December 2021 Update

Posted on by Colleen M. Chesebro

Hello everyone! This past weekend brought damage to my town of East Lansing, Michigan. We had wind gusts over 60 MPH, which toppled power poles and caused a train wreck. Apparently, the damage extended to Comcast/Xfinity, which supplies my cable and internet. I was without Wi-Fi from Saturday until late last evening.

https://www.wlns.com/news/windstorm-cuts-power-to-many-in-east-lansing/

Thankfully, we didn’t lose power in my neighborhood. With the first floor renovation going on, we could do some painting and other things while the workers were off for the weekend.

As you may have noticed, I won’t provide a recap or poetry challenge this week or the next. I sense the universe is suggesting I take a break during this stressful time. Self care is so important! December is such a busy month and this year, even more so.

On December 28th, I have a post going out to explain the new poetry challenges for 2022. I think everyone will enjoy what I have planned.

In the meantime, enjoy this break. Spend time with family and friends (safely). This poetry challenge has brought more joy into my life than I ever thought possible. Thanks for writing poetry with me every week. I’ll be around as long as my Wi-Fi doesn’t go out again. Happy holidays to you all.

Love and hugs,

~Colleen~

Here’s to an amazing year in 2022!

95 thoughts on “December 2021 Update”

    1. Thanks so much, Sis. The winds were horrible on Saturday. Thank goodness no one was hurt in the train wreck. The cable company would never say that was the cause of the problem… 🤦🏼‍♀️ The renovation of the first floor is overwhelming, as you can imagine. Lots of noise and pandemonium. My poor kitty-girls are in hiding all day. When the workmen leave, they come out. LOL! Thankful that you are safe. ❤

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      1. We got up Saturday morning to the news of the tornadoes in Kentucky. After that out cable went out. It was the worst feeling—unconnected to the world. I’ll be getting a seperate carrier for my phone. I don’t want to do that again! ❤

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    1. Thank you David. It was an eerie feeling not being connected to the world. We bought this older house to fix up and now that the renovation is happening it’s quite overwhelming. I’ll be back soon. Thanks so much for your lovely comments. ❤

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        1. Good for you, Linda. I wondered where you’d gone. I’m doing much the same. Weight Watchers keeps me in line. I gain eating salad, so I have to watch everything I eat! My house is in turmoil with the renovation, but when that is done, I’ll feel much better. ❤

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  7. Dear Colleen,

    So glad to hear you are safe. We got the tail end of that storm with just about 45mph winds. Thankfully I read that some more folks were rescued fromt the Candle factory so that was a very goo thing!

    Continued success with your home reno. We will be having some work to fix a ceiling in May 22.
    We chose to avoid having open space to the attic during the winter!! I might not be able to make contact Dec 28th as I may be without the net then. I will be in warmer climes! Resting, renewing and revitalizing.

    Stay healthy, happy and warm – hugs to you and yours. Enjoy your quiet times ~Jules

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    1. Dear Jules, thanks so much. Those 60+ mph winds toppled power poles onto the train. It was a mess! The new challenge will start January 4, 2022 so that December 28th post will still be up for you to read. Have safe travels and we’ll connect when you get back. ❤

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  9. I’m glad you and yours are safe, Colleen! Take care and stay safe! ❤️

    PS I have separate carriers for my internet and my phone which has come in handy several times.

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      1. 🤩In addition to our phones, we also have a Mi-Fi gadget from Verizon. If your cable company goes down, you can run your computer off the Mi-Fi (Verizon). Or, if your phone runs on Verizon, you can use it as a hotspot for your computer.

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  10. Glad to hear you’re okay. We had a similar storm last two and a half weeks ago resulting in over 30,000 houses with no power, some without water. (A lot of homes and farms in the Highlands have their own water well, but no power, no pump). Many took 8 days to get power back – just what you don’t need at this time of year with sub-zero temps and snow. About 1500 still don’t have it back. Horrid!
    We survived, and even our internet stayed on, which is a first for us in winds that strong – up to 100mph in some gusts. Many of the forests on the east coast are devastated. Such terrifying raw power, like the awful tornados some of your states suffered.
    Stay safe and enjoy the holidays!

