Yesterday brought torrential downpours to our area. Last night the power lines finally gave way to the unrelenting rain and 50+ mph winds.
We had just put the kids to bed and the house went silent. And dark.
Very, very dark.
Blessedly, last fall my husband was the recipient of some wise advice from a few long time residents: buy a generator.
I wasn’t convinced until a conversation a few weeks later with a fellow military spouse. She recalled last winter and being snowbound and without power in her house with all her kids. For five days. And her husband was away.
But that wasn’t the kicker.
She went on, waxing poetic about heating water on her propane grill. To wash dishes.
Right then and there I swore that would not. be. me.
So I acquiesced and told my hubby to go out and get his generator, if he was insistent.
Men just love to feel like it’s all their idea. And I was happy to give my man a chance to feel like he was taking the bull by the horns.
So to speak.
School was canceled for today. It’s after noon and we still don’t have power. Even the phone and cable lines are out.
But we’ve got heat, lights and most importantly, I’ve got all my kiddos safe and warm at home.
With a cup of coffee in hand and my new best friend humming away in the front porch, life is pretty darn good.
Jean says
Amen Stefanie!! There was just enough juice in that generator to blog!! I love our priorities!! God, coffee, kids and computer!
Hoping you get your electricity back soon!
Patricia/NYC says
This is quite the storm isn't it?!?
We've had our 2nd school cancelllation in 2 weeks! That is so atypical for NYC!
Hope you get your power back soon! But at least you've got your coffee & nice & snuggly kiddos!! ๐
TanyaLea says
It's crazy…you'd think ya'll lived in Minnesota or something!! ๐ Seriously, the east coast has had more snow than us this year! CRAZY stuff!!
Stay warm!
~Tanya
Dita says
Well, now, I guess Mr. Man deserves a GREAT BIG HUG for wanting to have his testosterone fix on the front porch, eh?
Your TENTH baby…I'll bet you never thought it that way, now did ya!
We are UNDER SIEGE with the snow over here and had some wild wind last night. JR and I drew the drapes in the TV room, said a prayer and hoped for the best when the wind whipped against the window…I was sure I was going to wake to broken glass.
Today was just breathtakingly beautiful in the snow.
Enough, though…I get the message..its gorgeous and out of my control.
Happy 1st New England Winter!
Hugs,
Dita Darling
Tami says
Stefanie,
Glad you 'weathered' the storm OK…Welcome to New England;-)!
VERY smart about the generator! We're still without power here as well, and I'm lovin' the hummmm coming from our shed;-). Stole my hubby's work computer to blog…lol!…wireless broadband is a beautiful thing!
Chris says
We didn't need ours, but it has come in handy a few times. Make sure you know how to hook it up…there are times….just sayin.
Lola Granola says
ME TOO FROM NH!
Last night was the first night we needed out new generator, and I LOVE THE THING.
No snow here, just the wind that knocked out all the power–to the schools, too. hope you have enough propane to hold out!
Melissa :) says
I โฅ your blog. Can't remember how I found it. ๐
Your babies are precious!!! I have 4 adopted, all domestically. Kudos to you!
I added your link on my blog.
Happy weekend! ๐
Karin says
ugh…so glad you have that generator. We had the torrential rains too, but thankfully, we still have power.
Super Mommy says
So glad you have your BFF…living in hurricane country, I know first hand you don't want to be without your trusty generator (or at least a good friend who has one)!
M3 says
Yeah, yeah, heat is nice (grin), but the important thing is that you've got a computer!!! Whooowahhh, lovin' that generator!
Kim says
We grateful you all are warm and that you've got enough power to post about it! !!!
Love & Blessings from Hot & Humid Hong Kong,
Kim
Jill says
OH I do hope you have power by now!
We went TEN DAYS without electricity during a hurricane wind two years ago…at first we were so excited "roughing it!" Then….Mommy slowly began to feel DESPERATE! Seven people and no flushing toilets was NO FUN!
Then I think of all the devasatation in Haiti and MANY other places. Makes me appreciate my poshy life!
Beach Mama says
I'm glad y'all got a generator. After gpoing through our first hurricane with no power for 6 days we knew we would not be generator-less again! We have gone through several hurricanes, but our generator has made it tolerable through those difficult times without power. Stay warm!
Chinamama says
Glad to hear that you are safe and warm. We got hit pretty hard here too but thank goodness we still have power. Keep safe and keep blogging!
Wendy says
We aren't too far from you and were without power for 11 days!
Yesterday, when Hannah came off the bus after school, I learned that the school had no power…all day! They knew if and held school anyway…in the dark! The fire alarms and a heat ran by generator, but the heating blowers didn't work. They worked by the light that came through the windows..and when they changed classes (in the dark hallways) they used flashlights. Because they didn't have a working kitchen, the whole school had Dominoes pizza delivered for lunch. They kids had a GREAT time, but I was surprised that we weren't notified until an email after-the-fact last evening. I wonder if no one realized until they arrived that morning at the school and by that time it was too late to cancel. Of all the schools in town (six elementary schools), they were the only one without power.
Enjoy your generator…they are a blessing!!!
Jenna says
That WAS one heckuva storm, huh? We lost power too, but only for about 10 hours. But, I wasn't worried about the power as much as my house flying away….it was insane. It felt like a hurricane and sounded like a tornado!!! Generators are a WISE purchase here in New England!!! Glad to hear your survived well. This was a mild winter……if that generator is your best friend now, just you wait! ๐
Alyson and Ford says
Wild winter weather! Glad you had a generator, they do save the day (and our sanity!). I have had one whether living in Maine or Florida! Hope you clean-out a few more drawers and find $$ for a trip to an indoor play area!
Alyzabeth's Mommy