July 14-20, 2019
More Silkie Roosters, Super Hot, First Paycheck,
Coneflowers, Black-Eyed Susan's, and Daisies
Coneflowers, Black-Eyed Susan's, and Daisies
Hello Friends,
I think the biggest news of the week, besides the new roosters, was the awful heat!
Living in Grand Rapids for four years now my body has acclimated itself to being in cooler temps, compared to Indiana.
Our air condition works through our very old geothermal system and that is way more expensive to run than electric air conditioning.
So, we didn't turn on our A/C until late Thursday. The A/C made a huge difference, even when set high, just to get a break from all the humidity, which had been around 98%.
Living in Grand Rapids for four years now my body has acclimated itself to being in cooler temps, compared to Indiana.
Our air condition works through our very old geothermal system and that is way more expensive to run than electric air conditioning.
So, we didn't turn on our A/C until late Thursday. The A/C made a huge difference, even when set high, just to get a break from all the humidity, which had been around 98%.
Sunday Church:
Dd and I went to Ada Bible Church again, our fourth visit. Last Sunday Giz and Grampy were visiting so we all stayed home.
I watched the sermon from last week online after they went home. This week continued the theme of "Dinner With Jesus."
I've really been getting so much from the sermons. It feels like a college-level class; very deep and intellectual.
I still struggle every day with losing my old church and the wonderful people that I grew close with, but I am thankful for good sermons that help lessen the blow. I know we are not alone. The hardest part is that we've received a few cards from friends at our old church, some telling me to "forgive" and come back. It's hard to explain, and I don't even try, to say I forgave the first day of conflict. I don't have the skills to handle this situation, that is for sure.
Ada Bible Bible Study:
I signed up for a small women's group reading and discussing In His Image by Jen Wilkin. Last week I didn't go b/c we had G&G visiting. Then this week our group was canceled b/c so many of our group wasn't going to be able to attend. I'm still enjoying reading this book even if I'm not getting to discuss it much.
Chickens: Silkies
Our friends, the "G" family contacted me on Monday to say they thought another one of their new (3 1/2 month of Silkies) birds was a rooster and would need a new home. They live in the city of Grand Rapids and legally aren't allowed to have roosters, just hens. So on Wednesday I drove to GR and picked up an all white Silkie rooster, which we ended up naming "Gandalf the White."
The next day they texted to say another chicken is a rooster! So, Thursday I met them at Costco to get a gray Silkie rooster from them, which we named, "Gandalf the Gray." They only have two hens left and they are positive those last two are girls! I can't take any more! But, Chelle has always told me how much I'd love Silkies, so I'm glad I am finally getting to know these chatty birds.
Chickens:
The chickens are doing pretty good. Chickens don't do as well in the hot temperatures so they aren't ideal, but they are hanging in there.
Pool:
Last week we finally got the pool clear enough to swim. This week was so extremely hot and humid it was nice to have the option of cooling off in the water. Dh even went swimming this week! He didn't get in at all last year, so this was great!
Deck:
I've been getting some painting done on the deck this week.
It was such a hot and humid week that I didn't get as much done as I wanted.
Luckily, I'm not in a rush and know this job isn't a hurry.
Garden:
The Japanese Beetles have really been challenging my picking skills!
It's just amazing how many can show up; they seem to like the grapevines the most.
Weeding is on-going. I've been sharing a lot of my greens with the chickens. They just love anything from the garden.
Trimmed Grape Vines:
When I picked up the Silkie rooster, Radagast, from the "G" family I got an impromptu lesson on pruning grapevines. I took that info home and have been working to improve the growth of my plant.
Air Conditioning:
We had to turn on the A/C for a few days this week (Thursday-Sunday) due to the high humidity and hot temperatures. It was really nice being cool!
Dd Academic and Life Progress:
First Paycheck:
Dd got her first paycheck from working at the pizza shop the last two weeks! She is so excited! She LOVES working at the pizza place and with the other teens.
Photography Focus:
We picked up her photographs from Walgreen's this week. She talked with Dh to get some ideas on how to improve her skills. She is really keen on photography this summer.
New Friend: Helen
Dd went with her new work friend, Helen, to the movies to see the newest Spider-Man movie.
Swimming:
Hailee over to swim.
I watched the sermon from last week online after they went home. This week continued the theme of "Dinner With Jesus."
I've really been getting so much from the sermons. It feels like a college-level class; very deep and intellectual.
