Showing posts with label storms. Show all posts
Showing posts with label storms. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

I Declare War!

A few weeks ago I posted about the barrage of thunder storms in our area.  Well, they are back.  "Summer storms" are the more romantic name we southerners give them, but they really are more of a hassle.  They come at a moments notice with torrential rain and lightning that would scare Ben Franklin back to his French mistresses in an heartbeat.  And then an hour later, they are are gone with a blue sky filled with big, puffy white clouds.

We have had said storms every day this week - the first week of school to boot!  The boys and I have come home exhausted, done the small amount of homework given this week, and eaten a light snack.  Then, I have let them have a little down time to watch thirty minutes or so of television.  (I know I am a terrible mom.)  But today, the satellite went out and the storm was ablowing.  So what did my guys do:  Whine?  Sulk?  Grab the IPod Touch?  Play with the DS?  No... They grabbed a pack of cards and had to longest game of War I've seen in a long time.  And had a ball!

Don't you love seeing your children unplugged and playing nicely together?  Love. it!!!

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Laments of an Internet Orphan

Oh. my. word.  I am so happy to be back in the land of the blog!  It has been over a week and I feel so disconnected from all of you.  And in light of my last post, sweet Jo from Bees and Fleur de lis even sent me an email making sure I was OK!!

So here's the story.  And I know it's kind of long.  But please indulge me by reading... I've been away for so long!

Last Tuesday afternoon (July 27th to be exact) we experienced massive thunder storms.  Lightning popping and thunder crashing all over.  And we were smart.  We unplugged everything electrical (computers, TVs, etc.) even though we have surge protectors.  But... we forgot to unplug the phone cords.  D*** phone cords!  So lightning strikes though the phone line and wipes out my husband's computer, a laptop the boys use, and the modem/wireless router.  No phone or internet or computer for unhappy husband.  At least my laptop was not hit, but it's useless for me as I can't blog!!!

Late that evening I use my Droid (Thank God - and I mean that sincerely - for cell phones!) to call ATT for repair and new wireless modem.  Repair man is to come the next day and modem will be sent in a few days.

Next day (Wednesday), I take irritated husband's computer to repair shop to see if it can be salvaged.  Won't know until Friday.  ATT comes and fixes phone line that afternoon.

Thursday, another lightning and thunder storm!!!  Too bad we aren't home to unplug all lines.  D*** it, that lightning hit our phone lines AGAIN!  Oh, and shot the Dish receiver in our bedroom as well.  Irate husband is beside himself.  Later, we call both ATT and Dish for repairs and a new receiver.  ATT says that it could be August 6th before we get our phone line repaired, thus impacting not only phone, but internet!

Friday, I am told incensed husband's computer is unsalvageable.  They were able download information, files, and the like for us on a CD, so I guess that's good news.  Still no phone/internet service.

Saturday, I call ATT to get their sorry selves over to our house and turn on the "steel magnolia" charm and also pull the "my husband is in a wheelchair".  Please don't hate me for that.  By this time, we are done with the whole thing.  We are promised repairs anytime Tuesday from 8 to 5. Oh, wireless modem arrives, but who cares at this point?  And another thing, I am on a major diet so my partaking of fun beverages involves drinking one - and only one - 55 calorie Budweiser Select. 

Fast-forward to Tuesday (yesterday).  Furious husband and I tag team staying home to catch the ATT repair man.  Five o'clock arrives... no repair man.  Chyanne, ATT manager, gets an ear-full and promises a warm body at our house first thing in the morning.

Oh happy day, the angels are singing and playing their harps in heaven!  He arrived!  He fixed the phone line!  He set up my new wireless internet!  He helped S get his IPod Touch wirelessly connected!

Now to get the Dish receiver.  Enraged husband can only take so many more nights of "Best of Friends" DVDs to fall asleep to.