Monday...again!

Thanks to everyone for the list making responses on my last post. I have a large planner right by my chair where I am writing things as I think of them. I haven't done too bad sticking to most things - though I must admit I completely forgot to do a load of washing today despite it being on my list. I saw it this morning and it completely slipped my mind until hubby mentioned putting today's work clothes in the hamper....ding! ding! I remembered that I was supposed to do a load of wash. Whoops!

The weekend was horribly wet and dreary. It always seems to be that way on the weekend lately. Hubby worked on Saturday so I stayed in. Sunday we decided to take a drive anyway. The rain did stop long enough that we were able to get in a couple of stops for photos. We managed about a mile and a half walk...and got drenched! Still, we did get out lol.

We made a stop at this bridge again. I did manage to get in trying out some shutter speed shots while there was a (very short) break in the rain.

Quite pleased with the way they turned out. I think I am spending far too much time taking photos when I should be working on projects. At least I am being creative.

Not a lot on for the week - I have a pile of books ready to go, that have to be gone. I also want to sort some clothes out of the wardrobe. There are some I don't wear nor will I. Not sure why I'm hanging on to them. Also I WILL START ON THOSE PROJECTS!!!

Making Lists

I am trying to write down a few things I want to get done each day (in addition to the usual). If I don't have things written down my mind tends to wander and I don't get anything done. Before I know it hubby is on his way home and the day is almost done! I know that if I see things written down I keep more on track. It feels good to cross them out as done too. I have got half the week planned for meals, but have to work on the end half. At least it's getting cooler and having the oven on actually feels good!

I still haven't started on Christmas things. Sigh. This really is going to be last minute. Perhaps I should add them to the daily list even if it will feel like a chore then. At least I might actually get something done. What tips do you have to keep you on track or motivated?

Here's a photo from the weekend. We actually got out for a walk. We got up extra early and headed out to one of my favourite state parks - Ludington. It was quite crisp out but it turned into a beautiful day. The weather forecast had said mainly cloudy so we were really lucky!

Made it to the Weekend

It's been a funny sort of week this week. We were gone until Monday afternoon so I was messed up on my days a little. I had a dentist appointment on Tuesday - my permanent bridge fitted and a crown on the other side. My whole mouth was terribly numb and the anxiety meds I take for the occasion make me feel quite sleepy when I'm all done. I think some of that might be the mess I've worked myself up into and then the crash when it's all done and is never as bad as I thought it would be. Anyway, that meant Tuesday was basically a nothing day.

I have been getting out walking. The weather is turning cooler now so I want to make the most of it while I can. I did manage to get all caught up on the wash - which I thought would be a never-ending task. I've been sorting through photos too. I took a LOT of them. It was all so pretty I couldn't resist.

Here's another snowy one. I saw this view as we were driving and made hubby stop. It looked so beautiful and peaceful.

I did get up in my craft room today. It's almost November and I really need to get going on those Christmas projects or they won't be done! What is everyone else working on for the holidays?

Have a good weekend!

So Beautiful - Autumn Colours

We had a fantastic weekend away. The colours up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan were just stunning. I think my mouth was dropped open in amazement half the weekend. It was so gorgeous I can't find the words to describe it. I wish I could move up there and see some of these views every morning. We had a touch of snow and things were certainly chilly but the weather stayed good for the most part.

Here are just a few photos. Yes, the colours were really that bright. I never knew trees came in so many colours.

Driving along. If I could have I would have had hubby stop at least once a mile lol.

One of my favourite views - the lighthouse on Grand Island.

Tahquamenon Falls.

I took so many photos. It's going to take a while to sort through!

Blah

Still raining, though we had a gorgeous day yesterday. The temperature (on my phone) said 85F (29C) at one point! Yikes. That is really high for here. The mosquitoes were still out and biting me. I made the most of it and went for a long walk. I got down to the lake just after sunrise and it was really pretty.

It was like something out of a painting. The leaves are beginning to change colour. There is always that one tree - you can see it in the photo - that changes colour before the rest. I wish there was a bench there so I could just sit and admire it. The light was really golden then.

Today the morning sun soon turned back to rain and that's the way it's been for most of the day. Thanks for all the rainy day thoughts and suggestions. I really don't mind a day here or there, but I think what's getting me down is knowing that soon there will be more grey days than sunny ones. Sometimes we can go weeks without seeing the sun. I just need to get back into that state of mind again.

On a good note, we are going away for a mini-break this weekend. We will be going for a long weekend up to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. For those who aren't familiar with this region of America, Michigan is split into two parts - the upper and lower peninsula (as seen on the map below). We live down in the bottom - close to the bottom of Michigan - and we're going way up to the Upper Peninsula. The colour change of the trees up there are amazing. It will be a nice break.

