Blackouts

After many warnings and lots of partial blackouts that didn't reach us personally, we're now back to electricity scheduling. So far, it's only a few hours off in the mornings and evenings. I think it will be much easier to handle this time around than in the winter of 2022-2023, since it's not dark and cold now. 

Yesterday was "exciting" and frustrating as they got started. Exciting, because there were several explosions in our courtyard when they tried to turn the power on around 6:00. (Explosions are not good for people who actually know the sounds of war.) Apparently some transformers went out. Bogdan and I got to watch firetrucks and police and electric brigades and were amazed that we did get electricity after several tries, even though they continued work throughout the rest of the day. And I was frustrated because none of the announced schedules matched up and nothing went according to any of the schedules anyway. Like I kept saying last time, I would rather have less hours on, but know when they're coming, than the chaos that we sometimes end up with! But today has been exactly on the dot with the schedule so far, so I'm fine.

Overall we're thankful to the electric workers and all the people working so hard to give us comfort, relative safely... and freedom! I remember how amazing it was when we first got here to Ivano-Frankivsk and the electricity actually did come on. Even if it was off sometimes, after those last few weeks at home in Kherson, it was a treat to have it at all.

Please keep praying for and supporting victory in Ukraine!