Day 4 flooding

Hi everyone!

I have gotten quite a few comments. I don't have a fancy journal like ya'll (LOL) do.  I don't have pictures in here, and I think folks like journals with pictures more.  I like pictures in other people's journals, but I care more about what they write.  Maybe that's just me, I want to be known and remembered by the things I do or have done, and also by the lives I touch.  That is what I try to do when things are fairly normal for me, which they usually really are.  Anyway, I want to thank all of you that took the time out of your day to send me a comment.  When you go through a crisis like this you really need support.  It was hard for me to share my feelings about all this flood devastation, I was afraid people would be too philosophical.  But a friend told me Jland would not let me down, so I wrote.  Gosh, what a great friend that was/is!  Jland is supportive and all that folks told me it would be.  You guys are awesome supporters and I love you for caring about me, my family, & my state!

Gee, we thought we were getting water this AM FINALLY.  All AM I had faucets on, but only got a trinkle. I called some neighobors that are home in the daytime, and they didn't have any more. That was real disouraging.

I finally got MAD & thought I don't care that they said the water we saved on Sunday should not be used. I am taking a bath and washing my hair. I boiled water  over & over & over until I finally got enough & I took a bath!  & I did it and I am not sorry. But I  had half cold water, I mean like ice.  I tried to pretend I was a kid again at our cabin in Northern Minnesota, the cold water never phased me.  But every time I tried to lay all the way down in the bathtub I could NOT do it! Finally I got on my knees and dunked my head upside down & washed my hair, then boiled more water,  and rinsed it and eventually got as clean as I could under the circumstances. 

Guess what?  About a half hour after I did all this water started coming out of the faucets. What a wonderful sight!  I thought like this, "And on the ___________day God created water", or something like that--I can't remember what day. (I am a good Lutheran and I know the Bible fairly well, but right now I am stressed.....that's my excuse for today & I am sticking to it.   Tonight my husband is taking a REAL shower.  I am too!  I promised God I won't take water for granted, EVER AGAIN I hope I don't forget that one. 

We still can't wash dishes or clothes with it; or drink it though. They say MAYBE next week. This is maddening and hard to take!

Several parts of Iowa also have been hit and Cedar Falls and Waterloo, IA really got it. Des Moines will tomorrow.  Cedar Rapids got some & some people got evacuated.  Our son, wife and grandson (Gorgeous Jack age 13 months) live there.  But they are fine and are not near any flooded areas!

I always thought I was still a Minnesota girl.  This moring when I saw those pictures on TV; I cried.  Iowa is my home, (gee, it only took about 45 yr. for me to say that, LOL0. This devastation broke my  heart and I cried and cried.  I guess I truly am an Iowan now.

Unfortunately we are supposed to get rain for the next 3 days, so who knows what will happen. This ordeal is far from over. If we get more rain, our foundation might not take it.  So, I am scared but I am going to put this in God's hands tonight. 

So for today, I am thankful for the water we had  & for my friends, and Jland.

I am going to go now and end this on an up note.  I hope it reads that way, anyway.

God bless you all, real good as the saying goes!

Love,

Merry

 

Flood update Day 3

 Hi!

Upon the advice of a rather new Jland friend of mine, I am continuing to post entries in at least one journal.  I don't usually communicate this way (about my personal life) (preferring to normally email people privately). But, it's easier to update a journal.  And because this friend of mine urged me to post, saying that Jland will be supportive to me and people really want to know what is going on with Merry. 

 

Hope people don't get too philosophical with me. Right now, I need to feel as I have some care and concern generating my way, BUT I must admit, I can't take too many ultra "Cheer up" from some people who have everything normal right now.  I guess I will just have to hope some folks can be concerned but also a little empathetic, cuz you never know what a disaster is going to do to you until you are in the middle of it. Yesterday I was so upbeat and cheerful and content to rough it out. This AM it's not as easy to be that way. 

