Dec. 1-7, 2019 Farm, Carpal Tunnel Surgery (left hand), Read Aloud, Buck Beak

Dec. 1-7, 2019

 Farm, Carpal Tunnel Surgery (left hand), Read Aloud, Buck Beak

  

Hello Friends!

Big Week!!!  We started the week in Indiana and ended it back in our home in Michigan.  

Sunday Church with "L" Family:

Dd and I left Dh and Henry back at the family farm in southern Indiana and spent two days with our friends, the "L" family.  We had helped out during the book signing for Heather's book on Saturday and then went to church with them on Sunday.  Heather's husband is a pastor and this was their first Sunday at a new building home.  We were all so excited about their new start!!!

After church we had a delicious lunch with the family; made by Heather's mom!  So awesome!!!!  Then Dd and I had to pack up our car and head north in the snow!  It snowed most of the seven hours drive back home; I think we had four inches.  Dh and Henry beat us home.  Dh said that Henry did really well driving home in the truck!!!  Henry has more space in the truck and that must have helped.  

Bible Study:

I was only able to attend my Monday night Bible study at my church this week b/c my surgery was at the same time as my BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) class.  I am really learning so much and appreciate how real my church group is.  

Chores:

Knowing I had my surgery scheduled for Wednesday morning, I worked really hard to clean the house, unpack all the travel cases, do laundry, grocery shopping, clean chicken coop, and waterers...all to get everything set for me not being able to use my hands for a few days.  Even with all my preparations, I had laundry and vacuuming to do by Friday.

Carpal Tunnel Surgery:

It had been almost exactly a month since I had my surgery on my right hand and I still was just getting able to use my right hand and that made it very hard to go back in for surgery on my left hand.  I was really NOT looking forward to repeating all the pain and frustration!  This time it was even worse!!! I was very tempted to cancel the surgery and just live with a numb thingly left hand.  Last time I had one good hand to do things with; this time I was really at a loss of how to get things done with two impaired hands.  In the end, I went ahead and had it done, but it was a mental fight and very difficult to talk myself into doing the right thing.  I sure hope I don't regret having these surgeries!!!  For the first time in my life I have good health insurance and I did feel that if ever there was a time I could afford it; this is that time.  Who knows what our insurance will be next year?!  So, I went ahead and seized the opportunity. 

Lessons Learned:

I did do a better job wrapping my hand and forearm with cold packs non-stop for the first 3-4 days to reduce the swelling I struggled with the time.  But, I had to use my hand a lot more this time because I couldn't do things with just my left hand and needed 'all hands on deck' to make it through the day.  I'm sure that made the healing not as fast and it will take longer for my left hand to start feeling better.

Buck Beak

BuckBeak:

Ok, ready for a crazy story?

About 1 1/2 weeks ago I noticed one of my favorite chickens was missing.  I literally looked for her day after day, walking around our property calling for her.  I finally gave up and figured an owl must have flown off with her, although she is a Buff Orpington and quite enormous!  Then before my surgery, while cleaning out the inner chicken coop, I decided to pull out the big nesting box piece of furniture that was taking up too much room.  I had to fight a chicken that was in the bottom, but I managed to get it out without too much struggle.  I didn't think much about it; I guess I was focused on my upcoming surgery.  Well, the day after my surgery I was down in the inner chicken coop and thought one of the Buff Orpington's looked a lot like Buck Beak....huh? that's odd, I thought...then light bulb!  It took me a minute to figure it out and I'll just spell it out for you----

So, when I *thought* Buck Beak was missing she was actually stuck behind the nest box in a bunch of straw.  She had been stuck for 1 1/2 weeks!!!  When I was "struggling with a hen" that was her!!!  I noticed at the time that when I pulled her out she went right to the waterer and drank and drank and drank for the whole time I was in there!!  Poor Girl!  I made her scrambled eggs and fed her by hand twice a day for two weeks to get her all better and back to a good weight.  I am just SO thankful for the guidance to move that nest box out.  I'd never moved it out before and have no reason why I just decided on a whim that it was taking up too much space!!!  If I would have not had that urging to pull it out then poor Buck Beak would have surely died...and quickly.  I am SO very thankful to have my dear Buck Beak with us!!!! Praise the Lord for guiding me to find and help her.

Ms. Lemon

Dh:

Hunting season and his trips to the farm are done for this year and he had to settle back into normalcy; which is very hard for him to do.  He had a hard, hard week and struggled.

