So, I've had electricity back for a while now...

Okay, okay...so I've been out of the blogging loop for some time now. I must confess, since Hurricane Ike blew through, I got out of the rhythm of it. And I've missed it. But I've missed so much that I don't know where to begin...and to begin at the beginning, well...(Sound of Music is suddenly playing in my head: Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start...(can you hear Julie Andrews singing, too??? :))

Well if that's the case, here are some highlights and memories from my 10-day "Hurri-cation":

• No school for 6 days
• Going on "ice runs" with my brother to keep all ice chests well-stocked
• Shawnaka on the "ride out" team at work (which I think would be more appropriately named the ride IN team since she goes IN to work while everybody else is trying to get OUT of town during a storm! Sounds scary, but guess who never lost power?!)
• My friends, Stacy & Dave and their BIG kiddos stopping by my Mom's for a surprise visit (By the way, Dave, right now I'd like to make a special request and dedication of Chicago's You're the Inspiration--ask Stacy if she still has the cassette tape of their greatest hits that I gave her for Christmas 1992 so you two can jam! ;))
• My brother jumping the fence at his storage unit facility (can you say surveillance cameras and DOGS???) so we could use an old desk phone of his (affectionately named "Brown Town") that did not require electricity.
• Eating a FEAST one evening that included ALL thawed meats from my Mom's freezer!
• Repeatedly turning on light switches and checking the still-empty refrigerator for food--even after days without electricity!
• PB&J lunches with my friend Harry enjoyed on the back patio
• Having dinner with Jen and Trudy and using their computers to catch up on email and using their plugs for everything rechargable (Thanks again, ladies! :))
• The nighttime get-ready-for-bed routine including flashlights and candles
• A $38.87 electric bill for the billing cycle following the 8-day lack o' power
• The comfort of having my Mom sleep next to me on a twin mattress in the hallway during a really scary storm.

O LORD God Almighty, who is like you?

You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you.

You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them.

Psalm 89:8-9