prairie life

We have made our preparations for the storm, and it is looking to be a real doozy. The firewood is stacked, buckets of water ready, drinking water in the house, kindling in a bucket, propane, and camp stove ready, and food in the pantry.

I know our preparations sound excessive, but we have been iced in at times for over a week. Without electricity and water. They had to bring massive portable generators in to run the pumps on the tower a few years ago, which shut everything down.

Our water is still not safe for personal use, or drinking, they don't know what kind of bacteria may be lurking in it, and until the EPA, gives the green light, we have to collect bottled water at City Hall every few days, for our use. I am very grateful to the Chicaksaw, Seminole, and Pottawatomie Nations for providing our drinking water. You see, while I am technically a citizen of the U.S. of A. , I live in the heart of the Seminole Nation, and the Nations, take care of the Nations...

Ashley is seriously ill, she is down with bronchiitis, and with her, it can turn to pneumonia at any time, this is really not a good time to be iced in. Alexandra, and Christian are also ill, and irritable. They take turns coughing, crying and keeping me up most of the night. it is so hard on little ones to be ill. They really don't know what to do, but cling and cry...

I am watching for the school bus. I expect them to turn school out any time now, and there will be no school tomorrow. I-40, is already a skating rink in places, and I am praying Ben will be able to get home from work, and Andrew into work safely. I am hoping my family will all be safely around me soon.

About that time of course, the noise level with hit nerve shattering pitch, and i will have to be sent to my room for a time out...i may have to call Ben and tell him to bring Dr. Pepper and chocolate while he is in town...i don't know what i was thinking not getting a supply of the true necessities of an ice storm...

They are expecting 2 inches of ice and about 4 inches of snow in our area, it is supposed to last through Monday, I really hope they are wrong, but Ok forecasters usually aren't...

I was sitting in bed this morning with my 2 sleeping sickies, trying to keep my eyes open drinking a cup of coffee, when Little House on the Praire came on, and i just turned them off...life wasn't really simple and sweet then, it was just plain hard. you didn't have time to do outside things, because all your time was consumed with trying to survive...

Light,heat, water, laundry , food all would take every moment of every day, i can imagine on a small scale,how difficult this must have been. I wonder if you didn't know any difference, if that made it easier...

Light switches that don't turn anything, taps with air, and no water, washing machines that don't do anything, toliets that don't refill...these are the realites of modern life, when the things we take for granted like electricity and water aren't available....

I am praying the lines don't ice, the power stays on, and even our limited water supply continues to flow...and i remember, my strength is in the Lord, and these things are temorary and temporal, and will hopefully someday soon be just a memory

crazy house on the prairie

We have been having such an adventure lately with no water. Hauling water to wash dishes, flush toliets, bathe children, it is very time consuming and difficult.

Ashley has to drive to city hall regularly to get us a supply of drinking water. We spent an interseting Sat. afternoon, with buckets of water, and washboards, in about 40 degree weather, with a freezing north wind...loads of fun...

Ashley is so tired of having to haul and boil water to wash dishes...we are using paper plates, and plastic stuff as much as possible, but we stilll have dishes, bowls and pots and pans....

Alexandra and Christian had a great time sitting in the shower in my industrial size stock pot, they thought they were taking a bath. We just stood them up to wash their hair and soap them up, and then they sat in my pot...I wish it was that easy for the rest of us...but, alas we don't fit in the pot.

We have limited water right now, and i don't know when it will return to normal, but i am praying it is very soon. We still can't use it for eating, drinking, cooking, or teeth brushing. We aren't supposed to bathe the babies in it because they might drink it, so they all had to take a shower...Alexandra protested...but she eventually lined all her ducks up ;in the shower...

Ashley didn't attack the kitchen today, and it is the biggest mess imaginable...Oh well, theres' always tomorrow, thats if we still have water...

Wednesday, we have to collect as much water as possible, and kindling. Andrews' friend is supposed to deliver us a load of firewood. A huge snow storm is supposed to hit on Thursday, one that is supposed to bring ice and high winds, which could mean power outages, which has in the past meant no power, and no water... we have to prepare for the possibilities.