Ortho: Dd

For the first time, Dd had a really bad experience at her ortho appointment.  They hurt her and really shook her up.  

Dd's Academic Work this Week:

Bible:

Dd continues to do her Bible Study by herself and goes to church each week...

Radagast (Silkie Rooster) standing in front of Buck Beak

Read Aloud:

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

I am absolutely LOVING reading Dickens, once again, to Dd!  She is finally not fighting me when it's time to read each day.  It has taken us months to navigate this transition.

Reader:

The Diary of A Young Girl by Anne Frank

Grace Co-op Classes

Science:

Anatomy/Physiology by Apologia

Art: Painting Studio

History: American Civil War

Writing/English: Analytical Writing for Essays and Research Papers

Math Tutor:

Algebra II  (Saxon)

Work/Job:

Dd is still LOVING working at the pizza shop!!  She usually works three nights a week.

Next Week:

Hopefully, my left hand will heal and I can get back to moving!  It is hard sitting so much as I try to keep my left hand elevated and cold with ice packs.  I'm just not great at sitting!

.............

Nov. 24-30, 2019 Thanksgiving, Trip to Indiana, Hikes, Heather's Book Signing, H's New Church, Sinus Infection

Nov. 24-30, 2019 

Thanksgiving

HuntingTrip to Indiana, Hikes, Heather's Book Signing, H's New Church, Sinus Infection

There are two cemeteries at the farm, with people that fought in the Civil War

Hello Friends!

I'm still trying to catch up with my blog.  Our lives have changed so much this year I feel like I'm in circling around in the dryer!!!  This certainly is the year of change.

Carpal Tunnel Surgery:

On Nov. 6th, I had my left hand operated on.  The first few weeks were really difficult, but now the pain and swelling are getting better and I am able to do more now.  Next week I have the surgery done on my right hand.  It will be hard to only use my left hand, as it is still recovering.  

Chickens:

This was a banner bad week for my chickens!  I had two chickens die--Anna had been sleepy on Saturday and I carried her down to the coop and placed her under the heat lamp to warm up.  On Sunday morning I went down to let them out and there she was; laying peacefully 'asleep' by the heat lamp.  She looked so sweet, but she was gone.  The second hen was Brenda---the Buff Orpington that I have pulled back from death repeatedly.  During her first year, she became "broody" and I had to hand feed her daily for almost two months.  Then last summer she was sick and I had to go back and give her lots of special attention.  Then she got "fly-strike" and a fly laid eggs on her poopy bottom and hatched a batch of maggots.  It took about three weeks of intense treatment and isolation to get her back in shape and able to rejoin the group.  After all that effort, I got a text from Hailee, while we were in Indiana, that Brenda was found dead the first morning we were away! I seriously spent so much time and effort on that hen!

Indiana:

On Friday of last week (the 22nd), Dh and Dd drove down to the family farm for hunting season.  On Saturday they each shot a deer.  My plan was to drive Henry down to the farm on Wednesday, the only problem is Henry is petrified of being in the car!!!  Hailee has once again agreed to watch our critters for us while we are away.  Hailee is just the best!  My favorite teen that isn't my own!

Driving Lessons for Henry, our dog:

Each day this past week I have taken Henry, our English Shepherd rescue dog, on various short excursions to try and warm him up to the idea of car travel.  Each and every time he pants and drips saliva on the back seat as he paces back and forth.  Luckily, I had talked to our vet and got a bottle of anti-anxiety meds for the seven-hour, plus stops, drive to southern Indiana.  On the day of the trip I had to throw everything at him to stop his pacing and drooling.  He never did put his head down, but the pills did seem to take the edge off.

Hike:

My librarian friend, Lori, invited me to a hike on Monday.  We walked the new trail behind Walgreens with the two new beautiful bridges over the Grand River.  It was a beautiful day for a hike.

Henry and I at one of the cemeteries on the farm

Lobster Fail:

Dh ordered our lobsters for Thanksgiving with his folks, as he does each year, only this year the company had technical issues and didn't ship them out!!!!  

