Phew! Power is back on...
The ice storm finally hit for real yesterday morning. By last night, I'd lost a chunk of a big old maple, which miraculously overtopped my pasture fence with about 1 foot to spare and landed in my orchard halfway between the ancient corner apple and a young apple next to it, sparing both of them as well. Oh, and I got home from work last night to a cold, dark house.
This morning I decided not to call in sick to work, since I was up, cold and bored, and in plenty of time to get there. Plus Dahli spent the entire day yesterday in a corner of the barn pooping diarrhea into a single heap while shaking in her hoof capsules after the maple came down, so I was able to clean her stall in 5 minutes flat. Plus I realized I'm out of sick days and could use the extra money. Plus, still no power in the morning and I lost my flashlight while sleeping, and I wanted a cup of coffee (and had failed to brew a fresh pot since the storm seemingly bypassed us over the weekend).
The storm warning is finally lifted, but has been replaced by a dangerous conditions warning due to cold with 25mph winds that could cause additional downed trees and power outtages. So I'm sitting here luxuriating in the warmth -- I've brewed an extra pot of coffee JIC. Refilled the water buckets I emptied this morning watering Dahli. Have the oil heat cranked to a toasty 62 to give the house a head start in case we lose power again. Found my missing flashlight, that ended up buried under the blankets. So I think my thorough preparations will ward off any more power outtages.
Oh, and I'm sitting under my warmed up electric comforter with a hot cup of chai and crab dip with triscuits for a late lunch. And visiting DU -- missed you guys! 
= new reply since forum marked as read
I got off early today and I'm getting the house ready for visitors tomorrow while imbibing in some Newcastle Brown Ale. Tasty stuff. 
I'm feeling a different kind of toasty. 
Happy Holidays!
Have you decided to buy another horse or are you going to wait until next year? I remember something about you wanting to buy a rare breed.
Once the ice storm was predicted that made it absolutely final. We get totally iced in here on the coast some winters (like this one) and no way I'm going to try to bring in a horse and unload onto glare ice. 
It's just as well. Now that I have 2 large maples (and counting) to bring down next summer, I see my wallet starting to get the big hits again.
