Got power back here about three hours ago, lost it Monday morning. Had several hundred year old trees on neighbor's property embed themselves in my garage roof, spent fourteen hours cutting them up and tarping garage. Always thought I was fairly well prepared, did not participate in the mad about town Monday shopping frenzy that left shelves bare.

Still have plenty of food, was running low on propane however--almost lost the parakeet over fuel rationing.

Had hot water the whole time, was a blessing. Still, if the power hadn't been back tonight, DW and DD2 would've been staying at my father in law's (he lives next to a power plant, never a burble in the go juice).

Still, temps in house last night got down below forty deg. farenheit. Natural gas furnace, electric blower with gas safety shutoff.

No generator. Have been trying to convince DW we needed one since the last ice storm, I have a feeling she's ready to listen to me now

Future plans for house now include a fireplace or wood-burning stove.

All of the strife in the household would have been eliminated if the girls had let me take them "camping" in the living room rather than trying to pretend the entire house was a viable living space.

Anyhow, on a tip overheard via neighboring cell phone conversation, I managed to restock on propane, which was my only real worry.

Now I need to figure out a way to wash, dry, and iron clothes (I hate ties...dang dress code) the next time this happens