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.

.....

Oct. 27-Nov. 2, 2019 Stopped Singing, Snow, Stairwell, Master Bathroom

Oct. 27-Nov. 2, 2019

Stopped Signing, Snow, Stairwell

Frost is setting in the garden now, but it still looks pretty.

Hello Friends!

I've sang "You Are My Sunshine" to my daughter every.single.night. of her life; even if we were separated we would call so I could sing to her.  Sunday (10-27-19) was the first night that I began to let that go.  Saturday, Dd disarmed me and broke my heart at our family meeting.  In June I lost my church and this week I lost my daughter.  It has been a time of loss for me, but I know God is here for me through this refinement.  It is hard watching your child walk away from you and not treat you the way the Bible guides.  This was a really hard week for me.  One of the hardest of my life, and that is saying something.  I kept really busy and worked really hard to try and keep my mind off my troubles.

Orthopaedic Appointment:

Monday was my appt. with the hand surgeon.  After all the hoops to get there, he spent about 4 minutes with me. He had a very "surgeon" personality.  We scheduled my surgery for Nov. 6th.  I had to find a week that Dh would be home and not working on his deer stands for hunting season.  I wasn't given much info on what to expect after this surgery, so I'm a little nervous about not knowing what I am getting into.  

Stairwell:

Since my surgery is coming up so quickly, I've really had to focus and pick up the pace to get all my chores done before I lose the ability to use my right hand.  I worked really hard on the stairwell going down to the basement; I spent almost the whole day and night of Tuesday solely on that one job.

Master Bathroom:

Our bathroom had been painted burnt orange and although that sounds like a cool color, it wasn't!  It drove me crazy!!  But, it was never a priority and I had to let it go all these four years we've been here.  Dh and Dd left Friday morning and were not going to be back until Sunday night so I decided to bring a little peace into my mind and make it a priority.  I had found a gallon of semi-gloss, light blue paint at our thrift store in a brand new looking jug for $1.50 and bought it.  I didn't get it finished over the weekend, but I did get it well along.  That orange was really hard to cover and I had to put down 3-4 coats to hide that horrible color!  I had to take down a lot of shelves and things I had on the walls, which takes up so much time...then there is all the Spackling that comes with every job!  But, I'm so glad I am finally working on getting rid of that orange.

SNOW:

Wednesday we had real snow, not just a few flakes but lots of snow coming down.  I count this as our first real "Snow Day" of this season.  We had six months free of snow and we are back to winter!  Michigan is very different than any other state I've lived in!  It literally is six months of winter!

Workouts:

My way to deal with the loss I'm feeling with Dd to is to get back to my workouts and take Henry, our English Shepherd, on lots of long walks in the woods.

Bible Study:

My two Bible Study groups are going well.  I'm spending extra time on my lessons so I can get ahead before my surgery.  I don't know how well, or if, I'll be able to write, so I am getting 1-2 weeks ahead.  I'm learning a lot and loving that!!!  I really like how my BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) Bible Study has it's own website and I can re-watch our lectures over and over again.  I appreciate all the online helps they provide.  The Thrive (Ada Bible Church) Bible Study is intellectually studious and bonus, the ladies are really really down to earth and very open.  

Chickens:

I'm still free-ranging the chickens a few times each week.  As the snow is getting closer I'm trying harder and harder to fit in as many grazing times as I can.  They love finding those worms too!  I just get so cold being outside supervising them!  But, we are in the woods and I know better than to leave them alone.

Chesapeake: Poor Chesapeake had a bunch of poop on her bottom. I gave her a mini bath and got her all cleaned up and then treated her to a blow-dry session.  She did a great job not putting up a fuss with all the man-handling.  I'm hoping all the extra help I'm giving her will help her recover.

Dd and Dh Trip to Indiana Farm:

Fri-Sun Dd and Dh spent in Indiana at the family farm.  They worked on fixing up the tree stands for hunting season that is soon approaching.  They had a great time and saw quite a few relatives--Uncle Bob, Giz and Grampy, Jon Carl, Cari, Norah and Charlotte!  

