MY BIPOLAR MOTHER

I am the daughter of a bipolar mother. My experiences with my mother, family, and friends teach me everyone's reality is different and perception is the friend or the foe of the day. I am hoping my posts give insight to those who are curious and give comfort to those who see a parallel. I invite feedback and look forward to collaboration. It is my focus to spread joy, even on dark days. Smiles can be effortless or the workout of the day. Thanks for reading!

Friday, February 26, 2021

the big freeze in Texas in 2021, dealing with no electricity in February, complete loss of electricity in 2021

 


(It was a very tough week here in North Texas with the rolling black outs and the freezing temperatures causing the electric grid to almost go completely down.  It was very difficult for myself and for my mother during this inconvenience.  It's really difficult dealing with the storm and not being able to drive in the snow and ice and somehow provide her with power to her building.  Her whole retirement community had rolling blackouts and it has to be unnerving and scary to everyone inside her community/ combine that with all the medical/ mental issues that my mother faces and it really is a HUGE disruption in life.  How do you tell someone to just suck it up and deal with it.  How do you tell someone that Everyone is in the same situation and there is nothing I can do to turn on the electrical grid.  Heck, my own kids were completely out of power for 4 days straight.  I believe that she did the best she could in the situation and hopefully someone will hold the electrical power providers responsible so this never happens again.)  Oh on the average I received at least 10-25 text messages per day from her along with phone calls.  


February 15, 2021 ( DAY ONE OF THE FREEZE)

I am not sure when our electricity went out & my room is freezing cold.

No answer at Waterford desk & all dark cold & no elevator service.

Not sure what to do except go out hall where warmer.

Will sit in my Walker w blankets

I love You💜

 

We have no power either

It’s supposed to be intermittent to conserve power... only supposed to last 45 minutes?!

 

 

Our power been out since 2am per Dorothy who woke up then

I thankfully slept until 6 am

It’s too cold in rooms

Have on 3 layers in hall

Doing best I can No Waterford staff or working WF phone so

I love 💕 U🤗

 

Power is out everywhere

Please stay warm as best You can

 

 

Putting on extra pants

At least toilet works ha ha

I’ve got flash light & mega light from storm kit taking meds & tissue water bottles. into hall💜🤗 Stay Do best You can too

 

 

Power back on & putting my place back in order plus watching dvr as 565 mystery channel offline & higher channels like 312 229 must be  watched in lower resolution

Just thankful to have heat & lights back-maybe hot lunch🍀

🍀🍀WiFi also back!

Love 💕 U Stay warm & take care🤗💜

 

Woohoo 🎉 get nestled in and enjoy your shows!! Love ya 💜

 

Power out again. Lots people in same situation I just finished putting all back

Now will just leave as is

Did recharge cell & iPad

It’s all wonky

Will open door stay in bed w blankets for now🍀🍀🍀🍀

Had orange spice decaf tea got make plus got ingredients for sandwich from kitchen before power went out

Look forward to Saturday when hopefully above freezing

Seems more rotating outages

Fingers crossed be fixed🍀🍀🍀🍀💜🥰🤗

 

 

Our power has been out for hour... it’s a challenge but we’ll get through it together 💜💜 love ya

 

 

Just for record no Waterford staff done any wellness checks

Power is still out & getting much colder

Will stay in bed w blankets until too cold in room Then guess to hallway

I checked on 2 neighbors & one family of 4 w teen no mask came took one neighbor out

Several on our floor cannot care for themselves

It’s going be long time to 50s & 60s temps hopefully by Sat

ERCOT will take lot negative press for lack of real planning or failure grid all over Texas

Impact to people & their work will be epic

Just take care stay home & warm as can At least until thaw 🍀🍀🍀🍀starts Friday💜

 

 

We’re still without power too... not sure what is happening but I’m hoping we all have power soon. Thanks for keeping me updated!! Love ya bunches 💜🌻🌻💜🌻🌻💜🌻🌻💜

 

 

Had to come up to help lady back into her place (locked out)

Lise is trying find out about power & kitchen may have hot dinner as have gas fryer-it will be fried dinner but hot

They are encouraging people to go stay w family IF THEY HAVE POWER. Neither Tijiana nor I have family w power so we’re better off here.

It’s waiting game until....

