preparation

Just Some Thoughts 🤔: Preparation and Power Outages….⚡🕯 🏪

~ dawnlovely ~ Leave a comment

Hey good day:) I hope your day is going good so far. I intended on posting this months ago, forgive me, as the opening of this blog was written months ago. I wrote it at the end of winter, as winter was ending going into spring.

The “mandatory” power outage last month, lasted for two hours, and I was thankful that I was given a heads up. I hoped it would not be any longer than two hours, and I hoped that it wouldn’t become super chilly down here. It’s a little chilly down here already. It helped that I was prepared for it, but I was still inconvenienced because my cell phone died! Usually this wouldn’t be a big deal, but because it wasn’t properly charged, my alarm for work didn’t go off! I was already showered and ready for work, but fell asleep for a bit, wrapped in a blanket. I was waiting for the power outage to be over! I was super annoyed that I woke up late! I’m always on time for shift, I’ve never been late! My manger texted me, asking if I was okay, she even texted that she was worried about me, and that I’m NEVER late! This is the first time I missed my alarm, and my manager was very understanding. It wasn’t a big deal, yet I was still bothered. Having no electricity really sucks, and we take it for granted.

So, we had yet another “mandatory” power outage, and had it lasted for twice as long, it may have interrupted work. That would not be good! I don’t think anybody in Toronto would be prepared for that. We’ve been blessed that they usually don’t last for a full day. We haven’t been left in the dark. We recently started getting severe weather, but nowhere near what has happened in Texas. Some folks say it’s “unnatural” weather, and I agree. I was watching folks down there, posting videos showing their firsthand account of the affects of the power grid going down. The flooding videos sparked anxiety in me, but I forced myself to watch them. The worst one, was a cell phone video taken by a mother with children. She was forced to sleep in her car with her children for warmth. There was no telling when she would be able to enter her home again. I could feel the chill in my bones, the discomfort, as though I was in her shoes. I reminded myself that it could be worse up here in Canada.

Fast forward to May: The double-down restrictions have just been announced, meaning many products are off limits, again. I was shocked to see that CANDLES, and LIGHTERS were included in this list. So candles are not considered essential???? Aren’t they the main go to when there is a BLACK OUT???? What the hell is going on here???? My friend and I had a discussion about this, as I exited the Dollarama in the evening. She couldn’t believe what I was telling her. Yup, candles are forbidden. The price of candles can be quite expensive, regardless of your budget. Fortunately, stores like Dollarama offer an amazing assortment of all types of quality candles, at low prices. I never thought that I would live to see the day that candles were considered “illegal” to purchase. I never thought I would see yellow tape sectioning off DO NOT ENTER ZONES on items like candles and candle holders.

So, we’re near the end of May, candles and lighters that were outlawed for almost a month, are FINALLY legal to purchase! During the law enforced restrictions, folks in the GTA questioned and protested against this ridiculous rule placed upon these essential items! Up to a week ago, the ban was lifted, but only on these items. I accidentally picked up a candle holder that was not covered with yellow emergency tape, and an emergency signal went off at the self check out! A cashier had to come and help me, to authorize me so I could continue checking out my stuff. I apologized to her, as she explained that the item was on the, “DO NOT BUY LIST”. I proceeded to tell her that it was an accident, and the item and section of shelf, was completely open, and NOT covered by yellow tape. I added that I try to avoid putting them in an awkward position! We both chuckled. I’ve been in every Customer Service reps position before, but this new world of outside rules, is on another level! I am sure to commend them and Thank them for their service on every shopping trip.

Please be sure to continue to stock up and candles, lighters, matches, portable lamps etc. There’s no telling if or when the yellow tape will go back up…I’m not kidding!

Take Care, Stay safe, and Stay tuned.

Love and Respect,

~Dawn Lovely

Follow me@:https://twitter.com/iamdawnlovely, https://t.co/wfctLWHJ1W

In The Meantime: Small Emergency Stash 🔦💻🕯 📚….

