Alexandrawashere's Profile

We have a small gas generator that powers the frig., runs the television, recharges the computers, etc. It works great, but you have to switch out things from a long utility cord and plug strip. It doesn't run a lot of items - too small. We need to invest in a bigger one as we have outtages fairly often.

Anyway, we were out of electricity for two weeks during Hurricane Isabel. It was boring at night, but we made the best of it - read stories aloud to the kiddos, played cards, board games, talked, and read by the light of an oil lamp.

During the day you can't vacuum - yuck, and you miss electricity to run the dishwasher and washer so badly! Filling up the generator a few times a day is a pain in the behind, and it's so loud. The powder room is pitch back in the daytime, so you have to run upstairs to use the toliets.

It has been my experience that you don't want to stay home during the day with no electricity. You'll want to get out of the depressing house and hang out at B&N, the library, or anywhere else that reminds you of the modern 21st century!

Sandy just passed us by here in coastal S.Va., and it's pounding S. Jersey now. Stay safe!

I had to make some sacrifices when I decided to stay home with the children(and now homeschool). I sacrificed my style for pragmatic efficiency. It stays fairly clean because I've gone ultra minimalist, even to the point of taking up all the hard to clean carpets, painting the floors, and going without couches(Papasan chairs and floor cushions only) or much furniture. I still get toys and books cluttered around, but it's easy to clean with more surface area. A plastic rake and baskets are all you need to clean up the toy clutter. Yes, I rake the toys. It's a joy as long as you don't mind adjusting your life. I'd rather spend more time with my family than fussing, cleaning, and getting myself exhausted.