Nov. 24-30, 2019 Thanksgiving, Trip to Indiana, Hikes, Heather's Book Signing, H's New Church, Sinus Infection

Nov. 24-30, 2019 

Thanksgiving

HuntingTrip to Indiana, Hikes, Heather's Book Signing, H's New Church, Sinus Infection

There are two cemeteries at the farm, with people that fought in the Civil War

Hello Friends!

I'm still trying to catch up with my blog.  Our lives have changed so much this year I feel like I'm in circling around in the dryer!!!  This certainly is the year of change.

Carpal Tunnel Surgery:

On Nov. 6th, I had my left hand operated on.  The first few weeks were really difficult, but now the pain and swelling are getting better and I am able to do more now.  Next week I have the surgery done on my right hand.  It will be hard to only use my left hand, as it is still recovering.  

Chickens:

This was a banner bad week for my chickens!  I had two chickens die--Anna had been sleepy on Saturday and I carried her down to the coop and placed her under the heat lamp to warm up.  On Sunday morning I went down to let them out and there she was; laying peacefully 'asleep' by the heat lamp.  She looked so sweet, but she was gone.  The second hen was Brenda---the Buff Orpington that I have pulled back from death repeatedly.  During her first year, she became "broody" and I had to hand feed her daily for almost two months.  Then last summer she was sick and I had to go back and give her lots of special attention.  Then she got "fly-strike" and a fly laid eggs on her poopy bottom and hatched a batch of maggots.  It took about three weeks of intense treatment and isolation to get her back in shape and able to rejoin the group.  After all that effort, I got a text from Hailee, while we were in Indiana, that Brenda was found dead the first morning we were away! I seriously spent so much time and effort on that hen!

Indiana:

On Friday of last week (the 22nd), Dh and Dd drove down to the family farm for hunting season.  On Saturday they each shot a deer.  My plan was to drive Henry down to the farm on Wednesday, the only problem is Henry is petrified of being in the car!!!  Hailee has once again agreed to watch our critters for us while we are away.  Hailee is just the best!  My favorite teen that isn't my own!

Driving Lessons for Henry, our dog:

Each day this past week I have taken Henry, our English Shepherd rescue dog, on various short excursions to try and warm him up to the idea of car travel.  Each and every time he pants and drips saliva on the back seat as he paces back and forth.  Luckily, I had talked to our vet and got a bottle of anti-anxiety meds for the seven-hour, plus stops, drive to southern Indiana.  On the day of the trip I had to throw everything at him to stop his pacing and drooling.  He never did put his head down, but the pills did seem to take the edge off.

Hike:

My librarian friend, Lori, invited me to a hike on Monday.  We walked the new trail behind Walgreens with the two new beautiful bridges over the Grand River.  It was a beautiful day for a hike.

Henry and I at one of the cemeteries on the farm

Lobster Fail:

Dh ordered our lobsters for Thanksgiving with his folks, as he does each year, only this year the company had technical issues and didn't ship them out!!!!  

Thanksgiving:

Wednesday, Henry and I battled the gale winds and downpouring rain for five hours before reaching more tranquil terrain on our drive to the farm.  That poor dog!  His first road trip and our little car were being pushed every which way down the highway; it was like being in a tiny plane facing massive turbulence.  In the end, we made it there the night before Thanksgiving.  Giz was able to find a small turkey breast in her freezer for our meal.  We had a really nice meal with Dh's parents.  The five of us really enjoy our special holiday together.  We didn't get to have our normal meal but we did have great company!

Thankfulness:

I've been having teeth problems on my back top left side and figured I must have a root going bad.  I called my dentist in a panic and left a message on his machine and he actually called me back within two hours.  He suggested I start taking antibiotics and he would fit me in on Monday.  The antibiotics helped immediately.  I was so relieved after talking to him and that he would fit me in.  He was willing to see me the next day; only I was in Indiana!!  On Monday when I went in and he took an x-ray he discovered I really had a sinus infection---my tooth was actually fine!!!  The ironic part is that last year I went to my normal doctor with, what I thought was a sinus infection, and found out I needed to go to the dentist....which lead to a root canal!  I keep getting the wrong end!

SO thankful I am fortunate enough to have an amazing dentist!  

Farm:

While at the farm, Henry and I took quite a few walks around to enjoy being there.  Henry took quite nicely to being there!  I had brought his special blankets for him to lay on it my car and then to sleep on at night and he was quite content.

I love the big woods on the family farm

"L Family" Visit:

The day after Thanksgiving I loaded Dd in the car and left Henry with Dh.  Dd and I headed to Indianapolis to spend some time with our dear friends, the "L" family. We were invited to attend two special events: 1)Book signing 2)New Church.  

Dh and I walked around taking pictures of cool trees

Book Signing:

Heather had a book published this fall and was having a book signing on Saturday in Zionsville at the Black Dog Bookstore.  We arrived, Friday, in time to help decorate all the Xmas cookies she had already baked for the book signing.  Dd and I always enjoy decorating cookies!  Then on Saturday morning we loaded everything up and spent about five hours at the little shop.  The event was held in a very small space in the shop and there was also a youth choir that was scheduled at the same time...so, it was a little bit too crowded but there was lots of good cheer to go around!!  I was so glad to get to see my dear friend have a chance to really shine and sign her autograph!

New Church:

Heather's husband is a pastor and they have rented an occupied church all these years, from some denomination that meet on Saturday's and so it is available for Sunday rental.  Finally, the congregation is renting their OWN church now!  We were invited to attend the very first service at the new church!  If things work out they will eventually purchase the building.  It was so great getting to be there for their first service on Sunday.

Dd and "L" family:

The "L" family is as close as I get to having family and Dd is right on board with that!  Her favorite thing in life is going to visit the "L" family!  She played video games, took all the kids to Culvers to eat, they watched the first Avenger's movie again, and the YouTube episodes on How It Should Have Ended, and thumb wars, and a Star Wars spin-off show, and they made pumpkin rolls from scratch.  They all just have so much fun together---R is 19, A is 17, J is 15, D is 13, L is 11? Dd started off being friends with R, then moved to A, then for the past 4 years she has been most warmly received by J,D, and L...so that is who she spends most of her time with!  Dd just loves these guys!!!  The family she always wished she had been born into!  It's a good thing I love them too!!

Next Week:

Carpal Tunnel surgery on my right hand....so very NOT fun.
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