Just after I arrived home from seeing "the Smurfs" with Laney yesterday, the power went out. Apparently the power went out all over Southern California due to an operator error in Arizona. Even though it was a pretty big nuisance, the power outage seemed to be just what our family needed yesterday. It brought us some quiet time and family togetherness on the couch as we read books by candle and flashlight. Laney, Patrick, and I walked around with our camping headlamps (much to Liam's enjoyment) and lit all of those old, half-burned candles that were gathering dust in the cupboard. Lucky for us the kids were tired, and we had a totally quiet house by 7:45pm. Patrick read by headlamp while I worked on Liam's Christmas stocking (only a year behind!) by my headlamp. We had red wine and were forced to relax without the usual interruptions of modern living. In fact, we managed to make an entire dinner for the kids without even opening the refrigerator or freezer (thank God for pasta.) Just as we were ready to turn in, having blown out all of the candles and tucked the kids in, the power came back on. In reality we only spent 7 hours without electricity, but the dramatic effect it had on our day was poignant. We need a lot less face time with technology, and a lot more family together time. We jokingly remarked that perhaps the power should go out at our house a few times a week, but it isn't a bad idea. I think we will start declaring "technology free" days as a family and really trying to get back to the basics of togetherness. Clearly we won't be starting tonight...Patrick and I have too much technology to catch up on after yesterday's vacation from our normal lives. Still, I can't wait for our next Power-Out-Night at the Miller house. I feel a wicked round of Candlyland coming on!
Friday, September 9, 2011
Just after I arrived home from seeing "the Smurfs" with Laney yesterday, the power went out. Apparently the power went out all over Southern California due to an operator error in Arizona. Even though it was a pretty big nuisance, the power outage seemed to be just what our family needed yesterday. It brought us some quiet time and family togetherness on the couch as we read books by candle and flashlight. Laney, Patrick, and I walked around with our camping headlamps (much to Liam's enjoyment) and lit all of those old, half-burned candles that were gathering dust in the cupboard. Lucky for us the kids were tired, and we had a totally quiet house by 7:45pm. Patrick read by headlamp while I worked on Liam's Christmas stocking (only a year behind!) by my headlamp. We had red wine and were forced to relax without the usual interruptions of modern living. In fact, we managed to make an entire dinner for the kids without even opening the refrigerator or freezer (thank God for pasta.) Just as we were ready to turn in, having blown out all of the candles and tucked the kids in, the power came back on. In reality we only spent 7 hours without electricity, but the dramatic effect it had on our day was poignant. We need a lot less face time with technology, and a lot more family together time. We jokingly remarked that perhaps the power should go out at our house a few times a week, but it isn't a bad idea. I think we will start declaring "technology free" days as a family and really trying to get back to the basics of togetherness. Clearly we won't be starting tonight...Patrick and I have too much technology to catch up on after yesterday's vacation from our normal lives. Still, I can't wait for our next Power-Out-Night at the Miller house. I feel a wicked round of Candlyland coming on!
