Tuesday, December 4, 2007

When it Rains, it Pours

Seriously! After my oh-so-graceful ankle injury (just a sprain, ptL!), Nicknack came down with the flu. Then me. Then Penn. Thank heavens not at the same time. We each had a day all to ourselves. :) Despite all three of us getting flu shots this year.

You know what is especially fun? Ralphing, while a small person stands a couple feet away imitating you during the intervals. That is just a special memory to be treasured forever.

Later, when Penn came home he said to Nicknack, "Poor Mommy is sick!" Nicknack agreed, "BLAAAHH!"

Nice, right?

Our week has also been peppered with small annoyances. A flat tire. FOUR insufficient check charges (at $32 a pop) because I accidentally transferred almost all the money from our checking into our savings account, instead of the usual paycheck amount. Our mailbox hanging open and the sopping wet mail inside. Penn's boss calling him into work at the last minute, on the day I was sick. The man literally hasn't had two days off in a row the entire month of November, including the Thanksgiving holiday.

Just irksome stuff, you know?

But it's all small potatoes compared to what a lot of people around here have been dealing with due to our freakish weather. Very stormy all over the Pacific Northwest. Lots of flooding, property damage, and a few lives lost due to falling trees and that sort of thing.

Our little street was featured on NBC Nightly News a couple of evenings ago. Our house sits on a high cliff on the Puget Sound - luckily, pretty far from the edge. Just below our bank lives a little cul-de-sac of 12 houses. Picture two steps with the beach being the floor and our house being the second/top step. They are the first step. The storm caused some of the bank to slide, destroying the steep road down to the cul-de-sac. It even sent one of the neighbors' cars sliding into their home! No one was hurt, thankfully, but all the families were evacuated and work crews have been working around the clock since then, to get them back into their homes.

UPDATED TO ADD: Our street was featured on CNN this morning, although the reporter pronounced our town of Bur-i-en as "Byurn." I guess the image of our neighbors' car in their house is the "symbol" of the storm/damage.

So that is a big thing to deal with. I'm grateful that our little aggravations, uh-ohs, and BLAAAAHs are just that. little. At least for right now. Subject to change at any moment, of course. Into every life a little rain must fall and most lives are devastated by a few storms - of one kind or another - at some point. Who knows what the future holds? Well, God does. He and Only He knows who, when, why, what, and how. I'm grateful that He holds the world in his hands whether the storms rage or the waters are calm.

7 comments:

Robin said...

I must say I had to giggle when I read of little Nicknack imitating his mommy! How cute!
I was wondering if the storms had affected you at all in your neck of the woods - I'm so glad you are safe and sound. What a mess it sounds like around there!
It's weird because being in Idaho you would think your weather would have hit us. We have been in the 60's this week. So strange.
I hope you all are feeling better.
Oh, and I am posting my Teatime Tassie recipe on Friday.

In His Grip said...

Hey there! New to blogging and stopped to say "Hey".
I couldn't help but notice the "Anne of Green Gables" mention.
Loved that book...still do as it sits open on the night stand!
Stop by and say "Hi" sometime. I love company (and MY Utmost!)
Lisa J

connorcolesmom said...

Oh I am so sorry that you have been so sick. It is funny to imagine your little guy copying you!!
I have had bronchitis and my little one has been fake coughing which makes me laugh.
I have been wondering how you were doing over there b/c I have heard about all the rain. I do not watch the news so I missed your little street. I am glad everyone was ok though.
I hope you have a better week.
Much love,
Kim

Alana said...

Perspective is an interesting thing, isn't it? I hope you all are feeling better and that your home sustains no damage!

Susan said...

I loved that you recognized the little troubles vs. the big troubles! Glad all of you are safe and okay.

Our youngest STILL calls me in to, "pat my back, mommy" while he hurls. He's 11 now! It cracks The Man up because he knows that our children (or him) hurlin' causes me to hurl. Just another one of the ways I show the love!

Hugs, girl.

Susan

Janelle said...

What a week! I can't believe all of that is happening to you.

I hope you can see the hand of God in the midst of your storms.

Feel better soon, friend.

Janelle and Ella said...

Wow, what a crazy week. I wish I would have been watching CNN to see your neighbors house. That's so sad.
I'm so sorry y'all have been so sick. We have been through that exact thing. I did laugh a little when you talked about your son imitating you while you're throwing up.
Glad you guys are better!
And the bank thing. We have been there. It's such a horrible feeling knowing that money for overdraft fees is wasted because of a mistake.