My understanding from the board meeting was that it was a combination of a bond, technology fund, and emergency fund that had already been funded. I appreciate that they pivoted to go pseudo-virtual. It was when they dropped "virtual" for several programs that worked well in the fall, I questioned the point. The students are now required to complete all the school work online in the virtual portal while sitting in school. <eye roll> And my DD has 5-6 substitutes every week with recorded lessons from the teacher in the virtual portal. And district didn't have to drop the virtual option for spring. Of course, TEA has dropped funding for virtual for next year already so now they MUST physically go to school next year. Only now they will go with no masks too.

Yes, it's the straight-up animosity that has me shaken. There is no way I can send my kids to school in a mask here (if covid still wreaking havoc) now that the mandate has lifted. I didn't even want to vaccinate, but I did. I do not adopt early medical procedures (I'm a biomedical engineer-I've seen behind the curtain). BUT the vaccine is like an invisible mask at this point. I will be so relieved when the kids are vaccinated now.

My kids had a "mystery" virus that behaved exactly like covid 4 weeks before the US shut down last year. It was a nasty, nasty cold. I almost never take my kids to the doctor, and they all went in for this. Both DH and I, my mom, dad, and 2 brothers also had the pleasure. Ironically, the younger the person, the worse it was in our family. I'm not afraid to get it again. We survived. But it's not like I'm "licking lamp posts" either. Know what I mean? I prefer to avoid it if for no other reason (and there are many good life-threatening reasons for others) than there is no time to be sick. And last time it was bad enough for a doctor and took almost 3 weeks to recover fully. Grrrr.

Our 115,000+ school district just announced that they are lifting the mask mandate on June 7. Given that 75-80% of kids were face-to-face in our high specific high school, it was impossible to space everyone out. Plexi-glass corner dividers (not 3-wall variety) were installed on desks, still set in 2x2 formation, shielding nothing. Now, my kid was virtual first semester and had to go face-to-face second semester to participate in varsity band. We mask. We move around within the community and attend things--masked and distanced even when it wasn't required or easily accommodated. Adults have been vaccinated. Older, high-risk adults in our family have been vaccinated. But my 11yo,13yo, and 16yo can't even be vaccinated yet. Why, oh why, oh why, couldn't they wait to lift the mask mandate until AFTER vaccinations for all 115,000 kids were approved? Why did my DD have to miss 10 days of school because of contact tracing because the teacher removed the shield in her classroom this semester if 3 months later it doesn't matter if they are sitting shoulder to shoulder with an infected person with no PPE measures? I mean seriously, DD has played both and instrument and colorguard fully in a mask no matter the temperature (9-95 degrees), length of time (12-13 hours/day), heavy exercising, etc. What was the point? Our specific zip code is reporting about 22% vaccinated (pop. about 91k). Lots of kids in that 90k. Most do not even have an option to be vaccinated. Think about that; on my block of 21 houses (approx. 42 adults/40 children), only 18/82 people have been vaccinated. There are about 6 homeschoolers and 36 b&m school kids. On top of that, DD13, DD15, and I attended a children's theater production last weekend. This was to see a bestie (who we haven't seen but once in the last year) in a major role. Previously, it was held in a large auditorium. When we purchased tickets in February for the April performance, it was to be held in a large venue, seating in spread-out pods with masks. Because the state-mask mandate was lifted and Texas was "open", they apparently changed the mask and seating. We found out when we arrived. Venue was small-ish school gym/cafeteria that had a low stage. Chairs were "butt-to-nut" as my husband would colorfully say. There were about 300 chairs. I was concerned. BUT we were wearing our extra protective masks and decided to avoid the lobby, intermission, etc. Get-in-get-out maneuvering as best we can. Once seated, DD points out that we are 3 of about 15 people in the entire room wearing a mask. Then, big guy 3ft behind us hacks up a lung leaning forward over and over for almost 3 hours. So much so that we felt the cough physically on us each time. Now, under any other time, I would have politely confronted this person. But we were clearly in a room with people who did.not.care about Covid precautions. And we were in the very minority. And we were 3 rows from the stage which would have caused an even bigger disturbance to attempt to rectify. I searched for a different area to move to. None. Absolute nightmare. At best he was an oblivious idiot (rude action long before covid came along), at worst accosting us for our masks. I was upset, shocked, disappointed. Thank goodness for our own high-quality masks, my vaccination, and our general robust immune systems. In the end for y own sanity, I chose to think this guy an idiot rather than an attacker. Until last night...neighborhood mom-n-pop store (that we purposely choose to use despite higher prices to support our community) accosted DH for wearing his mask. Owner said, "You know those mask are bullsh*t and don't do anything." No comment while checking out spending $150 bucks (so not a candy bar). Again, "You know you don't need a mask, right?" No comment. Other patrons in store (not wearing masks) go deadly silent. Again, "You shouldn't be wearing that in here." No comment. DH showed amazing restraint. He does not mind being "confrontational" when merited. He was just shocked that this guy that we have patronized over the last year to "help" did this. And, folks, this is a liquor store that didn't shut down during the entire pandemic. So he doesn't get a "covid ruined my business" pass. In fact, the liquor stores did very well around here this past year. Now I think that there is a good possibility the hacker-man was being intentional. And I'm left wondering what in the hell did we go to all the trouble with masking in school and dealing with all the work-arounds? And why did the school district spend $41 million on giving every single kid a laptop and hot spot for what amounted to really just one semester? And why do you care if I wear a mask, especially when you are not made to? And if you think it was wrong to REQUIRE masks, then why is it ok to REQUIRE no masks? And why did the one thing, school, just go rogue against trying to keep the virus to a minimum within the school with multiple covid reports (presumably stemming from community exposure, not school) coming out every week? Well, this was very long, and somewhat cathartic. Obviously, I can't say any of this aloud in my world. And I'm trying to avoid bringing this feeling of despair down on my kids. Lifting masks in school has really done me in. Thanks for listening y'all.

