DETROIT – The Bryant family lost power in their Oxford home early Sunday morning. The lights were still off Monday night on their Christmas tree.
The family is still in the dark like so many families in Metro Detroit.
"We thought since we had a power line down in our yard we would be the first ones to get fixed," said Paula Bryant.
DTE has been working around the clock trying to restore service for tens of thousands of its customers who lost power after Saturday night's icy weather.
Read: Utilities work to restore power after ice storm
Meanwhile, Curtis and Paula Bryant are using their fireplace and kerosene lamps for light.
The two purchased a generator to run their refrigerator that's stocked full of food for Paula's annual Christmas Eve dinner.
"I waited about ten to twelve hours before I got the generator," said Curtis.
"We finally said, 'I am going to go get that generator.' It doesn't look like the power is going to come on," Paula said.
If the power doesn't come on by 11 a.m. Tuesday, Paula told family members their Christmas Eve tradition will have to be put on hold. Many of them are without power too.
"We told them if we get our power like we are supposed to, come on over," said Paula.
For now the Bryants are doing whatever they can to pass the time.
"I read by natural light until I couldn't read anymore," Paula said, "then you just sit around and tell stories and stare at the fire."
Report any outages or downed wires to Consumers Energy at 1-800-477-5050 or DTE Energy at 1-800-477-4747.
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