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    1. Oh my goodness, Deborah. I have a couple of friends in Scotland that keep me posted of the crazy there as well. Your experience was much worse than mine. We’re renovating our first floor, new flooring, kitchen, and loo. So, everything was torn out. It really made the sound of the wind echo. I’m just thankful we all made it through. The tornadoes in Kentucky were scary. Our weather is nothing like it used to be. Stay safe and enjoy the holidays. I’m glad you’re all safe. ❤

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      1. Bad timing for you! We are having an extension put on, but at least it’s ground floor, although it does allow the wind to scoot right through the house – this morning we noticed the loft hatch had blow off!
        Screwy weather, for sure.

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        1. I know what you mean. We started the renovation process in May! It took this long to get all the materials. Covid is running rampant in our state. So many are sick. I’m just happy our contractor and his men all are immunized and working. We bought this older house to redo… it will be June or later before we get the upstairs bathrooms taken care of.

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          1. Wow. We also started in May, it was supposed to be 4 months, but the materials just haven’t been arriving! We finally got roof tiles on last week, and the walls coated today, so we are at least waterproof, but I’m seriously missing having a downstairs bathroom! We’re lucky with not so many sick up here, our population is so spread out, although there was an outbreak of the new variant (omicron) last week at a big music do in a nearby village 😦 We just don’t go anywhere these days.

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            1. Wow! I see we’re facing the same issues. That new variant is going to cause plenty of trouble. We stay in too. Got our third boosters a couple of weeks ago. We don’t go anywhere much either. It’s better to be safe. ❤

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    1. Thank you so much, Tori. We’ll have an unusual Yule this year. We have no snow on the ground, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed it looks festive on the 21st. Happy Holidays to you and your hubby and all the critter babies. ❤

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      1. It’s doubtful we’ll have snow for Yule either. But we rarely get it in December… It’s mostly in the January to March timeframe if we’re going to get snow. Although, we did get some right at the end of December last year, and we’re getting cold and frost, so I’m not giving up hope. Hope we both get some of the white stuff for Yule.

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  12. Good news indeed that you survived the storm and all are safe – Kentucky didn’t fare so well lately so good news is welcome! Have a wonderful holiday season!

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    1. The news out of Kentucky is dismal. What a terrible storm. There has been so much death this year and last. Let’s hope 2022 fares better for all of us. Happy holidays and love those grand babies. ❤

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  14. My goodness, I’m relieved to hear that you and Ron are safe. The recent storms have caused so much pain and sorrow. It’s heartbreaking to see the images. Our area is mighty cold, but we’ve been spared the extreme weather. Thank you for everything you do, Colleen. I love being part of the poetry community. You’ve taught me so much and through your encouragement, I now look forward to both reading and writing poetry. I hope your Christmas is especially blessed this year. 💗

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    1. Gwen, I am so blessed to have all of you as my friends. Our poetry community is one of the kindest and most thoughtful on WP. I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather write poetry with. Those storms were horrible. The winds were some of the worst we’ve experienced since when we lived out West. My heart hurts for all the pain and death this last two years has brought to so many. Thanks for your lovely Christmas wishes. I wish you the happiest Christmas spent with family and friends. ❤

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  15. Wishing you a stress-free holiday season, Colleen. Thanks for all you do for the blogging community. Perhaps next year I may try my hand at poetry. You never know. xo

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  16. Glad you and family are safe!
    Weather upheavels are so common now!
    I can imagine the scene.
    We had a cyclone in Summer and it was bad.
    Take a well deserved break and we all await the New Year Challenge eagerly.
    Happy Holidays 🎊🎊

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    1. Thanks, Diana. I’ve got more painting this weekend. The new cabinets are in! I’ll have to do a before and after post to share the transformation. Next week, the new floors go in. It’s very loud here, and I’ve been cat herding. Sophie and Chloe are having a hard time with all the commotion. Along with the wild winds that blew through here, it’s been an interesting time. Merry Christmas and Happy Yule. ❤

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  20. Glad to know you are safe and that the storm did not cause too much damage. We had our own storm in the eastern part of India last week. Thankfully the wind was not strong but the un-seasonal rains have affected the crops in the villages. Wish you happy holidays. 🙂