 

My major hobbies are this computer,visiting with people, shopping, cleaning, washing (myself, then clothes 2 and or 3X a day) kinda in that order.  What?  If you are thinking that your friend Merry sounds a little bit obsessive compulsive, you are right, but it's not like I have to take medication for it or that bad, I have gotten this way more since I am not able to work outside the home anymore, due to my physical limitations.

 

I believe it's the way I handle stress by keeping myself, my house in perfect order. When unable to do that, I have to dig down and find the great core genes I inherited from my awesome parents!! Then, I rise again and can not only cope but maybe go down the block and at least talk to people.HELP SOMEONE ELSE!

 

I'm gonna make it through this, I just sometimes need to vent, but I am stronger than it may sound.  To those of you who have Emailed or called me, thanks again for your concern & Emails. It means the MORE than I can express!
Love your friend,

Merry

Day 2 of Flooding

 

Hi!

You think you will just have to deal with doing what regulations say, (No bathing, no water for coffee, that is if you can even find any right now in this town!)  I think I mentioned we have no water.  The dishwasher is full, and I don't have enough water to use to wash them anyway.  Sat. night we were busy watching Jack, and had no clue all this was going to happen, so I didn't run it or wash dishes in the sink.  OMG

 

One of the guys in Dave's office who lives in a small town here said we are welcome to come there and shower.  Dave may need to. I took a bath in the little bit of water (I had filled the tub yesterday AM to save to wash up with, to flush the stool with, etc.) in a kitchen Rubbermaid plastic container (actually our recycling bin. --I washed it first.)  We did have coffee this AM and not in boiled water, as I thought it was safe as we got it before they shut the water & sewage treatment plant down due to their flood damage. Now my neighbor told me they are saying that water, even boiled is not safe to brush your teeth in even. Well, this neighbor told me that if that's true Damn Mason City had a major water problem before this happened! She is right! 

Did I tell you I waded through the water yesterday (before the sewage really got bad in the laundry room) (now it's literally full of broken feces). I know, I know I am grossing you out but I want you to know the severity of our situation. I went down and brought up my iron.  Those of you who REALLY know me, I know can believe that one.

 

Also, after I sponge bathed (& I managed to wash my entire body in a plastic dishpan (there's not too much left of my body so that helps.  --See, being skinny IS advantageous, :)  I put on all my moisturizers and full makeup.  I didn't get to wash & fix my hair. Hey, I did this because I had to do SOMETHING, Dave will NOT let me back down in the basement.  He is home just for today.  My work will come when I sort out the multiple storage containers I have winter clothes in, extra sheets and blankets, etc.)  (In other words after the clean up.)

 

When I send my next update I may repeat some of this, (because I am  nervous right now) but I will be adding things to, so just read what's new and ignore what I already told you.

 

One neighbor who works for public health says we may not get water or be able to use even bottled water for a week.  It's sunny now, and not supposed to rain today, but more RAIN is coming again Wed, Thurs., and maybe Friday.

Love,

Merry

PS Worst case about getting evacuated like if we get more rain is that Kaycee couldn't stay with us at a shelter.  All the motels in nearby towns that are NOT effected by all this are full. I was on the phone this AM. If we are forced to leave, I will have my cell with me.  So,  if you can just pray we get to stay here and that the worst is over (we don't get MORE rain) that would mean the world to me.

Flood update (DAY 1)

How I First Discovered We Were Flooding

 

Dave was sleeping in the basement. (Our son from out of town and wife and grandson were in other upstairs bedrooms.  I was in our bedroom upstairs.)

 

  I had kicked Nice Dave out for snoring. He couldn't go to the spare bedrooms upstairs since Patti, Tim and Jack were in there. 

 

I went down to get Dave up to have coffee with me. I started to go in the bathroom downstairs, and one foot in there I step in water ankle deep!  What a rude situation to awaken to!  I don't think I will ever forget that moment!

