HOUSEKEEPING UPDATE BY IANTO JONES

It has been six months since it all went to hell in a hand basket.

Huntrall knocked out the power grids. The lizard things called Gergits are often used by the Huntrall as pets. They are like rats. They live in the humid mists. Rhys has thrown himself into caring for the children and feeding everyone. Andy has finally made his feelings known and the two are…exploring a relationship.

Although blind Owen is still contributing and the children see him as theirs. Clyde (8), Dawn (5) and baby Jethro (2) are all sighted. Bonny is a great mom. We have settled into a routine and try to live each day with the hope that this will soon be over, even if we really know deep down that we have time to go yet. We are not even quarter way there until the rescue comes that Jack recalls in his history books from his Agency years. He said it could be three years or more?

Henry does his own thing, mostly sticks to the livestock and despite hoping for something with Bonny it seems she is only invested in her children. I really hope he is happy. A man of few words, hard to know.

The new tunnel house garden we started provides vegetables. Also three extra ones we 'borrowed' from other homesteads are now connected to the house in one long snake, it is considered a 'safe' area for the children to play as the red mist grows closer. We no longer worry about being observed from the skies as the mist makes everything down here one blob.

Yeah. That.

Um.

The Red Mist is the pollen from the plants, fired into any strong wind they detect and although we have been diligent in keeping the plants away from our area I'm still afraid a good storm will bring it into our valley. It's also deadly if you breathe it in. The last radio report on it the other night said it was almost like a red fog, blocking sunlight. Abner is monitoring the airwaves the most these days with Tosh busy with the new sensors we are setting up for wind direction.

Although we have lost contract with some of the other cells we are hopeful it is more a matter of them losing power with the lack of light rather than the alternative. To be more careful, we are not transmitting at the same time each night in case we are being monitored and they are attempting to trace the signals. No they can't see the planet to scan they may try other tricks.

Jack and I are … (Partially rubbed out)… not sure.

I have been trying to learn to knit and although Bonny has tried to be patient I think that patience is waning. I might leave that to Jack, the last little cardigan he made the baby is super sweet. We have a huge wool reserve from the craft cupboards and I am quietly hopeful that the nice thick socks he is currently kitting might be for me. I need some new socks.

Funny the things you miss.

My Coffee is getting low. Tosh has tried to grow some bushes but I don't think it will work, they are fickle. I hope we can go on another recon soon, if only to check further north as there may be some coffee there. Also, to check how close the red mist is getting, I fear it is closer than we think. Of course everyone thinks I am being a worry wart.

I hope that's true. I do seem to be a 'worst case scenario' kinda guy but really they should remember that's what got them out, us here and things happening. Also…I have a terrible toothache and don't want to complain but as our tea is also low it is getting more noticeable. I may have to yank it out.

My hair needs a cut and Tosh said she would when she had time but I think Jack is deliberately making things for her to do until it is dark. He knows I am superstitious and will not have a haircut after dark, or on a full moon. It tickles under my collar as it brushes my neck. When I sweat it gets all clumpy and feels like I have a knitted hat on. If he doesn't stop I will cut the bloody stuff myself and then see how he likes that. It is like he is deliberately trying to ….(Rubbed out with force)

We have a new calf, born the other night and it is black with a white splotch on its head. Owen wanted to call it Bird Turd. I really wonder sometimes. That man. SIGH.

Well. That's all I have to say for this week, feels strange only updating once a week when I used to almost every day but if we are to be here for three years give or take this journal has to last. I can't be greedy and take more when the kids need them too.

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Ianto considered writing something else, staring at the place where he had scrubbed out his feelings for Jack. It still worried him that Jack sometimes read these entries. He said he didn't but since that time he had Ianto felt…unsafe to leave personal grievances. The fact they hadn't made love in almost a month was starting to grate and he wondered if he was too boring, needy or just plain unattractive.

With a sigh he slid the journal between the mattress and the box brings then rose to walk to the mezzanine level, looking down on the children who were all engrossed in the Lego in the middle of the floor.

The baby was now active and mobile, not a walking toddler but a running one as Ianto had secretly feared given the stimulus of adults around him. Jethro or Roe as he was commonly called was a little shit and was currently stealing as much Lego as he could and shoving it into his nappy.

Still needs to be potty trained.

Ianto headed down to help with the breakfast.