Off to Wisconsin

I am writing this just before we are getting ready to leave to meet up with Baby A and the family. I can't wait! We are meeting up in Madison, Wisconsin. It's about a four-and-a-half-hour drive, a little bit more for daughter.  I am looking forward to giving Baby A a great big hug. I hope she does okay during the car drive. The other day when they had to drive somewhere for a while she did not like being in her car seat and cried all the way home until she fell asleep five minutes from home!

I'm taking my camera with me and my Kindle but not a lot else. On our down time I plan to just relax and read. I'm not sure I will check in again until Sunday as I want to spend as much time as I can with the family. I won't be seeing them again until September, which seems such a long time away in terms of a growing baby, but will be here soon enough!

I hope everyone has a great weekend. 

More puddles and rain yesterday! Hopefully, no rain in the forecast :)

Tuesday

Well, I managed to get through the day. I was certainly glad when it was over. That day in particular brings up all sorts of memories. I won't go on about them as I prefer not to try to think of them. I did remember some of the good times we had on our holidays, the places we went and the laughs we had. Those are the memories I try to think of. I had a nice walk by myself, a good think about Mum, even talked to her (though it isn't the first time). 

Today was back to my usual walk. It was quite peaceful. I saw my friend for a bit and we had a little chat. I got some housey things done. I have been up in my craft room again, but, as seems usual right now, it was a lot of moving one thing from one place to another. I'm planning on going back up there again tomorrow. Maybe soon some crafting will be done soon. 

On Thursday, we are planning to meet with daughter, son-in-law and Baby A in Madison Wisconsin. We are driving MIL and FIL and are staying in a hotel for three nights. It's easier than either of us making the full journey and MIL and FIL will get to meet Baby A. I am SO excited. Baby A is growing so much. She can sit by herself now, though daughter says she falls down once in a while when she's tired. She is also trying food! The faces she pulls are really funny. It will be nice to hug and hold her for a while. Something good to look forward to!

A few phone photos from my mindful walk on Monday

 Today marks three days since Mum passed away. I've had a few ups and downs over the last few days. I'm trying to remember the good and not think about anything else. I miss her. 

My sister went to Mum's bench today and put some flowers down from me and her. I'll go visit the bench when I go visit my sister next month. 

That Darn Squirrel

I'm being polite in the title to this post. I have a few other not-so-polite names for that little red squirrel in the garden. I've spent far too much time on it this week. There are a lot of squirrels in our garden, all varieties including other little red squirrels, but it's just this one that has a sweet tooth and really wants that grape jelly/jam and if it can't get hold of that it wants something else up the poles unavailable to critters on the ground. 

When I first put the baffle up it was confused. When it couldn't access the jelly/jam it went for something else. On another pole feeder it figured out a way to jump from just below the baffle up to the container where it could hang on and eat its contents. I then moved it up higher so it couldn't do that. Problem solved, right? Nope. It then decided the suet up the next pole would be worth going for. It went up onto the bird bath and jumped onto the suet. Sigh. I moved the bird bath. Problem solved. Nope. It then decided to go back to the jelly/jam. It decided the best course of action would be to climb up onto a planter (quite a way away) and try to jump from the planter to the jelly/jam. Darn Squirrel managed to do it too! I then tugged and pulled and managed to turn the planter a bit. Hope that's problem solved. At least it has been for today. I'm sure that darn squirrel has gone away to contemplate its next move. My imagination has this playing like a cartoon in my head, sort of like Peter Rabbit and Mr McGregor. Sigh. 

I had a pleasant walk this morning. It was a lovely day, not too cold, not too hot. My sort of Goldilocks day lol. I didn't go anywhere after my walk. I came home, did a bit of house stuff and even went into the craft room for a bit. I didn't get a lot done, more shuffling one thing from one pile to another. At least it was comfortable enough to get up there! In the afternoon I chatted with my sister. It was a nice sort of day. 

The weekend should be relaxing too. We won't be going far. Husband had to go away for work this past week. It involved a drive of over 700 miles, sleep one night, work the next day, sleep and drive back another 700 miles! Next week, on Thursday, we are going with MIL & FIL (so they can meet the baby) to meet up halfway with daughter, SIL and baby A (another 300 mile journey). A lot of driving for husband. It's also his birthday on Sunday so I'm gifting him a day off taking me anywhere lol. 

