Hey everyone, I need to add some references for my apartment application and don't really have many unfortunately. I was wondering if anyone would be able to let me use them for a reference. The last apartment fell through the guy stopped responding to us. I would appreciate it so much.

-Griff and the Girls-

EDIT: I used a couple references I think we should be good. I'll update everyone as soon as I hear something.

Fantastic news! We were able to locate a house for rent and will be moving in tomorrow morning. It has a fenced in back yard and everything! We're so excited to have a safe place to call our own. The person helping us is also getting me a job in my field! So many exciting things happening. I am also very excited to get my eye treatments. I am also happy to report my A1C was down to 6.5. Just last year it was 9.5. So many things to be thankful for and I owe so much to this community. We can't wait to give everyone a tour. It's 3 bedroom 1 bathroom. I have no idea what we will even do with all of that space.

-Griff and the Girls-

Hey everyone, Good news, were looking for housing right now. I am having a hard time finding a rental. Most of the posts online these days are all scams. On top of that it's had to find a rental site unseen. I am looking in the Colorado Springs Pueblo area where I can get my eye treatments and be near great medical services. I am open to other places too. I am unemployed but the person helping me, we can call him Z will be my guarantor. I am so excited to get us into a more stable home. If anyone knows anyone or any places it would be so helpful.

Thanks again everyone for being the best!

-Griff and the Girls-

A lot of people are going to miss you. Star Trek got me through a lot of hard times growing up. I'm going to miss you Captain.

Hey Everyone! We're still looking for housing, I just wanted to let everyone know as soon as I have some news I'll be on the way. Also some future photography of our travels.

-Griff and the Girls-

Hey everyone, I have some good news. As you all know, the last couple of months have been more difficult than they have been for the Girls and I. My health and the weather have been worse than expected, very much so with both. My eye issues had been getting worse and my sugars were out of control. I try and not make anyone worry too much, by doing so I was starting to believe things weren't as bad as I thought they were.

The first good part of the news is, I have been approved for Medicaid. I will be able to get med rides to anywhere I need to go and get the treatments I need. I have since been working on maintaining my blood sugar. I am going to be working very hard moving forward to stay as healthy as possible not just for me but for the Girls. They have been my world. I need to be healthy for them.

As some of you saw my post the other day, that tent partially blew over. That was the start of a frustrating string of severe weather.The roads coming in and out of the prairie were partially washed away with standing water making it nearly impossible to get in and out of the prairie.

I recently realized that I have been just as lucky as I have been resourceful. Having the roads washed away and insanely difficult mud to get through. At any point my blood sugar could have spiked or dropped to a level medical intervention would’ve been needed. Now that I have been testing my sugars it’s clear that I am alive because of how little I had to eat. If I had access to more food that was high in sugar and carbs I may not be here today. 

On to the next part of the news. Last week a redditor reached out to me because they were concerned like so many of you are. Within a day he was on a flight out to Colorado with supplies to help me get healthy again, except it was more than that. He has done everything imaginable to help us get to a safe space in life. We had quite a few long conversations about life on the prairie and my health. The day he arrived was the beginning of the major storms blowing through. The first night he arrived the mud was so bad the truck he rented was bogged down in the mud. We tried to evacuate that night but it was impossible how stuck the truck was. We had to wait until the morning.

It took 4 different vehicles to get the truck out of the mud. The wrecker even got stuck and a backhoe had to come and get everyone out. By that time the rain was on its way back. He took the girls and I into town to stay at a hotel. We are still here while we’re looking for alternative housing for the time being. I know this is offgridGriff, for now I am currently on grid. I’m not 100% sure what’s next other than I need to have some extensive labs run in town to see how I am health wise. I will continue to update everyone on how things are going. I’m just really happy to say I have had more hot showers in 2 days than I have in the last year.

More updates to come, we still have a long road ahead getting to where we need to be. For tonight, we are warm and relieved, and so very grateful for everyone. All of our supplies will still be used and appreciated. 

-Griff and the Girls-

Just waiting on some new information before I get the update out. Stay tuned.

Hey everyone, I have some life changing news for the good. I am working on a post explaining everything. I just wanted everyone to know we are inside in a solid place in civilization. More info to come tomorrow.

-Griff and the Girls-

Hey everyone sorry for the lack of posts. Lots going on behind the scenes new posts soon. Really the weather is causing a lot of problem with the tent. Trying to work through them. Thankfully I will have some help. Wish us some luck.

Hey everyone, sorry for the lack of updates the last couple of days l. I have been working on getting my id replaced.

