Into the Light



Last night our power was restored around 7:30 p.m.  Oh how very happy we were.  My husband and I were checking out and checking into a cheap hotel Tuesday and Wednesday.  I would come over to the house in the afternoon and start the task of throwing away food from the refrigerator.  Here are some thoughts and revelations I discovered:

-I love electricity, internet and indoor plumbing that works :)
-I do not do well under stress and become some what teary eyed and cranky (who me??)
-I found the most kind thoughtful people in unusual places, hotel lobby, restaurants to name a few.
-Kind words soothed my nerves and gave me a smile
-Neighbors-banding together, commiserating, sharing their stress-meant so much to me
-dare I say I see the glass half empty when there is no coffee and shower in the morning?

And now to my resolutions after the no power experience:

-I am not going to hoard food in the freezer and refrigerator.  As I threw away package and package of good food gone bad, I saw someone who is not menu planning and using up what is available at her fingertips.  Not doing that again.

-After eating out more times than I can count, I am ready for a detox of unhealthy food.  I'm thinking of a lentil soup with a tossed salad on the side.  Mmmm.  Yum!

Most of all I want to thank each and every one of you who commented and wished us well.  Your kind words and thoughts meant so much to me.  I am truly thankful for your friendship.  I am also thankful that our house is fine and overall we were spared any of the devastation that the east coast experienced.

I hope you have a lovely weekend :)

I will be visiting your blogs over the next couple of days, I missed my daily reads!!

Comments

  1. *kateNovember 2, 2012 at 8:50 AM

    It's amazing what a big difference showers and coffee (and just the usual morning routine) can make. I'm glad you're back home and back to normal :) Enjoy your weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  2. MelissaNovember 2, 2012 at 9:27 AM

    So glad you are home safe and sound and life is getting back to "normal." These experiences can be so trying but at least you can take them and learn from them...and share it. Have a great weekend...at home :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. little macaroon.November 2, 2012 at 9:35 AM

    You poor lady. As someone who's off caffeine and managing to grab a shower about twice a week (due to the newborn haze rather than Sandy) I sympathise with your teary moments. (However, I'm a fridge clearing obsessive and highly commend the virtues of an empty fridge at the end of the week, very therapeutic - even though I'm only eating carrots and babybel today!)

    ReplyDelete
  4. TamiNovember 2, 2012 at 9:50 AM

    So glad things are getting back to normal! Lentil soup sounds so yummy. Have a blessed day! Tami

    ReplyDelete
  5. Mama Gone GreenNovember 2, 2012 at 10:02 AM

    SO glad that you are home and things are returning back to normal!

    ReplyDelete
  6. DonnaNovember 2, 2012 at 10:06 AM

    I know I take my electricity for granted! A couple of days without definitely gave me a new perspective. I totally agree with the food hoarding. We were about 6 hours away from having to throw everything out. My husband was sick over it. But he is also the one who bought it all! No more of that....

    I keep seeing pictures of NY and NJ and realize how lucky we truly were. Have a good weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  7. michelle gdNovember 2, 2012 at 11:52 AM

    yay for restoration of your power!
    and a bigger yay for all your lovely reflections coming out of the experience...
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  8. debbyNovember 2, 2012 at 11:56 AM

    Hi Karen, glad to hear you are safe and well, I've been away for a couple of days but we've all been glued to news reports and concerned that so many people were affected by the awful weather on the East side...I hope your children didn't have any nasty experiences to cope with.
    Stay safe and sound and warm.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. karenNovember 2, 2012 at 1:30 PM

      The kids were fine they were west of us. My daughter had lots of rain and I don't think my son experienced anything unusual. Or he was oblivious :)

      Delete
    2. debby emadianNovember 7, 2012 at 7:14 AM

      He he...I suppose it's just a big adventure for the kids...they seem to see the same danger but I'm glad to hear they were far away and safe and sound.
      deb

      Delete
  9. UnknownNovember 2, 2012 at 12:09 PM

    So very glad you are home. Good insights for all, I think.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Lori annNovember 2, 2012 at 12:22 PM

    oh dear karen, what an experiance. i was away too, coming home to find the hurricane bearing down on the east coast, 2 of my children live in nyc. i began praying for everyone, everyliving (and nonliving) thing. and yes, kind words do always always soothe. take good care. xo lori

    ReplyDelete
  11. flyingjenNovember 2, 2012 at 1:53 PM

    So glad you are back in your house with power! We lost power for two days last Oct with a big snowstorm. It wouldn't have been a big deal except for the fact that our next door neighbors on both sides had power as did the folks across the street. We happen to be on the grid behind us. That was frustrating, so I know what your feeling.

    ReplyDelete
  12. pinkundineNovember 2, 2012 at 2:07 PM

    So glad you have power again xx

    ReplyDelete
  13. Tracey ~ CloverNovember 2, 2012 at 3:04 PM

    I am so glad you are home safe and sound Karen, and so sorry you had to go through all the stress that came with Sandy. How disappointing to have to throw away so much spoiled food, I would be in tears for sure. While I can most of my vegetables, I do have two chest freezers full of meat and seafood that would be a hardship to lose. I hope you have a chance this weekend to put your feet up, knit, read, nap, eat healthy and just relax.

    ReplyDelete
  14. tessNovember 2, 2012 at 3:04 PM

    I am so happy you are back and hope you enjoy cooking your first meal and eating it with the lights on! It sounds delicious and I'm sure it will taste even better after your adventures this week. :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. MistyNovember 2, 2012 at 3:13 PM

    It's funny how a working light switch and toilet can feel like such a relief. I'm so glad you're back safe and sound.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Lady CordeliaNovember 2, 2012 at 3:40 PM

    I was following up on you via Twitter. : )
    I am glad you are ok and home and that you found some sparks of brightness along the way, in people's kindness.
    I don't think many people "do well" ultimately, under that kind of stress. It's a great time to be thankful for all you have, as you are.
    I too feel so much for those people who lost homes and family members.
    XO

    ReplyDelete
  17. bookworm-MaryNovember 2, 2012 at 3:44 PM

    So glad you got your power back!! We do take quite a few things in our modern world for granted-- thank you for the reminder to appreciate what we have!

