Yesterday we had a “big storm” in California terms. It rained a bit, and the wind blew pretty hard (enough to knock down some neighbor’s Christmas decorations and knock our patio umbrella askew). We also lost power yesterday morning and let me tell you I was not happy when I first woke up.

So, I wake up and flick the bathroom light on, nope no light. Damn it. Next, I survey the rest of the house. Yep, no coffee maker, no stove, no hair dryer, no TV, no computer and finally no heater to warm the house. My morning cereal is kind of out of the question too, because I don’t want to open the fridge and let what little cold air is in there out. The house is freezing, dark and the people living in it are caffeine junkies. That’s right … it’s Amish time.

I snuggle up on the couch under a big comforter and read my book that I’m half way through and start to forget that I’m cold and caffeine deprived. I actually start to enjoy myself. I hardly ever just sit on the couch and read. I’m always too busy on the computer or doing whatever I feel is more important than just sitting and relaxing with a book. It’s nice to be forced to just sit and do something so simple. Then there’s a knock on my door.

My mom is standing there all bundled up. She blurts out is: “Your power’s out too! Starbucks! What do your guys want?” My brain registers my surroundings again. “Ah … ug … grande Chai tea!” Off my mom goes in a flurry and I return to my book. She arrives 20 minutes later, hands me my grande Chai Late and then rushes off to her own dark and cold house. Two hours later I see a PG&E truck roll by, yellow lights flashing & I gaze at the black holes that are my TV and computer. Maybe after the power goes on I won’t turn you guys on today. Then click, every thing goes back on. The heater immediately starts blowing and I decide I think I’ll try to read a few more chapters.

The Amish don’t know what their missing, though. I really don’t think I would have been as happy with out my grande Chai Tea Late & my forced air heating system.

Guest bathroom you’ve served me well. I’ll miss scrubbing dishes in your tiny sink with tiny faucet. You see, after months and months of being with out a proper kitchen the kitchen remodel is finally winding down. I knew there was light at the end of the tunnel when the counter tops finally were put in. A few days ago our back splash glass tiles were installed and grouted. I must say the kitchen looks lovely and works wonderfully. I’m having a good time putting stuff back into the cabinets and going through all our pantry items that were once crammed into our guest bedroom & living room bookcase (I had no idea I had so much canned soup). I’ll post pictures later once the appliances are put back and every thing is totally completed. All and all we are very happy with the way everything turned out.

Next project … the living room is going to be painted and wallpapered. Then onto the landscaping and painting of the exterior of the house. However, once we probably finished everything we’ll move. Isn’t that always the case?

Oh, and I must wish a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my cousin Laura.