let there be light (and electricity)

Last Friday when I woke I was hoping the electricity was back on.  Unfortunately, it was still out.  I called the electric company and I was told it could still be another 24 hours without electricity.  The boys woke up and were equally disappointed.

"What are we going to do today without the power?" asked the boys.  "When is the power coming back on?" they questioned.  "I am not sure boys," I replied.  "We'll figure something out," I told them.  I couldn't heat up their normal breakfast (pancakes) in the microwave, so I offered them cereal or Pop Tarts.  SJ opted for the cereal and Bob opted for the Pop Tarts. 

Before the electricity had gone out, I had scheduled a friend to come over.  I wasn't sure if I could still have him over.  It was too wet out and they couldn't play their video games without power.  I have an "old-fashioned" phone that I keep for emergencies.  I used that phone to call the boy's mom.  I wasn't sure if she had electricity or not.  Many people in our community had lost their power.

The boy's mom still had her electricity.  When I told her that I didn't think I could have him over due to the lack of power, she kindly offered to have the boys over to her house.  I asked her if she was sure.  I knew she was going to be busy packing for her upcoming vacation.  She said she didn't mind.  She said the boys would keep her son busy while she got her packing done.  I asked her if she minded if we brought our I Phones and IPods over to be charged.  She said that would be fine, so I was very grateful.  (I was down to a half of a bar on my cell phone.) 

Before we made it to her house, I took the boys to McDonald's for lunch.  I couldn't really cook anything at home, so I thought it would be a good solution.  (Plus, we had no air conditioning and I knew it would be cool in McDonalds.)  After lunch, the boys and I ran two errands before making it to our friends' house. 

She told me I could leave the boys at her house if I needed to do anything else.  I ran to the grocery store for get more ice and then to the hardware store for oil for the hurricane lamp.  I was crossing my fingers that I wouldn't need either of these items when I got home.  I picked up the boys and thanked our friend for having them. 

When we got home, we were still without power.  I called the electricity company one more time, but the information hadn't changed.  The boys started playing Sorry Spin.  They played a few rounds of Sorry Spin.  I was listening to them play and they were having a great time.  I was contemplating what I was going to make on the grill (trying to spare some food that I was sure we were going to lose) when the power came back on.  Oh my goodness.  I was so excited!

Twenty six hours after the power went out, it was back.  We were so happy!  The boys were as excited as they are on Christmas morning.  So, normalcy was returned to this very modern, techno friendly family.  I will say it was nice to take an electronics break, but twenty six hours is way too long!