Ah Well

So I had a freak out moment today. As many freak out moments this one was "sponsored" by Google. Not really... but kind of.

You know, when you're sick and you have a rash and you Google it....then you believe, even for 15 minutes at 3 AM, that you might have Scarlet Fever or the Ebola Virus. Well, this happened with my well.

Well?  Yes, it's a country home. It's what country folk use for water. And when the water didn't come out of the tap and I heard a funny noise from the pump, I Googled it. Restart the pump. Seemed like a logical answer. But the pump was still making noise. So, to me, at 1AM, it seemed like it still kind of worked.

Then, I saw the topic "what to do when your well runs dry." OMG does that actually happen??? Holy crap. Could we be out of water? In the middle of winter? In my house that serves hockey boys and launders clothes around the clock. Nooooo, no, no. We better not be out of water.

Holy crap!! Could we be out of water?

But.... but.... it's a nice house. And the man (who in this split second I am wildly suspicious of) who sold it to us said there was "tons of water. You'll never be out of water." Did I buy my house from a snake oil salesman 10 years ago?  Ugh. I need to move now! Must I look up real estate listings on Google now? Yes of course, it's 2AM.

OMG OMG OMG, why don't I live in a condo? Condos have people that take care of these things.

My next thought was... yup, never should have had that gallon of tea an hour ago. I have to pee now. Pee like a woman getting that damn pregnancy ultrasound when you think your bladder is going to explode.  Brutal.

Ok. Now what would cruise ship survivors do? Think like a cruise ship passenger.... Ha Ha. We're not there yet.

So, I posted signs on the bathroom doors for the kids. "No Water." And put the bottles of hand sanitizer in more prominent locations.  Then I formulated an after school shower and survival plan..... go to Grandpa's house. Yes!  Hurrah for Grandpa's house.

How soon can we move? Would Grandpa let us live with him? Will the well "regrow" water? Why did anyone let me move out of the City in the first place.

Then.... the sun rose. Water still did not exist in the form we are accustomed to. So the plumber was called and the plumber came out. He did NOT Google the problem. He did not scare me with amateur diagnosis of permanent doom. Instead he fixed things, told me to have a good day, and went on about his business.

Water was restored. Once again, I feel like I've dodged Ebola Virus.

Can you do 72?

In case of a serious natural disaster or other potentially life threatening situation, could you sustain yourself and your family for 72 hours?

The Government of Canada recommends that families be prepared to take care of themselves for 72 hours in the event of a large scale disaster. 72 hours should be enough time for help to arrive. But in order to receive help, you have to survive.

The tragedies in Japan, so fresh in our minds and on our televisions, should heighten personal awareness and cause everyone to think about their own situations and analyze our own potential hazards. I'm not saying "be selfish and only think of yourself." On the contrary, I'm saying do what you can to help others while they are in danger, but should that happen to you, how would you help YOURSELF.

What if rescue workers couldn't get to you? What if you were isolated by flood or fire?  Think about the natural and man-made hazards that exist in your own personal location.  Then prepare for your personal situation, and pray it never happens.

What is your evacuation route? How would you communicate is cell and Internet service was knocked out?  What if roads were not useable? In the case of flood... what is higher ground? If your house roof was your only option, how would you and your children get up there. Things as simple as... know where your ladder is.

Non-perishable food supplies. I'm not saying buy out the grocery store, I'm saying have food and clean water supply available, enough to sustain your family for 72 hours. And think about the little details.... canned food, requires a can opener.

Who can you call for help? Do you have a phone book? They seem irrelevant now with Google, but what if you had no Internet service? Assume that 911 is flooded with critical life situations and could not take your call.  Who would get to you? Who can help? This is when neighbors need each other. Do you know your neighbors?

Be a Boy Scout. Know that you could sustain yourself and your family for at least 72 hours. For more info, go to Get Prepared