Dallaska in These Foolish Things

I am sooooooo glad I stocked up on food and bev before I left for the pre-hospital hotel stay because there are literally NO groceries, restaurants, gas stations, convenience stores or anything else open right now. This is 1000X worse than the first Covid lockdown last March.

I am also grateful to be living in a federal building that is exempt from these “rolling blackouts” we are having. And by the way, the “rolling blackouts” that they are doing are a bunch of bullshit because there are people who have now been completely without power for over 48 hours now. Maybe 72? I mean, this shit started on Sunday night and it’s now Wednesday night.

So far, 17 people have died in this disaster. SEVENTEEN. And that doesn’t count the 6 people who died in the 130+ car pile up last week.

What is happening?

The saying goes, “Don’t Mess With Texas,” but right now you can simply strike through the “Don’t” and the “With Texas” part and you’re left with what this place is like right now. MESS.

My parents and their dog are staying with me in my little 1 BR apartment right now. We are warm (though the heater did go out for a while today, making me very, very nervous - I asked my parents to quickly pack a bag with only necessities such as meds in case we needed to go to the convention center warming station ) and we are fed (though my cooking has been questionable the last couple of days). I am helping my elderly parents move around the place and I am keeping bellies full and I am trying so hard not to be resentful with my mom’s barbs and complaints. Nothing really makes her happy. And my dad is constantly losing things. He lost his wallet before I left for the hospital and he keeps losing hats every time he goes outside.

Oh. And now my mom has lost her melatonin and her aspirin. I better go help her. Literally they brought everything into this apartment. They just keep misplacing things and then go into a panic. I’m sure her things are in the little bag I asked her to quickly pack. And I wonder why I worry so much? Thanks heredity.

I just gave her one of my own baby aspirin and two melatonin gummies.

And my dad is now snacking on our provisions! Literally sitting here reading a book and shoveling food into his face! I didn’t want to, but I had to tell him to STOP! We could actually run out of food if we’re not careful. There is NO FOOD ON THE GROCERY SHELVES!

I can’t even tell you how upset I am with my brother who wouldn’t step up to the plate to help his own wife and child. That’s a whole other story that will make my blood pressure blow.

I can’t even right now.

I know that this should be a good thing to take my mind off of the fact that I’m about to go under the knife, but it’s making things so weird right now. I love my parents, but I knew this would happen. Instead of them taking care of me I am taking care of them and I also know that this is how things work so I need to adjust. This is life. This is how it works.

But I just need some zen.

Also, I am about to go to bed…to sleep on the floor since my parents need to sleep in my bed.

But again, I am grateful for what I have. I promise I am. We have heat and we have food (for now) and we have each other (as long as I don’t strangle anyone).

Everyone PLEASE stay safe.
GS

Oh, and P.S. I finally got a call from the surgeon’s office. Surgery likely to happen on Monday at 7am. Funny how this is the most minor part of this entry.