On my attempts to organise - I have been sticking to the meal planning but I haven't got a lot else on my to-do list done. Sigh. I still have Thursday and Friday!

Rainy Weekend

The weather has been terrible all weekend! I managed a little walk by myself yesterday but hubby and I didn't even go out today. It's rainy and dull and not worth bothering. Instead I stayed in and at least attempted to do something other than curl up in my chair and read (which is exactly the sort of day it is)! I went up to craft room and spent a little trying to create. I hope the week brings a little sunshine. I feel uninspired to take a lot of photos so tried to be a little creative in my photo taking of my crafts.

What do you do on rainy days to keep your spirits up? Is there some way you like to spend your time when there are several days in a row with rain or bad weather?

Yes, it's Friday...

Thank goodness! Hubby will be getting my tyres tomorrow so I shall feel a lot better about driving the car. I hadn't been far at all on that spare tyre. It's grey and rainy here today though I did manage a walk before the rain came, and then got soaked on the walk back to the car. My cold is almost gone now and hubby is feeling a lot better so maybe we'll be able to get out on Sunday for a walk if the weather cooperates.

I wasn't as productive today as I had hoped. I think our poor old cat is cold. He kept climbing up on my lap every time I sat down. I did pick up my stitching and only managed a few rows before he decided to come back up again. Last night he actually slept on me for a couple of hours. Poor old thing. I hope this doesn't mean it's getting near his time. Sigh.

I did manage one card yesterday. I also cleaned up my desk which made me feel a lot better. It gave me more space. Hopefully the mojo will come back and I'll be all ready with a clean space to create!

Hope everyone enjoys the weekend!

Happy and Sad

Yesterday my daughter (along with her boyfriend) became a home owner! I'm so proud of her. She is really excited. I was so thankful that she was able to take the take to Facetime me and show me around her new house. I was excited for her... and, admittedly, a little sad. This makes her being so far away just that bit more permanent. I suppose a part of me always hoped she'd end up staying out there for a couple of years and then finding another job closer to us. I suppose I must have done something right though as she had the courage to spread her wings and fly! I suppose this must be how my Mum felt when I left. I rang Mum yesterday and she says she's always thinking about me. So happy and sad day.

Our local baby swan learning to fly.

Tuesday

Another grey day. I'm missing the sun! It was a little warmer. I did get out for a walk, but it's not easy to take photos in such terrible light. I'm hoping tomorrow will bring some sunshine but it's not looking good, though the temperature is supposed to reach a really 81F (27C). My body is having trouble keeping up with these temperature changes. I've given my cold/flu to hubby. He was complaining of aches as well as a sore throat. Mine has progressed from runny nose to being stuffed up, so much so that when I was walking I felt quite dizzy.

I did get caught up with my yearly photo project - I am now on October. So pleased I got this caught up. I also managed to start sorting out clothes. My goal is to get at least one bag for donation and toss away anything stained or holey (even if they are my favourite comfy in-house clothes lol). I was halfway through a second large drawer when my back was hurting so I stopped. I think my whole body is just aching from the cold/flu thing.

I did make sausage rolls - which was on the menu this week. I started to make a menu, had looked through lots of recipes and then given up. I shall finish the menu tomorrow.

And no, I didn't make the pastry from scratch - I cheated. I should make up several batches and freeze so I don't have to cheat. It's just so time consuming. Anyway, that's it for today! It was a semi-productive day.

What a Start to the Month!

I hope the first day of this month doesn't dictate how the rest of the month is going to go! I'm still battling my cold (which hubby thinks he might be coming down with), the weather was grey and dismal and one of the tyres on my card popped! I was very thankful that the tyre thing happened just as I was turning onto my road so managed to make it home. We really didn't want to put any extra money into the car as we were hoping it would just make it past the winter and were planning to buy a new-to-us car in the Spring. Unfortunately we will have to buy some new tyres. They won't be expensive ones lol. For now hubby changed out the flat one to the spare until he can get to buy some. He's working overtime again this week.

On to other things - I'm trying to get my crafting mojo back. I can't seem to get back into the groove and am finding it difficult to be inspired or get motivated. I did go up into my craft room and worked on my monthly album to try to catch up. I was going to knit or stitch when I came downstairs but Shadow (cat) wouldn't stop wanting to sit on me every time I picked something up. I think he's feeling a little sad or just plain feeling his age.

As the walk was dull and grey today I couldn't get many photos - the light wasn't right - but I did manage to see this little fellow. It is a wood chuck/ground hog.