Hi ho, MMMLogerinos!

We had the WordStars annual holiday party here at Chez Haynes on Thursday last. Everyone was pretty edgy as the Puget Sound was under a high wind warning. Most of the group drives in from outlying burbs to this suburb of Seattle. I had all the lanterns charged up, candles lit and bricks of batteries just in case. We got through the party great, though a couple called it a night early as they had to go to work the next day. I climbed in bed at midnight and listened to the storm roar through. The house shook and shuddered, but held its ground. However, big fur trees fell all around us. We lost power about 12:30 and it was off until 11:20 last night. When it came on it scared us to death with all the noise of the alarm system powering on, the smoke detectors beeping, even the dishwasher running. I thought it had made it through the cycle before I emptied it on Thursday night.

We did fine camping out in our house without electricity as we have a gas fireplace we huddled in front of, a gas water heater and gas stove. So we had hot water and hot food. It was cold enough that we pulled everything out of the freezers and refrigerator, put them in ice chests and emptied the ice bin on them. All the stores were out of ice, don't you know. In any case, we set the chests outside in the 20-30 degree weather. Last night we put still frozen goods back into the freezers.

I will say that this experience has left me with a pressing sense of get whatever I need to do done now. I won't wait to run the dishwasher, finish that chapter, post to MMMLog or anything else that I might think I can save for a bit later. All around, we're very blessed and grateful as we're safe, sound and happy to celebrate the passing of the Seattle superstorm 06.

Mmmmmmmmmelinda