Our interpretation of Ike (Part One)

Ike.

I am writing this in the local Barnes and Noble…because for Hunter and I, this is day 16 without power.

16 DAYS! What?!

I realize we survived Ike with no damage to our possessions…and a non-existent energy bill for the month of September, but I am finding it hard to be thankful for this!

We honestly have nothing of too much value … we are poor. So our enjoyment is not found in our stuff…

And a small energy bill means nothing when we have to eat out every night because we can’t cook. If only Center Point knew the obscene amount of money I would pay them right now to have the power back on…

Ok. Ok. I know I seem like I am ungrateful urma…but lemme just unpack the past TWO WEEKS.

The Friday of the storm, the power went out the second any wind started…awesome. But somehow, I managed to fall asleep with no circulating air. After assessing the damage the next morning we just had some minor wind forced-in water in our front entry way…and no power or water. After playing a game of LIFE and reading a little in our sticky still-aired apartment, we booked it to Katy. (My parents had power; Hunter’s did not)

We spent the next 4 days with Hunter’s parents (we weren’t gonna let them stay there alone with no power)…So the major point here is NO AC. I don’t mind the lights. Lights can be bypassed. I am a fan of candles…I have dozens of them…I do not have one battery powered fan. WHO DOES? Tell me where I can find one…in case of a recurrent Ike.

So, in the midst of this …I do have to brag on Hunter a little. So, Saturday night…at the Gaulke’s...Hunter and I were going to bed and 3 seconds after we hit the pillow, Hunter is out. Me?…I am DYING without a fan. I lay there for 5 hours…5. From 10 PM to 3 AM. Finally, I am so tired and just ticked…that I finally wake Hunter up half crying and half yelling that I can’t fall asleep. So dramatic.

My fantastic husband…simply wakes up gets me a cold water bottle to put under my neck…and tells me to relax…and before I can object…he starts fanning me with a pillow and does not stop until I fell asleep. Yes. I do thank Jesus for Hunter every day.

So the next four days are OK. We went to my parent’s house to watch some baseball and enjoy some AC. You know..it’s Texas. And finally, the Gaulke’s got a generator so we were able to hook up a fan for me at night. GLORIOUS.

So, the next Tuesday after the storm, I have to go to work. So Monday night, Hunter and I drive to our apartment and see the half the building at our complex have power and half don’t. Ours doesn’t.

So we do the whole candle and flashlight thing…but I keep thinking how the heck am I going to sleep without circulating air….and finally an idea comes!...

Ok but I have to save it for the next post… Hunter needs the computer to study for his FIRST TEST tomorrow! :)

Pray for test…pray for power!

What a Wonderful Day...

You know when some days are just flat out good?...

That was my day today ... so refreshing. Nothing went wrong...work was fairly stress free...(which by the way...is an answer to prayer...)

We have been going to this small group from church, and for two weeks now, I have felt the effects of prayer tremendously after leaving!.. I feel like they are super duper prayer warriors and it challenges me so much! I love it...

Anways, I also got to do some extra early Christmas shopping on my lunch break with plenty of time to eat as well...so speaking of my lunch break...

My coworkers and I went to eat at this common area that is usually PACKED with dental students, medical students/residents, PA students, MD Anderson employees, etc. and because it is in a MD Anderson building... it is pretty prestine for like a cafeteria (and again well funded)..and so when you order your food they give you that buzzy thing. So my buzzy thing goes off and I walk up to the counter...

...I am getting gitty just thinking about what happend next....

..so I am waiting in line to pick up my food and this little black boy (maybe like 3 or 4) is kinda wandering around waiting on his dad (who has another baby in his hands) to get his food...and I see him...and of course I just want to steal him...no but for real. And I said, " Hi sweet boy! ". And to my utter shock and pure joy ...he simpy walked over to me and hugged me. HE HUGGED ME. He came barely to my knee, but he just wrapped his tiny little black fingers around my legs and squeezed!!!!!

...At about this time, the boys dad looked at us...(his son... embracing a stranger like it is his mom)... and looked a tad embarrassed...to which I wanted to say...I will take him sir...right now. No questions asked...a child off of your hands...deal? kapeesh? You have two..you can spare this precious bundle full of preciousness...

But I resisted and just hugged back and parted...so his dad wouldn't call security...

This moment caused my day to be wonderful and I thought it couldn't get better...until!

PRESLEY WON GREATEST AMERICAN DOG!! (for further clarification see my very first post)

How awesome is he!!

I told Hunter every week, that Travis and Presley were on the brink of going home...that if they kick off Presley, I am not watching this show to the end...because I was such a huge fan... but HE WON!! He was by far the most lovable, playful, smart, and full of personality dog on that show! Go Boxer Dogs! as a former and future boxer owner...I always knew they were the greatest American dogs!

So small update:

Hunter likes school...he is learning...not like a ton...which is hard for him. But the classes that are actually challenging keep him suited for now. There are some very interesting people there that we can't wait to love on ...so more to come on that.

I feel like it is hard for me socially to have an 8-5 job. I feel like my socialness is plummeting. After talking to patients for most of the day, I like quiet time. I want to say I like alone time...but I don't know if it is that so much .... just not a lot of talking and chatter. and that's hard...because I miss my beloved friends.

We found a church that we are enjoying sharing community with and learning from. We don't want to stay church homeless for very much longer so...more to come on that.

I guess thats it. Yay for a wonderful day. :)