On Monday evening, Hurricane Sandy came storming through NJ. It was a scary storm that took about a total of 24 hours with the worst part being during the overnight. High winds and rain slammed our area. You could hear the trees falling and only prayed it wouldn't hit our house. Needless to say, I hardly got any sleep that night. We were all camped out in our den, so we could be together in the dark (the power had gone out at around 8pm that night). It wasn't the safest room, but it was the safest 'most comfortable' room. We don't have any rooms that aren't by windows and our hallway is too narrow to fit us all in...When the storm was over, we fared pretty well compared to others. Although we had lost our power, my family and property made it out unharmed...It wasn't until later that we saw how lucky we really were. Trees had fallen down all around us. Neighbors had their houses hit and cars smashed. This though was nothing compared to the shore. Total devastation.
On Tuesday, day 2 of no power, hubby had to search out gas for the generator. Our entire town (and neighboring ones) were dark. He had gone about 10 miles until he found an open gas station. There was a line. And it was cash only. Not even at this point did we understand the extent of the issue we would face going forward...We got enough to get the generator working for a couple of hours and plugged in our fridge, computer, and a light. We waitied patiently for the power to be restored in the cold. Later that night, I tried to seek out gas for my car so I'd be able to drive to work the next day but after waiting in line for 45 minutes (and having someone cut me) they ran out of gas. And there were no other stations in the area open. I barely made it home. Half of the ride was with my warning light on.
On Wednesday, day 3 of no power, we were up at the crack of dawn in search of gas. I had read on FB that an area Quik Check had received a delivery. Hubby went and filled the gas cans and his car. When he returned he put a couple of gallons of gas in my car and then we went back to fill my tank and the gas cans for the generator. We waited in line for about an hour. Next on our agenda was securing heat. Hubby was able to get the woodstove relined and working. Thank goodness because it was COLD. The final item needed was internet so I could work from home. Luckily, littlesoldierboy had talked me into purchasing him a Droid phone about a month ago. The droid had an app that could turn it into a hot spot. SCORE! So day 3 brought us fuel, heat, and internet. What more could we want ;)
On Thursday, day 4 of no power, my BIL made the trip to PA to get us all fuel. We realized that my internet could be plugged into the generator so I don't need to go over our data plan limit. And it was just in time since Verizon had sent us a text that we were at 90% and still have 13 days left to go! We were warm and able to watch some TV through the computer. We are making progress.
Today, day 5 of no power, we are getting the hang of 'camping at home'. We no longer wait in the fuel lines choosing to drive into PA instead. I have been stressing because of the situation and the fact that I am behind at work and leave for Jamaica in oh 5 days. It doesn't appear that we will ever get our power back. I have yet to see a power truck in my development or anywhere around my town and now I heard a rumor that it may be out until after Thanksgiving. God help me. I don't think I can go that long!...But again, I am extremely thankful that I was one of the lucky ones...here's to hoping I wake up with lights =)
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