Rescue mission

An amazing thing happened to me today.

Something that I have been wanting to do for many years.

I wish the circumstances were different, but a very happy ending just the same.

Okay here it is.

I went out for a smoke at work, and heard some buzzing. I looked up to see a hummingbird clinging to the wall of the portico. It seems confused and couldn't find her way out. I went inside to find something to use to guide her out. No go. I called my friend in the next building. She's an animal loving nut like me. She came over, but we couldn't figure out how to get her out.

We ended up calling a friend with a pool and ask him to bring the extension rod and net. He came. Now we have four people involved. We were able to get her down to reaching distance and I gently grabbed her.

Oh she was sooo small, weak and crying. Broke our hearts. I asked my friend to drive me to my house. When we got there, I thought she had died. She just fell over in my hand, but she was still breathing.

I took the lid off the feeder and stuck her little beak in. I pulled her out and her little tongue was licking the nectar. We kept this up until she was strong enough to put her little beak in herself.

I was able to put her in my other hand. She was able to stand up on her own. I had the feeder there if she wanted more, but she was strong enough to fly away.

I cannot tell you the high I felt. What a wonderful experience this was.

With the help from my friends, we were able to save a baby hummingbird.

Unfortunately, I have no pictures. What I can tell you is how light they are. Almost like holding a leaf. Their feathers are a beautiful green and fan shaped. They have the tiniest eyes I have ever since. Their feet are sooo small, but they have sharp nails.

I would love to be able to hand fed another hummingbird again, but I really would like better circumstances. There was a fear that this little jewel was going to die in my hand. Luckily, this story had a happy ending.

I miss my friend

I lost my friend and second mom.

As many know, Bobbie (Barb) passed on Saturday. Bobbie has been my good friend for 16 years. My neighbor for about ten and second mom even before my own mom passed away several years ago.

I sit here hearing thunder in the distance and think of her. This is when I would be calling her, both of us wishing for a good storm.

On the rare occasion I see a humming bird, I think about her. Think about calling and asking if she had many visits today.

Today at work, I was out smoking and looked up at the swallows nests. Both nest have babies. I think, I have to call Barb and tell her about the babies. Tell her about how mom and dad swoop if I get too near the nest. How the little chirps from the nest brings a smile to my face.

I miss coming home from work and calling to see how she is doing. What she did today. Who's blog she visited and what they had to say. I miss when having a bad day, ranting to her. I miss that we are not going to be able to go exploring Beaver Dam. Leamings Run. The Point. The osprey nests.

Her daughter Kitty wrote a beautiful entry on Barb's blog. Please go over and read it. Some wrote comments about seeing butterflies and such.

Here's what happened to me.

Saturday I was weed whacking thinking about Barb and how surgery was going. I stopped as a dragonfly flew near. It landed on the fence right in front of me. We stared at one another for several minutes. It flew and came back to the same spot for only a couple seconded before it flew away. Was this a sign? I don't know, but I think it was.

I would rather my friend be here.

But I do hope the signs continue. Maybe a Bald Eagle :o)

I have nothing more to say right now. Maybe later. But for right now, I miss my friend.

More on the Osprey

My friend called me this morning about 6:30 and said, 'guess what is sitting outside my office window?' The Osprey. She wanted to let me know before it took off.

So in the shower and out the door I went.

Here they are refueling the Osprey.

Then the waiting began.

What do crew members do while waiting?

Sit and wait. And chew on your finger nails in anticipation.

What else to crew members do while waiting to take off.

Sit and look at all the people standing watching them.

Here she is with props tilted a bit forward.

Here she is with props straight up.

Here she is making a lot of smoke.

Here she is flying away.

I do have video of her taking off, but I can't seem to load it. I'll try later.

From what I understand about her stay here is, she was bringing in a part for a cobra helicopter yesterday.

They had forecasted storms yesterday which arrived last night. Nothing spectacular, but enough to ground the Osprey.

Lucky us. She is now on her way to Titterboro(hope I spelled that right) airport in New York.

It's been a while

Friday at 3:30 P.M. started my vacation. First order of business was take shoe and socks off. No shoes and socks for ten glorious days. Next. Take off pants and put on shorts. No pants for ten glorious days.

I can't say that I've done anything special. Or gone anywhere special.

