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Thankful Thursdays…For the Simple Things in Life

By
Home Stager

Thankful Thursdays…For the Simple Things in Life

 

This week had me wondering if moving back to Delray Beach might not be such a bad idea. The whole state of Texas has been experiencing something we never thought we would...snow, ice, temperatures in the teens as far south as the coast. 

 

We lost power Monday evening at 6:30 P.M.  and it came back on Wednesday at 1:30 P.M.  We lost our water soon after the power went out but it was restored in a few hours. 

 

I don’t take things for granted and these past few days have made me even more appreciative of all that we have been given. 

 

We had no heat and the temperatures outside were in the teens, Inside our temperature was 50 degrees. I loved going into our car to charge devices because it was nice and toasty.  So I am so grateful for electricity and in turn the power for heat. 

 

I am thankful for our coffee(s) that begin and end our day...Hot showers and cooking dinner.

 

The first days were iffy for driving and we are not used to being housebound, so I am thankful for the freedom to go where we want when we want.

 

And I am grateful for the people who had their power who offered coffee and a charging station to those without.

 

If you have a roof over your head, please remember those without especially in this weather. I knew that our power would return and I also knew that we could go to relatives who had power. That is not so for them.

 

I don't have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness - it's right in front of me if I'm paying attention and practicing gratitude. Brene Brown

Posted by

Kathy Streib
Retired Home Stager
and Interior Redesign

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Comments(37)

Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

My brother and sister both lost heat. My mom still has hers....though on and off.

Feb 18, 2021 11:33 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Nina Hollander when I was younger, I used to go camping. This was worse than that!

Wayne Martin Larry and I lost power several times after hurricanes but we always said that at least it was warm!!!

Feb 18, 2021 01:50 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Kathy Streib you and I seem to have the same feelings about camping! We had a major ice storm in Charlotte in the early 2000's... days without heat or electricity... not an experience I want to repeat, so I know first-hand what you are going through.

Feb 18, 2021 02:37 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Brian England I know how much you admire Elon Musk but I'm not sure we're there yet!!! Have him send us a proposal. 

Hi Kat Palmiotti there are many still without power and now the big issue is water...lack of it and a boil water alert. 

 

Feb 18, 2021 01:57 PM
Brian England

He seems to be all about Texas these days Kathy Streib so I think it is just a matter of time.

Feb 18, 2021 05:20 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Carol Williams thank you. You know for two nights I dreaded going to bed because it was so cold. 

Grant Schneider I know. Generac has a large plant here!!!

Raymond Henson, SRES, GRI you are so sweet. I am positive but I also don't like being cold!!!

Feb 18, 2021 02:09 PM
Carol Williams

That is sad, Kathy Streib .

Feb 18, 2021 03:37 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Kathy after losing power for 5 days twice in three years, and the last time was in October, so it was cold.  That did it, I decided to get a generator, and end the cold showers.  So now when we lose power I kick it on, and it is as if I never lost power.  I have heat, hot water, lights, internet, TV.  I just have to keep on feeding it gas. ☺️ 

Feb 18, 2021 03:45 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Ed Silva we've been through power outages but not in cold weather. 

Rocky Dickerson thank you very much.  We've had a few family members without power and/or water but everyone is helping each other out. 

Sharon Lee you are so right. I will feel better after the hard freeze tonight. 

Feb 18, 2021 04:40 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Ron and Alexandra Seigel thank you. Everyone had their cars out, the engine running to act as one big charging station. Of course that meant everyone was looking for gas!!! 

Will Hamm Thank you. We have one more night of a hard freeze-fingers crossed. 

 

Feb 18, 2021 05:50 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Michael Jacobs I have learned something from every hurricane I've ever been in. Larry isn't laughing at my extra external battery chargers or all of the flashlights I have!!! LOL

Hi Pat Champion And thank you. Things could have been worse!!!

Feb 18, 2021 05:55 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Chris Ann Cleland you can say that again!  I was so happy to climb into a warm bed last night. 

Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD and because of our big family everyone was there to help each other. I love it. You know, I dreaded going to bed for the two nights we didn't have power. It was so cold. 

Feb 18, 2021 06:05 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

So many places around the country are "enjoying" severe weather.  I talked with my grandson in Dallas this morning.  They went about 3 days without power, and then had rolling blackouts.  However, with the use of the gas fireplace in their home, and plenty of food, they have managed to stay safe, and reasonably comfortable.

Feb 18, 2021 06:13 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Anna Banana Kruchten CRS CRB, Phoenix Broker Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.  So many are left with water damage from pipes bursting...it's sad. 

Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty I am so sorry to hear that. I hope they get heat soon. 

Feb 18, 2021 06:15 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Nina Hollander I camped as a Girl Scout and when I first met Larry...been there, done that (and never want to again. )

Brian England works for me!!!

Carol Williams I just couldn't get comfortable. 

Feb 18, 2021 06:17 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

George Souto our friends had a house generator in Florida and after one of the hurricanes, they had to make sure that they could get fuel for it. 

Feb 18, 2021 06:19 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Myrl Jeffcoat I knew that we could cook on the grill (which we did) and thank goodness for our fireplace. 

Feb 18, 2021 06:21 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Kathy having lived in cold climates for decades, I cherish the last three decades that I can complain that it is freezing and in reality is only 50+ degrees... I was sorry to hear how bad it got in Texas... one of our used to be on Active Rain friends sent me some pictures and I could hardly believe my eyes I thought I was back in Boston... stay safe and warm Endre

Feb 18, 2021 10:45 PM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Morning Kathy.

This will be the first day of a heat wave, high expected to be 34º, by Wednesday of next week low 60's.  Got to love it

Feb 19, 2021 12:10 AM
Kris Collis, Associate Broker
Smart Way America Realty - East Stroudsburg, PA
Professional Results you Expect 570-801-5525

Kathy,

Thank you for sharing the challenges in Texas that remind us to be grateful for basics like heat and water that normally work like clockwork.  So glad you and family stayed well and able to make do.

A toasty garage sounds delightful.

Feb 20, 2021 10:21 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

The biggest threat to me with loss of power is losing our water because we have a well. Bottled water is always on hand but showering would not be possible and there is no way of replacing a nice hot shower!

Feb 25, 2021 07:09 AM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

This year a 1.1 year old home the heat pump went out. Builder Pulte only takes care of 1 year on a $1.2M new home.  Long story short, all furnace repairpersons  can not fix a brand new heat pump-- too much electronics. Mfg off or overloaded with calls getting parts. It had no heat for 1+ month with people living inside. I ended up bought 8 space heaters of various types to heat that home with 16 ft high ceiling to keep it warm. 

Mar 06, 2021 08:48 AM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Many neighbors now own a gas generator and space heaters. You have 25 solar panels but it still needs power from the grid to power the home.  

To get around one can invest 8000-9000 dollars on a Tesla Powerwall home battery. 

Mar 06, 2021 08:51 AM