Felixstowe Fish and Chips

Arrived safely on Saturday. It's a long trip but week with it. Got to give Mum a real hug and not one shared over Skype. On Sunday we took it easy but went into Ipswich to Christchurch Park. It's a beautiful place to visit with a lovely Mansion on the grounds. Today we went to Felixstowe and I got some lively Fish and chips. There is absolutely nothing like sitting watching the waves crash on the beach and eating freshly fried fish and chips. I got so full I didn't have room for an ice cream!

No photos to share as I only brought my Kindle with me and have been using my camera. I'll have lots to share when I get back lol. Tomorrow I'll be off it with my sisters. Hopefully the weather will cooperate. It was nice and bright today. It was quite warm while we were eating our fish and chips but it was quite breezy.

Flying Today

Well, everything is packed, boarding passes ready and now taking a breather before heading out to the airport. For the past few years I've been flying from the little airport in town over to Detroit or Chicago and then on to London. The cost isn't a lot more (less than it would cost for petrol and parking lol) and the airport security is really easy to get through as there aren't many people about. I'm both excited and a little nervous. Flying doesn't bother me, it is the waiting that makes me nervous. Once I'm on the plane I'm fine. I have books and music loaded. I've been saving a new physical book to read too.

I will try to post when I'm away. Mum doesn't keep her internet on all the time so usually it's once every couple/three days and mainly to keep in touch with kids and hubby. I usually talk to my kids at least every other day so it will definitely be strange! This trip always grounds me and gives me time to think away from the daily things and especially the news!

Thank you all for the lovely comments on the last post! I've been trying to do better about replying but I'm short of time today - maybe at the airport as I have a layover lol.

I packed my bag and in it I put...

Well, actually there is nothing in my bag right now. Hubby brought the suitcase up tonight and I'll start packing tomorrow. I have started to sort out things I 'might' want to take and now I just need to get it down to things I will actually wear. I'm a lot better at it than I used to be. In my carry-on I will take a book, kindle, camera, a couple of pens, tissues, money, passport/greencard and that's about it. It will be a small roll on case as I need it on my way back. I tend to bring a lot back with me lol. Need to stock up on cup-a-soup, chocolate and other goodies I can't get over here. Six weeks is a long time to shop!

I hope everyone is enjoying the lazy, hazy days of summer!

Monday, Monday - sleepy

Well, daughter is home but not without incident. About four hours away from here her engine light came on in her jeep. From here we managed to google a mechanic shop about an hour away from her. This is a Sunday evening so not a lot is open and they all close early! Luckily, she made it to the car place before the car stopped. It's a good thing she did as when she tried to start it again it wouldn't start! Her alternator on the jeep went out.

We were worried that she would have to try and find somewhere to stay for the night. Not so easy with the dog in tow. Thankfully, the car place was able to fix her car - they stayed late - and she went on her way. I couldn't go to sleep until I knew she was safely home. No way I was going to be able to sleep! She made it back at about 1.50am (12.50am her time).

Today I've spent the day catching up on the wash, sorting things out and cleaning. I've got a few things she forgot to take so I'll have to either send or she can take when she comes in December.

Hope everyone is having a good Monday!

Sunset by the lighthouse - we went there one night last week to watch. Very pretty!

Sigh

Daughter left this morning. Now the anxiety sets in that her drive will go well. I know she's an adult (23) but still worry about her driving ten hours by herself. I'm sure she'll be all right but I will be happy when I get the call that she's made it to St.Cloud okay.

We had a lovely visit. She got to visit some of her friends again. It was good for her as when she moved she knew no-one and most of the people she works with are married with children so don't get out too much. She got to do lots here with her old friends.

I think Shadow (cat) will be happy to get rid of Shasta (dog). Towards the end of the week he had enough of hiding downstairs or in the kitchen and was growing more adventurous. Every night he would take up his sleeping spot whether Shasta was in the living room or not. One time Shasta got too close before we could stop her and the cat whacked her on her head. I think over time they would have maybe tolerated one another. As it was they mostly stared at one another, sometimes barked and occasionally hissed.

This is daughter and Shasta yesterday when we went over to MIL.

The next couple of days are tidying up, doing neglected housework and trying to get ready for my trip. I fly on Friday so it will be a busy few days! Today I'm catching up on blogs I think and relaxing.

Dull day? Beach or Not?

The weather today is just not co-operating. Daughter is back from Chicago and we were going to take Shasta to the dog beach again but it looks like storms are coming. They 'might' clear up by mid-morning. I hope so. We were going to watch the sun set over the lighthouse tonight too but it looks like it might be too cloudy. Sigh. The only good thing is that tomorrow looks fine. Hubby is taking the day off work as it is his birthday and we're all going out for the day.

I have a few wildflowers growing in my garden now. Next year I think I'm going to plant something to attract more butterflies and maybe hummingbirds. My tomatoes in pots are growing and I have actual tomatoes that the deer haven't got to yet but it doesn't look like I'm going to get to taste them before I leave. The pots are sitting on my back deck so I don't forget to water them!

Hope everyone has a lovely Thursday - the days are just flying by!

