Friday, April 18, 2008

Blame it on the earthquake

Holy cow, we had an earthquake this morning. I am terrified of earthquakes. Truly, I can handle just about anything--storms, tornadoes, flying in a plane across the Atlantic, killing spiders--but earthquakes scare the living daylights out of me. When it hit this morning I was asleep on the couch (DH said I was snoring and he couldn't fall asleep at 2 a.m.!) and woke up right away. I knew exactly what it was, since I've been through 3 or 4 here in Southern Indiana. There's nothing normal about your house shaking and the rumbling noise it makes.

The dog was barking and I got up and ran to the kids' rooms while I tried to decide if I was going to wake them up and get them outside. Thankfully it was only a moderate quake (5.3 or 5.4, I've heard different reports), and it only lasted about 60 seconds I guess. So by the time I got to DH in our bedroom (who slept through it), it had stopped.

Then we had an aftershock around 10:20 CST while I was at work. We are on the 2nd floor and it felt pretty strong, but I called my mom (who is keeping the kids today at our house) and she didn't even feel it.

We were only 40 miles from the epicenter. I am praying they are finished. I know it's a good thing when the pressure is released along the fault line but it still scares the pee out of me.

I need to get our emergency kits together. I've been meaning to for years, and never have. Now I think I will start working on them because a natural disaster + no planning = major problem for me and mine.

Okay, so what do I need to blame on the earthquake? I had a total food meltdown last night. Ate everything I could get my hands on. Was awakened 5 times in the middle of the night (by DH twice, by Luke once, by the earthquake, then by Sophie) and I ate something every time. It was like I had a death wish and I was going to kill myself with carbs. Muffins, a bowl of cereal (which I never let myself eat because it's a major trigger food), and cookies.

I'm beating the crap out of myself today with my horrible food behavior (I didn't even weigh this morning, because I was so bloated and I can't handle the number on the scale, and you know that's bad because I'm a scale junkie). Then Pasta Queen writes today about how she's going through rough patches with food and can't explain her behavior. Except she can. It's the same as it's always been, and will always be, and we have to remember this and figure out how to deal. Her post really helped me today.

Everyone has a cross to bear. This is mine.

I made myself wear skinny clothes today (a short skort which shows off the running muscles in my legs and a black knit short sleeved t-shirt) because I feel fat and like a failure but I'm not going to give into that. Yes, I would like to lose more weight. Yes, I still have major fat pockets and lots of muscle building to do. Yes, I am not in control over my food right now. But I have accomplished so much, and no one but me (well, and you guys) even knows I've gained 4 pounds.

So I'm trying to get a grip. I've packed my running clothes and if things go well at work I'm going to leave around 3 and try to get in 9 miles. If I don't get it done today, it will happen tomorrow morning. Running always helps me get perspective on what my body can do.

I also wanted to share this post for a great take on what it means to be in maintenance mode from Jonathan at Jack Sprat. If you don't read him on a regular basis, you should. He is one of the best examples of maintenance-living and has the most insightful posts on how to deal with food issues. And he's a runner.

Hope you all have a stellar weekend. Spring is here, at last.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh Laura - that is so scary!!! Glad everyone is okay!

We had storms last night (again) and I woke up several times last night too. I don't typically eat at night, but it always hits me the next day. When I am tired, I let my guard down and eat everything in sight, thinking it will give me energy, but what I usually need is a nap. Sometimes I actually nap before I start eating, but sometimes the Cheetos get to me before I get to the nap!

Must be something in the air - my eating has been hard to handle this week too. Hang in there -this too shall pass, and the sooner it does, the better!

Have a great run today - and I'll bet you look smokin in that mini skirt! ;)

Grumpy Chair said...

I immediately thought of you this morning at 7:00 am when watching the Today show and they mentioned your earthquake. Glad you are all OK.

Your outfit sounds so cute and I bet you do look great after all your hard work to get where you are today.

Hope you have a great weekend with no more aftershocks.

Helen said...

I totally understand how you feel about quakes -- I am fine with all those other things you mention, but would be happy to never feel another shaker -- which is, unfortunately, unlikely here in Southern California! ;-) My mom, my sister and her kids are all in Indy visiting for a few days (we are from there although none of us still lives there) and they didn't even feel it. I thought they must have since Vickie felt it in No. Indiana. Maybe people who haven't felt one before don't get that feeling in the pit of their stomach that tells you "here we go".

Hope the aftershocks are over...

Vickie said...

what can you do to train yourself to turn to WATER in the night?

Or perhaps a cup of tea warmed in the microwave? You don't want to put the tea pot on in the middle of the night - in case you fall back asleep - I realize - but you could safely warm in microwave.

When you mentioned your night time eating a few days ago - it startled me.

I had just never thought of it.

But I am past the stage of anyone waking me.

And that is probably a big factor for you - they are catching you off guard.

If you weren't awakened - you wouldn't be dealing with this.

do you have water handy?

Can you leave yourself big notes to remind you "Laura - walk away from the cookies - you are too sleepy to think" kind of notes?

Carly said...

That is soooo scary. I am glad everyone is OK. I have never heard of midwest earthquakes before!!!

You have had a partner in crime with your bad eating. I am right there with ya!

Heather said...

I slept through it!! woke up on friday to hear everyone talking about an earthquake and I was like, what?!? glad that everyone was ok all around!