~ dawnlovely ~ 2 Comments

What we can do in the in meantime, while we’re spending more time in the great indoors:

1. It can’t hurt to slowly add to your stock of emergency items. Look over your supplies, especially if you haven’t in a year or so. Try to have an assortment of items, and seasonal items. Flashlights, emergency led lights, any type of battery operated light, is good investment. Make sure you have a few lighters and candle lighters as well, these items are cheap at your local/franchise dollarstore. I also finally decided to invest in a few waxless battery operated candles, which has helped me save money. I was reluctant to try them, because I thought the ight wouldn’t be adequate, but I was pleasantly surprised. They give a comforting glow, and they provide an adequate amount of light, similar to a real candle. They are great investment, especially for the winter season, give them a try if your into candles.

Here’s a pic of an amazing incredibly bright LED light gadget. It’s actually a flashlight, sold at a dollarstore near you.

2. Last year, I noticed that we had a few blackouts in less than a week. They didn’t last long though, but they reminded me that I should better prepare for them. The rainy stormy weather is usually what brings them on, but sometimes that’s not the cause. I was told by a co-worker that the heat in their downtown building was out for THREE weeks, coming into the New Year. That’s definitely not the way to start the year, but considering the times we’re in. She’s also pregnant to boot! Going without heat for that long, could be fatal to her and child. This happened downtown where the rent for a small condo is super high! So with that being said, try to prepare for power outages. We’re living in extra strange times, I feel as though we’re being experimented on, like lab mice…I’ll leave it at that.

3. Purchase extra items for leisure, for your “emergency stock” that will help get you through a potential power outage. Pencils, paper, notebooks, pencil crayons, bristol board, stickers crayons, crossword/wordsearch books, board games, books and magazines on topics that you enjoy, a separate portable DVD player (kept plugged in and charged up), dvds, music CD’s. These things are good to have ready on hand in the event that the internet goes down. If you have children, I recommend packing these items in gift bags with tissue, or even a large gift box, to make it fun for children. They will enjoy unwrapping these mystery presents. They will view these items as special, and important, which they are!

That’s all for now. I hope at least one of these tips are useful in some way. See you next post:)

Take Care, Stay safe, and Stay tuned.

Love and Respect,

~Dawn Lovely

Follow me@:https://twitter.com/iamdawnlovely, https://t.co/wfctLWHJ1W

We’ll Have To Adapt🙄☝🏼🍞….

~ dawnlovely ~ Leave a comment

Continuing…

We have no choice but to adapt, because we don’t know how long this will last. What used to be a simple trip to the grocery store, is now a trip you really have to prepare for.

Yesterday was the first time in almost two weeks that I was out and about in the morning to shop. I was taken aback by the long line outside of the store, especially at that time of day. I hadn’t seen this outside of a store around here, and the gaps in between made it even longer. The “social distancing” and monitoring of the line is different in the busy daytime hours. That’s why I’ve been trying to avoid the crowded stores, and was only going out after dark right before closing. I need to get fresh air and sunlight, and I used to love to do my errands in the daytime. Standing in that line, I heard many people’s worries. I could’ve put on my headphones and plugged into my google play list, but no. I find it’s best to listen and take in the vibes of what’s going on around you. I felt sorry for the senior citizen who asked the grocery line security, “Are there senior citizen hours??” The reply was, “Yes, Monday and Wednesday.” I could hear the slight desperation in his voice, and I felt kind of bad for him. Some of the older folks don’t have any help, and have to shop amongst the general public. Another man ahead of me had to step out of the line to use the payphone that was two steps away. In typical “Canadian Manners” fashion, he turned around and told the man behind him, sounding slightly worried. He didn’t want to lose his place in line, even though we tend to be very understanding and polite. I usually would have offered him my cell phone to use, but I couldn’t, due to the virus situation. I barely touch my phone in public.

When it comes to hunger and food folks tend to act impatient, regardless of the circumstance. Folks are generally worried, in the span of weeks, how to access basic needs, has changed tremendously.

We have to adapt, and help each other through this, by polishing up on our newly learned outside etiquette.

I am Thankful for the caring, polite, aware folks of Toronto. I will continue in my next post.

Take Care, Stay safe, and Stay tuned.

Love and Respect,

~Dawn Lovely

Follow me @:https://twitter.com/iamdawnlovely, https://t.co/wfctLWHJ1W