Maybe it will all just go away, no ice, no more snow, no power outages, no more school closings. I am frankly sick of winter, and looking forward to spring....

Nicole and I have decided we are not cut out for the little house on the prairie, we don't like hauling water, we don't like camp bathing, and we absolutely hate doing laundry on washboards...

woe is me

My neighbor Debbie called this morning, to give me a water update. We have had water since Sat. , but it can't be used for dishes, drinking, etc. it has to be boiled first. Many of my neighbors are still without water, and they are on day 11 of no water.

The tower can't keep up with the drain on the system, so they are turning off the limited water until Sun. or Mon.

I will admit my first inclination was to sit down and have a good cry, but not knowing when Abe would shut it down, the Mama in me began collecting water in anything and everything available in order to flush toliets, wash dishes, and camp bathe my household.

I wanted to be depressed, but i am not, i was irritated, but quickly offered a prayer for Abe who is working around the clock almost single handed now that everyone has left him, and for Debbie who is receiving a lot of angry calls. Most people out here are pragmatic, and go with the flow. We are what you would call country folk...people who deal with what needs to be done...

I have floors that desperately need mopping, if you added water to them, you just might get mud, and then i thought of the poor people that only have mud for floors, no walls, no ceiling, no end in sight...how ungrateful i am ....i really love turning on the taps, and having lots of hot water whoosh out, how disheartening it is to turn on your taps, and nothing happen...

It was while i was franticallly filling buckets, and pots, and things, my mother called. She is still dealing with the mess left by the robbers, that stole her earthly possessions, trashed her home, and left her nervous and unsettled...she told me my 30 year old nephew is still in critical condition, and the Dr.s have declared his colon cancer to have invaded his liver and be stage 4...My sister Anita is beside herself with grief....she can't speak, sleep, eat...

I ask your prayers, for Matthew, his wife, My sister Anita and her husband Steve, and the rest of the family...

After speaking to my Mother, the inconvenience of my water situation seemed so small, so minor, we will cope, and move on...the little challenges of life, God give them your strength to face the big ones...

Give your comfort to my sister who's heart is breaking, help her to face what she can't...help me too...words offer no comfort at a time like this, so i will offer up my sacrifices, and hope she finds comfort in your love...

Christmas Time.

Homecoming 2010

life is a rhyme

I think I read too much Dr. Seuss as a child. My brain rhymes things all the time. I usually don't tell people because it's weird. Very weird.

I haven't been able to sleep lately. I have had so much on my mind, and i stay so busy during the day. It seems my brain needs extra time to tell me what is going on. I lay there in bed with my brain twirling and whirling around...no rest, no peace, no resolution.

I have tried journaling like my Dr. suggests. It seems this is very common in people with fibromialgia. Last night around 12:30, I gave up, and started writing in my journal. Ben opened one tired eye, and said what in the heck are you doing?

I am writing to do lists, and schedules, and menus, and chore lists, I am writing down who I am mad at and why, what i am scared about,where i am supposed to be and when...what hurts, and what i should do about it...the worst of it is, it is all in rhyme...

Theres' too much, theres' too many thoughts in my head, too many things to do, too many lists, too many rhymes. Never a moment, never enough time-

I'm all about work, I have no time to play, i forget about reading, I struggle to pray-

I am stressed out and tapped out, exhausted and weary, my head is so foggy, my eyes oh so bleary-

I wrote my lists like this, and everything on my mind. I finally turned out the light and went to sleep.

It has finally happened, i have joined the wrapped too tight club...p.s. I just checked my list, and i am supposed to be getting dressed and doing laundry...time to get to work...drats

Waiting on the lord

I haven't had a scripture for the year yet. I knew it would come to me, it would arrive. And so, I waited. I waited, and waited, i knew i was just waiting on the lord, and his timing.

A few days ago it dawned on me, the lord had spoken to my heart, i was just a little slow in responding.

Isaiah 40-31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;they shall mouny up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.

Homecoming 2010

Ashley came home from school early on Friday, so I could fix her hair, paint her nails, and put her make-up on her. I did an elaborate woven pattern with the top of her hair half back. She wanted to wear it straight, and it was all i could come up with.