Thanksgiving:

Wednesday, Henry and I battled the gale winds and downpouring rain for five hours before reaching more tranquil terrain on our drive to the farm.  That poor dog!  His first road trip and our little car were being pushed every which way down the highway; it was like being in a tiny plane facing massive turbulence.  In the end, we made it there the night before Thanksgiving.  Giz was able to find a small turkey breast in her freezer for our meal.  We had a really nice meal with Dh's parents.  The five of us really enjoy our special holiday together.  We didn't get to have our normal meal but we did have great company!

Thankfulness:

I've been having teeth problems on my back top left side and figured I must have a root going bad.  I called my dentist in a panic and left a message on his machine and he actually called me back within two hours.  He suggested I start taking antibiotics and he would fit me in on Monday.  The antibiotics helped immediately.  I was so relieved after talking to him and that he would fit me in.  He was willing to see me the next day; only I was in Indiana!!  On Monday when I went in and he took an x-ray he discovered I really had a sinus infection---my tooth was actually fine!!!  The ironic part is that last year I went to my normal doctor with, what I thought was a sinus infection, and found out I needed to go to the dentist....which lead to a root canal!  I keep getting the wrong end!

SO thankful I am fortunate enough to have an amazing dentist!  

Farm:

While at the farm, Henry and I took quite a few walks around to enjoy being there.  Henry took quite nicely to being there!  I had brought his special blankets for him to lay on it my car and then to sleep on at night and he was quite content.

I love the big woods on the family farm

"L Family" Visit:

The day after Thanksgiving I loaded Dd in the car and left Henry with Dh.  Dd and I headed to Indianapolis to spend some time with our dear friends, the "L" family. We were invited to attend two special events: 1)Book signing 2)New Church.  

Dh and I walked around taking pictures of cool trees

Book Signing:

Heather had a book published this fall and was having a book signing on Saturday in Zionsville at the Black Dog Bookstore.  We arrived, Friday, in time to help decorate all the Xmas cookies she had already baked for the book signing.  Dd and I always enjoy decorating cookies!  Then on Saturday morning we loaded everything up and spent about five hours at the little shop.  The event was held in a very small space in the shop and there was also a youth choir that was scheduled at the same time...so, it was a little bit too crowded but there was lots of good cheer to go around!!  I was so glad to get to see my dear friend have a chance to really shine and sign her autograph!

New Church:

Heather's husband is a pastor and they have rented an occupied church all these years, from some denomination that meet on Saturday's and so it is available for Sunday rental.  Finally, the congregation is renting their OWN church now!  We were invited to attend the very first service at the new church!  If things work out they will eventually purchase the building.  It was so great getting to be there for their first service on Sunday.

Dd and "L" family:

The "L" family is as close as I get to having family and Dd is right on board with that!  Her favorite thing in life is going to visit the "L" family!  She played video games, took all the kids to Culvers to eat, they watched the first Avenger's movie again, and the YouTube episodes on How It Should Have Ended, and thumb wars, and a Star Wars spin-off show, and they made pumpkin rolls from scratch.  They all just have so much fun together---R is 19, A is 17, J is 15, D is 13, L is 11? Dd started off being friends with R, then moved to A, then for the past 4 years she has been most warmly received by J,D, and L...so that is who she spends most of her time with!  Dd just loves these guys!!!  The family she always wished she had been born into!  It's a good thing I love them too!!

Next Week:

Carpal Tunnel surgery on my right hand....so very NOT fun.
............

Nov. 17-23, 2019 Dd&Dh Opening Weekend Deer Hunting (2 Deer), Stitches Out Right Hand, Driving Henry Practice

Nov. 17-23, 2019 

Dd&Dh Opening Weekend Deer Hunting (2 Deer), Stitches Out Right Hand, Driving Henry Practice

Hello Friends!

Dh and Dd drove to Indiana on Friday, so I had some time alone with the critters this week (and next).  I can always find lots to do and keep busy.

Carpal Tunnel Surgery:

I had surgery (Carpal Tunnel) on my right hand on Nov. 6th and then this week I finally had my stitches out!  I could feel the biting tug with those stitches in so getting them out was a blessing.  They were cut out on Monday; which led to a much better week for my right hand.  Now I have two weeks until my left hand has surgery.  Unlike this time I will have not one bad or weak hand but two weak or injured hands to somehow deal with!

Church:
Usually, I have been going to church alone, but this Sunday (17th) Dd went with me.  She prefers to go to the Saturday night service with her boyfriend.  He has to work on Sunday and can't go on Sunday morning.  It was a real treat to have company this week.  We left our old church on a Wednesday and was at our new church by Sunday and are still going there.  Although Dd and I have accepted the change, Dh still can't quite make himself come with me.  It is still quite a wound in our hearts, but I'm trying to roll with life's punches.



