Thank goodness for small disasters

The Holler Homestead shut down process takes about an hour and allows us to be gone for several weeks without worrying about terrible disasters happening due to system failures. To leave we have to:

• Double check that everything is locked


• Verify the deep freezer is really working and closed


• Unplug all sensitive electronics, like the microwave


• Hook up the electric heater to keep the house around 50 degrees


• Turn the water heater to "vacation"


• Shut off all water valves and drain the system (avoid freezing pipe disaster)

While turning down the water heater this month, I smelled propane. It took a week and two visits to locate the gas leak, but they found and repaired it. Thank goodness for small disasters. Had we left witout noticing, our little furry friends may have suffocated in the house!