Thursday, January 19, 2012

Well Hello There...

Is the real world still in place?

This post is brought to you by determination, grit, and a 5000 watt generator.

Since I last posted, we went from this...
to this...
That is greenhouse you see in the background, housing our generator, with the spotlight shining from the front of the kennel. If you look closely, under the weighed down branches of our Anniversary Tree, you can see the two foot deep deep pathway trampled by a thousand treks.
Is it any wonder a giant Douglas Fir tree snapped in half and took out a whole section of power lines and poles?

We have been on around-the-clock gas-up-the-generator-every-two-hours shifts to keep the puppies warm and alive.
We have extension cords snaked all over this house, and have to take turns plugging in the electrical devices that need to be used.
It now looks like this out there...
Roads are clear, rain is quickly melting away the two feet of snow that accumulated.

The power company got an earful this morning, due to the fact that their crew made a small repair yesterday afternoon at the end of the road, then apparently went home, leaving the majority of the damage untouched. They could give us no indication as to just how much longer we will have to wait, but from our appraisal of the damage, it might be quite a while. Big sigh.

It has been nearly two days of interrupted sleep, dirty bodies, dirty dishes, and general inconvenience. We are all learning to be very grateful for the blessing of electricity.

The romance and excitement of being snowed in and having the power go out was immediately erased by the stress and concern of keeping those puppies warm and alive. We are more than ready for normalcy to return.

And I can't stop thinking about how good a hot shower is going to feel.

17 comments:

Margaret said...

Oh gosh, my hearty sympathies! We went without power twice last year, both times for 4 days. And no generator either. And flooding one of the times. Um yeah. No fun. So yes, I sympathize and wish I could help. Hang in there. (I'm hoping we'll get ourselves a generator someday when we can afford it -- after the drains that just went in down in the basement to stop future flooding. Which also need a generator....)

Vickie Niggemann said...

Oh my! My prayers are with you and the dogs and the puppies. We have one degree on the thermometer right now in the afternoon. I hear you on the winter weather. We have more snow coming tomorrow in Wisconsin. :) imvickie@yahoo.com

Lorraine B said...

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of power. Reading about the storms in the NW, I was concerned about the pups and whether you would have difficulty keeping them warm and now to think you have no power. YIKES!!! I hope it returns soon. It's great having a well, but not so wonderful when there is no power. Praying for you and your family and others in the area. I wish I could put you all up, pups and all.

Thomasina said...

I feel for you. In 2009 NW Arkansas go hit by a terrible ice storm. Knocked out power and down lots and lots of trees. We were out of power for 9 days due to the fact that we live in the country and that around 500,000 people were out. So we waited patiently for our turn.
I hope your power comes on sooner than the 9 days. But it definelty makes you appreciate the little things in life like the hot shower.
Take care and becareful trecking to those pups.

Thomasina

maggiesfarm said...

You do not look like a happy camper. :(
I can take showers, but I'm running out of towels due to the continuous mop up of a flooded basement. Oh, the joys of melting snow and torrential downpours!
Good luck keeping those pups warm!

Merrie

Hillcresthome Prims said...

Stay warm and cozy. My husband and I understand having the power go out for 5 days. It was an October storm and it hit us here in Mass, we live in a small country town but we have fire wood and the wood stove and my hubby collects laterns and they came in so handy!

Stay safe and warm.
Prim Blessings,
Tricia

MoonBeam said...

Oh dear...thoughts and prayers for your family and those teeny, tiny pups.

Bobbi

Peggy Lee said...

Oh I'm so sorry!
Sending warm toasty thoughts your way.

Catherine said...

Oh wow! I hope you are all staying safe and warm!

Faye said...

Hang in there Beth;.. Hopefully, by the time you read this, you will have full power restored and will be semi-back to normal....Can't really relate as we have only had a snow like this once in my life time. But, know there are better days ahead....Stitch when you can for your sanity!

Debbie said...

Deb's prescription to power outs, snow, cold, rain and smelly bodies! Put two adults, two kids and All the dogs and puppies into Mom and Dads big bed. Cuddle, and all will be better. Stay Safe ( that's what I tell my kids everyday) Love, Deb

Hot Chocolate works well too!!!
Coffee with three fingers of liquor for you coffee lovers!!!

marly said...

Thank goodness for generators keeping your family and critters safe. It breaks my heart when I think about kittens and puppies of strays in the cold.

Heidi said...

Things are already getting better by the sounds of it Beth. That shower will happen soon but oh how pretty it looks. I keep wishing for a little winter here in Holland. I hope your puppies stayed safe and warm and that you enjoyed some special moments in front of that toasty fire.

Hugs from Holland ~
Heidi

Mouse said...

hope things improve greatly for you .. and that the puppies keep warm and safe and dry ... at least you had a back up plan ,... fingers crossed it gets mended soon too :) love mouse xxxx

Kaisievic said...

Hi Beth, Oh, I am thinking of you. Having snow sounds all very romantic from Australia (where we get very little across the continent) but I can see how it is no fun for you. Good luck and I hope that the puppies are okay.

Hugs, Kaye, sending you a virtual cup of hot chocolate.

xoxox

Dora said...

When I read about the snowy weather in Oregon, I thought of you. Glad to hear you are all SAFE. I hope things are back to normal very soon....prayers.

MoonBeam said...

Oh dear...Sunday and still no posts? I'm worrying about you guys and the pups.

Bobbi