I bought "diamond" butterfly clips to put on each section, and it was really pretty. Ashleys' escort Lucien has been her friend since pre-k , and teased her the whole time they were up in the court, and there is my daughter laughing hysterically through the whole thing.

She won the discussion by the way, and wore her brand new cow-boy boots under her formal. It seems to have been a wise decision, as the other girls were all in very high heels, and had no idea how to walk in them. Ben leaned over and asked what was wrong with those girls? Were they crippled? It was pretty funny...

Ashley walked past the Superintendant, and he said good evening Miss Boots, you are looking lovely this evening, and she laughed and lifted her dress so he could see her boots, and they both cracked up...

Ashley's friend CJ won this year, and Ashley was very happy for her, and as she walked away 2 of the teachers stood up to applaud her, and they yelled you'll always been the Queen of our hearts...and cheered more. She was really tickled by them...One is her 4-H advisor, and the other, her favorite English teacher..

I am glad it is all over, I am glad she is happy with the outcome...her Dad even let her and Lee drive the cougar to Sonic in Wewoka Fri. night for ice cream...she is a big girl now...

I am completely over joyed the water came back on Sat. , not so much happy about the amount of laundry i need to catch up....by Gods' Grace, i'll get there, either that or it will be summer, and i won't have to worry about that winter clothes anymore...just kiddidng...i am not quite that bad.

little chickadees

Bens' alarm went off at 4:40 as usual, and i am sad to say, the tag team was in bed with us. They both sat straight up, yeah is it morning. Despite my insistence it wasn't morning, they both got up.

I really hate whining, snarling and griping first thing in the morning, and tried my best to get everyone back into bed, but no luck. I just had to suck it up fix breakfast and put the coffee on. 2 cups later, i still want to crawl back in bed, and now my 2 year old has decided to sit down and cry. I don't know why she is crying, and she doesn't know why she is crying, it is just one of those things.

We have a really busy day ahead of us. Tonight is Home-coming, and Ashley is the candidate for 4-H. They voted yesterday, and she voted for another girl, i asked her why? and she said everyone knows you can't vote for yourself. I said yes, you can. Who do you think John McCain voted for Barack Obama? What if you lose by the margin of one vote, yours...

She laughed, Mom, I don't care about winning home-coming queen. I just like wearing a pretty dress, and getting my hair and make-up done. Okay, that's good to know.

Her day of beauty makes for a very busy day for me. She is coming home after lunch so i can put the laces back in her dress, tack up the gathers she pulled out, fix her hair, nails, and make-up with little sleep and 2 grouchy toddlers. Feed the troops, and be at the school by 5:00.

I think we will eat the enormous pot of soup i made yesterday again, with some grilled cheese sandwiches. Alexandra already thinks it is lunch time and is eating a bowl now. Come to think of it, we have been up almost 4 hours , and that soup smells pretty good....She is on bowl # 2, and i put the whole pot in my crock-pot, so i don't have to think today...

We had water for 2 hours last night, but the pressure is really low and not drinkable. I was only able to do one load of laundry, but i did get everyone bathed. I hope they are able to resolve this today. i had to do Alexandras' laundry this morning by hand on a wash-board, i know Granny will get a kick out of that. When you have a young lady potty-training, accidents happen quite often, and little panties have to be washed out quickly.

Even with the water turned on, our water pressure wasn't normal, so i am calling the command center this morning to check in. I don't know whether to be annoyed or amused, so i go back and forth.

Ben is still not doing well. He has been driving to work again, but we are really keeping a close eye on him. His ultrasound showed some blockage in the carroted arteries, but nothing major. They are going to continue treating it with medication. They also found a nodule on his thyroid, and he is going in for a nuclear scan on 1/26, so they can get a better look at it. He sees a neurologist on 2/1 , and hopefully, the neurologist will be able to sort this all out. It is really upsetting for him, and scary for me.

I am trying to convince Christian it is nap-time, but he isn't going for it, he insists it is morning time, not nap-time. I have Alexandra convinced, maybe he will bring the bat cave, bat-man, and the bat mobile into my room, and play with them, while we rest for a little bit...pillows, soft sheets, down comforter...it is calling my name...