What I can say is, 'this has been one of my best vacations.' I've read two books. Lounged on the couch. Spent time outside in my flower gardens. Spoke with some neighbors. Taken some pictures. Lounged around in the morning. I've walked around with a smile from ear to ear. Yup! Definitely the best vacation. Just what I needed.

Anyway.

This evening after dinner and clean up I sat on the couch and heard a loud rumble of a helicopter. I ran out the front door to see. The little girl across the street was out front looking too. I went to the end of the porch and this plane/helicopter flew over. Mouth wide open and could only say 'cool. Very cool.' I didn't have time to run in and get the camera.

I did the second time.

Isn't it cool?

I called my friend on the street behind and asked her if she seen this helicopter/plane fly over. Yup she did. She told me it's called an Osprey. It has been over at the airport for a couple of days. It looks like a plane, but can take off, land and fly like a helicopter.

Guess who's going to the airport tomorrow?

I'M SOO HAPPY

Those tiny beautiful green jewels of the bird kingdom have finally arrived at my house.

YES!!!! THE HUMMERS ARE HERE :O)

I'm tired

As each day wore on last week, I was getting more tired. My contacts were drying to my eyes. My eyes were bloodshot like I was out drinking every night. And I was getting cranky.

Saturday, I went to a friends and dug out some plants and took pictures of her animals. Rooster. Hens. Miniature donkey. Miniature goat. Full sized goat. Came home and mowed and planted some more plants. I wanted to weed wack, but I was, you guessed it, tired.

Saturday night into Sunday, I finally realized why I was so tired. Just look to my sidebar to my furry babies. The culprits of my not so good night sleeps.

Don't let this handsome face fool you. He's a pain in the ass. He comes in every night, only to want to be let out at all hours.

Here's his tag team partner.

One wants out. The other wants in.

And when both are settled. This one starts. Well she doesn't start. She lays across my shoulder and throat. When I wake up, I'm gasping thinking I'm having a heart attack from the pressure.

Cat owners understand that we don't own them. They own us. We are their servant. They want what they want when they want it. They don't give a shit about us as long as we give them what they want.

They have personalities like know other.

They laugh at us. Not just behind our backs.

But to our face.

I have tried talking with them.

Reasoning with them.

Yelling at them.

Pleading with them.

Bugging them when they are trying to sleep so they know what it feels like.

Do the listen? Do they care? ABSOLUTELY NOT.

All I want is a good nights sleep.

I want them to be like this ALL NIGHT.

Is this too much to ask?

Apparently, if your my fur babies. It is.

Happy Easter

Gardening and neighbors

I've been thinking for a while now about putting flower beds on either side of my sidewalk. Debating about how big they should be. What I want to put in these beds. I've also been thinking about the added work this would be. However, I know that once I get an idea in my head, I'm gonna do it.

Yesterday my neighbor calls and said she has the butterfly bush we were talking about. I must be losing my memory because I do not remember this conversation. However, it's a butterfly bush, which I have been wanting to get. And best of all, it's free.

In my head, I have these beds designed. (I know they won't look like what I plan). So now I go to Walmart. I pick up some edging. Then the bulb and seed aisle. I got Lily of the Valley, Freesias and elephant ears. I also got some solar lights.

When I got home, I plant the butterfly bush. Then I decide to edge the walk. I haven't edged in years. I must say that I did a good job and didn't realize how wide my walk was. It looks very nice. While I was out there, my neighbors son came out. He's wife has been very sick and is in the hospital. They have two sons, that my neighbor has been watching for them. He is unload more baby stuff from the car and I ask how his wife is doing. She is doing much better. He says that he didn't realize how much work and how needy the kids were. I asked him if he thought they would just pop out and start fending for themselves. I got a chuckle from this. He however didn't appreciate my sense of humor. Oh well.

I had a visitor today

When I came home from work, I got the food ready for the kittens. I took it out and came back inside and went right back out again. I heard a mew that didn't belong. When I turned, here comes a strange cat toward the steps. The protective parent I am, but myself between the kittens and the stranger, shooing. That cat didn't give a shit about me and ran past me. The kittens took cover as the stranger started eating.

Oh what a skinny cat this was. I grabbed the dishes and walked into the yard, with stranger mewing and following me. He had a hard time eating and kept going from bowl to bowl, but eventually got most down. This was a clue that he had teeth problems.

