Sad News

 Thanks for all the comments.

 I am heartbroken to say that my mum passed away Thursday morning before I got out of quarantine. It was sudden and very quick. I am thankful she went quickly. It's been a horrible six months for her since Covid. She would have hated living that away. I hope she's out of pain and at peace.

It's been a rough few days. I was still in quarantine so had to be alone for a couple of days before I got my test-to-release results. My lovely daughter back in the US took Friday off work so she could spend lots of time chatting with me. She's been calling me when I'm having extra bad moments.

I am glad I am here and will be able to say goodbye to her. It seems so empty in her flat without her. I am missing her like crazy and upset with myself that I didn't come sooner. My sisters say that mum knew I was here close by. I did talk to her Monday. Her last words to me were to tell me that she loved me.

My mum was such a strong, independent woman. She beat cancer when she was well into her seventies and she survived the initial Covid diagnosis and hospitalisation. The doctor couldn't believe she had survived it. My sister said she was just tired and had had enough. She thinks mum could let go as she knew we were altogether and could help each other. I'm the baby of the family and she was always worried about me. 

I'm going go miss her smile, our Wednesday chats, Saturday Skype sessions and our summer holidays. Losing her leaves a big hole in my heart.

Arrived

 Thank you all for the good travel wishes. I have made it to England. I  all on day four of my quarantine. I must admit that I am going a little crazy staying inside especially since the weather is so beautiful this week. 

My paperwork was all fine. The plane ride went well. It wasn't quite as busy as usual but still busier than I thought it would be. Heathrow Airport passport was well.organised and quite easy. The lady I went through was friendly and looked at the paperwork but I think the changes that seem to be happening all the time is a little confusing for them all.

It seems really quiet the at mums without her. I've had a couple of cries but that's so be expected I think. I'm trying to keep busy reading, stitching etc. 

I've taken my day two test and all ok. My day five test-to-release should arrive today. I have received phone calls each day checking up on me. I've been afraid two the a shower until the phone call lol.

Silhouette out of mum's window.

Thanks for all the support. I have some blogs to catch up ok!

Little Anxious

 The title is an understatement. 

I fly tomorrow. I'm not really a nervous flyer, but I'm anxious that I've got all the paperwork done correctly. I suppose I shall find out. Aarrggh! I've also done a little (too much) reading about travel stories in this time. I think I shall do alright in the quarantine. It will be really strange as I'll be in Mum's flat without her. I hope I don't get too down. I'll try to keep my eyes on the goal. 

Travel in time of Covid - required testing. I took it at the airport. 

Weekend

 Thanks for all the comments everyone. Things are coming together. I booked my day 2, 8 and test-to-release tests. I had picked out one website (as listed on the UK government page) only to find out they didn't accept overseas payments. Their explanation, when I asked how to fill out for those with a different billing address, was that because they didn't ship outside the UK, they didn't accept payments. I picked out another site - recommended by someone in one of my British Facebook groups - and managed to book through them. They didn't ship outside the UK either but did accept billing addresses from outside the UK. 

I walked today. Made the most of the good weather as it's supposed to rain all day tomorrow. Yesterday was very buggy - mosquitoes galore (which I won't miss!) - and I got bit several times despite being covered in spray. Today was the total opposite. I went even more prepared today but the mosquitoes were few and far between. It was lovely out so I spent more time than I usually would.  Phone photo below of the lovely reflection and clouds. 

I spent the afternoon outside on the back porch watching the birds and their babies. They are so funny to watch. Later I did go up in the craft room for a bit. 

Oh I forgot to say - on a lovely plus note - husband got off work early and took about 10 boxes (books and other goodies) to the charity shop for donation!!! I had forgotten some of the books I had donated and although I was tempted to sort through them (again), I didn't. I let them go on to new homes. It actually feels very good. Before I leave on Friday I want to make sure to vacuum the area where the boxes were. We also got rid of the rest of the bottle returns (recyclables) that had been taking up room in the garage!!! So a couple of wins this week. 

Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

Here I Am Again

 I can't believe a week has passed since I last posted. I didn't mean to let it go so long but life has a way of getting in the way of some things. 

Jo - thanks for the tip about Walgreens for the Covid tests. They are actually my back up plan as I heard it doesn't take long for the results to come in. Right now I have booked a test at the local airport (where I'm flying out of) as they have a testing place. 

My flight leaves next Friday so there's a lot to do between now and then. I plan on booking my day 2 and 8 tests tomorrow as well as test-to-release day 5.My sister contacted me the other day to say that the care home had let her know that Mum wasn't eating very much. Sister said when she went to visit Wednesday Mum was very confused too. My Aunt did take Mum out today though down to the seafront and they had some chips. Aunt said that Mum remembered that I was coming over for a visit so today was a good day. I think it is to be expected that there will be good days and bad. I'm feeling good about my decision to go, just a little stressed over the testing. I am being extra careful - still wearing my mask when everyone else seems to have thrown theirs away!

It's been hot and humid here the last few days. Today the weather has finally broken and things are a little cooler, but there are so many mosquitoes and biting flies about. They are driving me crazy! I will not miss them. Even with spray on they are still biting. My walks haven't been very pleasant with them about!

