The Darkness

Jed says (and this is a direct quote, as he hands me the computer to type), "I don't know what to write, but I want people to know that we're suffering." Hear, hear.
What he's referring to, for those living outside of the misery zone, is this our forth day without power. We had an ice storm Wednesday night, that, although seemingly mild, created complete havoc in the Upstate and surrounding areas. Our street is a complete wreck--power lines down everywhere, trees and limbs in the roads and on the roofs, and a rather large group of cold, tired, and increasingly irritated inhabitants.
Yesterday, I suffered a complete breakdown on the way to pick Jed up from work, screaming at Ellie because I was irrationally upset because she was upset. Then I cried for twenty minutes for yelling and scaring her. I think this was largely a product of having been stuck in the cold, dark house with no one for company except her for the better part of three days. (Uh, yeah, how am I going to have a kid around-the-clock, when I grow tired of a little furry beast so quickly?!?) We can't leave her alone, as it's too cold to leave the gas fire off, but we are wary of leaving it running without us in the house. She'd seriously probably set herself on fire, and coming home to a charred dog just isn't my idea of a good afternoon.
After relating my angst to Jed, he wisely suggested a hotel, so we're in Anderson, warm and living the American dream of ample food, television, and showers. We've actually decided to stay another night, which again, was his most brilliant decision. Ellie seems happier as well, as mummy and dad are certainly more relaxed, and God knows Jimmy is relishing his time without us in the house to annoy him.
Oh, but we've got some seriously NUTSO people, an elderly couple, in the room next to us. Y'all, they are 100% insane, talking about being locked in the room and people sneaking in from the outside....All kindas weirdo drivel. I was honestly scared to walk past their room to take Smeleanor outside, and for good reason, too, as when I came inside they were trying to tell me that I snuck in and..I didn't catch the rest as I was fumbling to find my room key before they blugeoned me to death. It is, however, mildly amusing...or will be until we're trying to sleep in the midst of their rantings.
By the by--
1) I hate all of you who have power. Really, it's severe disdain right now. Now, I know it's not your fault, but I'm irrational and still hate you.
2) The people at Duke power are all wankers who are purposely leaving our house till last to fix.
3) I never want to see ice again, in any form. No more ice cubes in my vodka tonic, no documentaries about the North Pole, no Titanic, no snow cream, nothing. I'm going cold-turkey on all things cold.