Hydro - or NOT!!!
So on Wednesday Oct 31st at about 8 a.m. we heard a huge BANG outside and our power went out. We didn't think much of it, figured we just blew the switch on our transformer and called our local Hydro company to come and fix it. Well, it turned out that we had an underground short in the main line supplying power to the house side of the Liebenzell Center. All Hydro did was disconnect the line and told us to call an elecrical contractor to deal with the problem. Easier said than done. Seems like the electicians in the area are super busy so we were without any hydro or water until Friday afternoon. It was like camping - in our own home. See the breakfast picture below.
So, now we have running COLD water on our side and partial hydro (no lights in the bathrooms, master bedroom, office, no stove, some light and 2 recepticals in the kitchen that work, no heat (baseboard heaters). We have the fridge and freezer plugged into an extention cord running from the mission side (it's a newer addition to the building and has its own power supply). We can have showers over there too, but the girls had their bath at a friends house. We have a fireplace in the apartment downstairs so we've been keeping a fire going 24/7 so that our house is at least at about 16 degrees. Still, I'm wearing a longsleved shirt and 2 sweaters to keep comfortable.
We are now waiting for locates, our neighbour agreed to dig a trench for us and then the electrician will run a new line. Estimated time until we are restored to full power - 2 more weeks. Fun fun fun. At least this didn't happen in the dead of winter. The girls don't seem to be bothered much by it and still insist on running around barefoot and it's a fight to get them to wear a sweater. I have to be a little more creative with my cooking without a stove or oven, but I can use the one at the mission when I run out of ideas. It's amazing how much we take for granted! We are blessed to have all we have here and are trying to make the best of our situation. We've spent many an evening just chilling in front of the fireplace. No lights downstairs. The TV and lights in the living room work, but it gets cold in the evening when we just sit.
Afternoon Walk with Grosi and Grosvati
Early November, my parents came for a visit, despite the lack of hydro. They ended up taking Maya to the farm with them for a few days.
While they were here we all bundled up and went for a nice walk. The girls had a lot of fun with Grosi and Grosvati.
Katie in full swing rolling down the hill. We played there for a little while until the girls were starting to get worn out from going up and down the hill. Then off we went to hike around the pond. The idea of wearing the girls out worked! We all had a lot of fun together too.
Grosvati was the Train engine and the two girls were getting pulled. This reminded me a lot of the Sunday afternoon walks we did growing up in Switzerland.
Halloween
Our church was hosting a Trunk-or-Treat event. The idea was to decorate your vehicle and then the kids could go from one car to the next in the safety of the church parking lot. I think the idea was awesome and was quite disappointed when we got there and were informed that because of the rain everything was moved inside. Oh well, the kids still had a lot of fun and collected their treats with minimal effort and no frozen toes.
Maya was a Mommy Jaguar (same as Katie was last year)
Katie dressed up as a "baby unicorn that can fly". Value village find that will do us for a couple of halloweens anyway.
In the church gym they had many games set up for the kids. One of Katie's favorite was the dangling donut. It was fun watching her trying to get a bite. Maya didn't want to play, she just chewed on the rack they used to hang the donut on. Silly girl.
So this is us. Hanging in there and keeping busy. Please pray with us that we would be plesantly surprised and the hydro issue will be resolved sooner and cheaper than expected. Thanks!
