Shakey-Quakey.

The week before we were set to leave for vacation, Mother Nature presented us with the most extraordinary weather events.  Extraordinary, I say. As you all well know by now, the east coast - in addition to Hurricane Irene and her wide and devastating reach - experienced a very, very rare earthquake, with its epicenter in our fair Commonwealth of Virginia. And yes, we felt it. And it was confusing. And weird. And a tiny bit frightening (until I realized our damage was limited to two knocked-over bottles of lotion, ha!).

(Just some pictures of the girls, you know, for the sake of posting pictures of the girls. That's all.)

A., E., and I were in the basement. While the girls played, I wrote a threatening note to Mother Nature via Facebook regarding Hurricane Irene, which was headed towards our August 27th vacation destination. Moments later (a funny coincidence!), I heard rumbling. And it became louder and louder. And I had 1,000 thoughts cross my mind in a span of seconds: it must be construction equipment; a military jet; a large vehicle rumbling down the nearby road; oh, no - surely an explosion is about to occur! Then, the basement walls began to shake a bit feverishly (I'm thinking: why would a vehicle cause the basement walls to move?!). Then, I *nonchalantly* (not wanting to startle them) scooped up the girls and headed for our basement bathroom (our designated tornado cover). and it was then as I watched the bathroom door swing back and forth that I thought, "oh! I think this is an EARTHQUAKE! But it must be minor and it just seems significant to me since I'm earthquake-inexperienced . . . And, wait! I shouldn't be in the basement. What if the floor above collapses?" 

(More gratuitous pictures of my dear girls, who were unaware, unaffected, and altogether unscathed by the 5.8 rattler.)

My first thought was, "call K." She lives nearby and surely this was localized and surely the entire east coast, even parts of the midwest, did not feel this (soon I would learn otherwise). Then, drats! No cell service. Then, text from M. "Something happened at Rosslyn, but I'm okay."  Both of us - while aware that an earthquake likely occured - seemed to think its reach was small. Oh, and mind you, I'm also thinking to myself, "we have a dinner reservation with [neighbor] T. tonight. I hope dinner at The Morrison House is still on . . . " (Priorities, I know.)

(Why not?  A. and E. here are a few more pictures of you in your 29-month and 6-month glory!)

Once M. and I connected, it was decided that I would pick him up from work (the Metro was running a meager 15mph). On the way there, I passed the Pentagon and the westbound (i.e., towards our house) traffic and it was dramatic (many folks who were evacuated from their buildings were headed home). But the ride to M.'s office was quick and we took back roads home - just in time for our Morrison House dinner, where we marveled over the day's odd yet memorable event.