Good Night, ummm good morning...good nap-time? good riddance!!!!

oh dreaded water problems

My neighbor Steph called to give me the latest water update, the scope of the water problem is so great that the Seminole Nation cannot handle it. The Chickasaws are hauling water in for us. After school, Ashley gets to go the the fire station and bring home drinking water and toliet flushing water.

Tonight from 7:00- 10:00, they will be turning the water back on. We are supposed to shut everything off, and check our meters for movement. If we have a leak, we need to contact the command station at the fire department, which will send warm bodies out tomorrow to look for a leak.

This is so much fun, i don't know. It really makes me feel for the people around the world who deal on a daily basis with the struggle for clean water. I know this is an inconvenience, that will be fixed eventually. For some of our brothers and sisters, this is their day to day reality.

Lord, help me to be grateful for what i have, and to be aware, of others who suffer daily. Give me compassion and love for these people, and give me my water back soon. Amen...

out of the mouth of babes

Christian said Mom, I think it is about time for one of your black chocolates(dove dark chocolate)smart boy, and so we did. I did make the mistake of unwrapping Alexandras' for her, and had to rewrap it, I'll do it myself syndrome.

laundry overload

I have been doing laundry like an insane woman, and everyday, i get up and face an insane amount of laundry all over again...I have been feeling like it would never, ever end.

I went to turn the machine on last night about 10:30, and the water didn't sound right as it entered the machine. Ashley was just getting out of the shower, and she said the water pressure was off. I then found out the entire town was out of water...

The school, the city of Sasakwa, the rural water system, and the rural Holdenville system...no water...if we wanted to be in nowata, we would have moved there.

The situation is so bad, they are hauling water in to the school, state officials are on site to help, and FEMA is here...thats right, FEMA is in podunk Oklahoma.

They are trying to repair the lines as quickly as the leaks are reported. The theory is, during the recent blizzard all sorts of water lines froze, the past few days we have gone above freezing , and as the lines thawed they burst. The burst lines caused all the local water towers to drain, and in a blink everyone for miles and miles around are out of water....

Everyone that knows the lay of the land here, has been roped in to walk the lines looking for leaks. The Towers have been refilled, but they cannot turn the generators on until they know the lines are repaired, and no pipes are broken...

Guide them Lord, as they walk this rough cold freezing cold actually terrain...this is not the prairie of t.v., it is hilly and wooded, and rugged in lots of places...i am grateful the rattlesnakes are hibernating. We have lots of snakes here, coyotes, even bear...watch over the workers, as they sort this out..

How did i find out all the ins and outs when everyone involved is out working the situation? I called the school secretary, she knows everything!!!!!!!!!

I guess i needed a break from washing clothes, and i know some rest, a day off would be great, but Lord, no water, that is not my idea of a break, and hauling water to flush toliets, is not something i would want to do on a day off....how about i agree to rest, and you help them find the problem and fix my water...thank you..

survival of the fittest

The past week has been a whirlwind. I am exhausted, overwhelmed, and having serious brain bubbles.

Granny fell and broke her hip Tuesday night. She had surgery on Thursday night to repair the break. This is the 2nd time she has broken her left hip. She will be in the hospital about a week, and then she will be transferred to rehab to begin the tough work of walking again.

I have really been afraid something like this would happen with her so weak and frail from this bout of shingles, and the pain meds disorienting her.

After i left for the hospital Thursday, Sean began vomiting, Christian started in the wee hours of Sat. morning, Lola was the next to succumb. Ben came down with it Sat. night, followed by Connor, Jonathan, me, Nicole and Ashley...

Between worrying about Granny, and the 2 little ones taking turn vomiting on me , and all over the house, i am totally out of it. The virus hit me harder than anyone else. While it seemed to affect the others for about 24 hours, i am still weak, dehydrated , and i have just started drinking. Gatorade, not tequila....i have eaten a piece of toast in 3 days, and lost 7 lbs. Talk about a crash diet...

To really make my day, i discovered this afternoon 3 of the boys had head lice....any moms worst nightmare...the 2 older boys had been to a friends house recently, thank goodness, i found it quickly.

On top of mopping up from the virus, and all the laundry that entails, i have had to spray all the furniture, put all the pillows into the dryer, bag the boys baseball hats, and strip everything and i can't even begin to calculate how many loads of laundry i need to do...

