Monday, December 18, 2006

Candle light day and nights

The greater Puget Sound area lost power due to a severe storm for the past few days, which includes us. We were freezing, practically camping conditions. We had running hot water and cooking gas range with no power. Awesome combination for family get together. We did not have telephone, cell phone, no schools, and no work. Just get dressed like penguins with double layers, socks, sweaters and gather around the candle. We never prepare for emergencies like this unless we are in one. We do have flash lights, candles and match boxes- all in a secure place that even we could not find. We need to push up the garage door instead of switching the button, and drove to the nearest grocery store. It was a scary scene, most of the pine trees uprooted across the streets and branches all over the place. Finally got to QFC, the store was running on generators. Most of the gas stations were closed; the few that were opened had hundreds of cars in lines. There was no bread loaf left or the non-scented candles. We quickly picked what we could and back to home. We did manage to find a 9v battery and a radio to listen to what’s going on around. We don’t realize how much we depend on electricity. We spent a day and two nights with candles while we heard stories from my MIL and my MOM. We thank all those who put their lives on line to get our normal life back.

7 comments:

M (tread softly upon) said...

OMG! I never take these ppl seriously when they say prepare for emergenices. as though nothing could happen to us. But this scares me. Esp now. Gotta go get some emergency supplies this week. and glad you guys are okay.

Manchus said...

Oh gosh!! I always think I should prepare for emergency, but never got to it. This is like a lesson!! We live in Southern California and people here are always prepared for earthquake related emergency. One more thing on my list is preparing my will...i know it is wierd to do so when you are kicking and alive. But god forbid..worst case worst, I don't want my baby to be in the hands of social workers/govt. She better go to India with our family.

Hope both your little ones are doing okay with the cold.

Vivek Kumar said...

I can't imagine how bad it must have been. I guess it is better to be prepared for all kinds of emergencies.

Ratna said...

@M: Remember where you will place this emergency stuff:)

@Manchus: Oh yeah, it is very important to get your will done, especially if you have small kids.

@Vivek: Even I cannot imagine, since we got it back in two days, they are still 90,000 families who do not have power so far and they are expecting another storm thsi weekend. Hopefully everything will be fine.

Kumari said...

Gosh! That must've been tough. And here was I cocooned in my world oblivious to the weather anywhere but here :(

Thank God you guys are doing better now.

Anonymous said...

Oh sorry Ratna to hear this. Happy to know that you guys managed it.

Merry christmas!

Ratna said...

@Kumari: Compared to others (5-7 days power loss) we were back to normal quickly.

Anon: Thank you and wish you the same.