Looking at this cat, you could tell it was sick. Running eyes, sneezing. He kinda of wobbled when he walked.

If the situation was different and he was healthier, he would be welcome. But my protectiveness took hold.

I called animal control.

While we waited, he purred. He had more food. He had cat milk. I petted him. He enjoyed the attention. I petted a spot that he didn't like. He hissed reveling missing fang teeth. I petted him some more. When I would go inside, he would meow. Sometimes trying to come in.

What ashame. This was a very tame cat. This was someones pet. I feel that the person who had him couldn't afford to take care of him and booted him out. I think this because I have never seen him before. (also to make me feel better.)

Animal control came. He agreed it was someones pet. He also agreed that this cat was sick. We got him in a carrier. The poor cat was crying. The big sap I am, I started to cry. In that short time, we bonded.

He said he would take him to a vet and go from there. I know what the outcome is going to be. I take solace that he did have a meal, drink and attention. And for about an hour, someone who cared.

When they were filling out the form, animal control gave me a tidbit of information that I did not know. Did you know that there is a New Jersey State law that if you feed a cat for ten days, the cat is then legally yours? I didn't. I made it clear that this was the first time I seen this cat.

What kind of parent would I be?

Monday I'm in Wal-Mart (I know. Not everyone's favorite store), but I'm in Wal-Mart picking out new eyeglasses. Over the intercom, I hear, 'Parents. Please do not let your children stand in the carts. Please make sure that they are seated inside the cart.' I'm a little taken back by this announcement. Out loud I say I have never had that before. I would just assume that parents were more attentive then that. The guy helping me said this happens all the time. He said that children have actually fallen out of the carts because parents weren't paying attention. He said that he has seen parents talking on the cell phone not paying a bit of attention to their child. Next thing there are announcements about a lost child. In today's world, I can not comprehend this.

We all know and have seen a dog with head out the window enjoying the scents of the outside world. I'm not fond of this, but hey, the dogs are. So anyway, I'm driving down the road today and imagine my surprise when I see a children (around four or five) with her head out the window. Not only was her head out the window, but she was in the front seat, not buckled in. The thoughts and visions that went through my mind. Stone hitting her. Branch. The father slamming the brakes. Ugh. I shutter.

So anyway, this got me thinking about the kind of parent I would be. This is what I came up with. I would like to think I would be the type of parent that would be attentive, responsible. Oh hell. I would be an overprotective mom. I would teach my child responsibility, common sense, to be respectful, independence, morals.

But I'm not a parent.

Well I am a parent. The proud parent of my fur babies on my sidebar. And there isn't anything that I wouldn't do for them. Or anything I wouldn't do to protect them.

And you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way.

Happy Birthday

HAPPY

BOBBIE

Hope you enjoy your day.

Daylight Savings sucks

Here I sit at 6:50 AM and it's still dark.

Who ever came up with this? Does it make sense?

I'm a morning person and like sunlight early in the morning. I don't like when it's still light at 8:30 - 9:00 at night.

I guess the paper delivery person forgot to spring his/her clock ahead because I still don't have my paper. I would like to get my shopping list done.

I sound bitchy today. I'm not. Just aggravated.

Yesterday during a lull in the rain, I went out and decided where I was going to plant my radish garden. It's a small space, but large enough for radishes.

Okay I'm listening to the News and they said a four story home collapsed at the 'shore' due to the winds we had yesterday. I do hope that no one was hurt. Here's my question - where is the 'shore'? When they talk about the 'shore' it could be a hundred miles away from here. See I thought the 'shore' was down here in the Cape May, Wildwood, Stone Harbor etc. areas. I guess the 'shore' could be anywhere in New Jersey with a beach and ocean/bay. Well hell if that's the case, almost all of NJ is 'the shore'.

Okay, I'm done. I'm gonna see if my paper was delivered yet. And see if the sun rose at the time the News said for today - 7:06.

It's raining. It's windy

Well here in Cape May County, we're hunkered down for yet another storm. This one is bringing us sporadic rain and lots of wind with very strong gusts. They are saying the wind should die down tomorrow, but we're supposed to have rain for three to five days.

I had a craving for a Primo's hoagie yesterday. So after work and feeding the furry ones, I went I got my hoagie. When I came home, I had a message and caller ID read the fire department. The message was from the police station advising us and to take precautions for the storm.

