Forget diamonds.
Guess what The King bought me today?
It may be my all-time favorite gift.
In fact, I think that it IS my all-time favorite gift.
He bought me my very own generator.
Isn't that the sweetest thing ever?
When the temperature in our house stalled at 48 degrees this morning, The King finally had enough.
I'd had enough at 60 degrees, but that's beside the point.
Another night sleeping on the wood floor would have sent me over the edge.
I couldn't really sleep, though, because I was constantly having to be sure that the burning logs weren't falling out of the fireplace and into our blankets.
The Princess began to run a little fever again.
The animals were staging a revolt.
And The King won't admit it, but he was cold.
Oh, and we heard that it may be MID-FEBRUARY before our power is restored.
I am so very, very thankful that we were able to find and afford a generator. I know there are many families who are not able to do that.
I feel incredibly blessed.
I told The Princess that having our heat on makes me feel as if I'm the wealthiest girl in the world.
We are able to run our heater and a few lights. Luxuries, y'all. Absolute luxuries.
The only way I could justify the purchase of the generator was to know that I will be able to bless another family with it someday in their time of need.
Thank you a million times for the sweet comments, emails and (especially) the prayers.
It put so many things in our lives in perspective.
I mean, really, Guatemala's got nothing on this.
I thought I'd leave you with a link to a news story about our neighborhood. The devastation is incredible. Let's keep praying for quick restoration of power...
The King won Best Husband of the Day today. I am so, so glad y'all will be warm tonight. And that you can sleep without fear of reprisals from the animals. I shudder to think what they were plotting...
Posted by: Tonggu Momma | January 29, 2009 at 10:32 PM
I watched the news story. WOW. UNBELIEVABLE.
I am so glad you were able to get a generator!
Here's praying that everyone gets power soon!
Posted by: The (Almost) Amazing Mammarino | January 29, 2009 at 10:38 PM
Get The King some more little powdered donuts! So thankful that you now have a generator until your power is back on. I'm amazed you found one, actually. So sad to hear the Princess had a fever again...hoping she gets better soon too.
Posted by: Kayren | January 30, 2009 at 12:47 AM
i think that's awesome... Awesome and practical...
CRAZY weather...
Posted by: misty | January 30, 2009 at 01:18 AM
I am so glad you were able to get a generator.. I know when we needed one... you couldn't find them anywhere... you truly are blessed... stay warm.
Posted by: Joy Gross | January 30, 2009 at 03:08 AM
Oh, that is no fun! Praying you continue to stay warm and for your whole region to soon have power again. Amazing pictures.
Posted by: Angie | January 30, 2009 at 06:23 AM
I know it sounds so bland to say that we don't know how good we have it till it's gone but I too often need to be reminded of how thankful I must be for power,water,heat ect.
I live in Northern Michigan so we are pretty good at handling bad weather,but you in the states where it is rather rare are a special kinda tough!
God bless your family!
Posted by: Debbie | January 30, 2009 at 06:42 AM
Praying for you! I hope everything returns to normal quickly! I don't know what is worse, ice storms or hurricanes! I pray it the sun shines everyday and the temps warm up quick. Thank goodness you found a generator. They are wonderful things to have. We bought one three years ago and I was ever so thankful. Do you need me to send more donuts?
Posted by: rrmama | January 30, 2009 at 08:34 AM
So glad you got some heat and hope everyone's power is restored quickly. Praying for all in your area!
Posted by: Kristen T. | January 30, 2009 at 08:44 AM
The King rocks!
Posted by: Lisa@take90west | January 30, 2009 at 09:12 AM
I know I keep saying it but OMGOSH! I can't imagine! Glad you got the generator! Prayers are being said for your entire community!
Stay warm!
Jen
Posted by: Jennifer | January 30, 2009 at 09:32 AM
For he's the jolly good fellow!
Hip hip hooray!
Yay, KING!!
*toe touch*
*spirit fingers waving*
Praying that power is restored soon and healing for the Princess.
Posted by: Tammy | January 30, 2009 at 09:35 AM
Yeah for King! That is the best gift ever.
Posted by: Kellyn | January 30, 2009 at 10:33 AM
ooo so glad you were able to get a generator! I hope they get the power on for good soon! You are right after this you can hand another country :-)
Posted by: Lindsay | January 30, 2009 at 11:38 AM
All I saw was the title in my reading list and I thought, "The Queen's got a generator!" I'm so glad you are getting warmer, but sorry to hear about the long-term outage.
Posted by: RLR | January 30, 2009 at 12:30 PM
We are having pretty much the same experience here in Lexington, Kentucky, although we do have power at the moment. My mom is staying with us because Danville, Kentucky was completely without power - and they don't expect to restore it for TWO WEEKS!!
Posted by: Mrs. Who | January 30, 2009 at 02:14 PM
I can tell you from the experience in Tulsa last year that it takes forever for the cleanup to take place, and it is very costly to your city. The electricity was off for some people over two weeks in Tulsa. It looks like similar devastation.
Posted by: Dana Jones | January 30, 2009 at 02:44 PM
When I saw on the news that it could be mid-February I instantly thought of you. So glad you were ablt to find a generator!
Praying your power comes on WAY earlier than expected!
Posted by: pinkmommy | January 30, 2009 at 04:13 PM
We almost brought you powdered donuts and diet Mountain Dews today. Now you have me worried about the Princess again. She has a fever? Sad about the mid-February date, but so glad about the generator. Still praying for you.
Posted by: Debra | January 30, 2009 at 09:45 PM
I'm so glad things have improved for you, if even just a little.
Hope princess is feeling better, too, and that the animals are hangin' in there. What's the one cat's name...the one you like to shave? Is it Chester? Well, whichever one it is, I hope he's not bald through this...that could be bad!
Good luck, and thinking of you.
Posted by: Kristen@nosmallthing | January 31, 2009 at 04:23 AM
Wow! The news link was something else. All these stories do remind me of living in Florida after a hurricane. (Although it is usually much warmer...but similar power/destruction issues!)
Hang in there and enjoy the generator!
Posted by: Jenny | January 31, 2009 at 06:53 AM
where did you find a generator in this ice storm?! Y'all must have connections!! Believe it or not, we have power at our house. . .but not at mom and dad's (where we were staying. . .)Stay warm!
Posted by: rachel@justanotherdayinparadise | January 31, 2009 at 02:38 PM
I have clicked to you a million times and didn't know you were a NWArkie! I am too!! We just got our power back yesturday late afternoon, and I am REALLY hoping and praying you get yours back SOOOOON!!!!
Posted by: brandy | January 31, 2009 at 03:59 PM
Generators are indeed LIFE SAVERS!! So glad you were able to find one and afford it. We've had 2 MAJOR ice storms in the last couple of years, we're a little N of you in MO, and fortunately, we didn't lose our power but friends and family did. We were thrilled to be able to provide them with our generators(yes, my Hubby is self employeed and has more than one)in their time of need. It's wonderful to have something so useful to be able to loan. :)
And, since I'm reading backwards, the same thing happened to my parents as what happened to you. I believe it was the day after getting our generator, after being without power for 10 days, that their power got restored.(We would have gotten it to them sooner, but my Mom didn't want it. Can you imagine??) Something about getting a generator causes the power to come on quickly. ;) It must be magic!
Anyway, best wishes finishing all the clean up. It does take a lot of time. And your poor yard will never look the same. That's such a hard thing, for me anyway. It looks like a war zone forever. But it gives you a great "excuse" to do some tree planting in the Spring/Fall! :)
Posted by: Heather | February 02, 2009 at 09:08 AM