(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 💜🌻🌻🌻💜”
