9 a.m.--It's slick and icy, the freezing rain continues to fall.
10:20 a.m.---We still have power despite the 1/2 inch of ice coating the power lines. Jason falls off the back of his work truck while prepping the generator. He complains of a sore butt for the next several days.
12:00 p.m. We lose power. We suck it up, as it was expected. Hook the generator to the t.v. and the fridge. Life isn't bad.
7:00 p.m. Hallelujah!! The lights come back on.
Friday, Day two of the ice storm
I wake up, make breakfast, feed animals, blah, blah, blah
12:30 p.m.-- We lose power AGAIN.Meanwhile the snow is falling fast.
1:06 p.m.----I hear Jason scream and walk outside. He is laying by his truck."Did you fall again?"....."Yes!" he answers, a bit irritated....'cause why the hell else would he be laying in the snow? Jason will make noise about his sore behind, and this and that hurts and blah, blah, blah for the rest of the year.
2:00 p.m.----Jason has to go on a call. He takes his work truck, and thus the generator with him. I have to endure a few hours with the kids and no "t.t." as Barrett calls it. Oh...and might I mention that we have well water, which relies on an electric pump to make its way to our house. We have no running water....can't flush the toilet, or do anything.
5:00 p.m.----Jason shows up with a new propane tank. We have a winter wonderland cookout for supper, since we can't use the stove.
6:03 p.m. All of our firewood is frozen together, so Jason brings out the blow-torch to free them.
7:00 p.m.----Jason attempts to connect the generator to the main power input to our house. A neighbor comes to help. A few minutes later our satellite box starts smoking and popping. I frantically unplug everything in sight. I yell to Jason, who is still outside, "Smoke! bad! smoke!"
He turns off the generator. We decide to just stick with our lone chord powering the t.v. and the fridge.
7:45 p.m. We pack every container we have with snow, and bring it in the house to melt. This is how I will water my animals for the next several days.
9:45 p.m. Jason discovers that the chimney to our wood-burning stove (our primary source of heat) has several holes. He Tapes them together....no seriously.
Saturday, Day three of the end of the world as we know it
10:00 a.m.----We slide to town in our "winter chariot", the old Suburban. We must buy new pieces for our chimney. Seeing the damage firsthand does not make me feel positive about our electricity situation. Lines are broken everywhere, and some poles are splintered in the middle, and have fallen over.
1:30 pm.----We eat lunch while in town and try to forget about our troubles at home. I look longingly at the hotel across the street. I fantasize about a hot shower and cable.
3:00 p.m.---We are back on Dammit Farms. In the dark, and silence of snow and no electricity.....still.
4:25 p.m.---Jason talks to someone at the power company. We are given a quote of 7 to 10 days before get power back!!!! I about cry.
Sunday, Day four
12:00 p.m. We get power back! I try to make a a dent in Mount Laundry and Dishes. I make brownies to celebrate our electricity.
3:02 p.m.--- We lose power AGAIN.
3:15 p.m.----- I consider making a noose, but eat half the brownies instead. Fuggit.
Monday, DAY FRIGGIN FIVE
7:30 a.m.----Jason goes to work, leaving me and the boys without the generator. I spend all day trying to entertain them. I make soup on the wood-burning stove.
4:00 p.m.----We go to my mother in law's house, so that we can all bathe. Our cumulative stench was becoming ridiculous.
Tuesday, Day SIX.....Oh come the f&*% on!
8:00 a.m.---Jason leaves with the generator again. I am losing my mind. Barrett points at the t.v. several times during the day. "Ohhhh.....t.t."
9:20 a.m.---- I discover that if I collect the water from the gutters that I can use the water to flush the toilet.JOY!
3:00 p.m.----Jason comes home with a borrowed generator. I won't be left without electricity again.
5:15 p.m.----I come back from feeding the animals and......WE HAVE POWER. I frantically start doing laundry. I figure it will go out at any time.
Wednesday.....
As I type right now, I am still terrified that we will lose power again. I never knew how much running water, and a working oven meant to me until this week. Say a prayer, people. Say a prayer.
Here is a picture I stole off of photobucket that will give you an idea of what this storm did.
1 comment:
Oh, Audree, I feel for you! You and your family will be in my prayers! In February of 2007 we lost power for a whole week! We had to go to my parent's house though because we don't have a woodstove in our house. It was crazy because my brother and his family were there too! Nine people in a house that has only occupied two people for years! Take care!
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