I must be becoming a light sleeper because several times during the night I was awoken with the wind driving the rain against my bedroom windows.

I must be getting old because now the winds are starting to worry me. I never cared about this before. Don't understand why it would bother me now. When outside having my smokes, sometimes the gusts are so strong, it is whistling through the trees. The trees and bushes are being bent over. Quite eerie.

Anyway enough of that. I joined facebook last week. I have no idea what I'm doing, but I can say I am having fun. My friend and I were talking today about it and we decided we are facebook stalkers. We like to visit people we know only to see what is going on in their lives and who their friends are.

A friend requested I become a neighbor in one of the games for farming. I did because I like to garden. I enjoy it, but sometimes I wonder if I made a mistake. You see, you have to plant and harvest what you plant in a certain time. If not, your crop withers and dies. I know this because I lost several crops by not harvesting in time. I now know that when I'm going to bed, don't plant something that must be harvested in a couple hours.

Well anyway, this is what is exciting in my life right now. Yea-yea, I live a boring life, but I do enjoy myself..

Oh and don't forgot to turn your clocks ahead tonight.

What a beautiful weekend

Sunny skies. Warmer temps. No snow. No rain.

Okay. The warmer temps is so-so in my opinion. I love the cold weather. But I must say, I did enjoy this weekend.

Opened a couple window to air out the house.

Cleaned out the broken branches in the lilac tree. It looks deformed now.

Tackled the bamboo. But a small dent in that.

Brought my cat outside on her leash for awhile.

I think we are starting to get spring fever.

It's been a good day

Stopped at the post office, and ran into Bobbie's daughter Rita. I asked where she was going and she told me the hardware store and then to visit her mom. I told her I would take her to the hardware store. Bobbie and I live right down the street from there, so she could walk to the house.

When we were leaving the post office, Bobbie past us on her way to the drugstore. I dropped Rita at the hardware store and went on my way. After Rita was done in the hardware store, she went to Bobbie's.

I am looking for a new bed set. So I went to Vineland. First stop, Target. They didn't have anything I liked. Next stop Kohl's. Ditto for there. Next stop, K-mart. I needed shoes and they carry the kind I like. Picked them up and looked at their bedding. They didn't have anything I liked.

K-mart now has a rewards card I got a couple weeks ago. The cashier scanned my card and shoes. Her register said I was a winner. Oh boy! I won. What did I win?




A candy bar. It was actually more aggravating redeeming my winning then it was worth. But hey, dessert tonight.

I went to Bed, Bath & Beyond. I had to go to the bathroom and there was someone in the ladies room. I really had to go, so I went into the men's room. Hey. when you gotta go. You gotta go. OMG. Men are such slobs.

I looked at their bedding. Nada. I guess I am a very picky person when it comes to my bedding.

I have been looking for a draft guard and lo and behold, they had them.

After there, I went to BJ's wholesale. They don't have bedding, so no disappointment there.

With my supplies stocked up, I came home. And these awaited me at the front door.

Aren't they pretty? They're from Bobbie, thanking me for all I've done for her plus a little touch of spring.

It really wasn't necessary, but it sure is appreciated.

So all in all, it's been a very good day.

Stop Mr. Postman

I have to say that we have excellent post men and women. They are not supposed to get out of the mail truck, but most times do. During our blizzards, they all did to delivery our mail. Sometimes falling in the process.

Today while on my lunch hour, the mail came. When home I generally go out to get the mail and chat with them. I find when you make nice with your mail carrier, they go out of their way for you.

Our previous carrier, Gary, retired. Oh what a guy Gary was. Everyone along his route absolutely loved him. Our mail carrier now is Derek. I think he will be loved as much as Gary. But Derek had a bad day today.

Let me digress at this point.

You all know about the blizzards we had a couple weeks ago. Then Monday it rained. Oh more water. Just what we need. NOT. The ground is very - very soggy. When you walk on grassy areas, you sink.

When you drive off the asphalt, your tires sink. As Derek found out today.

Derek got stuck in mud in front of my house. Of course I have a snow shovel, but not a real shovel. He called someone on his cell to bring a shovel and said he would walk the street to deliver mail.

