Rain Again

It was another rainy day here in my part of Michigan. I did manage a walk and only managed to get a little bit wet. When I first woke up I thought it was going to rain non-stop, but when I looked at the radar there seemed to be a bit of a gap in the rainfall, so I went for a walk then and was almost done when it started to rain. I was wearing my raincoat, so I only got a little bit damp. 

I got a few things done in the house during the afternoon, as well as a bit of sorting and a bit of listing. There was no meeting tonight as it got cancelled, very last minute. I would have rather got it done so I didn't have to do it next week when things are rather busy. Oh well. At the beginning of the week, I'd made a list of social media I wanted to get done for Asylum Lake and I'm glad to say that I'm on track! I think it really helps the community to see what's going on. 

The rain seems to have stopped for at least Friday - more on Saturday maybe sigh, but it will be good to go for a walk without wondering if I'll be getting wet. I have to drop off some bits at the post office then I'll be home to do the usual Friday things. I can't believe we're halfway done with the month and at the end of another week! I definitely haven't got as much done this week as I had planned on. The days seem to have flown by. I certainly think it hasn't helped that I dropped off writing the daily lists on Wednesday and today. They certainly seem to make me feel more productive. 

All this rain is making things more flowery on my walk! I'm pretty sure if April Showers Bring May Flowers that Michigan will be covered with flowers next month!

A little plug here but if you are on Facebook I did finally start a photography page over there. I post on it a bit more than I do on my photography blog lol 

Sharon Koole - A Woman with a Camera

Wednesday

Yah! I did manage to get out for a walk today. I didn't go at my usual time, as it was pouring down. I waited a bit, watched the radar and weather conditions and managed to get out for a bit of one between showers. It was quite peaceful. Lots of puddles. The water level is really high. It's high everywhere. We are under a flood watch - for low areas - due to so much rain!

I got a haircut, well just a trim and it's rather fluffy now due to the humidity. I'll probably have to straighten it. I don't do it often, but when it's like this it's just a mess. I stopped at all the places I need to stop at so tomorrow I won't have to go anywhere - might have to do the Post Office Friday or Saturday as I've sold a couple more things. 

It's supposed to rain AGAIN all day tomorrow so it will be another hit-or-miss for walking. Thankfully, Friday seems to be a dry day so if I can't go tomorrow, I'll leave more time on Friday to have a meander perhaps with my friend and then by myself. I have an Asylum Lake meeting tomorrow - second one in a month - but we ran out of time at the last meeting and still have things to discuss. It is taking up more time than I thought would be required. I do the social media too. I enjoy that part of it, but I'm not a fan of the interacting with other people. I am planning on continuing with the board meetings at least until husband retires, then I'll have a rethink. Unless, before that time, someone else comes along that wants to join the board (there is a limit to the amount of people on the board). There's been quite a bit of turnover even in the two and a half years I've been on the board, and I know there are older members who are looking to 'retire' when others can be recruited. 

Plans tomorrow - I do have to do the decluttering. I keep saying that. I'm just struggling with tiredness right now. It seems that, in this menopause journey, there are nights when I can't sleep at all, nights where I really want to sleep but keep waking up and times when all I want to do is sleep! I'm in a cycle of the last two at this time. I really feel like I could sleep a long time in the afternoon and then stay up half the night! Unfortunately, it's not an option as the other members of the household have to sleep 'normal' hours. I don't want to disturb their sleep. 

This and That

It's not been a bad start to the week. I haven't been as productive as I had hoped, but there's still a few days left! Yesterday, I participated in my small group for my camera club. I do so hate talking to people, get very anxious, but I'm determined to do more of it and it went okay. I did talk and share a couple of photos. I am going to keep doing it. I think things will get easier the more times I participate. It is nice to hear what the others in the group have been up to and get inspired by their photography. 

I have been for a walk both days, but today I got rained out first thing today, so went a bit later on. I was glad I went back as the toads (I think they are toads) were out in full force, singing and playing. It was all rather fun. I could hear them making lots of noise and almost (yikes!) stepped on a couple of them. Thankfully, I looked down before I took another step. 

The next few days look to be wet. Hopefully, there will be enough of a break that I can get out for a walk, otherwise I'll concentrate on getting some house things done. I do have a hair appointment tomorrow and I have to go to the post office so those will be combined. I think I should probably stop by the shops and pick up a few bits while I'm out doing that. 

