Day 38 Are you okay?

 

I keep thinking about everyone, and what your story might be during this bitter winter storm that affected so many people. Somehow, the time arrived where we just needed to have our basic needs met, right Maslow? Food, warmth, safety, water and rest. And if we had some of these needs met, we also really needed a connection with each other, to talk about this crisis - and feel loved. Some had warmth and not water. Some had only safety and food. Others had everything but electricity. Whatever your scenario is/was, I pray that you are okay and seeing your way out of the particular situation you have/had. 

Chicken In

Nice card, Sheryl ❤️

There's so many things I've been mulling over this week. So many 'What If's' and 'Is everything going to be okay?' with very few answers. 

We are forever grateful 🙌🏼

Yet our friends stepped up to the plate and went to bat for our farm animals this past week to help relieve some of those concerns. And they are coming through this very well because of you, our friends. 

Can’t wait to hug your necks!

We want to thank Gina and Ed for making sure the donkeys had hay. To Angela and Paul for their constant updates and checking in on the farm, and for all the Barn Maid Service they provide. 

Winston, Paul’s 2nd BFF (Sugar loves Paul most)

To Anthony for the generator, and getting it all set up. And to Rosie, our caretaker coming morning and night no matter what the weather was doing. My eyes are misty and I have a lump in my throat for all those who made our farm animals a priority. We know they are alive because of you guys. No words. 

Can you even believe they can live through freezing 
temps for so long?! 🙏

How's the warrior doing?

I'm pleased to say he's doing well, and as well as can be expected at this time. As soon as I typed that, I had to rethink what I typed. Forget that. He's miserable. There, that's better. He's miserable, unhappy and as he should, he's wearing his grumpy pants often. He can no longer smell or taste, and NO food or drink sounds good to him anymore. 

He's not satisfied with anything on his plate, and has tried every texture and temp available. He's nomming hard on potato soup, cream of wheat, spaghetti, and PB&J. No more meat and he's pushing away the smoothies like they were battery acid. He's never been one to like that kind of thing, and his push back on that is something I do not desire to fight. I'm over here picking my hards, and that's not one of them.

You totally got this 👊

His sinuses are now lined with scabbing, swelling and ick. He's sinus rinsing like fisherman at a stocked pond. One after the other after the other. His humidifier is non-stop, esp with the heat on and this bitter cold requires it. Luckily, we have had electricity. The water has ebb and flowed, which is why many businesses in Houston are not open. Not enough water, and many without electricity. So many traffic lights are out completely and people are blowing right through them in their cars and accidents are everywhere. It's like the apocalypse here in Houston with zombies at any open gas station clawing each others eyes out. The grocery stores all have lines to get in the ones that are open. And there's practically no businesses or fast food open around us, anyway. Whew, that was quit the rant. Let me back it up and say that David is overall doing okay, but he's not happy nor satisfied with life right now. He's not able to sleep well or for very long, and since we have not had WiFi since early Monday morning, there is no computer or TV.

Super Hero through the thick and thin of it all 💪

Is MDA open this week?

Nope. Hardly anything is open around here due to the shortage of electricity and water. The roads are good, and have been for a day or so now. But Houston, like many towns and cities, was not prepared for this week of a bitter winter storm. Therefore, MDA closed Monday and Tuesday, then said they would close Wednesday as well. It was like trying to spoon feed a baby whose not hungry. Just a little bit at a time. 

Then, we get several messages today from MDA saying they are open tomorrow (Thursday). No they're not. Wait, Friday, but later in the day. Just kidding. No, never mind that too. The screeching noises of MDA backing up was loud and confusing. When MDA settled the dust, and got their car straightened out, we would now know that they would be in fact closed Thursday and Friday this week. David was beside himself. He really does not want this to drag out, and just wants to finish. This is mental anguish for him, as he had planned on Friday being his last day. And while he was supposed to be ringing the bell in the radiation room, he'll instead be showing up Sat and Sun, then M, T and W to try and finish it all out, going into next week. I just want to say this is all tentative and dependent on what Houston can provide MDA in regards to electricity and water. The round robin may continue to fly around and where it will land is still up in the air. But that's the plan at this moment in time. Subject to change, for sure. David is busy wrapping his head around all this. This winter storm stole time from him - and everyone! This is a week that was hard to be productive in life, and most of us just tried to muttle our way through it. 

Gunter okay?

I'm happy to say that most residents of Gunter have their electricity back on. The water is there for some people, but the city is under a Boil Alert. Boil all water before you use it, until you are told otherwise. 

I'm not in Gunter right now, but I can tell you that according to the Nest and Security Camera, we do have 1) electricity, and 2) WiFi. 

My plans are to go get a rent car for David tomorrow, and he's good to go for his treatments over the weekend. I'll be driving back to Gunter to check on the house, animals, and most importantly, the plumbing. A plumber will come Sunday to fix one of the faucets we know is broke, and when the pipes defrost, I'll probably need to turn the water off to the house. What's so odd is that our Houston apartment does not have WiFi/Internet back on yet. We have electricity and water (although weak at times) we have it. So my plans are to take my work equipment back to Gunter, and if we don't get WiFi back in Houston, I may need to work from Gunter. Currently, we are living a fluid life, and will go with the flow of it all. I feel like that's what most ALL of us are doing right now. 

There's one thing I know for sure, is that our caretaker will be so glad to not come to the farm for a few days. This last week was horrendous for her, but she made all the magic happen. She needs a break. And I need to get out to the barn, restock feed, clean up and see who needs what. And love on all the animals. I can't wait!

How did the move go?

Lauren and Ryan got moved into their house just in the nick of time. They, like everyone else, have been house bound and it's given them time to unpack and settle in.

Brooks in the carrier 

We've gotten to FaceTime with Brooks almost everyday.

He has heart eyes looking at his mama 😍

And I've never seen Lauren happier than she is right now. Ryan is an awesome husband and father, and Brooks is their world. It doesn't get better than that. 

👩🏻‍🦰👶 love and miss you both 💕

Lastly

I just want to say what saved my sanity this week was the little gym at the apartment complex. It became my place to run, meditate and be with me, myself and I. It's not a popular place here, but it was my place, for sure. 

This is what saved my soul. That machine. And when the lights go out at night and it gets dark and quiet, pray is my peace. And the can of icing in the fridge. 

My very best to you all,

C