I felt really bad and offered to drive him. He declined. Then he made me feel a bit better telling me this was the second time he got stuck today. The first time, a tow truck was needed. Luckily he didn't need another tow.

We made a deal for tomorrow. I will move my car way in front of my box as long as he stays on the asphalt and not try any off roading.

Here we go again

They are forecasting yet another major storm for our area. Snow totals are varying. Some say 12 inches. Some say four inches.

Doesn't matter to me. Any amount is way toooo much.

I'm at the southern portion of Jersey. This map is indicating 'significant snowfall'.

I had made a deal with my bosses son to shovel. But somehow I have a feeling I'm going to be doing a lot of shoveling again. See I'm anal. I like to keep up on the shoveling so that 1-is easier then waiting until the snow's over and 2-there isn't a lot of ice on the deck and walk.

Yesterday it rained and a lot of the previous snow melted. The problem is the ground is super wet. When I brought my trash can back, I just sunk in the ground. My concern with this new storm, is high winds. With the ground as soggy as it is, I fear trees will be uprooted. I already lost the top of my holly tree. I'm just hoping that with all the bamboo in and around the holly tree, that holds.

So starting at lunch today, I'm going to fill my water jugs, do a load of laundry and fill my tub.

Wish us luck.

A little squirrely today

Had a cute visitor today.

Take a look at his/her foot.

Just that weird lady taking my picture.

I know there's more down here somewhere.

Do you smell that?

Gee! Doesn't she ever give up with that camera?

I love how his/her front paws are balled into little fists.

So that's all I have today except

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE!!!!!

On a lighter note

After I got done somethings that needed doing, I laid down on the couch and took a two hour nap.

Feeling much better then what I was. The body still hurts though.

With so much snow, I haven't been able to get to the bird feeders. I've been throwing bird seed under the tree for them.

The American Robins are plentiful. Don't think I have seen so many in one spot.

Click to enlarge.

How many robins do you count in this

section of holly tree?

There were more above.

This handsome devil was all by his lonesome having a meal.

From the look of his tummy, I'd say he's been feeding pretty good.

(He can fly, but he can't hide)

The last snow storm & spouting off

The last snow storm starting as rain. Turned to sleet. Then snow. The winds were howling.

We were lucky. We didn't lose power.

The winds were blowing snow on my back deck. Every time I went out for a smoke, I had to shovel. The kittens were smart and decided to come in. Around four in the morning, Yipper decided it was time for her to go out. She pested until she got her way. I found her inside her hut in the morning warm and toasty. Ralphy held out until five or so.

That was the first order of business. Shoveling the back deck and getting their huts and blankets dry.

Once that was done, time to start out front.

My front walk before. My front walk after.

I took a lot of breaks this day.

My friend vacationing in Florida had e-mailed me asking how we faired with this storm. I had e-mailed her back and as long as we didn't lose power, we did good.

I told her I would make my way to her house, but if she knew anyone that could shovel and plow, she may want to contact them. That I didn't think I could do it for her.

Later, I shoveled my next door neighbor's walk. Her work was open and she reluctantly went to work. Shoveled Bobbie's walk and steps. Walked around to my friends house and shoveled her walk.

Along the way, I took some icicles pictures.

After helping another neighbor get her walk shoveled and a path to the road, I started shoveling out my car. A backhoe cleared the street the night before and I had a lot of ice chucks around my car. I had cleared enough that if I had to drive, I would be able to go, but not enough that I would be able to get back in my spot. There isn't enough room on the sides of the street to be able to park anywhere else without blocking cars.

When I got back in, I checked my e-mail. My friend had e-mailed back saying that she didn't expect me to shovel. Her brother would come around with his backhoe and clear her out. Well what the fuck? She didn't offer to send her brother over here to help me out.

Yesterday I finally got the area around my car clear enough for me to be able to get in and out. At one point, one neighbor was out on his front deck. He would look over and quick turn his back. Then he just kept his back to me. You fucker.

I had said that when we lost power, everyone in the neighborhood had came together and helped one another out. Well I guess now that we have power, everyone is back to their own ways and only thinking of themselves.

Well this pisses me off. I have helped just about everyone in this neighborhood. Is is too much to ask that a little help is returned?

