Friday updates :-)

 

First, more good news from Sharon on Kim…

January 31, 2014

Posted 1 hour ago

Dr. Baskaya's words yesterday: "Kim, you are a miracle. I saw you when you first came to the hospital and know how severely your brain was injured. You should have died in the accident. You should have died before I could do your surgery. You should not be walking yet. You should not be able to see." Kim's answer: "If I'm doing so good, why can't I be home?" Then he gave her a motivational speech: "Don't give up now when you have come so far. You need to be at Clearview so you progress farther and faster than you would at home. When I see you in 2 months, I will see even more healing results."

At her appointment, a "drain test" was done. I and the staff at Clearview have been concerned with the amount of tissues she goes through because she is constantly wiping her nose. This could be a sign that she is leaking CSF (brain fluid). Dr. Baskaya did a simple test. Kim held her head down for 5 minutes. No drainage showed that fluid was not leaking and the brain surgery was successful. We were very happy with that diagnosis!

I was hoping Dr. Baskaya would be able to start taking Kim off the anti-seizure medication she is on as it has side effects that she continues to struggle with - depression and lack of appetite. But, due to the severity of her brain injuries, she has to stay on the medication for another 2 months. At her next appointment with him, she will have a brain scan and EEG to see if she is past the danger of seizures. Then he will gradually wean her off that medication.

She is eating better than she was but is still losing weight. At yesterday's appointment she was under 98 pounds. The tube feedings may have to start again if we can't get more calories in her. Her taste is starting to return and the ever-present threat of tube feedings will hopefully be enough to get her to eat more. She will be coming home for the weekend again, so I will make all her favorites and add all the fattening calories I can.

We give all glory to God for what He has done in Kim's life. We have no doubt God has something special planned for her.

 

2.   No pizza tonight due to circumstances beyond my control… and compliance with my husband’s leadership :-)

 

3.  One of my current projects…

A new cookbook for our kitchen.  Which also had room for our collection of “international” dishes --  since the youth group meal is usually in January, that works for me instead of spread out in every other cookbook binder.

I’m also working on a book for my standard bridal shower gift.  Which is usually just a reprint of ones I’ve been doing for the past ten?! years or more.  Well, this week I’ve decided a cookbook called Family Favorites should really contain our *current* favorites instead of what I chose oh-so-many years ago plus all sorts of additions.  The shower is in two weeks, so I must keep this on my Priority List!  Wouldn’t want to cause a world crisis.  {eyes roll}

 

4.  But since I’m not cooking supper today, I shall make a test batch of these miniature cinnamon rolls – which are on the menu for yet another bridal shower in just four weeks!

Can I get a “YUM!”?  “Cinnabon clone” recipe linked HERE.

daybook 1/27/2014

 

For today, Monday, January 27, 2014

Outside my window... sundogs.  (A few hours ago at sunrise.)  Yes, it is COLD again.  Yesterday morning we had a brief taste of spring with 40F.  Followed by a blizzard warning for the afternoon/evening with potential for 50mph wind.  We were thankful to stay at home last night.   According to AccuWeather, it is currently –4F with a Real Feel of –36F.  But the wind is calming down gradually, and the sun is shining…  Local public schools had a two-hour delay while others are closed.

{At actual time of posting, it has warmed up to –1F with Real Feel of –26F!}

Hearing... not much.  The dryer has stopped, so I should be pulling the laundry out while it’s still warm, eh?

<ba-bing> Tim just texted to suggest I listen to Jan, so now I’m hearing the top-of-the-hour update on news and weather.. and commercials of course.   That’s why I prefer podcasts.

Aha, a conversation about the “First Church of the Wooden Spoon” – or teaching children to participate quietly in the worship services.  :-)

Pondering... making a beginning with tax return information.  Naaaah.

Praying...

Denise has round two of chemo, this time in pill form.  She was not feeling well this weekend, but still made it out for church yesterday. 

A young couple Gina & Peter who grieve the loss of their newborn son (stillborn) – while trusting in God’s perfect will.   Life on this earth is so hard!

Conny just shared with me that a professor/pastor out at Ambassador had a heart attack yesterday [Daniel says it was early this morning] and is in ICU. 

At last report Tim’s niece Kim is doing well at her new rehab center, where she moved to on Wednesday.  She ate well enough that they gave permission for her to spend the weekend at home. 

