Dust bowl?

 Friday, we had an EPIC wind storm move through Oklahoma.

The highest winds were clocked at 83 miles per hour.  In Oklahoma City, proper, we had sustained winds of 45 miles per hour, with gusts of 67 - 70 miles per hour.

This wind storm caused a record breaking number of wild fires, which destroyed both farm land, and residential homes.

The result was a full-on dust storm, enhanced by smoke.

Our old windows were no match for it, and the parts of the house that still have the old windows had poor air quality.

We could smell the dust and smoke while sitting inside, with all windows and doors closed.

Visibility was limited, and the sky was brown.  There were multiple accidents on the roads, and semi trucks were flipping over.

It was terrifying.

The power stayed on, thankfully, but the internet kept dropping, which made working a challenge.  I told my boss that it was happening, though, so that I won't be penalized for poor productivity.

I felt sick yesterday, but it was probably because my system was dealing with the effects of the air quality on Friday.  I feel better this morning.

Still congested, but the headache is gone.

This storm system swept across the country, and has caused multiple tornadoes, and, tragically, many deaths.  They are referring to it as a cyclone.

Climate change is real, folks.... 

It was still pretty windy, and surprisingly chilly, yesterday, so we have not yet taken a good look at the roof.  All over our neighborhood, houses are missing shingles, so we will take a look today.

It's supposed to be sunny, calm, and in the 60s later.  

I will also FINALLY have the chance to put some fresh soil in the flower bed this afternoon.  

It needed doing weeks ago, but the weather was bad, then we had company, so it's finally getting done today, even though my spring plants are already 6 inches tall.

My visit with the PA at the cancer clinic went well.  She confirmed that the PET scan I had in October showed NO EVIDENCE OF CANCER in my liver.  All that it saw was the bone metastasis.

Unfortunately, though, we are not going to pause or stop chemo.  This drug that I am on has a strict protocol. The patient stays on it until EITHER the cancer grows or comes back, OR the patient can no longer tolerate the medication.

So. Onward...but with more peace of mind!  

In other news, I put in my application to start collecting my social security money.  If it is approved, my payments will start in May, after my 63rd birthday.

I wanted to be sure to get that set up before they take it all away.  

Plus, there is no guarantee that I will live to see 67, which is my "max benefits," "official" retirement age.  

SO yeah, I will be getting $500 LESS per month than I would if I were to wait until I'm 67, but... well... stage 4 cancer changes one's perspective.

I plan to just put it in savings.

We'd LOVE to purchase a bigger vehicle, that is more visible, and higher, to make it easier to get into and out of.  Dave's old knee injury bothers him, and our current car sits pretty low.

Speaking of finances, Dave's final pay check never showed up in the bank, so he has to call them about that on Monday.

It could be that the last check is sent in the mail, instead of direct deposit, but he will find out tomorrow.

In the meantime, it's good that we got his annual bonus, because we can't live on my pay check alone!!

I was afraid that there would be a lull between his last check, and his first retirement income deposit....but I didn't expect it to happen so SOON!  

He should have had one more pay check, and it should have hit the bank at midnight last Thursday.

Anyway, I am off to start my day.  I have chemo next week, so will be in the office on Wednesday, most likely by myself.  I kind of like those days.... nice and quiet, and I can listen to music.

Have a good week!