Weather; Then and Now

I am seldom concerned with the weather here.  In fact, I enjoy our 4 seasons.  This year, though, I am worried about the weather. 

43 years ago, Steve and I had just married.  We were living on our own in an apartment in Okmulgee.  He was in college full time and working full time.  It was winter 1978; January specifically.  He was working near Sapulpa, about 45 miles away from where we lived.  We only had a motorcycle, a Honda 750, and it was all he had to drive to and from work, to pay bills and to grocery shop.  

He had gone to school one morning and from there he went on to work.  I was terribly worried about him, we were in the middle of an ice storm and then it started snowing - but there was so much ice.  When I finally heard the bike pull up late at night, I raced out to him.  

He was literally froze to the bike!  I had to help with the kickstand, pry his hands off of the grips and then help him get upstairs.  I have never been so scared for someone in all my life!  His beard had long ice cycles, his hands frozen like he was still holding the grips, and he cold barely talk.  When we got upstairs, I started running him bath water so he could warm up.  He told me to run straight hot water.  I was terrified he would scald himself.  He had no feeling at all.  He recently told me he had never been so cold in all his life.  Once he was warmed up, he was proud not to have frostbite.  I have no idea how we lucked out, but he made it through that awful winter.  There is no end to the depth of love I have for this man.

This winter?  They just said the last winter we had like we have looking ahead of us was in January 1978!  My heart dropped.  We are looking at 10-12 days below freezing!  

Both of our kids and their families live here.  Raelee is specifically who I worry about. Aedan isn’t driving yet.  But Raelee drives 18 miles to work and 18 miles home - across multiple bridges.  She does not miss work, in fact, she is full time and takes up shifts others drop.  She is extremely dependable - and has a good head on her shoulders.  But this ice is enough to frighten any experienced driver!

Last night it was icy, and of course I was worried about her.  We know what days she is off.  She is a creature of habit, so they pretty much stay the same.  Knowing she was at work or getting off, I messaged Steph and she immediately sent this to me.

Punkin was doing 37 mph on a major 65mph highway.  No one was going 65 though.  Go girl!  

Thank God for that ‘creepy mom’ ap.  😂  Steph watched her get all the way home, let us in know that she was home safe and we all took a deep, thankful breath. 

43 years is a lot of water under the bridge, and some things you just never forget.  Steve’s dedication to us has never faltered.  There hasn’t ever been anything he couldn’t figure out or wouldn’t do.  I have no idea how we made it through some of the roughest times of our lives, but I am so thankful Steve chose me and that we have made it, but the best part is, we still like each other and our love for one another is enourmous.

This year we have families, kids and cattle and it is freaking bitter cold out there!

Keep us in your prayers.  We do have 2 snow days... tomorrow 2” is predicted, Sat 2”- 4”.  But lots of ice is in the forecast as well.

And this year, we have a nice warm home, a 4-wheel drive, a diesel truck, a fifth wheel and a PARKED Harley.  

The Covid Vaccine Story

 

When filling out the questionnaire for the Covid Vaccine I had to dishonestly answer the questions.  Oh, make no mistake, I knew what I was doing.  But take a look at the questions had to answer...

Here are some of the questions:

My true answers:

1.  Ummm, no, I don’t think so?

2.  Yes, I have a chronic sinus infection and asthma.

3.  No, I am a PI patient, I don’t run temps.

4. No, but  I haven’t tasted or smelled anything in years.  Again chronic sinus infections.

5.  Yes, I have half a colon now.  They took out the part that absorbs water.

6.  Nope!

More questions in the criteria:

7.  Have you ever had a serious reaction to a vaccine? Only one serious.  The pneumonia vaccine.  104 temp and huge red arm.

8.  Do you presently have any infections?

Every single day.  Always.

9.  Do you have muscle and joint aches?  Yes.

And now I get to listen to people 

“hoping you will be ok, I know 2 people who died after getting the vaccine - just in my state.”

“You know a Dr died after taking it.”

Or, “now you have the chip!”

Or “you never know the long term effects...”

My Dr blessed my vaccine and NIH approved it.  I am not thrilled to take it, I hate not answering the questions correctly, but if I did I would have never gotten a vaccine. I don’t know if it is a blessing to have gotten it or not, but I am trusting the Drs and more so God.  He seems to have a plan for me.

Today was an “off” day.  I tried making a gluten free pie again and made a mess of it.  I gave up and made a normal pie dough for my apple pie - which thankfully was delicious.

We made a gumbo.  As we were serving I realized I had forgotten the okra!  What the heck?!?  Okra is now added, but dang!  I was off today!!  Thank goodness it is nearly over!

