The power's back on...yahoo!!!

I'm always very grateful when power is restored! It's not an uncommon event out here...just a part of life that was expected when we moved here. But it usually follows a windstorm and power's restored not too long after...unless it was an awful bad storm. However, this snow and cold factor makes me REALLY appreciate it's return :) It also makes me especially grateful for the linemen who truly put their lives on the line for us, much less having to work in the most unforgiving elements and be gone from their families for who knows how many hours.

Now an interesting side note: I have a way of knowing if the power has returned so I can go turn off the generator. I was just getting ready to wrap things up for the night when the power came on and the generator ran out of gas. Talk about good timing. But I'm going to get that generator filled with gas when I get up, because the snow isn't going to stop which probably means the power will go out again. I'm sure glad I have a good supply of gas...at least for now!

Snow, snow and more snow...arrrggghhh!

This has been one serious snow event...especially for the Seattle area! Today is Thursday, and we're promised more snow every day for the foreseeable future...at least until New Year's. And the temperature has been a bone-chilling mid-teens at night to mid-twenties during the day (the humidity factor!). Those have been the "warmer" ones! And, of course, the power decided to go out yesterday. Thanks! I have two generators, a 3500 watt and a new 7,000 watt. You know the "road to good intentions?" Well, that 7,000 watt was ready to run, with the intentions of using the 3,500 watt for back-up. However, the cord that runs the old generator wouldn't work on the new one...reverse key plug...but of course! I had every intention of stopping and getting a new cord that would work...about three weeks ago. I have packed the old one with me everywhere to remind me, but that didn't do the job...it just kept going along for the ride. Well, now I REALLY needed it, because I couldn't get the 3,500 to start. And out where I live, I'm on a well. Without power, no water. Try flushing a toilet without water! And no water to shower with, either. The snow level by mid-afternoon was about 3 feet of very heavy, wet snow. That's really hard to walk through and I'm trying to keep the fire burning (I thank heavens I have that for warmth!). My daughter, Lauri and granddaughter, Shaylene, came to the rescue this afternoon, not that others hadn't already offered. Both of my home teachers along with a real sweet couple, the Crocketts had called in concern for my well being. But I was being stubborn because I didn't want anyone driving these horrible roads and putting their life in danger because of me. But what a blessing they are to me and I love them dearly for their willingness to help! Moving on...I had Lauri pick up the parts for the new cord on her way in. As you can well imagine, generators and and the necessary accessories, aka, cords, fly off the shelves around here when the power goes out. Uh, why do today what you can't do tomorrow? And I pride myself on emergency preparedness??? Anyway, while I had my sweet daughter putting the cord together (I'm such a dolt at that stuff!), my precious Shay was stacking wood right next to my back door for me so I didn't have to keep going back and forth. I tried to help, but kept falling down trying to help her carry the "wood sling" between us. But at least Shay and I got a good giggle out of it. The last time down, I decided to make a snow angel. I haven't done that for years!!! Just as Lauri finished the cord, my home teacher, who was really worried about me, arrived with his son and I think grandson. Ron had his son come and dig him out because he couldn't get out, and then they all proceeded to my house, especially because I was outside and didn't answer the phone. All I can say is, "WOW!" What a gift of dedication and service! But now I have my electric start 7,000 watt generator running...yay!!!! I'm so very blessed to have so many people who love me, worry about me and are so willing to help, especially at times like this and drive on the worst of roads to get here. If my body didn't need new knees and a new joint in my right hand, I would have done fine (I'll be the bionic woman by the end of this next year with joint replacements!). Oh! I didn't mention that everyone had to park out on the road and slog through that deep snow about 150 feet to get to my home...WOW! Now THAT'S love!!! I have many blessings to count today...family, friends, and my church. I'm also grateful that when my sweetheart, Conrad (now gone just over a year) and I had this home built almost 14 years ago, I insisted that we have it wired to a "GENTRAN" box so that you can hook a generator's cord to the house and have the whole place can be run off it. It was also imperative that we have a freestanding wood burning stove put in so that at least we could be warm and, if necessary, cook on it. I have also promised myself that procrastination will not be a part of my future! Now, if I can get out of here, I have a plane to catch on Monday for Rexburg to spend Christmas with my brother, Ralph, and his family. I WISH ALL OF THOSE I LOVE THE MERRIEST OF ALL CHRISTMASES AND MAY THIS NEXT YEAR BE A BETTER ONE THAN THE LAST!!!