As many of you know, New Hampshire has been under a State of Emergency the last few days due to severe ice storms knocking out power to over 400,000 homes. The deep freeze has left most of New Hampshire powerless.
We were lucky, we have a generator. When we built our house five years ago we installed the generator out of necessity. If the power goes out and the sump pump stops, the basement fills with water...it is that simple, we had no choice...generator or water in basement. We never really considered the possibility of being without power for an extended period of time and what a difference it would make.
The rain started Thursday night and
throughout the night we could hear the
sound of breaking trees, transformers
bursting, and sirens.
We lost power around midnight and like
clockwork the generator kicked in.
When we got up on Friday morning we discovered several trees down in our yard...two across the driveway.
The generator gave us limited electricity, heat and hot water, but the cable was out so no TV, phone, or Internet.
Now, don't get me wrong...this post is about frustration, not hardship...
I can't imagine how horrible it must be for the people who are still without power and could be for several more days. I know how lucky I am. I was able to stay in my home, warm and fed and even watching DVD movies on TV while the entire neighborhood around me was in darkness.
My son was the only one in our family not to lose power. One of my daughters had to go stay with him. My other daughter is staying with us until her power returns. The temperature in her house is currently 36 degrees. My sister and her husband are praying their pipes don't freeze while they are staying with friends.
I am extremely grateful that we have a generator and that our power returned at 3:30 this morning and we no longer have to use it. Hundreds of thousands of others are not so lucky.
That said,
When the power went out, I suddenly found myself forced into a situation where I had plenty of extra time, and yet all those things I always wish I had time to do...I couldn't do.
Leaving the house for any extended period of time with the generator running was not an option, and most businesses were closed anyways, so I couldn't get that Christmas shopping done that I need to do.
No Internet meant that I couldn't work on my newsletter, on my website or catch up on email.
I would have loved to have spent the time at ActiveRain. Imagine having the time to sit and post and comment for hours, but no, couldn't do that.
I have several TV shows saved on my DVR with the dream of someday having the time to sit leisurely and watch...no cable meant no DVR.
It would have been a great time to wrap presents; but as previously stated, I haven't bought them yet.
Like most of you, I am constantly wishing for extra time...trying to get to the bottom of that to-do list, stressed and tired and staying up late trying to get it all done as time slips through my fingers. How ironic that I finally had that "much sought after" time and found myself still unable to get those things done.
The things I wanted to get done before the power went out, remain undone today; however, I did you use the time to organize a closet, read some magazines, and update some brochures.
What is it you wish you had more time for. If you found yourself with a day at home with no phone, TV, or Internet what would you do with the time?
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