That Darn Squirrel up on top of one of the feeder poles. 

Mid-Week - On the Hamster Wheel of Life

The title says it all, sometimes I feel as though I'm on a hamster wheel and not really getting anywhere. 

I'm not really done that much about the house. Usual household stuff. I've popped a few things into the charity box, but I've not really been productive. I've been struggling with the heat and humidity. It's supposed to break tonight. Here's hoping. 

I've been battling with a little red (American) a pain in the bum  squirrel. He's been climbing up the pole and eating all the grape jelly/jam that is for the Baltimore Orioles. He is the only squirrel that does this. The rest of them leave it alone. He must have a sweet tooth. Yesterday I spent far too much time trying to keep him off it. I finally ended up putting it on another pole that had a squirrel baffle on it (not my photo picture below)

I had to take down another feeder to do that and the birds were not happy. I ended up getting another baffle and returned the Oriole Feeder to its rightful place. Me 1, Squirrel 0

I'm so easily amused lol

Lovely sunrise walk this morning. 

I was all set up to write a post yesterday and I only remembered once I was in bed! Can't believe I forgot. of course, now I can't remember what I was going to write about. Well, maybe it was just a moan about the heat and humidity and the bitey flies that are making an appearance. Sigh. I'm actually not going to do any (more) moaning about that for now. 

Yesterday, we didn't go out. I didn't go far at all. It was rather dreary first thing but as soon as the drizzle stopped, I went out for a walk at a place not too far away. It was lovely and quiet. It was a rather nice walk before it got too hot. I like walking there as, at this time of year, there are some lovely wildflowers growing. I took some pics with my camera and a few with my phone. I'd really like to label a few of them and maybe make a photo book. I have wildflower books, but to be honest, sometimes I can't tell what the flower is from their photos! 

Admittedly, my phone photos aren't the greatest, but I'm hoping the camera pics come out a bit better

The top one is Bergamot, the next two are Coneflowers and the next is Milkweed. I love Milkweed. The lifecycle of the plant is just amazing. I might have to do a post on just that!

The bottom photo is one of the ponds that I walked around. The place I walked is Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery. 

The pic below is what made me smile for the day. As you walk in they do have a notice that tells you the coyotes are just decoys. Makes me wonder whether anyone reported them thinking they were real! It made me laugh that this swan was not at all bothered by the 'predator'. 

How was your weekend? 

Weekend

It's going to be a quiet weekend here. I feel as though we need a bit of time here at home and, to be honest, I can't be bothered to go too far. We'll be off to meet up halfway with daughter and her family in a week and a half and then mid-August I'll be off to England for three weeks, so I feel a weekend at home is needed. 

I did get up and go for a walk this morning. It was lovely and quiet and pleasant until the sun came up over the horizon and everything heated up. When that happened I moved and sweat (did you really want to know that lol). The humidity is just horrible. Even now, at almost 9pm at night the humidity is 70%. Ugh. The heat I can deal with but the humidity just drains me! I came home, relaxed a bit and got some listings done. I'd made a pile of things I wanted to get listed to sell and I got them all done! Yeah! That feels quite productive for a Saturday.

Tomorrow I am turning off my alarm. Not sure I'll sleep a lot later. I keep waking up as it's just too hot and I feel all sticky. Still, I won't be jumping out of bed at the sound of an alarm or rushing anywhere tomorrow. In fact, I'm really not quite sure what I am doing tomorrow. I really feel in the mood to cross stitch, but I can't remember where I put the project I was working on! Grrr. One day I might be organised. lol. 

Photo for the day - on my walk today I came across another walker who told me about a baby skunk on the trail (in the direction I was going). I gave it plenty of room and took some photos with my big camera. I kept an eye out for Mama too! I really didn't want to get sprayed! I have heard it is not easy to get Skunk spray out lol

Isn't it adorable? From afar, at least lol

Hope everyone is having a good weekend. 

