Winter Storm Potpourri

All you could hear throughout the day was snapping and cracking sounds. The visual of it was almost surreal. Everything was white or glassy looking. Ice was everywhere. The power had went off in the early morning hours so we mainly stuck around in the living room and just watched out the windows. Limb after limb struck the ground and I prayed that none would hit our house.

The following is what I thought about and the things I did during those days:

- I enjoyed playing cards and games with my girls and my nieces and nephews. I got to teach a few of them Rummy and it reminded me of when I was a little girl and would sit around playing with Joyce (which I pronouce JOY-CEE). We would play for hours. The kids really enjoyed it too.

- I was quite amazed at my attitude during the whole thing. Even my kids were and commented on it, so I know it is not all in my head. I felt such a peace about me. From the day it started, I just kept telling myself that God was in control and He would take care of us. For me, it was like camping, but without the tents and being outside. Or even playing house when I was a child. My dad built us a building in the back acre and we had furniture and even a wood stove in there. We would use that as our house and do everything there ... but without power.

- It seemed I could not get back in the Word like I wanted to before this happened. I was always busy. I just couldn't find the time. But, with no tv or internet to keep me occupied, I started reading my Bible daily again. I am currently in Romans (which I love!).

- I saw some really ugly behavior during this whole thing. Some of it was almost more than I could deal with. I also saw some exemplary behavior as well ... people jumping in and helping people and really putting the needs of others before their own.

- I go to church with some of the sweetest people on earth and I am blessed to know them. They truly exemplify the teachings of Christ. They will give you the shirt off their backs if they think you need it.

- I loved not having tv or internet and getting away from all the ugliness online ... especially amongst the brethern. The more I get into the Word of God, the more I feel that there are a lot of Christians far too concerned with promoting politics and political parties ... and do not concern themselves enough with spreading the Gospel and living a life that honors God. And, the more I read them ... the more it affects my walk with God and taints my attitude.

- I didn't miss my blog at all. Nor Facebook. Especially, Facebook. Right before this happened, a member of our church took issue with the fact that my husband supports Barack Obama and the rhetoric got really stupid. All I could think was that the enemy must be jumping for joy.

- I also realized that it is really not in someone's best interests to attack my husband. I can get a bit snippy when such things happen. I love my husband immensely. I do not like anyone trying to make him feel stupid, less than, or "unChristian" ... and I don't tolerate it well either. My husband is a wonderful man with the kindest heart you will ever meet. He loves the Lord and serves Him faithfully. And, I am very protective of him. It is taking some work for me to get past the whole thing. 

- NoNo took her first steps two days ago! She took four whole steps before landing on her booty. It was so cute! I just had to get that in there. :)

- I have really developed a dislike for people who think they are better than other people, that their kids are better than other people, that they know everything, that they are "more" Christian, and so on. They aggravate me so much. Their whole attitude irritates me and I don't even like being around them.

- Anal people also irritate me immensely and remind me why I tend to be antisocial at times. They can kill a good time! Just note ... anal people are not people like me who cannot stand to see people touch food that other people will be eating. That is not being anal. That is being hygenic and it is really, really gross when people do that!

- When something like this happens ... you really find out who your friends are, who really cares about you, who you really care about, and what you and they are made of. It can be great ... and it can be a bummer.

- I have a Nelson's NKJV Study Bible (which I love!) and while reading on Romans I finally understood the whole Arminianism vs Calvinism thing and realized that I lean toward the Arminian school of thought. :) 

- I really loved the peace and quiet. No tv. No internet. The kids went to their friends for a few days and I would just sit here in the quiet. NoNo would be asleep and Bryan would be at work. It was glorious. I loved how calm it was. How peaceful. I could read my Bible in peace. I could talk to God for hours. It was awesome.

- The main two things I missed was hot water and the ability to wash my clothes. You don't realize just how much you take those things for granted until they are gone. And, not taking a shower regularly made me feel bad. Once I got a shower ... I felt like a million bucks!

- We were so lucky to have heat in the house. We had just had our propane tank filled not even a week and a half before this hit. When it was filled ... we might have had four days worth of propane left. Without the propane ... we would not have had any heat at all.

- The only tv show I missed was The Biggest Loser. I have now missed three episodes of it. My husband missed Law & Order (SVU & Criminal Intent). He is a Law & Order junkie and I think he finally succumbed to withdrawals.

- When we came home from Wal-Mart and found out that our power was back on ... I did a happy dance all over the house while singing, "we got power! we got power! we got power!"

- When I was a child, I daydreamed of having a log cabin far into the mountains. So far that I would have to drive 25 miles just to find another human being. In my dream, I owned a jeep and I was a forest ranger. I was surrounded by animals. I had my very own wolf-dog. I had a fireplace and a wall that held nothing but books. And, I slept in a big old feather bed with a real homemade quilt on it. For some reason I thought about that a lot while the power was out.

- My husband is the most awesome griller ever. Between my cooking and his grilling ... we could have a restaurant and make a killing. I would cook all those good comfort foods. You could come in and order your meat and your drinks ... then ten bowls of sides would automatically come to your table with bread and butter to boot. Meat loaf, pork chops, fried chicken ... I am telling you! People would stand in line to eat. :)

- My cellphone died so I am not updating my twitter at this time ... at least not by phone. I am hoping to have a new phone by Friday. In the meantime, I will update it when I am online.

- I lost six pounds in ten days. That really surprised me. We did ration food for a few days because we did not know when the stores would open and the ones that did were only taking cash ... but we ate three times a day and we had a big meal every night.

- I got really tired of potted meat and I never thought I would see the day! I loved potted meat. It was one of my guilty pleasures. You know you shouldn't eat it! Who knows what is even in it! But, I still loved it and now I really don't even want to look at it. LOL!

- MRE's aren't bad at all ... at least the ones we got. My favorite has tuna in it, a fruit cup, a cookie, breakfast bar, and a bag of M&Ms with peanuts. All I eat is the tuna, fruit cup, and the cookie. They came in real handy too for the kids.

- It is amazing how society shuts down in a crisis. When this hit, grocery stores would not open. Banks would not open. We couldn't cash our payroll checks. We couldn't even withdraw money from our bank account for days. Finally, a few brave stores opened up and allowed people to shop and pay cash. Some allowed checks, but not many. Some would only let in so many at a time. Some put a limit on how much you could buy. Wal-Mart had an associate go with you everywhere in the store. It was even crazier at gas stations. Sometimes we waited over two hours just to get gas. 

So ... four days without my cellphone. Ten days without power. Fifteen days without cable television or internet. We grilled. We ate sandwiches ... lots of sandwiches. We listened to the news on the radio. It was truly an experience and I learned a lot from it. I am worn, a little tired, somewhat frustrated ... but all in all ... I came through it with flying colors. I have a new love for the Word of God and I feel my relationship with Him is getting back on track.

We are blessed beyond measure and our God is so good. There are not enough words to express that. There really isn't.