[mountainstate] How We've Spent the last few Days

[J.Rayl]

Hi.  Yes, it was pretty scary.  The worst was not being able to see what was going on around me and knowing I couldn't really hear once my hearing aids were off.  I cannot sleep with them on because they squeal something awful, so it was sleep deaf or not sleep and hear.  What a choice!
My sister says I really still can't imagine just what the tree damage really is.  She was going to drive our route to work and tell me what obstacles are in the way but even as we talked about it, other treses fell, and they moved others--either in the way or out, so we both just abandoned that idea leaving it either up to Angel or public transportation.  That will be the least of my concerns I think.
Then, I kept getting these calls from my alarm system telling me I needed to change the battery.  Well, I don't know how or where to do that--something else to add to my "to do" list, because, apparently, there is battery backup on this thing if the power goes off but ...one more thing to learn and know.
And, I am definitely upgrading to the Android phone so I can stay connected to people somehow because let me tell you, it was one lonely night, and not being able to find out anything?  Wow!
Not cool.
I also found something at WalGreens which every one of you need to get and never, ever be without.  Its a cellphone charger that allows you to charge your phone on batteries.  You put Lithium AA batteries in it and can charge your cellphone with it.  I asked a couple tech geeks about it because I had one, heard some bad things about them, got rid of it (and should have kept it).  While they do not recommend them for regular use, or even careless use (because you forget to charge your phone and just think you cannot live without it), they do absolutely recommend you add it to your emergency supplies.
So, while I am not off to get an actual generator just yet <LOL> my emergency kit has extended to include:
smaller birdcages that are portable, a cash/credit card only for emergencies, the cellphone charger, upgrade to the Android this week, security alarm training and a protective device.
And again, I absolutely cannot, cannot, over-emphasize the importance of being prepared in and for emergencies, especially for those of you who live alone and/or with people who are blind / disabled / elderly.  I thought I was --and I wasn't. And, if my sister had not been here, it would have been a long, long 30 hours.
Believe me, there's a huge! difference in being blind and alone, and blind with sighted people with you.
I felt concerned but in total control when my sister was around.
There were times I was in absolute panic when it was me searching frantically for little Bowzer, or trying to cool his rapidly heating body down as he was trying to escape in a house well over 100 degrees.

Meantime, it will continue to be hot & humid here and we still have people without power.  The thing that amazes me is, people continue to stay in their houses--some whom I know do not have too.  <sigh>!

   
Jessie Rayl
thedogmom63 at frontier.com
www.facebook.com/Eaglewings10
www.pathtogrowth.org
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