*****************

Health wise, just awful fatigue and general (my normal) achiness.  Arm is just a tad sore, I still don’t speak a foreign language and I don’t glow in the dark.  I might make it.  

                                       😂

This Happened Today :-)

 We ran to the Asian grocery store for a specific noodle bowl, and while we were there I asked to go to my favorite Chinese restaurant.  If you leave there hungry it is your own fault!  I had this left over and sent this pic to Raelee:

Yes!  Those are my leftovers!!

And I immediately got her response:

Crazy child knew where we were and came to eat our leftovers!  Actually, this was Steve’s and she told me she would get mine tomorrow when she comes to eat gumbo!

This girl has a hollow leg.  

She is my sunshine.

*******************

No more side effects on day three of the first Pfizer vaccine.  Arm is barely even sore.  Fatigue is real - we had to leave the Asian store - I was pooped.  This is ‘normal me’ not ‘vaccine me’ though.

Crumb Quilt Progress

My crumb quilt is coming along quite nicely - and the memories are flowing!  I know where I originally sewed every piece of that fabric, which quilt or craft it went in to and who got it if it was given away, so resewing the fabric brings back wonderful memories.

My friend, Sharon, came over and brought her scraps!  She made her first block today.  How awesome is that? And she is as excited as I am!

My crumb quilts will become picnic quilts for families to take fishing or on day outings.  

I got this picture from our guys today!  I love getting their random pics!  Jeremy is good about sending me picture ‘hugs’ every few days.  I love it!

 

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I feel much better today, the second day after my first Covid vaccine.  Still not glowing in the dark, not speaking Chinese or Russian, not hearing funny voices - and I haven’t croaked!  WHOOT!  

Got My Covid Vaccine!

Stood in line.  A long line.  In the cool wind.  Outside about an hour and a half, slowly moving towards the room of doom.  I was definitely apprehensive, in fact I still am, but after another hour in line inside I finally got it. 

Not sure if I am thankful or not.

There were 2 very long lines.  Be prepared!  Bring your walker chair or lawn chair.  There are chairs inside, but they are constantly moving them around for people who need them.  There is not enough for everyone and they are spaced out.  I got my shot in Tulsa by the Expo.

I got the Pfizer vaccine.  The nurse that gave it to me was exhausted.  At that point she slapped the shot in my arm with little concern.  Burned like the bejeebers!

Today I woke feeling like a truck ran over me - but honestly that often happens, so not sure it is the vaccine.  After getting up, my head started throbbing, I am kind of achy all over and the headache has slacked off, but still there.  I think the headache IS the vaccine.  My arm is sore at the infusion site but not terribly sore.  

I have taken it easy today; frogged (unstitched) a block of a quilt I am working on, worked on genealogy and rested as needed, so an easy day.

I haven’t started glowing in the dark, or hearing radio gibberish in my head, I haven’t started speaking Russian or Chinese and so far I am still alive... so far so good! 

No new cattle babies today.  We are waiting on 7.

It’s a Boy!

Our first calf of the season was born yesterday!  Steve went out to feed the cattle and when he does he counts heads.  He double counted and was still one short.  He knew who it was and found her on the dam nursing a newborn.  He went back and as he always does for new momas, he took her food right to her.  She is not a new mom and not aggressive as some are, but it was too dark to see if we had a boy or girl.

This morning he went to check everyone and said there was no doubt it was a boy!  😂   So Daisy has a son.  ❤️

Here he is next to his mom, Daisy is red.

I just love this time of year!  New baby watch!  They are so fun when there are several and they start playing... and head butting each other.

Next week, maybe I won’t like this time of year though - it is supposed to be freezing last cold!  The high one day will be 21!  Brrrr.... on that note, I am diving under the covers for a good night’s rest.  I am super dragging last tired.  I just can’t seem to find any energy.  Night all.

Oh!!  Tomorrow I am getting my first Covid shot!  I am nervous about it, should I be?  🤔

Top Up Day

Today was ‘top up’ day.  This is the first of 3 bottles of IgIV that I receive every 4 weeks.

Not feeling up to posting much.  I take a lot of pre-meds (antihistamines) and I just want to sleep.  

My infusion only took 7 hours today - and I don’t have an infusion migraine!  Praying it stays that way.  

We came home for Jake’s evening truck ride, then Steve went to feed cattle.  Every feed he counts cattle heads.  He was short one and found her on the dam - nursing her newborn!!  He always takes new momma’s food, so he fed her, but it was too dark to see if we have a boy or girl.  We will check that out tomorrow.

Night all.  :-)