I think we have a bit of a . . what’s the word . . I don’t want to sound unappreciative but, our electricity seems to go out often. Most of the time, it’s for 10 minutes or less. We’ve been going back and forth for over two months now and I don’t think there’s been a single time we’ve come back that the washer, dryer, stove and microwave aren’t blinking “PF” for power failure. Our power never goes out in Texas and we are so much more rural there.
We’ve had a few issues with the power company here trying to get the contract for the solar buy back signed, and trying to get it set up on auto pay, which still hasn’t happened and Vince has sent in the paperwork twice. It’s a small company and the lights are on most of the time so . . I’m not going to complain.
Over the weekend Addie was here and we were eating. I had my back to the kitchen where the lights were on and I thought they blinked but it was just for a instant. Addie said “Did you see that?” I said “Yes, I thought I did!” Then she said “They’re off for good now.” It wasn’t dark yet and the power was back on in about 10 minutes but that was long enough for me to call Vince and explain to him why I need that gas stove NOW.
Yesterday it was raining off and on and it did blink again so last night when it started raining kinda hard, I grabbed my phone so I could use it for a flashlight if the power went out. It didn’t but I told myself I’m adding a flashlight to my next Walmart order. I mentioned to Vince that I was going to get an inexpensive flashlight because the power goes off so often. He said “I packed about a dozen flashlights in a box!”
Great! Which box might those flashlights be in? Since there are just a FEW boxes, finding a box of flashlights shouldn’t be a problem at all. I think I’ll just spend the $15 and have one more flashlight on hand.
Bett Herndon says
I live about 2.5 miles out of town on a road with few houses. When, on the occasion I lose power, it is usually out for hours, sometimes days. Over the years I have learned what I need to make the best of it. My 2 favorite things are: battery operated LED white Christmas lights and a HALO Bolt 58830 mWh Portable Phone Laptop Charger Car Jump Starter with AC Outlet and Car Charger. I have 4 or 5 sets of lights and string them up where I need them. The portable charger is fabulous. I used it to jump the riding mower at the vacation cottage, and plugged in a lamp, charged my laptop the last time I lost power. I am going to order another one as I like it so much.
Judy Laquidara says
We have solar charges for the phones/tablets but they’re all in MO. At least ours seems to only go out for a few minutes at a time – just long enough to screw up all the clocks. We have sleet predicted for next week so it will be interesting to see what that does to our power. It’s all underground in the subdivision but I’m sure it isn’t all underground getting here.
patti says
our best purchase ever (from costco but i haven’t seen them lately) is flaslights that sit on a base that is plugged into a receptical. when the electricity goes out, the flashlights turn on giving light in the room and then you just walk over, pick it up, and you have a flashlight to use that is fully charged. we have them in all of our rooms and it floods the house with light when most needed. perfect for our outages!
Rebecca says
I got a set of those, after Judy wrote about them! I think I needed them once. Mostly they work as nightlights as I move around after turning off lights.
Tricia says
How frustrating! Is this an issue that your neighbors are having too, or is it just your house? Either way, it’s one more thing to deal with during a very stressful time.
Judy Laquidara says
Yes. It’s the entire area. If it was just my house, I would already have had an electrician out here to fix it.
Nelle Coursey says
I don’t think you can ever have too many flashlights! We have two of those lanterns that use batteries. They are great but the batteries are expensive to replace!
Linda in NE says
Our power doesn’t go out very often but I have a couple of the battery operated LED lamps. I’ve started buying Harbor Freight batteries. The last time the Internet provider’s tech guy was here he told me about them. Much cheaper than the name brands. May not last quite as long but with the price difference I can live with that. I also have my personal LED flash light that sits on my nightstand. My husband is very hard on flashlights so I guard mine. I don’t know what he does to them but they don’t last long.
Nelle Coursey says
Do you think there might be a tree limb somewhere near the lines??
Judy Laquidara says
Lines are underground.