The day started out normal enough. Lots of potty stuff (we are in the midst of potty training), errands, workouts, and nap time. A good friend came over for a couple hours. I started making dinner and MJ headed out for the baseball game. His name was chosen at work to sit in the company box. Poor MJ.
Love Bug and I shared a nice dinner and a couple hours of play. Started her in the bath and over the sound of the water, I thought I heard the tornado sirens. No, that couldn’t be right, I must be hearing things.
But, when I shut off the water, the sirens were still blowing. I turned on the news and, sure enough, there was a large storm headed our way.
While watching the news coverage, I tried to stay calm, for Bug’s sake. But, while dressing her, there was a huge and very unexpected clap of thunder and my poker face was called.
I called MJ, who was just leaving the baseball game. He had no idea of the storm; it was only overcast at the game.I tried to talk in my calmest voice about the impending storm and how I was a wee bit scared without him home. I told him we were headed to the basement bathroom.
And then the lights went out.
Not cool.
At this point, I became….. should I say it….. hysterical. Bug was frightened too with all the darkness. I was still on the phone with MJ. Pretty sure I was crying into the phone that I wished he was home with me, us.
But I couldn’t stay hysterical, so it lasted for about 30 seconds. I had to keep my head, I am the mom. I got our biggest flashlight and even grabbed Bug’s potty and we scuttled down to our very dark basement.
Bug and I huddled in the basement bathroom, with the little potty, our flashlight and MJ on my cell phone. MJ was driving home on the backside of the storm.
Through the phone, we were able to hear the radio station reporting where the storm was moving. We heard the multiple reports of tornado touchdowns and the reports of storm damage.
The wind was howling and the rain was pouring down. I checked out the window twice and it looked like the end of days. Green skies are very unnatural.
For 40 minutes, we sat in the dark basement bathroom. Thank goodness we had the potty too.
When we heard the storm had moved into the neighboring state, we went back upstairs in our still dark home. On the backside of the storm, the sun tried to push through but it only managed to make it look like the sky was on fire. Either that, or hell had come to earth. Another unnatural look.
I took a few pictures.
MJ arrived home soon. And with a dark house, we decided sleep was the best option. At some point in the night the electricity came back and all the lights we left on lit up.
In the morning light, the lawn and driveway are littered with leaves and branches. My plants are bent over, forced so with the wind. Very acceptable “damage”.
Very exciting for a Saturday night at our house.
Just don’t tell my dad I wasn’t entirely prepared. He might give me a lecture.
-amy c
