On Recovery Mode...

 

Well, it has been one month and 2 days since we were hit by a category 4 Super Typhoon named, "Mawar". I lost power the day it was over us Wednesday, May 24th. Then data and water by midday on Thursday, May 25th as the storm was passing over us.

 It finally left our area by Thursday night. By Friday, we had a better view of what kind of damage was left behind. We had damage mostly to our living/kitchen ceiling because of the water coming in sideways, and also water damage to my bedroom door. We had many trees damaged and uprooted. Even a neighbors Mango tree fell onto our road leading out to main highway. So we were basically trapped. Sam and Brenavin worked tirelessly using an electric chainsaw to get most of the tree off the road. By the end of Friday, were were free to drive out. Sam, Sara and myself took a careful drive around the island to see what other places got damage.

 It was like a tornado had hit us or perhaps after bombing from a war. The island was devastated. I mean almost as bad as it was back in the early 2000s when Guam was hit by Pongsunhwa or Chatann. The island lost trees, building parts, power lines down, most of the signal lights. It didn't seem bad at first, but it was bad. Guam had no radio stations broadcasting. All my life on Guam, we've always had at least one or two radio stations broadcasting something about the weather, updates to storm, Government announcements etc. Nothing, just dead silence. It was so odd not to have any word from the outside world.

The kids played card games, board games to past the time. We had chargers to charge our cell phones or turned on our cars to charge them, and solar lights. But our phones were worthless because there wasn't even any cell service or signal anywhere. Except when we drove like 35 minutes to another town. At nights, we used solar lights to light up our rooms, and charged Ryobi batteries to use on lamps and fans. It was very helpful. But, most nights were hot, muggy, sweaty and trust me when I say, waking up in my own sweat was the worst feeling ever. I was drenched in it. Yuck! I ended up having heat rash, so did Sara and Sam. Ugh. We had no water in the taps to shower with or to wash laundry. Thank goodness for water tankers at our Mayor's office to refill from. Our village/town Mayor Tony Chargualaf has been truly awesome! He was able to tap Red Cross donated meals for our town. People just had to line up to pick them up! FEMA and SBA even set up their flag office in our community center as well. So we didn't have to drive far to get help or ask questions.

It was about one week after the devastation when water finally came back on. Thank you GWA! But still no power. By about one week after, we finally got one radio station we could listen too, Star 101.0 Guam. It was nice to hear from the outside world honestly. On the mornings, they broadcasted what the Governor was letting the island people know about 9am, and then again at 4pm. By about that 2nd week some areas in the north had power. We were lucky Sam's sister Sandy had running water and power at her condo. We were able to utilize her place to do laundry and relax from the heat. So it was a welcome blessing.

By week 3 and 2 weeks into June, most of the village was power up. Sadly, about 55 residences including ours still had no power. We were beyond frustrated. Sam and I decided we'd move up to our village rental since that house had power. Since this past Monday, I have been moving. It has been just exhausting, and a slow process, but I will count our blessings, because it could have been a lot worse.

Thank you all so much for your well wishes and prayers. Guam is slowly getting there, but definitely not fully back to normal. We are awaiting help from FEMA and SBA along with a lot of aide from our local Mayor and his staff. 

I was able to open my online shop back up last week. I will be able to ship without any more delays and mail is moving accordingly. Yay!

I will have to delay my Blog Interview until June 28th for my next interview release or if I am able to get it all done by my usual schedule of the 25th tomorrow? Probably not, but I will try my best. Thank you so much for your patience and kind understanding.

Hopefully, I be able to share some new finds soon and what I did receive after the storm. Until then, Happy Thrifting all!!

Enjoy this lovely double rainbow one sunset on June 3rd just above our yard and compound. Truly a blessing to see!

Thank you for reading! ~ ggsdolls

When Life Gives You LEMONS...

 ... make FINA'DENE'(CHamoru word for a spicy dipping sauce)!!

     The past two weeks has been scary, I will admit. I recently had 2 biopsies performed on my right breast, because of an area that caused concern with my Radiologists both from FHP and Guam Radiology Center. They were done and yesterday I had the appointment to find out the results. Of course, it was cancer, but I am told it did not spread, but rather it is in a particular area and can be safely removed. Of course my initial reaction was to freak out, but my doctor gave me the whole song and dance about telling my brain not to freak out, so to speak. LOL, funny how our brains do that no matter what. But he was trying to make the whole situation on a lighter note, if that was any console to me... 

     ...It wasn't. I left the center drove to pick up my middle child. While sitting in the parking lot waiting for her, I cried, and cried, and said in my head, "God this is your will and your will be done." Earlier this year has been quite a roller coaster of emotions, you see I was also diagnosed with Diabetes back in March. My practitioner told me I could reverse it, that it was just up to me, and so I did. I started fasting, no sodas, and didn't tell anyone, not even my husband of my diagnosis. (Well, now he knows.) When I saw my doctor in May, I had beaten that diagnosis, and was told I am no longer diabetic. I was so happy and proud of myself!! I told myself, that I would fight that and I did and won that battle. Now, I guess I just need to tell myself I could fight this one too and I know I will but, still the word "Cancer" can give your brain a play on your emotions. I would not wish any disease on anyone, not even an enemy. Life is far to short to stress over them or any cancer or disease.

     I will have to do an MRI and then meet the next doctor who will do the surgery to remove the cancer and what my options are at this point. Am I scared? Hell yeah! Do I ask myself, why me Lord? Yup. But I have to remind myself of a saying a fellow coworker once shared with me, "God gives us what he believes, we can handle," and I still think that way. I have had many obstacles in life, some easy, some hard, but with all that I have experienced and learned from. I have enjoyed my life and still do. I am proud of who I am as a person, what I've become, and how I continue to live my life trying my best not to stress over any thing if I can help it. Not many of us can say that, and I am content.

Medical bills have been paid and I will need to save up for the new ones. Please check out my shop often I will be adding some items to help pay for my medical bills. My family and I truly appreciate any purchases to help. I will probably do a sale on my Etsy shop to help get more items sold. I will also keep you all posted on the progress of my breast cancer. I truly appreciate your prayers and positive vibes, keep them coming!

Hey, fina'dene' is good with BBQ chicken and red rice!! Just in case you didn't know, LOL

Thank you so much for listening! ~ ggsdolls