    ReplyDelete
  18. ShannonNovember 2, 2012 at 4:42 PM

    Yayyyy!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Darcel - the mahogany wayNovember 2, 2012 at 6:34 PM

    So happy you have power on again and that you are safe and warm. We don't realize how much we miss these things until they're gone.

    ReplyDelete
  20. embracingitallNovember 2, 2012 at 6:53 PM

    The clean up of the fridge and freezer is never fun after a long period of no power. Glad you are back in your own home with those comforts that modern day life provide us. Our power goes out on a regular basis here. Sometimes for long periods of time if we have had a big storm. I suppose it is the downside to living in a forest. Jacinta

    ReplyDelete
  21. UnknownNovember 2, 2012 at 7:57 PM

    Welcome home. glad you and yours are safe.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Kim November 2, 2012 at 8:13 PM

    So glad to hear you are home and things are returning to normal (whatever that is). Wishing you a lovely, peaceful weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  23. KristenNovember 2, 2012 at 9:19 PM

    Karen...I'm so glad you are back home! That's a tough spot to be. You made a great point about not overstocking. I may consider this, too. We moved from an area where the power almost never went out to an area where it supposedly goes out often. Maybe a generator purchase is in our future? Anyhow, enjoy getting reacquainted with your home and have a restful weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  24. stephNovember 3, 2012 at 9:16 AM

    so glad life is slowly getting back to normal!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. TannaNovember 3, 2012 at 3:15 PM

    A time without electricity and /or water brings into focus how MUCH we are accustomed to the ease of our lives... I am so glad things are BEGINNING to return to normal. I wish a peaceful, comfortable weekend for you and yours, Karen. blessings ~ tanna

    ReplyDelete
  26. meghannNovember 3, 2012 at 11:58 PM

    I'm so glad you're back - I've missed you! I'm glad things weren't as bad as they could have been, but sorry they were as bad as they were. And of course I'm happy that things are getting back to normal! xo

    ReplyDelete
  27. MJNovember 4, 2012 at 9:38 AM

    So glad to things are getting better, and I love how you turned a scary and stressful experience into a positive about what you learned about yourself!!! I have some scary memories of hurricanes in FL, but the best part by far was the community coming together, it's something that I won't forget :).

    much love to you Karen...

    xo

    ReplyDelete
  28. AnonymousNovember 4, 2012 at 10:50 AM

    So glad you have power! We lost power for just over two weeks during Hurricane Gustav and I had a newborn baby...quel nightmare.

    I say yes to lentils btw :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. EmilyNovember 5, 2012 at 6:21 AM

    Welcome back home! :)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment


Your comments are welcome as long as they are relevant to the post and spread joy, thank you for visiting and sharing your ideas.

Popular posts from this blog

Weekends

Image
My weekend happily contained: -wearing the above woolens all at the same time without being hot -so many walks and taking in the changing leaves. -a leaf shower on Saturday-the wind swirled the leaves off the trees up in the air to float down -changing screen savers to autumn themes! -a craft fair where my husband and I say "we could make that", but we don't. -french fries at the craft fair -scrambled eggs and toast for dinner because we were lazy. -football season has descended in my house. he was in the front room watching whatever is on today -I sat in the family room and watched A Tree Grows in Brooklyn .   Now I want to read it again. -Oh! I finished the socks!! So I wound up about six skeins of yarn and have three projects ready -started a cowl for me in fall colors (I hope to finish before fall ends) -enjoying Spirits of Joy .  Hannah graciously had a one day free sign up for her birthday at the end of September which I luckily saw on Twitter.  Than...
Read more

Happy List

Image
  - neighborhood pumpkins - my oak trees showing off - new friends at 'school' - Tai Chi hour - lunch out with my husband - cold morning walks - an unexpected warm up - all the fall knitting (imagined and real) - wearing wool - browsing knitting patterns - sister outings - dark chocolate - blue skies - neighborhood dogs - the kids coming to visit next weekend - the to-do lists that I am creating - afternoon reading (possible snooze) - apples! - soups! - hearing the breeze whisper through the trees - setting intentions - giving myself grace when I need it the most - solitude - grandchildren laughing - Holly being Holly - Blue skies - phone calls from family and friends - the kindness of others - assuming everyone is doing their best - drinking water and staying hydrated - hot decaf green tea in a BIG mug - first sip of coffee - geese flying in V formation and honking all the way (delightful!!) - Focusing on gratitude - focusing on joy  What would make your happy list?
Read more

Weekends

Image
  Good morning! How are you? How was your weekend? I had a great weekend but I didn't take any great photos. I've been wrapping presents a little bit each day instead of doing it all in one massive long day. This has made a difference in my joy as I wrap. Do you wrap all at once? Or do you do a little bit at a time? Miss Holly has been finding the sun spots and getting her 'tan' going. She is a sweetie. I have no idea what she is watching outside that window. She does that every day. My guess is probably birds or chipmunks but chipmunks should be resting now that it's super cold outside. Sadly I did not take any photos of my knitting, but I have been knitting! I continue to work on my husband's hat and I ripped out a pair of mitts I started (couldn't see the dark yarn with cabling) and started a much simpler pattern instead. Sunday was church then the laundry. I am getting excited for the upcoming holidays. The kids are coming back with the grandchildren and...
Read more