Allison as a Lego Block that wasn't. They cancelled Halloween!(at Scott's school)

So we survived the Frankenstorm known as Sandy just last week. We were pretty well prepared for anything. Our neighbor picked up some dry ice on Monday morning. Tom had extra propane for cooking on the grill(when it stopped raining).  And we had plenty of flashlights, lanterns and of course, batteries.

We were hurrying to get all the assignments done on the computer before the power went out. Including two of Allison's college applications. Schools were closed ahead of time on Monday. But Tom and I went off to work that day.

Both Tom and I were told to leave early from work on Monday, so I saw all my patients right through lunch and finished early. Both Tom and I left around 3pm when the wind kicked up. I spent the evening doing dishes and laundry, for when the power went out. Even though it rained and the wind howled for 2 days and nights, the power never went out. Shocking! It did flicker on and off quite a bit, and the house sounded like an old ship creaking. Sadly, I did notice some water on the kitchen floor and found that our ceiling was leaking! The wind was blowing so hard, the rain came in sideways and blew up under the shingles in the back of our house. The water came right into the ceiling of the kitchen!  Tom has been busy patching this week. But at least we kept our power on!

Not so for Scott's school. They did not get power until Friday. He missed 4 days of school, including their Halloween celebration and a Walk for the HOmeless on All Saints Day. Not to mention a whole lot of learning. Since most of the students had power however, the teachers sent out emails with requests for homework assignments. They had sent the kids home on the Friday before with all their books. So even though SCott was home, he kept busy doing homework(and a bit of computer gaming too). And we kept him busy decorating the house for Halloween on Weds. He did an awesome job and our house was one of the most decorated in the neighborhood(or so the trick or treaters told me).

On Halloween night, Scott went off trick or treating with our neighbor and his son. I was home passing out candy by myself as Allison had a make up Field Hockey game that night at 7pm in Annapolis. It was one of the county finals, so Tom went off to cheer on the team. Sadly the girls lost, so they ended their season. In some ways, Allison was glad to be done since she has been so busy and was happy to have a break.

She also missed out on the Kindergarten Halloween party at Scott's school with her internship. The teachers were all dressing up as lego blocks, so Allison spent part of her time off turning a box into a purple lego. Too bad. It was a very cute costume. But no way would she wear it to high school!

I also took her to a  presentation at our local community college to apply for an Honors program. They have an incredible program, but Allison is still pushing for a 4 year university. We also had a 3 hour girl scout choir practice Friday night as we prepare for the Christmas concerts that are up and coming in the next two months.

I was plenty pooped out on Friday as I volunteered to cook and serve breakfast to our Day CAre adults for our Dragon Boat team. AFterwards I helped out at work at the nursing home before heading over to the choir practice in the evening. And on Saturday I was up early dropping Cookie off for her yearly shearing. Her fur was getting so thick it was getting snarls, so she needed a complete shave. I think she feels much better though(and lighter). While she was busy getting shaved, I was busy undecorating the house from Halloween night. Tom and Scott joined me to cut the grass and rake leaves(Scott's favorite). Allison had to work that night. Before she left for work that evening, we both delivered some GS cookies to the neighbors. And we also decided to run out and see the new Disney movie "Wreck it Ralph"-very cute cartoon. The kids liked trying to spot all their favorite video game characters-and Tom and I tried to recall the names of the old video characters.

On Sunday, we were up early so Scott could serve the 9am mass, and then we sold GS cookies at the 1030 mass. Almost all my girls made it to the sale, so I had them sign a card for my Cookie mom. She had surgery for a brain tumor that needed removed on Thursday and was home by Saturday! We bought her a white orchid and Allison and I dropped it off with the card on Sunday evening. Allison had to work Sunday afternoon, after the cookie booth sale. At least she was off school on Monday and Tuesday this past week because of the end of her semester and Parent teacher conferences. Plus election day.

Tom lucked out and was able to get a day off of work due to the storm too. He kept the kids busy with computer and video games.

So we are back to our "normal" schedule. Until we had a second storm come through.........