Lesson on Being Prepared

Our back porch converted into a kiddie pool. The golf balls even floated in the holes. So much rain!!


Okay, does anyone else think the world is about to end??? I know I am being paranoid, and I am probably being 70% sarcastic here. (I know, it's hard to tell when you're reading something.) But let me tell you about my adventuresome afternoon:

Mac had been asleep about an hour and a half. I was sitting upstairs, attempting P90X, when I start thinking of all the things I'd rather be doing. I started thinking about Haiti, and decided I should watch the news a bit to learn about the latest updates . . . perhaps get ideas for something I could do. So I'm thinking about Haiti as I flip on the t.v., and there is a tornado warning. ??? It is coming right for us. Here?? I am glued to the t.v. "Get inside", "stay away from all windows", "stay in the center part of your house", "warning in effect until 2:00 pm". Is this real? I text Mark, thinking they probably don't get the news at school. I start to feel a little bit like I am in a movie, and then a reporter comes on who is at the beach. She says there are cops trying to get people off the pier, they want to watch the storm but don't realize a tornado is coming. She is sounding very official, but then she says, "Yes, yes, we have just seen a tornado touching down!" And the t.v. turns off. Blank! It won't come back on! In my theatrical mind, I am POSITIVE the tornado is right outside our house! I run upstairs, grab Mac, my phone, a blanket, tennis shoes, and (I'm not kidding) some cash. I immediately go down to the bathroom and shut ourselves in. You know how you can hear the outside through the bathroom fan? Well I can hear wind, rain, and sirens. (I forget that a fire station is right around the corner; I always hear sirens.) Mac is hungry, and I have a random thought: another bonus to breastfeeding. If we are ever lost or homeless, as long as I can find something to eat Mac will always have something. Sure am glad I'm able to do it. Anyway, then I am back to worrying, so I call Mark.
"Mark! Did you get my text? There's a tornado coming!"
"Yeah, I did." (laughter)
"This is serious! They said on the news it's coming right for us! And you should stay away from the windows!"
"Okay yes I will."
"Just be safe."
"Are you being safe?" (I actually think he said "serious")
"Yes I'm being safe. And serious."
(Laughter) "Okay, well, be both of those things."
"Call me."
"Alright."
I hang up. And laugh a little bit. Now my adrenaline makes me feel like this might be a little fun . . . kind of an adventure. Mac is grinning like crazy now. He is a great companion to have during a natural disaster. We can survive! My mind starts racing about food storage, 72 hour kits (which we don't have), and other survival necessities. I vow that if I make it out alive, I will become super prepared. My family will not have to worry!

Eventually I become a little bored. But don't worry, I was prepared and brought a book. After I read to Mac for a while, I start to feel silly. Why am I reading to Mac in a bathroom? I still hear rain, but it's not so windy. I clutch Mac tight to me, and venture out. The t.v. still won't turn on. I come upstairs to the computer, I find a website for tornado warnings and it says we are in the clear! Probably ten minutes later the sun came out. We are survivors!

Turns out there was indeed a tornado, it flipped over some cars and boats and caused some real damage, but it didn't last very long. And it didn't make it anywhere near us; we were too far inland. Tornadoes generally do not come to southern California. Kind of creepy . . . but an adventure. We will be prepared!

Oh and don't worry about our t.v. . . turns out I just needed to flip the circuit breaker. It was up and running before Biggest Loser came on. Whew! Can't STAND Melissa, by the way.