100 Day Blog Challenge – Day 4 – Keep On Truckin’…

And the Saga Continues…

It’s Day 3 of no power, and I feel like that’s all to discuss.  It’s kind of funny because when I decided to start this challenge, I really had some good topics that I wanted to share, but this darn winter and no power has taken over. 

GAH!!!

Oh well, I will go with the flow.

The last I heard, it was down to 1,800 customers still without power, but this experience has taught me some things:

1.  Make sure you have LOTS of batteries on hand
2.  Make sure you have matches/lighters on hand
3.  A better appreciation for what God provides
4.  Bonding time with the kiddos
5.  You become a MASTER of operating the generator

I must admit, when I first had to handle the generator, I was nervous and scared and a little of the “girl” on me started to creep out.  The challenge was using the crank because it’s so powerful, but now, it’s almost a walk in the park.  It still likes to put on a fight, but I ultimately prevail!!!



UPDATE – Two minutes after I posted my blog, the power came back on.  {Insert happy dance here!!!}

The kids went back to school today…the kids went back to school today!!!  I only had ONE at home with me!!!  That may sound a little harsh, but after having them home for March Break two weeks ago and then home since last Wednesday because of storms, that’s a little too much child for me to handle on my own.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my kids, they are my life, but they can be TOO MUCH sometimes, and having that little break keeps me sane.  I’m pretty sure my fellow Moms can relate to what I’m saying.  And there’s nothing wrong with needing and wanting some alone time.  It’s necessary and something that I need to work on more and plan to incorporate better in my daily routine.

Just Decide

I listened to a great training call from an amazing leader in our company who is also a Mom and hearing her story again really helped me put things into perspective.  All too often, we (at least I) tend to complicate things instead of just keeping it simple.  Everything always comes down to making a decision.  Once you do, things will fall into place.  It’s the Law of Attraction at its best and when I simply decide what I want, it’s amazing how the right doors open and the right people come into my life.  

So, I’ve made the decision…I’m moving forward and those who wish to follow on this amazing journey, great.  For those who choose not to, step aside.  There are plenty of people out there who are looking to make a change in their life.  Tired of the same hum-drum routine, and willing to do what it takes to go after what they want and have the life they deserve.

So, how about you?  What’s your decision?

Let me know your thoughts on what you’ve been reading.  Comment below, share your feedback.  I welcome all comments and will respond to you.  I appreciate you taking the time to learn more about me and read my thoughts.

Thanks for reading, and I will see you tomorrow for Day 5.

100 Day Blog Challenge – Day 3 – Another Day, Another Storm

Turning Lemons into Lemonade

I gotta say, waking up on April 1st to a SNOWSTORM and Day #2 without power was not exactly what I was hoping for.  I mean, talk about a mean April Fool’s joke. Needless to say, my morning didn’t start off right, but looking back on the day, it’s not that it didn’t start out right, I CHOSE to not make it start off right.

Isaac

So, this has been Day 5 of no school for the boys, we’re all going stir crazy and it just felt like everything was being dumped on me all at once.  My goodness, I mean, REALLY? REALLY?!?!!?  It just seemed to be one of those days.

And then, I decided to take out my camera.

Elijah

You know, I always find solace when I have my camera in my hand.  It just seems as if all the problems melt away.  To conserve the use of my generator, I’ve been turning it off throughout the day (and to also save on gas since I only have a limited supply.)  Well, I turned the generator off around 5pm, and as soon as I did that, the sun came out.  It was the first time in a long time that I’ve seen the sun.  I just had to get my camera.

So, I started shooting.  What did I start shooting?  Some scenes of the outdoors, and then I turned the camera on my muse – my boys.

Brotherly Love

Justus

It’s always a fun time capturing my boys on film, whether it’s still life or video.  They’re very willing subjects, but then again, what kid ISN’T willing when it comes to a camera.  They let me shoot them in the evening light as the sun was going down and it was just a lot of fun.  I’m not sure how many pics I took, but I just kept shooting.  I got some pretty amazing shots of the boys and it made me realize that there are so many things we can control in life.  The weather is NOT one of them.  So, instead of bitching and complaining about it, just make the most of it.  Yes, the power’s out, and that’s no fun.  It’s still snowing and it’s April, the boys have been out of school for a week and my schedule has been turned upside down.  But, these are things completely out of MY control, so just go with the flow.

And that’s exactly what I did.

Instead, I chose to focus on what I could control and that is MY attitude and reaction to things.  Sometimes it takes me a while to realize these things, but when I do, it usually sticks.

Yeah, it’s all worth it!!!

Not sure what tomorrow will bring, but according to the weather, things should be looking up for our neck of the woods, and I hope it’s true.  If it turns out to be another snow day for the boys, we’ll make it work.  That’s all we can do.  Hopefully the power will be back on, but if not, we’ll make do.  We’ve been doing pretty well so far.

But, that doesn’t mean I can’t have visions of warm weather and a bit of tranquility every now and again either, right?  No, I didn’t think so.

100 Day Blog Challenge Day 2 – The Winter That Keeps on Giving

Another Day, Another Storm

Well, this has been the winter that just won’t end!!!  My goodness, to say that we’ve had quite the winter would be an understatement.  This morning around 7:45, the power went out.  It’s been teasing us all week, and hubby and I talked about being prepared just in case.

Just in case came today!!!

View from my back yard this morning. The ice man cometh!!!

I heard on the radio that about 18,000 customers are without power.  I also saw on the internet some power lines that have been snapped due to all the ice build-up.  Goodness gracious, this is too much!!!

Man, oh man, I’m not gonna lie, I am SO TIRED OF WINTER!!! Getting that generator started was no walk in the park, so I had to call on my neighbors to help.  

Thank goodness for friendly neighbors. John came over and had to take the darn thing apart because it started to spark (which it shouldn’t do.)  Turns out, there was a part loose, so he pulled a MacGuyver on the generator so that it would be easier to turn on and off.  A few hours later, they called to check in and find out if we needed any extra gas for the generator, just in case.  Oh, another sigh of relief.  He filled 2 jugs for me and no joke, not even 10 minutes after he brought back the jugs, the generator stopped. Why?  It ran out of gas!!!

So much ice, the branches are bending.

Thank goodness for friendly neighbors, especially since hubby’s working out West.  

So, the boys have been out of school since last Wednesday, due to storms.  It started storming again and it looks like we’re in for another 10cm overnight and maybe more snow tomorrow.  Really?  Seriously?  Tomorrow’s April for crying out loud!!!

So tired of winter!!!

The boys have been good sports about the whole thing, even though I know they’re ready to climb the walls.  Oh wait, they’re already doing that – HA!!!  I know I’m climbing the walls.

Icicles formed on our satellite dish.

I gotta say, I’m pretty proud of myself and I usually don’t toot my own horn.  But, gosh darn it, hubby’s on the other side of the country, we’ve been dealing with back to back storms and for the most part, I’ve been handling this on my own. Some days I lose it, not gonna lie.  But, knowing that there are people around looking out for us if we need them is a big sigh of relief.

Now, if someone would just turn off winter and hit the spring switch!!!

The winds have picked up and I’m sure we’re in for a doozy tonight.  The crews from Maritime Electric have been going non-stop since this morning working to restore power.  Many thanks to all those workers out there doing everything they can to turn the lights back on.  We’re pretty fortunate, some aren’t.  Please take a moment and pray for all the workers out there and for anyone who may be in the dark and/or alone. I’ve come to realize that nothing should be taken for granted because life can turn on a dime, just like that.