Living in America 2012--Because It Is No Longer 2011

[MmeBucket]

This is what happens when I start threads--they get stupid titles. Someone else needs to start the next one. Hopefully we can get this one filled by 2013.

Link to old thread for reference

Not much happening here. The kids have been off school for 25 days. I am soooo looking forward to them starting school tomorrow. Except it is my day to help, so instead of getting a break from my two, I'll have 22 of them to deal with.

Happy Halloween [hgrin][hgrin]

Though Halloween has actually been postponed in NJ...Sandy hit hard and things will take a while to get back to normal. We dressed the kids up though, DD was a beautiful pumpkin but DS was such a reluctant pirate that we dressed DD up in his suit too (which was cute but am hoping he gets into his costume by the time we go to the parade on Friday!).

Want2Be I really hope you've not been hit too hard. Maplewood has been badly hit in terms of losing power and lots of downed trees but no problems with the water. We are extremely lucky, as we have power. So if you are without power and need somewhere to do laundry/have a shower/have somewhere warm for your DD to play/want to moan about the hardships of being without power/anything then let me know. I tried to PM you but it wouldn't work so either PM me or email me at lowimpactmama [at] gmail [dot] com.

Blackcurrants Hope you've not fared too badly. My geography is poor, but aren't you closer to the shore? Devastating footage from the Shore...and Hoboken. I was thinking of you watching the footage, hope any friends you have there haven't been too badly hit.

Howdoo are things OK with you? Did you evacuate in the end?

TheCat how are things with you? Were you badly hit?

Big waves to everyone else. Hope you're all celebrating Halloween and that your kids are happy . I did a big post today but somehow lost it when DS climbed all over me. So I hope life is good in California/Oregon/Texas/DC/wherever you are [fmsile].

So that should of course be a [hsmile]

[hblush]

Hi all! We were evacuated on Monday, not surprisingly as we are about 6 houses from Long Island Sound, went to friends about 2 miles inland. Power went out there early Monday evening, we came back to our house Tuesday morning. Was v. weird because Tuesday morning was bright and clear and we had been told it would last all Tuesday! Anyway, we just got power back here about 2 hours ago today. The last few days have been so strange - we had gas and water, but no electricity affects everything else - I kept getting emails/facebook from friends in the UK saying New York looks like a bomb hit it, and we couldn't access anything!

DH's parents had 5 ft of water in their basement, it's just grim, because they will have to throw away everything from down there, and it was their GC's playroom. DH's sister and her DH had 6in of water in their basement and it rots so much stuff, and they don't have the ready cash to sort it out before insurance kicks in. It's just horrible for so many people in ways that I never really thought about before.

But things are slowly getting back to normal!

Still no power or heat, getting pretty cold. Friends in Westfield do have power back and I know PSE&G are working in the town, so fingers crossed we.get it soon. We've all had foul colds which has made everything that much harder, and DS's cough won't shift. . I am just SO ready for this to be over!

Fingers crossed for you getting power back on soon blackcurrants, it sounds miserable. The pictures of all the devastation on the news is just awful. Ds's GF is at college in Manhattan she finally got power back yesterday, they tried to stay indoors as much as possible, being on the 24th floor made trips out for anything very exhausting to say the least.

We got heat and electric back at.4pmish and I already feel more human and cheerful about things! God it is sooo nice not being cold anymore!

Blackcurrants, so happy you got your power back! It is so great to be warm isn't it? My ILs are still without power, but will not come and stay with us. Their house is starting to smell because of all the water that was in their basement. At least they were here during the day to warm up and have hot food.

Oh east coasters it all sounds and looks awful - glad things might start getting back to normal for you all soon

well it only took me about 10 minutes to get petrol today (I have been putting it off and biking places, which is comical when 33 weeks pg) - so that's a huge relief!
Our neighbours only one block over from us don't have power back yet, so we do feel very lucky - I'm hoping that the whole town will be back to normal soon. It's bringing out some of the nicest aspects of this town - people are checking up on older neighbours several times a day, those with generators are inviting in those who don't have them, stuff like that. After I got power back I told everyone I knew in town who was still in the dark, in case there's anything I could give them, even just coffee in a warm, toddler-proofed house. It's been quite the adventure but I am indescribably glad it's over!

We got our power back at 5pm tonight. We were sitting down to eat another restaurant meal and our neighbour texted us. We had just ordered our food and I told DH that I wasn't rushing home just for the power to go out again! We had dinner and came home to the lights being switched on. After a week of no power, no heat and no light in the evenings words fail to describe the joy of the return of power.

It has been quite a week. DD got sick on Tuesday as it was too cold for her. On Wednesday morning I went to our friends house as they had power and by 4.30pm I was at the emergency room for our local hospital as our paediatrican had no power at their offices. Turned out she had an ear infection. Very thankful it wasn't pneumonia because she was hacking up a lung all afternoon.

The next blip was me getting sick with the flu. I stupidly washed my hair, wrapped it and put a beanie hat over the top. It was colder than I realized and being pregnant I guess my immune system is compromised. I am still bunged up and coughing a lot.

I was supposed to sit my CPA exam on Friday morning but there is a gas shortage and we didn't have enough gas to get to the exam center and back. As DD was sick we needed to keep enough to get to the hospital incase she needed to be seen again. DH was up at 5.30am this morning and filled up at the local gas station. He filled up two 1 gallon cans so I have enough to venture out on Wednesday to fill my car up.

