First of all we are OK. NW Arkansas has been declared a disaster area. The worst Ice Storm in the state’s history. We were without power until just now–4 days in a 40 degree house, all of us dressed like bagladies. We slept in coats, hats and scarves and cooked by candle light. I re discovered how much I like coloring books. We read a lot. I didn’t get much homework done because it was too cold to think. I only cried once, when they told us yesterday it might be until Saturday or next week until the power came on.
We’re opening our house up to anyone who needs warm water and heat, just like everyone else in NWA. Click on the picture for the series. We’ll be posting some of the backyard soon, it’s even worse than the front.
All in all an adventure, but not one I’d like to have again. And James? Let’s just say he was the mighty protector and it is damn good to have a physicist around when you are talking about survival. He knew to heat water on the stove and made our drinking bottles in to hot water bottles. The cats monopolized those. Zack, the smallest red cat got right up next to one and growled when other cats tried to get close to it too–obviously he needed it all to himself.
We also found out the the fireplace does work and that we need a lot of firewood. Since we lost most of the trees in our yard, that won’t be a problem. Good thing J bought a chainsaw a few weeks ago.
It’s disjointed, this entry, but I”m still cold.
Tags: family, Fayetteville
Once again I’ll thank you for the pokes and proddings to catch up, to write more. We’ve had an eventful last several weeks, both good and bad. The bad is that my stepfather has returned to the hospital then been moved back to the skilled nursing facility. He won’t be leaving there anytime soon. My mother almost never leaves. When she does he gets upset which saddens her. She needs to take more time for herself and I’ve said so and she will if she feels like she can.
I’ve had a health scare myself. I don’t want to go further into it than that. It was a frightening miscommunication between the doctor and myself. When everything was sorted out the news is still not wonderful but much less bad. It was a terrifying 48 hours though. Really horrible. Life flashing before my eyes and all that. The news that is isn’t great but there are things we can do.
We’ve been very busy with the Bean. She’s been in soccer camp, Drama camp and this week swim and fitness camp. They meet a different parks for three hours a day and the folks work for the parks, the schools and are interested in becoming teachers. They are wonderful. Very patient and encouraging. It’s kept Bean from being bored out of her mind during a wet and upsetting summer.
I’ve joined a gym. I have very little idea what I’m doing. I lift weights for 30 or 40 minutes in no set order every other day. Arms,legs and abdomen. I run like a rat on the wheel for 30-50 minutes every day of the week. I wonder how long it will take to see a difference? I’m guessing about 5 weeks. That’s what it took before all those miscarriages. I’d lost 20 some odd pounds and had a nice bit o definition in my abs. And so I’m back to the drawing board and trying not to be too hard on myself. Having the Ipod and two new Abney Park CDs helps a lot. I’m just hoping if I sweat a lot that means I’m getting somewhere.
I organized an outting to the incredible Ravenwood Festival on the 12th. We had to leave a little earlier than I’d hoped (the Bean was staying with my sister ALL NIGHT~!!)and missed the after party, but it was still wonderful. Abney Park is my new passion. I liked them before but seeing them live and actually talking to them–well they are both talented and nice. And gorgeous, all of them. It was the big fun to get dressed up again. J and I spend so much time being parents and doing our life things that we don’t have much time for our preferred pasttimes (involving dressing up, random spookiness and music usually)so it was bliss to get to do this. George’s was transformed and the Bands were AMAZING. I’ve got several CDs to pick up soon. I think I’ve already worn out my Abney Park’s Lost Horizon’s 
I suggested J’s outfit and helped dress the girls. J loaned G2 some old Docs with buckles he had. And I got to wear a flouncy skirt AND my paratrouper boots. Yes, that was good.
That’s me with forceps from the turn of the century by way of Lisa. I had a monocle from then as well.
That is the very handsome Captain Robert
And again.
Ms. Lisa
Gary and Laura
J and I
Tags: family, Fayetteville, illness, Steampunk
And it’s been another while. I’m not entirely sure why. Some of it is just life and a lot to do and keep track of. Some is just …well I hope it doesn’t mean I’ve lost the urge to write. I hope it simply means that this is a “…sea-change/Into something rich and strange” and not a loss complete.
It’s been a very intense month. Very good in some ways with J’s big birthday party (which I hope to write about with pictures) and with summer camps (2 -3 hours a day of theatre or soccer)swimming and fireflies for the Bean but very very hard in others. My stepfather is gravely ill and can no longer be at home. He’s been in the hospital for almost three (?) weeks now. Honestly I don’t know if it is two or three. It’s been so desparate this time: another stroke, he’s just not making as much progress as anyone wants. We have to simultaneously hope for one thing and prepare for another. He has five kids and about a million grandkids and just about everyone is here. My sister is most excellent in being an emotional support for Mom and just jumping into situations and helping. This is not my forte at all. I’ve always been a bit distant from my stepfamily though certainly the angst and anger are no longer there–it’s just been so many years that I’ve been away, I feel odd about inserting myself. My sister, being younger and around the group much much more than I was in the last 20 years, knows more how to communicate with them and help them get what they need. So I cook and take over food. Clean up where I can. Run errands. J and I have both been by the hospital but we haven’t taken the Bean. 6 is just too young in my book and she’s sensitive enough that I worry it would be too much. She saw him the week before this happened and talked with him and sat on his lap and gave him many hugs . That is the picture I want in her head.
I wish I could help more. I wish the gap between us all didn’t exist but it does and all I can do is be as helpful as I can think to be and hope that gives comfort to those who need it most. I know how hard it was when I lost my dad and I miss him to this day. I can only hope that somewhere in this process is ease, peace and comfort for C and for his/my family.
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