happy homemaker monday 6/30/2014

 

Happy 36th Anniversary to Mark & Cathy!

{and 40 years since their first date!}

As I look outside my window::: potentially nasty weather in those clouds but so far most of it has gone north of us.  Just a little rain here so far today {after a loud and bright thunderstorm about 4:30am}
 
Right now I am::: still working on menu plans for the next several weeks

Thinking and pondering::: Remembering I was going to go directly to the post office this morning and mail off some Cold Care tea bags to my girl who is sick this week {and 300+ miles away from home}

On my bedside table:::   besides the dust?  a chocolate bar from one of the girls a while back {I don’t remember the occasion now} and books, books, books.  Started reading Frozen in Time yesterday, another historical account from Mitchell Zuckoff.  This one is about planes that crashed in Greenland 70 years ago. 

Listening to:::   an episode of Rin Tin Tin I think – the Cowgirl has been sick for the past few days, so the dvd player has been a steady source of distraction.  Abby & I stopped in at the library on Friday and brought home several dvds – Ozzie & Harriet, Courageous, Jane Eyre/Emma, and Floppy {a local tv production I watched growing up}  That got her started with movies, sooo out came our own Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Incredible Creatures that Defy Evolution, Rin Tin Tin.. and more?  She is feeling better today – and her siblings are also distracted –>I think it’s time to wean her off of these ‘meds,’ don’t you?

On the menu for this week::   chicken taquitos; beef roast; BBQ beef {with leftover roast}; ____?____; grilled brats, hot dogs & burgers for the 4th; pizza

On my to do list:::  I conquered most of the ironing on Saturday – yay me!   I really ought to make that quick run to the post office before lunch.  Contact insurance agent about both auto and home coverage.

Happening this week:::  Life on the farm, which includes more vet visits for the cows’ AI breeding.  Celebrating the 4th of July.

What I am creating {created & consumed}:::  probably our one-and-only homegrown strawberry pie for this year.  It was delicious.

 

My simple pleasure:::   having fun dolling up a recipe book for a young bride

Looking around the house:::  three kids are still watching Rin Tin Tin.  It’s a bit dark without lights on – indicative of the weather going on today.

From the camera:::  making Friday night’s pizza with our visiting chefs

 

Prayer List:::  Denise’s doctor has decided to stop her current treatment regimen as it has been too hard on the rest of her body.  Praying for relief from pain and continued faith in our great God.

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:  Phil 1:6

Bible verse, Devotional:::

from a Nancy Leigh de Moss email:

• If I have a discontented heart, there is nothing, no circumstance that can make me happy. 
• If I’m not content with what I have, I’ll never be content with what I want.
• Happiness is not the fruit of my circumstances.
• Contentment is a choice. It can be learned.

 

 

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Find more ‘happy homemakers’ at Sandra’s blog – here!

daybook?! 6/26/14

 

June is still Dairy Month, right?  Please meet the long-departed Schnoodles:

 

 

For today

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Outside my window... the Cowgirl is picking strawberries

Hearing... not much besides the fridge motor.  Rising bread dough doesn’t say much.

Pondering... God’s anointing {Read Pastor Schmidt’s blog post here} ~ as well as a quote from Elisabeth Elliot {see below}

Praying... for Denise – last night’s update was that she had a fever so might need hospitalization.  Good report last week included shrinking tumors, but the harsh chemo & radiation treatments are really hurting her everywhere.  She still offers us all a challenge by her continued trust in God’s faithfulness.

for Jill’s dad – hospitalized with blood clots in his lungs.  She was thankful to see improvement by last evening.

for Kate at camp – five more weeks to learn, grow, and serve!

for Kim – it’s her 19th birthday tomorrow!

for daily wisdom

Thankful... for cancelled jury duty this week ;-)  Instead we are delivering meals-on-wheels for a few days, which is much more fun I’m sure.

for testimonies from teens who traveled to Omaha – espec one who learned that serving God is FUN, and another who admitted her anger with God over trials in her family’s lives but is now purposing to TRUST God.

for encouragement from others who see God’s grace at work in our children’s lives.

Creating... another wedding gift – basics along with recipe book and framed verse that will hopefully appeal to the bride’s tastes.

Going... to be a little late for meals-on-wheels I’m afraid :o  but I’ve got bread in the oven and no one else at home to wait for the timer.

Reading... as a former Francophile, I enjoyed a little series by Sandra Byrd “French Twist” – first title is Let Them Eat Cake … so a little French dialogue and a lot of baking = fun for me!