Victoria and Anahi, young girls in Mexico who received our gift bags at Christmas via the Lockwoods

Daniel, Abby & Kate ~ busy!

Thankful... that God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think!  Ephes 3:20

Creating... Charlotte’s blanket is ready to deliver.  I think her big brother will like the goodies pictured on it.

Going... out tonight for another bridal shower planning meeting.  Trying to think positive about how much nicer the weather will be as the wind chill diminishes this evening.  Yeah, right.

Reading... To the Golden Shore by Courtney Anderson.

         

Last week I read a book Kate gave me for Christmas – More Precious than Gold by John & Brenda Vaughn.

Thinking my ‘troubles’ are not so difficult after all.

Looking forward to... springtime.

In the kitchen... Pierogis are a lot of work.  But not quite so frustrating when you use an abundance of flour.  Really glad I reduced the batch of dough!

     

   

Sorry, no pics of his finished product – but you can see that the Cattleman also helped with dishes!

The Cowgirl made “Italian Butterball Cookies” – tasty!

    

In the learning rooms... We finished reading Chapter 5: “The Development and Growth of the Colonies” from Carson’s Basic History of the US series, concluding with The Great Awakening of the 1730s.

Around the house... gerbera daisies have been blooming :-)

The Mother Load... Bake snickerdoodles for Saturday {dough is shaped and frozen}; commit to helping serve on Saturday {or just show up?}; continue the flannel blanket production; mending; plan menu; sort the give-away piles to select items for particular friends {Load and haul it ALL away… Yes, same piles have been accumulating since last fall.  Crazy.}

Noticing that... it is rather freeing to just. throw. something. unwanted. away.

Something fun to share... Are you familiar with the Erskine family?  They offer a weekly email newsletter with online freebies especially for home schooling families.  Click here to subscribe.  If/when you are signed up, you can download this week’s huge freebie: THE HOMESCHOOLER'S TIME MANAGEMENT TOOLKIT

A favorite quote for today...

Pleasant words are as an honeycomb,

sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Proverbs 16:24

Always makes me think of Jodi & her Naomi <3

One of my favorite things... chickadees {and Abby’s artwork}

A few plans for the rest of the week... pressing on into February!

A peek into my world... Tim recently finished a Christmas gift for me too ~  More shelves for the china cabinet ~ Hurrah!

      

~.~.~.~.~

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

what's up with "common core"?

Watch this video to hear David Barton explain...

how to reduce inflammation

 

Many people take stock of their physical health when we begin a new year.  And often resolve to take better care of themselves.  So here are some of the ideas I’ve considered when making my own self-improvement plans.

I don’t remember the exact source where I found these lists… Aha!  found it: the conscious life. 

 

   

To reduce or avoid inflammation, here are some of the recommended DOs and DON’Ts as far as diet.

 

DO eat:

1. kelp
2. turmeric, ginger root
3. wild salmon, flax seed, walnuts
4. shiitake mushrooms
5. green tea
6. papaya, pineapple
7. blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, strawberries, raspberries
8. extra-virgin olive oil, avocados
9. broccoli, cauliflower
10. sweet potatoes, spinach

 

AVOID:

1. sugar
2. poly-unsaturated fats, hydrogenated fats
3. nightshade family – tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, bell peppers
4. grains
5. obvious junk “food”  ;-)

 

And there’s more of course, but I can’t bring myself to list milk and meat :-)  But if you know me well enough, you know I do prefer the non-GMO, unpasteurized, grass-fed good stuff!

Since adding some new supplements like EFAs {from Healthy for Life} and turmeric - and reducing grains especially – I think I’ve made progress in some of my own issues with inflammation.   I’m still far from a “trim healthy mama” but there’s hope!  And Dr. Weil even includes dark chocolate on his food pyramid :D

daybook 1/21/2014

 

Abby’s amaryllis last winter ~ it’s alive but not blooming this year.

 

For today, Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Outside my window... sunshine, a light dusting of yesterday’s snow, and FRIGID air. 

At 8:30am it was –7F with a ‘real feel’ of –19. 

Forecast high of +7F with less wind.

