Expecting power...
Wednesday or Thursday, optimistically. This weekend at the latest, I hope. Today's goal is to do laundry. I spent plenty of time doing laundry in laundromats when I was younger....ah, memories.
Here's an article explaining how the power companies are prioritizing the delivery of power to different areas. I can't really complain about their method of determining what gets fixed first. If anything, my complaint would be that they didn't have a plan to get enough crews flown in, in the event of an emergency such as this. I'm sure emergency plans will be reviewed when all of this is over. In the meantime, the crews working diligently to fix the power grid deserve a big thank you from all of us.
It's really interesting the role that ones state-of-mind plays in their coping with stuff like this. I'm hearing on the radio about people that have stayed in their homes, in the cold. I don't like being cold as it is..my thermostat usually set to 72 degrees. When it dipped below 45 degrees and I was having trouble warming up at all, I knew I had to get out. It didn't matter how many comforters I piled on. People staying in their homes haven't been able to shower either. Speaking of coping mechanisms; showering each day has been one of my keys to not totally losing it. Let me say that I know that people have gone through worse things than this so I am not trying to bring the drama. I had been looking forward to actually trying to relax during the 2+ weeks off over the holidays. Now, I'm thinking that the relaxing part will come later in the vacation when I can get back onto my home. Something that makes it a little tougher for me is that I haven't gotten a good night of sleep since Wednesday night. I really look forward to sleeping in my warm bed sometime soon. On the radio, they were just talking about people being in "zombie mode"...yeah. I know how that feels. I'll be careful driving.
Another thing that is difficult is realizing that most people have just gone on with their lives. Hey, I'm sleepy. I can get ticked off about that kind of stuff. I know the world doesn't revolve around me and my lack of electricity. But it's hard not to find it annoying that other people have the nerve to sleep in their warm homes and then get in front of me at the grocery store...the nerve! When my power comes back on (I know, that optimism is kind of cute, isn't it?), I'm going to try to find a way to help someone that doesn't have electricity. See, look at that, I am assuming I won't be the absolute last person to have power restored.
Anyway, the news is reporting the stories of what is going on. As much as I had intended to blog while I was enjoying my nice, comfy time off, my mind isn't on much else and I'll have a hard time coming up with interesting posts. So consider that this post is for anyone who cares or is wondering what it would actually feel like to have this happen to you. It stinks but I'm making do.
Comments
Anonymous
December 19, 2006
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December 19, 2006
Because the power usually doesn't go off here for long. Because I needed to take care of my house. Because I have a dog that does not get along with other pets. Because I did not budget for a vacation. Anyplace that I would have wanted to drive to would have taken a couple days to get there and a couple days to get back. I really expected the power to have been back (my neighbors said the lingest we have been without power is 4 days and they have lived in their house 28 years). Staying in hotels for vacation could have conceivably cost me a couple thousand dollars for any length of time. Considering I just dropped a big bundle on my kitchen remodel, it's just not happening. Thanks for the sympathy, Brandon : ) It is definitely appreciated. I'll wreite more about what I am doing to get by after it's all over.Anonymous
December 19, 2006
Another way to look at it is that this will be your lowest electric bill for December Ever : ) . Plus if you are staying at work during this does that mean that you really aren’t on vacation and get these days back (that’s what I would tell my HR people anyway). Anyway, I am glad that you are getting along well and hope your lights come back on soon.Anonymous
December 19, 2006
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December 19, 2006
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December 19, 2006
Aww, thanks Lisa! My neighbors are borrowing a gnerator as of today. I saw them when I stopped by the house to pick up laundry supplies (thought the luandromat is a little too packed to venture in...hmmm). You know if the weather was warm, this would be a different situation entirely. At least then I could live in my home. Perhaps I'll find a generator tomorrow. I suspect that many are being truckewd in from other places. We are exepcting another storm tomorrow...not nearly as bad, but lots of rain I guess. I think the worst part is that I am cranky because I am tired. I'm sure gonna sleep when this is over!Anonymous
December 19, 2006
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December 19, 2006
Yeah, I might be into that at some point. Right now, Iam so darned irritable, i almost can't stand myself. I'm willing myself not to cry....no crying! : ) I just called the Home Depot and the very nice lady told me ot keep calling back to check on generator deliveries, starting Wednesday night. The food is starting to get to me too! I've been living on left-over Thai food, which I normally like, but you know...not for every meal. I did drink some wine the first 2 nights when I was sleeping at home thinking it would help get me to sleep. But at some point, when body temperature seriously becomes an issue, it's not a good idea. I think I am going to give the Laundromat a try again tonight. Whee!Anonymous
December 19, 2006
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December 19, 2006
Heather, At my last job, I did a course through the Red Cross on how to manage an emergency reception center. All the things you are talking about, irritability, wanting to cry, sleeplessness are all common responses to people affected by disaster. Some things you can do to help; get lots of physical activity (take Jonas for a good long walk if you can), recognize and talk about your feelings and take time to do something you enjoy. Hopefully a few more days and you'll be back in your own warm bed. ToddAnonymous
December 19, 2006
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December 20, 2006
With the power being out for this many days have people begun looting ala New Orleans style or are people just too busy trying to stay warm?Anonymous
December 20, 2006
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December 20, 2006
We had the generator stealing issue here too, after Wilma. People were desperate, and others were taking advantage. They usually have a heavy metal frame and we had to start chaining ours to the fence, unfortunately. It isn't like you can hide you have one with all the noise they make!