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.