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Asteroid Hitting the Moon
Photo Credit "Even though we knew it was going to, we were still shocked when the asteroid acutally made contact with the moon" (Pfeffer 18). This remark displayed how startled Mom was when the moon was hit. Mom watched this all happen on her lawn with her family. She heard that the event had caused tsunamis on the coasts, and one of her publishing companies is in New York. -
Grocery Shopping
Photo Credit Mom picked Miranda and Johnny up from school early. They made their way to the supermarket to pick up supplies and Miranda described it as, "I went to the supermarket and the electricity went out and there was chaos there, so they said a hundred dollars for each wagan.." (33) They mostly got canned and boxed foods. The halls were packed with people. Little did they know, they did not get near the amount of food they need. -
Gas Station
Photo Credit Mom had an exciting find when she drove Johhny to baseball camp. "She came back really excited because she found a gas station near Liberty that was selling 5 gallons at at time for $75." (110) Gas is so expensive and in town they can only buy two gallons at a time. Usually to get anywhere people ride there bikes, but to take Johnny all the way to baseball camp Mom had to use her car. This will be the last time they will use the car for awhile. -
Skipping Meals
Photo Credit Now that Johnny is at baseball camp and is being fed there, Mom is worried about how long the food supply would last. Mom states, "I can cut down to one meal a day" (124). The family decided that they would fast on Sundays. They will continue this routine until Johnny comes back from camp. -
Chocolate Chips
Photo Credit Mom found Miranda in the pantry eating a bag of chocolate chips. Miranda got startled seeing Mom and dropped the bag and the chocolate chips went everywhere. Mom then made Miranda eat them off the ground saying, "Eat them. You wanted them. Eat them" (193). Mom took Miranda's eating privleges away for two days. She planned on using the chocolate chips for Matt. -
Sprained Ankle
Photo Credit Mom tripped in the kitchen and hurt her ankle. Mirand went to the hospital to get Peter. Peter told her that she had, "a bad sprain, but nothing's broken" (204). Mom was to stay off of her ankle for a week. Mom felt horrible for making everyone wait on her. -
Keeping Warm
Photo Credit The weather has dropped down to below freezing. The only heat source is through the woodstove in the sunroom. "For the time being, Mom and I are sleeping in the kitchen.." (219). For now, their rooms upstairs will not be in use. Neither Mom nor Miranda like the idea of sleeping in the kitchen. -
Another Sprained Ankle
Photo Credit Mom tripped over a pair of shoes and sprained her ankle again. Mom tried to wrap it herself. "But she couldn't even manage to stand" (229). Mom is unable to do any housework at all. Miranda is responsible for the cooking, laundry, and visiting Mrs. Nesbitt. -
Mrs. Nesbitt's Pendant
Photo Credit Miranda comes back from Mrs. Nesbitt's to tell Mom that she had died. Mrs. Nesbitt had wanted everyone to have one thing of hers when she died. She gave her pendant to Mom. It was a 55th birthday present from Mr. Nesbitt. When mom put it on she said, "I think she'd like to know I'm wearing the pendant" (247). -
Christmas
Photo Credit For Christmas Mom gave Matt razor blades, Johnny a handheld baseball game, and Miranda a new diary. Matt and Johnny gave Mom a picture of her and her family when she was little. They found the picture in Mrs. Nesbitt's house. Miranda gave Mom a box of chocolates. "Absolutely best Christmas ever," was how it was described (279). -
Sick
Photo Credit Mom couldn't get out of bed that morning and was feeling ill. Miranda gave Mom some aspirin to make her feel better. Mom was barely able to swallow the pill. Miranda went to the hospital and found out that all but 12 people had died from the flu. With hope she stated, "it's just the flu. We'll be fine" (299). -
Mom's Birthday
Photo Credit The day is Mom's birthday. She shared her candy from Christmas with her family. Each kid was allowed four pieces. Johnny let Mom beat him in chess. "She said it was the best birthday she'd ever had" (315). -
Running Out of Food
Photo Credit Mom hadn't eaten in three days and fainted. Miranda forced her to eat soup. Miranda described the pantry as having, "so little in there..there's maybe 2 weeks worth of food if only Jon and Matt eat" (325). With Mom and Miranda eating they have 10 days. They are starting to think of the possibility of dying even more. -
Getting Food
Photo CreditMiranda decided to sacrifice herself and go into town. She saw a note that read information about the Courthouse. She went there and saw they were giving food weekly. Mr. Danworth brought them seven bags of food and will bring four each week. "Mom was sobbing," she was so happy (335).