I love you all.
Merry

I Am Charlie Brown

Everyone has a personality of a cartoon character. Have you ever asked yourself what cartoon character do you most resemble?

A group of investigators got together and analyzed the personalities of well known and modern cartoon characters. The information that was gathered was made into this test.

Answer all the questions (only 10) with what describes you best, add up all your Points (which are next to the answer that you choose) at the end and look for your results.

Do not cheat by looking at the end of the e-mail before you are done.

Then forward this to all your friends ( including the person who sent it to you ) OR leave me your journal address, then put this in your journal OR what the heck, EMAIL it to me personally if ya wnat, just answer!  Come on, it's cute!    And change the subject of this message to what character is you. 

1. Which one of the following describes the perfect date?
a) Candle light dinner (4 pts.)
b) Fun/Theme Park (2 pts.)
c) Painting in the park (5 pts)
d) Rock concert (1 pt.)
e) Going to the movies (3 pts.)

2. What is your favorite type of music?
a) Rock and Roll (2 pts.)
b) Alternative (1 pt.)
c) Soft Rock (4 pts.)
d) Country (5 pts )
e) Pop (3 pts.)

3. What type of movies do you prefer?
a) Comedy (2 pts.)
b) Horror (1 pt.)
c) Musical (3 pts.)
d) Romance (4 pts.)
e) Documentary (5 pts.)

4. Which one of these occupations would you choose if you only could choose one of these?
a) Waiter (4 pts.)
b) Professional Sports Player (5 pts.)
c) Teacher (3 pts.)
d) Police (2 pts.)
e) Cashier (1 pt)

5 What do you do with your spare time?
a) Exercise (5 pts.)
b) Read (4 pts.)
c) Watch television (2 pts.)
d) Listen to music (1 pt.)
e) Sleep (3 pts.)

6. Which one of the following colors do you like best?
a) Yellow (1 pt.)
b) White (5 pts.)
c) Sky Blue (3 pts)
d) Dark Blue(2 pts.)
e) Red (4 pts.)

7. What do you prefer to eat?
a) Snow (3 pts.)
b) Pizza (2 pts.)
c) Sushi (1 pt.)
d) Pasta (4 p ts.)
e) Salad (5 pts.)

8. What is your favorite holiday ?
a) Halloween(1 pt.)
b) Christmas(3 pts.)
c) New Year (2 pts.)
d) Valentine's Day(4 pts.)
e) Thanksgiving(5 pts.)

9. If you could go to one of these places which one would it be?
a) Paris (4 pts)
b) Spain (5 pts)
c) Las Vegas (1 pt)
d) Hawaii (4 pts)
e) Hollywood (3 pts)

10. With which of the following would you prefer to spend time with?
a) Someone Smart (5 pts.)
b) Someone attractive (2 pts.)
c) Someone who likes to Party (1 pt.)
d) Someone who always has fun (3 pts.)
e) Someone very sentimental (4 pts.)

Now add up your points and find out the answer you have been waiting for! Put your character in the subject line and forward to your friends and back to the person that sent this to you.

Very interesting to see 'who' your friends are!

(10-16 points) You are Garfield :
You are very comfortable, easy going, and you d efinitely know how to have fun but sometimes you take it to an extreme. You always know what you are doing and you are always in control of your life. Others may not see things as you do, but that doesn't mean that you always have to do what is right. Try to remember, your happy spirit may hurt y ou or others.

(17-23 points) You are Snoopy:
You are fun; you are very cool and popular. You always know what's in and you ' re never out of style , you are good at knowing how to satisfy everyone else. You have probably disappeared for a few days more than once but you always come home with the family values that you learned. Being married and having children are important to you, but only after you have had your share of fun times

(24-28 points) You are Elmo:
You have lots of friends and you are also popular, always willing to give advice and help out a person in need. You are very optimistic and you always see the bright side of things. Some good advice: try no t to be too much of a dreamer. Dreaming too big could cause many conflicts in your life.