Have my tea light you gave me out for later. Dark getting tiresome-light a candle for me ha ha

Love 💕 Ya🥰🤗

 

 

Good to hear Lisa is on the case... power is out all over layer up put socks on for gloves. Love ya bunches 💜💜

 

 

Jennie came around w her son to deliver fried fish & tots plus fig bar & strawberry IC

Word from Lisa is power due be back on soon🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

It is really cold! Took walk west side has nice Sun One lady runs her heat at 80 w unit like mine cause it does not heat well I make due 68 & given time OK Hope your power back w ours🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🥰💜🥰

 

 

 

Please let me know more as You know... we’re still no power

So happy to hear you’re hopeful to have it soon!!! Love ya bunches 🙏🏻💜💜🙏🏻💜💜

 

 

May be nice diplomatic answer as our Complainer About All asked while I was standing there? Just hoping🍀🍀🍀🍀

Been out 7hrs 2-9:30 & now 11:30 to 5:30 extra 6 hrs

Will do👍💜💜🙏💜💜

 

 

So happy you’re safe and warming up 💜💜 we’re good 😌

 

 

Thank you! Mostly just want heat stay on! Direct tv struggling lots ice & snow on dish!

 

 

February 16, 2021 (DAY TWO OF THE BIG FREEZE)

It’s 38 in the house 🏡

How are You?

 

Have on 4 socks sweater over my head & extra pants & sweater plus robe all blankets have water graham crackers by my bed

 

 

Fantastic We will get through this!!! Love You 💜💜

 

 

Shantay a visiting nurse came by our floor to check on us

She said to just stay covered up🍀🍀🍀🍀🙏🙏🙏

I just am so sorry for bothering You  & worry for you here & T&J & hoping for power stays on love 💕 U lots💜🌞💜

Eat chocolate maybe good source fuel

 

 

 

We’re eating Doritos and root beer... stay underneath the blankets Love ya bunches 💜🌻🌻💜🌻🌻💜🌻🌻💜

 

 

Boil your water or drink bottled water Power back just now

 

 

Of course how can anyone boil water unless gas stove? Just trying -let’s just get thru this week please🥰🤗💜

 

 

We will get through this together!!! Love ya 💜💜

 

 

Just saw Lisa on our floor Doing trash piled up plus checking to be sure no non essential lights etc on She said we are on rolling black outs here OK crank up heat but honestly like You said at 68 still running non stop

Take care & do your best for All I do welcome You here warm up when roads safe & IF you’re still without power. 💜💜

I need dry wash my hair seeing us-showers laundry be top when into next week

Got good soup slice King cake for lunch👍🎉👍🎉👍💜🥰💜

 

 

 

It’s Mardi Grau🎉🎉

The day is looking up!!

Warm up and enjoy lunch

We’re having tuna and crackers! We’re not braving roads Love You 💜💜

 

 

So wise on roads by time clear confident your power will be on along w heat Woo hoo🎉

Our original lunch was sausage gumbo & chicken & shrimp jambalaya Oh well Got King Cake & soup 🥣 Love 💕 You

 

 

 

Power off for now On about 3 hours- good from 1/2 hr to 45 mins b4 Hoping all will improve after tomorrow & for you too

Maybe Fri into Sat & 60s by mid next week!

 

 

Wow! Shantay came again to check on me-only 70-80 of us left here. All others went to stay w family guess until we recover power reliably

Dorothy is still here & thinking quite few others on 3rd floor as I’ve seen Jeanne David a couple & Norma-down by 1/2

Did they contact you?

 

 

 

I’ve spoken with Paula she knows we’re struggling with no power too. Hoping you’re back on soon!! Love Ya 💜💜

 

 

Power back again. Roads remain hazardous thru Fri to Sat. Sun Big Warm Up per miracle dish back Channel 11 weather. Hotels booked even to Oklahoma. Drip your faucets for pipes on outside wall even w no power Running water can prevent burst pipes.

Worst over in sleet ice snow by noon Wed Roads still not safe maybe Friday. Daytime temps getting up mid upper 20s but night temps 11- no more 20.

At least 5 residents from SouthLake to Plano to Arlington to Dallas had NO power like you! Temp in homes like yours. Only break one couple had fireplace in their BR

Not good what gone thru w power grid failure!!! Ice will cause more outages tonight but not near us We get glaze maybe inch snow now coming in from Ft Worth

Stay warm & so wish get your power back💜🙏💜🥰🍀👍

 

 

Soooooo happy you’ve got power get warm up as much as you’re able!! Faucet dripping since yesterday 👍🏻 love You 💜💜🌻🌻💜💜🌻🌻💜💜

 

 

 

We will for sure be on other side worst frozen precip & ice by mid Thu into Fri (still on roads etc) but both day & night temps need get above freezing & stay there Good Weather News Sunday 40 low & high 60

 

 

 

I quit w power on again texts It was on just long enough to know Sunday is Great Day & hopefully turn power back on for all or get work fixing it

Also know my DTV back on!