Photo today - on the 24th I posted a picture of a little tree sparrow inside the dog poo bag holder. The other day when I went for a walk at the same place a sign had finally been put up! So funny. 

July

 Well, another month gone by. It seems to have both dragged and flown by. This whole year just seems to be getting away from me. 

As things have not changed travel wise I have booked my flight to England. I will be leaving on July 16th. Hopefully I'll be able to share the steps and how things go. I'm a little nervous about booking tests and quarantine, but I am keeping my eye on the prize - seeing Mum. My sister went to visit her in the care home yesterday and sister said she seemed a little more cheerful. The care home worker who talks to sister told her that Mum has been mingling with the other residents. I hope she has a chance to settle in a bit before any more health issues!

I do have some cards to share that I made with the kit I shared in the last post. It has been hot up in my craft room, but I have been going up for small periods of time. Lighting not the greatest, but I think they turned out rather well. I made the envelopes for the first two as well. 

Rainy AGAIN

 Thanks for all the supportive comments regarding Mum and my decision to go visit. It's taken me a while to make. I should say that I am fully vaccinated. I got mine as soon as it opened up to my age group. 

Jo - I think Prince Harry is probably doing the test and release that you can pay extra to do on Day 5. If I can manage to get the money that's what I'm going to do.  Not sure how much extra that one is. I also have to find the post boxes where you can post your tests. Please let me know if you do have any questions and I'll try my best to answer them. I'm finding out things as I go along. I think if it wasn't for Mum's health I would try waiting longer, but at this point I'm afraid to.

It rained most of the day today too. Storms, hard rain and a little smattering of dryness inbetween. I'm going to scream at the next person who tells me that we needed the rain. I don't think we needed it to all come at once lol. We had a tornado watch and then a warning, but it was on the other side of the county so, thank goodness, it didn't affect us. I did try to go for a walk, but I ended up completely drenched. The only good thing was that, for just about the ten minutes it didn't rain, I watched and managed to get photos of a green heron fishing. Usually you can't get very close to them as they are very jumpy. I think it helped that I was really quiet and the place was empty! 

I didn't get as much done as I hoped (story of my life). I did get in the craft room and have been trying to use up some papers and some pre-made mini albums that are in my stash. I also pulled out a new 'kit' to do some cards with. This came with Crafts Beautiful magazine. I must admit that I bought it for the hedgehogs! I do hope to get to see one when I go to Mum's. There was one in the community garden the last time I was there. 

Not the best photos, but the light in my craft room is mostly artificial and I was just plain lazy and couldn't be bothered to bring them downstairs to better light. 

The 'kit' comes with stamps, papers, toppers, some little sparkly bits and some 3d sticky bits. I'm looking forward to seeing what I can come up with!

Rainy Day

 It absolutely poured today. All day long. The weekend promises more of the same. It did clear up round about six this evening for a little while so I sat out on the back porch and watched the birds. Because of the rain I had no walk, but I did have a productive day! I took back some recyclable cans/bottles. We still have a lot to take back but I took back a bunch and put the money in my Travel Covid Test Fund (that's what I'm calling it lol). I also rang the library bookshop to see if they were accepting book donations. They are, but only on Monday and Wednesday and they couldn't get me in until the 12th July! Not sure I'm still going to be in the US by then, so I declined making an appointment. I then called Goodwill (another charity organisation) and they said they were accepting donations without an appointment. As much as I'd rather have the books go to the library bookshop I need them out of my house so they will be going to the Goodwill shop. 

I also managed to get a bunch of things sorted that had just been sitting around waiting to be taken care of. It felt good to clear them away. I shall work on another batch tomorrow if the promised rain arrives. Between my daily chores I also did some crafting and tidied up some things in the craft room. 

Photos of flowers from a recent walk. I love seeing the wildflowers popping up at this time of year. I'm not so good on all the names but I enjoy seeing them and taking photos. 

If it is raining tomorrow I am hoping to get around to taking photos of some craft projects too! 

 Mum is home back from the hospital. She was discharged today. 

I was hoping for good news on the travel front but it is not to be so I think am going to prepare for the quaratine. I'm hoping to book a flight within the next couple of days and then work out all the tests I have to do and decide whether to do the test and release. I am lucky that I am able to quarantine in Mum's flat, but I will be alone which will be really strange. It doesn't seem quite right to be there without her.  Sister and I talked about things the other day and the way things have been going it doesn't seem prudent to wait in case travel changes. I worry every morning that I will be too late.  I can hopefully get the money together and just do the testing. 

As for this week - more of a bust than anything, BUT I am going to have to get things done if I'm going. There are books that need to go somewhere for donation and some essential tidying up and organising that needs to be done. I've been walking a lot. I suppose there are worse things I could be doing to manage stress lol. I'm just not getting a lot done around the house. 

Photo today - thought this was kind of cute. A Tree Swallow made a nest in the dog poo bag holder at a place where I walk. So funny to see its head peeking out!

Quick Update

 We spent a week away camping. It was nice to get away. Just wish I could stop worrying for a while. Being outside, watching sunrises and sunsets was good though. I'll do a longer post tomorrow. Mum is back in hospital again though so not good news. Sigh. 

Sunset at Porcupine Mountains

Sitting on the edge of the world at Lake of the Clouds