Update on the Folks

I talked to Mom yesterday evening and things were much improved.  Renee, Steve, Sanford, and Sanford's brother arrived yesterday afternoon and began clearing the road.  They were able to get all of the trees out of the road while Dad worked on grading the road.  For some reason, the road is rutted very badly.  And, thanks to the generator Sanford took them, they are able to run the blower on the wood furnace, so they have heat!  Which is a really good thing, because they are forecasting lows in the teens again soon.

Mom said that the damage is very widespread, but it looks like right there at the farm took an especially hard hit.  This person says that, and that person says this, but in all honesty, they have no idea when they will get power restored.

Stacy's mom and dad are fairing a little bit better.  They were able to go to West Plains yesterday and get water.  They have purchased small propane heaters for their house and Stacy's grandparents' (at an exorbitant price, I might add), so they have been able to keep the temp in the houses in the upper 50's to lower 60's.  They live right on the edge of Thayer, so without doubt they're on a much higher priority list than my folks are.

Hopefully, Sis remembered to clear her memory card on her camera before she went over and I'll have some pics to post when she gets back to Nashville on Monday.

Thank you all for your prayers and concerns.  We have had numerous offers of help (and they may still need some before this is over), and you cannot imagine how deeply touched we have been by everyone's concern and generosities.

Oh, and let me add a little good news out of the midst of the mayhem.  Cousin Nichole's baby was born yesterday, so McKenzie has a new playmate!  Moriah Kate was born yesterday morning, January 30 (Pappy's birthday).  She weighed in at 6 lbs, 9 oz and is 19 inches long.  Proud Grandmother Jan reports that she looks a lot like McKenzie did when she was born.  Congrats Chad and Nichole!  I think I will nickname her the "Ice Princess."