Dd's Week:

Church: with boyfriend, Seth

Grace Classes:

Anatomy & Physiology (Apologia)

Art: Painting Studio

History: The American Civil War

Writing/English: Analytical Writing for Essay and Research Paper

Math:

Tutor for Algebra II (Saxon)

Work:

Pizza Shop

Chores:

No chores this whole week

Sunday: Dd gone all day/night.

Monday, Dd went to Hailee's house.  

Tuesday, Dd went to math tutor, then to work at pizza shop.

Wednesday, Dd went to orthodontist then to work.

Thursday, Dd went to Hailee's house then out with Seth until 9:45.

Friday, Dd had Grace classes then went with Dh to Indiana to set up hunting blinds.

Saturday, Dd and Dh in Indiana (home Sunday night). 

Next Week:

Surgery on my right hand---carpal tunnel.

.....

Oct. 20-26, 2019 Family Meeting, Fall Chores, Stairwell

Oct. 20-26, 2019

 Family Meeting, Fall Chores, Stairwell

 Hello, Friends!

This wasn't a great week for me.  I had migraines on Sunday and Monday and then I had a bit of the flu bug on Wednesday through Friday.  But, the good thing about me is that I always seem to keep moving forward, with Jesus's help, and make small steps of progress with all my chores and bible studies.

Bible Studies:

On Monday night I had my Thrive Bible Study:

An Unexplainable Life:  Recover the Wonder and Devotion of the Early Church by Erica Wiggenhorn.

Wednesday morning I had my Bible Study Fellowship group.  Both Bible Studies are focused on Acts, but both have us refer to lots of other sections to reinforce what we are learning.  I am so thankful for the Thrive group of ladies as they are so open and friendly; which is exactly what I am needing as Dd has been growing more and more distant and disgruntled.  I am very much needing some kindness and thankful for strangers providing God's care to me, His child.

Home Improvement:

A) Stairwell:  My focus again this week is to get all the wallpaper off the stairwell going to the basement.  I've also begun to Spackle all the imperfections and sand smooth...and repeat until truly smooth.  This has been a big job!  I've had to be creative on how to reach the high spots and use a big toolbox that fits on the runners and gives me an extra 12 inches to reach.  

B)Gutters: Since we live in the woods I need to maintain our gutters by cleaning them out as often as possible.  This week I managed to get ALL of the gutters cleared on both buildings (home and outbuilding).  

C) Back Driveway: Each fall we have to buy crushed concrete to replace what the rain and snow erode away.  After we put down the first load of crushed concrete we asked about the crushed asphalt.  It seemed like it might work better than the concrete, so our last two loads were of it.  We filled all the ruts and hope our snowblower will appreciate our efforts. 

D) Decks: I've been trying to sweep off all the leaves and pine needles from all our decks so that it doesn't decompose and turn our decks green over the winter.

E) Mowing: I've mowed everywhere and used a mulch to cover plants and fill compost bins.  I really appreciate how my push mower's bag helps us give our plants winter protection.

Chickens:

Bunny, still has a cold and Chesapeake still seems a bit run down, but I've got all the chickens together.  Now that it is cold I am closing all the vents and the little room is warmer than the chicken tractor I have in the garage, so the sick chickens are probably better off with the other chickens than being separated.  I tried having Bunny in the tractor on Friday night, in the garage, and I regretted it as the garage was so cold.  I'm still getting the girls out to free range most days.  It is hard finding things to do outside to be their protector while they are out now that I don't have garden chores to do!  But, I always find something to do.  

Henry and Workouts:

I'm getting back into taking Henry on long walks in the woods once again.  Now that I don't have garden chores for hours each day I find I can fit more time in for him and return to a more consistent workout regime.

Chainsaw:

Remember for my birthday I received an electric chainsaw?  Well, I've been trying to use it and it wouldn't start for me.  I've recharged it and tried and tried.  Dh decided the battery must be off.  We had to go through 10 months of receipts to find the receipt before he could take it back to the store!!!  What a job!  The store tried to fix it but eventually decided that the battery was indeed wonky and replaced it for us.

Emgality:

I have shared a few times that this summer I have tried the new migraine medication, Emgality.  I admit I did have fewer migraines; which was nice!  I also had a slew of new problems as a result of this medication.  One of the worst side effects is that my ears hurt a LOT!  There is also hair loss, joint stiffness, intense constipation, heartburn, and chest pain.  I won't be taking these shots anymore and am looking forward to this medicine getting out of my system.  

