A Quick Update..............

We're still limping along without our main generator for backup, but by golly we're doing it!  Pure Energy Co. came up on Friday and got our wind turbine running, so at least when there's wind, it's charging our 32 batteries.  That is keeping our frig going all day and one lamp in the evening.  The problem was what would we do if the wind stops.  So, this company attached a power cord to our inverter inside the pump house, and we can connect that cord to our mid-size generator and get the batteries back up.  The wind has been stopping during the night, so we've been running this for about 4 hours.

Then we also have two of these smaller Honda generators and they're capable of running a floor heater, tv or washing machine when needed.  Not all three at the same time tho.  After my husband left for work this morning, I started one up and used my curling iron (a girl has to look half way decent, right?), then washed a load of clothes and finished up ironing some shirts.  It's not the most convenient way of doing things, but it's very do-able!

One of our worries is the well.  We've had to turn it off because even the mid-size generator can't handle that load.  Our external tank holds 5,000 gallons of water and we're at 3,500 right now.  So, we are really trying to conserve our water usage.  I ran to Kmart and got paper plates, towels, cups and spoons to just throw away during this time.  We're also filling our water buckets and arrowhead type jugs at our neighbors' house and that has been a huge help.

While I was at Kmart, I checked their camping section and found these solar showers!  How fantastic are these!  They hold 5 gallons and you just place them in the sun during the day and then in the evening you can take a hot shower!  I bought two of them and my husband managed to place a 2 x 4 over our shower and then we can hang these bags right inside the shower stall.  Did you know that you can actually get a decent shower with only 2 1/2 gallons of water?

Our son (who is learning disabled and someday I will share his story) just can't deal well with this kind of an adventure, so he's staying with our daughter and son-in-law.  Actually, the less people using the resources we have available is much better at the moment.

The company that works on these Italian generators will be up tomorrow morning at 9, so cross your fingers and toes that they can figure out the problem and hopefully have the right parts. ($125 per hour from the time they leave Bakersfield!!!)

I'll post another update as soon as I can.  Many, many thanks to all of you for your prayers and good wishes.

Take care.