The days seem to go by so quickly! We are halfway through April, and I realise that I haven't done a lot of decluttering yet, so that is definitely on the list for the next few days. As the weather gets better and we get busier I know the decluttering will suffer so I have to make sure to make it a point to sort a little something each day. There are a couple of areas in the house that needed to be revisited on a regular basis, those little places that we tend to just put stuff 'for now' and never seems to get moved! Do you have spots like that in your house? 

I am pleased with how the main areas of the house are looking. They aren't minimalistic - I won't ever be that I don't think - but they are looking a lot tidier. If only the same could be said for the craft room!

The beautiful sunshine after the rain. 

Sunday - and Thanks!

Thank you for all the comments yesterday. I can feel a bit of the ache still today but it's nowhere near as bad as yesterday. I think the headache was resulting from a bunch of factors. I had been out for a walk and then had a volunteer thing that was very social (I'm not). I didn't take water with me so no drink, and I didn't have breakfast, and I had to do a lot of interacting with people and I think all of it combined just gave me a headache. It was the kind that I don't get often, but when I do nothing seems to help - I just have to go to bed and sleep it off.  Needless to say, I was not productive yesterday, but I did do the volunteer thing, and I won't feel so guilty about being away for the big volunteer event at the beginning of next month. 

Today, for our Sunday Adventure, we had been thinking about going to a favourite nature park further away from us but with the rising petrol/gas prices and entrance fee, we decided not to go and opted for somewhere closer that was free. Well, it's not free but we pay $15 a year for a pass that gives us entrance to 103 State Parks of which we visit quite a few of throughout the year - a bargain, I think! I'm a little sad not to go, but I can't justify spending the money when we are going to visit daughter in a couple of weeks which we're really looking forward to. I feel we really have to choose our activities a lot more carefully when prices are high. 

We did have a lovely walk. There were a few Spring flowers about. The Trillium was just starting to bloom. In a few weeks they will carpet the woodland floor. 

There were also quite a few Dutchman's Britches around too

There were lots of birds singing as we walked through the woods too. It was quite lovely. Surprisingly, it wasn't that busy. Our weather was summer-like today! The high was 80f/27C!!! Can you believe it? And lovely sunshine. The temperatures are dropping a bit tomorrow and then maybe several days of showers. At least today was lovely!

How was your weekend? 

Ugh

I was going to post, read blogs and reply to comments today, but I've got a bad headache and think I'm going to have an early night. It's the kind of headache I can only get rid of with sleep. 

I'll be sure to catch-up tomorrow!

Last Couple Days

The week started pretty chilly. It was hard to get out in the morning and go for a walk. I'm really struggling on the cold days. I'm tired of wrapping up in the heavy winter coat, gloves and handwarmers. It was chilly again this morning but did actually warm up. The next few days will be warmer but rain! Can we not have a nice mild day without the rain? 

There was at least a lovely sunrise this morning to see while I was decked out in my cold winter gear. 

And some weird winter light. The first photo is taken in one direction; I turned 180 and took the second photo. There was weird light as the sun was coming over the horizon. 

Not much else going on. My life has been pretty uneventful. That's good in one way.

I did attend an online photography session with my online camera club. I didn't speak, but it was nice to attend and interesting. They always give me food for thought. 

I've been doing a little of this and a little of that, sorting, listing, cleaning, crafting. I'm feeling more than a little restless. Not quite sure why. I suppose it might just be a case of the winter-hasn't-turned-to-spring-yet-blues. At least that's what I'm thinking lol. I keep telling myself that warmer weather is just around the corner. Hoping I'm right! 

Tomorrow and Friday look like rain. I was going to have two days to walk by myself and it looks like I probably won't be able to walk. I've got my alarm on, and I'll wake and look at the weather forecast. Sometimes they are completely wrong, and it doesn't rain at all!

Hope your week is going well.

Sunday

It was chilly Sunday morning. We had made plans to go out to the metropark, but as it's a bit of a drive, we would have had to get up early and neither one of us could be bothered. It's getting harder to have the energy to go out places when it's still really chilly! I had looked up some parks we were interested in visiting so we ended up going there to take a walk. Hemlock Crossing. It was quite lovely. The trail we took was along the river. I expect it will be really beautiful when there are things growing. It was still quite bare. We've made a note to perhaps go back there again. There were several trails there. Some people around, but not too busy so it was nice. There were plenty of benches to sit on by the river just to listen to the birds. 

A few phone photos. 

It's the start of a new week and time to get some things done. I made a list today and checked off everything, meals are planned and food shop done. I'm really trying not to spend a lot of money this week. I need to do better and not buy impulse things. 