Hearing... girls were visiting with dogs in the garage – it’s quiet now except for a dehumidifier

Pondering... I haven’t introduce y’all to Liberty yet {so much to catch up on here!}

                           

The Cowgirl and the Popper requested a puppy for Christmas.  And Tim thought it was a good idea for Luci to have a young friend.  They do get along pretty well… now. :-)

Praying... much for Denise – radiation twice a day this week. 

for Kim & family and the financial paperwork and timing and  – for God to provide all that’s needed for moving Kim into a brain injury rehab center.

for Kate, Abby, Daniel in week 3 of this semester

for Daniel’s cyber forum friend Hubert in France who has agreed to read through the Gospel of John with Daniel

Thankful... for a great report on Kim’s 24-hour home visit this weekend – their dog’s enthusiastic welcome and constant care of Kim was a great encouragement.  Who says diamonds are a girl’s best friend?

Creating... waiting for the Mama to choose which flannel combo she likes, then sewing up a girly blanket for little Charlotte

    

Afternoon EDIT:  the Mama likes them all… SO, help me out, friends, please!  Which would YOU choose for lil’ Charlotte?

 

Last week’s blanket for a baby boy shower gift:  fun!

 

Going... to bundle up for a trip to the bank today!

Reading... Proverbs

Tim has been reading aloud from William Bradford’s Of Plymouth Plantation.  The kids do a good job remembering who is who – “Don’t be a Lyford!”

Looking forward to... finding frames for yet another wall

 

In the kitchen...

the Cowgirl made our supper Friday night – and dessert – coffee mallow pie!

  

  

This week’s menu:  maid-rites, Madison Co. chicken, beef stew, burritos, pizza

Saturday night is the youth’s international missions meal – the Cowgirl has chosen Italian butter ball cookies {or something like that – they sound a lot like pecan sandies made with walnuts instead}  The Cattleman chose pierogis.

In the learning rooms... a study in the books of Joshua, Judges, Ruth and more  for Bible class this semester.

Around the house...  we gave the Popper this picture of the calves in a barn board frame for their room – goes nicely with her sister’s Cowgirl sign

And the Cowgirl asked for a cubby shelf, so Tim made one for her!

     

It wasn’t much of a secret, but she didn’t seem to mind that.

The Mother Load... Once again I have conquered the ironing!  Hurrah!!!  However, much dirty laundry awaits…

Noticing that... facebook is consuming waaaay too much of my time again! :p

Something fun to share...

hand-written chalk art by Sarah

A favorite quote for today...

Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:

That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

One of my favorite things...

Daniel’s lately-delivered birthday card from his siblings :D

 

A few plans for the rest of the week...

Tonight – caucus?

Wednesday – church

Thursday – piano, groceries, etc

Friday – Tim and at least a couple kids are attending workshops at Practical Farmers of Iowa conference

Saturday – youth international missions meal

Sunday – pizza with Pastor for the Popper and the Cattleman

A peek into my world... Here it is with the chalk art added

~.~.~.~.~

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

daybook 1/15/2014

 

Just do it.

When you do stuff, stuff gets done.

Ready, set, go!  I am jumping back into the blog with a mid-week daybook!

 

{Sunday’s sunrise}

For today, Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Outside my window... much of the snow has melted with the recent warmer weather and sunshine.  But winter is not over yet.  Hardly.

Today’s forecast from Accuweather:

Hi 30°   RealFeel® 13°   Precipitation 59%

Mostly cloudy and windy with a snow shower

{wind currently at 21mph with gusts of 32mph.  seems calm compared to 50mph gusts.}

But I rejoice too soon?  Here’s the “High Wind Watch” for tomorrow.  And yes, Thursday afternoon would be our scheduled piano lessons and grocery shopping.

WINDS WILL INCREASE ONCE AGAIN BY MID MORNING THURSDAY. THE STRONGEST WINDS SHOULD OCCUR DURING THE AFTERNOON HOURS.

NORTHWEST WINDS OF 30 TO 40 MPH THURSDAY...WITH GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 55 MPH POSSIBLE.

Hearing... the Popper was just singing a verse from the Messiah

Pondering... Will the bread dough rise faster than I can finish this post?

Praying...

• for Denise in her first week of chemo/radiation.  I wish I could do more.
• for Tim’s niece Kim {and family} as she continues to make good progress and might soon be moving on to yet another rehab facility.
• for Kate, Abby & Daniel, back in the thick of a new semester at college.

