Total bliss!
By Humbug25
@Humbug25 (12540)
January 18, 2009 12:42pm CST
There was no tv on, no PS2 making a racket, no radio blurting out it's half hourly news bulletin, no phone ringing there wasn't even the sound of the fridge freezer buzzing as it's motor ran. It was blissfully peaceful. There was a bit of a storm last and at about 5.30pm my electric got cut off right in the midst of cooking dinner. That was just fine as the cooker runs on gas so I was able to continue. A worried, kind neighbour, who still had electric, ran over with extra candles, matches and some large torches and phoned the electric company for me as I had no phone line either. He came back 5 minutes later to say that it should be back on within 12 hours. That was ok by me, just a little bit worried about the food in my freezer. The evening then compiled with my kids of blowing out the candles and relighting them again, reading, tickling, making shadows on the walls from the light of the candles and running around the house after each other with torches!! When they went to bed I simply read for a while and did a few puzzles from my puzzle book by candle light and then got a much needed early night. At 12.30am the house lit up like a Christmas Tree as the electric supply was reconnected and I woke with a start and rushed around to turn everthing off!!
What do you do during a power cut? How do you entertain your kids?
4 people like this
19 responses
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
18 Jan 09
i'm miserable when the lights off. i'm ver spoiled to electricity. lol of course i'm by myself so that may be part of it,sounds like y'all had a pretty good time. that's great.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
19 Jan 09
you would have beeno.k. i'm sure. believe u got what it takes.
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
19 Jan 09
Hi ANTIQUELADY
It did also mean I couldn't get onto myLot too but it does do you good to have a break from certain things now and again eh? I am not sure what I would have done if I were on my own, maybe walk the streets looking for kids to run around with a flash light with!!!
Trouble is I might get reported for doing that!!
Thanks for your response 
Trouble is I might get reported for doing that!!
Thanks for your response 1 person likes this
@agirlfromtomorrow (290)
• Egypt
19 Jan 09
I love it when the power is cut off. it gets really peaceful. we light a candle sit together and talk , in today's busy world that is a real gift. we are not busy watching TV,or being on the computer.
but Sometimes when we can't find any candles we'd stay in total darkness, something about talking in darkness is really liberating.
2 people like this
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
18 Jan 09
Hi there Shar19
Well I managed to get stuff done regardless of the lack of light and electric available until it was time for the kids to go to bed and they all slept together in the same bed. It was so sweet but I knew it was the eldest that was more scared than the others but I told him he was sleeping with his brothers so they wouldn't be frightened! Bless him.
Thanks Shar
@apples99 (6556)
• United States
18 Jan 09
Well usually during a power cut, I wait anxiously for the power to cut back on LOL but it seems like you kind of enjoyed the lack of power and the pace and quiet you sound like my mom shes usually pretty clam during a power outage and even a little relaxed by the lack of noise, but not me I typically cant wait for the power to shut back on because I'm usually board out my mind hehe.
2 people like this
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
18 Jan 09
Ahh..... the sound of silence!
Actually, when we lose our electricity, it is in the winter. We lose it during ice storms. Then it is really not so much fun! We have no heat then (our furnace is natural gas but with an electric ignition and fan) and we are generally just trying to stay warm. When we first moved here, we had a horrendous ice storm in which we lost our electricity for quite a stretch. My husband had heat at work and stayed here in town and my kids and I bundled up and went to stay with my parents for a couple of nights.
When the kids are small, it's more of an adventure to them and a bit of fun. Now that they are older and can't use the computer or watch TV, they get a bit more frustrated. We like to read in general and this is usually a time to catch up on a few books. I can cook on my stovetop, as long as I light the burners but my oven has an electric ignition so that's out.
Oh, ...How many times did you try to flip the light switch on during your power outage? Doesn't that feel silly?!
2 people like this
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
18 Jan 09
Hi ya rocketj1
My eldest, who is 8 now, is so excited about telling everyone in school tomorrow! I don't think he will tell them he was scared though! Around the dinner table he closed his eyes and prayed to God that the wind would die down. After a short while he told us all to be quiet and listen. 'See' he said 'the wind isn't blowing anymore, god has sorted it for me'. Then I asked him why he hadn't asked God to sort the electric out too. 'Hang on' he said and went back into prayer again. When the electric didn't come back on he said 'Oh well I guess God is busy putting everbodyelses electric back on, he'll get around to us later'. Bless him.
Thanks rocketj1
Bless him.
Thanks rocketj1
@djemba (767)
• India
18 Jan 09
when the electric supply is lost,i cease whatever I'm doing and just go lie down on the bed waiting for the light tot be back..but most of the time it takes too long a time to come back..so i fall asleep.The next time i get up,i freak because i loose a lot of time i could have utilized buti guess I'm the one who let it happen to me the next time again..
