Last Sunday was one of the most challenging days we’ve had here at Casa Baer. We’ve been very, very busy, which is a good thing. Saturday night we had a full house; someone in every room. That means fourteen for breakfast Sunday morning. The table was set, the casserole was ready to pop in the oven, the coffee was ready to perk. Everything set for the perfect morning at the inn.
And then, CRASH, BOOM, BANG, FLASH, ZING, ZAP, darkness. An unsettling eerie feeling crept over the house. Most inn guests aren’t up and moving around at 6:45 on a Sunday morning. However, last Sunday, nobody was even in their rooms.
You see, we got hit with a ferocious storm – borderline tornado storm. Lightning took out a transformer near historic downtown, leaving thousands of people in the dark. Dark’s not so bad, but when it’s eighty degrees outside and you can’t open any windows or doors because of the wind and rain, it doesn’t take long for the house to feel like a sauna. Add in sixteen people and one dog in one central area and . . . well you get the picture.
So here we all were, some in pajamas, some fully dressed, nobody had showered or had coffee, standing in the downstairs hallway wondering if we needed to head into the basement. Most guests were watching the storm tracking software on their cell phones, some had their handy dandy flashlights shining, everybody was nervous. I lit a few candles, then extinguished most because if the winds got any stronger, I didn’t want any open flames adding to the mix of uncertainty swirling around us. You know what I mean?
Needless to say, nobody was in a hurry to pack up and leave so the timing of breakfast was no longer an issue. A lot of folks like to eat as early as possible in order to get on the road for sightseeing or other parts of the State. Well, eight o’clock came and went as did eight thirty. Everyone was content to huddle in the parlor or hug the walls in the hallway – just in case. Except one crazy guy who insisted on sitting on the porch until the winds got so bad he couldn’t avoid getting wet from the sheets of rain coming down sideways from all directions. Not to mention the stuff flying around that could easily have put an eye out. Stupid man. Like to give me a heart attack.
Finally, around nine o’clock things settled down a little bit and the hubs and I decided it was probably safe to light the stove (it’s gas) and fix some eggs and sausage. We cooked by candlelight, served breakfast in shifts, by candlelight, without coffee, until everyone was fed.
When it became apparent that the power was not going to come back on, people retreated to their rooms to pack. Around eleven o’clock the house was empty, and dark, and sweltering.
Did I mention we’ve been very, very busy? In just a few hours a whole new group of guests were due to arrive. I have no power and seven rooms to clean, and seven loads of laundry to wash, and a kitchen full of dirty dishes. And no hot water (hot water heater is NOT gas.)
Thank the good lord above – and the City of Vicksburg – about half an hour later the power was restored. Hallelujah! I stuffed the dishwasher and both washing machines as full as I could and set them to washing.
I ran around like a mad woman cleaning, re-setting clocks and thermostats, picking up debris in the yard. Around two thirty – bam – no water. Say what now? First no power, then no water? Is this a sick joke? I have guests arriving very shortly. I’ve finagled and conjured every last drop of flexibility I can muster for one day. Enough already.
Apparently the storm knocked out something vital at the water treatment plant which, when discovered, forced a state of emergency with the water and the entire plant had to be shut down. Seriously? Did I mention I’m expecting a house full of guests shortly? Guests who are expecting toilets that actually flush and showers that rain down water? Not to mention, I still have three loads of laundry that require washing.
Again, the powers that be, came to some kind of arrangement because around five o’clock we again had running water. Praise to heaven. I didn’t have to turn anyone away. All of the guests were very understanding; some were even impressed that we were able to provide breakfast at all, others were grateful they had a place to stay as anticipated and didn’t have to be shuffled to another inn. It was all good. Stressful – but good.
So, that was the start of my week. How are things in your neck of the woods? Any tornadoes come screaming by your place? Dodge any catastrophes lately? Ever cooked breakfast by candlelight?
Word of the day: Lanugo
Fun fact about me: I’m not a fan of thunder storms.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, May 2017.
You lead such a calm, simple, easy life – lol!! I admire your aplomb in handling all of this. In fact, I admire your aplomb on days that nothing does wrong. Sounds like a lot of work even then.
I’ve been sitting here trying to figure out how to work “lanugo” into my comment, but since there are no newborn babies involved I give up.
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Goes wrong – not does wrong.
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I’m full of aplomb. I’m full of a lot of things, but aplomb is one of the better ones.
I bet you’d do fine in the same situation. The key is just staying calm and maintaining a sense of humor. Laughter can cure a lot of wrongs, especially in certain situations.
Thanks for attempting to use the word of the day That’s all I ask. Look it up, try to use it, move on.
Have a wonderful week Mr. Dave. Always good to see you.
Patricia
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Gah! Just reading your post stressed me out! I would be freaking out. I’m so glad the power and water got back into working order for you in the nick of time. I do love the excitement of storms, but probably not so much when people are relying on you to provide for them. Here’s to a low-key, all things go smoothly week at Baer House!
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It was probably the most harrowing day I’ve had in a very long time. At least everyone was understanding and kind. Most of the folks checking in had traveled through parts of the country that got hit by the storm as well so it came as no surprise that some of the rooms weren’t quite ready when they arrived. All in all, it turned out okay, but whew, what a day.
I’m hoping for a VERY low-key week this week. So far, so good.
Thanks for stopping by. Have an awesome week.
Patricia
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My answer to your questions: no, no, and no. For which I am thankful. Sounds like you were the epitome of grace under pressure! My husband would’ve been the crazy guy on the porch LOL. Fortunately, the only storms here are those of too much to do.
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I’m telling you, the guy on the porch was nuts. I think he actually felt safer out in the open, which sort of makes sense, but he was drenched when he finally came inside. That was one of the worst storms I’ve ever lived through. I don’t need to experience another.
I’m glad you haven’t had to make breakfast by candlelight. It’s not really very fun. Unless you’re camping; then it’s cool.
Have a great low-stress week. I’m afraid those storms of having too much to do happen far too often for a lot of people. Take some time to enjoy life, too my friend. You’ve earned it and you deserve it.
Patricia
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Iy, yi, iy Patricia! And I thought moving was stressful. Cause that’s what I’ve been doing. But I would have to say the forces that be all turned against you at once. No muy bueno Chica! What a nightmare. I mean, I’m glad in the end everything worked out. Uh, when do you get a day off? I’m thinking vacation after this disaster! And wine, lots of wine. ((Hugs))
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Karen, I’m telling you, I wanted to just crawl back in bed, pull the covers over my head, and forget everything. At least everyone was safe and we suffered no damage. I was very thankful for that. Others didn’t fair so well.
There’s always something to be grateful for. It was stressful, but not disastrous.
As always, good to see you. I hope the move goes smoothly for you. Moving is always stressful and feeling displaced makes it hard to function. Hang in there.
Patricia
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Sounds like the makings for one of your next books! Write down the details so you don’t forget.
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Hey sweet girl! So good to see you here. I have been keeping some notes about happenings (mostly through blog posts) that perhaps might one day show up in a book.
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you’re doing well. I miss seeing your beautiful face.
Patricia
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Not the way I’d want to start my week! GEESH! Glad the powers-that-be got their act together, finally!
See you soon!
Hugs
M
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I love those “powers that be.” And, all things considered, it could have been much, much worse. I feel like God was watching out for us despite the hardships. No body or thing got hurt.
Thanks for visiting today. I’ll see you very soon indeed. Have a great day!
Patricia
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