silver linings

All of a sudden this morning, just after the big kids went to school, the power went off.

For about an hour I was walking around my house, much like a ball in a pinball machine, bouncing off all the things I couldn't do.

When it first went off, my initial thought was: oh, the kids won't be able to watch PBS, let me quickly think of something fun they can do while I get some more housework done (this is my most productive time of the day). They grabbed a book and a refilled juice cup and I went into the kitchen.

Oh, that's good that the washer is finished, I'll switch the laundry. Nope. The washer is actually NOT done, the power is just off. Stupid!

Well, then, I will vacuum. Nope. Power is off.

Hrm... sew the binding on a quilt I am making? Sewing machine won't work, silly.

Dishwasher? Nope (and who wants to wash them by hand?!?!?!)

Call and report it to the power company? Cordless phone. Duh.

Starting to get the hang of this "bumping into walls" thing, I scooped up my children, fell onto the couch in one great big embrace, and just held them for a bit. We enjoyed giggling together. Then we read together the book "A Bad Case of Stripes" and then we played a very silly game of pat-a-cake where we try to clap really loudly and yell "PATTYCAKE PATTYCAKE. BAKERS. MAN." I guess you could call it Obnoxious Pattycake.

Anyway, so all that to say that despite the frustration in not being able to be productive, I am very glad to have had the opportunity to just sit and do a handful of nothing at all.