Power Down – Fun Factor Up?

Note: Many people have asked us how Larissa and Joe were doing during the storms. We asked Ris to compile a short diary of the events that happened during that time as well as her reflections. The following is a verbatim recollection of the events.

When she refers to the Cabin she means the new, under-construction house. When she refers to the Shack, she means the old house that they have been living in.

Dear Diary:

January 20^th –Power down. Went down to cabin (Rissa’s thoughts: How fun, I get to stay in the cabin)

January 21^st -The power briefly came on today, but then went dead again until February 6^th. (Rissa’s thoughts: I am going to get so much done to this cabin with the boys staying here!)

January 22^nd - Matt brought a generator out. Cooking on the wood stove, it took 30 minutes to fry one egg (Rissa’s thought: I am hungry right NOW! But this is still pretty fun, except for getting stuck and the frigid temperatures)

January 23^rd - We got a 2^nd generator, boys got the toilet in so we melted snow to flush. Obviously, no wells would work w/o power so we moved cows to a spring that a kind neighbor let us use! Other bunches also drank out of springs. (Rissa’s thoughts: It’s pretty awesome going to the bathroom and not getting frostbit!)

January 24^th - Been stuck with all pickups at least 6 times already. Tried to hook up a PTO generator to the old shack, didn’t work as it was -30 wind-chill. Looked in the old house and the toilet had frozen and broke. Joe was at the very top of the tractor bucket, in the dark, trying to fix the electric wires at the top of the pole, with me shining a crappy flashlight at him. (Rissa’s thoughts~ I am cold, but you know what? This WILL get better!) Tried to pry hand off of flashlight.

January 25^th - Randen went to his Grammy’s house. Exchanged him for a propane camp stove. We are at the cabin eating well!!! Huddling in front of the wood stove with the doors wide open watching a DVD that is plugged into the generator! We are real pioneers! We all are feeling SEVERAL drafts that need to be plugged in the cabin! That night huddled next to Joe in sweatpants, long johns, stocking cap and 6 quilts and wondering if it is possible to know that I am freezing in my sleep. (Rissa’s thoughts~ I HATE WINTER, really when will this blizzard end??)

January 26^th -Some other neighbors called and said we could come take showers (propane water heater!!) BEST NEWS ALL MONTH! That night their electricity was restored so we “moved” in with them. (Rissa’s thoughts~ I am okay now, I got the grease out of my hair I feel revived, refreshed and full of awesome food)

January 26^th- the end of January - Wondering how long we should invade the neighbor’s house. Should we move to the next neighbor’s house??? Do I scrub her floors? Do I buy food? What are the rules on squatting?

Somewhere around January 29^th - Had a minor breakdown that involved feeling of doom that the temp will NEVER get over zero again, hysterical crying, a wish that I lived in the desert, I hate ranching etc. you get the picture) One hour and a headache later I am okay we will be fine, don’t be a baby.

February 6^th - We finally got power and the fuel oil furnace unthawed to the old shack and the only thing busted was the toilet!! Felt we were pretty lucky! Moved BACK into the shack, although when the power first went out I said I never would move back in… oh well.

February 5^th and 6^th- Tried to unthaw waters and replaced pressure switches etc… no luck (Rissa’s thoughts: Man, ranching sucks)

February 7^th- Cows finally got water. The temperature got to, like, 10. (Rissa’s thoughts: Awesome, ranching isn’t so bad!! I love it, it is totally a lifestyle!!)

February 13^th- Another blizzard, moved cows home from Bills (5 or so miles) Rissa got stuck 3 times in a matter of an hour and wasn’t even helping with the “drive”… very cold (Rissa’s thoughts: You know when I said that ranching wasn’t so bad? Never mind. I must have been out of my mind)

List of expenses and things that had to be replaced during the storm

15 flat tires…. Yes 15

4 brand new tires

7 broken u-joints

2 ruined pumps for the feed trailer

3 dead batteries

One new headlight and casing for the pickup

$4500 bull at the bottom of a dam

$4,000 in fuel oil and Ag diesel

1 new generator

1 new toilet

4 new brake lines

3 new pressure switches

2 sets of pickup chains

1 scoop shovel handle

1 axe at the bottom of a different dam

Dead Animals:

1 horse

2 cows

8 calves

1 bull

And a frozen partridge in a pear tree