Firsts

We've been really busy.

We've survived an earthquake, a hurricane, moving households and a plague of locust. (Okay, okay, so it was really just an incredibly loud cricket who chirped the entire night from up high in our living room, but still.)

We really DID have an earthquake, though, all along the east coast.  The girls and I didn't actually feel it because we were outside, but Coop really felt it at his office and made everyone evacuate to the parking lot.  I love this Facebook picture that made the rounds after the quake:
(I don't know who created this or I would give credit to that person. Love to give credit to people who make me laugh!)
So, then we had a hurricane.  A real hurricane which knocked our power out early Sunday morning for six days, which wasn't as much fun as you might think, even if we hadn't been trying to pack for our big move. In some ways, I feel like we lost the last week of summer vacation dealing with the aftermath of the storm, even though we escaped much of the destruction felt by some of our neighbors.

I'm convinced that you underestimate your dependence on electricity until you suddenly have none.  It's not just the isolation of being (shudder) without Internet, either. Luckily, my husband's car has an outlet in it so we could recharge our cell phones and lap tops and even try to make coffee:

The coffee pot kept shutting off so we were reduced to heating water in a fondue pot over a sterno can and pouring it over the grounds.

Sterno: also good for cooking eggs.
We made s'mores in the fireplace:

and did some watercolor painting by candle light:

and then, by golly, the novelty wore off.  About the time I had to throw away everything in our freezer (except the tortillas my parents had just sent from Texas, thank the Flying Spaghetti Monster), I was about DONE with the whole experience.

Especially because we were packing by flashlight.

Luckily, our new landlord, who was in town emptying our new house and opening the pool, etc., during the hurricane, turned the house over to us  a few days early.  (The rental house never lost power, but is equipped with a generator just in case...yesssss.) We dragged some mattresses over to the new house and by Tuesday night (August 30), were happily camping in the new house.

And thus began the move.

Ana, 13, moving in essentials.
Firsts:

First load of laundry.  It was almost the first thing I did since we'd been without power for several days and had a lot of wet towels from drying everyone's feet...
First attempt to move the tea cabinet.  Alas, it had to be moved again.
First game of fetch at the new house.
First pizza.
First plant planted. (Basil.)
First picture hung.
First chocolate-chip pancakes.
First flowers.  (Because my husband never, ever forgets, even in the midst of ultimate chaos.)
We moved the cats on Wednesday.
Thomas, exhibiting a bit of stress over the move.
First sighting of The Tail in the new house.

 The movers moved all of the big stuff on Friday and Saturday.  I was too overwhelmed to take pictures.  But gradually, we're settling into the new house.

First official party
The puppy has forgotten he ever lived anywhere else.

Edward is feeling at home.

We're still cleaning out the old house, but should be finished with that over the next three-four days and then we'll really be able to settle into the new place and make it our home.

Comments

Stefanie said…
A) I love that you have a tea cabinet. I do approve!
B) Thomas should live in MY sink! My offer still stands. And my bag always has room for him. ;)
C) Miss you all dearly. I don't think I can say that enough!
Anonymous said…
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the photo of the coffeemaker in the carseat. "Oh boy, oh boy, I get to go for a drive just like my people!"
Mokihana said…
I'm so glad that The Tail is doing well, as are the rest of you. Moving is pretty chaotic no matter how smoothly it goes. glad you're all in safe and sound!
tanita✿davis said…
Ooooh! A Tea Cabinet!

Now, there's an idea whose time has come.

Thank God for movers, eh? Hope the place starts feeling like you've never been elsewhere very soon.

Meanwhile, I will hold you in my heart as you rebuild from your earthquake...
Bullwinkle said…
Welcome home! Wow - you've been through a lot to get there!

We've got a generator - and I don't think I'll ever get over the novelty, luxury and appreciation of it.

Glad everyone is o.k. - I've been thinking about you.

p.s. Holly Gaults' comment rocks!
Katie said…
I hope all things settle well for you in your new abode.
Ei said…
Congratulations, my friend.
Ei said…
(and on the off chance it ever comes up agian...I love this. And I'm not a big ol' PW follower...someone just told me about it.)

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/06/perfect-iced-coffee/comment-page-3/
Susan said…
Moving is always such a pain and you had quite a challenge added in! Hope things settle down soon and you have fun making your new nest.
Lynn said…
Yes you gotta love ConEd for its capability to NOT keep the power on. Ask me how I know.....

and tell Edward he's not allowed to disappear after this move. He needs to stay put!
Lomagirl said…
Hurray!
And thank you- I really want to move, but reading your post has reminded me of the immense amount of work involved, and helped to curby my impatience. I don't have the energy for this right now!
Mrs.Q said…
Lol - our orange beastie also hides in the bathroom sink when he's stressed out. REALLY EFFECTIVE CAMOUFLAGE! (Or, you know, not!) Happy housewarming!
Anonymous said…
You have such a beautiful home.

Thomas looks like our kitty Morris. He loves to lay in the sink.

Love your blog!

The Not So Functional Housewife
http://thenotsofunctionalhousewife.com