end up with no flora or fauna damage — just a few news scarves. Stay warm and dry! xo

  28. Claudia,

    I’m keeping you, Don and Scout in my prayers as well as everyone else that may be affected by this storm. I hate that this storm is named after me as I’m going through my own personal storm at this time in my life. In the midst of making some major decisions. It’s a scary time. Hopefully, this storm is major hype and that it won’t get as bad as predicted. I have lots of family along the east coast and in Long Island New York. I too, worry about the animals and basically everyone who may be affected. I hope and pray that the storm will dissipate and not cause major damage.

    • I’m hoping its major hype, Sandy. But it’s getting windier around here and you can definitely feel something in the air.

      • It’s good that you are stocking the pantry and getting prepared. It’s definitely coming but hopefully it will turn back towards sea. It’s mighty cold today in Michigan and we’re getting some heavy wind gusts. Don’t know it if’s related. Good thing you have some nice yarn ready to make some scarves to help calm your nerves. Hope you don’t lose any power. We’ll all keep you in our prayers.

  29. Sending all the positive energy I can muster your way! You will be safe. I also have a niece in NYC…prayers to you both! I was wondering if Scout has any sort of bad reaction to storms…hope not. Best to you and Don. ;)

    • Scout doesn’t like thunder. But it’s interesting. She’s been very edgy the last day or so. Definitely feeling stress, which may come from her picking up on my stress.

  30. You are smart to be so prepared and ready. I hope you have lots of yarn! I remember being snowed in one time and I kept sane by knitting the children mittens by the light of my Aladdin kerosene lamp until we were finally rescued by a friend with a grader who cleared our long driveway so we could get out. I am sending my protective thoughts from Oregon. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

    • I have tons of yarn on hand for these scarves, Teresa. I think it will help keep me from going nuts!

  31. Since I began to follow blogs, my prayer list has grown with the number I read. You and all in the path of the storm are in my heart and prayer here in Tn. I have no experience with hurricanes, only tornados. You have prepared for the worst and are praying for the best. May God in His mercy, watch over you all in Sandy’s path.

  32. I kinda feel like Don and Bill. The media always hypes things up. It really is hard to predict what the storm will do. Did you hear about the Italian scientists who were charged with manslaughter because they didn’t provide enough warning or accurate information before the quake where several hundred people died? You know how they are in the States — would rather overstate so that folks are prepared rather than take anything lightly. Of course, I hope Don and Bill are right and that the storm won’t be so big, so bad. Good thing you have everything ready and your crochet to keep you busy. I’m sending blessings of peace and safe wishes. Take care! Tammy

    • I did hear about the Italian scientists. Chilling. Thanks for thinking of us at this scary time.

  33. You and Don know the drill well. You have done all you can. Good thoughts and positive energy coming your way as always.

  34. You’ve done all you can so relax! I agree w/your husband and neighbor; weather “people” nowadays tend to paint everything black. Let’s hope they stay with the average and are wrong this time too! Will hold a good thought.

  35. Claudia and Don – Will be praying for all of you dear ones on the East Coast. Glad you’re prepared and just hope that it does change directions!! Stay safe and crochet!!

    Judy

    • Thanks, Judy – we’ve now brought in all the plants from the porch, stored the window air conditioners, and have moved everything that might be affected by the wind into the shed. There are outdoor plants everywhere in the house.

  37. Saying a prayer for you Claudia. Altho I usually keep in mind that the weather people are always a bunch of “Chicken Littles” runnning around. :-) Stay safe.

  38. I will definitely be praying for your safety, Claudia ~ as well as everyone else on the east coast. I hope that that storms and its effects won’t be as bad as they’re predicting. Looks like you’re prepared as best as can be though.

  41. Claudia sending warm, and safe thoughts your way, I am worried and it’s not even coming here….you have done what you can to secure everything. Let’s just hope and pray that this is one of those mistaken storms that just passes through with a whistle.

    Sending prayers and good thoughts for everyone in it’s path.

    Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

  42. Yep it must be a guy thing -I’mm on edge and preparing like crazy and Mr OP thinks it’s a lot of hype too. There saying that we may loose power for 7=10 days at the worst. Good thoughts all around!

    Leann

  43. Yep it must be a guy thing -I’m on edge and preparing like crazy and Mr OP thinks it’s a lot of hype too. There saying that we may loose power for 7=10 days at the worst. Good thoughts all around!

  44. Take care of yourselves and good luck. I used to live on an island in the western Pacific and we had typhoons over there. I would fill the bathtub with water and also stock the pantry just like you did. I hope that your husband is right and that the storm is over-hyped.

  45. Sending prayers and good wishes to you and your family…and all those little friends in the woods that have to stay outside…hope the storm has changed direction….will have to tune in to TWC and get an update. Hold tight
    xoxo
    Lori

  46. Claudia, you didn’t say anything about wine. You need wine! Drink enough wine and you won’t care how long this blessed storm is.

  49. We are waiting here too, Pantry full and hammock and swing put away we wait for this storm. The trees in our back yard make feel a bit on edge. Hopedfully your husband is right. I hope the storm has been hyped up too.
    Blessings, Joanne

  50. Claudia – you are in my prayers for safety in the storm, and for as little damage as possible! I am lighting a candle for all my East Coast friends. God bless you!

  51. I’m in the storm path in Ontario and spent the day converting my garden shed to a more sturdy chicken coop than the one I had. I was worried about the girls being under an old maple in a flimsy coop. They are snug as bugs, in the new coop, tonight. Stay warm and safe!

  55. oh MY Claudia…no one wants to hear about the climate or the earth or any of that when it comes down to JOBS and ECONOMY

    I still have a coworker that does not believe in climate change at all …and he is a smart guy ( normally )

  56. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to reply to this sooner, Claudia, but we were officially closed down Monday and Tuesday, which meant I was home without internet for four days rather than my usual two. Blissful, in once sense, but also a bit nervewracking not to be able to check to see if people I knew and cared about were safe and sound. But you were in my thoughts, knowing how close you were to the path of the storm. Take good care.

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