(29-35 points) You are Sponge Bob Square Pants:
You are the classic person that everyone loves. You are the best friend that anyone could ever have and never wants to los e. You never cause harm to anyone and they would never not understand your feelings. Life is a journey, it' s funny and calm for the most part. Stay away from traitors and jealous people and you will be stress free.

(36-43 points) You are Charlie Brown:
You are tender, you fall in love quickly but you are also very serious about all relationships. You are a family person. You call your Mom every Sunday. You have many friends and may occasionally forget a few Birthdays. Don't let your passion confuse you with reality.

(44-50 points ) You are Dexter:
You are smart and definitely a thinker... Every situation is fronted with a plan. You have a brilliant mind. You demonstrate very strong family p ri nciples. You maintain a stable routine but never ignore a bad situation when it comes. Try to do less over thinking every once in a while to spice things up a bit with spontaneity!
Now don't spoil it! Have some Fun!! Change the subject of the email to what you are and send it on.

The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.  (Personally, not that I like mice, so I'm not sticking up for them--BUT, I like cheese better anyway!)

Hugs!

Merry

Come & Play!

Two names you go by: Merry, Toots (by my husband)

       Two things you are wearing right now:  A very "neat & nifty" pink T-shirt which has flowers on it & says "Iowa State" & NEW smaller sized (!!!) jeans!.  I don't normally wear theme or college attire, but even though my husband is a University of Iowa fan, I have to support Iowa State, because our son went there.        

Two Favorite things to do: Play on my computer, and go see our grandson (Gorgeous Jack)  AKA Jonathan David Kenyon, who will be 1 on May 18!

       Two things you want very badly at the moment: To continue to enjoy life with my wonderful husband (they don't make them like him anymore!) And, to continue to keep God and the Lutheran Church a top priority in my life.

       Two favorite pets you have had/have:  Glad this said two, because I have a long list of favorite pets who have made our lives very enriched!  I have to say my two favorite pets would be Jessi (my first Bichon) & Kaycee our current only dog ("The Wonder Maltese.")  I feel bad not mentioning TeddyBear, I Loved him too!  But he was more Dave's dog than mine. We just lost him in Dec, 2007.  Dave would probably say Teddy, & then either Kaycee, Jessi, Rocky (another Bichon) or Mike (our first pet, a Collie).

       Two people who will fill this out:   I have no idea, but it sure would be nice if TWO DID THAT!

       Two things you did last night:   Laundry & ironing, played on the computer.

       Two things you ate today:  I haven't eaten.  I don't eat breakfast.  I DO EAT, THO!!  SInce I am on a diet, I eat healthy, only 700 calories a day 2 meals and a bedtime yogurt, BUT I do make SURE I eat, vegetables, fruit, protein, and fiber EVERYDAY.  When I am NOT on a diet, I eat the same way, but I eat about 1400 calories, & eat out 2 or 3 times a week!

       Two people you last talked to:   My friend Renee in Vancouver, British Columbia; my husband David who was out of town, but as usual he called me last night to say he loved me...........................AWWWWWWW

 

     Two things you're doing tomorrow: Cleaning the bedrooms, and the living room.

       Longest trips taken:    In Distance or the time they took???  Mexico (3 times), Jamaica,.  Longest: WASHINGTON DC, (oris Florida further than Washington DC from Mason City, IA (no geographical wizard am I, LOL) ) & the ENTIRE WEST COAST

       Your favorite holidays:   Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Sorry, I can't pick just 2!

       Two favorite beverages:  Diet Coke, caffeine free; Coffee (black only, please)

       Here's what you're supposed to do ... and please do not spoil the fun.  Either respond to me ONLINE by email OR  put your URL in my Journal comments section, in order that I may read YOUR answers! Thank You!  Then, you are welcome to pass it on to your friends if you choose to do so! (But you do not have to pass it on to anyone)

Love Always,

Merry

merry1621@aol.com

http://journals.aol.com/merry1621/Merrysthoughtshopesdreamsgoal/

Playing Val's game!

