We have had some power outages, the longest one for eight hours but manageable because Dad had his generator and started it up.
He and Heather are reading the instructions to get it started and running. He had plenty of extension cords and it worked fine. By the time we got it started the lights came on. But that was a good thing to get the practice because a couple days later we needed it again and already knew what to do and how to get things going quickly. And the second time he also hooked up the TV and the computer as well as the fridge and the freezer. We are pretty uncomfortable deprived of those toys.
The first time the power went out and we had the freezer and fridge but no TV or internet we just sort of sat and looked at each other, reading a little and looking out the window. Finally I begged Heather to play a game with me. She chose Monopoly and when I lost all my money she said she would play Rummikub with me because she knows I like it. We played by lantern light because the clouds made the house dark.
And an important side benefit of the second firing up was that we went next door to the "unfriendly" neighbor (we haven't ever met them, but the teenage daughter's bedroom window looks out on our driveway) and asked him if he would like to plug into our generator. He was totally friendly, accepted the offer with gratitude, and we got to finally meet the daughter who was very friendly as well. She even came over later and said she was going to the store and did we need anything. So nice! There is a much more pleasant feeling toward them now. She probably still doesn't like us making noise outside her window at times, but she at least knows we don't mean to bother her.
Speaking of stores, we went to pick up a few things and this was the line to get in. They were letting in just a few at a time so that they weren't overrun and overwhelmed, I guess.
The front of the store is around the corner and down. We didn't really need anything but just thought some things would be nice, like fresh fruit and vegetables. And we wanted to pick up Dad's blood pressure meds. But when Dad asked the monitor at the door he said the pharmacy wasn't even open so we went on home. Today we went back and the drive up window was open to the pharmacy so he was able to get his pills. There was a shorter line, but standing there in line while Dad was getting his pills I couldn't think of anything that we really needed that was worth standing in that line. The door monitor said they may open for real tomorrow or Saturday and that will be soon enough for us.
I took a walk around the neighborhood the first day that was clear and there were some trees down and some damage done. This tree came down and fell across the road and had to be cut up so that traffic could pass. There were a couple like that.
And this is just in the block behind our house. One of the big trees was very close to the person's house and could have destroyed their bedroom but it fortunately fell the other way and crashed into the street. That one seemed to be weak about a foot off the ground and just broke off.
Today we went to help a family in our ward that had flooding. Some of our ward is in expensive homes near the river and they got three feet of water in their houses. This poor lady said they had saved for 20 years and just 10 months ago completely refurbed their house. Now it's all a muddy mess. I felt so bad for her. Her kitchen drawers had been filled with water, the expensive cars in their garage were unstartable--they had to be pushed out of the garage. They had beautiful hardwood floors. Their pool was full of muddy water. Imagine the Collinses house being all on one level and flooding up to the kitchen counters. I wanted to take pictures, but felt it would be invasive of their privacy. Dad helped take the carpet out of their dressing room and huge closet, and then he got light headed so we came home. It took us a while to get out of their subdivision because my gps didn't work and the street had a lot of water. Driving out we saw a couple cars that had apparently been bashed by trees with broken windshields and collapsed tops. And most of that neighborhood had those brick enclosures around their mailboxes and they had toppled over. I wondered if it was vandalism, but others said they are hollow and probably just floated off their bases.
The temple flooded about six inches they say, and it was perfect timing because it had just shut down for two weeks for regularly scheduled cleaning. Now no one's wedding or sealing will be cancelled because of the flood because none were scheduled for these two weeks. Probably will take longer to clean out the flood damage, but it will be fine.
Last Sunday church was cancelled because the rain was still heavy, and this Sunday we are going to have a joint Sacrament meeting and then go help again. There are lots of people in the stake that still need lots of help. Heather's boss is bishop of one of the Kingwood wards and he has been so busy every day doing mop up work all over for his people.
Heather is finally able to go to work. She hasn't worked for several days because of the weather. Today was her first opportunity to go. The girl who was giving her so much grief is finally gone for good and Heather has her desk and computer. Heather was hired to replace Amber because Amber was going to go to another job she wanted more, but that didn't work out so she stayed and stayed and made life pretty miserable for Heather, hoping to convince the Dr that Heather was incompetent and needed to go, but the Dr said he had hired Heather in good faith and it was Amber's responsibility to move on and find a good place for herself. So now that has happened and hopefully work will be more pleasant. Heather realizes what a jewel this boss is, but the other ones there don't like his perky attitude and his willingness to accomodate patients. I hope they will eventually peel off and he can get some good employees that appreciate his personality and kindness.
Anyway, we are all fine now and hope to be able to help out anyone that needs some help. At that house that we went to today there were so many people that we were getting into each other's way. So it didn't matter that we left. I think everyone wants to help where they can.
We are grateful for all that is in our lives, and especially for you all. We love you with all our hearts!
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