In the summer, you'd think Edison would tell you that they are turning off the power for a whole day!
They did, I guess. In a letter. Last month. Which my husband opened and put "near" my computer (which is a laptop, and by nature of being a laptop, moves WITH me). I did not see this letter.
Sometime between when I left for the gym and when I got home, the power company had errected a giant crane (how do you fix electricity with a crane?), had pulled in about 12 trucks and about 25 workers had descended upon our neighborhood. I guess we had a problem.
The power was going to be turned back on again at 5pm. I envisioned a sweaty nap for my toddler, a bored afternoon for my six-year-old (who usually watches a dvd or plays on the computer during her sister's nap), and an uninteresting day for me. Not only that, without lights and in attempt to keep the upstairs cool, we shut all the blinds. We weren't able to see much.
However, we did learn a few things:
- With the TV off, kids figure out what to do very quickly. And they are creative.
- Board games are much better than watching Mr. Rogers.
- With the house quiet, I found myself thinking more, and praying more too.
- Although, when it is too quiet, I have to keep a closer eye on the girls. Renewed creativity also led to one of them biting the other to keep her sister away from her things. I will name no names.
- I was forced AWAY from the computer. I read no blogs. I answered no emails. I ended up reading to the girls instead.
- And then, get this, I began a project I had been been putting off for almost 6 weeks. I sat down and just started it (this, incidentally, is when the biting incident occured).
An hour and a half early, at 3:30, the ceiling fan began to spin, the light in the laundry room clicked on and my alarm clock blinked "12:00". I yelled at the girls that if they wanted to watch a DVD, the power was back on.
Nothing.
I yelled again. Still nothing.
They were too engrossed in the world they had created without electricity in the warm dark afternoon of Hope's room.
I should ask Edison to shut off the power more. I'll get more work done, the girls' creativity will be spurred, and I might even catch a quiet moment to myself.
11 comments:
We had a power outage about 2 weeks ago and I thought I might lose my mind---but it ended up OK with books, candles and dinner out. So glad they enjoyed it.
I think I'd enjoy my power going out, but not during June, July and August :)
March or October, maybe?
Although we haven't had the power go out this summer (thank God!)...I can relate to letting it all go and getting back to the simple things. Recently when we were on vacation, there was little if any contact with T.V., Radio and computer and it was amazing! Would I want it that way always...oh no! But it works for every now and then!
I love this. It's all too easy to be reminded that sometimes we need to live without the pleasures of today. Pleasures that we sometimes mistake as "necessities."
my boys love when the power goes off. I on the other hand worry about things like that. Glad the girls enjoyed their quiet time..you too.
i'm with cindy!
this is one reason we like to stay at B & B's when we travel...no TV or internet.
sounds like y'all handled it well!
"I will name no names."
well, at least you narrowed it down to the two of them, and excluded yourself from the list of possible suspects.
sneaky sneaky woman!
yeah, i figured if these stories are for posterity then i won't throw either one under the bus. =)
what a fun day! i am glad you all enjoyed yourselves. i think there should be power outages a few times a year so we can live without all the distractions in life (since I have no will power to stay away from email or blog reading or writing). a great excuse to stay in jammies, play games, read, and take some naps :o)
It kind of makes you wish there was a mandatory power outage once a week or something.
And you all thought I didn't pay the bill! Now that would have been fodder for an entirely different post.
:-)
Post a Comment