Received J&J shot yesterday midday. Slightly sore arm. No other side effects. I was second to last extended family member to be vaccinated (minus under 16 crowd). Super easy experience. Drive through with thousands (not hyperbole) of others. Plus DS had 2 regular immunizations this week, so I had to not give in to fear and stress since he didn’t. 😉 Thought I might have a sense of relief, but it’s business as usual today, jam-packed with kid activities and things to do. But we have been avid mask wearers and covid-cautious from the start. Ready for kiddos to be vaccinated too, so maybe we can start to put all this behind us.

Looks like TEA punted the decision to let every ISD decide for themselves. UIL did the same. Our ISD (3rd largest in state) just sent notice that all safety measures will remain in place until end of school year. BUT they are reducing quarantine period to CDC recommendations: contact-exposed (sitting next to kid at school) quarantine 10 days (can reduce to 8 days with negative test), continuously exposed (like at home with family member) must quarantine for full 14 days. That's down from 14 days if exposed no matter what (negative tests before 14 days did not matter). Mask, shields, contact tracing, masks at events/practices/etc still required as they were (some sports have been exempt-depending on actual school, not district). I cannot tell you how relieved I am that masks will remain in schools for the rest of the year. Pain in butt. Challenging. But with society at large ditching all precautions, the school was a sitting duck. And that made us sitting ducks unless we wear a mask full time at home and kiddo an odd ball at school if she continued to wear hers.

LOL! I'm now getting NorthFace ads on FB! Geez! I wish google would send me ads for beach resorts instead!

I'll add that I am incredibly grateful for all the information shared on the Hive about this insane weather event. I've learned so much even if I never really have a realistic need to implement the arctic tips and tricks . I never get tired of learning about other parts of the country and how people live and work through tough situations. And I never get tired of sharing how Texas can sometimes feel like another planet (in so many ways). I try really, really hard to stay out of echo-chambers and "see" the world through other people. As a family we are trying to visit all 50 states before oldest child leaves for college. These discussions for me are just another facet of that. SO thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You have been, as always, a safe place for me to freak out, poke fun, and learn. This frozen Texan loves y'all!!!!!!!!!!!!

Y’all go watch! Entering atmosphere!!!

Re: Community helping each other That is most definitely happening here. I think Houston has always been good at coming together after disasters to set things right again. Yesterday and today, people have been cleaning out any pipe and fittings and pipe glue they can find to contribute to a big stockpile free for use. Handy-neighbors-turned-DIYplumbers have been going from one bust to another repair (even if only temporary) burst pipes. A couple of residents are patrolling the neighborhood streets regularly with channel locks and meter sticks to help quickly shut off water at the source as pipes burst to minimize damage. One resident licensed plumber has been going around the clock. People volunteered to take his phone calls and help organize supply trips for him just to keep his expertise where it was needed (not standing in line at Lowes etc). Some people have offered to run laundry at their home for those that everything is soaked. It'll be costly, but it will all be fixed. The authorities over the power grids dropped the ball. There was nothing "rolling" about the power grid. Water was never supposed to be gone. And then gas disappeared too?! And our water company was kind enough to send out an email 24 hours in to the cutoff that they would work on restoring water after they felt it was safe enough for their crews to move around and to Stay Safe! No mention of what was going wrong. All the while, HEB was open. Emergency crews were moving around. Idiot "hold-my-beer-watch-this-on-ice" drivers were around. Information is key. People can prepare if given information. And now it's being reported that ERCOT issued a statement warning that prices were going up to mitigate this event? You would think that the insurance companies would be all over ERCOT because it's going to cost them too, and their pockets are very deep for making things happen.