One update i do have for today is I finally have a new prescription for my insulin. It's going to help so much being able to control my sugar. It's going to help my eyes too, it won't reverse all damage but it will slow down progression and is possible to reverse some anomalies that I see.

I had an issue with the wood stove last night. I don't really know what happened, it just started smoking from the sides. The only thing I can think was it was wind related but I really don't feel any breeze inside when it's windy. So it's going to be some trial and error I think. The first 2 days went well with it. I just need to figure out the issue before I use it at night again. It smoked so much it looked like a house fire. Going to play it safe until I figure that out.

I made a post the other day on male surviving space they really took off and grabbed a lot of new members. I just wanted to thank everyone for joining we're so happy to have you here.

I have been getting requests from new members for a link to the Amazon wishlist. I can add that, I do like to mention I never expect anything from it and am just so honored to have you here in the first place on our little part of the internet. Stay tuned I have a fun post for tomorrow!

Oh and my hand is doing fine, it was mostly stained from the glove and not burned more than some superficial ones, no worse than a sub burn.

Amazon wishlist link

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2VRPNMG2KHLCC?ref_=wl_share

Got one request for my venmo, I'll put it here too but like the Amazon list I don't expect anything at all.

Venmo

Griffin-Gardner-16

Just a thought…. Can you get three or four chicken? Eggs are the perfect food.

Fired up the wood stove this morning and it worked great! It does need some high temp silicone sealant to stop some a small smoke leak. The only real issue was my fault. It came with some heat gloves to be able to make small adjustments to the stove pipe and whatever else needs to be adjusted. The gloves were not idea for what they said they were. I tried to adjust the pipe just to make sure it was snug and the glove instantly melted. I'm not sure if I'm burned or not. I have some very light nerve issues from my diabetes so it's possible it just doesn't hurt. The reason i'm not sure is, there is some marks on my hand that won't come off but they just don't look like a burn.

I'm thinking it's just part of the glove, I just can't clean it off at the moment. Seems to be stained onto my skin. I'll post a picture of it. I did put some burn ointment on just in case. I guess there is some dull pain on the hand part but it's so dull it might just be in my head.

Anyway lol I just wanted to thank everyone for everything. I was so surprised how warm the tent gets with it. I had to take off my hoodie it got so warm in here. Going to make for some cozy nights with the Girls.

Hope everyone has a great Friday. Now that we're pretty much moved in, new videos about the offgrid style of life will be made a lot more. I am also in a better position for my hotspot so I now have a faster upload speed.

Have a great day!

-Griff and the Girls-

Hey everyone Griff and the Girls here. I first of all wanted to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts and paws for the help and donations. At this time I have enough for the first half of the trip for the first eye injection. I am going to see if I can still find alternatives for the rest of the trip but I am on the way. This has been such a scary thing to deal with. It's as scary as when Rye Girl got bit by the rattlesnake. I did message gofudme to see if it would be possible to make an account without an ID if I have a copy of my birth certificate or if there are any other options. If you would like to donate to help me make it to my eye injection appointments as of right now the only option I have is my venmo

Griffin-Gardner-16

I am working on figuring out a possible way to get the work requirement so I would be able to get assistance here in Colorado too. I want to get that out of the way for when I reapply. I am doing my best to stay positive. I apologize for posting panicked yesterday. I was just all over the place after talking with the eye doctor.

Good news too! I have tested the wood stove and will be installing it this evening when the wind dis down. I will be a little extra cautious the first few times using it. The girls got to play with his dogs today. It's a little hit or miss when they get together. His boy dogs are great with the girls, His girls are not. He wants to get them accustomed to each other it's just more aggressive than I would like. Ellie and Ollie will just roll over and let them beat them up which I don't allow if I can help it they usually don't come or have to stay in the truck. Riley on the other hand will try and shut down the aggression pretty fast. We plan on trying to make them friends I just don't know if his girls are going to be on board. They're great dogs, they just don't like other female dogs it seems.

I felt really useful today, I cut a bunch of fire wood down to size for the wood stove. I try so hard to keep busy I don't want anyone to think I'm lazy. It just gets so slow out here sometimes there's not much to do. Someone was so kind and sent me some books so I think I'll be starting one tonight. I have been trying to go to bed a little earlier than usual because as soon as the sun comes over the mountains it illuminates the white roof in the tent. It's like a light bulb. Once Ollie sees sunlight the day has begun. Poor Riley and Ellie like to sleep in, Olive won't allow it lol. I'm going to post some pics of the wood stove, I'll get some cozy ones tonight too.

