Farm Life This Week and a Health Update

 This week has been a week to play catch up after being sick most of the week last week and spending my anniversary in the immediate care instead of in Ohio with my husband as he has planned. More on that in just a few. Farm chores can be in many forms, and I want to share more of what things we do on a daily basis here, so I plan to try to start doing a weekly Friday review of our week. 

Now, for the health update that I know many readers have been waiting for. Sunday, Jan. 11, I woke as usual around 4 a.m. and noticed that my neck was itching along my collar bone. I put some cortisone cream on it and decided to try to get a bit more sleep since I knew my husband did not plan to rise as early that day. After sleeping a couple more hours, I decided that I would get up and start my day with my Bible study and a cup of coffee, as well as try to catch up on some emails and blogs that I wanted to read. I noticed that the itching was a little worse and that I was broke out on my chest (where a V neck shirt would be open at). I still was thinking that for some reason, my pajama shirt must have caused an irritation to my skin. 

By 9 a.m., the itching was not as bad, but the rash was getting worse that I had noticed on my chest. My husband looked at my back and said that I looked like I had been shot with buckshot all over it. We also noticed some spots on my stomach. I took a Benadryl and started breakfast so we could eat and leave for the day as we were planning to go to Ohio to do some shopping and celebrate our anniversary with a nice dinner and short-day trip. By the time breakfast was over, I looked as though scalding hot water had been poured all over my back and torso. My husband was worried and thought that I should go to immediate care. 

The doctor there said that she believed it was an allergic reaction to something, but my husband and I had already thought about whether anything had changed, or we had eaten anything new and the answer was no. However, she thought it might be a reaction to a virus and recommended that I have a steroid shot as it would work the fastest and help the most. I agreed and left to come home. Already mad at myself because my husband never plans anything and he had plans and I had messed them up. Within an hour of being home, I was asleep and slept most of the rest of the day and was feeling nauseous if I was awake. We attributed that to the shot as I am known to not handle steroids well. 

Sick most of the day, Monday and Tuesday I really was worried about how I would handle the rest of my week.  On Wednesday the rash was spreading to my legs and my face, so I made an appointment with the nurse practitioner at the doctors' office to see what she thought. She felt it was a drug reaction, but no new medicines had been taken, so that was ruled out. Another steroid shot, 5 days of Prednisone, and 2 allergy pills were prescribed as well as some cream to help with the bit of itching that would occur occasionally. Needless to say, everything was irritating to me as that is what steroids do to me. By Friday, I was beginning to feel a bit more normal and the rash was finally clearing. 

This week is better and now I can talk about the farm chores I have accomplished this week. Most of the week, I have been inside as my husband and daughter have handled the outside chores since we truly have no idea as to what was going on with me. Being inside most of the day, gave me time to watch the canning videos I had missed and plan what I will do next. I believe raspberry jelly or jam is next on my list since I found raspberries on sale. 

The week began with a bit of kitchen prep work since I had not really accomplished anything the week before. Celery needed to be cut for snacks or lunches and chopped for stews, soups, etc. 

Treats for the chickens. Any time they can have fresh veggie scraps it is a huge treat for them. 

Found these reusable silicone muffin cups in my mother-in-law's house and this was my first time using them. I LOVE THEM!!!!! I don't think I will ever use the paper ones again. 

Cranberry muffins for on-the-go breakfast and snacks for the grands. They are tasty!

French toast sticks for on the go breakfast as well as snacks. Even dinner if Miss H does not like what we are having for dinner. 

Finding some printable stationary to write to my pen pals on. I was looking for winter scenes, but not Christmas. I thought these rabbits were so cute. What do you think?

Some daily planning as well. February is around the corner, and I like to have things worked out ahead of time, especially for the social media items that I do and my blog. 

Also, made some chili for the freezer and a tuna casserole for dinner. I am planning a few more meals soon and I hope to prep more this weekend. I am sure there will be cookies and some more muffins made as well. I am teaching Miss H to make Jello, pudding, and other snacks that are easy for kids. 

Indoor farm chores always seem to include foods as I am thinking about firing my canner up again and doing quite a bit of things for us. I hope that you are staying busy in this cold. Of course, chickens and other animals have to be fed and watered daily, but my daughter and husband have been doing most of it. Thankfully!

Have a blessed day!