March 15-21, 2020 Lock Down and Flu, Bunny, Andy Stanley, Sequence

March 15-21, 2020 

Lock Down and Flu, Bunny, Andy Stanley, Sequence

This post is out of sequence; I somehow never hit 'post' and it fell out of line....

  

Hello, Friends!

What a difference one week can make in the history of the world.  On Sunday, for the first time I decided to stop going to our church service in person and watch it online at home.  We attend a 'packed' church; so many people all jammed together and that has been worrying me.  



Covid-19 Denied Testing:
Dh went to work on Monday, but he didn't look or feel good.  By Tuesday he was very sick with the flu, as was I.  On Wednesday he called the Michigan Health Dept. and they had a doctor call him back, a few hours later, to review his symptoms, as we were afraid we may have contracted Covid-19.  Because he didn't have a high fever (actually our temp's had been 95 most of the weekend) or hadn't been in contact with a 'confirmed case' he didn't qualify to get tested.  So, we spent most of the week very fatigued on the sofa.  We really just did the bare essentials this week.

Grocery Store:

My last visit to the grocery store was on March 9th.  I hear things have really changed at the grocery stores since I last went!  I guess there are lines in the morning to get into the stores and then lines to check out and there are lots of empty shelves.  For once, it paid for me to be proactive and shopped before most people determined this virus was a real threat.  I don't know how long I can go or how I will plan my next shop, but I'm going to go as infrequently as possible.  I made it through this week without grocery shopping.



Church:
I was too sick to go to my Bible Studies this week; honestly, I was too sick to even do any of the lessons.  I'll have to catch up next week.  I'm not sure, but I believe the classes were canceled due to Covid-19.  Both my classes are going to move to Zoom, so we can have our classes as a group together online.  I'm so glad there is Zoom; I'd never heard of it before but it will really save the day!  

Tractor Supply:

The ONLY place I went to this week was a five-minute rush in to grab four bags of chicken feed at our local Tractor Supply store.  There was only one other customer and I was in and out in minutes.  I was very careful not to touch anything but my feed bags and sanitized as soon as I got in the car and then again at home with soap and water.  I wish I could have done this errand last week, but I kept putting it off as I couldn't determine if this would be a store that could be closed or not.  I hope Tractor Supply is deemed 'essential' but I finally decided it would be smart to go ahead and buy the chicken feed now and not have to worry about whether the store closes or not.

Chickens:

Ack. My white chicken, Bunny, died on Thursday.  The miles I've gone through with this specific hen is crazy.  She was the bottom tier in the pecking order and struggled all last winter.  I've hand-feed her more than any other chicken as she continued to be the chicken that was most prone to get sick.  This was at least her second time getting pneumonia and I had her isolated in her own small cage in the coop with her friends for the past few weeks.  I'd been cooking her scrambled eggs to add to all sorts of other goodies every day.  But, this week she finally died after a roller coaster of days getting better followed by days getting worse, I just had no way of knowing her outcome until her last day.  I will really miss my special, Bunny and her way of just being a special girl.  The rest of the hens are doing fine and at this point there aren't any other sick chickens.  I'm hoping the three chickens I lost over the past six months will be the end of the winter illnesses.  I'm glad spring is finally getting here and the chickens' health will improve.



Andy Stanley:
Dh and I have been enjoying watching the pastor, Andy Stanley, on YouTube; his "90" series.  We have really been getting a lot from this series and recommend it highly.



Face Time: Heather:
This week my friend, Heather, and I Face Timed! We became friends when I lived near Indianapolis, Indiana.  The hardest part for me moving to Michigan was losing contact with Heather.  It took me years to find a friend that was similar to me--sensitive, artistic, Christian, and a deep nature lover.  It is was great getting to catch-up with her!  We are going to try to catch-up more often, maybe make it a once a week thing?  That would be awesome!!  



Sequence:
We are loving playing Sequence on the dining room table lately.  It is so great having Dh home!!  



Hiking with Henry:
I'm so thankful for another week getting to hike in the woods with Henry.  I'm really hoping I'll find time to hike with Henry during the summer, unlike last year when I got too busy.  I really benefit from Forest Bathing with Henry; but "Hiking with Henry" sounds better than "Forest Bathing!" I just deeply love looking at the trees, especially the view staring straight up and seeing the sky through the branches, especially when the branches are bare and have no leaves to block the view.  I've been posting some pictures of Henry on Instagram: tracyruth9





Dd's Progress For The Week:



Bible and Devotions:
Dd went to church with Seth again this week.  