Another book recommended – Lost in Shangri-La by Mitchell Zuckoff – turned out to be quite interesting!  Amazing true survival and rescue story with a bit of humor thrown in.

What I’m supposed to be (re)reading with a friend:  Choosing Gratitude by Nancy Leigh DeMoss – I did pick it up again for a few minutes yesterday, and I’m thinking on it most days!

Looking forward to... a brief interlude in August when we might have all of the kids at home for a week!

In the kitchen... It has been an impressive week, if I say so myself.  {obviously}

Saturday – grilled pizza     Sunday – lasagna        Monday – grilled chicken fajitas {oh la la!}    

Tuesday – smoked turkey panini with homemade baguettes     Wednesday was to be ham/potato casserole, but I served roasted potatoes, reheated spiral ham, and optional gravy – separate since we ran out of prep time before church.  Tonight – tacos {which means I should get some meat out of the freezer…}

In the learning rooms... the Popper is still whittling away at US geography, here a little, there a little; the Cowgirl needs to finish geometry …one of these weeks.

Around the house... outside:  too many thistles.  Inside: I captured lots of dust bunnies yesterday with the vac.  ‘Hebrew’ costumes are now laundered and boxed and ready to store at church.

The Mother Load... Must clean kitchen cupboards.  Must deal with ironing backlog!  Must sit and watch Pollyanna with the Popper soon.  And play Agricola or something with everyone else.

Noticing that... God is so amazingly gracious.  Every day.

Something fun to share... our “Hebrew’'” children {not Wilderness Whiners}

   

A favorite quote for today...

"Wouldn’t our children learn godliness if they saw in us the example of contentment instead of complaint, acceptance instead of rebellion, and peace instead of frustration?" ~Elisabeth Elliot

One of my favorite things... grilled pizza!

A few plans for the rest of the week... One more day of delivering meals-on-wheels, babysitting for the E family also tomorrow.

A peek into my world...

 

Might not look like much yet, but that’s our first cattle/hay shed which was delivered here Monday… well, the makings thereof!

 

 

~.~.~.~.~

Giving credit where credit is due:

While I am not linking up with anyone, you could read more weekly news posts at other blogs by following any of these links:

• Peggy at the Simple Woman’s Daybook

• Julie for adapting this daybook version as her own ‘Grasshopper Days’ ~ Perhaps I could call it the GHV Daybook. :)

• You can also find a similar weekly meme in Happy Homemaker Monday at Sandra’s

~.~.~.~.~

Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord,

that thou fulfil it. Colossians 4:17

7 months update on Kim

 

June 19, 2014, 7 Months

Posted 14 hours ago

Kim's therapy progress meeting on June 12 was very positive.

Speech - Emily was encouraged with how far Kim has come since January and says Kim is making huge steps now. Kim no longer has a "this is all pointless and stupid" attitude and instead is challenging herself to do more and go farther with assignments and activities than Emily expects from her. She is more willing to try new tasks and is self-motivated to do them well. She still needs some guidance with structuring her free time to finish assignments on her own. She needs things written down as reminders but she isn't very organized with her notes - she has sticky notes all over the place. She continues to need cuing to retrieve information from her memory. Emily is working on strategies to help her process information faster.
Emily is also focusing on Kim's social awareness - how she interacts with others and how fast she talks. The group speech therapy sessions have been switched to just 2 participants. They record each other performing tasks so each can see what others see, and then evaluate themselves. Kim still tends to react with too much excitement to many things.

Occupational - Amy continues to work with Kim on slowing down, following directions without skipping steps, higher math skills (simple algebra), and computer skills. She has started to work on multitasking activities during the cooking sessions - baking something while doing another activity and still remembering to watch what is in the oven. Amy says Kim is hard on herself when self-evaluating and needs the therapists to give her confidence in her tasks.

Physical - With the nice weather, Barb has been doing some sessions outside. She is working on awareness in the community such as crossing a street safely, and finding her way back to CBIC from the library or post office. Her coordination and balance are at normal levels, so Barb is focusing on endurance, leg strength, and Kim's struggle with fatigue.

Vocational - Jay is having a hard time finding a vet clinic that has the time and staff to allow Kim to job shadow or volunteer. She has qualified for state vocational rehabilitation services which will also work with Kim in this area. We, as family, try to take her to the animal shelter when she has a free hour. She spends time with the cats as the dogs that are there are usually too aggressive for the staff to allow Kim to work with them.
Kim mentions going back to work often and feels she can do everything she did before her accident. She doesn't have a good grasp of her limitations. The consensus of the therapists is that she will need a less hectic and stressful job than her McDonald's job. She does very well in the CBIC gift shop and suggested that type of job would be better for helping her transition back to work when she is able.