I still struggle every day with losing my old church and the wonderful people that I grew close with, but I am thankful for good sermons that help lessen the blow. I know we are not alone. The hardest part is that we've received a few cards from friends at our old church, some telling me to "forgive" and come back. It's hard to explain, and I don't even try, to say I forgave the first day of conflict. I don't have the skills to handle this situation, that is for sure.
Ada Bible Bible Study:
I signed up for a small women's group reading and discussing In His Image by Jen Wilkin. Last week I didn't go b/c we had G&G visiting. Then this week our group was canceled b/c so many of our group wasn't going to be able to attend. I'm still enjoying reading this book even if I'm not getting to discuss it much.
 |
| The blackish one is Radagast The Brown, The grayish one is Gandalf the Gray, and the white one is Gandalf the White |
Chickens: Silkies
Our friends, the "G" family contacted me on Monday to say they thought another one of their new (3 1/2 month of Silkies) birds was a rooster and would need a new home. They live in the city of Grand Rapids and legally aren't allowed to have roosters, just hens. So on Wednesday I drove to GR and picked up an all white Silkie rooster, which we ended up naming "Gandalf the White."
The next day they texted to say another chicken is a rooster! So, Thursday I met them at Costco to get a gray Silkie rooster from them, which we named, "Gandalf the Gray." They only have two hens left and they are positive those last two are girls! I can't take any more! But, Chelle has always told me how much I'd love Silkies, so I'm glad I am finally getting to know these chatty birds.
 |
| Ms. Lemon, the Bantam hen. She is doing very well right now---all broodiness is gone and she is laying eggs. |
 |
| I named her Jen Wilkin, after the author of the book I've been reading the past few weeks: In His Image. |
Chickens:
The chickens are doing pretty good. Chickens don't do as well in the hot temperatures so they aren't ideal, but they are hanging in there.
Pool:
Last week we finally got the pool clear enough to swim. This week was so extremely hot and humid it was nice to have the option of cooling off in the water. Dh even went swimming this week! He didn't get in at all last year, so this was great!
Deck:
I've been getting some painting done on the deck this week.
It was such a hot and humid week that I didn't get as much done as I wanted.
Luckily, I'm not in a rush and know this job isn't a hurry.
Garden:
The Japanese Beetles have really been challenging my picking skills!
 |
| Feeling Mary Poppins |
It's just amazing how many can show up; they seem to like the grapevines the most.
 |
The Foxglove that I moved in the spring are doing SO well! I'm so glad I moved them so I could focus on them and give them a little extra care. They have really flourished with the attention! |
Weeding is on-going. I've been sharing a lot of my greens with the chickens. They just love anything from the garden.
Trimmed Grape Vines:
When I picked up the Silkie rooster, Radagast, from the "G" family I got an impromptu lesson on pruning grapevines. I took that info home and have been working to improve the growth of my plant.
Air Conditioning:
We had to turn on the A/C for a few days this week (Thursday-Sunday) due to the high humidity and hot temperatures. It was really nice being cool!
 |
| The white hen here is, Charlotte. She had been broody for most of the spring, with Ms. Lemon. She is doing very well now and has a whole new coat of feathers. |
Dd Academic and Life Progress:
First Paycheck:
Dd got her first paycheck from working at the pizza shop the last two weeks! She is so excited! She LOVES working at the pizza place and with the other teens.
 |
| Henny Penny on the look-out! |
Photography Focus:
We picked up her photographs from Walgreen's this week. She talked with Dh to get some ideas on how to improve her skills. She is really keen on photography this summer.
 |
| Aphrodite and Bella |
New Friend: Helen
Dd went with her new work friend, Helen, to the movies to see the newest Spider-Man movie.
Swimming:
Hailee over to swim.
Academics:
To be honest, Dd's motivation this week was really low. She didn't get very far on either of her subjects. We are in a difficult phase. I don't have all the answers, but keep reminding her of what she should be doing and hoping she will right herself and *want* to focus on her lessons. You can lead a horse to water...
Reader:
The Sun is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon: In Process
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| Add caption |
Science:
Apologia: Biology (not much, unfortunately!)
 |
| Now it is coneflower, daisy, and black-eyed Susan's weather |
Math:
Saxon Algebra (not much, unfortunately!)
Next Week:
Dd starts her new office job. She doesn't seem to be very excited about this opportunity. I'm going to TRY and get the hens to accept the roosters without getting the roosters attacked. I go pretty slow but would hate for the roosters to get really hurt.
..........
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