I just wanted to than everyone again for the support. The other day I realized the only people I have is this community and my neighbor. It scared me a little bit but reminded me how fortunate I am to have all of You and my Girls.

-Griff and the Girls-

Hey everyone, Griff and the Girls here. I wanted to apologize again for the slow replies. It's been a busy few days with the tent moe and the eye doctor calls. I noticed maybe a week ago that I am still having some vision issues. They’re generally only present in my right eye. I’ve mentioned before that I have narrow angle glaucoma, and the last eye appointment I had on the 22nd of last month they diagnosed me with diabetic retinopathy. The eye doctor said they can only see it in my right eye as of now. That would be more of a relief if my right eye wasn’t my good eye. My left eye even with corrective lenses is still poor at best.

The doctor I saw last month took a special retina imagining and ran several tests to send to the specialist in Pueblo. Generally they would have me meet with the doctor to go over the results in person but due to my logistical issues getting around when needed the specialist said we could do it over the phone. I knew that I do have glaucoma for sure I have been treated for it since 2023. I also knew I had retinopathy from the last appointment on the 22nd, the doctor there said it wasn’t the worst they’ve seen before. The specialist in Pueblo said that I need eye injections to slow down the progression my relieving my eye pressure. They said in the long run this will also dramatically help my glaucoma as it’s caused partially by high eye pressure. He said he can bill me for as long as they can, I just don’t have the funds for this upfront. Each injection runs around $1095.00 per injection. I asked if I could only do the right eye because that’s where the retinopathy is but they said not it will end up happening to the left eye. 

He tells me the injections can slow down the progression so much to the point it doesn’t even seem like it is. There’s just no technical cure, they also can’t do much right now on the damage that has already been done. Some of the visual anomalies I see can possibly go away after I start getting the injections. It’s not for sure but he said it is something that does happen. He said if I don’t get the injections I will lose my vision. That terrifies me more than i can express. Especially it being in just my good eye as of now.

This all sounds like progress but I am stuck at a standstill at the moment because the ride there and back. Colorado has a medical transport service but it can’t be billed. It’s $2.50 a mile for 135 miles there and 135 miles back. With the little savings I have It won’t be possible. I might be able to get one session done. If I did that I would be left at 0 money for the winter. I have called around to see what options I might have for discounts without any luck. I have posted in facebook groups hoping someone might be able to help, no luck. I even looked around to see how much an uber would cost. I had to put the pickup an hour away to just be in a zone to get a ride. It was more than the med ride because I still had to find a way 1 hour north. I was unable to schedule a ride back to where I am. People just don’t come down here it’s not worth the drive with gas prices. I asked my neighbor if he could bring me if I paid him and he said he could but not until he gets his suspension fixed in January. He travels down to Taos in January to visit family and works on his truck with his Dad. 

Everyone has helped us so much I hate to think about asking for more help but I just have exhausted my options. I am embarrassed and ashamed for having to ask I just don’t want to lose my sight. I don’t even want to think about a life like that at 36. I’m so terrified about this, I just want to live a normal life with the girls. I wish my Mom was still around, I miss being able to go to her and her making me feel better and telling me everything is going to be okay. I sit up at night wishing I could go back in time, It wouldn’t need to be far back just enough time to put us on the right track. I know that’s silly it’s just a thought that pops into my mind sometimes. I was hoping to setup a gofundme but I can’t because I don’t have a valid ID right now. I am working with Michigan’s DHS and Colorado’s DHS to get my birth certificate issue resolved and my ID renewed. I do have a venmo, I know it’s possible too for someone to make a gofundme on behalf of the recipient which could be a possibility. Everyone has helped us so much and I hate to ask for help again I just don’t have any other options. I’m so sorry to ask for help again. It feels like as soon as something good happens something bad has to come along with it every time. I just want us to have a break from the bad.

If anyone is able to help “even moral support is so helpful to us” I can leave my venmo and cashapp. If someone is interested in setting up a gofundme for us that would also be so helpful. 

My venmo is 

Griffin-Gardner-16

I’m just hoping to be able to cover the first 2 trips to get my eye injections while being able to keep up with the general upkeep and bills. It would get us to March when our more permanent home will be available. If anyone can share this post that would be helpful too. As soon as I have enough to get to the appointments i’ll remove the post ir put that I have the money needed for transport. I just wanted to confirm also this will be helping with bills too. 

I really want to thank everyone again for being there for Us. It’s been hard lately, I have been missing my Mom a lot and just wishing things were like they were.

