SL Core 100 Week 4 Jan.21-27, 2018

SL Core 100 Week 4 

Jan.21-27, 2018

Cholecystectomy was on Jan. 19th--recovering

Dd STILL sick, but able to go to classes, no fever, but sore throat.

Another January Thaw, chickens outside again!

Hello, Friends!

Finally, a picture that captures Honeysuckle!

I surprised our church when I went to church on Sunday; they didn't think I'd be able to come when I had just had the surgery on Friday; two days before, but, I did!  I'm waiting for my body to adjust to life without a gallbladder and hoping there will be improvements soon.  Fortunately, the after surgery pain wasn't as bad as I thought it might be, so I didn't have to take those major pain pills, and by the second day I only took Tylenol (Acetaminophen) one time.  The biggest struggle, for me, is that my abdomen was so swollen I couldn't inhale very deeply and when I did it hurt some.  Another side effect of the surgery is that I was so tired each evening that I fell asleep so quickly that I didn't get to do my nightly prayers like I normally do.  I was able to do most of my normal activities except on Thursday; Thursday I had to admit defeat and lay down and rest for most of the day.  I guess I'd overdone it!  But, so much of what I read regarding activity level post-op said to be as active as you can, so I did!  I'm thankful for the prayers from my church congregation on my behalf--such a blessing to benefit from the love and care of other Christians!  I'm supposed to leave the tape and band-aids on the incisions for 10-15 days, but it is taking all my patience to not pull it off and see how big the cuts actually are!

Dd's health:Still down, but not out.

I hate to say this--but Dd is still sick.  If the horrible flu wasn't in full swing around here I would have already taken her in.  She was able to get some homework done this week even though she still is fighting it.  She was able to return to all her classes, lessons, and activities.  She has a chair test this week, but hasn't played her sax, except in her band class for 1:30 hours, so I don't know how she'll do.  She is getting her "have to's" done, but not much else.  She did a good job helping me this week, so I didn't have to do some of the heavy lifting.



Low Motivation:
Part of Dd being sick is that her motivation level is low; even more so than usual.  These low weeks are just the perfect time for me to wonder if homeschooling is still the right choice.  This week, like all the previous times I've considered our options, I always go back to the same general idea that she would have weeks where she is unmotivated, tired, sick, or distracted but, at home, unlike at a school, I can slow things down and accommodate the (hopefully) temporary pace decrease and not plow forward without her.  I know there certainly were times when my mind was totally not focused on my studies in my p.s. education.  I still feel lead to continue homeschooling my Dd.  

Sunshine in January?!  I got my bedding out so quick!

Sunshine, Thunder & Lightning, and Flurries:

 We had 3-4 days of warmer weather and sunshine!  We actually had a little bit of every kind of weather this weird week!  Monday we had pouring rain, with thunder and lightning! So much of the snow has melted!  Our street is still all ice b/c it is in shade, but our driveway is almost all cleared off. 



 The chickens spent a few days outside!!  I've carried most of the chickens (all but Ms. Lemon) to my gated 'backyard area' (where my garden is located), to eat grass and take dirt baths on the nice days.

Dirt Bath Time!!!

Chickens:

.  I'm still hand feeding Ms. Lemon each day and a few of the other birds that seem to be a little weaker than I'd like.  She seems to be doing a little better, but I know she is on the bottom of the totem pole and I should always keep an eye on her. 



 Saturday was so warm that all the chickens (except Ms. Lemon) were outside so I took advantage and really cleaned the coop with extra care.  



It was so nice to have all the chickens outside when trying to clean the coop, it is kinda crazy when they are all in there and I'm trying to get the dirty straw out from literally under their feet!  Dh bought them this big cube block of feed, like a suet feeder, but the size of a cinder-block and they have really been enjoying that. 

Ms. Lemon in the nest box.  She has spent every.single.day inside these boxes.  I have to pull her out each day and hand feed her.

Ms. Lemon:

When all of the chickens (but Ms. Lemon) went up the ramp and were outside, Ms. Lemon had the whole coop to herself.  I closed the door and as soon as she realized she was all alone in the coop she put on quite the show!!!  She was flapping her wings, doing little crows, and hopping around from the roosts!  She was so funny!!!!  

Christmas Tree:

Dd and I finally took down our Christmas decorations on Saturday the 26th.  I always keep my Christmas tree up for about month, or more, after Christmas.  I enjoy seeing all our bird decorations, store-bought and homemade, all around the tree.  This year we had to hide it behind doors in our basement so the kittens couldn't tear it apart, and that lessened the time I was spending seeing the decorated tree.  This week Dd and took down our tree early.

Doesn't Zeus look like he is ready to take me down?  He is just waiting for me to fall down one day....oh my!

