Wednesday, April 18, 2007

ELECTRICITY!!!

Trent and I just got back from a dinner/study date and lo and behold... we had electricity!! We weren't sure at first because all the cottages were still dark, because our neighbors moved out practically but we were hit with a wave of warmth since the thermostat was turned up when the storm hit a few days ago.

So long story short.. a bunch of rain on Sunday plus crazy winds on Monday knocked down a bunch of trees. So everyone was out of power. Then Tuesday, most of the town had power again, and today.. I think our four cottages and a couple gorgeous mansions were the only ones without power. But the gorgeous mansions all rented generators.. so we were the only ones. It was so interesting.. being without power. The first night we had a huge feast of scrambled eggs with all sorts of interesting leftovers. The "Mile Monday" crew (some first year biologists who run through the forest with us) took lots of perishables into their freezers generously. Poor Trent finally got his fabulous new lathe and we all helped him set it up but he didn't get to try it out because of the power situation. We went to Borders bookstore so I could get some studying in.

Tuesday, it was a bit more painful. We realized quickly that our water heater was powered by electricity and I took a frightfully cold shower in the morning. I relished in the plentiful hot water at the shower after our swim workout. Luckily, awesome friend Deirdre invited us over for dinner and the use of her laundry (we had washed, but not dried a load before the power kicked out.. ew). At home, we lit lots of candles and walked around wearing headlamps. As Trent reminded me, we often pay money to go camping, so...

Today.. it was all just getting a little ridiculous. Especially because everyone in the town had power but us! Everyone was very generous about offering us hot showers and warm meals, we definitely have some awesome friends. It was kind of peaceful though.. living so simply and realizing how when it is so quiet you can really hear the birds sing and you spend more time sitting out on the front porch. I had my hip hop dance class after work and Trent went on a run. We decided to go out to dinner and somewhere for me to study. And then, amazingly, our little cottage was all warmed up and raring to go when we got home. I am thrilled to have life back to normal, but do have to say I kind of miss the peaceful calm. But I won't miss having to shower at the gym!!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

So glad you are back in the 21rst century in your sweet cabin. It is deprivation that makes us appreciate what we so often have taken for granted but three days was too much for that lesson. Off to take the P for the exercise that she'll be deprived of the rest of the day as she's taken again to jumping fences! Love, Me

MrsEm said...

I have a feeling that Trent secretly loved this (except for the cold water). Rob would have been going nuts with all his survival and camping gear.

Good to hear you are back on the grid today :)