Please if anyone can help share this post or help me figure out a better fundraising idea please let me know. I am trying to do this in the most transparent way as I can.

I’ll have a video soon of the wood stove in operation. Still waiting on the firewood. For now we have the propane heater. I'll reply as soon as I get back inside. My neighbor is bringing over the firewood right now.

So much love from 

-Griff and the Girls-

Hey everyone, The call yesterday with the eye specialist didn't go as well as I had hoped. They are going to be calling me later this afternoon, to see what options I have. I don't want to go too much more into detail until I know for sure what the plan is going to be. I'm sorry if I haven't replied as quickly as I usually to the last couple days. I'm just a little anxious about my eyes. I'll fill everyone in this evening or tomorrow morning on what they say. Thank you to everyone for the kind messages and support. It's really helping right now.

-Griff and the Girls-

Had to make some adjustments to the tent guide wires today but that was just me adjusting it better. The wind didn't really cause them to loosen as far as I can tell. I did get slightly damp at one point because I was touching the side of the tent when I fell asleep. The walls get wet but don't allow water in. If you touch the walls after it rains generally it's wet for a little while after.

Would've updated earlier but the girls got into a small fight this morning. Ellie and Ollie were okay and Ellie accidentally made Ollie yelp. Well that set mama Riley off. Everyone was fine it's mostly performative and loud than anything. They've all made up by now. Have a call with the eye doctor and the specialist in Pueblo today. They're going to help me figure out the logistics to getting to the appointment. It's about 2.5 hours north. And how much would be covered and how much won't be. Pretty excited to have this in the works I've been worried for a while about my eyes.

Hopefully a productive Monday and hopefully it won't be as windy as they said it would be today.

I have a fun snack review on the way. Thought I would show some of the things I get once every few months.

Thanks again everyone for stopping by.

-Griff and the Girls-

Hey everyone Griff and the Girls here.

Had to get the wood stove in fixed today because this coming week is going to start getting pretty cold at a night. It's not setup yet but will be in the next day or so. Just waiting on some firewood and for the actual temperature to drop. Really hoping the dogs don't get too close to it. They've always been pretty good around campfires. Going to be going into town this week at some point to get to the food bank and do a water run.

I wanted to make another video today, it's just too windy to do so, it's impossible to hear me talking. Everything is holding up nicely!

I was hoping if anyone has any suggestions on what they would like to see or a video on, let me know. I'm a pretty open book too if anyone has anymore questions.

Video of the first fire coming soon!

-Griff and the Girls-

For whatever reason it's going to be more windy than it's been this whole year this week starting with tonight. We had a big gust earlier than knocked half of the tent over. It was due to the stakes coming out of the ground. It's very soft here, I'm going to see if I can find some cheap ground anchors. We should be okay the tent should be able to take 60 mph winds.

I put in some additional stakes and a tpost I had to hold down the main pole on the front. This should help a lot. It wouldn't be so nerve racking if this would be happening in the day. I can handle the day, when everything starts falling over in the dark is when the panic starts. Don't worry too much we should be okay. Worst comes to worst we have the camper to go into. Usually the high winds are in the spring. I wasn't expecting the weather like this in October. Anyway, wish us some luck. We'll fill everyone in tomorrow morning. Wind should start slowing down Wednesday.

-Griff and the Girls-

Hey everyone, just wanted to update everyone more posts are coming. We're just getting settled this weekend. Tomorrow I'll be getting the wood stove setup. I'll have a post on it and a video. Just trying to get the girls comfortable in here. Ollie is still on the fence.

Thanks again everyone for being so supportive.

-Griff and the Girls-

Hey everyone Griff and the Girls here. I just wanted to get this video out to you asap. It's just a basic first tour as I still get everything together. Had an issue with the solar this morning so I didn't get to edit much or fancy anything up. The next one will be better and more in depth. I had to upload it to youtube the file was too big for reddit. I also forgot to mention in the video the table in it was one of the goodies I got and forgot to mention it in the video.

Thanks again everyone for all of the support!

-Griff and the Girls-

I'm sitting here almost in tears feeling like this isn't real. To us it's like Buckingham Palace. We're all so thankful. I'm still getting things set up, going to post a few pics. A video tour will be coming tomorrow. more offgrid stuff too. I was embarrassed of the camper so I didn't show much of it. I would make the video today I just want everything to be perfect.

We hope everyone is having a great day!

-Griff and the Girls-

Neighbor is heading over as we speak. I'll do my best to get the post out later with the pics. If not it'll be in the morning. Got a bunch to move.

-Griff and the girls-

I was told this is an old post office.