Thanks, Ike

Of the many things that are different in Ohio, the weather is probably the most noticeable. I can't say that I've yet grown accustomed to the humidity, and I am definitely not comfortable with the possibility of tornadoes. Our downstairs bathroom qualifies as the innermost walls in our house since we have no basement, and this just reinforces once again the fact that the bathroom is a refuge from whatever storm, literal or figurative (feeling sick, trying to avoid a conversation, etc.), you may be trying to weather. (No pun intended.)

So I knew that tornadoes were a possibility, but I didn't expect to feel the effects of hurricanes as well. I thought the wind was pretty intense on Sunday, and I was secretly hoping it wasn't the norm for Ohio, especially when it started ripping siding off our neighbors' houses and overturning grills (propane tanks attached) and blowing away metal patio furniture. I was pretty glad that my mom sent an emergency preparedness kit with us when we moved to Ohio, because I kind of have a feeling we're going to need it one of these days. Our power went out for not even 30 seconds on Sunday and I didn't really think anything of it until I went to the library to take Emerson to baby laptime on Monday morning and it and every other business around it was closed due to no power. Then I caught word that pretty much every school in central Ohio (over 200 schools) is closed (except for Ben's of course...) until further notice. I remember when Murray High closed early one day due to no electricity. That was sweet. But honestly, the schools out here close for everything. We NEVER got school off in Utah. Ok like three times. But that's because it was like actively snowing and the snow plows couldn't get through. If they have an inch of snow on the ground and there's no more coming down or if it's even raining I swear they get a snow day. It's ridiculous. People out here have told us that they have yet to actually see a snow plow in Ohio. I guess we'll find out this winter.

But anyway, back to the current issue at hand. About 3/4 of Ben's med school class doesn't have power. The news said that the power company is trying to restore power to 90% of its customers by Sunday. Gee thanks guys...really so soon? No, I'm sure they're trying hard and I'm sure it's difficult with trees hanging all over the powerlines and stuff, but a week without power is a really long time! There's been a run on ice because people are trying to keep their food from spoiling, and the local bakery ran out of bread. Gas prices jumped about 60 cents in a day, and the gas stations are only accepting cash. So I guess the Church knows what's up when they talk about emergency preparedness. It's crazy! I feel a little more responsible for the well-being of our little family all the way out here away from our family in Utah. My food storage in Logan consisted of 1/4 a tank of gas to get me home to Murray. Oh how things have changed.