Sunday, August 8, 2021
The Corona Virus Delta Variant rages on. Hospitals across north Texas are full. A mutation of the virus now exists that is vaccine-resistant. I avoid gatherings and I’ll probably start using a mask in public. And if that weren’t enough, now there’s an escaped venomous cobra on the loose in Grand Prairie. I imagine the reptile can be found at Six Flags or Ikea. Why else would anyone go near Grand Prairie?
Once again life is like a never-ending Stephen King novel. I can’t make this stuff up.
Stephanie and Hayden have moved their house hunt to northeast Texas. That’s good news.
We’re scheduled to close on August 23 and take possession of the Missouri house on the 30th.
There’s talk that I may have to stay in the Missouri house by myself for a few days while Ray and Matt bring the animals. Matt said, “You know, Mom, you can’t be watching those scary crime shows on TV when you’re up there by yourself. I’ll be eight hours away if you hear a strange noise in the night.”
I laughed.
Then strange noises kept me up all night. Geez.
Thursday, August 12, 2021
Many school districts have started back to school and a few disregarded Governor Abbott’s mandate by requiring everyone to wear masks.
Hospitals are full and infection rates have returned to January and February heights. We know several people currently battling the virus. Our family begins loading U-haul trucks and caravanning to Missouri in seven days. We hope we can all remain healthy and get moved.
The weather’s been hot, but there’s a chance of rain in the next few days. The cobra is still on the loose.
Friday, August 20, 2021
We got a good rain today. Tomorrow we load trucks and prepare to caravan to Missouri. We close at 9 am Monday. I’m excited about the move but wonder if I’ll have a Texas-shaped hole in my heart forever.
Corona Virus rages on with most area hospitals at capacity or beyond and ICU’s out of beds. School is in session in many communities with face coverings being optional. I’ve started using my mask again. We’ve yet to be infected since our vaccinations, but we know several people who have tested positive. Hoping and praying we’ll remain healthy through the move.
Wednesday, August 25, 2021
We signed on the house on Monday. The old owners were under Covid quarantine at the time of signing so we were unable to meet them. Everyone has been very welcoming to us.
Our plan was to unload the Uhaul trucks into a nearby storage unit. But the only empty units were truck cargo holds removed from the cabs. After loading trucks for two days, Ray’s sister had the brilliant idea of just leaving our stuff packed in the current trucks. Thankfully, the old owners’ realtor has property bordering our new place and he kindly gave us permission to park the trucks there. That was such a relief and enabled us to relax for a day instead of repacking trucks in the heat.
The Missouri post office closest to us is only open from 12:30-4:00, so we stopped in a nearby antique shop to browse around while we waited for the post office to open. The store owner was very friendly and said to call her if we had any questions about the area or needed help with anything.
We’re all looking forward to Missouri life post-move and unpacking. I’m not sure when I’m actually going to the new place permanently. Our Chihuahua Queso will travel with me and he’s a nervous passenger. I think Ray’s hauling a trailer overnight, so I could follow him. I could follow Matt and the cattle hauler. Or I could go by myself. I haven’t made up my mind.
I’m looking forward to getting back into a daily writing routine. Too much of my transition time has been spent browsing online and making a wish list of décor and necessities for the new house. And I have a long grocery list because I haven’t been replacing household items prior to the move.