Snowmageddon 2011

Whether you called it Snowtober, Merry Halloween, or Snowmageddon, if you reside in the Northeast, it’s entirely possible that your weekend was turned slightly upside down.  Thankfully we have our power restored, and a bit earlier than their original moving target predictions.  That’s the good news.  I almost came here to post last night, but I needed to get rid of crankiness, tears, and alter my perspective.  That’s still a work in progress.  Many of our friends are still without power.  Some have lost their cars or homes due to fallen trees.  The weekend dumped a ton of snow on our area, and with all the leaves largely still intact on our trees, the limbs just couldn’t bear the weight.  The cracking as the branches gave way was scary at best.  Our area’s damage has been placed at worse than that of Hurricane Irene.

The schools were closed Monday and Tuesday (and some remain closed) due to power outages and road closures.  Trees still block entrances to many roadways and you’re tested on your knowledge of your hometown as you try to navigate new ways to get where you’re going with all the detours.  It seriously broke my heart to come back and empty the contents of the refrigerator and freezer into the garbage, and for the second time this year.  I doubt this one will be covered by insurance.  The day we got power back, my car died.  I loved my car.  Several hundred dollars later, it’s now fixed enough so that I can drive it to a dealership this weekend, just enough to dump it and get a replacement.  Something that I wasn’t planning on doing for several more years, but it now needs more work than makes sense to do.

I have honestly burst into tears every single day this week.  When Mystic came over last night to tell me about my car, he came bearing Starbucks and a hug, so I knew it wasn’t going to be good.  This week has sucked.  And it’s only Wednesday.  But, I swear I’m working on my perspective…

We are back in our home.  We are healthy.  Happy.  And together.  I have an awesome network of family and friends, and live in an amazing town.  We were lucky that we could stay with my parents (and had many offers from my sister and other friends) until we regained power, while some had to shell out upwards of $200 a night to stay in neighboring hotels or the evacuation centers.  Our town is still struggling to regain its footing from the blows of Hurricane Irene, and this week, everyone has come together once again.  Opening up their homes to offer hot showers, food, and warm beds to friends and strangers.  Patience was shown as the lines and waits at restaurants got crazy.  Since no one had power for at least three days (and many are still without), every food establishment was filled to capacity, and then some.  Neighbors grabbed chainsaws and pick-up trucks and began the hard work once more.  It seriously does take a village and days like these make me love our town even more than I already do.

Every day brings challenges, both little and big, to all of us, and the tests are all in how we handle it.  Although tears have given way a bit more this week, I know despite the challenges that we’re indeed very lucky and are absolutely positively fine.  The kids are thriving, growing like weeds, and are super happy.  Our home is warm (now!), inviting, and a safe haven.  We are all healthy.  And we have love.  Lots and lots of love.  And with that, how about some happy weekend snaps?

Can you tell I’m always the official cell phone and iPod keeper?

My parents’ dog, Beauregard, celebrated Halloween on Monday. My kids, however, haven’t yet. Halloween was postponed (!!) in our town (and many surrounding towns) until Friday, so you can be sure we are going to do it up, and do it up big.