Family:

It was another tough week for our family.  Now that Dd has her job, friends, and a boyfriend she doesn't spend time with us anymore.  When she is home, and talking with us, it is always a negative.  I don't want to share anything too personal here, but do want to share that I am keenly feeling an epic loss of a once close relationship with my daughter.  I always hoped by raising her, starting with an 'attachment parenting' philosophy in infancy and childhood and then homeschooling her throughout her education we might be immune to such strife, but alas, we still have to go through the awkward transition as she becomes an independent adult without much grace.  My heart has been through the wringer this week, at our family meeting, but my brain knows this is all very normal and on schedule for young adults that have to find their own path in life.  I just wish it didn't have to hurt me so much in the process.  The week ended with a family meeting on Saturday night.  My plan was to talk to her about being home more, but she somehow switched the topic to me nagging her too much.  It was a complete game changer for me, she lit into me and didn't stop.  I'm just not built to fight that kind of battle.  I don't even have words to explain how much her words crushed my heart.  It is really hard being the parent to a teen.  I'll never be the same.

Boyfriend:

I was a bit disappointed this week when I made a major dinner only to have Dd come in the kitchen to tell me she was leaving...to go out to dinner with Seth!  I wish I could say I've seen Dd be more thoughtful or be doing her chores since seeing Seth this last month, but she does even less on her chores and continues to be less and less thoughtful.  I know this is normal, but it is hard to see your child walk away from how you try to guide them.  It is a very tough season.  I've planted the seeds and that is all I can do.  

Dh:

Deer Hunting season is upon us and Dh has been building tree stand parts and ladders, and painting them camo, to take down with him to Indiana.  

He has had a blast buying wood, figuring out the dimensions, building and painting the parts he needs to fix up the tree stands he has down south.  He is hoping his new walls and ladders will fit once he gets them to Indiana. This has been his focus every day but Saturday, when he and I worked on the back driveway.

Dd's Academic Week:

Church: Dd says she is doing her solo Bible Study again

Sunday - church with me (10/20/19), then Sunday School at old church.

Saturday - church with Seth (10/26/19)



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



Math:
Tutor: Algebra II (Saxon)



Work:
Pizza Shop a few times a week.  She has been promoted to work on the ovens.



Chores:
Dd is honestly not doing her chores much, if at all.

LOTR Sword:

Dd found a LOTR sword at the thrift store this week.  She was so very excited at her find!!!  Yay! for her!



Next Week:
I have an appointment with OAM to look into my carpal tunnel problems with my hands.

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

Oct. 13-19, 2019 Chicken Coop Work, Garden Pix, Seed Harvesting, First Frost

Oct. 13-19, 2019

Chicken Coop Work, Seed Harvesting, First Frost, Sick Chesapeake, healed Brenda, Bible Study

Hello Friends,
I was feeling a little sickish this week.  The weather is changing so quickly now and our sunshine levels have dive-bombed.  I've been doing my Bible study with not one, but TWO sunlamps!  They are especially for seasonal affect disorder and are extra bright and encouraging.  I had two days of headache/migraine this week, better than the four days of trouble I had the week before!  I always struggle a little at the seasonal transitions, especially when I lose sunshine.

Chicken Coop:

As I had to turn on the heat inside our home on Monday, I realized I better get on winterizing the chicken coop asap!  We have the first section outside that the chickens go through, a living room sized room, on their way outside to sit under their umbrella.  I call that 'room' the "inner sanctum" as it was built with security in mind.  It has a heavy gaged wire roof, sides, and the ground is up and over the wire base.  The only way a raccoon or fox could get in that space is if I left the door open!  Last year I encased the room in plastic and the chickens really appreciated having a second room to hang out in during the long winter season.  This year I worked for two days and got the whole area closed-in again!  The only downside is I used a black tarp for the roof and that has made the room a little too dark.  I'm so glad to get this major fall chore done before the snow arrives.  The chickens can go 'outside' and not have any snow to deal with; this way they will out of the wind and snow.

