I have learned some things in the last few days since Sandy blew into town. Things about myself. Some things have surprised me. Some things, not so much. They are the good, the bad, and the ugly.
I will begin with the good. The good thing is that we are all OK, and our home is intact. My cars did not get crushed by the numerous dead trees on my property, so that is a very good thing. We always have candles, and now we have even more. My Coleman stove is a blessing, and I am glad my friend made me buy it years ago, when it was on clearance. (Thanks Geralyn!) I am finally reading the Wally Lamb book I have been too busy to break into, boy is it good!
Not having a lot of money normally and buying groceries on a need to eat basis has come in handy. I usually have a lack of protein in my freezer, so this has made the whole lack of power non stressful, IN THAT AREA. Raman is plentiful, and there is a plethora of things you can do with it.
Not having to vacuum, or do laundry has freed up a ton of time. I mean a TON! I am in awe at how much of my life is wasted doing those things, and I have silently vowed to myself that if I ever come into money, I will have cleaning lady.
Losing power in the Fall has also been a relief with the whole heat thing. Yeah, it's chilly, but it reminds me of my childhood home, which was always freezing, and we always wore shoes and socks, and sweaters. I had forgotten how cold the tip of my nose can get.
The bad. Notice I did not mention togetherness time with my girls in the good list. I love them, I really really do, but WOW! I had no idea Olivia enjoys singing sentences in an Ethel Merman, show tune, warble. Unreal! And Charlotte seems to be a natural drummer. She does it non stop with things that I had no idea could double for drumsticks, on any and all surfaces. Again, WOW! Molly does not enjoy not having her little shows to watch, and asks for them constantly. I know she is only 3, but the concept of electricity, and what runs on it is not sinking in. Even a little. I wish I was the kind of Mom who enjoyed board games, but I don't. My patience is hanging on by a ragged little finger nail. The girls want to play outside, but it is cold and damp, and I have no ability to get them warm when they come back in, or properly bathe them, so in the house we have been. Charlotte bawled her eyes out upon hearing trick or treating was cancelled, and said it was going to take forever for Saturday to come because the power being out has made the days so much longer. She ain't kidding. Dawn to dusk seems to be a doubly long day.
I have yelled, bribed, and almost been brought to tears this week. I never realized how truly wonderful electricity is. How very lucky we are to have it. It has reminded me of being in my early twenties. I broke my arm in a car accident. My right arm, and I am a righty. I had two interns put my cast on. They had not done it before, and what I was left with was an arm covered in plaster from my finger tips, to my shoulder. They rendered my hand useless, and it wasn't even injured! It was a long, hot smelly Summer. I gazed at others using their arms, not even realizing just how lucky they were. How casually they lifted things, and opened doors, and scratched their heads. I was jealous of them, and silently cursed their luck. Kind of like how I curse the sounds of generators humming on my street. Giving homes bits of beautiful voltage. Did they not know how lucky they were? And do they know how insane it is out here, beyond their yard??
The ugly. I didn't have an ugly until I got to where I am typing these words. It is the corner table, right beside the play place at McDonald's.
WOW!!!!!!!
I will begin with the good. The good thing is that we are all OK, and our home is intact. My cars did not get crushed by the numerous dead trees on my property, so that is a very good thing. We always have candles, and now we have even more. My Coleman stove is a blessing, and I am glad my friend made me buy it years ago, when it was on clearance. (Thanks Geralyn!) I am finally reading the Wally Lamb book I have been too busy to break into, boy is it good!
Not having a lot of money normally and buying groceries on a need to eat basis has come in handy. I usually have a lack of protein in my freezer, so this has made the whole lack of power non stressful, IN THAT AREA. Raman is plentiful, and there is a plethora of things you can do with it.
Not having to vacuum, or do laundry has freed up a ton of time. I mean a TON! I am in awe at how much of my life is wasted doing those things, and I have silently vowed to myself that if I ever come into money, I will have cleaning lady.
Losing power in the Fall has also been a relief with the whole heat thing. Yeah, it's chilly, but it reminds me of my childhood home, which was always freezing, and we always wore shoes and socks, and sweaters. I had forgotten how cold the tip of my nose can get.
The bad. Notice I did not mention togetherness time with my girls in the good list. I love them, I really really do, but WOW! I had no idea Olivia enjoys singing sentences in an Ethel Merman, show tune, warble. Unreal! And Charlotte seems to be a natural drummer. She does it non stop with things that I had no idea could double for drumsticks, on any and all surfaces. Again, WOW! Molly does not enjoy not having her little shows to watch, and asks for them constantly. I know she is only 3, but the concept of electricity, and what runs on it is not sinking in. Even a little. I wish I was the kind of Mom who enjoyed board games, but I don't. My patience is hanging on by a ragged little finger nail. The girls want to play outside, but it is cold and damp, and I have no ability to get them warm when they come back in, or properly bathe them, so in the house we have been. Charlotte bawled her eyes out upon hearing trick or treating was cancelled, and said it was going to take forever for Saturday to come because the power being out has made the days so much longer. She ain't kidding. Dawn to dusk seems to be a doubly long day.
I have yelled, bribed, and almost been brought to tears this week. I never realized how truly wonderful electricity is. How very lucky we are to have it. It has reminded me of being in my early twenties. I broke my arm in a car accident. My right arm, and I am a righty. I had two interns put my cast on. They had not done it before, and what I was left with was an arm covered in plaster from my finger tips, to my shoulder. They rendered my hand useless, and it wasn't even injured! It was a long, hot smelly Summer. I gazed at others using their arms, not even realizing just how lucky they were. How casually they lifted things, and opened doors, and scratched their heads. I was jealous of them, and silently cursed their luck. Kind of like how I curse the sounds of generators humming on my street. Giving homes bits of beautiful voltage. Did they not know how lucky they were? And do they know how insane it is out here, beyond their yard??
The ugly. I didn't have an ugly until I got to where I am typing these words. It is the corner table, right beside the play place at McDonald's.
WOW!!!!!!!
I'm another mom who hates board games. I have a mild tolerance of them with my child, but with other adults? Forget it. I actually played a round of LIFE with Edie the other day and she's still speechless from the event.
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