Today was kind of an interesting day. In the absolute truest sense of the term, it was the calm before the storm. The impacts of Hurricane Dorian won’t hit us until early tomorrow morning but you could feel its impending arrival. It was a gray, overcast day with an off and on drizzle. I could smell Dorian in the air.

But a dreary day with light rain is better than one with violent winds, flash flood-producing downpours, and tornado threats. With the former, you can actually do stuff. And do stuff we did.

I was fortunate that Wednesday was my least busy day in terms of work with CCU. With students evacuated and campus closed, we didn’t have too much to communicate which meant I wasn’t tied to my laptop or stationed inside the EOC. Although there was still work to be done, I was able to spend a lot of time with my family.

After an early morning workout, I prepared our yard for tomorrow’s storm. With the outside of our home ready for Dorian, it was time to do the same for the inside––which meant buying lots of hurricane snacks! Sloan and I went to the store and loaded up on sugary cereals, chips, crackers, and desserts.

Snacks on snacks on snacks.

Once we returned home and unloaded our loot, we got back in the car and drove up the street to the Carolina Forest playground. We met Sloan’s best friend, Jacqueline, and her mom, my friend and fellow CCU employee, Susannah. The girls played so well together in what will probably be their last time together until they meet again at daycare.

Sloan and Jacqueline at the Carolina Forest playground this morning.

We headed back to the house to get Sid. After I caught up on some work and took a shower, we decided to use the rare Wednesday day off to got out to lunch. Wanting to give a new place a try, we went to Chile Frito, a Mexican restaurant in Carolina Forest that opened just a few months ago. We really enjoyed it even if Sloan couldn’t stay still and dripped salsa all over her dress.

We had a great experience at Chile Frito today.

With our stomachs full, we granted Sloan’s wish to play with her cousin. Since last night, she had desperately wanted to play with Henry so we went over to Sid’s sister’s house and let the two toddlers have at it while we let our food settle.

Henry and Sloan playing this afternoon.

On the way home, we stopped at the Carolina Forest Library. We checked out several books to read to Sloan over the next few days. While we tried to find suitable reading material for Sloan, she ran around the children’s section playing with the toys and pulling books off the shelves.

Sloan enjoying herself at the Carolina Forest Library.

Sloan fell asleep on the way home which allowed Sid and I to watch the movie we checked out at the library in relative peace. “The Greatest Showman” was the film we rented and although it was decent, we both agreed that it would have been much better in the theater.

Watching “The Greatest Showman.”

Right before the credits rolled, a little voice announced that she was finished napping. We brought Sloan out with us and ate a roast dinner. As I write this, the girls are in the bathtub and I am watching Dorian news coverage. Our grand finale for the night will be “Big Brother” and mug cakes.

Well, Sloan is now out of the bath tub and watching “Mickey Mouse.” She had a great day!

With so much going on the last two weeks, it was nice to catch a breather with family. Tomorrow we meet Mr. Dorian, a fate that has me concerned but by no means shaking in my boots. When it is all said and done, I think we will be just fine. Once again, let’s pray for those who were dealt a far worst hand than us and have been devastated by this hurricane. Don’t Blink.