I haven't got around to finding a new scripture for this year, i guess i am waiting for it to find me..

My house is a wreck, and unfortunately, i have no volunteers for the clean-up crew. Ashley has been assigned to find my kitchen, Nicole is putting away laundry, and bathing the babies, I am cleaning the living room, and doing laundry...I wish my stomach was settled enough to eat chocolate, i really need a chocolate fix...my Christmas decorations are still 3/4 up.

Tomorrow is Jonathans' 11th birthday, and i don't think i can possibly have the house clean and sanitized, un-decorated and birthday decorated by tomorrow evening...i am still feeling pretty rough, and just too tired to know where to start...maybe i can convince Jonny to have his birthday dinner on Wed. the thought of making chicken parmesian turns me green...

Dear Lord, i know you never send us more than we can handle, but i have hit overload here, and i need some help...please send the house fairy to repair my little world...but first, send your best angels to watch over Granny as she goes through this difficult time...she is your faithful servant,and needs a little boost...

old year, new year

We were all very busy over the holidays. With music recitals, birthdays, and all Bens' Dr. appts. and tests, i crammed all my shopping in over a 3 day period. It was insane...it also worked, go figure.

I had an appointment on Dec. 30 with my rheumatologist, so i braced myself for a stern lecture, we loaded up the van with 8 children plus Timmi, and headed to OKC.

The Dr.s appointment did not go well. It seems I am having a huge flare up of my yuck. This crazy cold weather is not my friend, and i can't seem to ever get warm enough, or stay warm.. I am going to buy some thermal underwear, or stay in the house until spring.

The pain in my hands and wrists is not fibromyalgia, oh no, it is rheumatoid arthritis, and the dehydration, just a symptom of the sjogrens syndrome...she asked if i had been under a lot of stress since my last visit...I had to admit, yes my stress was way out of control...and there you have it, stress + no sleep + 9 children+ 1 ill husband= autoimmune chaos and catastrophe....

The Dr. had some solutions, i just really didn't care for them....

We had a great afternoon inspite of my pain and the frrezing temps. Andrew and Tiffiany met us at Oklahomas favorite vacation spot Bass Pro Shops. The children never tire of looking at their fish tanks and displays.

We walked the 2 blocks into bricktown, and looked at all the Christmas decorations, then we took the children to the ballpark to go tubing. Thry had 2 levels of hills, and i would like to say a fun time was had by all, but it was really, excrutiatingly cold and wet. Lunch was better, it was indoors, and was supposed to be heated,I personally cannot swear to that.

I wore leggings, jeans, a shirt, a turtleneck sweater, a heavy sweater, a scarf ,gloves, 2 pairs of socks, coat, and the new hated tennis shoes. I didn't thaw out for 2 days.

It was great having the whole family together and they all really enjoyed having their older brothers along for the day. We were quite a parade walking around Brick town..Ben and I, Andrew and Tiffiany, Kyle and Timmi, and of course Ashley, Nicole, Connor, Jonathan, Sean Patrick, Christian, and Alexandra aka meme lola being passed from person to person, it was too cold for her to walk...and little princesses have to be carried, all bundled up with pink blankets on them...

New Years Day was uneventful, we went to Mass as usual, and I think I am going to have to stop wearing dresses until spring, or wear super long skirts with thermals under them...I know i keep saying it is so cold, but we are enduring an artic blast, and all i can think is go away. I am not suited for artic blasts, and i don't like these single digit, and sub-zero temps. I admit it i am a sissy...

I am up bright and early this Epiphany morning as my 2 youngest have invaded my bed, and i have no where to lay down. Christian sleeps side-ways, and on top of one arm, Alexandra lays on the other, i feel like a wrestler pinned to the mat. I surrendered and just got up...I feel a nap coming on later...

Today is the official end to the Christmas Season, and as we are all baked out, i think i will make a big pot of soup, some french bread, and a peach cobbler. I am certain the wise men won't mind, and after tonight my Christmas lights will be turned off, and I will begin the unenviable task of taking all these decorations down.

On the bright side it is so stinking cold, i don't have anywhere i want to go.