Dirt:

I've been filling up buckets of new dirt, gravel, and sand and re-filling up the inner sanctum with it.  The chickens live on a hill and they manage to scratch and dig enough to make holes often.  I also wanted to make sure I had an air-tight connection between the new plastic and the ground by sealing that line with new dirt.  I have been trying to pace myself with this as after 16 buckets I can't walk the next day!  Toting heavy buckets really is hard; especially when you have to lug them far.  I will keep adding a few buckets every few days.

Seed Gathering:

Normally I am all about collecting seeds, but I just didn't get around to it yet this year.  I don't have a lot of green beans sorted away for next year but I hope the ones I have still on the vines will dry out soon.  This week I took down my morning glories, marigold, cone-flower, orange cosmos, and other various blooms/seeds.  

Hydrangeas:

When we moved here, I was so excited to find two medium-sized hydrangeas planted by the pool.  I quickly realized this area, being surrounded by lots of concrete, is a very hot and dry location that doesn't cater to the needs of our water-loving hydrangea's.  I'd been wanting to move them for years and finally did so this year!  I looked online and it said to wait until November, but since it can get so snowy so fast I decided to go ahead and do it a few weeks early and hope for the best.  I've been watering them often to help.

Winter Clothes:

I'm still going through my winter clothes boxes.  I only managed a few summer clothes boxes though.  I guess I just have a lot more 'winter' clothes than summer.  I have been feeling very overwhelmed with having too many clothes so I just picked out my favorite sweaters and put 90% of my winter clothes back up in the attic.  My closet is about one-tenth the size of the one I had in Indiana and I just don't have the room to have anything but my favorite things out.  I guess that isn't a bad thing, just different for me.

Chickens:

Chesapeake still sick.  She has diarrhea and low energy.  I kept her in the chicken tractor in the garage for some quite time to heal for a few days and then let her go back with the flock.  Luckily, Brenda the Buff Orpington that had a fly-strike was accepted right back into the flock. It was very interesting to see how she stood up for herself when a few hens tried to dominate her and she wasn't having it!!!  I was impressed!  I was so busy this week I didn't get the chickens out as often as I had been, but they did get out to free-range a few times.

Garden:

I picked green beans twice again this week; possibly for the last time!  I've been mowing lots and trying to fill our compost with as many leaves and grass as possible.  I got quite a lot done, on this front, this week.  It was nice to have no rain for two days in a row so I could mow.  I also dumped a lot of the mix on our flower gardens and especially the newly moved hydrangeas that might appreciate some insulation in their new home.

Dh:

Dh working extra at work.  He has numerous procedures due and not enough time during the day to get them done so the problem compounds.  It was a really difficult week for him.  He came home late a few times this week.  He did seem excited to work on his tree stand ideas and bought new wood and oil paint.  He made two new ladders and painted them in the various dark paint in a camo- style.  

Home Improvements:

I managed to spend all day and night on Friday peeling wallpaper from the basement stairwell.  This wallpaper is really odd; almost a plastic coated one that you might find in a kitchen and has been the most challenging wall paper removal project I've ever encountered.  It is just incredibly slow-going!!!

Bible Study:

This fall I signed up for TWO different Bible study groups.  One is with the church I've been attending since June (Ada Bible) and the second is with Bible Study Fellowship (BSF).  I am really digging in and learning a LOT!  Besides learning more about the book of Acts (both studies are on Acts), I was hoping for fellowship.  So far the BSF is quite focused on the study and not much sharing, but the Thrive/Ada one has been very personable and friendly.  I really feel my cup being filled after each class with these kind ladies.  The book we are using at Ada is:

An Unexplainable Life: Recovering the Wonder and Devotion of the Early Church ( Acts 1-12) by Erica Wiggenhorn

Dd's Week:

Dd had her second date with Seth this week.  She continues to grow more and more independent.  I appreciated her going to church with me again on Sunday.  Between working on her homework, her job at the pizza shop, and texting Seth and her friends I don't see her much...sad to say!  As each week goes by I see her less and less.  Last week she was sick and she seems to be doing a little better this week.  

Dd's Academic's This Week:

Grace Co-op School Schedule:

Science: Anatomy/Physiology (Apologia)

Art: Painting Studio

History: The American Civil War

Writing/English: Analytical Writing for Essays and Research Paper

Math Tutor:

Algebra 2

Pizza Shop:

Dd is really enjoying working at the pizza shop!

Next Week:

More fall chores and Bible Study

.......