All the therapists report Kim is exceptionally considerate of others and say she has a caring, nurturing, people-oriented personality. She makes sure everyone in group sessions is included and tries to make others feel good about themselves by encouraging and complimenting them.

Her left eye continues to improve. It is opening more and tracking left/right better. There still is not much up/down movement. Occasionally, when she has both eyes open, she says she does not have double vision. She had a peripheral vision test done and was told that aspect of her vision is normal. Her right eye is still completely dilated and the pupil is not centered, but the sun doesn't seem to bother her too much. Her eyes have slowly been healing. Seven months ago we didn't know if she would have any vision, so the continued progress is a blessing we give thanks for often.

At Monday's orthodontist appointment, we were told everything concerning her teeth looks good and no further appointments are needed. She was told her recovery is nothing short of miraculous.

Kim's weight has been staying steady - not really gaining, but not losing either. She is eating bigger portions and is having additional snacks so hopefully we will see a change soon. Other than saying Kim has a very high metabolism rate, CBIC's doctor doesn't have an answer to why she isn't gaining weight with the amount of food she is eating. A nutritionist will be working with Kim once a week to see if she has any suggestions to help with the weight issue.

There is no set discharge date yet. As long as Kim is showing progress she can stay, although her case manager said sometimes those at Kim's level of ability are abruptly given a release date by those who manage medical assistance. We will need a plan in place to keep her meaningfully challenged and occupied when she is home permanently. She will continue therapy, but on an out-patient basis through Meriter Hospital.

There will be many challenges ahead, but God has brought us this far and we know we can trust Him to continue to be with us through Kim's healing journey.

hitting the wall {Crazy continued…}

 

Saturday, May 31 I opted to stay at home.  All day.  It was good, but there were also good things I could have gone out to do.  One was an opportunity to see a friend who is struggling mightily in her cancer battle.  I am glad there were others more informed about the event who were also able to attend and be an encouragement to Denise.

 

June 1 & 2 we had more graduation open houses to attend.   I also worked on the third photo book for the Cattleman.

 

Tuesday June 3, after finishing and ordering the shutterfly book and getting my hair cut, I went shopping with my kids who were traveling to Omaha… The youth missions trip this year would be involved in a different VBS program that requires them to dress up as the children of Israel (youth pastor would represent Moses!) So they all needed fabric for costumes.  We only bought fabric for the Cattleman since the girls were holding out for cheaper options that they also liked.  We made it home in time to pick up Daniel and hurry to the voting booth for the primary elections.  Abby’s first time to vote – after she registered.  Daniel was along to also register so that he can vote in November.

 

Wednesday I baked rolls for Saturday’s baby shower and delivered them to church that night {good thing as you’ll see}.   While in town shopping for more costume options at the local consignment and thrift shops, we found a stockpile of donated fabrics that looked like they could be made into Hebrew robes {okay, very pretend – but also very cheap!}

But now we have volunteered to sew costumes for most of the 17 people going on the trip!  :o

 

  

Thursday I sewed the flannel blanket for my shower gift.  And found a complication of a hole in the fabric – found after I had already put the blanket together.  Bah.  Now what?  After consulting with a friend I decided to hand applique a patch.  Which I finished while attending dental appointments with the Cowgirl & Cattleman.  But the day’s quirks weren’t over yet.  The kids decided to whip up some no-bake cookies for dessert… which led to opening a new bag of sugar… {cue ominous music } and our discovery of an invasion of the most unwelcome sort.  Several buckets and bags of sugar, flour and oats were sent outside to the trash or for the cattle to consume.  At midnight Abby was still washing out our storage bins.  And I resolved not to buy sugar at Sam’s Club again. :p 

It also must have been Thursday that we met again with our QSI salesman and ordered the materials for a pole shed!  This summer’s Big Project --- and the stuff might arrive as soon as next week!

 

Thankfully Friday was my {procrastinated} grocery trip for the week – in time to restock the basic ingredients for baking a cake for Sunday!  The Popper woke up with a very sore throat and a low-grade fever, so she was left at home with the Cattleman to watch over her.  Good for her because the day turned out to be a Marathon Shopping Adventure.  Ugh.  Something like six hours to make about 12 stops – but three of those were for groceries.  Along with sneaky birthday shopping.  And the final stop was at Hickory Park for strawberry shakes to reward our laborious day.  I only ate half of mine because my throat was already feeling sore {cue more ominous music}.  When we got home the healthy girls made the pizzas for supper and cleaned up the kitchen.  I could only sit and wish for sleep.

