Well, we survived. Obviously... I'm writing this! But seriously... here is how the past several days went:
Wednesday
Talk of the coming hurricane was growing, and we decided tonight was the night to buy our supplies. I don't remember exactly what Ray and I did that day, only that we were both very busy, and I didn't go to Wal-Mart until about 9:00 that night. (And for those of you who do not know, since I've started working, I'm basically worthless by 10 pm.) I was starting to get a little worried that night so I was rushing around, making sure we had everything, and didn't end up going to bed until around 12 am.
Thursday
I was wanting to leave town. Seriously, by the time I got off work on my way home, I was ready to pack up everything and hit the road. I listened to the radio on the way home and freaked out enough for the both of us. All I saw on my way home was trucks hauling trailers and boats the opposite direction I was driving. I didn't want to have to worry about the water, the wind, the electricity, flooding, etc. Basically, I was scared. Ray was being logical and saying we were going to be fine, he's been through this before, it wasn't looking like it was going to be that bad, etc. (and it ended up, he was completely right). However, Ray reassured me we would put plywood over the windows and everything would be ok.
Friday
It was a strange feeling going to work that day. I didn't know if I would work a full day or not, but I went in expecting to work all day. At about 11:30, my boss asked if anyone had gotten the mail yet (I usually get it on my lunch break around 2:00), and asked me to go ahead and get it. By the time I got back to the office, the rugs had been taken up off the floor, along with the electronics and everything was unplugged. Apparently we were leaving early! I ran the last few errands of the day and then the office closed up around 1:00. Now that was a strange drive home! Seeing "Hurricane Evacuation in Progress" on the electronic boards on the highway was a little eerie, especially considering I was heading east...
But, there was good news. Irene was now a category 2, as opposed to a category 3 like they had been predicting. We were just praying it stayed more east.
Now, here is where I get a little frustrated... Ray was supposed to be getting plywood from someone at work. Ray goes over to this guy's house around 4:30, and helps him some, then goes to pick up a buddy from the airport and take him to his house in New Bern, then has to come back to Havelock. By the time Ray gets home, it's beginning to get dark, has already been raining and the wind is starting to pick up. But the worst thing is that I can see Ray's frustration when the guys bring the plywood into the garage. Basically, it's crap and we'd only be able to cover one window with it. Here's what just plain ticks me off - Ray is one of the most giving people I know. He gives of his time, his effort, his hard work, to help someone - anyone. And what does he get in return. "Well... this is all there was." In a time where people should be coming together to help each other, people are just being rude and self-centered. I know for a fact, that if Ray and I had gotten plywood and someone would have asked if we could pick up some for them (because they don't have a truck or a way of hauling it) he would have said "no problem" and then he would help put it on. And if there wasn't hardly any left, he would have split it 50/50, even giving them the better pieces. Ok, vent over.
So ANYway... by the time we get things figured out how we could possibly use the plywood, we basically just say "meh" to the whole thing and decide against covering our windows in the rain and wind. Instead, I go inside, make beef stroganoff for dinner, muffins for breakfast for Saturday, and have a movie night.
Saturday
We wake up around 7:00 to more rain and wind. Still, nothing too terrible, but we have no power. We turn on the radio to find out what's happening with Irene. It ends up making landfall about 7:30 on Ocracoke Island as a category 1, so we didn't end up getting it too bad. In fact, throughout the day, the news kept reporting it was horrible, and destructive.... but quite frankly, it wasn't that bad. Now, let me say this: I have heard New Bern has had a lot of water, but New Bern doesn't drain very well to begin with because it's built up so much, annnnnnd it's on the river. Anyway... Saturday consisted of several naps and severe boredom. You don't know how addicted you are to something until it's taken away - internet. But, it was actually nice to spend quality time with the hubby. And bonus... Magma was extra lovey! We did get a little cabin fever and we headed out in town while there was a lull later that evening. We saw some downed trees and some flooded ditches, but nothing too terrible. Nonetheless... the media still played it up to be way worse than it was - I promise, Dad!!
Oh, haha... I almost forgot the best thing.... When the wind started blowing in from the west, it started blowing in water through the vents on the outside of the house. This meant we had water dripping from our bathroom in our bedroom, our front bathroom, above our pantry in the kitchen, and best of all... the bubble of water that was in between the paint and the wall (and yes, I will include that picture). We lost a couple singles, but other than that, everything was fine :)
Sunday
We woke up to a beautiful morning! Not a cloud in the sky, but still no power. Ray and I picked up some limbs and then started raking the yard. With the two of us, it took hardly any time at all. We talked to a couple of our neighbors (who have generators by the way... which we are thinking about making an investment in) after we were done. The power ended up coming back on a little before noon today. Which is awesome because we had heard it could be off for 3-7 days. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU ELECTRICIAN PEOPLE!! YOU ARE AWESOME!!!!
Thank you for all your prayers and thoughts. We know we are very lucky and I thank God he protected us from what could have been a very dangerous situation. And now... what you've been waiting for... the water bubble:
