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

Card Creations

 Just a quick share of some card creations. These are made using decoupage toppers from Craft Consortium. I really enjoy putting them together. I think the cards turned out quite nice. Now that it is hotter I find myself up in my craft room more. I go for my walk in the morning - very early - and it's too hot to even sit outside later so up in the craft room it is. I certainly have enough to keep me busy!

 I was going to do better on the blogging (isn't that the story of my life lately?) but then I forgot. Last night I remembered - but I was already in bed and just couldn't be bothered to get back out to write a post. I'm making sure I write one just after doing the evening meal and the washing up. Before I get too comfortable. Before I get too settled down for the night. 

It's been so hot and humid here in Michigan that it is quite draining. I have been going for a morning walk, but this morning there was 94% humidity and I felt all sweaty and dirty before I'd barely got started! It is lovely to see everything growing and green right now. 

This afternoon it absolutely fell down with rain. Usually that will clear the air but it feels just as heavy now as it did before. The window air conditioner is on today. It makes things a little more bearable. 

I have been up in the crafting room. I'm not feeling all that creative but I have been getting some cards done and another of those little envelope mini-albums. I'm not trying out new things but I'm finding comfort in creating things that I know how. 

I have a whole bunch of cards done but keep forgetting to photograph them. I shall have plenty on hand when needed!

Mum went back to the care home on Friday so once she's settled in again I shall start sending her cards until we know more. I did send one there before she got taken to the hospital but I'm not sure she got it. I hope they held onto it for her! I'm not sure when I'll get to talk to her again. Sister is going to visit tomorrow and she said she was going to ask about Skyping. 

Now I'm going to go catch up on blogs before getting started on anything else!

June - Blog Catch-up

 Ack. Happened again. I am just struggling to keep up with things. I can't believe May is over and we're into June. 

Mum is still in the hospital. I did get to talk to her on Wednesday. My sister had an appointment to go and see her for an hour (that's all allowed right now) and she took her phone and we did Facebook Messanger over it. It was nice, but depressing at the same time. I was hoping for good travel news today but there are no additions to the UK green list. I shall just keep an eye on it. 

We had a nice time camping though I was worried about Mum. Not a lot I can do from this side of the pond anyway and sister is good at keeping in touch. The camp site was really busy but we were fairly secluded. Lake Huron is just across the road from the campsite so I walked there both mornings for the sunrise. I was the only one on the beach and it was spectacular. I watched the sun rise and then watched the shore birds and egrets fish. Before the tourists and beach goers come the birds come in droves to the shoreline. I sat and watched about fifteen egrets fishing. It was lovely.

May was an epic fail. I did manage to get the vitamins started (just) and (so far) no ill effects so I shall keep going on with them. Not a lot else got done. To be fair, we were away for a walk. I am hoping to do better this month. 

Here are a few phone photos.