Hazy Summer Days Flying By

The days seem to be flying by. I feel as though I keep saying that, but they really are. Life is plodding along and sometimes just plodding along is good enough. I've been out for my walks, taking photos, cleaning house, doing a bit of sorting and doing some Ebay things. Most days are fairly warm and even those that aren't seem to be quite muggy. I can deal with the heat, but it's that mugginess that drives me crazy. 

We had rain most of the day yesterday, lots of rain. It seems as though it's been quite a wet year. I was trying to find averages and such but couldn't manage it. I did find something that said we got a little over 3 inches of rain yesterday! Some places here got almost six inches! I was surprised how quickly it all dried up though. When I went for my walk today, I was expecting lots of puddles, but it wasn't as bad as I thought. 

It was a foggy morning though, but once that fog burned off it was quite hot. 

Tomorrow is another walk, this time with my friend. Then I have to make a run to the post office. I have already packaged up everything I have to and purchased postage so all I have to do is drop them off. My son is still on four 10-hour days so he'll be home tomorrow, and I think husband is going to get home early so I doubt I'll get a lot done. I am going to make a list as they seem to work well with me. 

I still need to work on time management as I really struggle with it. I know that I can be more productive, but actually doing it I find a struggle. Sigh

Ta-Da - Tuesday!

I went for my usual walk this morning, well more of a photography taking session. I did see my friend for a bit and had a chat before she went her way and I went mine. I did a little wandering along. It was so peaceful and quiet. It was muggy out and had rained quite a bit overnight, so I wonder if that was what kept people away.

Once home I got quite a bit done. I did a bit of extra cleaning, something that caught my eye and led onto something else lol. Got my book read list updated and put a bunch more books in the donate pile. I forgot to count how many so will do that tomorrow and maybe take a photo too. 

I think it's supposed to rain all day tomorrow. I think it might be because of Hurricane Beryl, at least the remnants of it. I think we're on the edge of the path. I'm going to keep my early alarm on in case they are wrong about the forecast. I'll have a check of the weather when I wake up and if it is raining, I won't jump out of bed right away lol. I'm kind of hoping it will rain because then at least I'll stay home and actually get something done!

Tonight was my monthly Asylum Lake Preservation Association meeting. I still feel a bit out of place, but I do actually speak now. I think they are all fairly well off and accomplished. I feel like the poorer, more common cousin lol. Nevermind. There are some good discussions had and maybe, one day, we'll get something accomplished! 

Back tomorrow

Photo for the day - taken with my phone for my Phone Photos Things That Make Me Smile Day 191

This is a Monarch Caterpillar. Sadly, it is the only one I've seen so far this year.

It made me smile!

Monday

I always find it a bit of a struggle to get back into the normal routine when I'm coming back from a holiday, even a mini-break. I got up early, went for a walk with my friend, ran a couple of errands, came home started wash and tried to tidy up the house again. 

I've been having a lot of cramps in my legs again. I'm not sure if it's the heat or sitting for a long time in the car. I've been trying to drink lots of water, but drinking lots of water then requires lots of trips to the loo. I'm hoping the walk today helped.

Tomorrow will start with a walk, some housework and then, because I don't have to go anywhere else I want to get going on some more sorting. I was rather pleased last week when I sorted out another 16 books! There are still many, many more to go, but I do think I'm getting a handle on the book hoarding. I have even managed to curtail any book buying. I admit to buying a couple at the thrift shop, but I haven't bought any new ones for a while - even though the authors I like have come out with more. I tell myself they will still be there when I have room for them OR they are on sale for my kindle. 

I wish it was a little cooler so I could go up in the craft room. I might pop up for a little bit and do maybe thirty minutes of sorting and then move onto something else. It's not like there isn't anything else that needs sorting! I do want to go through my wardrobe again as I'm sure there are a few things I haven't worn, and I'd like to get rid. I find myself wearing the same comfortable things over and over and there are some bits I haven't worn for a while and don't see myself wearing. I'd like to get at least two boxes of donations for this month. 

Do you have decluttering goals for July? Is it an ongoing process or do you like to do a huge declutter in one go? 

Back tomorrow