Recapping March 2019

Falcon Field Trip

What a neat field trip.  We hummed and hawed if it would be worth out time.  It was an hours drive to get to and just to see some birds.  We were all glad we went afterward.  There was a lot to learn about the history of falconry, about the current status of falcons and about the interesting gentleman who ran the soon to be opened 'Falcon Force sanctuary'.  

  

Experimental Lava Cake and Pasta

Miles continued to delight our pallets with tasty morsels.  For his birthday he tried out his new pasta maker and we continued to perfect the chocolate lava cakes.  With enough practice we might make an entire batch that looks and tastes delicious.  

In our ongoing efforts to feed the overwintering birds and entertain ourselves with bird watching, we mourned the wind damaged bird feeder.  Glass lampshades may not have been the best choice for bitter cold winters that stretch on past the spring equinox.

Ozone Action Days

A.K.A.  Bad air quality shuts down field work and keeps Daddy home for days on end... In total he was home for 3 weeks during a 5 week time period.

No shortage of tasks that need to be tackled, it seemed like a good idea to get started, except.... it was still bitter cold winter... and we didn't have any supplies on hand. 

After some contemplation, we determined the highest priority was to get a properly functioning bathroom.  

Problems... 

1. The shower drain froze and water could not drain
2. There was a home in the floor where a previous home dweller had stepped through and patched over with a flimsy piece of linoleum
3. With the frozen shower drain, the tub was the only option left.  It was short and shallow and was difficult to rinse off in for those of us that could fit in it.  
4.  The door opened up to hit the toilet seat

After beginning tear out we discovered a few more problems..

1. The plumbing under the tub was too high to install a new tub/shower combo.  It had to be replumbed
2. There were no places to purchase a new tub in all of the county.  We had to drive 100 miles to buy a tub
3. We racked our minds while at the Home Depot to get any other items that might be needed for he project... new flooring, shower surround, tiles, insulation, plywood and nails.  We arrived home around midnight with supplies, lighter wallets, cold toes and remembered what state our bathroom was in.
4. There were a few minor issues with plumbing fittings that Patrick was able to fix with some creative thinking with what supplies we had on hand and could be found at the local general store.  With the plumbing now in place and fixed, there was some waiting required for things to set and dry.  Meanwhile we used the facilities with ... no floor... and planned to bathe in town at the rec center.  
5. The local rec center boiler broke and they didn't have any hot water.
6. Living without a sub-floor makes you appreciate the simple things in life... like entire floors and usable facilities.   Patrick installed the new tub... six times.  There were lots of tiny setbacks with installation... including a wife who insisted on insulating all around the tub for future hot baths.
7. After 4 days into the project we realized we wouldn't be able to reuse the old faucet fixtures.  Once again we discovered that there weren't plumbing fixtures available locally.. so we ordered what we needed and waited some more for the postal system.  
8. UPS lost our package.  We reordered.  While we waited we installed new lighting... LET THERE BE LIGHT!  wow.. we had no idea we'd been in the dark all this time.  
9. Now a full week after tearing out we had the correct fixtures.  We also had only 24 hours until house guests arrived and were busier than ever with scouts, 3 choir practices each week, play practices 6 nights a week and swimming lessons.  Oh... and Patrick worked a few days... So he worked on the bathroom until the wee hours.  The night he thought he'd be able to complete the installation he had the water turned off and needed to work quickly so that the pipes wouldn't freeze.  But then one small fitting fell through the floor and another became too crimped to be used... and now after 10pm.. nothing was open to get new fittings and the water was off..  An emergency call at midnight to his brother found some fittings and by 3am we had plumbing that worked.  But...
10. The shower surround didn't fit correctly.  He had to rebuild the new end wall of the new tub and move it over.  
11. The flooring went it quickly and nicely.  
12. The new wall in place, the house guests assisted in completing the shower installation ... so we could all use it!

Now we just need the water heater to quit acting up.  We have great hot water... until we don't... Generally a shower requires turning on and off the hot water 3 or 4 times to complete a shower.  Also washing dishes requires a few restarts.. We still haven't figured out why.  

Ozone days that keep Patrick home in the middle of arctic winter without notice are not our favourite... but knowing it could happen, we'll be more prepared in the future. 

The little boys continued to attend their one room school house each week.  They built Rube Goldberg projects, had a survivalist guest demonstration and I began teaching a sign language unit.

Emerson gave a presentation about porcupines, and they learned about pioneer games and tried to identify creatures by footprints and sounds.

I taught a unit about Samoan tapa cloth making in our Art/Geography from around the world.  I only teach once a month.

Retirement center days continued.  Noodle balloon games, story times, puzzles and learning about military service from the veterans.

While out for our Falcon field trip with out county school group, the boys were enamored by these red sheep.  We've been watching a great british program called 'Victorian Farm'.  The little boys have decided being sheep farmers is the thing to be!!  They would have been content to stay and watch these sheep for hours if I hadn't been shivering and beyond ready to head back home.

