Sunday, July 8, 2012

Lack Of Power

The past week has been a very tough one. I am still extremely tired from it. The crazy all started the last Friday night in June when the power went out. It was an tolerable inconvenience. But that tolerable inconvenience turned into a borderline nightmare.

The storm rolled in Friday night. It roared through and left disaster in it's path. We lost our power that night. Since Chaz keeps our home like a meat locker the first night without power was not a big deal at all. We woke up to no power and discovered that we did not have hope for power in the immediate future.

Chaz and I spent the second powerless night at a friend's parent's house and we had a lot of fun. We grilled out and just enjoyed ourselves. That Saturday evening the Army sent several of our WW families to Aberdeen Proving Ground to stay while the power was out. Chaz and I decided against that move for several reasons. The first was that we didn't have the girls here with us. So we wanted those rooms to go for the families who had kids. We all know how annoyingly whiny our children can get when they don't have air, internet or TV. Can you say disaster?! You'll see the other reasons why we didn't go as I continue writing.

Sunday we decided we would return to the apartment and see how bad it all really was. It wasn't really that bad. It was hot, but our bedroom and master bath had power and one outlet in the kitchen did as well. We had water, it was only cold, but it was water. I have to admit I was not keen on showering in it, because I worried about what was in those pipes. So I washed my face and brushed my teeth with bottled water. When we returned, I talked to the apartment's management about the power situation. We were on emergency power only and it would sustain according to them. I went back to Chaz and we talked about it. We decided that we could get some fans and plug them in and get an extension cord for the fridge and that we'd survive just fine. When we returned from Home Depot, the elevators were out. So I had to walk Chaz, his chair and all of our stuff up three flights of stairs with no AC and it was 100 degrees outside, which carried inside. No needless to say once I completed all those up and down trips, I was plum pooped. Our van doors have shorted out, so currently I have to help Chaz in and out of the van every where we go. So that has added to my exhaustion.

Monday we woke up to still one elevator. But as we went to leave we lost that one. So I got to walk Chaz, his chair and our stuff down those hot stairs. I had asked a friend if we could take showers and do laundry at their apartment at the hospital. While we were there, I got a text that our emergency power had gone out and that we no had elevators and water until future notice. I looked at Chaz and said, "Oh that's it, back out to Poolesville we go." Chaz agreed so we stopped by the apartment building and saw it was totally dark. I ran upstairs to get our bags again and a few other things and off to our friend's parent's we went.

This time I had to take my study supplies with me. I had signed up to take the IRS RTRP exam Tuesday at 3. I couldn't reschedule the exam because the testing station had power. So I had to suck it up and study and pass that test. We got settled in and had some dinner and I studied and studied.

Tuesday we got up and drove to the hospital. This time we had to take a detour because down power lines on one of the roads had caused a fire. So the detour caused us to be late for Chaz's appointments. Thank goodness his therapists were totally understanding. In the meantime, I was exhausted and very worried about my exam.

Of course Tuesday flew by. Chaz went to hang out with our friends and I left to get some Starbucks before my test. Also I wanted to find the testing center. You cannot be late for these things you know. Being early turned out to be a great thing because I got to begin the exam early. I am pleased to report that after 2 hours and 120 questions later I passed the IRS RTRP exam.

After the test I went and picked up Chaz and we went back to our friend's parent's house and I grabbed dinner on the way out. We grilled some celebratory steaks. Great food and friends was the perfect way to end the day.

Wednesday was the 4th. Chaz and I had plans to attend the Capitol 4th. We gathered our things from the place we stayed in the hopes that all of the power was back. We drove in to find out we had one working elevator working and water. Hey it was a start, right?! We went upstairs and got ready for the 4th. We chose to travel with the hospital to the Capitol. That was a smart decision because we had a police escort there and that made travel easy. But it was also a bad decision because we were on a bus with 17 other people and the bus did not have air. So we were hot sticky messes for the event.

What was so funny was that I had no idea that there was a concert. I should have known DC would do it right and I was completely correct. The concert was amazing. We were surprised to have a front row seat. I'm sure some of you saw us on TV. Javiar Colon came off the stage and shook all the hands of the wounded warriors, Chaz was selected to be his first hand shake. It was pretty cool.

The best part was the text I received during the concert. My friend text me to let me know that we had full power in our building and we could turn our AC on after 10. Wahoo!! So by the time we got back the garage was fully lit up and the elevators were all working. We walked into a cooler apartment.

Thursday I woke up so excited to have an oven that I cooked Chaz and I some eggs, biscuits and bacon. Well that turned out to be a mistake. The AC had crashed just hours before and I had heated up the apartment. Not cool, but breakfast was tasty. I wanted to get everything cleaned up because the girls were arriving the next day. Now I had to clean the apartment in the super sticky heat that I created. Thursday was also the hottest day so far and the day of the Sarah McLachlan concert. I kept focusing on the positive, positive, positive, but the lack of AC and abundance of heat was kicking my ass.

I had to leave my poor hubby in the hot apartment. He just parked himself in front of two fans and consumed lots of water. I kept texting him to check on him and he kept telling me he was fine. But of course I worried. The concert was great and I really needed that night away. Chaz text me as we were driving home to let me know they had fixed the AC and it was coming on. I was glad to know relief was finally on its way.

When I arrived, our apartment was still super hot. I found Chaz exactly where I left him. He was sitting on the bed with two fans blowing straight on him. He told me the AC guys had just been through and switched it the AC on. We knew it was going to take a while to cool off so we kept the fans going. We fell asleep and I hope to wake up to full power, hot water and cool AC.

Friday morning, one week later, we finally got our wish. We had full power, hot water and AC. The girls, Demetria and Ray were on their way. Things were looking up. I was so happy to see the girls that I teared up when I saw them. We missed them so much. The good news is they were not around to deal with any of this. I guess seeing them made me feel like life was getting back to the way it was supposed to be. I guess those were tears of relief. Now all is back on track and hopefully soon I'll get caught back up of sleep and work.

6 comments:

  1. Seeing Javier shake everyone's hand was a touching moment.

    It was good to see y'all were able to attend.

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  2. I'm so sorry you had to go through all that! Sounds so miserable! Hope the heat goes away and doesn't come back!
    Praying!
    Romans 5:1-4 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
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  3. Know that I'm always here praying!
    Isaiah 53:4-6 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
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  4. We have hope because of all Christ went through! Praying for you right now!!!
    Isaiah 53:7-10: He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
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  5. Praying right now!
    Psalms 86:1-4 Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy. Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
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  6. Continuing to pray!
    Psalms 86:5-7 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.
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