Hoffman's Hideaway: Icepocalypse 2011 Hoffman Style

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Icepocalypse 2011 Hoffman Style

I enjoy snow. It's calming, relaxing and beautiful. I love watching it slowly fall to the ground. I even enjoy large amounts of snow falling, knowing for the first time ever, I don't really have to be out in the mess anymore.

Monday we had school and the news began rumbling about how we had an impending snow/ice storm. By Monday night, people were saying it was going to be catastrophic and they were calling in the National Guard. Seriously? The map looked much like this below.

We live in the mostly screwed part.

Snow = relaxing. Ice = panic. I began collecting emergency supplies, flashlights, candles, matches. I started storing water in every container I could find including filling bathtubs. I pre made the coffee because the news began saying we could be out of power for 7-10 days. Troy began rewiring the generator to make sure we had heat and we stocked up on gas. I did EVERY piece of laundry in the house. Somewhere in the back of my mind, memories from the ice storm in 1988 were rumbling around. Memories of being out of power for 10 days. We even brought Bo Bo our normally outside dog in the house. By Monday night, when the ice started falling, I was drinking wine and pondering the end of the world as we know it. I tucked the kids in, telling them I was sure we would not have power though the night.

Tuesday morning.... we have power. Woo Hoo, it's cinnamon rolls for all! Mama's getting on the treadmill before we lose power. News reports that the second round of ice is coming and it's gonna be worse. Cole was so happy we had power, he went to play x-box until his thumbs hurt. Shelby refused to leave the front of the TV for fear we may lose power if she quit watching.

Happy children with no school and power on!

Ya never know when you're gonna need your gold purse!

Yep! We still have Nick Jr. and PBS Kids!

Joy doesn't really seem stressed by any of this.

Bo Bo the wonder pet is pondering how long he's gonna get to sleep inside the house.

Tuesday Night..... ice falling, winds whipping, we tuck the kids in fully expecting to be without power at some point in the night.

Wednesday Morning.... We still have power. OK at this point, I am loading the dishwasher, draining the tubs, dumping pre-made coffee and pondering kicking the stinky outside pooch OUT! I can't decide whether I am relieved or disappointed. I worked HARD for this emergency! I made emergency food plans! I CLEANED for this!

The only thing left to go is go outside.

Going down the hill was so much easier than going up!

Troy has offered to go flip the main power off the house for me and run the generator for awhile, but it just doesn't seem quite the same. Troy was originally set to fly out to Duluth on Tuesday, but he's been working from home. I am hoping we (he) may actually get out of our house by Friday.

I LONG for Spring!

2 comments:

Nathan Roseman said...: I like how in one picture Cole is trying to see around you.; February 2, 2011 at 12:37 PM
lorabelle said...: If you want to experience life without power all you have to do is switch to Duke Energy, you won't be dissapointed! :)

Do you ever feel like you are bothering Joy when the flash goes off?; February 3, 2011 at 6:33 AM

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A Prayer for Children

A Prayer For Children

We pray for the children who sneak popsicles before supper,who erase holes in math workbooks,who can never find their shoes.
And we pray for those who stare at photographers from behind barbed wire,who can't bound down the street in a new pair of sneakers,who never "counted potatoes,"who are born in places where we wouldn't be caught dead,who never go to the circus,who live in an X-rated world.
We pray for the children who bring us sticky kisses and fistfuls of dandelions,who hug us in a hurry and forget their lunch money.
And we pray for those who never get dessert,who have no safe blanket to drag behind them,who watch their parents watch them die,who can't find bread to steal,who don't have rooms to clean up,whose pictures aren't on anybody's dresser,whose monsters are real.
We Pray for the Children who spend their allowance before Tuesday,who throw tantrums in the grocery storeand pick at their food,who like ghost stories,who shove dirty clothes under the bed,who never rinse out the tub,who get visits from the tooth fairy,who don't like to be kissed in front of the carpool,who squirm in church and scream in the phone,whose tears we sometimes laugh at and whose smiles can make us cry.
And we pray for those whose nightmares come in the daytime,who will eat anything who have never seen dentist,who aren't spoiled by anybody,who go to bed hungry and cry themselves to sleep,who live and move, but have no being
We pray for the children who want to be carried and for those who must,who we never give up on and for those who don't get a second chance.We pray for those we smother and for those who will grab the hand of anybody kind enough to offer it.

Our Pledge to our Children

The Parent's Pledge
I will set a good example for my child. I will show my children I love them every day through words and physical affection. I will listen to my children and let them know I value what they say. I will praise my child's accomplishments and efforts towards those accomplishments.I will have realistic expectations for my children. I will allow them to make their own mistakes and learn from those experiences. I will avoid being too critical or focusing on my child's shortcomings. I will encourage my child to meet new challenges and have new experiences. I will respect my children as individuals even if I don't always agree with them. I will enjoy my children and make time to share interests and appreciate one another. I will love my children unconditionally. I will let them know they are lovable, worthwhile and valuable human beings.