 

So yes, Saturday morning I took my own temp and found I also had a low-grade fever.  Yuck.  I slept on and off all day when not parked in a chair with a book.  I missed the baby shower at church.  And my nephew’s hometown wedding reception for which lots of relatives were in town.

 

Sunday morning my fever was gone, but the Popper & I stayed home from church {Sunday school}.  Tim and the other kids came home early because we had a family brunch to attend where we planned to surprise my folks and celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary {finally}.  Part of that would be a family photo shoot of my siblings with my folks.  I thought maybe I could just show up for that, but Tim encouraged me to go along for the whole party.  It was good to see several relatives from out of state.  And my parents seemed quite pleased with the turn of events. :D

Sunday evening I again stayed home from church, but the rest of the family prepared to sing for special music.

  

 

Monday, June 9 – I was probably still washing and ironing fabric for costumes.  In the afternoon we finally started cutting and sewing.  I borrowed my mom’s machine, so that we had at least two machines available here.  I did cook up a pot of turkey-barley soup for supper {that the Popper and I were wishing for Saturday night when we missed out on the reception food.}

 

Tuesday, Jill and her machine joined the party to sew her son’s costume {from some very difficult fabric}.  Abby is on the couch checking her Costume To Do List.  The Popper and Jill’s daughter were having a blast playing together all day.

  

Tuesday night the Popper cooked supper – tacos/nachos buffet.    Early mornings, late nights, no naps, and my throat is feeling worse instead of better.  What is up with this crud?  And why did I think eating raw almonds was a good idea?

Some of the robes and tunics we spent a little more time on with details… For example this is for Moses {aka Pastor Brown} – tassels are so fun!

  

 

Wednesday it was more of the same.  Jessica arrived in the afternoon with her machine to sew her own tunic – yay!  Abby modified the strict T-tunic pattern  into a nice tunica for the girls with flared skirt so that she could wear hers long and still move.  {fyi, a gray flat twin sheet from Walmart is only $5 – and provides plenty of fabric for this lovely gown.  ha ha}

  

Wednesday night the Cattleman served up quesadillas for a quick supper before church.  I declared there would be NO sewing after church, so we all went to bed ‘early.’

 

Thursday morning we were again working on costumes and adjustments.  I did order the sewing mess to be removed from the living area by 4pm so that we could be ready for a birthday party for the Cowgirl.  The Cowgirl baked and decorated her own cake, and Abby made the pizzas.  I spent the afternoon in Ames again for groceries and other errands.  When I came home I chose to put together a project I had bought supplies for –even though it wasn’t part of our costuming job.  Check this out…

Tim’s sister found the silhouette in the attic and sent it home with us in May.  I found paper at Hobby Lobby to remount it on – and used the frame I bought last year.  Now I just need to get it up on a wall!  {Tim is not very eager or excited about this project.  Go figure.}

  

 

  

  

Oh yes, before we got started with costumes I added this cute ruffle to a second-hand skirt for the Cowgirl.

And before we all went to bed, we sweet-talked Tim into hanging new photos in the birthday girl’s room.  {the horse picture is borrowed from online, but the cows pictured are the girls’ very own Kitti & Hallelujah}

  

 

Deep breath, keep T-Tapping, take a nap, repeat:  One day at a time, and remember: God’s grace is sufficient.

 

Friday, June 13 – the Cowgirl’s actual birthday.  We had pancakes and egg nog for breakfast. {At Christmas the Cowgirl requested I put some egg nog in the freezer to save for her birthday – seems to have worked just fine!  And there are two more quarts still in the freezer.}  Packing and laundry.  Still trying to finish with costumes.  A last minute hair cut appointment for the Cattleman.  And a ‘quick’ trip to US Cellular for a new phone for Abby.  Cleaning the girls’ rooms and bathroom in preparation for overnight guests.  Lunches to pack.  And we were late out the door to meet the group headed for Omaha!  Tim & Daniel later went to the church league softball game. 

Saturday – Our bed & breakfast guests arrived about 1:37am I think Christy’s text said.  We heard a baby crying about 2am.  My fever had reappeared so I had already told Christy they should let themselves in and find their beds in the basement.   Not a problem.  We had a good visit over breakfast before they all headed on down the road again.  And I happily took a nap after they left, thank you.  Tim & Daniel had a busy day hauling the fresh round hay bales home.  Daniel took my place for our late afternoon job of supervising inflatables with other church volunteers.  The Popper and I sold two of the kittens that Abby had posted on craigslist earlier in the week.