Grace Co-Op Classes:
Science: Anatomy and Physiology (Apologia)



Art: Painting Studio



Writing/English: Analytical Writing for Essays and Research Papers (IEW) 



Math: Algebra II (Saxon) with a tutor



Foreign Language: German with DuoLingo (5 sessions)



SAT Prep: Khan Academy : 1:30 hours (3 sessions)



Drawing at home: 5 sessions at 20 min each



Physical Education: 4:00 hrs (YMCA with Hailee)



Read Aloud:
To The Lighthouse by Virginia Woolfe



Work: Dd is still enjoying working at the pizza shop

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

April 12-18, 2020 Easter, Virtual Doctor Appt, Nurtec, Snow, Birthday Non-Party

April 12-18, 2020 

Virtual Doctor Appt, Nurtec, Snow, Birthday Non-Party

Hello Friends!

It feels like Michigan went back to winter after having a few nice days this month.  We've been having cold and snowy weather once again.  I hope you all had a nice Easter, we watched our church service online once again.  It really didn't feel like Easter here, but I did plan ahead and bought Dh, Dd, and myself lots of chocolates for the occasion... maybe too many sweets actually!  

18th Birthday:

Dd turned 18 this week.  I don't even know what to say about how I feel about this!!!  Such a mix of happy and sad feelings I have as my child hits adulthood without my consent! Ha!  I'm simply not done yet!  I struggled with what to get her for her birthday and finally came out and asked her what she wanted.  She had quite a few ideas---watches, boots, new phone, and a very practical Instant Pot (pressure cooker/crockpot...).  I picked the Instant Pot!  I also bought her a Pork Butt to cook in it; which she had also asked for specifically as she got good at making pulled pork at the pizza shop and wanted to make some at home.  I also had been collecting Star Wars t-shirts over the past few months.  

Virtual Doctor Appt.:

On Monday I had my first virtual doctor's appointment with my migraine specialist.  In the past 16 days I'd had 13 days of a migraine or headache!  This appointment had been scheduled months ago and the timing worked out well since I had been really, really struggling the past few weeks.

  

Nurtec:

She offered a new medication to try called Nurtec as another acute medication that works with Maxalt on the migraine days.  I don't take it except if I have a migraine and it is supposed to help take away the immediate migraine.  It was really odd having an appointment online, but I really found it to be so much quicker and easier than my normal 45-50 minute drive each way to the building, walking up the three flights of stairs and waiting and checking in with various people each step of the way.  This saved me around three hours!  Plus, having to decompress after going through all the hoops.  By the end of the week I had filled the prescription and tried out the new med.  It did help with the pain!  I still felt 'off,' but it did help as I was having an extra painful migraine and it erased the pain part of the migraine.  

Heather's watercolor for Dd

Prednisone:

She also gave me a prescription for Prednisone for when I am having cluster migraines.  It is supposed to stop those day-after-day episodes that I often get.  I am hesitant to take it though--I've had to take Predisone once before and I was unable to sleep well the whole time I was on it.  But, she was thoughtful enough to suggest I fill the prescription and keep it in my medicine cabinet to have on-hand for my next cluster.  I thought that was such a good idea as when I have a migraine I never want to call and ask for help.  

Dh Work:

Dh did get to work from home on Tuesday and Wednesday.  One machine broke down and it took two days to get the part made and replaced.  Unfortunately, that meant he had to work on Saturday as they had to catch up.  

Bible Studies: BSF (Bible Study Fellowship):

I didn't hear from my BSF group last week so I thought they had disbanded, but then this week they sent out a text that they were going to meet on Zoom, but I decided to just do the last three lessons on my own.

Ada/Thrive Bible Study:

Monday night we once again held our class on Zoom.  We have really enjoyed our last lesson.  We finished our second book and completed the two workbooks.  Next week we will do a "recap" and discuss our thoughts on the series.  

An Unexplainable Life, Acts 1-12

The Unexplainable Church, Acts 13-28

both are written by Erica Wiggenhorn.

Chickens:

Last week I noticed a red hen not eating and hunkering down under the ramp...all suspicious behavior for a chicken.  Chickens are really good at trying to hide themselves and any weaknesses like being sick.  I made her scrambled eggs and she would act like she was eating, but drop each piece out of her mouth after pecking it.  So, it *looked*like she was eating (and healthy) but she was sick.  She quickly went downhill and I had to put her in isolation.  She still wouldn't eat.  She had pneumonia and was miserable.  At the end of the week, she died.  I sure hope the pneumonia germs haven't spread to any more chickens; I've lost three chickens now.  I've been cleaning the coop twice a week to keep things extra clean and tidy to keep the germs down. 

Bone Broth:

With all the cold and snowy weather and migraines I started a batch of ham bone broth.  I slow-cooked it for three days and then made an awesome soup---lots of carrots and celery, quinoa, and a can of chicken meat.  It turned out so tasty!!!  Unfortunately, I am the only one in the house that loves bone broth soups. 

Friday Night:

Seth came over and we watched Star Wars Episode III together.   

Garden:

I'm not sure which day, but I got some of my spring planting done.  I have planted a bit easier this year--mostly one bed per item instead of combining things.  So I have one kale, one lettuce, two spinach, and a mix of 1/2 lettuce and 1/2 spinach.  I'm hoping for luck as I wasn't planning on so much cold and snow!!