Ladies Sunday School:

My Sunday School class has recently started Beth Moore's: Entrusted, I'm learning more about Saul/Paul and enjoying digging deep!  I also found the Billy Graham book, Just As I Am, at a thrift store this week.  Chelle had recommended it on her blog, so I look forward to cracking it's cover soon!

Truck:

Saturday Dh had to work, but when he got home he changed his clothes, skipped dinner, and got right on his truck.  He wore a headlamp and worked, in the dark, until around 8pm, but he did it!  He actually got his truck working again!!!  It seems such a waste to pay insurance on an auto that is down more than it is running.  I hope it will last longer than it's normal habit of only running for under 3 weeks at a time!  He drove it to church on Sunday night, taking Dd to Youth Program, and some gasket broke off, maybe transmission, and he was stuck at church.  He called and I picked him up and took him to get more transmission fluid and oil at the store, then home to get some stuff that he has that soaks up the fluid puddle under his truck at church, and then back to the church to fix the gasket and refill the fluids.  It was a crazy hour driving all over and getting the truck working again while Dd was inside enjoying her Youth Program, oblivious to the drama going on outside!  We all made it back home by 8:30 and the church's parking lot didn't look worse for wear.

Dd's homemade card for Heather

Thank You Notes:

This week Dd and I finished up and mailed our (late) Thank You cards, six of them!  Also, I found one last Christmas card that I had missed on my table!

Agnes---dominating the climbing thing!

Birds Singing:

Ah, the birds have really been singing up a storm this week! I was so encouraged!! It makes me feel so hopeful that spring is just around the corner.  Next week the Arctic temps and snow return, so it was nice to hear the birds and soak up the sunshine!

Academic's, Lessons, Classes for the Week:

Church, Sunday School, Volunteering at Olympians Group (and Strings Group)

SL's Bible:

Bible Study Sampler: pg's 24-28

Why Pray? by John F. DeVries: pg's 16-20

Buckbeak is looking like winter has lasted too long.  I've been hand-feeding her a lot lately to try and get her looking more fluffy.

History:

A History of US, Book 2:

Preface and Ch 1-14

Reader:

Traitor: The Case of Benedict Arnold by Jean Fritz: In Process

Dd wasn't impressed with Stink Alley, so I exchanged it with Traitor.  We've read a lot of Jean Fritz's books and like her writing.

Dickens!

Read Aloud:
The Federalists Papers:

I started the introduction this week.  I'm trying to decide if we want to read this together or wait.  Dd thought it was dry, so I might decide on another RA for next week.

Math:

Saxon Geometry with Grace Academy: Lesson 57, 58, and Test 5

This is still a really difficult class and Dd is still plugging along with it.

Agnes and making the kittens climbing thing one of her favorite places.  She is even playing with them (fighting with them) on it!

Science:

Apologia Biology: Module 2

I've taken back to reading this aloud to Dd.  I read about 8-10 pages this week, but she had already read them the week before, but I thought it wouldn't hurt to re-listen and discuss with me.  It seems like she needs some more hand-holding to get this back as a priority.  With teenagers, there are lots of different levels of independent vs not-independent students, and Dd swings back and forth on that front.  I love learning science and am happy to share this subject with her.

Poetry:

The Harp and Laurel Wreath (an excelent book!!)

I read a few poems from it this week.

THREE Chickadee's in one photo.

Fun Reading:

Cress by Marissa Meyer: Completed

Star Wars: Ahsoka by E.K. Johnson: In Process

Look at how much snow melted!!!  It was amazing!

Art:

Dd made a few thank you cards with a watercolor of a flower or sunset.  She also did some watercolors as stand alone's.  She has been really enjoying figuring out how to improve her watercolor skills.

Painting Studio: 1:30 hour class with Grace

Botany: Watercolors: 1:30 hour class with Grace

The only thing this photo doesn't show, Honeysuckle's wonderfully appeased tummy!  This kitten is all belly!

Cooking:

Dd made a cauliflower dish---steamed and chopped; really good.
Tilapia chicken, mayo / parmasean recipe.

No Bake Cookies! Yum!

Music Classes:

Intermediate Orchestra: violin (Chair Test this week)

Intermediate band: alto sax

Lessons:
Piano Lessons with Wendy

Violin Lesson with Christie

Group: at church

Strings Group: Ukulele

Not much music practicing at home this week, with her sore throat.  She did some violin, piano, and clarinet practice.  Hoping she will get back into more practicing soon.  She had borrowed her friend's clarinet and practiced it some this week.  Next weekwe will look at buying one, from a friend.  Also, we will start A Seperate Peace by John Knowles.




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