Happy Luau

Monday, January 23, 2012

Snowmageddon 2012

Hello to everyone; I have been snowed in here in south Puget Sound for the past several days. I'm sure it's been on the news--"Snowmageddon" is what everyone here is calling it...I guess we were some of the worst hit here. My blog has been posting away posts that I've scheduled in advance, and so I'll catch up with it, your blogs, and your emails here in the next few days or so.

We've had no power for about a week. I'm very fortunate to have a propane generator so it means I have toilet facilities and water, a few lights, a microwave, and hot water in one bathroom--this puts me way ahead of most people out here. I also have limited heat from a wood stove.

I got my phone service back Saturday--this made a big difference. And my Internet came back yesterday so I'm dashing this off to let you know that I have not disappeared, just have been cut off from the world in a blanket of snow, wind, ice, and stormy weather. When propane runs out (soon) I'll finally have to evacuate, but keep hoping that the power comes on before that.

Because of our forested location, we're among the last to get power back. According to our electric company, there are only 53,000 people left and I'm in that group.

We had slight damage: a large tree limb falling on our house, narrowly missing a huge window (the one in my nook) but causing a bit of damage, gutters, trim off, broken railings, etc. And we lost our fence that goes around the property, several trees, and our chicken run collapsed. We are very fortunate because it could have been much worse. There are stories of people whose houses were cut in half by the huge trees that fell in this storm. And we are fortunate because we have insurance which will pay for most of the damage less a big fat deductible.

The things I missed the worst were not the heat nor the hot water nor the stove nor the television. The things I missed were:
(1) You, my community (gosh did I feel alone),
(2) Being able to go outside and walk and move around, and
(3) All of the people that I usually see and interact with every day.

The last one surprised me because I wouldn't have thought that, since I'm so introverted. But you know, my car hasn't been driven in 11 days! I've had a few visitors, thank God, but have been in the house the whole time. LoveHubbie is going to take care of the driveway so that I can get out tomorrow (I have no chains or four wheel drive) and I'm really looking forward to it.

I've missed you and it's good to be back in touch.

14 comments:

kate i said...

Wow, Olivia...the p.n.w. coast area and your area in particular really got hit hard with this storm. We've been in the interior so although we had really, really cold temperatures, we only had about 6 inches of snow in total. I know what you mean about feeling housebound too...Bob is pacing the floor right now and we're both chomping at the bit to get out for a walk which we'll do for the first time in 11 days! I'm sorry that your place received some damage but luckily it all sounds fixable.

I'll think of you (when LoveHubbie has the driveway cleared!) sipping a java at Mud Bay Coffee as you rejoin the world. Good to see you back online...I had a feeling you were experiencing some weather related difficulties.

patti said...

Can't imagine all that snow!

Glad all is well with you and hope that the weather settles down soon. Enjoy your chance to get out and about and take care!

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness! I am SO glad that you are back! I have been thinking about you and praying that things were ok. I hope you get your power restored quickly!

Anonymous said...

Oh, yes, I heard about that snowfall! I don't have TV, so I'll admit I didn't get a lot of news about it, but I did think to myself, "I wonder what Olivia is doing with all that snow." It never occurred to me that it would mean power outages, but of course it would. Duh! I hope you can get your utilities back on ASAP. Did you have enough food in the house for eleven days? I would not have.

Olivia said...

OH, thanks, kate! Yes, the muscles get stiff and cramped don't they, when you can't get out and move them? Or even move about the house, do laundry, do housework, etc. I just stay near the fire. I hope your walk was good :)

And you're right, it's all fixable.

It's GREAT to be back online!

Peace and happy walking, xoO

Olivia said...

Patti,

I know, you are so warm there. Thanks so much, Patti. I appreciate you, xoO

Olivia said...

Thanks, Kristine, I SO appreciate your prayers! I hope so too, and that the propane makes it :) Peace and happy creating, xoO

Olivia said...

Oh my Kelly, it has really been something. Some people are really hard up. Things like going out in this weather and going to the bathroom in the woods (because of not having water to make the toilet flush), not having power for medical equipment, people with babies...I have been on the utility company's website and there are downed lines that they haven't yet fixed, even though the storms started over a week ago.

Food is no problem at all. I have enough food here to last for weeks and weeks (I have a pantry). However, I have a deep freeze for frozen meat that is powered by the emergency propane and that will be at risk.

We are some of the very fortunate, though, and I keep trying to remember that.

Today was my anniversary and the main thing I wanted to do was ensure my supply of wood so that I'll be warm until the propane gives out. LoveHubbie accommodated me and I have enough wood now for even more than a day.

"Keeping the home fires burning" really takes a lot of work, from obtaining the wood, to chopping it, to drying and seasoning it...(all previously done)...to stacking it in the woodshed (thank you Angela!)...to hauling it into the house (thank you LoveHubbie!)...to keeping it burning (that's me!) by getting up every three hours or so to restoke.

Whew...this is shaping up to be a blog post!

Peace and love, Kelly, xoO

Kate Robertson said...

Oh I am glad to hear you are OK and have power back and all the good stuff. It sure make you appreciate life.

Suzie Ridler said...

Good grief, that all sounds horrible! I am glad you have some moments of realization to help make it a little worthwhile but still. I am so glad you are OK and have power back my friend.

CrystalChick said...

So glad you are okay and suffered minimal property damage. I didn't realize it was so bad out there. I'm sorry for those who were much less fortunate.
Welcome back, hope things get back to normal for you all soon.

We only had a little bit of snow last weekend and some ice but then the temps went up and it rained so you'de never know we had anything at all. I'm sure more is coming eventually. We're not remote at all though so even when we get blizzards we're dug out and hubby's back to work within a day or two. Electric for some in the state is out for awhile but we've been lucky to only lose it for a few hours.

Stay warm and well, Olivia. Thinking of you. :)

Olivia said...

Kate,

It does indeed make you appreciate life, that's for sure. We have so many blessings we forget every day. Thanks Kate, xoO

Olivia said...

Suzie,

Yep it was pretty horrible and the cleanup has just begun! I don't much care as long as I have power, which is all I feel like I need for a happy life :) It helped a lot to realize that so many people had it so much worse than we did; then we felt fortunate.

Thanks, Suzie,
xoO

Olivia said...

Thanks so much, Mary. I'm glad that you had a mild winter. In the east, people are ready for snow. The cities/counties or whatever are prepared. We are so not here, which is sad. Thanks so much, my dear, xoO