Dog Sitting

We had a lovely weekend with daughter and her dog, Shasta. We, or rather I, am now dog sitting Shasta for three days while she goes with a friend to Chicago. In theory it's really easy. Shasta is an easy going dog and she mainly just mopes when daughter is gone. She is very attached to daughter. However we have a cat, Shadow, who does not get along with Shasta. Shasta doesn't like him much either. She wants to chase after him. He is very put out. We got a pet gate to put across so Shasta couldn't go in the kitchen and basement and it does work - to a point. The cat has decided he wants in the dining room and living room and will come in and tease her. It results in Shasta having to be put back on her lead so she doesn't go after him. I'm trying to take her for lots of walks and spend time in garden or on porch.

Yesterday, before daughter left, we took Shasta to the lake so she could play in the water. She absolutely loves waves. It wasn't a very bright day, but it wasn't too bad temperature wise and the water was quite warm.

Doesn't she look absolutely happy? She was so funny. She would want to run along the shore for a little while and then jump in the waves trying to bite them. She is hilarious to watch. This dog beach is really long and easy to get to. We got there early enough that there weren't too many people about.

On Sunday all three of my 'kids' were home. It doesn't happen very often - rarely now that daughter has moved away - so I made them get together for a photo. Oldest son (left) doesn't like having his pic taken (takes after me) but I wanted to take a few to Mum when I fly over next week. Wow, that sounds really good!

Daughter also 'persuaded' me to have my photo taken - just for her she said.

Hope everyone is enjoying the beginning of their week!

Sunny Weekend

Daughter arrived at almost midnight on Thursday night. It was a long drive - about ten hours with stops. They had drove underneath Chicago so as to avoid going through it. I would have been REALLY nervous if she had been going that way. Cars drive crazily, darting in and out one another and not seeming to look where they are going.

We have spent a nice couple of days so far. Shadow, our cat, is far from happy. Poor thing. He does not like Shasta (husky) and Shasta doesn't like him. Luckily it is summer and he can spend the time sitting in the basement where it is cooler or the kitchen where we keep Shasta out of. Last night when I went to get Shadow after Shasta and daughter had gone to bed, he was sleeping on the treadmill in the basement! He was quite happy to get his 'spot' back for the night up in the living room.

She loved being out walking today as it was a little cooler this morning and a nice breeze on the shady walk we took. We're taking her out to the dog beach tomorrow to play in the waves!

This is the knitting I was talking about. Now that I'm done a couple of inches it is looking better. I think maybe I'm a little hard on myself regarding these patterns and perhaps I should just give it a chance before getting frustrated that it looks too loose. I really like the colours. The pattern says it is an 8 hour pattern - it's going to take me more like 8 weeks! I'm not knitting very often as in the hot weather I am finding it too hot! Maybe I'll take this project to England with me.

I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend with lots of sunshine.

Tidying Up

I'm trying to get the house ready for daughter - she will be here late Thursday night. I've been cleaning up my craft room to make space to sleep. When I get everything back out I am going to have a good old sort and organise. It wasn't quite as bad as I thought but could still use some tidying.

After a couple of days of cooler weather it is back to being hot and humid. Phew. It makes it horrible to get a lot done. We don't have central air conditioning, only window air conditioners. They aren't the greatest but they do cut down on the heat somewhat. I wish it was just a little cooler so I could do some more cooking. There are things in the freezer I'd like to get used up before I leave for my visit with Mum.

Dinner yesterday was Sausage Rolls and salad. Middle son was coming to visit so I made a big batch. Hubby took the last for work today.  I got those made before the house heated too much. I meant to take a photo but they were eaten before I remembered.

I've been going out for walks early morning trying to beat the heat. It seems other people have the same idea. The place I walk is really beautiful, a nature reserve, and filled with wildlife. Dogs are welcome but are supposed to be on a leash not just for their safety but for the safety of the wildlife. It's really sad to see so many people ignore it. There are good owners who do follow the signs and pick up after their dogs (in the majority) but there are a few that just don't seem to care. Yesterday I thought the dog running free was lost as I couldn't see the owner anywhere. They appeared a minute or so later. This morning a woman had two dogs off leash - both ran away from her and didn't come when she called. There are so many deer in the woods, also I would hate to see what would happen if the wild turkey got hold of a dog.

Anyway enough ranting - sorry just frustrated - and I'll post a photo I took. These are of the goose family I've been following since the little ones were born. Look how big they are getting!

See how big they have got! It's so wonderful to watch. Hope everyone is having a lovely Tuesday.

Weekend

Skyped with Mum yesterday. She seems in good spirits, just taking things as they come. It will only be three weeks until I'll be there and we'll be able to have a good old natter in person.

In the morning hubby and I decided to go check out a couple of lighthouses that we couldn't get to last weekend because the beaches were so packed and there was no parking. They are about an hour away. The first we stopped at was South Haven. It seems it is not in the cards for us to take a walk along the pier. It was closed off as was part of the beach as it was thought someone had fell off the pier the night before. Divers were in the water looking for a body. I heard later they had called off the search.