Sweet dreams! Bit warmer starting tonite🎉🎉Love U💜

 

 

Sooo great to talk with You

Dracula needed to go out

All is good 👍🏻 enjoy the box while power lasts!!

 

 

 

Wrote Thank You & Standing Ovation & Appreciation to Waterford Staff & Volunteers from 3rd floor-I gave my note to lady came up for trash

She said she would share w everyone. She has not had power at house until today for few hours👍💜🐯💜🐶💜🐯

 

 

February 17, 2021 (DAY THREE OF THE BIG FREEZE)

 

Ladies out & about when I walked-Dorothy says her sweet granddaughter wants to send her month of supplies & her son sorry not to ask if she had a flashlight. All of us really caught unprepared one way or

Ernesto up doing his fix it & checking for broken pipes as water pressure falls

Power on long enough for heat to cycle on/off

Definite improvement 👌🙌🥰

Want same for U🤗💜🤗💜

 

 

This is a wonderful update 🎉🎉 we too have fingers crossed 🤞🏻 power holds!! Love 💕 love 💜 love 💕 You!!!

 

 

People out about viewing vacant apts to downsize. Some staff including Shantay braved elevator as power stays on thru afternoon & heat cycles on off. T sent funny text "We Have The Power" w Jim Carey.

Lots TVs on as I take extra walks.

100+ beautiful Robins-flock-landed in my tree. Such beautiful sign of hope🐦

Could not get good pic.

After several walks & myself out curiosity looking at vacant places larger I need nap 😴 💤I am OK w my small updated place. Most not updated w carpet.

Dorothy decided to stay in her Jammies & robe til Thursday

Our water pressure is issue now. Glad flat water & wipes

As to toilet flushing do not have empty gallon jugs fill like times past but thinking what fill in case Maybe large bowl & put in shower?

Take care Fill up those jugs if got em to flush toilet. One guy using melted snow

Do BELIEVE it's improving for us🙏🙏🙏🙏🍀🍀🍀🍀💜🥰

 

 

We're making this happen Together!!! Sooo proud of US💜 we got the Joy to make Lemonade 🎉🎉🎉🎉 Love You

 

 

Seriously fill jugs NOW

We have no running water

It is logistically awful what do re our toilets & smell

I plan strike on # 2

Maybe one flush for #1 while waiting then shower drain?

Yikes Sorry Fill jugs now

& what about Dracula & Frankenstein

 

 

Our water is a trickle... we're keeping kitchen sink on drip 💧 but staying out of shower and no flushing toilets 🚽

 

 

Per Tijiana city of Mesquite cut water off. No water here so wondering how to ration my water.

Using wipes plus hand spray

Will punt on toilet ideas

I do have BR & bedroom trash bins

Like your resolve

Take heat over running water

Use same facilities as your Furry Guys?

On to next step to get water supply back on up to Cities &

We are ALL in this w no water

 

 

Got heat got box entertainment no water 💦 got apartment next door toilets 🚽 just as back up... one sneak flush times how many openings?! Love ya 💜

 

 

We're going to make this our past and be proud of our skills!

Hugs 🤗

 

 

Per our resident in all things get tough-Dorothy says on farm in winter they harvested buckets or containers of snow When melted flush away!

 

 

Got bottle water & cup ice w dinner with breakfast biscuit egg & potato casserole-so will try watch salt & sugar as best can as no menu meals right now- no worries

Enjoy your box🎥& relax as low water pressure will hopefully get fixed quicker

Still bitter cold teens plus ice all refreeze Thu & Fri Sat starts above freezing temps Tuesday 66 so....

Maybe I can treat you nice Grub-hub for 2 or take out for two

Putting off TT until 1st week March so stores can restock👌

Sweet dreams 😴 & indulge heat💜🌻💜🌻

 

 

 

Place cleaned hoovered bed freshly made lots Febreeze

Feels calming🙏

 

 

Great news-power stayed on!

We are not to use water for drinking or brushing teeth & boil water in microwave. OK use for shower & toilet so least have convenience of indoor loo

Roads ice today & Friday

Saturday is our up day cause low temp above freezing & by next Tuesday & Wednesday usual Texas 66 & 68.

I am taking it slowly & my place is not cluttered w many blankets etc

Will wait until Tuesday & Big Thaw to check out car & taxes

Love 💕 You & take return to work & thaw slow🌞💜🌻💜🌻

Praying for all🙏🙏🙏escape busted pipes then maybe

 

 

Fantastic update

We also kept power!