I was also supposed to start my new job today but I am embarassed to say I couldn't make it to Newark airport even though I live 10mins away. I called them last night to let them know that while there was a train from Newark train station I couldn't get to the train station by bus. All local car services are booked up or out of gas too. It is a real cluster. DH wouldn't let me cycle to the airport. I was going to borrow my friends bike but DH said that at 6 months pregnant with the flu it wasn't worth taking the risk of someone running me over.

blackcurrants where did you get gas? I need to fill up on Wednesday.

Want2 there are no queues to speak of in Westfield or Clark at the moment. If you go on twitter the hashtag #njgas is quite useful.

I'm working from home all tomorrow - is there anything I can do to help you guys out? PM me if you like, and we can talk on the phone.

Also I am so pleased for you that you got your power back. It's awful worrying about them being cold when they're sick, isn't it?

I have just spent $$$ on Amazon getting some basic 'hurricane preparedness' supplies in, chiefly one of these and some of these. As we rent I am not splashing out on a generator just yet, but these heaters (used with C03 detectors, etc) to warm a room up BEFORE you go to bed (not while you sleep) can really make the difference. I'm not going through that again!

blackcurrants They look fab. I just ordered 4 of them just incase our power goes back out again before we are able to get a generator set up. DH is talking about getting a natural gas generator that can run the whole house..... I guess he got really cold staying here with the dog!

Poor DD slept in her sleep suit one night. The poor baby was so miserable.

With two gallons in the tank I have enough to get down there. It is crazy with the gas situation up here.

Well, I'm tutoring from 10.30-11.30 but if you're in Westfield/Clark at ANY time other than that hour, please, please, please consider yourself invited over for coffee. I have a warm house that's full of toys for 2 year olds!

Oh! Regarding the heaters, I think you can get propane cannisters for them at Target, and some Walmarts. Worth checking your local one online, as some don't carry them, some are out of stock at the moment, etc etc. They don't come with fuel.

I am an odd so can't fill up today. We have a few of those propane cansiters knocking around because DH used them for his camping stove when doing chilli cookoffs. I have been cursing him because that camping stove was great at warming up a room. Do you think we can find it?!?

Can't believe it is election day already. I am off to vote once DD gets up. She is normally up at 6am but has spent the last couple of days sleeping in until 9am! It is bliss.

You deserve the rest! :)

Sorry for the slight thread hijack, everyone NOT in the Sandy-sodden area - I hope you're all doing well. Suddenly cold here, and I'm doing things like "Book tour of hospital" and "find baby clothes" which is getting me excited for December.

oh my god you are totaly allowed the thread hijack - I think we all just feel for you and wish there was something more we could do! I'm sure when the next major earthquake hits you'll allow VintageNancy and I some time to recoup....speaking of which, Sandy has seriously made me try to remember to get our earthquake kit together

It took me a 6 day blackout and freezing temps to really understand what I needed in my 'hurricane box' - (hint: more than 6 torches, batteries, and a box of candles) - but I'm glad of the knowledge, and am certainly be developing my kit for next time!

Yes Girl I've been thinking the same thing!

Glad things are okay with you supermum & blakcurrants. Hope normality can resume for you soon & please keep us updated.

PS 4 more years!!

YAY WHOOP WHOOP YAY!!

Ugh thankgod for that....seriously, cannot believe how close it came to something really awful happening in this country. We were planning on heading home if Romney won.

Gotta love Florida though; "Obama's won, you don't need our votes til morning, it's late so we're off to bed. See you at 10am when we'll bother finishing off the count". Brilliant.

:) DH works in a rather 'red' office environment. He headed off with a biiiig smirk on his face this morning :)

(Want2 I'm working from home today, too, if you want a coffee-break or just some support, and you're heading this way for gas. I watched some lines yesterday when I headed to Target and I think it'll take you less than 20 minutes from joining the queue to filling up. Good luck!)

So lastnight DH broke my bloody headlight AGAIN and then broke the dishwasher. Off to livingston mall to get my car fixed and buy a dishwasher at sears. There is a gas station there and when I called them they said that I should let the police officer know I am pregnant and I won't have to wait in line. Good thing I am showing but will be sure to wear something maternityish. DH felt bad so drove to the gas station and filled up the canisters so I now have 4 gallons of gas in the tank.

blackcurrants Wld love to stop by but Sears said they could deliver this afternoon and install the new dishwasher. My last day of no work has turned out to be a rather busy day!

It wasn't a surprise that Obama was relected. I thought Romney ran a horrible campaign. I don't agree with a lot of what Obama has done but at least you know what he stands for. I just hope that the next four years sees spending slow down. Unemployment is also another huge issue that needs to be addressed.

DH was a little glum this morning about Obama. I was indifferent because I don't like either candidate all too much. I find it interesting that DH leans further right as his earnings go up. It isn't about paying less taxes but I think he takes for granted that he was provided with a fabulous education back in Denmark that he would never have gotten if he grew up here. It also doesn't help that DH's boss is on first name terms with Chris Christie. The boss doesn't allow anyone to say anything negative about Mr Lard Arse.