We were hit with an ice storm Monday night through Wednesday morning that knocked our power out, and it could be weeks before we get it back.  I am on a computer in a library that has power and is not too far from home.  I've responded to one private message and a couple of the posts, but don't know when I'll be able to make any further response.  --  JohnP

JohnP...

 We hope you have power restored soon. My son lives in south Missouri and a lot of people will be without power for several more days. Many electric poles are damaged and tree limbs are on the ground. You are needed back on ball reviews soon.

jodyk24

Take care of yourself and family John.  Hope everything works out okay..

Rick

Our power came back on at a little after 6 pm today, praise the Lord!  We did OK, we have a ventless gas heater in the basement, so it didn't get too cold.  Lost most of the stuff in our freezers, even with using snow and ice from outside to help keep it cold - nothing that can't be replaced.  One thing I'm going to do, hopefully before we have another extended outage, is get some type of portable cook top that will run on a 25 lb propane cylinder.  I was getting pretty tired of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!  Thanks for your thoughts and prayers, there's still a lot of folks in this area that will be without power for considerably longer, so keep thinking of them.  --  JohnP

I've thought about a generator, they were in high demand after the storm, most stores ran out but have brought them in by the hundreds now.  Three things I'd want to power - refrigerator, freezer, and water heater (mine is high efficiency natural gas which requires a vent fan to run).  But I know me only too well.  If I got one it would sit in the garage unused for years, then when I needed it it wouldn't start.  There will be quite a few on sale by next summer, if I see one at a good price I might pick it up.  --  John