Bible Study:
I am enjoying my two bible studies---one with my church, on Monday nights, studying Acts and another one with Bible Study Fellowship on Wednesday mornings, studying Acts.  I am really learning a lot!!!!  

Impeachment:
I spent way too much time watching the Impeachment Hearings on tv this week.  It is just so incomprehensible that our country is where it is today. I try hard to not say anything political on my blog, so I'll just note that the hearings were this week and how I am spending WAY too much time reading the news and being concerned about how our country is progressing.



Giz:
It was a hard, hard week for Giz.  She was sick and ended up in the hospital this week.  They caught her infection right before she went to sepsis---thankful the antibiotic treatments were able to fix her up yet again.  She was only in the hospital 2 1/2 days.



Driving Henry:
Next week I will have to drive Henry down to the family farm in southern Indiana and he has intense anxiety about getting in a car, much less driving!  I took him on little short drives most days this week to try and help him get used to being in our car.  He didn't improve...



Dh and Dd to Farm to Hunt:
They arrived at the farm on Friday night and each shot a deer by the end of the day on Saturday!  Last weekend Dh had hunted with his friend and they didn't get anything.  Apparently, Dd is helpful!



Chickens:
We had pretty good weather this week and so I got to free-range the chickens on most days!!!  I'm so glad they have had the chance to eat grass and dig for bugs so much more this fall/winter than last fall/winter.  



Next Week:
Thanksgiving!  Henry and I will drive down and join Dh and Dd at the farm.

..........

Nov. 10-16, 2019 Carpal Tunnel Recovery and Cold

Nov. 10-16, 2019

Carpal Tunnel Recovery (right hand) and Cold Temps

Hello, Friends!

I had surgery on my right hand last Wednesday (Carpal Tunnel), so I am still very limited on what I can get done right now. The stitches will be removed next Monday until then I'm putting my hand in a plastic bag to take a shower!  I've finally managed to get the swelling down.  I'm getting good at using my left hand to get through my day.  

Carrots:

I dug up my carrots and was greatly disappointed at the amount and size of this year's carrots.  I used my left hand and chopped them up and we had them for dinner.  They tasted awesome, but I wish I had a lot more of them!!  

Chickens:

This week was SO cold the chickens were kept inside most of the time.  This week I tried to let them out and free-range as often as possible.  It just gets so cold standing out there being their shepherd!  We had a few days of super cold and lots of snow so they had to stay inside their coop for a few days.

Church:

I went to church alone on Sunday morning.  Dd had gone with her boyfriend to the Saturday night service.  Our church has a Saturday night service or Sunday mornings at 9 or 11 am.  I realized this week that I have no heard anyone make any comments that are judgemental or unloving or political so far!!!  That epiphany really impressed me.  Even though the church is way too big, I really learn so much from the awesome sermons.  I'm so glad I signed up for the small group women's bible study group.  The women in the group have been so supportive and kind.  They all are just as excited to really study and do their homework; which is so great! 

Dh still doesn't feel like coming to church with me.  He is still really disappointed with our last church and is having a hard time letting that go.  Dd continues to go back to our old church's teen activities and maintaining her friendships.  She hasn't gone to any of the teen activities at our new church.

Carpal Tunnel (Right Hand) Surgery Recovery:
I had my first post-op shower on Monday.  I put my hand in a grocery bag and sealed it up with rubber bands.  I should have realized how easy it was going to be and tried sooner.  The swelling has just about ceased, but I still need to keep it elevated often.  By the end of the week, I was ready to cut my stitches out myself as they were tugging and being a pain.  I didn't do it but wanted to.  I'm glad my wound is healing fast.

Dh-Hunting:
Dh started packing for his opening weekend deer hunting on Wednesday!  He was excited to go this year.  Last year, on the day he was supposed to drive down to the farm he stopped by the ER to get his fussy eye looked at and they found his retina was detached.  That led to two surgery's and having to sit with his head down (night and day in a chair) for three months.  He didn't get to hunt last year and was so ready this year.  He drove down on Friday to his family farm in Indiana to hunt with his hunting buddy, but they didn't have any luck.