Early afternoon my friend called to say that she got stuck in the snow and couldn't get out. I grabbed my shovel and was on my way. Her car sits low and I couldn't get the shovel under to get any snow out. I tried pushing, but with all my heft, I couldn't move the car. Luckily, a couple of people showed up and we were able to push her out. She invited me to dinner as a thank you, but I declined. Just too exhausted.

Yes, I'm bitchy. I'm tired. My body hurts. I'm tired of shoveling. I'm tired of helping and not getting any help in return.

Today I am going to make my way to the dump. We've been without trash pick-up for almost two weeks now. I don't have any room left in my trash can and it's starting to get stinky.

Just an update

Received another call from the police station warning us of the impending weather.

Have some pictures to share. Amazingly enough, I really didn't take too many.

Down holly tree branch on my neighbor's fence.
See the light spot?
That's where the branch broke off.

My lilac bush Saturday during the storm.

My lilac bush today.

Can you see the broken branches?

Snow piled on little roof.

It looks like a lot, but there was must more.

I got most of it off today,

but I'm not tall enough

and the shovels not long enough

to get all the snow off.

It will have to do.

It's been raining all day. Now it started to snow. It is wind driven and very wet snow.

I'm hunkered down. I'm just going to sit on my ass and relax awhile. I deserve it.

More

Got an automated call from the police last night. They are expecting rain, sleet, ice, more snow and heavy winds with this storm. Some are still without power and some who have power will probably lose it. (OH NO! NOT AGAIN!) If we must evacuate, it is to our local fire department where New Jersey Transit buses will bus us to Wildwood Convention Center.

They're fucking crazy if they think I'm going there. My neighbor works in Wildwood and he said most of the island still is without power and the streets are worst then ours.

I started calling neighbors who only have cellphones and knew they wouldn't get the call. We are all keeping our finger and toes crossed that we don't lose power.

While on the phone, the electric truck showed up on Nevada Avenue and without a 1/2 hour had power restored to them. Called that friend and told her she had electric. she was happy. Her sister-in-law checked the freezer and so far everything is still frozen. her and her mom are expected back Sunday.

It started to snow again last night. Around 8:30 we had a quarter inch, but you could also hear sleet.

I think I am getting sick. My ears have been hurting for a while now. Now I have a sore throat and running nose. I called my boss and told him I wasn't coming in again. I'm exhausted and my body hurts in places I didn't know existed. I was hoping that a good night sleep would help.

Woke up this morning to rain. Better then snow. But with the snow and sleet we had last night, has made for a slushy mess. Already shoveled my front walk.

If you pray, please say a pray for all of us here in Jersey. If you don't pray, please send us good thoughts.

Blizzard 2010

This is going to be a rather long post.

Being without power for 67-68 hours leaves you nothing to do, but write.

So if your interested in what happened in my neighborhood. What was going through my mind. And how the neighbors really pulled together. Get something to drink and read on.

Day 1 - Saturday, February 6, 2010

Friday after work, I had stopped for lunch meat and filled four gallon jugs with water. Glad I did.

I figured I would wait until Saturday morning to fill the tub. Sorry I didn't fill it Friday night.

I woke up at 2:55 AM. Yes I know the exact time because I looked at the clock. At 3:00 AM there was a loud pop and the lights blinked. They came right back on only for a second. The second loud pop, and we lost power completely. Then there was more pops and a green glow of light turning night into day.

I have a transformer in front of my house and I knew that is what caused all of this.

I called the electric company and got the automated recording to report the outage and went back to bed.

The green flashes of light continued along with a loud hum. Now I called the police non emergency number to report it. I noticed the street lights were on on the street behind and in front.

I went back to bed and slept for maybe an hour and got up and turned the fireplace on.

I needed coffee. I drink at least a pot it not more coffee a day. I knew that if I didn't have coffee, I would have a major headache. I didn't need that with the headache we were already going through.

So I boiled water. Placed a strainer over the coffee pot, inserted filter, added coffee grounds and slowly poured the hot water over the grounds. This was about the worst coffee I have ever had, but it was coffee and I did enjoy it. This is what I did throughout the outage.

Later in the morning, I called my friend who lives just down the street from me. Go figure, she had electric, cable and running water.

I kept up with shoveling my front walk. I also do in snow. I have a bad back and if I wait until the snow is over, I'd never be able to shovel.

