Earthquakes and Groceries on Independence Day!

Today is the Fourth of July; American Independence Day.  We celebrated with a 6.4 earthquake!

I didn't go to sleep until 4:00 a.m., last night/this morning, but I woke up at 8:00 a.m. when my daughter's alarm went off!  It was the first day of the Anime Expo and she wanted to be downtown, at the Convention Center, at 10:00 a.m.!  It was a pleasure to drive on the freeway, this morning, as there was hardly any traffic, due to the holiday!  There were some road closures, downtown, because there is a fireworks celebration being planned at Grand Park, which is in front of City Hall.  I drove around them and dropped daughter off at the Convention Center exactly at 10:00 a.m.

Then, I drove home, stopping at the Armenian grocery store, again, to take advantage of some of their Thursday specials:

7/4 Groceries

I mostly wanted to buy the chicken leg quarters that were on sale for $.69/lb., today, only.

I bought:

Almost 5 lb. chicken leg quarters (4 pieces) @ $.69/lb = $3.44
Zucchini @ $.39/lb = $.51
Green grapes @ $.49/lb = $.91
Broccoli @ $.49/lb = $29
White Peaches @ $.49/lb = $.63
Total = $5.78

7/4 Grocery Receipt

July grocery budget = $100

Spent to date = $23.56 + $5.78 = $29.34

Amount left in the budget = $100 - $29.34 = $70.66

Sometime around 10:30 a.m., we had an earthquake, centered a few hundred miles from where I live.  Apparently, it was a 6.4 earthquake; the biggest we've had in 20 years, according to the news, and felt by many people.  But, it wasn't the Big One we all know is coming and fear, and we didn't feel it that much in the store.  People, here, tend to look at one another for a second or two, when we feel an earthquake, ask, "Did you feel that?" and then, unless things are falling off shelves, go about doing whatever it was that we were doing!  So, I finished my grocery shopping and came home.

My cousin had called shortly after the earthquake, but, before I could call her back, aunt C called to ask if I felt the earthquake, friend A called to check on me, and neighbor T called!  So sweet of everyone to call and check on me!  I am blessed with caring family and friends.  Nothing had broken in the house; just one ornament had fallen. Dancer seemed a bit edgy, but he's spooked by the noise of the fireworks, as well.  Fireworks are illegal in my city (unless they are permitted displays), but, people have been setting them off for days, now!

Of course, earthquakes like these are all reminders to be prepared with our emergency supplies, etc., just in case.  Water and food (including pet food) for several days, in case access to grocery stores and supplies are limited; a first aid kit; a full tank of gas in the car in case electricity goes off and gas pumps don't work; emergency cash because credit card machines don't work when there is no electricity; etc.  I always try to keep a well-stocked pantry, but I know I have allowed myself to get low on certain items - I need to stock up on those things.   

I had leftovers from yesterday's lunch and one of the white peaches for my brunch, today.  I will cook the chicken, later, for dinner (I will freeze some of it for daughter to take back with her).  

I changed my bed sheets, this afternoon, and am doing a load of laundry. 

I don't have anything else planned until I go to pick up daughter, later, tonight.

Today, I am grateful for:
- The earthquake wasn't bigger and it wasn't the Big One
- According to the initial news reports, it didn't cause a lot of major damage
- My own house is fine and nothing is broken
- I had a safe drive to downtown and back
- Family and friends calling to check on me

Hope you are having a wonderful day.