A 5.8 Earthquake! A little bigger than last years, that I posted about here!
I was laying on the couch watching Bachelor Pad online (I know---productive, right?!) while the girls napped upstairs and everything started shaking and rumbling. I immediately sat up and turned around to see my large bookcase and everything on it shaking! I first thought, what are my crazy neighbors doing, and then jumped up to look outside (it's been beautiful here so I had all the windows and doors opened) and I saw my bird feeder shaking and immediately realized it was a probably an EARTHQUAKE!!!!!
I did, however, think maybe it was a plane crash or a bomb very close by. Living so close to DC, I thought the worst of another terrorist attack.
But really, an earthquake?
By the time I reached for my phone and called my mom across the street, it was over. Cell phones were clogged and no messages could get out. I ran up and checked on the girls, who were still sound asleep, walked out front to see if any of my neighbors were out and to confirm that I wasn't crazy and I when I saw no one I turned the TV on and checked Facebook. I saw some of my cousins and friends had already posted "Earthquake" and who live in Delaware and West Virginia, so I knew it was probably an earthquake, if they felt it in other states. Then within a minute, the news special reports started to confirm that it was an earthquake!
My sister was here within a few minutes and confirmed we were ok and her and my mom were ok. Tammy called (she had a land line) and could get through to me, and she was fine too. I couldn't get a hold of Tim or my Dad but finally my Dad got through to my mom on their land line. After about 1 hour, Tim finally could text me. He was on the second floor of his building and said he heard it first and when the concrete walls started shaking he left the building so fast, that he didn't even remember running down the stairs. Phones still weren't working even hours after. I couldn't call out, but I could receive calls. The news was urging people to use email and texting and leave the lines open for emergencies. It definitely has me thinking about getting a land line!
After my sister left, my mom came back over and suggested I take the girls to her house, and we could stay outback, because they were expecting aftershocks and suggested people stay outside, so I did. It was a nice day anyway and we were planning on having dinner there anyway, so might as well!
What a crazy, crazy day! There were a few more aftershocks, but I didn't feel anything, thank goodness. This was enough for me! I can only imagine what a bigger one would feel like!
The National Cathedral was damaged and the National Monument (which they first reported was fine) now has cracks in it!! many buildings have been damaged and lots of schools and government offices are closed.
