The shakes?

Apparently, we had an earthquake today.  A 5.9 and I missed the whole darn thing.  I was so oblivious, I didn't even know it happened until we were home from the grocery store and I received a frantic text from Cait, asking if we were okay.

Um, sure, why?

Her reply, "There was an earthquake!  Everything was shaking!" 

Oh.  Well, that explains what I thought was the fire alarm at Harris-Teeter.  The minute we started to drive away, folks were streaming out of the store, hanging around in the parking lot and looking around like they were waiting for something to happen.  We headed on our merry way, got home, and I read the text from Cait. Kelsey then promptly stated, "That's why the black car was shaking in the parking lot!"

Now, I actually heard "That's why the black CART was shaking in the parking lot!"  So, not only can't I sense/notice what could be major Acts of God, but I'm now officially hard of hearing.  Fabulous!

Granted, I have a long history of ignoring quakes.  We had daily quakes in Iceland and Peter would frantically call me only to find that I had calmly showered and/or driven through bigger than normal shakes.  In fact, even in California, I only felt one that just happened to occur on the night we moved into the new house.

I had just plugged in the vacuum cleaner and turned it on when the entire house started shaking.  We were on the second floor and I could see Cait's bookshelves looking as though they might topple over at any second.  Cait shouted, "Quick, turn off the vacuum!"

I did, and lo and behold the shaking stopped.  Cait then stated, "You are NEVER vacuuming again! You made the whole house shake!"  (Really, no more vacuuming, okay!).  

Suspecting something slightly different, I walked outside, saw our neighbor from across the street, and was greeted with a friendly, "Welcome to California!" 

So, if you were worried, we are fine, other than the fact that I clearly need a hearing test (and some earthquake sensing ability).  A few pictures and books fell off the shelves in Cait's room, but no damage and Kelsey now feels better about her disaster of a floor.  I'd go vacuum it, but I don't want to set off any aftershocks….