The waves were a bit wild. They were coming over the pier. The side of the channel that wasn't closed (not a walk out to the pier) was open and there were still people walking out there! I think sometimes because this is a lake people don't respect it as much as the open sea. The photo shows how wavy it can get!

Even at the second lighthouse St. Joe the waves were choppy. I suppose it would make nice background photos for the two weddings that were getting ready to be staged on the beach. A little windy though!

The water looked quite wild coming over the barriers. We couldn't walk all the way out (not that crazy!).

We had a nice walk in the woods today (Sunday). It is now time to get back into the swing of things - hubby is back to work tomorrow where they are really busy and I have to clean things up for daughter who will be here late Thursday night.

Hope everyone had a good weekend!

Sigh.

My Mum's last test results didn't come back so good. She went for a bone scan but apparently although they could tell there was something the cancer doctor is no closer to telling her whether the cancer is back or not. She has to go for another test at a different hospital in nearby county. She was hoping for news one way or another at her appointment today. I think it is the waiting that is the worst. I hate being so far away. I will be there soon as I fly over on the 28th for 6 weeks. She has decided that whatever the results she wants to go on the holiday we've booked. She doesn't want to be sick while I'm visiting. I told her I come to see her, but I will support whatever she decides. She's going to be 81 in September so I'm pretty sure she knows her own mind!

So more waiting. 

I spent most of the morning before talking to her walking, trying to keep busy and trying to ignore the lead lump in my stomach. It helped to sit by the lake and just watch and listen to the wonderful sounds of nature.

The heron was back at its perch. I thought I caught a glimpse of a muskrat but they are a little shy so no photo.

Lots of dragonflies around and too many of the pesky flies that bite me and make me swell up.

I haven't been too crafty lately. I'm packing up some of my craft room so daughter has a place to sleep next week when she visits. I have been knitting when the weather is cooler but I'm frustrated how my lacey patterns seem so loose. I knit tightly but when I do a lacey pattern it just looks too loose or maybe it's just me. Sigh.

Enjoyable Tuesday - feels off because it's a holiday!

We did go walking this morning. We decided on a state park that is along Lake Michigan but there is about a half mile uphill walk to the beach. The park is named Saugatuck Dunes State Park - the dunes in there telling you it's all hills. We did get there early enough that it wasn't too busy. We got a nice walk in over the dunes (one of the harder trails) and along the beach. By the time we got back to the car park it was getting packed. People were carrying LOADS of stuff up the hills! Crazy!

A little piece of paradise - at least for a little while! Pretty sure that later in the day it was as packed as every beach in west Michigan seems to be. At least we got out for a walk for a bit. It was beautiful along the lakeshore. I love seeing small structures like the one in the top photo. Interesting. I always wonder who built them and why.

Back at home hubby did do some sausages on the grill. I didn't eat any but I did have some yummy corn that he grilled. He has got that down to a fine art. I'm not much good on the grill and I'm happy to leave it to him. In truth I don't even know how to use the thing!

Good news in the garden. Despite seeing a deer sniffing around them the other evening I have flowers on the plants my friend gave me. I can't tell you how happy I am to be able to show them to her. I killed the last lot she gave me.

I love the way they look when they first start blooming. Hope everyone is enjoying their Tuesday!

Party Pooper/Anniversary

The older I get the more irritating I find fireworks. It's almost 4th July here in the US and the fireworks have been going off for a week already and will probably last another week. I don't celebrate as I'm not American. I used to go to MIL with kids when they were younger and a fireworks display, but not now. Up until two years ago I worked every 4th so my back-up could have time with their families. As of now I think there are three lots going off around here and it's eleven at night.

Speaking of which - it's been two years yesterday that I finished working. A huge weight off my shoulders and no regrets.

Hubby and I will go out walking somewhere tomorrow. Not near a beach lol as it seems to be the only weekend EVERYONE seems to go to the beach. We were going to stop by a couple of lighthouses yesterday after our walk but the beaches were so packed and no parking available. Totally different from even last week.

Saw lovely deer today. It was a little spooked as it heard me approach but then went back to munching once it realised I wasn't a threat. These deer are so tame!

Hope all those who do celebrate have a safe and happy time. 

Saturday

I didn't go for a walk this morning. The last few days when I've been walking there have been a lot of black flies about. At least that's what I think they are.  They have been buzzing around my head, getting in my hair and they bite! I just needed a break from them. Also yesterday while I was out I came across a wild turkey that proceeded to try to attack me! Hubby thinks I  must have got a little close to where she had babies. She was in the bushes alongside a well groomed path. I wasn't expecting her!

It was a really big bird! Quite scary. Who knew they could be so scary?

Anyway I did Skype with Mum. It was nice to have a chat. We're so far away from one another but it's like we're in the same room. In less than a month we will be in the same room! I fly on the 28th. After Skyping I got hubby to pull out the oven so I could clean beneath/behind it. Hanging my head in shame as I admit it being a LONG time since I did it. It was on my not-yet-written LIST so I can mentally cross that off lol.

We'll be going out tomorrow for a nice walk. Middle son won't be visiting as he has to work. Hope everyone has a great weekend!