We're opening today

I'll keep you updated

Love Ya bunches 🌻🌻🌻💜

 

 

 

 

February 18, 2021 (DAY FOUR OF THE BIG FREEZE)

 

Wishing You an Excellent First Day back at work🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

 

 

Just delivered my "2021 Beat The Big Freeze" Excellence Award (with Polar Bear on Ice art) to the Waterford Staff & Volunteers w thanks, standing ovation, kudos for all innovative no cook meals, trips on stairs even to 3rd floor etc. They liked it plus TY note delivered yesterday via Lady came for trash. All's well👌🐶🐯💜

 

 

Per 11 weather news I  am not picky If you have opportunities to stock up on bottled water sanitizer wipes & sanitizer lotion do it & I will pay for us both!!! Pay out of my checking account

Find your water main shut off by Saturday

If you need me to be at your house for any reason relative to Big Thaw & plans to work around busted pipes let me know

I am just seeing all burst pipes happening now

Hopefully you dodge all at both work & home🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

I just do not want come home to water filled house if still not dripping faucets all over house

From Tuesday to Sunday looking at 60s to close 70👌👌

 

 

Still have one more wind chill single digit night & cold freezing night Friday

Get plumber lined up now just in case

 

 

Checked out my car thru 1st floor Activity Room window facing parking-icicles hanging off back bumper & nice layer snow otherwise looks fine-true test comes Tuesday🚗

Looked over all vacant apts-for a small, mine nicely updated & no carpet. 2 bedrooms did not appeal tho entry way closet & true en-suite. Nicest 1 BR all vinyl wood flooring & built in storage in walk-in plus ceiling fan. Woo hoo🎉Tho no updated bath kitchenette

Nice go exploring👁

Lunch dud but breakfast really good😋

Ready for Spring 🌸🌷🌺🌻temps by my BD & fun Thu 25th week of w you if weather cooperates🍀☘🍀☘🍀💜

 

 

This is a great update

I'm so happy we've made it and we have warm homes 🏡 and typical days back soon!! Hugs 🤗🤗🤗🤗Love 💜💜💜💜

 

 

 

Loved “This is a great update

I'm so happy we've made it and we have warm homes 🏡 and typical days back soon!! Hugs 🤗🤗🤗🤗Love 💜💜💜💜

 

 

Mesquite must have fixed water main break💦Superb water pressure! Enjoy 😊😉

Sweet dreams 😴 & sleep 💤 well in your warm home 🏡 w great water🥰Hugs🤗love💕

 

 

Feeling better and looking forward to the upswing of better days ahead 🙏🏻 very delighted to hear You too had a better day 🎉🎉 Sweet dreams 💤 Love ya bunches 💜🌻🌻💜

 

 

Boil water for teeth brushing & drinking still in place. We will endure. Freeze keeps extending into Friday finally above freezing Saturday Sunday-Monday & true spree 60s day after....

Rest well💤😴Love ya bunches too💜🌻💜

 

 

 

 

February 19, 2021 (DAY 5 OF THE BIG FREEZE IN TEXAS)

 

Just got notice on door. (At4am)What a laugh this took effect at midnight. I woke up cause heard someone outside my door. Guess water going be like power. Shut off water here at midnight to minimize water damage from broken water pipes. Plumber advised shutting off water. Went off at midnight. To know extent damage will turn water back on briefly when temp above freezing today.

I urge you to at least know where & how shut off your water & contact plumber if can to help determine if any broken pipes & prevent water damage.

It's given broken pipes here.

On 3rd floor hoping not flooded out plus is this place going be OK to continue living here fingers crossed🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

Per notice on my door at 4 am

Sorry

 

 

 

Basically when read door notice again as hard freeze continued pipes under stress water thawing & refreezing & no water dripping

Hope got word turn water main off to prevent it

 

 

 

Sorry to hear but this is a common challenge... I'm hoping y'all are first priority 🙏🏻 keep me updated as you can. We will have such a great time next week when this is in our past!! Love ya bunches 💜🌻🌻💜💜🌻🌻💜

 

 

 

Please just take care today w black ice on roads

Also guess silly to try prevent broken pipes now

Prevention minimize water damage

Just do what can

Definitely whatever water damage outcomes here or

Looking forward to next weeks 50s to 70 on Wed & freezing temps over

One more day.....🙏🙏🙏🥰💜

 

 

 

Great plan👍Sunshine soon

Please do what you can to  protect your home 🏡

Plumber here says last night was over top for pipes here

One more night freezing temp

Hope your electric rates fixed

Now gouging people $1000 plus electric bills

What a mess

Keep strong!💜🌻💜love you

 

