Recent winter ice storm in the Midwest

[my2boyz]

Has anyone checked in? How many others made it through the 'big storm'?? Actually, it's not over yet...there are still about 44,000 people just here in Decatur that are without power and the paper today said there were 230,000 people altogether that are out and, for most, that also means no heat. We're o.k. and just wondering how the other YTer's are doing. We lost power Thursday night at about 11:00 p.m. just when we were heading to bed and it's not back on yet. I watched the town across the lake disappear into the darkness when their power went out...that was weird! Thursday night, when the storm started, I boiled some water and filled the thermos so we could at least have hot chocolate or something if the power went out and I got out the candles and we each got a flashlight. My husband thought I was goofy because he kept saying the power wouldn't go out...well, lets just say he believes me now! Friday night he was on the couch under 3 blankets and wondered if we had more, I said all we had was the one for the boyz then I sat there for a minute and started laughing. He asked what I was laughing about and I said 'we're sitting here freezing and wishing we had more blankets and I'm sitting here staring at that 6 foot tall stack of quilts on the chair and there are about 60 more in the front room!' I guess we never thought about actually using our quilts! The thermostat read 40 degrees when we got up Saturday morning....brrr! Saturday morning I boiled water on the side burner of our gas grill and poured it through the coffee filter in the coffee pot to let it drip through so I had a fresh pot of 'brewed' coffee...the neighbors thought I was pretty inventive with that one! Our friend Mike was coming over that morning to help us drain the water lines and shut the main off because we were heading out to our son's house 85 miles away (the hotels are all full here) but instead he showed up with a generator for us to use and they even hooked it up and showed us how to use it...I gave them both a big hug when they were done! We're all fixed up with the generator and we have everything but the stove and clothes dryer so I use my crock pot, electric skillet and gas grill to cook. Actually, it's kind of fun...it reminds me of the camping trips we used to take when I was little! The trouble shooting team for the power company came up our hill this morning and I made my husband chase them down to get the scoop...they said it will be at least another 2 days before our power is restored...hopefully. On Friday we went looking for a propane heater but everyone was out so a man gave us one from his cart...he said he could get by with just one and then Mike brings us a generator the next day...I feel so blessed! The people here have been wonderful! Our friends in Florida said it would be cheaper for us to drive there and stay with them for free than it would be to stay in a hotel and they were right but we didn't want to leave and come home to the possibility of busted pipes so we stayed. We're still under ice and snow and without power but things are just fine here...we have wonderful neighbors who check on each other and share what they have to give...we're warm, we have food to eat and the boys are doing great. I just got a cup of coffee and looked out the kitchen window at the sunset...there were 7 dear walking through the trees on the ridge behind our neighbors house and they were so pretty against the snow and ice. See, there's good in everything! I hope you're all safe and warm too...now, go snuggle up with your Yorkies and have a hot chocolate...that's what I plan to do!

[YORKIEMOM2B2006]

wow, I just want to say I 'm glad you are making it through the storm ok...
we never did get anything other than rain and wind in Pa..
Take Care................

[Jenn218]

Wow! I hope everyone is nice and toasty and okay!

Our ice and snow storm wasn't bad......we still have ice and snow here on the mountain, but the towns are okay now. It is very bitterly cold though!

[FlDebra]

You have a fantastic attitude! It reminds me of post-hurricane living here. Course we are always sweating from lack of A/C instead of freezing. But generators are great and you really learn to appreciate the little things. Most of all it is so good to have people checking and helping each other. We always hear so much bad in the world but it is reassuring to see how people pull together when something like this happens. Take care and hope the power company has you back online soon!

[my2boyz]

Thank you YORKIEMOMTOB2006 and Jenn218. I've heard Central Illinois and the St. Louis area took the brunt of this storm...we didn't get hit as hard as others and it's bad here. There's not a street that doesn't have trees down and branches scattered all over and even hanging off the power lines in mid air...lines are hanging on the road and coiled up on the curbs. It looks like a tornado went through in some areas. Most businesses are open but you can't find a generator, chain saw or gas can for miles!

[my2boyz]

Originally Posted by FlDebra

You have a fantastic attitude! It reminds me of post-hurricane living here. Course we are always sweating from lack of A/C instead of freezing. But generators are great and you really learn to appreciate the little things. Most of all it is so good to have people checking and helping each other. We always hear so much bad in the world but it is reassuring to see how people pull together when something like this happens. Take care and hope the power company has you back online soon!

Thank you FlDebra...post hurricane living is exactly what we thought of here and especially after we saw the convoy of power trucks coming into town on the highway this afternoon...it almost makes you cry when you see those guys! Everyone kept asking us why we moved to here...everyone is so negative but we've found just the opposite and I say why not live here! Although, we really are thinking of moving back to Florida for the weather! We've seen some angry people and some very depressed people in the short time since the storm hit, so we just try to help who we can, offer them a ride somewhere if they need it, a little heat, a cup of coffee, hot chocolate or to cook a hot meal for those who don't have power, we let one neighbor shower here since she didn't have hot water and we've told a couple they can sleep here if they want...that's about all you can do until things are 'normal' again. I almost feel guilty having this generator after seeing the disappointment on the faces of those who couldn't get one at the stores and the neighbors head up the hill and see out lights and think they have power back but they don't so I'll share my little surprise blessing with my heighbors who need it too.

[bettyeanne]

You're not in Central Illinois .... you're in heaven!!!! So happy that you all are safe & warm, but most importantly, so willing to share with those less fortunate! God bless you all!

[my2boyz]

Originally Posted by bettyeanne

You're not in Central Illinois .... you're in heaven!!!! So happy that you all are safe & warm, but most importantly, so willing to share with those less fortunate! God bless you all!

Thank you...