Power to the People

Backyard at my parent's home in Hot Springs, Arkansas

Prior to loosing power in Hot Springs, the start of the snow.

Christmas is always a busy time of running here and there and everywhere.  Christmas Eve is spent at my in laws, Christmas morning at our home so our little one can open his special gifts from my husband and I as well as Saint Nick, then Christmas day we go to Hot Springs an hour away to spend time with my family.  This year, my husband's time in the Spa City was cut short as a winter storm quickly swept over the state.  Along with its path of destruction, the storm left behind some beautiful images; sadly, many could not see the majesty of the ice and snow because they were inconvenienced by their loss of power.  

Our Power Outage Diary
Christmas Day 3 PM- Power lost in Little Rock
Christmas Night about 8 PM- Power lost in Hot Springs

December 26- No power in Little Rock
December 26- We leave my parents for their office where they had power.  Later in the evening, power restored and we return to my parent's house.

December 27- No power in Little Rock, husband getting restless.
December 27- Power in Hot Springs and we venture out to the mall and other shops.

Anthony ventures out into the snow.

December 28- No power in Little Rock, husband wants us to come home anyway.  Slowly leave the warmth of Hot Springs and return to an icy house in Little Rock (thankful for a 1950's gas heater in our bathroom and a gas hot water heater).  Very uncomfortable overnight for us but we survive and have hope as a few streets in our neighborhood start to get their lights back.

December 29- Awake to signs of progress on the power front-- crews all over the neighborhood busy with chainsaws and cherry pickers; power popping up in nearby sections.  I, however, am loosing patience with the guys who are busy putting together Legos and being silly (feeling very third wheel) so I head out to do after Christmas sale shopping and attend a painting class.  By the time I get home, power!

Looking up through the canopy of icy trees to a clear blue sky,  Hot Springs, Arkansas, December 26, 2012.

As frustrating as it was to be without power, I have to think that it was probably even more uncomfortable to the linemen and power company employees working around the clock to repair and restore power to thousands.  Temperatures in a house without a heat source may get down to the 40's, but outside temps were only in the mid-low 30's with a biting windchill.  It was sad to see such horrible posts on Facebook complaining about the speed of the return of power.  Yes, we all get frustrated, but keeping in mind the big picture sure does help in a situation such as this winter storm.

That said, Christmas 2012 Winter Storm, I'm glad to see you go.  We've had our "dusting" of snow, see you again next year; hold the ice, please and thank you.  You've made me very appreciative of my warm and cozy home, my great friends and family, and for those who worked in the elements to make life more comfortable for us all.  Oh, and thanks for the beautiful photos (mine and those of others) that we rarely get to enjoy in Arkansas.