EARTHQUAKE! No, really...

So yesterday there was an earthquake centered in VA.  Turns out, centered 45 minutes drive from my home or less if you go the way the crow flies.

5.8

For those of you in CA who deal with earthquakes more regularly, let me say this, "what the hell are you doing still living in CA?" 

Of course, I'm also the person who was too close to a small tornado last year in TN and I asked of myself, "what the hell are people doing still living in tornado valley?" 

Give me lots of land, no ocean for hurricanes, no "valley" for tornados, and no tetonic plates almost direclty underfoot.  Is that too much to ask? LOL

Anyway, I thought I'd share my story with you since I'm packing to move instead of sewing and I have nothing else to write about.

At 1:50pm, I'm minding my own business at my daughter's orthodontist's office when I start hearing a low rumble. A second or so thereafter, the building shakes a little and the rumble is louder.  For those of us that are used to (a) ordinance explosions or (b) large helicopters flying low overhead, you will understand when I say  that is the first thought I had.  I was able to dismiss ordinance pretty quickly due to my location but I why a heli or two was flying so low but the rumble slowed disappeared and the little shake stopped.

Just as I and the other waiting room inhabitants started shrugging it off, the rumble came back and was loud. (At least to me, many others say they didn't hear anything.) The building decided to shake more and then the staff started hollering for everyone to get out to the end of the parking lot so we were all away from the windows.  I thought, "really?"  Then, "okay" as they were all hustling out. I went to the door and held it open for everyone (really just waiting to see my kid come out from the backroom).  I was a 1/2 second away from going in to get her when she came around the corner.  lol  I told her that she should feel comforted that her pain in the ass mother loved her enough to ensure she got out of a shaking building.  She's a teenage girl, she appreciated it for about 1 second. :p

When we get outside, we see several other buildings evacuated.  Cell signals don't work, land lines were down for a few, it was a bit strange as we all wondered, "was that actually an earthquake?"

I finally get a signal on my cell (I can't call) but I have 2 texts and a voicemail from the hubs, "Call me back, we just had a big earthquake here at home and I want to know you are okay."  Aww... I think he's being a little melodramatic based on what I felt but that's nice. I get a text back to him we are fine and that's when I find out how much more he felt it than we did.

Turns out, where home was, we lost some items off the shelves (as did our neighbors) and hubs spent the quake time holding up the entertainment center & tv so they didn't fall over. They were wobbling that much. The entertainment center, btw, is a big hulking one, too.

Anyway, I got thinking about it later (as we felt another aftershock and I heard it) that I'm really not a panicky person. I may have adrenaline course through me with an unknown but it doesn't stop the rational thought and if anything, it may actually tamp down my emotion even more than normal. lol When 9/11 happened, with the tornado in TN, with this earthquake, I just don't freak (although I did feel like I could at any moment in TN. lol)  The other thing I thought about, my hearing.

I always knew I had a great sense of smell but now I know my hearing is at the same level. Hubs and I joked I smell almost as good as a dog but that I probably hear better. Speaking of dogs, ours were notably upset but so relieved when I finally came home. I'm momma, afterall, and all is better when momma shows up. It's when she leaves that weird things like the house shaking happen. :D

Anyway, to the Californians, I hope you do enjoy scoffing at us East Coasters and our "OMG" moments, I think you've earned it.  Earthquakes suck at any magnitude and I would be just as happy not to experience one again.

Cheers! Beck