I found this over at my friend Valerie's journal (who found it at her sister Krissy's Journal.  I love these things so I will play along..  I thought the questions were a little different.  If you want to join in the meme fun please come back and leave your entry URL in my  (Merry's)comments section so I can read your answers!  Thanks! If not one person plays I am going to be very sad!!!

Your best friend tells you she is pregnant.  What do you do? 

(I can't answer this any better or differently, I agree completely with Val).I would definitely encourage her to keep the child and let her know that I was supporting her in any way I could.  I would help her find any resources she needed.

When is the last time you wanted to punch someone in their face?

Should I lie here or be honest?  I am going to honest. A friend of mine has done some hurtful things to me lately and I can't say that I didn't have this reaction. (Val talked me out of being angry, bless her heart.  (Thank you Val!)  But I'd never really do it, anyway because I don't fight physically.  Which is a good thing for many reasons, but it started because I was always the smallest kid.  I may have been small, but I never was DUMB. LOL

What is the last thing you spent money on?

Groceries (90% Lean Cuisine's, I swear.)
Do you think you gained or lost weight this past month?

Lost, and I almost have to as I count every calorie and stop eating before I hit 1000, usually before I hit 900, actually.

Crunchy or Puffy Cheetos?  

Neither.  I don't eat many carbs, and no snack foods like that even when I am not dieting.  (Except for maybe red licorice when I get a hankering and am NOT dieting.)

Congratulations! You just had a son. What's his name? 

Patrick Daniel  (We lost a baby boy with that name who was born too soon and didn't live. We also have one son, alive and healthy, Timothy Russel.) (And a gorgeous grandson "Jack" (Jonathan David)

And if it was a girl, she would be
My favorite girls name is not popular now, but then I am not of child bearing age anymore. But when I was a girl would have been:

Stephanie Jo (I am Merry Jo)

What are you craving right now?

Definitely Caffeine Free Diet Coke

What was the last thing you cried about?

Thinking about our dog TeddyBear who we had put down in December of '07.

When you buy something and your change is 2 cents, do you keep it or tell the cashier to keep it?
Seriously, I use to throw my pennies in the street.  But now I save them for a favorite friend.  (You know who you are! :)

What color is your tissue box?

In this room it is green Puffs Boutique.  I only have Puff's Boutique tissues in every room, the color depends on the decor of the room they are in.  I will go to another store if I can't find the right color. Same with paper towels. Paper plates.  I am fanatical about these silly things.  (Oh, I guess that's part of my old friend, obsessive compulsive disorder.)

Do you have a ceiling fan in your room, and if so, is there dust on that fan?

Yes. We have ceiling fans in every room in the house.  Dust? Are you kidding, not in my house.  Dave loves ceiling fans; I like them sometimes!  Except in my bedroom, in the summer the AC vent in that room blasts out too much, so I frequently turn that one off.  Actually, If I am running the AC & I am all summer long no matter what, I use all of the rest of them. Especially in the dining room. I get so hot sitting at my computer desk which is in this room.  (Even though the AC is Central).

Scariest thing you've experienced in the last year?

Going to the dentist.  I am very lucky that's all I worried about, oh and the dreaded mammogram every year I worry as my sister had breast cancer in her 30's & I have had a lumpectomy.  My mammogram last yearwas normal, thank God. I have to go again this month though.  I'll be scared silly again, too.

  Oh, one more thing, Dave's angiogram & subsequent knee surgery. That is one long surgery & I waited alone.  (Everything went fine, though!)

Have you ever had a garage sale?

