Post Irene Sunday

I woke up from a turbulent sleep of Hurricane Irene nightmares to a quiet somewhat brighter sky. Everyone was safe. There was no broken glass or ruined belongings. My husband tried to leave for his usual weekend morning "I can't just sit around all day" drive, but when I reminded him that we had been directed to wait for all clear from the authorities, to my surprise, he stayed home. I made a big breakfast and my in-laws came downstairs to join us. During breakfast, my father-in-law gave me a mind blowing compliment. He said it was a "beautiful breakfast, better than Bayside Diner." 


After breakfast as we settled in the family room to watch Tottingham vs. Manchester City on the main TV and a slideshow of pictures from my in-law's grand summer voyage on a second TV, a phone call came from next door. Zia had locked herself in her bedroom the previous night afriad of the hurricane and was having trouble getting the door open again. When they finally got her out, they saw that she was wearing all of her gold jewelry. She was ready for an emergency evacuation except that she couldn't get out. 

Hurricane Irene: Poor Zia

My sister-in-law told Zia that the roof might blow off of her house tonight so she spent the day in her closet putting all of her documenti importanti in ziplock bags. Hours later, having apparently finished that task, she decided to move all of her favorite outfits into the basement for safety as well. I sincerely hope the basement doesn't flood.  

Hurricane Irene: Nonno's Preparations

My father-in-law would do anything for me, but not too much for his house. It's similar to the way I am with money. Maybe he buried something from years ago and simply cannot/will not do any home improvements. I've been emailing him pictures of the flooding in the basement all year every time it rains. He never cared. At all. And today with the onset of the hurricane, he again avoided any obligation and/or instinct to try to do something to avoid flooding.   

Hurricane Irene: Bunkered Down

Irene might have her way with the two houses of the Compound. There is a real possibility that the roof might at least partially tear off of Zia's house next door, and the windows of our bedroom here at my in-law's house, already cracked, might not hold up. So tonight my husband and I, and our kids, will sleep crammed into the middle bedroom in a bunk bed and crib, and if something does happen to Zia's roof, we'll have five more housemates starting tomorrow.

The Voyage: Dr. Ruth was on their Ship

They definitely enjoyed each others company on their transatlantic cruise.

Immigrant Proverb #6 - Babysitter at my Disposal

Within hours after arriving home from his epic summer vacation, my beloved father-in-law offered up his services as a babysitter. He said, "I am at your disposition." 

Mozzarella Coma

I'm drunk on fresh, still warm, mozzarella from Massimo and Sergio's deli on 150th Street. Like Frank the Tank in ecstasy at the keg, "Once it hits your lips, it's so good!"

Peanut Allergy Alert Bracelet

Our toddler son is severely allergic to his peanut allergy alert bracelet.