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
20 Jan 09
Oh how we take electricity for granted my friend, it's not until we lose it that we realize just how much of what we rely on is run by electricity, from the kettle to the tv, and from the lights to the computer! It seems that you were able to deal with the situation with a cool head and were able to make some suitable temporary alternatives and I am sure that your children thought it was one big adventure, it wouldn't surprise me if they hoped another power cut would happen! It's not often (touches wood) we get a powercut but these things happen, we cope! We know it's not for ever, but it does make you wonder doesn't it where we'd be without electricity! Food for thought and scary too
1 person likes this
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
20 Jan 09
Hi there wolfie34
Sometimes I like to think that I would like to lead a simple life, things that don't use the electric like they do today, tv, computers, games etc. Then I think that I have had a taste of the good stuff and don't think I could ever live a life like that long term. Short term is great and you are sitting there knowing that sometime soon the electric will be back on and the frozen food will be saved and not have to be thrown out! Yes, we do take these things for granted wolfie my friend it is true and I did think about others that are less fortunate and these sort of power cuts are part of daily life!
Cheers wolfie
@mummyofthree (2715)
•
19 Jan 09
Luckily I haven't had to deal with any power cuts with the kids for any length of time. If it was during the day my lads would probably just bugger off on their bikes outside!
If it was night time, I can well imagine candles, goodies and scarey ghost stories!
Although my kids love their computers they all have very good imaginations and would be able to come up with some game to keep them amused! And hopefully I'd remember to turn everything off before going to bed so I didn't get woken in the night if the power returned! 
1 person likes this
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
19 Jan 09
Hi ya mummyofthree
Well my eldest did suggest we go out but it was blowing a hooly and hammering down with rain outside and I didn't want to risk any of us getting hit by a tree in the car as it so often happens during this sort of weather at night! During the day wouldn't really have been a problem and I am lucky my cooker runs on gas so I can still cook but I can't clean, or do the washing, or fold clothes or any of those usual chores that have to be done, electric or no electric.
Cheers mummyofthree
Cheers mummyofthree @sid556 (30960)
• United States
19 Jan 09
I love losing power and only because I'm in a situation where I am not going to suffer greatly because of it. I do have a gas stove so that can provide temporary heat and cooking facility. I collect candles so I am all set in that area. We connect more as a family when we lose power....we all gather in the kitchen and play board games and cards by candlelight. if it lasts too long we camp out on the kitchen floor together. For us, it is a fun bonding experience. I do feel really bad for those that do not have alternative heat...they really do suffer thru these outages. not only do they get displaced but pipes freeze and burst causing property damage and financial burdens. I am very leary of openly talking about how much I love this sort of thing as this year has been particularly rough on some. we recently had a storm which knocked out power to so many people. They were in shelters and businesses shut down...lost wages. Some were without power for 3 weeks and some even longer.
1 person likes this
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
19 Jan 09
Hi there sid556
Wow it sounds like it is a great adventure for you when you have an outage when you say you sleep in the kitchen! I totally relate to what you are saying about people less fortunate than myself and I was lucky the electric was only cut for 7 hours. I can't even start to imagine what it would be like for 3 weeks or more!
Thank you for your response I really enjoyed recieving it!
@bieke81 (1067)
• Belgium
19 Jan 09
It sounds like it was an advantage that the electricity got cut off. You got to enjoy your children on another level than usual.
Well, you asked what we do to entertain our kids when the electricity gets cut off. Just like you we make shadows on the wall and tell storys with them. The children love it when we do things like that.
Have a nice day
1 person likes this
@Bluepatch (2476)
• Trinidad And Tobago
19 Jan 09
When the current goes I lie down and wait.
In Trinidad its always quite hot unless there's a rainstorm on and so the aircon in my room doesn't work unless there's electricity.
Maybe in your part of the world the peace is bliss because you don't really end up sweating.
That doesn't work in the Caribbean unless you're on a beach at night or unless there's a wash of rain.
1 person likes this
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
19 Jan 09
Hi there Bluepatch
I live in the UK where it is always cool even in the summer!! LOL I have lived in a hot country for a short while and the mosquitoes really bothered me at night time, really biting me. Then I was given a fan which not only helped to cool me down during the hot night but it also kept the flies and bugs away. A couple of nights there were power cuts and it was horrible, just like it was before I was given the fan. I do feel for you and people like yourself in such situations!
Thank you for your response
@AbbeyB (670)
• Spain
19 Jan 09
It amazes me how quiet it actually is when the electric goes off, I think it is odd, we are all used to soeme sort of noise around us, as for entertaining the kids they usually manage to do tha themselves by scaring each other or playing games lol
@bestboy19 (5478)
• United States
20 Jan 09
We usually sit around visiting with each other or take a nap. Our power outages don't usually last very long.
