We have officially lived through the ICE STORM.
It began on Thursday, January 28. We were out of school, expecting a little bad weather. It began with the freezing rain, early in the morning. The ice began to accumulate on our trees and electic poles. Suddenly, around 11 a.m., our power went out. "Ho-hum," we thought. "We'll just wait it out." The power is never out for very long.
All through the afternoon, we listened and watched as the branches began to drop from our tree in the front yard. About 1:00, we heard a huge CRASH, and watched as the power line to our house dropped into the street. At this point, my father-in-law was calling on the phone, "Are you sure you don't want to come out? I have gas heat!" We looked out our window. Our driveway was completely blocked by huge limbs that had fallen from the tree. YES, we wanted to come out to the country, but he'd have to come get us in his truck.
By the time he arrived, the weather had changed to sleet, which really stung as it hit our faces on the way across the yard. We brought with us the bare minimum of what we thought we'd need for a couple of days. (We didn't know it was going to be a WEEK without power!)
The first few days were actually kind of fun! The kids read their new "Magic Treehouse" books, and we played lots of board games. Sorry, Disney Monopoly, Mexican Train dominoes, and Blokus. PaPa played "High Card" and "Go Fish" with the kids with an old deck of cards. I even read "Dragonflight" by candlelight! :)
One afternoon when it was still cloudy but not raining, the kids took a ride on the Gator, just to see what the world looked like. It was CRAZY! It looked to me like a tornado had come through, but only hit the trees and powerlines. No wonder we were out of power. I also saw freezing fog for the first time I can remember. Now THAT is some crazy stuff!
The kiddos had fun sleeping in sleeping bags in PaPa's living room. And resting on his couches. Well, pretty much anywhere they wanted. :) Camping inside by the fire has its perks.
We were lucky to have the gas heater and gas stove. However, we didn't have running water, since PaPa's is well water. So, we brought in icicles to melt in a pot to wash dishes, etc. The kids really enjoyed their "icicle popsicles". :) And later, the guys drove into town to get water at brother-in-law's house. (Their family was smart -- they drove to Norman and stayed in a hotel until the power came back on. Although we were glad to have lots of space for the kids to spread out and run around in.)
Over the weekend, the kiddos both got sick. Both ran fevers of 100+ and son had a nasty cough. When they were able to get out and about, hubby & PaPa made a run to Walmart for medicine. (They feel fine now, thankfully.)
By Monday, the "togetherness" was too much. We honestly had no idea how long power would be out. Optimistically, they said by the end of the week. But in the country, it could be longer... So, we decided to head to Edmond to sister-in-law's house. Wow, how awesome is it to have a warm shower!! We also took hubby's grandmother to her sister's house in Midwest City.
Then, Wednesday, surprise surprise -- the power comes back on! Amazing! It's a miracle! So we made the trek home, and began the clean-up. Whew. Now things are back to normal...
Recommended Ice Storm Reading:
Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey
