Fleur de Lis Homeschool Blog

Saturday, March 21, 2020

Feb. 9-15, 2020 Sick Hen, Snow, Shakespeare, Hiking With Henry, Knee Flare Up

Feb. 9-15, 2020

Sick Hen, Snow, Shakespeare, Hiking With Henry

Hello Friends!

This was such a snowy week!!! Snowy day after snowy day! We had our coldest temperatures and most inches for the winter. After shoveling 2-3 times per day I finally broke down and used the snow blower this week. I was afraid our neighbors were going to feel sorry for me shoveling as they drove by me days after day; they might think we don't own a blower. It was a beautiful week to live in the woods---truly eye-candy for those of us that live for glorious nature scenes.

Chickens:

Well...after hand-feeding "Floppy" (Tetra Brown hen) scrambled eggs 1-2 x per day she never really rallied. By the end of the week she had passed, but I really did try my best to help her improve. Some chickens get better and some chickens have a short illness and just die. I have to try, I just wish it didn't tear me up so much when I have a chicken die. I have to admit it is really heartbreaking when any chicken dies; especially when I've taken so much extra effort to help them to improve.

Friday Dinner Flop:
Part of sharing our week is sharing disappointing things too---this week was supposed to be a big Friday dinner with Dd's boyfriend, Seth coming over. He changed jobs and would now be able to come over on Friday nights. We own chickens, and he works at a chicken farm, and he isn't allowed to be near chickens within 48 hours of work, so now he has a window of opportunity to come over to our house on Friday nights before going back to work on Monday morning. I was so excited at the prospect of a family meal that I cooked the whole day, and I am NOT a 'cook the whole day' type of person!! I made breaded chicken strips--baked, Cumin Potatoes (white and sweet), baked potatoes, and brownies from scratch. In the end Seth and Dd didn't come for dinner and Dh offered to take me out for dinner! All that cooking and no one had it for dinner! It was good as leftovers, but I was disappointed as cooking is not my thing and I really made a big effort.

Bible Study: Wednesday morning Bible study

This week my - Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) asked our class to volunteer to work in the children's area again this week. I really enjoyed my time with the two-year-old children this week. I'm still processing the last group class that had so much inappropriate discussion. I talked with my Monday night (Ada/Thrive Bible Study) group and they suggested I text my teacher and let her know about the class since she had been homesick and we had been combined with a different leader and class. I always struggle on how to handle the situation of when I'm in a Christian event and some of the people say very judgmental things, which are completely contrary to the teachings of Jesus. One of the most defining points is that, as Christians, we are not to judge unbelievers. Personally, I keep quite busy on the plank in my eye than the speck in others. Anyway, this past week (or two) has been difficult for me as I was so disappointed in the words of quite a few ladies in my BSF class. I've dealt with this problem over and over and never seem to be able to not be disappointed in my peers judging hearts.

Bible Study:
Thrive at Ada Bible Church: Monday Night's:
I'm managing to keep up doing two Bible study groups. This Thrive group is a smaller, more intimate group and I feel more comfortable sharing there. I'm learning a lot in both groups.

Hiking With Henry:
I've really enjoyed hiking with Henry out in the woods with Henry again this winter. There is just something so wonderful about tromping through the snow in the quiet stillness.

Knee Flare-Up:
Last week I somehow hurt my knee and keep waiting for it to improve...I'm looking at knee braces to purchase.

Dryer:
Our dryer has been acting up since we moved in...I'll save you from all the boring details, but Dh did decide to take it apart, watch various video's on YouTube on how to diagnose and repair the problem. We ordered the new parts and are waiting for them to arrive. Without any notice, we are without a dryer! I wish I knew ahead of time that he was planning on 'fixing' the dryer so I could get all our laundry done before he took the dryer apart. Hopefully, the parts will come in quickly and will fix the problems.

Carpal Tunnel Surgery Recovery:
An update on my hand recovery---my right hand, which I had surgery on Nov. 4th, is healing well. I am still really struggling with my left hand, which had surgery on Dec. 6th. The left-hand remains swollen and continues to hurt. I'm going to look into PT for it.

Dd's Weekly Accomplishments:
Bible and Church:
So thankful Dd's boyfriend is just as dedicated to going to church. They continue to go to church together each week.

Read Aloud:

King Lear by William Shakespeare: COMPLETED
We finished King Lear this week! Such a good story! I know I loved it way more than Dd did, but at least, if nothing else, she see's my excitement and appreciation of good books.

To The Lighthouse by Virginia Wolfe: In Process
I read this book in graduate school, so it has been a while since visiting this book. Dd's first impression is not going well, she is okay to hear it, but it isn't clicking well with her. I think the stream of consciousness style is new to her.

Reader/Audio:
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare: COMPLETED
Dd finished Romeo and Juliet this week.

Grace Co-op Classes:
Science: Anatomy and Physiology (Apologia)
Art: Painting Studio
Writing/English: Analytical Writing for Essay's and Research Papers (IEW)

Math:
Tutoring Algebra II (Saxon)

SAT Prep:
Khan Academy--4x this week

German:
DuoLingo Online practice: 4 sessions of 20 minutes

Physical Education:
3:00 hours this week

Art at Home:
Drawing 40 minutes (2 sessions)

Work:
Dd is still enjoying working at the pizza shop a few times each week.
.............

Monday, February 17, 2020

Feb. 2-8, 2020 Swirl Dance, Super Bowl, King Lear, Romeo & Juliet, Free-Range Chicken

Feb. 2-8, 2020

Swirl Dance, Super Bowl, King Lear, Romeo & Juliet, Free-Range Chicken

Hello Friends,

After my two-three months on Emgality in the fall, I decided the awful side effects were too bad to continue. This week I went back to Botox as my only helper to prevent new migraines. Botox isn't great, but helps a bit. The worst part of Botox is that I always get migraines after getting the shots, so that stinks!!! Between the Botox and it being the dead of winter, I had a really hard week---I needed like a dozen SAD (seasonal affect disorder) lamps! But, I only have two! I am ready for spring officially!

Snow:

Well, I certainly got my fill of shoveling snow this week! Dh has brought out the snowblower, but so far I've stuck to the shoveling. I figure it is good exercise and adds to the time I spend outside each day when I use the shovel instead of the snowblower. I'm sure I'll be tired of shoveling soon enough, but this week I was old-fashioned and enjoyed it.

Super Bowl:

It wouldn't seem right to not mention the big game! Dh and I enjoyed watching together---we met in Kansas City and cheered the Chiefs on!

Shakespeare:

It had been a while since we last covered Shakespeare, so I figured we should dip back into The Bard once again. I'm reading King Lear aloud, with lots of discussion and dissection and Dd is listening to Romeo and Juliet on her own (with NO dissection whatsoever!!). I've brought in lots of books to review the life and times of Shakespeare, which Dd hasn't been too excited about, but I love all that extra depth and context.

Chickens:

On Monday, it was sunny enough to let the chickens out for forty minutes to free-range! They were very excited to be scratching around in the area where the sun had melted enough to expose the grass. The bad news is I have a Tetra Brown ("Floppy" is what I call her; I know, such an uninteresting name...) that is sick and not doing well. I've begun making her scrambled eggs and hand-feeding her.

Chicken Feeder:

Dh finished his second feeder for the hens this week.

Chicken Casseroles:

I enjoy making the chickens special dishes; especially in the winter when they really need the extra calories. I've been buying some really healthy brown rice from Costco that they really seem to like and I use that as a base and add in all sorts of things like: lentils, black rice, green peppers, romaine lettuce, left-over's, scrambled eggs.... they love getting their special meals.

Bible Studies:

My two Bible study groups are still going. I'm learning so much!! But, one of my goals was to make a friend here in Michigan and thought this would be the type of thing I could meet some friendly people...although everyone is nice I've not really met anyone that isn't already over-busy and over-scheduled; which means they don't really have time for a friend outside of class. It's the same story in all the homeschooling and church and study groups I've joined since moving here five years ago...everyone is already friended-up and they don't have any time to spare. It is sad to think how hard it is to find friendship among Christians. The Monday night Ada/Thrive Bible study has very friendly women in it and they do open their hearts during the class--- I like them a lot. The Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) group on Wednesday mornings are never very open and I still don't feel comfortable there. After the class that discussed inappropriate things, I'll keep the details private because it was so inappropriate, I am really weighing if I want to continue going to this class. I can print off the worksheets at home and watch the lectures online without having to drive forty-five minutes in the snow to a class where I am uncomfortable.

Lunch with Seth:

This week Dh and I had lunch with Dd and her boyfriend, Seth on Saturday at her pizza shop. It was great getting to see him once again. Since he works at an egg company, generally he can't come up to our property because I have chickens and some biological germ might attach to him and transfer to his work and chaos could ensue! It's a shame we can't see him more often and especially because of my chickens.

Physical Therapy:

After weeks of my right knee hurting I finally had my PT appointment. It was just a lot of talking and she gave me a few stretches to do at home and scheduled me to come back in exactly two weeks. I was not impressed---disappointed actually. I need a MRI to diagnose what is wrong and have to jump through these steps before insurance will cover it...hopefully.

Hiking With Henry:

This is my second winter with Henry. Our last dog, Sophie, was a black lab and Great Dane mix and she was cold-blooded. She would shiver in seventy degrees!!! She didn't love being out in the snow and would only go out to potty and then wanted right back in the warmer house. Henry, on the other hand, loves the snow and I've never seen him cold! Even on the coldest days; he seems just as happy as when it's warmer. He just wants to run out in the woods as long as I'll let him!!! The longer he is allowed to run and smell the better! This is another good week of Hiking with Henry!

Dd's Progress This Week:

Church and Bible Study

Grace Co-op Classes:

Science: Anatomy & Physiology (Apologia)

Art: Painting Studio

English/Writing: Analytical Writing for Essay and Research Papers (IEW)

Math: Algebra II (Saxon) with tutor

Read Aloud:

King Lear by William Shakespeare

Audio:

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

SAT Prep:

Khan Academy (free online resource): 1:00 hour

German: DuoLingo: 45 minutes

Physical Exercise:

8:00 hours

Fun Reading:

Kenobi (Star Wars book)

Work:

Dd works at the pizza shop 2-3x each week.

Seth:

Dd and Seth celebrated their four-month anniversary this week.

Swirl Dance:

Dd's best-friend, Hailee, goes to our local high school and invited Dd to go to the winter dance with her and some other friends on Saturday night. She has a lot of fun!

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

Jan 26-Feb. 1, 2020 Snow, Transcripts, Knee PT, Hiking with Henry, Van

Jan 26-Feb. 1, 2020

Snow, Transcripts, Knee PT, Hiking with Henry, Van

Hello Friends!

The week started and ended with snow; at least it is beautiful here in the woods bedded down in white powder in a comforting quiet.

I'm so thankful we invested in snow tires for the Subaru this year as Dd is out and about just about every day on her own and knowing she isn't sliding around makes me feel so much better.

Flu:

An epic flu started on Jan. 25, so I was still very sick as this week started. I went to the doctor this week and got my flu shot; I really don't want another flu this year. Dd wasn't officially sick this week, but as close as she could be to it. She was run down and exhausted and missed her math tutor appointment and had to stay home two nights this week to recover.

Knee:

Around second week in January, I noticed my knee was hurt. I have no idea what I did exactly. I went to the doctor this week to have it looked at and they ended up x-raying it. The results were that my bones were fine and it must be a 'soft tissue' problem and I should have an MRI but somehow my insurance wouldn't pay for that since I don't remember having a specific accident. So, they are sending me to PT. It really, really stinks----obviously something is wrong with my knee as it is hurting all the time, but I don't have a say.

Transcript:

I have *finally* started working on Dd's transcript again. I don't know what is wrong with me, but I haven't wanted to restart this massive project. I micromanage the details of every subject she does and it takes me weeks to compile all the information.

Van:

I'm not sure exactly when Dh put the van in the garage to try and figure out what is broken on it, but he was working on it some this week and still trying to figure it out. I helped him get a hose off the engine on night this week. He is going to put a new one on and see if that helps. The Subaru is leaking oil too...so our car situation isn't happy right now, but we are getting where we have to be.

Hiking With Henry:

As soon as I was able, I was back to taking Henry for his big hikes in the woods. I was so busy last summer that I didn't take him on nearly enough big hikes, but with all the mosquitoes and ticks sometimes get too overwhelming. Henry is such a huge fan of snow and has such a blast plowing through it.