Preparedness 101

 I'm not one for unwarranted weariness. At times I've thought that maybe there's something wrong with me, like my brain doesn't release whatever hormone it is that makes people fret and stress over major life events.  But then I realize how much I do stress over seemingly insignificant items and I go, yeah ok that's not it at all. Maybe it's just pure optimism and faith. That's what I think I'll chalk it up to for now.

As I'm sure everyone is well aware (probably overly aware), we're about to get a nice visit from a moody lady named Irene.  For some reason or another, this all escaped me.  It wasn't until multiple people, including a neighbor heading out to stock up on essentials and the bank teller who asked what my plan of action was, brought it to my attention that I realized I have no plan at all. None, whatsoever.  I think maybe I'll bring my potted plants inside...yeah that's probably a good idea.  And maybe we should do something about the firepit, it is brand new after all.  But real plans? Nah.

And this would be where my questionable brain functionality comes into play.  So today I did what any normal person living on an island in the path of mother nature would do:

I painted some flower pots, because well...they may actually be pretty useful under my leaky roof.  And in all seriousness, it is pretty therapeutic and helps me ease my mind.

Oh and a wine bottle while I was at it. Note to self,  I should probably stock up on some full ones before we get trapped in and cabin fever ensues. 

 The logical part of my brain decided I should go on a run, seeing as it may be a while until that happens again.  Although my logical brain keeps forgetting that this ritual of mine has become complete torture.  (Warning-I'm about to go off on a little side note).  Before I moved here I was working on training for a half marathon. Now, I'm lucky to keep moving for 15 minutes.  After I literally made myself sick running my "normal" Friday run, I realized that the difference in air quality here is going to be quite a challenge to overcome.  Now, you may be laughing at this if you knew the quality of air I was working with before (oh lovely DC metropolitan skies, with your life threatening fumes and carbon levels).  Don't get me wrong, the air here is fresh and earthy, but it's the humidity from the sea that is turning me into a wussy, mushy bum.  But back to the topic...

 After the run I did a little surveying.  As you can see above, every time it rains my house starts bleeding from the walls like it's the setting of the Exorcist.  I swear my house isn't possessed (as far as I can tell), I mean we get along pretty well and I think we've got a good working relationship filled with mutual respect.  But for some inexplicable reason every time it rains my house cries tears of muddy water from the door ways.  Uncharacteristically of Mike and myself, we actually are going to do a little prepping for this storm and today (hopefully) we'll be up on the roof caulking like nobodies business.  The picture to the right is of my worry beads that I picked up in Greece, just in case this doesn't work.  Or in case I decide to start acting like a normal human and need a little extra faith to get through this weekend. I'm predicting both will be necessary.

 

I took a little walk through town to see how everyone else was reacting.  As you can tell, some people here are normal. The shop on the left is about one block from my house; you think they'll come over and fix me up too?  But despite the preparations, most places were proceeding with business as usual. I'm hoping that's a good sign. If they've been here as long as most of them have and they aren't running for the hills yet, maybe we aren't crazy.

 Oh little house, you've made it 150 years already, do you think you can hold out on us for one more weekend?  At least we're already getting the windows replaced, so we can spare a few.  We ARE on one of the highest points on the island (not saying much as most places are below sea level, but come on optimism)! Hopefully this picture doesn't end up as a "before" on a later post.  Keep your fingers crossed. 
Oh and while I'm calm and optimistic, God, if you could spare my flower bed while you're helping hold my walls together, I'd really appreciate it. And Mike would probably appreciate it too as I'll probably be a holy terror if I have to start all over again.

For all you who are doing the normal thing and over-preparing, keep on keeping on. And maybe send some of that logic and a little prayer my way, would ya :).