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I Wished For More Time...The New Hampshire Ice Storm Gave Me 48 Hours

By
Home Stager with Sharon Tara Transformations

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.

Ice Branches

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.

Trees Across Driveway

 

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.

Uprooted TreeTrees Across 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.

No Shopping

 

 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 InternetNo 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.

No TV

 

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. 

 No Gift Wrapping

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?

 

Comments (17)

Portsmouth NH Real Estate Agent - Rebecca Skane, Realtor®, e-PRO®
Keller Williams Coastal Realty - Portsmouth, NH

You took some great pictures!  I had the same feeling of being unproductive.  At one point my honey looked at me and said, "You just don't know what to do with yourself, do you?" because I was aimlessly wandering around the house trying to figure out what to do!  I was able to get some reading done when my son napped.  But you are so right on the mark, how frustrating!

Dec 15, 2008 02:23 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Rebecca:  Thank you!  I was a little nervous out there taking the pictures, it was pretty windy and I was afraid more branches were going to fall.  It was really pretty though!

 I hate to waste time and it was making me crazy that I couldn't use the time the way I would have liked.  I'm just a control freak! 

Dec 15, 2008 03:37 AM
Debi Ernst
St. Charles County, Missouri - Prudential Alliance Realtors - O'Fallon, MO
GRI, e-PRO, Broker/Sales Associate

Sharon - I'm sorry to hear about your power outage.  My parents had that experience not too long ago, so they stayed at our house for awhile.  Welcome back!  :)

Dec 15, 2008 04:06 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Debi:  Thank you, it is good to be back.  I was surprised at just how much I rely on the Internet!  I really missed not being able to visit AR.

Dec 15, 2008 06:17 AM
Steve Loynd
Alpine Lakes Real Estate Inc., - Lincoln, NH
800-926-5653, White Mountains NH

Sharon, This is a real tale of be careful of what you wish for?, The next time you think If I could stay home for a few days think of all I could get done..clear that thought from your mind.I hope it all turns out OK.

Dec 15, 2008 06:49 AM
Annie Pinsker-Brown
Stage to Sell - LA Home Staging - Los Angeles, CA
Stage to Sell, Los Angeles Home Stager

Sharon, what a harrowing situation for those not lucky enough to have a generator. We are so fortunate in Los Angeles to not have much "weather" per se (today is was about 60 degrees and I was so cold I had a hat, scarf & mittens on to go to the store)! I can't imagine the thought of that type of cold weather and no heat. Really makes you thankful. Regarding your question about what I could do without the internet I think I might go mad!! :) But seriously I would love the chance to organize a closet and start a new book. Of course if my kids couldn't get to school, the reality would be I would be trying to keep them occupied (without TV) and wishing we could get out of the house! Maybe some indoor ball games (or chasing each other around the house to get them worn out). Making hot chocolate with marshmallows and playing board games? Sounds kind of fun (for a day). But any more than that and I would start to go crazy. Glad you have power again!

Dec 15, 2008 08:20 AM
Mary Strang
Viroqua, WI

It was an amazing storm, hope all is back to normal up your way... The news has been filled with stories of all the cold and powerless in the North East.

Dec 15, 2008 08:32 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Steve:  Thanks, it already has turned out ok.  My power is back and I'm back to my "lack of time" schedule.  Hey, I'm just happy not to be one of the 100,000 still without power. 

Dec 15, 2008 09:47 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Annie:  Ironically, it was 60 degrees here yesterday too!  It was so beautiful, I took a long walk and there was a warm breeze.  The weather has gone crazy!  Having kids at home would put a damper on the "free day" experience.  Hot chocolate and marshmallows is a great idea, providing you have a way to heat up the hot chocolate.

Dec 16, 2008 04:14 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Mary:  It was so frightening to hear the trees falling in the darkness.  I'm so relieved none hit our house.  We really were very lucky. 

Dec 16, 2008 04:16 AM
Dona Reynolds
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Stein Summers - Saint Joseph, MO
St. Joseph MO

Sharon:  Thanks for sharing the New Hampshire story as I had been following the NO POWER out there for the last few days on the news.  St Joseph had that happen last year and it is not fun and very dangerous, we were without power for days.  We were blessed today with about 6" of snow and the temperature made it to a mere 8 today.  THAT IS COLD.... glad to hear you are safe and the generator was possibly one of the best things you could have ever done.  HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Dec 16, 2008 03:57 PM
Judy Tuscano
Prudential Verani Realty - Nottingham, NH
NH Real Estate Professional

Sharon - I am glad to hear you were able to weather the storm and give shelter to your daughter when her heat was out. We had heat but no running water for 4 days and no lights (no generator) It would be near impossible to read a book by hurricane lamp with my 50+ yr old eyes.

I am always flipping on that light switch???

Dec 17, 2008 01:46 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Dona:  You are right, it isn't fun.  It is exciting and kind of fun at first...like camping, the novelty wears off fast.  I'm not a "rough'n it" kind of girl.  I need my essentials and I'm a little cranky when I don't have them.  It is snowing today and more snow is expected on Friday.  I hope it doesn't mean more power interruption.

Judy:  Four days!!  My heart goes out to you.  My daughter got her power back last night so as of today we are somewhat back to normal around here.  I need to go out today and stock up on food since there is more stormy weather coming our way.  I'm really getting too old for winter!

Dec 17, 2008 04:37 AM
Ronelle Schroeder-Hill
Vacaville, CA

Hmm, well first I'm glad everything is fine with you and your home. But I would have gone stir crazy, not good at having time on my hands!

Dec 18, 2008 04:47 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Ronelle:  If I hadn't had the generator I would have gone mad!  We have a storm going on right now and another expected on Sunday...how is a girl supposed to do her last minute Christmas shopping around here?

Dec 19, 2008 11:18 AM
Dave Halpern
Dave Halpern Real Estate Agent, Inc., Louisville, KY (502) 664-7827 - Louisville, KY
Louisville Short Sale Expert

I recently sold a home with a standby home generator. Purchasing and installing an automatic standby backup home generator increases the value of the home. When reselling, buyers go ga-ga over homes with a generator, and the house will sell faster and for more than comparable homes without a generator.

Oct 01, 2017 09:11 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Dave Halpern  I certainly wish I still had one. The home I live in now doesn't have one and we miss the convenience.

Oct 01, 2017 12:22 PM