Thankful... for generous family members.  My brother was gracious to taxi Daniel and me to the airport since Tim was headed to Wisc with the girls at the same time.  Meanwhile my dad was shopping airfare for Daniel’s graduation and our return trip to Iowa in May.  Blessings abundant!

Creating... order of this mess:

Yes, it is often something equally exciting that keeps me from blog posts~ ha ha

Going... to shape the risen bread dough and start the next batch while the Cattleman does a bit of online research…

Reading... Proverbs again.  Always good. 

I am also working through the new “Christmas books” with a few bunny trails along the way.  Last week I re-read the first two books in the Men of Grit series by John Horn before beginning the third, so I could refresh my memory of the characters.  My kids still love the books, but I was less enthusiastic this time around – espec when I got into the third.  Oh well.  So, you’re curious what I’m talking about?  Conny, I’m sure Andrew would enjoy them – one reviewer compares them to Henty’s books.  :-)  Here’s a link, but they are currently out of print due to the apparent end of Vision Forum Publishing. {and a second link if you prefer to shop with a family-run, God-honoring small business}

Looking forward to... finishing with 2013 financial accounting.  Hopefully with a week or five off before I must face the tax returns!

In the kitchen... second batch of bread rising in the bowl while first batch is in the oven.   Leftovers are a popular menu item. 

January 1 – Brunch with local extended family: egg casserole, sweet roll twist, muffins.  {warmed up grilled turkey tenderloins for more extended family passing through in the afternoon} Pizza and lotsa munchies for supper with friends here.

2 – taco soup           3 – ?             4 – ?            5 – LO taco soup           6 – LO pizza

7 – LO roast beef           8 – turkey packets           9 – spaghetti           10 – turkey taquitos

11 – pizza           12 – taco rice casserole          13 – LO taco rice           14 – ham potato casserole

15- LO smorgasbord            16 – LO or broccoli soup                17 – pizza

Need I mention the leftover Christmas goodies we are still feasting on?!  cookies, chocolates, egg nog, …

In the learning rooms... someone just stubbed a toe?  “Ow, ow, ow!”  while the Popper laughs at the entertaining Mr. Howe {a beka academy dvd}.  Let’s see, what else?   the Cowgirl has read about the periodic table in Chem 101.  The Cattleman continues his research on William Bradford.  The Popper has had a couple chapters on astronomy in science – I’ve been eager for her to become friends with my favorite Orion!

Around the house... slowly but surely putting away “Christmas”

The Mother Load... I made myself a new list as the only things not scratched off on the old one were

• ironing {Does this surprise anyone?}
• accounting
• blanket for Charlotte

Noticing that... even the Popper is growing up on us!  She will be 12 in just a couple months!  How can that be?

Something fun to share... Kate’s project that kept us girls up until 2am the night before she and Abby had to return to school.  Especially fun was that I found a pretty stamp on an envelope from a family Kate met in Prague – perfect!  The stamp I chose for my necklace came from 1992 – from our wedding invitations! :-)

             

What took the most time was deciding what to use.  Do you want to know how to make one?

A favorite quote for today... {for Denise especially}

Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.

I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.

Psalm 61:1-4

 

One {several} of my favorite things...

Colorful new tools for our kitchen!  Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

A few plans for the rest of the week...

today – bake bread, sew flannel blankets?

tomorrow – piano, groceries, Hobby Lobby, library… 

tomorrow eve – meeting to plan shower for my nephew’s bride-to-be

soon – finish 2013 accounting

A peek into my world...

New collage wall has another item to add… as soon as I buy another frame!

~.~.~.~.~

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

spam I am

 

Laughter is good. And sometimes cyber spam is just too funny not to share with someone.  You are the lucky winner(s).  Here’s today’s email:

 

Subject:

Belmonte introduced a daring and revolutionary style, in which he stayed within a few inches of the bull throughout the fight.

Message:

Christian association and denomination in eastern Kentucky.

Despite this, they go straight to the attack.

Other sources of funding are event sponsorships, annual donations, wind power referral fees and interest income. He also has a slight potassium deficiency.

 

{emphasis added}

 

Now back to your regular program…

Or, for something to remove the aftertaste of this pretend meat, click here to read something both helpful and funny:

“Thoughts from a Potty Break”