Nov. 25-Dec.1, 2018 SNOW, Dr. Gindzin-Eye, Snow Fleas, Academics back On

Nov. 25-Dec.1, 2018 

SNOW, Dr. Gindzin-Eye, Snow Fleas, Academics back On

Henry is crazy for snow--obsessed with running in it and eating it!

 Hello Friends!

One week of recovery for Dh; he had cataract surgery last Monday; to prepare for his Tuesday surgery to fix the tear in his eye--a Detached Retina that had been growing worse and worse after weeks of not knowing what was wrong. 

We've rented this contraption that Dh can put his head down/into; instead of having to strain his neck as he keeps his eye healing.

Apparently, if you catch the problem quickly it can be a quick fix; but Dh didn't catch on and it got worse and worse. 

I looked to a table to set his contraption on, that was would be exactly the right height and was so blessed to find exactly what I needed at a thrift store--Praise the Lord for providing such a random need we had!

 His eye is healing well, or so his doctor said at this weeks appointment.  Dh is doing a tiny bit better each day, but it is really a very slow process. By far, the very hardest part is that Dh can't lay down and get a good nights sleep.  He is exhausted and his back, neck, and hips are killing him.  Thankfully, his eye isn't hurting him.

Can you see the mirrors under the pillow?  He can have his head down and still watch tv with it.

Rental Head Furniture:

Last week we rented this funky head rest table top thing.  He has spent a week trying it and hadn't been able to find a place where it works well.  I got out my tape measure and measured how tall a table we would need for him to be able to rest his head down on it for it to work.  The thing costs $81 to $64 a WEEK! So, if we can't find a good use for it we will need to return it.  I went to my local thrift store and God provided exactly the right height podium to fit his head rest thing.  He hadn't been able to sleep for the past 3 nights and this head rest on the podium has helped him a little there.

Paperwork:

Little did I know all the paperwork that is involved in having an injury and needing time off work!  We had to get a form from the doctor with start and finish dates for the time Dh will be off work.  There is also Family Medical Leave papers and Short-Term Disability paperwork too.  It took the whole week, as Dh wasn't keen on starting it, but I got it all scanned in and emailed out.  I hope it all was done right and sent into the right places correctly.

In the winter I enjoy noticing all the animal signs on the trees and on the ground.

Sunshine:
Grand Rapids, Michigan (where I live) had between 3-10% sunshine this whole month.  I think the news said we had 3 or 4 days when the sun was able to break through (briefly) the thick cloud cover.  We are just east of Lake Michigan and all that lake makes wonderful big clouds that blanket our skies making for day after day of dreary gray bleakness.  My SAD lamp is getting tired and depressed!  overworked!

Agnes and Henry in dog crate

Agnes Decides To Marry:
Agnes has chosen Henry.  Unlike our other two cats, Agnes came to our home when we happily had our Great Dane, Sophie.  Sophie adores Agnes and Agnes Sophie.  Agnes was walking around meowing in sad mews so often we took in the stray kittens to comfort her while we mourned Sophie.  The very first day we brought Henry home Agnes laid down beside him in the living room.  The past few weeks her love has grown.  She has now taken it to the next level---she has moved into his dog crate!!!  She has been spending hours in there---with him!!  She is also eating his food, and he watches horrified and unable to respond!  It is really cute and he can't do anything about it; she has decided!

Henry, this visit from Agnes wasn't to his liking!

Church:

Our church has asked about Dh every time I'm there.  I am surprised at how many people have said they are praying for him.  It really is deeply kind that our congregation has been praying.

I found where three deer slept in our woods this week.

Christmas Box:

Thankfully I was able to get all the books for my nephews written in and wrapped up and delivered to the post office.

Christmas Cards:

I've started working on my Christmas cards.

Dh made a table, with a hole in the middle, to sit beside our bed.  He can miserably try to sleep or put a laptop on the shelf under the hole to watch a movie.

Christmas Play Practice:

We had our best play practice this week.  Our 'actors' are really improving!!!  The script has our players pulling books out of a box, reading out the author's names. Well, I've been looking, at thrift stores, for some of the books, we need and found one this week! Yay!  John Piper was the author I found this week; although I didn't know him or his writing before.  Now I own one of his books; maybe I'll get a chance to read it.  I am having fun being the director this year; last year I was the assistant and didn't want to intervine too much.

Treadmill:

Twice this week Dh was able to spend a little time on the treadmill getting his body moving.  Last week, before the snow, I was able to take Dh for a few walks.  This week we had so much snow and ice that, except for his doctor appt., Dh had to stay inside.  He isn't getting much time on his feet!!!!  He just walks between the bedroom, living room, and kitchen in our smallish house.  I keep trying to encourage him to use the treadmill but most days he isn't up for it.  He generally isn't a treadmill kind of person, so it is almost a miracle he did some this week.  I hope he will continue and increase his time walking while he is laid-up.

Migraines:

I only had one migraine this week, on Saturday, and it was a doozy.  I was really miserable and wasn't able to do much for Dh, but we made it through the day.

Snow Fleas:

I remember the first year I saw Snow Fleas on our snow; I had no idea what they were!!!!  I'd never even heard of such a thing.  For those of you who haven't seen them--, it looks like someone sprinkled finely ground black pepper on top of the snow.  When you look close enough you can see that the black flakes are moving!  Eek!  Kinda weird!

Academics for the Week:

Bible: Church, Sunday School, and Youth Program
Word of Life Bible Study each day

Grace Subjects:

Geography: BJU (Bob Jones Textbook)

Algebra I: Saxon

Spanish I

Graphic Design

Introductory Logic

(Dd is doing really well in all the classes.)

Volunteering:
1 1/2 hours at the library for the Story Hour
1 1/2 hours at church, Olympians program--Games

Next Week:

Dh has another appt. with Dr. Gindzin to inspect the healing of his eye.  *If* his eye is doing great Dh will be able to hold his head up for 1-3 hours per day.  I'm just trying to do my best to care for him.  Right now we are just getting by.

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