I kept calling the electric company automated system. First power would be restored by 2:PM. Then power would be restored Sunday by 6:AM. Then they had no idea.

Made my way up to Bobbie's to shovel her walk. She was either going to have to come to my house. Or she would have to go to her son's house. While I was shoveling her walk, imagine my surprise, when our least favorite neighbor came to help.

When I got home, I called her and told her to call her son. I knew she would never be able to make the step up onto my property. I got alittle forceful with her telling her she had to go. The entire City of Cape May and the entire Wildwoods were without electric and we would be low on their priority list. She was finally able to get a hold of her son, who couldn't make it over. But a police car showed up and took her to his house. That was a relief. I would have only worried about her in her house and would have figured out a way to get her here.

I lost the top of my holly tree. The branch is laying on my neighbor's fence. Don't know if it damaged the fence and at this point, don't really care. The fence in my mom's back yard is laying in the neighbor's yard.

The fireplace is keeping the living room nice and warm. The other rooms are cooler, but bearable.

I hadn't seen the kittens since around 4:AM. Another thing to worry about.

Around 6:PM I was getting really tired and laid down on the couch. But whenever I heard voices, I would get up to see who it was. then I notice one house on the block had electric. Electricity was so close. Yet so far away.

Checked out back for the kittens. Ralphy made his way back, but I haven't seen Yipper. Ralphy came in and had a nice hearty meal.

Slept on the sofa with one cat on my chest and the other between my legs. Now I'm a big girl and the sofa isn't big enough for the three of us. Was able to get some sleep.

Day 2 - Sunday, February 7, 2010

Still without electric.

With no electric, most of my neighbor's have been out shoveling and getting their cars dug out. Some have ventured out on the road to the store.

I have my car dug out, but didn't go anywhere. Didn't see the need.

We all keep calling the electric company. We haven't seen a electric truck yet

I called the Township Manager to see if she could do anything for us. I knew it would be a quick fix. She called me back and said she reported our outage to the emergency management and was told there were 100 trucks heading to this County. I hate to say this, but I begged her to help us out.

My neighbor's boyfriend's nephew works for the electric company. He was supposed to come around. He never made it.

At this point, we just want to see an electric truck. Something to give us hope.

I started bringing snow inside to melt so I can at least flush the toilet.

This is very boring. When I'm not shoveling, I'm pacing the house. When I'm not pacing, I'm reading.

When one neighbor goes outside to shovel, we all go out to shovel and help one another shovel. Those who don't have heat are invited to someone who does, but it always seems no one wants to leave their home.

Was able to make my way to the propane tank. I was starting to worry that I would run out. It's at 65 lbs. That should do me for a while.

To add more insult to injury, they are saying we will get hit with another storm Tuesday into Wednesday with at least another foot of snow. Oy.

Called the electric company yet again. There was a little hope. The automated voice said power should be restored by February 9 at 11:59 PM. Called a friend all excited and she said that was disgraceful. I asked her why. That was tomorrow. She said, 'dear. Today is Sunday." Well shit. I guess without power, I forgot what day it was.

I called the electric company back and actually spoke to a real person. She said she wasn't sure when power would be restored, but they were in the area today evaluating the situation. I told her me and my neighbor's were outside most of the day shoveling and we didn't see any trucks. She said they may not have been on our street.

she was really nice. I'm sure she was getting bombarded with angry callers. At one point, I asked her to lie to me and say power would be restored tomorrow. She laughed and told me she couldn't say that. Again I resorted to begging. I told her I wouldn't hold her to it and wouldn't call yelling. We just want a little hope. Again she said she couldn't say that. When I hung up, I cried.

Called my boss and told him I wouldn't be in. He understood.

He had lost his electric the same time I did, but was restored the next morning.

Day 3 - February 8, 2010

Checked my freezer and my food was starting to thaw. I put everything in zip lock bags and buried it in the snow. Kept my milk out on the back deck to keep that good.

My friend on the street behind me called from Florida. Her and her mom had left Friday morning. She said her brother went to her house to make sure everything was okay. I told her I would call when we got power.

More and more people are leaving. The ones who don't have heat and won't come over. And those who do have heat, but can't take another day of not have electric. My list is growing for people to call when power is restored.

I walked to my friends house down the street this morning. I had a real cup of coffee and took a shower. I cannot express enough how good that felt.