@TheReader, I wonder if we live in the same neighborhood? You are describing our exact experience. Except our HEB, Waffle House, and Bucees were open limited hours but very difficult to get to.

Our temps reached about 35 today. It felt luxurious.

I wouldn't drink it. Boil it. Then I would run the lines for a bit to see if it was just due to an interruption at the source or something in the water. Goodness knows information seems to be trickling out of authorities.

My brother/sis-in-law had utilities throughout most of this too. Just lost them today. They live 20 minutes north of me in the area, but it would have required the iditarod to get there.

Not disputing, just conversing... I can buy coats in Dallas too. Just not Houston, which I didn't know until I shopped for that trip. Before that, it didn't occur to me that there wasn't someone somewhere that would sell a selection of coats even in Houston. I had the reverse problem once in Dallas when I wanted to shop for a swim suit in December for a vacation. No where to be found except in an upscale store called Just Water at the Galleria. That top and bottom cost me $160. Yikes! I still have that suit 29 years later. It's out of style, and I can't get a leg in it now, but something won't let me ditch it. :) ETA: I hoard warm blankets too, but mostly for sentimental value. I had to get a ladder to get them down from the top of a closet for this week. I was also kicking myself for purging all my extra old ratty linens when we moved this past summer because I really needed them for outside. I had to buy canvas painter's tarps for my trees (which was probably pointless given how bad the weather got). But I can afford it. So many people can not (even if they own a house).

True. Back when I was on well water that was the case, but we prepared for that. I've never lost water in a municipal district, even in Dallas snowstorms from years past. ETA...until this week. :)

I had to buy our coats online and have them shipped because you are not finding down-filled puffer coats in Houston. There was one women's option at Macys, and it was ugly and expensive. No men's anywhere. Boy's coat was cheap enough I bought 2 sizes and donated the one that didn't fit. The women's shelter I donated to commented that they don't see many heavy winter coats. :)

Some people are speculating that the water damage from this might be as bad or worse than Harvey because every home was hit with this (not just those in flood areas-which was a ton)?

Yes. My brother's apartment building has damage one building over due to sprinklers (not sure what set them off). I *think* the school system said there were 12 schools with significant water damage. School is canceled completely this week.

The tricky part of this in my neighborhood was people did prepare...but perhaps for the wrong thing. I grew up rural in a trailer house in west Texas. It iced there many times. My home was not even set on a foundation but was still on the trailer and had corrugated tin around it as a skirt. So frozen pipes, lost power, septic pump gone, etc--I know how to handle things. When winter storms approached, we prepared for being without all utilities. Fortunately, the storms were short lived, and we could always go to grandma's house in town (but I don't remember ever needing to do that). All that to say that I did insist DH fill trucks with gasoline (no electric=no gas) (he raised suburban and likes to wing-it in general, I'm the prepper). We always have 2-3 flats of water bottles. I did NOT stock up the fridge (even though food can be set outside) because losing power with a fridge full of food seems very risky to me. I always have 7-10 days worth food in pantry. Not luxury meals. Not favorite foods. But definitely grab and go sustenance. The ONLY reason we had coats, hats, and gloves is because I bought them for a Chicago trip during Thanksgiving 2 years ago. When we moved from Dallas to Houston 8 years ago, I got rid of the coats as kids outgrew them. Never used one in Houston before this week. Hoodies and sweaters are MORE than enough every year. I would not have bought them for this week and can not find them in any stores near me at all. What I was absolutely NOT prepared for was losing ALL utilities and then for a long stretch of time. If water had stayed on, pipes would not have burst inside. Going without power was tough, but I think most people can kinda prepare for that. Although who is going to go buy a ton of blankets for a week event? Especially if you can't afford it? You won't find coats and gloves around. Plus that big $$$. I think most people could and would deal with personal discomforts and challenges. But when the walls start caving in and "hell" starts raining down inside...what do you do with that? We have been sitting ducks through this. You need water or electricity. You MUST have one of those to protect property. I'm a take care of myself, boot-strap girl. I grew up this way. I have the skills, knowledge, and now the money to be this way. I was a sitting duck. There was absolutely nothing more I could have done to protect from the damage. And I was lucky. No burst pipes (yet) and a giant pool to draw water for toilets from. (back in the day, we just went potty outdoors in the cold in a hole we dug when it came to that--DH would explode before he would drop a deuce in the cold in a hole in our yard-lol) The group that controls the power grid here is liable. Period.

My last house was the only house that ever had one in the garage instead of attic. We have a tankless in attic now. First tankless for us. I DO need to get a little radio. That would have helped.

