I never thought that I would ever see any effects of a hurricane or tropical storm while living in suburban Atlanta. It takes about 5-6 hours in the car to get to the nearest beach. However, Irma proved to be the exception.
I don't mean to complain too much though. Comparatively, we came out nearly unscathed.
Monday we got a lot of wind and rain and some tree limbs came down. However, we were snug and fine in the house.
Monday night about 6 p.m. Mom and I were both watched the local news and they had just said "About 50% of Atlantans are without power" and pffft, our power went out.
We had no power from then until about 6:30 last night, right around 24 hours.
Michael came over Sunday to help us out, and he was great. On Sunday afternoon we got all the outdoor furniture either pushed against the house or in the garage, and things like garden implements and birdhouses, etc. were put in the garage, along with the trash cans.
He also went to the store for me several times.
Mom came home from the rehab place on Saturday afternoon. She has had some stomach issues for a few days and I didn't want to leave her alone so I have not left the house since Saturday. Didn't really want to go anywhere Monday or Tuesday. Might venture out today. She is feeling better.
We have a gas stove so we cooked on the stove.
Michael went and bought ice and we took our fridge food and put it in a cooler with ice and that worked out fine.
Yesterday, we listened to the battery-operated radio and talked and played board games. I read a book, off and on, all day. I looked at my phone a few times but I didn't want to deplete its power so I tried to stay off of it. Easier for me than for Michael -- he has two auxiliary chargers and we used those up.
I contemplated going to a hotel but that wouldn't have worked for Lola -- no dog-friendly hotels nearby, plus Mom was more comfortable here at home. My neighbors went, but they have toddlers and she is pregnant so I totally understand that.
I hate to admit this but I so missed my little creature comforts while the power was out. It was hard to find enough light to read by. I couldn't run my electric tea kettle. The house was either too hot or too cold. I missed my white noise machine while I was trying to sleep.
I am so thankful I live in the 21st century. I am not one of those "back to nature" folks. My idea of "roughing it" is sleeping with the window open, I always say.
So many folks in Georgia and Florida were devastated by Irma. My heart goes out to them. We were very fortunate.
Today, back to work and bill paying and appointments, and normal life..