If the weather warms up this week, I want to get out and clean up the rest of the front porch. I'm really pleased with what I've got done as it is mostly clear, but there are just a few more things to take care of before the winter plastic is taken off the screens ready for warmer weather. It's my project for the week. It will be nice to sit out there in the cooler evenings in summer and read a book or something. 

What are your projects for the week? 

Friday/Saturday

On Friday I did manage a walk. It wasn't the greatest weather, but I did see quite a few things - Beavers, Egrets (unusual for Asylum Lake), a juvenile Bald Eagle, a Mink, a Possum, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (just love that name!) and a Brown Creeper (wish these were called Tree Creepers as they are in England). I knew on Saturday it was supposed to rain so I thought I'd have a good walk on Friday in case I couldn't get one in on Saturday. 

I didn't get a lot done around the house on Friday. I ended up chatting with Baby A twice. She was home from daycare and daughter was off work so we chatted for a couple of hours in the afternoon and once later in the evening (for another hour or so). She's so funny how she takes me around with her and can set me up. She's only 2 so it's amazing she can work the phone so well lol. I'll just add, that she doesn't get much screen time in the way of watching videos or television - they are quite strict about that. Perhaps I'm her entertainment lol. 

After our first video chat, as I was getting ready to message with sister I noticed that we were without power! 

Confession time (and I must admit that I feel a little stupid) - after chatting with Baby A and before messaging sister, I read for a little while and then decided to turn on the tv for background noise while messaging sister. I tried the remote and it didn't work. I thought it was the batteries. Looked for some more. Couldn't find any. Decided to try to see if another remote had batteries in it, changed said batteries and remote still didn't work. Decided to order some batteries from Amazon. Picked up computer, saw charge was low and plugged it in, went to go on website for Amazon and saw there was no internet. IT DAWNED ON ME THEN! I went into bedroom, looked at electric clock - no power. 

Slapping my head. Silly me! 

Messaged with sister - we're back at the usual five hours between us now that the UK clocks have changed. 

Three hours later power still not on. Isn't it funny how you try light switches and such automatically? The power finally did come on a little after six and we all breathed a sigh of relief. Not sure what had happened as there was no inclement weather at all. 

I did chat again with Baby A. She's so funny. 

Saturday, it rained all day. No walk. We went to the Amish store and got some nice cheese and a few goodies. In the afternoon I chatted a long time with Baby A, did a bit of crafting and sorting and some moving things around. The day went by really quickly! 

Rainy day

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Hope you are having an enjoyable weekend. Happy Easter for those who celebrate tomorrow. 

March Declutter Totals

It's April! Hopefully the weather will even out a bit. It's been a funny ol' day today. It started with barely above freezing temperatures and this afternoon/evening the tornado sirens went off three times!!! It's been a rollercoaster of weather lately. Usually, in April things even out a little bit. I am certainly looking forward to seeing a bit more colour around in nature. 

On to the decluttering. I meant to post these yesterday, but I had an Asylum Lake meeting, and it went on a bit. By the time I got home I was too tired. 

The total actually turned out - not deliberately - to be the same as January and February. 80 items. There were two large bags and two boxes of things that husband took off to the charity shop yesterday. 

Books 17

Magazines 12

Clothes 2

Misc. 38

Crafting 11

I struggled a bit, but things are leaving. Progress is progress. I'll be continuing on this month. How is your decluttering coming along? 

Photo - some flowers I dried out. I'm going to try taking some camera photos with them. These were the flowers I got to remind me of Mum on English Mother's Day

End of March

Another month done and dusted. I was looking back at some photos I took, at the beginning of the month there was still quite a bit of ice on Lake Michigan, but it was beginning to break up. Now it is all gone and the sands are starting to be smoothed back out ready for the tourist season which will begin again in earnest in May. 

I am glad of some days of warmer weather, though the ups and downs are driving me a little bit crazy! Today people were wearing shorts (it wasn't quite that warm IMO). I did break out a t-shirt in the house today and it was nice not to have the heating on. Hopefully, next month the temperatures will even out a little bit. 

Moods this month have been up and down, winter has seemed so long, but the end is in sight now. Next month will include a visit to see Baby A - so excited and counting down the weeks. House stuff - semi-productive. I'll have decluttering totals tomorrow. I'm still plodding along!

Speaking of plodding along. I am still continuing with my Phone Photos - Things That Make Me Smile 2026 (photo every day). These are the collages for the month

It definitely helps my mood when I'm looking for something to make me smile for the day :)

How was your month?