We have to laugh…
We do have earthquakes in New Jersey, but the vast majority of them are way under 3 in magnitude. The only one over 3 was back in 2020, that delightful year of “two weeks to flatten the curve” notoriety. It’s just funny that we’re staying in a hotel while a storm took out local power, a freakishly powerful earthquake happened, and a well-hyped up solar event takes place.
I can now relate to Skye Prince’s lamentations about living in a hotel. This is not the kind of hotel where nicely dressed, happy people on holiday are flitting around through the lovely restaurant and well-appointed lobby, checking out the gift shop. I really like those ones a lot better.
I’ve been putting off writing about our situation, because right now, we seem to be in the uncomfortable position of being without a home, without our things. It’s hard to put a spin on it that’s all lighthearted and uplifting, but you probably get that and just want to know what’s up.
I hired a public adjuster, who’s being our advocate through the experience. Every single thing in the house has now been inventoried but for what no longer exists. At some point, things will either be put in a dumpster or be retrieved by us. Then they go in and gut the house down to studs.
Honestly, once we get into the house that we’ll live in while ours gets fixed up…start making the food we like, Nova settles in…that will go a long way towards feeling even marginally normal. I’ll find a good massage therapist that’ll come to that place to help us decompress and hopefully release trauma, but that isn’t right now.
Nothing happens until Monday in terms of finding a place for us to live, and Merinda and I are just doing our best to follow that guidance received years ago: to be in the moment, don’t think too much, and trust your ass off. There will be a time when all the feelings will come up for release, but that’s not here, and not now.
Finances are not an issue at this point, I’m happy to say. Not knowing how long we’ll be here puts a damper on sending for things, though. We can always come back here to claim what comes in after we go, but it just adds to the uncertainty.
I don’t want to write about all my gripes. My daughter and I are periodically going over all the things that we’re happy for and about. One thing is that we have Italian food being delivered in about fifteen minutes. Another is that Nova has settled in, and isn’t hiding under the bed any more.
We have each other, and we have all of you, who I seriously do love with all my heart…