The one thing I've missed the most through this whole ordeal was TV. Notice the 'was'. I don't care about the TB anymore. I can do without TV. I just want power. At least I would be able to do stuff around the house.

The worst is night time. I've been reading, but that just isn't doing anything for me.

It's lonely. I live alone, but there is always people around. There is only four houses left with people.

My neighbor called to tell me she spoke with her boyfriend. His nephew is supposed to come around. On his time. And to call when I see the truck. She has went to stay with a friend.

I was on the phone with my friend when I saw flashing light. Finally and electric truck. I went running outside yelling, "wait. Don't leave. Come back." I called me the neighbor, but was so excited I miss dialed. When I hung up the phone rang and I heard someone yelling, 'it's an electric truck.' I told them I would call back. I had to call Jen. When I called Jen she said to get outside and tell him to wait. That Jen would be right here. I told her he was backing out and I wouldn't get out there in time. She hung up and called her mom and dad, who went running out in socks and no coat. He said he had to go help a friend but be right back. Our hearts sunk. We were afraid he wouldn't come back.

He did an hour later.

It was the transformer in front of my house. He got in the bucket, Raised it to the transformer. Flipped something. The lights went on. We all hollered at the top of our lungs. He lowered the bucket and was out of the bucket within ten minutes.

When he walked around the side of the truck I ran up to him to give him a hug and thank him. The other women in the neighborhood did the same.

When we went inside, we turned every light on in the house. Flushed the toilet. Ran the water. Grinning from ear to ear.

So around 9:30 last night, we finally got electric.

I didn't go into work today. There was just to much to do before the next storm.

Bobbie made her way home and is happy.

I will make sure I fill the tub before I go to bed tonight.

The storm was supposed to dump a foot of snow. It has been upgraded to 18 inches.

My neighborhood was never close knit. We would say hi how ya doing and be on our way. This ordeal has brought us together. We have helped on another. We have taken them into our homes. We have offered and given water or food if needed. Help to shovel. We know or we should know now, that we can count on each other in a time or need. Or even not in a time of need. Just because.

It had to take the February 6, 2010 blizzard for us to realize this.

Blizzard of 2010

We got hammered.

We lost electric.

After 67 hours we finally have electric.

They're talking about another storm tonight into tomorrow.

We are all praying we don't lose electric again.

Right now I'm going to enjoy a brewed cup of coffee and get the dirty laundry washed. Just in case.

More later.

Blizzard?????

That is the question.

We had more snow yesterday. It was pretty, but the temps rose and most of what we got yesterday melted. However, what we got over the past weekend still remains.

Then there was talk of another major storm coming this way for this weekend.

They had us in a winter advisory for Friday and Saturday with snow accumulations of 5 to 12 inches. This is enough to make people flock to the stores for milk and bread. Enough just to piss me off. Then I heard on the radio about an hour ago that we are now in a blizzard warning with snow accumulations of 12 to 24 inches with very high winds. I can only imagine what the stores look like now.

I went to our convenience store for milk. Not because of the snow. But because I love my milk and I was almost out.

People here at work are asking if Town Hall will close. Oh for Pete's sake. It hasn't even started to snow. It may or may not. After all they were way wrong last weekend. We'll find out Friday and Saturday. Stay tuned.

Just in case though, I will be going back to the store for cigarettes. I know. Nasty habit and I should give it up, but I'm not ready yet.

The day after the snow

Was quite cold this morning, but at least there was a pretty sunrise.

Last night, while out have a cigarette, the friendly neighborhood possum decided to come out. It was funny to watch her through the snow. It looked like she was doggie paddling.

This is the path that she created.

This is our coating to two inches of snow.

The news this morning said we got 9.5 inches of snow.

Well hot damn, I think they got one right.

The birds came out to raid the feeders. With this much snow, they need us to help keep them fed.

This pretty girl must love the camera.

Nice pose.

Looking around at all the white shit, I saw this pretty reflection.

The back deck offered these paw prints.

And this is probably the creature that made them.

Took a ride to the convenience store this morning. Found the roads snow covered and a bit slippery.

Later in the morning, I got bored and decided to go to the food market. The temperatures have gone up and some sections of the roads have melted. A lot of sections have not. Several people spun wheels and fish tailed.

I've had my adventure for the day. Time to stay in and relax.