Read Aloud:
Dd and I are enjoying our latest RA; Nemesis by Agatha Christie! 

 

Dd's Progress This Week:

With the continuing 'lock-down' Dd continues to have her classes online here at home.  

Bible and Devotions:
Our church has the sermons live on-air on Sunday and noon prayer services each day.

Grace Co-Op Classes:
Writing: Analytical Writing for Essays and Research Papers (IEW) 

Science: Anatomy and Physiology (Apologia) (4 hrs)

Art: Drawing at home

Foreign Language: German through DuoLingo (4 sessions)



Physical Exercise: 9:00 hours this week



Math: Algebra II (Saxon) with tutor



Literature: RA: Nemesis by Agatha Christie
...................

Dear Mamma

Dear Mamma,
    I opened up the laptop today and your blog was up. Looking at it made me realize how much time, love, patience, and care you have taken all these years writing this blog and raising me. As we near the end of my education and I start new things I want to tell you how much I appreciate what you have done and sacrificed for me all this time. I know I wasn't the easiest child or teen but you instilled in me how to work hard and how to love unconditionally no matter what. You are a role model for me as a Christian and as an independent woman. The life lessons you have taught me over the years have given me an understanding of the world beyond my years and will help guide me as I enter into adulthood. I hope to always be able to look to you for guidance and love whenever I need it.
    You have taught what it really means to be loving to others and how to put their needs first, even though I think you need to put yourself first more sometimes. I realize now that you have spent not only my life, but also your life putting me first. I wish that there was some way I could repay you for the 18 years you have spent solely on helping me grow but know that while I'm not the best at showing it, I truly appreciate the time and care you put into helping me become who I am. I hope I have made you proud and can continue to make you proud in being the Christian woman you want me to be. You are an incredible woman and a loving mother and God couldn't have blessed me with a better person to raise me. I love you so very much!
    Your Puddin' Pop

April 5-11, 2020 Palm Sunday, Migraines, Hiking with Henry, Clothes on Line

April 5-11, 2020 

Palm Sunday, Migraines, Hiking with Henry, Clothes on Line

Henry smiling!

Hello Friends!

My migraine cluster continued this week, wrapping up after 13 days of it.  Some days were not as bad and I could muddle through for longer.  



Clothes on the Line!
The weather warmed up enough on Saturday that I was able to put my first load of laundry on the line to dry!  It was nice having a few warm days!  It was just one load, but it is a good start for the year.

You can see the massive evergreen bushes on the hill on the outside of our fence.  They were enormous, but now they have been totally pruned!  They are about 1/6 the size they were before our pruning job.

Evergreen Bushes:

You can see all the empty dirt in front of the bush---there used to be masses of limbs going all the way around the base.

We have these two massive evergreen bushes on a hill that I see when I'm washing dishes.  It has needed to be pruned since before we moved it, this week I worked on it twice and really pruned it back enormously.  Dd helped me for over an hour one time!  She did most of the chainsawing!  

The bush on the left, seen above, didn't get as much pruning as the other side did!

She had been a little hesitant to do much chainsawing but my electric chainsaw really feels good to her.  She suggested I buy her one! Ha!  

Can you see the black circle on the ground where I burned the evergreen limbs?

Then I started a little fire and burned some of the branches before running out of time.  The bushes now look a bit like Bonsai trees!  I'm not sure if that is a good thing or not!  It was nice working side by side with my daughter again.  She has been doing her lessons during the day and then having dinner with her boyfriend, Seth.

Garden:

I still pecked at my gardens this week; nothing major but picking off the straw from flowers and dead plants in the garden...just little bits here and there.

I raked and pulled out all the straw I had heaped onto my flower gardens in the fall.  It was nice to see things already coming up.

The woods are still pretty bare

Dh back to Work:
Dh had to go into his work this week.  He is worried about COVID19 and being an older man with health issues would cause anyone to be concerned...even healthy young people fall to it.



Hiking With Henry: 
Another week of hiking with Henry!  This week I was the one that got bit by a tick!  I had an itch on my back asked Dd to scratch it, she lifted my shirt and saw the tick!  Yikes!!!

Dd progress this Week:

Bible / Church:
 Dd has been going to Seth's to watch the streaming service with him.  Devotions independently.



Math: Algebra II
Dd FaceTimes her teacher now.



Foreign Language: German
DuoLingo - 2 short lessons



Writing/IEW Analytical and Research Papers:
Meeting online with her teacher



Science: 
Anatomy & Physiology (Apologia): online



Physical Education:
6 1/2 hours this week--lots of yardwork

The Daffodils are finally blooming!

Reader:
Dd is supposed to be reading Pride and Prejudice but decided to start a new book this week-- The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle



Read Aloud:
Nemesis by Agatha Christie
I am SO excited to be reading Agatha out loud to Dd!  She is one of my favorites!!!  It is a pleasure to read!!  Dd is liking this much more than Virginia Woolf.
.....