1 person likes this
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
20 Jan 09
Hi ya bestboy19
The outage was for 7 hours but for most of it, it was a novelty for the kids and the rest of it was bedtime. I really didn't want to go out because it was raining hard and the wind was howling so I didn't think it was a good idea!
Thanks for your response
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
19 Jan 09
I live in a country where there are occasional power outages. we have all learnt to cope with this. I have an electric stove but a gas two burner to cook on if necessary. My son also bought me a genrator last year - I keep it ready but would only use it if there had been a hurricane. Then I would keep my fridge running and avoid food spoilage. I have to buy gas for it and although gas prices have gone down it is stilll expensive to run.
The children would play games - we had kerosine hurricane lamps that we used as these were safer than candles as I would have to turn thm down low but keep them on all night in case anyone wanted to use the bathroom. Sometimes we would sit outside and wait until it was cool enough to sleeep. I don't mind power cuts too much but after a da ot two I am longing for electricty!. Good posting. Blessings
1 person likes this
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
19 Jan 09
Hi there cynthiann
I think after a couple of days the kids would have found it a bit hard, it was fun for those few hours they were up while it went on but they went to bed at the usual time and didn't make much fuss. They never get out of bed to get a drink or to use the bathroom so I didn't have anything to worry about there. The only small problem was that we had been to the swimming pool that day and I had palnned to shower them that evening before bed but although it is gas central heating and a gas water heater it needed electricity to pump the water around so we smelt a bit of pool water but it was fine.
Thanks cynthiann
@riyasam (16556)
• India
19 Jan 09
yup,i do agree ,it is very difficult to keep kids entertained ,nowadays ,when there is a power cut.i do play a game of singing songs and then for sleeping,all go inside the net,as there are lot of mosquitos here and i keep all the windows open.
@CinderInMySoul (4717)
• United States
19 Jan 09
even if you turn off all the entertainment devices..its surprising how much ambient noise that is still going on. i know i never realized just how much racket the fridge and freezer..and just general hum of the house, is until the power goes off.
though i tend to get bored very fast with no electricity lol! unless there is a nice thunderstorm going on or something that can keep my attention like that.
always scares the crap outta me when the power comes back and suddenly for some mysterious reason, it seems like we were had EVERYTHING turned on LOL!
1 person likes this
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
19 Jan 09
Hi ya CinderInMySoul
Well I actually went around the house turning off all the lights, or at least I thought I had. I know my son forgot a couple of times and tried to turn the lights on, that was funny especially when I saw the expression on his face when he had realised what he had done!!
Thanks for your response
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
18 Jan 09
I can't even remember the last time we had a power cut Humbug. When I was small we lived in a village with it's very own mental hospital!!! (Figures doesn't it?) Because of the concern that they had about power failures they had a separate ring that meant that when everybody else went off the hospital stayed on. For some reason our village was on the same ring and we never got power cuts. That said, my mother always kept candles and torches under the kitchen sink. We keep candles and matched too.
1 person likes this
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
18 Jan 09
Hi ya p1kef1sh
There are somethings I would certainly keep to myself on here P1key! LOL . I had candles of my own but only tea lights they are great for a romantic evening but don't last long in a 7 hour power cut!! I was very grateful to my neighbour for the extra candles they brought over because they were a lot bigger!
Thanks p1key
. I had candles of my own but only tea lights they are great for a romantic evening but don't last long in a 7 hour power cut!! I was very grateful to my neighbour for the extra candles they brought over because they were a lot bigger!
Thanks p1key @CRIVAS (1815)
• Canada
18 Jan 09
Well I would have to say that I'm not too sure. I have never had a power outage for more than a few minutes so I have never really had to worry about it. I think I would have to say that playing hide and seek with flashlights is something my kids would enjoy, as well maybe shadow puppets. I might have to think about that some more and let you know what I come up with. I know I would enjoy the peace too, I can't remember the last time the house was quiet with all of us in it,LOL.
1 person likes this
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
18 Jan 09
Hi ya CRIVAS
Believe me it was a novelty for me too but a very enjoyable experience. I am glad that we did have the electric back on again in the morning but I wouldn't have minded if it went off again. Maybe I should trip the switch every now and again just to have some peace and quiet and the kids would be none the wiser! Might cut my electric bill too!
Thanks for your response
Thanks for your response 
@Toony182 (256)
• United States
18 Jan 09
When there's electricity I find myself just not knowing what to do.
Thankfully I have my cell phone so I can still use that in an emergency, and hopefully my psp is charged at the time...
But I suppose looking past that it can be quite peaceful.
1 person likes this
