Feeling Power-less

I'm going without electricity today. No, I haven't become a 'save the planet, peace-loving, flower-wearing hippy' (not that there's anything wrong with that if that's your passion in life). I quite like electricity in a controlled usable way, not a start-a-fire-in-a-computer-and-threaten-my-son's-life way. In fact, I've found out this week just how reliant I am on it.

Energex, our electricity provider, has decided to upgrade its services in our area so twice this week I've been shut down power-wise. I was a little bit excited when I saw the first notice. No power means no work. Yeah - I stupidly forgot the other side of the equation where no power means no computer, no baking, no cups of tea, no watching anything that you've recorded for an enforced lazy day like this. I couldn't even vacuum - do I hear scoffing laughter? Yeah, you're probably right. That would never be on my list of things to do on a day off.

Wednesday was the first power-free day. I was prepared. I'd breakfasted and turned off all the appropriate equipment by the allotted time. But I hadn't accounted for some things that I do every day - like drying my hair. The power was switched off just a minute and a quarter of the drying into making myself respectable for public viewing. There may have been a naughty word said at this point but I soon had myself under control and with a plan B.

There's a few advantages to living close to your parents and the use of their electricity in a dire emergency is one of them. I packed up my dryer, brush and hair spray, said goodbye to the dogs and trotted downstairs to the car only to realize that the garage door was also run on electricity. Doh!!

I managed to keep the naughty words reined in this time - probably because there was a strange man IN my garage. And this strange man was kind enough to open the door manually and let the crazy woman leave.

Today the power was still on when I left home so I kind of forgot that it was going to happen. Maybe that second letter we'd gotten was a mistake. I made all these plans about how I would fill the day (work's still slow) - including this little beauty that Coach Chris sent me.

Then I get home with bags of ingredients to find out I'm powerless again. At least, this time my hair looks good.

I'm seriously thinking of taking out my last batch of cupcakes to all the workmen outside as an unashamed bribe to get the work finished pronto. They're very special cupcakes made for a guest post on Running With Spatulas. I'm sure Ali won't mind you getting a sneak peak. If you're interested in making them, the post has all the details. And I'll let you know when it's up.

Chocolate Truffle Cupcakes

I'm typing this post on my phone using the Blogger ap for the first time (and only because I HAVE NO POWER - no, of course I'm not frustrated) so bear with me if the pics aren't in the right place.