Sunday – Father’s Day.  I stayed home and took a nap.  I had beef ribs in the crock pot, so I added sweet potatoes, green beans, and cole slaw to the table – and it was a worthy meal.  With another round of leftover birthday cake for dessert.  Meanwhile I’m thankful for a good supply of Chobani yogurt in the fridge.

Monday, June 16 – TODAY – Here we are!  with a very abbreviated daybook entry to finish off this post:

Today we’ve sold two more kittens, picked strawberries, and visited the dentist again {the Popper & Daniel}.  I’ve scheduled a doctor appointment for my still-swollen glands – and priced wisdom teeth surgery for Daniel. :-(  He is not going to like that idea at all.

For the rest of the week:  Overnight party for the Popper at a friend’s house.  Bake bread for my brother.  Ignore current 40%off sale at shutterfly?  Cook a few meals {tonight is haystack per the Popper’s wish}.  Two more dates with craigslist kitten buyer & sewing machine seller – yay!  I might get a ‘new’ sewing machine!  More softball for the guys on Friday {ought to order a new glove for Daniel – he’s a lefty}  The travelers return home on Saturday.  Sunday evening we have a fellowship after church.  Monday eve I need to call whatever phone number to learn if I have to show up for jury selection Tuesday morning.  Oh yes, it’s a wonderful crazy life!

Praying for our kids in Omaha, for Kate at camp, and for Denise in week two of even more aggressive chemo & radiation treatments. 

Praying much.  And giving thanks for God’s grace in all of this and more.

 

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

overload {or the short walk to Crazy}

 

 

How to summarize life’s happenings here for the past several weeks?  Well, in a word:

Crazy. 

“Mom, have we ever had such a crazy May?”  I just smiled.  {‘May Daze’ anyone?}

I did manage a post last month about our trip to NC for Daniel’s graduation {here}, but I think I left out the fact that I also managed to lose one of Tim’s favorite ties on that trip.  So sad. {One of my favorites too}  Really I should have looked for a worthy replacement for Father’s Day, but that didn’t get beyond the kids looking online at Amazon.

I’m sure other delightful tidbits are missed, but here’s what else I can glean from the calendar and camera…

Saturday, May 10th the Popper {or perhaps we should call her ‘M the Brave’} went with the youth group to our local theme park Adventureland.  Yes, with the youth group from church.  She will be in 7th grade next school year, so she has entered the illustrious CrossRoads Youth Group.  Yikes but we are getting old here!

Mother’s Day happened.  I went to church without Tim because he was sick.  And we un-invited my mom & dad from dinner at our house.  Tim had me buy some rib eye steaks in lieu of flowers this year, which he did grill to delicious perfection.

The columbine and  lilacs bloomed.

  

May 14th Kate arrived HOME with Tim’s brother & crew {with whom we had a quick visit over lunch before they continued on their way}.  Abby stayed on in Wisc for 2 weeks of summer school.

May 16th we attended my nephew Max’s outdoor wedding ceremony and reception – with temps in the 50s but thankfully no rain showers.  Brrr.

May 17 – graduation open house.  May 18 – birthday party for another nephew’s son.  Tim thought Connor should have a copy of The Biggest Bear.

I delivered 10 pots of flowers to the cemetery in my folks’ behalf.  We baked cakes for Kate to decorate for a reception for yet another nephew & his bride on the 22nd.

  

  

Friday, May 23 we had our first summer bonfire out in the pasture.

  

  

 

Saturday we cooked pizza on the grill for the first time ever.  Oh my.  Why did I not agree to this sooner??  Yum.

  

The Popper and the Cowgirl began flute lessons with our ‘adopted’ dd Lora.  The Popper has also started mowing the lawn {and weeds}.

On Memorial Day we listened to a dramatic account of the bombing of Ft. McHenry and the writing of the Star-Spangled Banner.

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto:  "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Tuesday, May 27, the boys brought the flowers home from the cemetery before we traveled to Wisconsin and enjoyed dinner out at Napoli’s with Tim’s mom & sisters.  Wednesday we moved Kate into a room at Camp Joy where she is working/volunteering this summer and brought Abby HOME with us.

  

  

 

And the month concluded with a piano recital on May 30!

  

 

But the craziness ain’t over yet.  The first half of June will have to wait for another post!