when normal is interrupted

My normal bedtime routine was turned upside down August 29, 2014

"Jobs" that were Bill's are now mine

Friday 1:30 AM I began what has become my normal routine:

First interruption: Need to make sure dogs have unfrozen water 

Fill wood stove

Screen doors locked

Doors locked

Deadbolts locked

Porch lights off

Throws/blankets folded

End tables free of clutter

Computer plugged in

Lamps off

Tea mug to kitchen

Dishes in dishwasher

Table, counters, stove wiped

Fill Brita Pitcher- 

Second interruption of the night:

Water coming out of kitchen faucet is muddy brown,

That is NOT going in my pitcher

Oh well, too late to do anything, I will deal with it in the morning

Sub zero temps are forecast-

Third interruption:

Leave water dripping from faucets and tub so pipes don't freeze

Remember times of hanging blankets over doors to keep warmth in

Thankful for new windows and exterior doors

Brush teeth, etc.

1:45 AM Almost done

Fourth interruption: electric goes out, quit counting interruptions

Fumble for flashlight

Check neighbors houses-can't tell if it is just me 

Streetlights still on

Light a large candle for hall in case anyone gets up in the night

Light large candle for bar at bottom of steps for same reason

Wonder if neighbor is okay, hope she is snug in her bed, asleep

2:09 AM Call electric company-recording says 

"outages in...Grayson...power estimated to be restored by 9:30 AM check website for details"

Get computer-no Internet access, what in the world? 

Breathe

Ahhh, yes, no electric, no Internet

Try to use hot spot from phone, doesn't want to connect

Wake Sarah and family? No, they are all snug in bed, let them sleep

Grab special pillow from Tina Carper so I can attempt to sleep 

Shut doors to unused bedrooms, office and playroom

Fill wood stove

Thank God for stove and wood fairy

Pray for Vincent and other homeless people 

2:30 AM-3:30 AM try to get comfortable and sleep

3:30 remember one of grandkids flip beds is in playroom, retrieve

Check candles

Check dripping water

Grab another blanket

Finally sleep

Dark thirty AM-someone is outside stomping and banging

"Maybe Jonathan stopped to check on H/A unit"

Check phone, 5:38-too early for Jonathan, must find out who it is

Get up

Look out window, lineman is in the yard, on phone?

Hopeful, wait...

No electric yet

Add wood to stove

Doze in and out, it is getting colder

7:50 hear Kourtney's alarm

Move to couch, grab a different blanket

7:52 text Kourtney, "power out, don't shower"

7:53 text Kourtney "Don't drink the water, it was muddy brown"

Mental plan for meals- KCU Cafeteria

8:07 call AEP , power estimated to be restored by 1:30PM

8:15 text Andrew

They have power so we can take kids there when they wake up

Talk to Kourtney when he comes down

Kourtney leaves for work

Go upstairs and lay with Sarah and Willow

Talk, plan, rest, doze

10:00 kids get up

10:10 I get an invitation to go to lunch with friends

11:00 AM power comes back on

12:15 lunch for me at Mexican restaurant

1:30 return, realize that hot water in kitchen doesn't work

Check bathrooms and laundry room-all okay

Leave kitchen hot water faucet dripping

Hope and pray line does not freeze completely and burst

Check throughout the day, no change

Leave cupboard doors open with fan blowing warm air

Faucet still dripping, take that as a good sign, leave on

Since it is supposed to warm up through the night, line may thaw

Sleep in

Dress for day

11:00 AM Saturday-hot water in kitchen is working, praising God!

What did I learn? 

It is easy to take basic necessities for granted

I am better prepared for potential emergencies than I realized

I can stress and react or I can stop, take a minute and assess-

Is this an emergency or an inconvenience?

I can do what is necessary

Knowing you have people to call if you need them is reassuring

Hoping for the best rather than expecting the worst leads to much less stress