Back home where it was warm, while watching yet another Victorian Farm episode, they began a lego sheep herd.  

Silver linings... well shimmering icicles. 

These icicles are the real deal!!!  No plug in Christmas lights necessary when mother nature in all her winter fury can create the real deal... 

Now I've taken a photo... melt already!  I'm freezing... icicles will begin to form on my ears and nose soon, I'm sure. 

All the months of rehearsals and extra long hours and driving paid off in a great performance of Singin' in the Rain... First night, Duncan had his 'the show must go on' moment with dizziness, headaches and vomiting just an hour before curtain. Our conclusions were that it was a makeup reaction.  I guess he'll just have to give up on wearing makeup in his future.

For a small town performance, it could compete with much bigger schools.  It was colourful, well coreographed and a lot of fun.  There was even real rain on stage.  The talent was great. Duncan loves performing.

After the performance, the extra visitors, Sebron, Porter and Caleb settled in for a long weekend of fun and good cooking with Miles.

We may have encouraged working for their supper.... and their heat.

They chopped wood for hours and played in the snow and cooked up a storm.

Games, Desserts and more games rounded out the four days.

St. Patrick's Day 'bearly' was recognized. 

The boys school co-op did a March madness book report marathon.  They boys read 56 books together.  I recommended a few of my favourites.  The co-op-director was so impressed she promised a pizza party if the kids could read 300 books by the end of the school year.

We became creative with indoor entertainment as winter settled in even deeper.... 

Some wished hibernation were possible.

We finished our Victorian Farm episodes... some cooking shows.. lots of books and drank 87 cups of cocoa. 

Made up

Dress rehearsal. It was successful.  On the way home he wiped makeup off his face with wipes. We had been home about 20 minutes when I came out of the kitchen  becauseI heard a crashing sound.  Duncan was on the floor.  He seemed disoriented.  "How?"  I asked what happened.  He didnt know.  He stood up and felt light headed and then he was on the floor.  

He was fine the rest of the day. 

Then the first performance for the middle school was today at noon.  It ended at 3.15.  I was across the street at cub scouts from 4-5 so told Duncan to walk over there to have supper and rest before he had to be back for evening checkin at 5.30.  Somewhere between 3.15 and changing out of costume and walking across the street..  he started feeling dizzy and having trouble with his vision.  

I sent him to lie down and drink water.  I found some tylenol and prepped some food. He fell asleep which was good.  But only for 30 minutes.  He woke up and ate but looked awful.....  and not just because of all his stage makeup.  

It was time to head back across the street.  He said he was better and returned to the school.   My plan had been to wait for Patrick to collect little boys from scouts and then go to the school to sit in a quiet room for the long evening ahead.  We have tickets for tomorrow's performance.  

I arrived at the school at 6.15.   45 minutes after Duncan. I decided to check in on him before I settled in for the evening.  As I crossed the auditorium to go to the locker areas I saw the director.  I asked how is Duncan?  He looked confused and replied.  Fine.  Isn't he?  Then the band director from the orchestra pit saw me and called up..  "Duncan is throwing up."

I looked at the director and said.. "and that's why I'm here."

I found Duncan back stage leaning over a garbage can with a dozen 1920s clad girls clucking over him.  "He's shaking".  "He looks pale"  no one looks pale with stage makeup on.   "Did someone feed him nuts"  "get him a cold cloth"  "he needs water"..  there were two cool wet cloths and a glass of water and a chair brought within seconds. 

Boys were all standing further away....  their conversations were as follows...  did he really just hurl?  What did he eat, that stinks.  Who else knows his part?  His mom got here quick.  

After weeks and weeks of practice, we didnt have time to be sick.  With 45 minutes to show time..  we found a quiet, dark room to lie down in.  Pure peppermints.. massaging his head...  some ginger to settle his stomach... we removed as much of the thick makeup as we could without changing his look... more water.. more cool cloths...   another tylenol...  at 10 minutes to showtime he was having trouble standing without feeling dizzy and his head was pounding.. light bothered him. (Stage lights??!)

I left him and headed to the audience.  I recognized a few men from church and approached them.  "We need a blessing back stage."   

7.00 showtime.  Duncan was in the opening scene.  He wasn't as vivacious as he had been in many of the rehearsals but after the evening was over..  friends and family from the audience were shocked to learn he had been sick.   I sat back stage for the entire show.  He looked better and better as it went on.  He rested when he could and sipped water and we kept the cool cloths ready.  The cast were concerned but the show went on.  

Bows and well wishes in the foyer and then changed clothes.  Finally on our way home.  He slept in the back seat.  His head was pounding again.  Finally able to wash his face completely.  He said he felt better with his face clean but all he wanted was dark and to sleep.  

Tomorrow night...  we think we'll forego the heavy makeup.  It's the only thing in common with each problem..   and I also don't do well when wearing heavy makeup in a similar manner.  Hereditary makeup aversions?

Photos taken an hour apart.  

Should have taken one when he was curled up in the backseat on the way home.