A water update

I know it has been a long time since I have written anything of length. I suppose with my new phone, being with the kids almost ALL day, being exhausted at the end of that – I have just sort of phased out of that a bit. So, this will be a long one!! You've been warned.

OK – so an update....where do I even begin?

I suppose I realized that relocating would have its challenges, however, I never anticipated that they would be so many, from what we eat, how we shop, what is or is not available to buy, the different sort of culture present, and the list goes on and on!

I have not shared much for a while because there are days when things are really just overwhelming. For example, for the last few weeks the water has been frozen on and off. The first two weeks it was just frozen and there was nothing. And then the third week was off and on depending on the weather for any particular day. Of course, when I tell that to people I KNOW they are thinking about the toilet and the bathroom “situation”. So, I will answer that first in case you are curious.

We have about 5 five gallon jugs we fill. There is always one in the bathroom, one on the counter in the kitchen and one in the cooler (which we do not cool because, come on, you know how much power that would take!) When there is a “number 2” all you have to do is fill the tank and flush. You just have to pour the water! So, I guess the good news would be that I think I am getting some muscles from lifting those jugs for three kids. Oh and fun stuff....a new talent I have acquired is the capacity to be able to unplug a toilet without running water. I know it is weird, but I am kinda proud of that! With three kids, the toilet is bound to be plugged, not regularly, but Ben is still kinda getting the hang of wiping himself and when I go down to dump the water into the tank and all I see in the toilet is a mound of toilet paper....I suppose that is a rather good skill to have!

The sun, although shining WAY more than it did in Wisconsin in the winter, merely peeks up over the mountain and then slips down again. So, the solar power has been a little on and off, to put it nicely. There are some nights I just feel so bad for Scott. Like just last week, he had a meeting up north in Provo and returned to have to babysit the water situation and 9pm (good thing he is not afraid of the dark!). Now, on that particular day we were out of water because the tank actually ran out, so that means the following:

step 1: load the giant generator into the giant sled and tie to the back of the snow mobile.

step 2: slowly head up Rattle Snake Road to the pump house.

step 3: start pumping water

step 4: leave the generator up there to pump water all night and perhaps have to run up again at midnight to re-fuel it

step 5: then the power goes out, so just as he is walking in, I say from the deck, “sorry- the power is out”

step 6: lots of swearing and a snowy walk down the hill to the solar panels to run the other generator

Now, maybe you might wonder to yourself in that instant why I would say sorry, like saying that makes the news better or I might be that woman who just apologizes for everything. Well, that was not the case.

You see it WAS Wednesday and you know what that means....American Idol. And, yes, I was using (apparently) ALL the power to watch it!

We have water AND power today - so we will enjoy it while it lasts and see what tomorrow brings. (although I think Scott - a.k.a. "McGyver" - has it all figured out).