Dd's Academic Week:

Grace Classes:
Science: Anatomy & Physiology (Apologia)
Art: Painting Studio
History: The American Civil War
Writing/English: Analytical Writing for Essays and Research Paper

Math: Algebra II with a tutor (Saxon)



Read Aloud:
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Work:
Pizza Shop



Next Week:
I get the stitches out of my hand and can take the splint off my hand! 
.........

Nov. 3-9, 2019 Surgery, Painting, Bible Study

Nov. 3-9, 2019 

Surgery, Painting, Bible Study

 Hello Friends!

The cold temperatures are arriving fast; we have been about 25 degrees colder than our normal averages for this time of year so we are having 20's and 30's instead of 40's.  But, so far all our snow has melted quickly and my chickens are still able to free-range a few times each week.  

Dh and Dh Trip to Indiana:

Sunday night (11-3-19) Dd and Dh returned back home before 9pm this time!  They had a great visit and Dh was so pleased all the ladders and walls he built and painted did indeed fit the tree stand he had been planning them for! Phew!  He was a little worried they might not fit right after all that time and effort.

Carpal Tunnel Surgery:

Wednesday, Dh took the day off work to take me in for my right-hand surgery.  The office had told me not to drink any coffee before surgery and between that and the meds they pumped into me I was working on a migraine before we even got home.  As soon as I could I ate and took my Maxalt, but I had about 5-6 miserable hours just dealing with my head.  The surgery seemingly went well.  My hand was completely numb on the first day.  It is really challenging figuring out how to do everything with my left hand, but I can do it.  The only thing I can't do is washing dishes and to be honest, I'm due a little break!  Dh has stepped up and helped out in the kitchen.  Dd hasn't actually done anything to help out, but I was not surprised by her lack of concern or effort.  I've taken over her chores and have even been able to scoop out the clumps in the litter box with my left hand, although I do make a mess that I have to clean up afterward.  I think the recovery is going to take longer than I thought it would.  Dh has been helpful.

Agnes: Our Calico Cat

Blessed be cats!  Agnes has been at my side so much since my surgery.  It always amazes me when a pet is smart enough to know when we are broken, not all do, but Agnes is the only pet we have that has been able to pick up on my injury. I've so loved having her with me when I am resting.

Master Bathroom:

Monday and Tuesday I pretty much completed the bathroom project.  Once I took off the blue tape I could see where some of the old orange paint had bled through when the last painters painted.  I will need to touch up those areas once I regain the use of my right hand.  My bathroom looks a million times better!  This light blue color I found is absolutely heavenly; I really like it so much.

Stairwell to Basement:

I still have the tiniest touch-up spots yet to do, but I am 99% done!  My goal was to have all my painting jobs done before my surgery and I almost made it.  Either way, I can live with it for the winter as I doubt anyone but me would see any small spot that isn't perfect.

Chickens:

Still getting to free-range!  I'm still getting out there with them a few times each week, while we can.  I know a lot of snow is in our forecast, so this is really a blessing that won't be going on much longer.  I worked on their coop some this week (before surgery) and got a lot of buckets of dirt to reinforce the umbrella and raise the inner sanctum...getting it as good as I can while I can.

Bible Studies:

I went to my Monday night class (Thrive/Ada) but couldn't attend the Wednesday BSF class as it was during my surgery.  I watched the lecture online and completed all my homework, although I missed the class discussion.  

Dd's Academic Week:

Grace Classes:

Science: Anatomy & Physiology (Apologia)

Art: Painting Studio

History: The American Civil War

Writing/English: Analytical Writing for Essays and Research Paper

Read Aloud:
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
I'm bringing back our Read Aloud; even if we can't fit it in every day we can try.

Math:

Tutor: Algebra II (Saxon)

Sunday--In Indiana with Dh

Monday--with Seth

Tuesday--Work at pizza shop

Wednesday--spent day at Hailee's

Thursday--Seth all day and home around 9:55

Friday--Grace then worked at pizza shop

Saturday--Day with Hailee, then spent night with Seth and his family.

Chores: Saturday Dd tidied the guest bathroom and vacuumed the main floor; at least she did something to help this week.

Next Week:

Hoping I can do a little more with my hand next week---I am trying to push back my desire to get things done so I won't mess up the surgery or build up too much scar tissue.  I know I can do my Bible study!!  Arctic cold and snow headed our way.

.....