I'm back!

[mrsmew]

Phew. That was a long week. Sandy hit us hard. We lost power at about 9:30 p.m. on Monday and just got it back yesterday (Saturday) afternoon. Thankfully our heat is electric because it was getting mighty chilly in here. We were just about to abandon ship and find some place warmer for the weekend, but no need.

This community (and people from all over the country) has been absolutely amazing. Volunteers cleaned up the parks immediately. Donations/volunteers are pouring into City Hall and shelters. Catering companies/food trucks from all over have arrived and have been giving out 1000s of free meals each day. People are checking on their neighbors and asking how we're all doing on the streets. Residents who never lost power fed power strips out their windows so the rest of us could charge our phones, and they even served us hot tea and food while doing so. It has been incredible. Very humbling and very moving.

There is still a long way to go. Much of our town still doesn't have power and there is extensive damage. So, we're far from back to normal. But, it's at least nice to have heat and lights again!

Oh, and can we please all take a moment to mourn the loss of my frozen breastmilk stash. That hurts.

Anyway, I'm glad to be back among the Internet world!

[sara76]

So glad to hear you have power back. I've been thinking of you a lot. I wonder how I'd do with no electric and a baby. Her white noise in her bedroom = my sanity! And your stash . RIP that's sucky. You guys sure have done it all during her first few months!

[mrsmew]

Oh, Sara, all I can say is THANK GOD the Sleep Sheep is battery operated. I just kept pushing that Sleep Sheep every 30 minutes so long as I was awake. Really, she slept pretty well because it was quieter (with no lights anywhere and darkness by 6:00, this place was a ghost town each night) and darker. The cold was the worst part, but I bundled her up in like 3 pairs of pajamas and a fleece sleep sack. She could barely move, lol!

Thanks for thinking of us.

[jen812]

Glad to hear your power is back. Sorry to hear about your stash. It warms my heart to hear everyone helping each other out.

[surfbetty530]

I've been thinking and praying for you, M. Glad you guys have power again. That is amazing how everyone seemed to work together to help each other out.

[moonstone523]

I'm glad your family is safe! What a horrible disaster, but it must be reassuring to receive so much kindness from strangers!

RIP breast milk.

[kimandross]

So glad your power is back and you all are doing well. You all will sure have some stories to tell Ellie about her NYC adventures when she is older!

Sad about your Breastmilk, but yay for the goodness in humanity!

[melis74]

RIP breast milk, that REALLY stinks. I'm so glad your power is back on, I was very happy for you when I read your blog post. I am in awe of the kindness that has been going on in NY, gives me hope for our children's future...sometimes I wonder, ya know?!

[tashaandsage]

Glad you have your power back. I have read quite a few similar stories about how community has really banded together for those affected by Sandy, and it is just wonderful to hear. But man, I can't imagine your sadness in losing your frozen milk stash. I know how devastating spilling one little bag was for me.

[mrschelseap09]

YAY for power!!!! That is amazing how everyone is pulling together to help. So sorry that you lost your stash... I was never close to being successful with pumping, so if I lost 1 bag I would have cried.