My electricity dilemma has nothing to do with paying or cost. It has to do with being without it for over 24 hours. I am experiencing this right now. I have been without electric since 8 a.m. Sunday morning.
At first, the power outage was just a minor inconvenience. We went out for brunch and then left the house for the day. We came home at 7 p.m. and still no power. At this point, it has become a real problem. I have about 35-40 quart of peaches in my freezer I purchased and froze last month. These are now irreplaceable since peach season is over. I have meat, breads, cans of juice, veggies, etc. in the freezer. Then of course we have the refrigerator items. Both of the refrigerators are full and more than likely most of the items are spoiling. I wonder does wine keep once it is cold and then warms.
Not only all of that but cleaning up might be nice.... The water pump does not work without the electric. The dishes are stacking up. The bathrooms need cleaned. Flushing is difficult but not impossible since we did not get the pool covered before the storm.
The Internet does not work without a "little" electric. Battery powered phones are impossible to use. Good thing I have a cell phone with a car charger.
The coolers of ice have nearly melted. It is likely the milk will spoil. Then there is the lunch meat and cheese...UGH!
Ameren's recording now says "maybe" by 8 p.m. it will be restored. If you get to talk to a human being, you are told not until "maybe" 10 p.m. Last night, the recording said it should be restored by 5 a.m. today. NOT! I suppose I will call again later to see what the recording has to say then.
I miss my electric even though I do not see it. I take it for granted everyday... I have even tried to turn on lights even though I know they will not work.
My electricity dilemma will hopefully be solved soon. I know there are people out there who lost everything and I feel for them. But I still WANT MY ELECTRICITY!
Ann Hayden Realtor St. Louis Missouri
For All Your real estate needs: www.SelectAnn.com
© Ann Hayden, 2008-2009.
I feel your pain. There's nothing worse than being without electricity except being without electricity when you have a well pump. OMG. Been there, and it's not pretty!
I feel for you! In Charlotte NC in 1989 we had hurricane Hugo come through and my home was all elerctric and was on well and septic and we were without power for 14 days. Young childeren and no toilet facilties was not a good combination. After that, I have never complained about my electric bill again.
Ann - we've been there yesterday: out of power from 7 pm till 7 am. Awful! But we had a lot of family fun at the candle light; playing cards and domino, joking and talking. Good that they fixed it by morning.
How did you get to the Internet though?
Vickie,
You are so right...it is NOT pretty!
Chuck,
It is funny how it puts everything into perspective.
Svetlana,
Internet is possible with dial up. I am using the neighbors connection. Or I drive to my Internet shop near where I live. It is a pain and I feel dead in the water. So far the battery is holding out on the laptop. My tech savvy sons have made sure I can recharge mine in the car..
Still it is not a fun situation.
Thanks for stopping by,
Read a book by candlelight.
Play a board game with the kids.
Tell stories of...remember when?
Take lots of digital pictures to remember it by...save and share those memories.
Learn to use a chainsaw...great stress relief and you'll be warmer this winter for less.
Eat lots of ice cream...fast!
Cook everything in your freezer and then invite the neighborhood to dinner. Maybe have a block party enjoying all the foods before they spoil and make it a great opportunity for networking.
Try not to whine (don't take that wrong)...make the most of it.
Make some exotic mixed drinks before the ice melts!
Our power in Central Ohio may be out for several days.
Smile!
Dave Culbertson, Real Living Home Team, Mount Vernon, OH.
Dave,
I hope I did not come across as "whining". Just stating the facts sir.
By the way, we did the ice cream thing. It is not very good when it is all foamy...yuk!
I am smiling and blogging because if I was not I would definitely be crying. But no use in that.
Making the best of the electric being off,
Ann
Shadow puppet night is always fun (Probably in no mood for that.)
I do feel your pain though was without power for a couple of days when the floods hit, hang in there!
Shadow puppet night is always fun (Probably in no mood for that.)
I do feel your pain though was without power for a couple of days when the floods hit, hang in there!
Very lucky. YMCA is allowing showers for the public (when you live in the country, when you have no electricity, you have no water to wash or flush). I'm in our office at 5:30 am doing dishes that I brought in from home.
Last time power was out a long time it was between 10 & 30 degrees outside, so this is MUCH better, only about 70 degrees by day and down to high 40's by morning. So definitely not cold, and better than high humidity and in the 90's.
My hearts and prayers go out to the six in Ohio who have died from this destruction, but they go out tenfold to the folks in Texas and Louisiana.
Be strong folks. Offer a cup of coffee and a hot dog off your grill to the Electric Workers who are working hard to restore our power. We had a crew from Indiana working our neighborhood last night. God bless them. I'm sure they are getting paid well, but would rather be home with family.
Dave Culbertson, Real Living Home Team, Mount Vernon, OH
Hi Ann, I hope by now you have your power back. I just spoke to a friend in Louisville KY and he say they may be without for a week to 10 days!
Charlie,
No shadow puppets was a long way from my mind....
Dave,
Glad to hear a shower is possible..
Ann,
Power is on! Yeah!!
Ann
It makes me want to add solar power to my next home. Good luck to you all.
It absolutely SUX when we don't have power, especially as agents. EVERYTHING WE DO REQUIRES POWER IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER (ESPECIALLY CHARGING OUR CELLS AND LAPTOPS)!
Jen,
I am adding solar power, wind power and a good generator to the list of things to buy this year. I may look for a class to learn about alternative energy sources.
Michael,
Yes, unfortunately, the water pump requires a lot of power to get the water out of the ground!
Thank you for stopping by,
Ann