Thursday, September 23, 2010

Tales from a blackout

Oh, the drama.

Last night our power went out during a freak lightning storm. DH and I were at Back to School Night when the kids called us. They were home with my mother, sitting in the dark while the dog peed himself because storms make him lose both his mind and his bladder.

We missed out the school refreshments [which were to be the high point of my evening] and hurried home to dig up flashlights and light candles. Once we were all safely assembled around the dining room table watching the tiny flame of one of my jar candles, my husband anounced "This is why I could never handle an apocalypse."

Hmm. Yeah. Because in an apocalypse the biggest thing you'd have to worry about is stepping in a puddle of dog pee in the dark.

My son fretted because our alarm system was off line. I told him "You've survived the last 12 years of your life with no alarm system. You can manage for one night."

"But someone could just walk right in," he replied.

"Um...we DO have locks on the doors and a...well, a dog, for what he's worth. I'm sure we'll be fine."

Then the carbon monoxide detector in his room started beeping - not because it detected anything but because the battery was low. Without thinking I suggested we unplug it, and DH asked, "What would that accomplish?"

DS pipes up with: "My death."

So in addition to burglars, he's worried about carbon monoxide poisoning while he sits in the dark.

I prayed the lights would come on soon because things were just getting out of hand. Of course leave it my daughter to save the day. She brought out a pack of cards and offered to teach me Egyptian Ratscrew.

As much as I was not in the frame of mind to screw any rats I agreed and before long I was slapping sandwiches left and right [this is still a basically PG rated blog, so don't worry.]

After she beat me at Ratscrew, I decided to go to bed. Darkness and boredom tend to make me sleepy. I'd just closed my eyes when the lights came back on and order was restored to the universe.

I'm so glad it wasn't an apocalypse. I can't imagine the drama that would have caused.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sounds like quite a night. *sigh*
I hate when the lights go out and stay out.

Two Voices Publishing said...

Thanks for stopping by, sadangel! It was definitely an adventure.

Jennifer Haymore said...

LOL! I actually like it when the lights go out and everyone gathers around and lights candles and there's no TV & no video games, so we all have to sit around and actually *gasp!* interact. Of course, I could do without the dog peeing himself, lol! Glad order has been restored in your universe!

Anonymous said...

Your son makes me laugh. Your daughter seems a sensible sort. The dog.. Well, what can you say about a dog who pees when he's scared/ LOL!

Two Voices Publishing said...

Thanks for stopping by, Jennifer and Maddy.

I wouldn't mind the lights out so much, except everyone else acts like it's the end of the world.

The dog is an adventure all by himself. The older he gets the more of a big baby he becomes.

Lainey said...

OMG "As much as I was not in the frame of mind to screw any rats"

I just...speechless. I don't know Ratscrew, but I know if I EVER learn, I'll not be able to play with a straight face.

Like, Jennifer H, I actually kind of relish the rare night that nobody is 'plugged in' and we have to...talk.

Lauren Fraser said...

Wow, that sounds like a fun night. Well at least it's over right? Your dog sounds a lot like mine except you have to throw in some spontaneous shedding as well. She should be bald after a storm. LOL

Two Voices Publishing said...

LOL, Lauren. My dog saves his best shedding for trips to the vet where we can literally watch the fur fall off him.

Two Voices Publishing said...

Lainey, trust me, it was tough not to riff on ratscrew while we were playing. I had to look it up to make sure my daughter's friends hadn't just made up the name.

Anonymous said...

I love the way your son thinks!

Why ARE you trying to kill the poor boy?

Two Voices Publishing said...

My son is the Voice of Doom in our house. He would be great in the field of disaster preparedness because he's always considering the worst case scenario.