No basements. Clay soil, High water tables. Converting at attic to livable space is called a "Texas Basement". I don't know the specific reason why the heaters are in the attic. I suspect it's partly because heat rises, and it is hot to extremely hot in Texas the vast majority of the year. I would think the heater would not have to work as hard in the attic, and any heat it puts out would escape. But who knows if that could be part of the reason.

Whew! Made it through the night with all utilities. Have friends and family over now washing clothes, showering, etc. We have enough bottled water and Dr. Pepper on hand to get around boiling water, but that was a great bleach tip on how to deal with that! Folks that didn't lose utilities much are now dealing with longer-term outages. Obviously, we know the pain. Seriously, losing all utilities at once just super sucked. Then not being able to communicate with anyone was frightening. The roads are quite drive-able today. It rained quite a bit and melted the ice and snow away. Overnight roads will freeze again. I was able to get online to run payroll for the company I manage and report/pay taxes that are due Friday. A little thing, but I hope it was something that kept employees from worrying over. My WTMA kiddo was able to attend class today (which she was so stressed about despite my reassurances). I am so very thankful for the WTMA approach to education. This was one very big stress that I never had to carry. FB pages are filled today with cries for help dealing with busted pipes. Many homes are completely destroyed from the ceiling down. Has this been explained? The normal location for hot water heaters is in the attic here. So the main water supply enters the house and heads to the attic. The pipe distribution system can be quite busy in the attic. So if a pipe bursts, it rains indoors. Now, as expected, Lowes and Home Depot have sold out of repair supplies, lines are stretched around the building. Some plumbers (that are neighbors to the customers) are charging $550 diagnostic/trip fee plus repairs. Some are even quoting $1000/hr for repairs. I'm just stunned. We have run our own service-based business for 15 years and cannot fathom the price-gouging. It makes my heart hurt. I would think having a windfall of business volume would be fortunate enough to charge normal prices (around $150-175 diagnostic/trip fee + $80-100/hr). I imagine there will be very sore feelings within the community for a long while. I still have no idea about the cracked window. I, too, figured it was a cracked seal. Not uncommon but never had a freeze like this to know what it could do. But I do have several other windows that have the seal compromised before this. Those windows are fine. This house sits on a clay bed that is particularly bad. We had noticed it in how the vegetation is growing (or rather stunted). So it could have been the house shifting. I heard so many pops last night like a rock hitting a car windshield. I was up and down all night scanning windows for more damage or burst pipes or the fireplace going wrong, etc etc. It was a wakeful night, but I never discovered anything else wrong. The popping most definitely could have been settling. We will need to address this problem this spring for sure by moving water away from the house better an amending the soil on a large scale.

Crap! Now a boil water notice! Grrrrrrrrr! The weather worst of it was today. Tomorrow will see rain but above freezing. Roads will be rough overnight. Pipes will be rough as things thaw. Thank you for the tips from everyone!!!!! I didn't expect windows to crack either. They are double pane, and the outside panes cracked. That's a new one to me. Honestly, my personal biggest financial lost was the pool and landscaping. Of course trees can be replanted, but the pool especially hurts. Plus almost every pool is damaged, so there will be a significant backlog. Great time to be in pool business in Texas! Business opportunity there! I am so incredibly thankful no pipes have burst. A former neighbor that is still in our subdivision lost every room also to burst pipes. They are everywhere. My parents might be facing the same. The test is tomorrow. I can take care of college kiddos in College Station and have awesome friends in DFW area that I can call on to help if you've got kiddos stuck at college! Good night everyone! I'm crawling in bed with faucets dripping, blankets piled high, and hope that we have water and power stay on until in the morning! PS. I saw a meme that showed the Houston highways under snow/ice and the same highways under Harvey water. It was captioned something like "Texas--where weather is an extreme sport." No doubt. No doubt.

yes, it's a nightmare mess all around! hello hive! power back for next couple of hours. gas low, but WATER IS BACK! No lines burst this round. Please, oh please, oh please let the water stay on! it's crazy cold in house still, but blankets and layers will suffice. Just.need.water.to.stay.on. DD dance teacher, near and dear to our heart and many homeschoolers in area, lost every room and all ceilings to water damage. She is due to give birth in 2 weeks. They have a place to stay (I offered ours too-even with sketchy utilities). We will most definitely be helping do something for them as soon as the ice clears by this weekend. Just 2 more days until clean up can begin in earnest. Good grief! This has been Harvey catastrophic. Houses burning down. Loss of life due to carbon-monoxide poisoning. At least water destroyed houses won't be molding at warp speed? It's been a bad one for sure. I think everyone knew it was going to be tough. Weather is is usually extreme. But non one expected no utilities for millions of people at once. The governor is calling for someone's head on a stick.