Yes, I have.  Dave and I did one of the first of 20 some odd years we have lived here.  And like Val and Krissy said, "It was NOT worth it!".    We, too, did so much gathering, tagging, and sitting in the heat, to get very little money.  I spent the day in the house with the 4 dogs we had then (I can't believe we ever had that many, but we did long ago!) Dave sold worked the sale.  He sold everything too cheap.  He is a nice guy and people kept talking him down in prices.  He & I both said after that, NEVER AGAIN!  And we haven't ever done it again.
What color is your iPod?

I don't have one. But I DO want one.  If they come in pink that's what I'd pick.

What is the last alcoholic beverage you had?

It's been so long I don't remember either but I too, think that it was wine at a dinner out.  I don't drink usually & we never have liquor in our house.  We really don't WANT anyone drinking here.  (Sorry if that sounds rude.) . 
Are you happy right now?  

I have moments of happiness, but I am mostly content, thank you.

Who came over last? 

Our next door neighbor's granson Zeke (He lives with his Grandma.)  He is 19 & the nicest young man!

Do you drink beer?

NOOOOOOO, I can't even take the smell of that stuff! And as I said, I don't drink.

Have your brothers or sisters ever told you that you were adopted? 

Yeah, I think my sister told me that as a kid. She wasn't always very nice to me.  It wasn't true. But had it been true, I wouldn't have changed parents for anything, I had the best EVER!

What is your favorite key on your key chain?

My car key.  It allows me to drive my car.  Second fave would be my house key.  Cuz, once I get in here I can still lock the house with deadbolts with no key, which we usually do, but I ALWAYS do when Dave is out of town.  I feel very safe in my house.

What was the last movie you watched at home?

I can't recall the name of it. Some silly Lifetime movie this afternoon. It was supposed to be silly, but it was, because it wasn't very realistic.

What is in your pocket?

Absolutely nothing. My money and checkbook and etc. are in my purse. My purse is always on the right side (on the floor) next to my computer desk.  (Sometimes I pay my few bills here.  Dave pays all the household ones.  But I do have a couple charge cards which I pay out of that household & personal money Dave gives me for groceries, meds, clothes, and should I go on?)  I don't have a very tough life.  I am very lucky!  (Dave bails me out with my credit cards about every 18 months-pays them off.  No little matter, usually either, I am sorry to admit.

Where do you hurt?

 ~sigh~  My neck hurts most of the time.   As does my back, but my neck is the worst.  It's been really painful lately.

Has someone ever made you a Build-A-Bear? 

No, I don't know what they are! But I wish I did & that I had one!!

What's something fun you did today?

I have been on this computer.  We also went to the dairy queen. I wanted one. But after I got it, and took 3 bites, I threw it away.  I am on a diet. I couldn't eat those calories!  Dave ate his.  It's okay as it stopped my craving for it then.
What is your favorite aisle at Wal-Mart?

Like Val said, to tell you the truth, I don't like Wal-Mart.  I try not to go there anymore.  I have read a lot about them, and well, I try to support smaller, local businesses.  But to answer the question, I would the picture frame area, then the underpants area (I refuse to buy expensive underpants. Hanes is just fine for me), But I buy my outer clothes at the mal or at a private shop.
When is your birthday? 

November 8th

Is there anything hanging from your rear view mirror? 

Yes, a Hawaiin fake flower thing, shortened, I love the colors in it.  It's actually an air freshner.



What kind of milk do you drink? 

1% in cereal when I rarely have it. I'd have skim, but Dave likes 1%.   I am not a milk person even when I am not dieting.  I do eat a light 0 fat Yogurt everyday.  60-100 calories, depending on the brand I buy.  I need the calcium.  When I am not dieting I still have one, but then I have one that is like 190 calories. (YOPLAIT, then, always.)

What is something you need to go shopping for? 

Believe it or not, clothes. I have 3 closets full and many big plastic storage containers full of them in the basement.  None of them fit now.  I have some, that I am not back into yet down in the basement, and many down there that are too big, too.  And, up in my closets all my clothes are too big.  (She types with a big smile on her face.)