Feb. 2-8, 2020
Swirl Dance, Super Bowl, King Lear, Romeo & Juliet, Free-Range Chicken
Hello Friends,
After my two-three months on Emgality in the fall, I decided the awful side effects were too bad to continue. This week I went back to Botox as my only helper to prevent new migraines. Botox isn't great, but helps a bit. The worst part of Botox is that I always get migraines after getting the shots, so that stinks!!! Between the Botox and it being the dead of winter, I had a really hard week---I needed like a dozen SAD (seasonal affect disorder) lamps! But, I only have two! I am ready for spring officially!
Snow:
Well, I certainly got my fill of shoveling snow this week! Dh has brought out the snowblower, but so far I've stuck to the shoveling. I figure it is good exercise and adds to the time I spend outside each day when I use the shovel instead of the snowblower. I'm sure I'll be tired of shoveling soon enough, but this week I was old-fashioned and enjoyed it.
Super Bowl:
It wouldn't seem right to not mention the big game! Dh and I enjoyed watching together---we met in Kansas City and cheered the Chiefs on!
Shakespeare:
Shakespeare:
It had been a while since we last covered Shakespeare, so I figured we should dip back into The Bard once again. I'm reading King Lear aloud, with lots of discussion and dissection and Dd is listening to Romeo and Juliet on her own (with NO dissection whatsoever!!). I've brought in lots of books to review the life and times of Shakespeare, which Dd hasn't been too excited about, but I love all that extra depth and context.
Chickens:
On Monday, it was sunny enough to let the chickens out for forty minutes to free-range! They were very excited to be scratching around in the area where the sun had melted enough to expose the grass. The bad news is I have a Tetra Brown ("Floppy" is what I call her; I know, such an uninteresting name...) that is sick and not doing well. I've begun making her scrambled eggs and hand-feeding her.
Chicken Feeder:
Dh finished his second feeder for the hens this week.
Chicken Casseroles:
I enjoy making the chickens special dishes; especially in the winter when they really need the extra calories. I've been buying some really healthy brown rice from Costco that they really seem to like and I use that as a base and add in all sorts of things like: lentils, black rice, green peppers, romaine lettuce, left-over's, scrambled eggs.... they love getting their special meals.
Bible Studies:
My two Bible study groups are still going. I'm learning so much!! But, one of my goals was to make a friend here in Michigan and thought this would be the type of thing I could meet some friendly people...although everyone is nice I've not really met anyone that isn't already over-busy and over-scheduled; which means they don't really have time for a friend outside of class. It's the same story in all the homeschooling and church and study groups I've joined since moving here five years ago...everyone is already friended-up and they don't have any time to spare. It is sad to think how hard it is to find friendship among Christians. The Monday night Ada/Thrive Bible study has very friendly women in it and they do open their hearts during the class--- I like them a lot. The Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) group on Wednesday mornings are never very open and I still don't feel comfortable there. After the class that discussed inappropriate things, I'll keep the details private because it was so inappropriate, I am really weighing if I want to continue going to this class. I can print off the worksheets at home and watch the lectures online without having to drive forty-five minutes in the snow to a class where I am uncomfortable.
Lunch with Seth:
This week Dh and I had lunch with Dd and her boyfriend, Seth on Saturday at her pizza shop. It was great getting to see him once again. Since he works at an egg company, generally he can't come up to our property because I have chickens and some biological germ might attach to him and transfer to his work and chaos could ensue! It's a shame we can't see him more often and especially because of my chickens.
Physical Therapy:
After weeks of my right knee hurting I finally had my PT appointment. It was just a lot of talking and she gave me a few stretches to do at home and scheduled me to come back in exactly two weeks. I was not impressed---disappointed actually. I need a MRI to diagnose what is wrong and have to jump through these steps before insurance will cover it...hopefully.
Hiking With Henry:
This is my second winter with Henry. Our last dog, Sophie, was a black lab and Great Dane mix and she was cold-blooded. She would shiver in seventy degrees!!! She didn't love being out in the snow and would only go out to potty and then wanted right back in the warmer house. Henry, on the other hand, loves the snow and I've never seen him cold! Even on the coldest days; he seems just as happy as when it's warmer. He just wants to run out in the woods as long as I'll let him!!! The longer he is allowed to run and smell the better! This is another good week of Hiking with Henry!
Dd's Progress This Week:
Church and Bible Study
Grace Co-op Classes:
Science: Anatomy & Physiology (Apologia)
Art: Painting Studio
English/Writing: Analytical Writing for Essay and Research Papers (IEW)
Math: Algebra II (Saxon) with tutor
Read Aloud:
King Lear by William Shakespeare
Audio:
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
SAT Prep:
Khan Academy (free online resource): 1:00 hour
German: DuoLingo: 45 minutes
Physical Exercise:
8:00 hours
Fun Reading:
Kenobi (Star Wars book)
Work:
Dd works at the pizza shop 2-3x each week.
Seth:
Seth:
Dd and Seth celebrated their four-month anniversary this week.
Swirl Dance:
Dd's best-friend, Hailee, goes to our local high school and invited Dd to go to the winter dance with her and some other friends on Saturday night. She has a lot of fun!
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