The blackout- a learning Experience

San Diego had a blackout yesterday.  It happened about 3:30 in the afternoon and lasted until 1:30 in the morning.  Although the radio said power wouldn't be restored until the next evening.  So - were we prepared for 24 hours of no electricity?

This is what made all the difference.  A solar flashlight that we keep in the bedroom window to keep it charged.  Works like a charm and puts out quite a bit of light.  Although we didn't use it long enough to know how many hours of light it might put out.

This cute little item we have used many times. It stays plugged in always, one upstairs and one downstairs.  It comes on when the electricity goes out. We end up putting one in each bathroom when its dark. Calvin used them one night when his friends were over and the power went out. They used one to finish their game and left the other one in the bathroom for the 3 or 4 hours that they were there.  That time the lights were out till morning.  Its better than candles that way. .

Although we did light a candle and left it burning in the kitchen since we kept going in and out from the

 backyard for various reasons.

Care and the girls came over since it was way too hot and stale at her house and we sat in the breezy backyard at the picnic table with a nice bright lantern and ate watermelon and cheese and crackers.  It was a great way to spend the evening.

At least this event helped us realize what we needed to do differently if it ever happened for a longer period of time.  Back East is experiencing this same thing times 100, so we have nothing to complain about.  It did take Tod 1 1/2 hours to drive 7 miles home from work.  We left a half hour apart from each other and got home at the same time.  I was working at the temple - it took me 1 hour to get home.  I realized that I should have a pair of tennis shoes in the car.  If I had to walk home from La Jolla in those dress sandals, I would have walked half the way barefoot.  So grandma - thanks for all your reminders to get prepared!