What's the best way to pass time when the power goes out?

1. 72

   GiblinGirlposted 11 years ago

   What's the best way to pass time when the power goes out?
   
   After 6 days with no power and no heat, thanks to super-storm Sandy, I finally got electricity back yesterday afternoon.  My husband and I passed time by playing UNO and Scrabble and listening to a crank radio.  It was pretty brutal.  What are your suggestions for passing time when the power goes out?

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2. 85

   Dallas Matierposted 11 years ago

   Well, I always seem to have a collection of books that I've never quite got around to reading, and there's always been something that I've found oddly appealing about reading or writing by candlelight. Not to the point where I've ever been tempted to turn the lights off and light up a few candles, of course... that would just be weird. But, definitely to the point where being without power occasionally doesn't really bother me.
   
   Six days might be pushing it, I suppose. But, I do remember once having to go a month or so without power for 'electricity bill' related reasons - boredom was really the least of my problems.

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      GiblinGirlposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I was really wishing that I had a stock of good books to read - perhaps next time I'll hit up the library when I'm stocking up on water

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3. 72

   lburmasterposted 11 years ago

   Doing laundry outside, cooking on the fire near the pool in the backyard, pailing out the hole in the garage due to too much rain, moving the brush out of the yard and into the trash bins as much as possible, going on a walk to see what damage was done, reading books, cleaning the house, taking pictures of the damage, helping neighbors with tree's that feel on their homes and vehicles, write a little bit, play with your animals at home, etc. There is always plenty to do after a hurricane or power outage.

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      GiblinGirlposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      My husband and I do have a dog and as luck would have it we happened to be watching my sister's dog during the storm so we definitely did get a little entertainment in watching the two of them play flight.

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      lburmasterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I'm glad you weren't entirely bored. Animals can always be entertaining and desiring some love.

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   Goody5posted 11 years ago

   During the day time read, and at night catch up on your sleep.

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5. 94

   cat on a soapboxposted 11 years ago

   Aren't there usually baby booms about nine months after a prolonged black out? lol

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      GiblinGirlposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      lol

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   Charluposted 11 years ago

   Spend some quality one on one time with your family, get to know your neighbors and help each other out, and write, write, write, and write some more.
   
   It doesn't matter if it's on a laptop or pen and paper, your experiences, feelings, and ideas will help others in the future and pass the time.  You can also get your family involved to try and come up with innovative ideas for not only passing the time, but maybe something that will save you time and money in the future.
   
   This is also a great time for self reflection and setting new goals for not only you personally but as a family.
   
   Last but most importantly be grateful for what you do have. This is sometimes very hard to do in that situation, but there are so many others that have lost far more than we ever imagined.

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   1. 72

      GiblinGirlposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      We actually did end up helping our neighbor cut some branches down that were leaning on a wire - it was definitely a bit of a precarious situation.
      I like your suggestion of coming up with ideas to save money in the future.

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7. 59

   dingerdposted 11 years ago

   We always play games. Card games, board games. Anything that would keep us occupied. When we had a huge ice storm a few years ago we got the entire family (grandparents included) to play hide and seek. We also make my grandmother play the paino and we all sing.

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      GiblinGirlposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I like your hide and seek suggestion

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   James-wolveposted 11 years ago

   Pretend you are having a camping trip with kids.Get some blankets, pillows, and a flashlight. Pretend you are having a camping trip, sing campfire songs and tell stories. If you have marshmallows on hand why not pass them around and eat some marshmallows. Doing this can take your children's mind off not having any electricity and make the wait easier for them.
   Besides,It would be great if you ake this opportunity to catch up on things with your family. Ask your spouse how there job is going and catch up on things. Talk to your children about school and see how everything is going there. This is a great opportunity for family time and a great way to catch up, as you wait for your electric to come back on

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      GiblinGirlposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That actually sounds like fun.

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9. 66

   lupineposted 11 years ago

   Talking in person to people (no phones, no internet), cooking outside on the grill, or have a block bon fire and invite all your neighbors at night.

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      GiblinGirlposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      A block bon fire sounds pretty cool actually.

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    Lor's Storiesposted 11 years ago

    Well during Sandy we talked about what everyone else was doing in the neighborhood.
    I took out my portable DVD and watched a movie.
    My mom was busy lighting candles and waiting for the house to fall down around us.
    
    We really were worried about what was going on at the Jersey Shore.

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    1. 72

       GiblinGirlposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       It definitely was an ordeal.  I'm so thankful our house didn't sustain any real damage.

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