"Everyone knows the more you wear pearls, little by little they become real....And isn't it the same with memories?" - The Madwoman of Chaillot

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

More steam!

Power went out about 5:30PM - supposedly due to the heat, Xcel Energy just wasn't ready for it evidently when all the air conditioners went on.

So Katie and I waited awhile - figuring out whether to try to make something to eat and what since we had no electricity and hated to open the refrigerator. Finally we decided to go out to eat - only to realize the garage door opener is electric and it was very dark in the garage and I wasn't quite sure how to disengage the motor anyway. So it was peanut butter sandwiches - untoasted, which really isn't as good!

So then after taking a few minutes to remember who the heck the power company is - I pay automatically online - remembered it was Xcel, texted Christina to find out the phone number and called. After probably 10 prompts to enter information I got a recording and found out 10:14PM was when the power would come on.  Actually it came on at 9, for about 30 seconds.

Took the dog for a walk and realized that nearby (a block away) Fridley had power, first time I wished I lived in friendly Fridley....

I had signed up on the phone to be notified on my cell phone if that predicted time changed but heard nothing.  So at 10:30  I called again and they said 11PM and that that update had been made at 8:30 - so much for their notifying me....

About 10:30 we gave up and went to bed - after alternately cursing the hot, humid weather and Xcel - and laughing about how funny it was that everything we thought of doing required electricity. So using my iPhone as a flashlight I went to bed. Woke up when the DOG alarm clock went off at 5:00 - still no power. Luckily it was lovely outside so we went for a walk and when I got back, power had just come on - and stayed for probably 3-4 minutes this time! Finally around 6:15 it was back on and still here after 30 minutes!

Since we are looking at 95 today, I'm hoping it stays...

So this morning, I get back online, eager to see what went on in my absence - turns out I didn't really miss too much.... :)

Monday, June 22, 2009

still around but way behind

Oh, so far behind here - I think I skipped our whole trip to California, daughter Christina's graduation, all the trauma in our cattery this spring, Katie's visit home and the new addition to the family (a dog).

So, will be doing some current stuff, some catching up.

Biggest current story is dog - trying to name him, dragging myself up at 5AM when he cries to go out, rescuing shoes and other non-chew-toy items from him. I'm walking LOTS more, he's a great exercise program, but I'm tired and don't get as much other stuff done as I should... This big boy is still somewhat of a puppy -  still full of energy, needing to chew a LOT with a very big mouth and still being housetrained...

Yes, its enough to make you wonder WHY you wanted a dog. But on the other hand, he's a very nice dog and will be some company and eventually even protection when I'm home alone. I guess I'm never home alone with a bunch of cats and kittens but that's another story coming soon.