 

We have heat & sun 🌞

Waiting until thaw in afternoon

for water 💦🍀🍀🍀🍀

Taking it ez as awakened at 4

Love You💜🌻💜Plz take care

 

 

Hot lunch plus 2 bottles of water as asked for extra. So thirsty. Yes thawing out & 🙏hoping our broken pipes not too many & none for You!💜🌻

 

 

 

Yum 😋 and water 💦 just the yay in your FriYay

I'm hopeful that pipes are fixed soon and y'all are back to full better days 🙏🏻 Many hugs 🤗 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗💜

 

 

 

Loved “Yum 😋 and water 💦 just the yay in your FriYay

I'm hopeful that pipes are fixed soon and y'all are back to full better days 🙏🏻 Many hugs 🤗 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗💜

 

 

 

It's so fantastic to see the melting happening... fingers and toes crossed 🤞🏻 we're past the damage zone and better days continue Love ya 💜

 

 

Emphasized “It's so fantastic to see the melting happening... fingers and toes crossed 🤞🏻 we're past the damage zone and better days continue Love ya 💜

 

 

My place is fine cause drained fire sprinkler pipes before got too bad. One first floor apartment had water damage like see in videos-ceiling came down w insulation & water & flooded her place-so sad. She's been moved cause plenty empties. Shantay showed me pics.

Cost will come for us when renew now. Big costs down road for all.

Hoping😊& wishing all warm & dry at your home 🏡

Already feels better w sun 🌞

Love 💕 U 🤗🌻🤗🌻🤗🌻💜

 

 

 

Terrific update 👍🏻

So happy your building is on the rebound to restored function! The kids are with R and M today... we're delighted the boil water is over... each day gets better 🎉🎉 any birthday suggestions?

 

 

My place is fine cause drained fire sprinkler pipes before got too bad. One first floor apartment had water damage like see in videos-ceiling came down w insulation & water & flooded her place-so sad. She's been moved cause plenty empties. Shantay showed me pics.

Cost will come for us when renew now. Big costs down road for all.

Hoping😊& wishing all warm & dry at your home 🏡

Already feels better w sun 🌞

Love 💕 U 🤗🌻🤗🌻🤗🌻💜

 

 

 

Terrific update 👍🏻

So happy your building is on the rebound to restored function! The kids are with R and M today... we're delighted the boil water is over... each day gets better 🎉🎉 any birthday suggestions?

 

 

 

Love boil water over💦🎉

Birthday 🥳 suggestions

TIME WITH YOU MAYBE FURRY GUYS & NOT SO FURRY ONE

-Or Dr Bronners lavender Organic Hand Sanitizer

-Or Another Blood Orange bar

- Or Lemon sparkling H2O

-Or none above we just do take out Bday meal on 25th

They're trying hard here but meals too salty etc My hands swelling due over salty meals

Hoping back regular menu selections by next week

Guessing shopping needs wait until week after in March

Love ️ You & hugs 🤗

 

 

 

Handy to get CVS Meds delivered today via USPS

Hoping car fine & do go out maybe next Wed to CVS for Olly -have plenty rest

Groceries week March 2nd

I can do TT pickup

Take care👌Still stay warm💜

 

 

So nice have sunny 😎 day💜

Hoping cleaners today as it's 3rd week w snow ️ ice🍀🍀

Happy all is well at your home

& wishing same for your work!

Looking forward to maybe seeing you on 25th fingers crossed🎉🎉🥳🥳🤗🤗💜💜

 

 

 

 

Wow we're moving and shaking today! Celebrate You all week 🎉🎉👑🎉🎉 We will celebrate together Thursday 👍🏻 we're very grateful to be past the freezing 🥶 week 🍀🍀

Love ya bunches 💜🌻🌻🌻💜

 

 

 

Happy Bday week to me🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🥳🥳🥳🥳Ha ha

New Cleaner came & floors look sooo good 😌😌😌😌💕💕 With warmup will go out after lunch & start up car tho plan to go out Wed CVS or Olly & maybe pickup lunch on payday🥰🌺🥰🌷🥰🌸🥰

Know you are happy to be back at work😎😊🌞Love 💜You

 

 

 

Emphasized “Wow we're moving and shaking today! Celebrate You all week 🎉🎉👑🎉🎉 We will celebrate together Thursday 👍🏻 we're very grateful to be past the freezing 🥶 week 🍀🍀

Love ya bunches 💜🌻🌻🌻💜

 













































































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