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  21. Dear Colleen thank God you are all safe. I am so glad you are back in touch with the world. What a blessing that all on the train were safe.
    I hope you have a happy and safe Christmas. Be blessed 💜💜💜

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    1. My dear, Willow… thank you so much. At least we never lost power. The winds were wild! With the renovation of the first floor going on it’s been crazy. Merry Christmas and before you know it, we’ll be writing poetry together again. ❤

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  23. Glad to know you are safe, Colleen. Grateful to be part of your poetry challenges the last two years, I’ve learnt a lot from it, thank you for all your efforts. Take care. Happy holidays. 🙂

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    1. Thank you so much, Balroop. With the renovation (it’s very loud) and everything else going on I made the right choice not to overextend myself. I’ve been painting on the weekends too! Happy Yule and a Merry Christmas to you, my friend. ❤

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  27. Crazy weather events all over – we too got blasted by a Colorado low – nuts. Thankfully, we managed fine – so I’m very glad that you and Ron and the fur girls are safe! (I was wondering where you were) – so now, at least, all’s well that ends well, and thankfully this is done. We’re blessed to have been so lucky.) So onwards and onwards – and clearly, it’s time you take a much needed break – although you’re busy doing what needs to be done – painting and cat herding (I can bet they’re not so happy right now, but soon, they will be content and calm, enjoying the newly done spaces I’m sure) etc. So take the time you need – and try to get some rest in too – perhaps closer to the month’s end – but remember, pace yourself! And always remember, no matter the chaos, as long as you have family and friends, all will be okay. So here’s wishing you and Ron and girls safe, peaceful and joyful holidays – Happy Yule – and may the new year bring you health, happiness, light and love. And we’ll be seeing you in the new year for the new challenges – I’m looking forward to discovering what’s coming – I’m sure it will be exciting and wonderful. Peace and Bright Blessings. 💖💕💖

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    1. Pat, I’m sending you peace and bright blessings. Thanks for being part of this wonderful writing/poetry community. I’m so glad you’re safe as well. We lived in Colorado Springs for a few years, so I know the weather in Colorado well. I love Michigan… just not the wind. LOL! ❤

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      1. Thanks so much and I’m glad that I finally decided to “come over to the dark side” 😂😂😂 (winking in grand jest) of writing syllabic poetry – you’ve built a lovely community/space with a host of delightful people. I’m grateful for the warm welcome and encouragement. 💖

        Colorado lows always spell trouble here (in Quebec) in the winter months … *sigh* …. but such as it is, it is what it will be and so we just brace and prepare, but oh, yeah, those winds …. they were most definitely something. Totally crazy! But we’re all safe and that’s all that really matters. So be well and stay safe, and rest when you can and we’ll be seeing each other again in the new year. 🙂

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        1. Those Colorado lows made it to me in Michigan this last week. I’m so glad I took this time off. We finished the painting in the kitchen, hallway, and lower floor loo yesterday. We’re worn out! Tomorrow, the floor get installed. I can’t wait… it will be rough waiting until January 11 for the countertops. ❤

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          1. sounds like you’re making great progress, so each task checked off is great! and now, a short break to catch your breath and nurse the aches and pains …. time runs fast lately, so it’ll be done soon, you’ll see 💕

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              1. on top of everything else??! 😂😂 you’re a “mad woman” (in the best of senses) …. well, enjoy and remember, pace yourself superwoman 😉

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  28. Glad to hear you are ok Colleen. And looking forward to hearing more about your new poetry challenge. I’ve missed writing poetry but as you know my life has been in a state of flux. And will continue to be so for some time to come. Wishing you a restful Christmas and a Happy New Year. Xxx

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  29. I’m glad to hear you’re taking some self-care time, Colleen. I know it will come in very useful. Sorry to hear about the storm. We’ve had two in the UK so far this autumn. Thankfully, we have not been affected apart from the fence between our neighbour and us being blown down, but that’s minimal compared to those who have lost their lives, homes and those without power and water for over a week.
    Take good care of yourselves.
    Merry Christmas
    xxxx

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