Thanks, Marilyn. I've been wondering where you were staying, how the cleanup was coming.

I'll bet you'll be glad to have things closer to normal and your animals back home - we all wish we were close enough to help, clean. I'm so sorry for those you lost, I can only imagine how badly you miss them. I was hoping Moses might show up yet, but know that's a long shot. Given the circumstances, you did a wonderful job saving those you could.

Are you taking care of yourself, feeling OK?

Yes, I'm okay. Like I said a few days ago, we don't have enough sense to comprehend the gravity of the situation. I have had many people offer to help with the cleanup, but no one but me knows what to toss and what to keep. We have no Sheetrock, so don't have to rip that out. No carpet.

Once we get all the rooms cleaned, I need to wash all my dishes. I am going to get liquor boxes and pack up everything except for the bare minimum to get by. So all that will be out of the way as we clean, paint and whatever.

I am going to be washing clothes from now until forever.

We have already "rehabbed" this house once. I don't feel a lot of enthusiasm to do it again. I have had plenty of times where I have considered selling it and move to anothet place where we didn't have to do so much work. I have looked at a couple pieces of property. Jody isn't as gung ho to sell it as I am. That is because he doesn't know the word "quit". I keep thinking.,..we are old. The property is valuable. No matter what we do to the house, it is not an asset to the property. Anyone who would have the money to buy the property would not want the house.

https://get.google.com/albumarchive/102332364941716827999/album/AF1QipPOQzRc6U8m-YC_U8lJsFoR7b3Gw76gpHmB2ALJ?source=pwa

Above,... My house first time around.

Marilyn, I think that you are too overwhelmed with the losses to comprehend what the situation truly is. That may not be a bad mindset either, I'd lose my mind in your situation.

You've had a huge shock to your life and so much stress.

All I can say is I wish you peace and comfort, Marilyn.

People are just going through the motions right now. My sister's place was all flooded out and they(and all their family) are just there stripping the house out...no time to really think about what's going on.

Marilyn I am sorry for all your losses, the critter loss is heartbreaking.

I live in your general area and plan to head out to the Lake Livingston area far from the coast. I just can't keep on living at the mercy of hurricanes. Of course I realize that there is always risk of something happening no matter where one goes, but it seems over the years that I have racked up too many hours of misery because of hurricanes and I just can't do it any more.

My heart is breaking for you and your loss of the beloved animals. I'm so, so sorry.

Lucille, I understand. I don't worry very much about hurricanes. We had Carla in '61....not a direct hit, but on the 'dirty side'. Then Alicia in '83 and Ike.....I can't remember without looking it up....in 2008?? Anyway we haven't had flooding from any of the tropical storms. Not talking about anyone else.....just us. Ike didn't put any water on our place. So I am not worried about storms. I just feel tired thinking of all the work we have to do.

I know Jody isn't going to stop shrimping, so we are tied to the coast. I do like this area and how close we are to Galveston and Houston and all the superb medical facilities. So I know we will stay.

I just can't think too far ahead right now. Just do what needs to be done, from day to day. I'll see how I feel as we go along and then if I think we should move, start working on Jody to get him to see it my way. I am not sure I want to leave....I don't want to make a mistake and end up with regrets.

I'm in awe of your energy, Marilyn. Just 'doing' and not 'thinking' is probably the very best thing to do right now. In your place, I would probably be just sitting and sobbing, but I know that's not your way. I wish you the very best and continue to keep you in my prayers.

When thinking about your decision, since you don't normally flood under "normal" circumstances, remember that this was a once in a lifetime storm dumping unprecedented levels of rain. Sending love, hugs and prayers. Wish I could send a little fairy with a magic wand to help with the clean up.

My heart breaks for your losses. Oh the poor animals.

I'm not worried about flooding. Fixing up the place.... That is what worries me. I would like to have time to relax a little before I die. All I do is run hard and I never get caught up. Don't misunderstand. I am not asking for sympathy. I am mostly talking to myself.

Thanks for that link, Marilyn. I remember the pictures you had posted a long time ago. I love that house of yours. It has such character to it. I am so very sorry for the loss of many of your animals. You wouldn't be happy if you moved somewhere where you couldn't have animals. Has the keys to your truck been found yet?

What Linda said. Bless you for your kind heart.

I would never move where I couldn't take the animals. I found 33 acres for sale down the road. The woman I am staying with said, "You don't need 33 acres.". I said, " Don't tell me what I need!!". This from a woman who has had horses all her life and never owned a cup full of ground to keep them on. Never can find anyone to let her keep her horses and can't afford to pay board.

I have always lived on enough land to keep my horses. The smallest was 16 acres and then we bought 10 acres next to it, so gave us 26.

Yes...found the keys but can't clean it up until FEMA comes. I doubt it will ever run again but Jody will try. No point trying to talk him out of it.

I feel your pain and frustration! It's a waiting process. My poor husband is trying to do everything himself. I sent volunteers to help him but he told them not right now. He is just worn out just like you and Jody are my guess. He refuses to let me go there because my asthma has been so bad. I hope you have some better days ahead Marilyn don't forget about you!

I enjoyed looking at the pics of your house, marilyn, and I'm so sorry for your losses.

Can anyone talk a husband out of anything that he has his mind set on? I can't with mine. Glad you found the keys Marilyn.

Raven, Maybe you could tell him that if he doesn't want you there, he needs to use the volunteers!