By candlelight . . .

5:45 a.m. *buzz* *buzz* *buzz*

I reach out of the bed and slap for the cell phone. It's time to get out of bed.

Two hours earlier, Curtis had told me that the power was out . . . did this process when later awoke for the day? Of course not.

I got to the bathroom to take my shower, but the light wouldn't turn on when I tried. I took my shower in the dark and got out to go dry my hair. It's an odd thing . . . hair dryers do not work when the power is out in the house. I plugged it in, flipped the switch and nothing happened. My frustration level was growing, but I finally realized that the power was out in the entire house.

I lit a few candles, turned on some music and tried to get ready. My hair was wavy, but finally dry by the time I had put my make-up on (very sloppily I might note). Then, as though I had not done enough silly things this morning, I plugged in my straightener so it could get hot. I finished my morning by getting my beverage, grabbing my soup and getting my purse together. I went back to straighten my hair . . . only to realize that yet another appliance wouldn't work without electricity.

Alas . . . the lesson of the day . . . if the power is out, don't try to use appliances.