Another One Bites the Dust - Phone Broken

 I broke my phone yesterday. Beyond Repair. Sigh. Not sure what happened, but it ended up with a big crack on the screen and would just flash green and orange. It was beyond repair. The phone company was having a promotion so instead of replacing the one I had I upgraded for about the same cost as replacement (we had some sort of insurance plan daughter had set up). So now I have a new phone. 

My photos are gone. I had most of them backed up to my google account, but I still have to sort it out. I am sad that my whole album of a photo-a-day are gone. Luckily I have posted most of them on the blog. I have to work out whether I have all the missing days or not. There could be worse things. 

We are off camping for the holiday weekend. First camping of the season. I shan't be back on until Monday. Cell phone reception is iffy sometimes and we have no electricity so I will be limiting the amount of time I am using my phone. I will be trying to post some stories on Instagram so if you are on that platform come along and check out my weekend camping adventures Instagram Account

Adding a random photo here - this is one I took last week at the wildlife refuge near daughter's house. The view amazes me as you can see just how small the eagles are on the huge nest. It's hard to describe how huge an eagle's nest can be. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend. 

Wednesday

I reckon I must have just slept wrong on my hip as it's feeling a bit better today. I went for a quick (slow) walk before the rain set in. Did a food shop and visited the bookshop - where I only bought a couple of magazines. Came home, did some housework and sorted through a few photos. All in all, a pretty quiet uneventful day. 

There is a poor baby sparrow hanging around the garden. I thought someone was feeding him, but when I went out tonight to bring in the feeders (else the raccoons get the feeders and run off with them) it was sitting in a small hanging bowl that I put peanuts in. I left that out. Hopefully it will be okay. Maybe it has been abandoned. I hope not. The other day there was a baby sparrow on the feeding table and a Grackle got hold of it and killed it.

Tomorrow we are back at Jane's to box up more things. It's supposed to rain all day tomorrow so I'm not sure if I'll get in a walk first or not. I don't fancy walking in the rain. My walking friend is on holiday visiting her son and her new grandbaby for a couple of weeks so I only have myself to please. I did go somewhere new today (well, I've walked there a couple of times). Another birding person was nice enough to point out a place where a Pileated Woodpecker is nesting. There aren't babies yet, but he thinks they have a nest as he watched them build it. I might go back in a few days to have another look. It's really easy to see but I'd be far enough away so as not to disturb them. 

Phone Photos - Things That Make Me Smile

138/365 (Wednesday 18th May)

A rainbow! It's been forever since I've seen one. I loved seeing it and it made me smile!

139/365 (Thursday 19th)

It was my birthday and I got to spend the day with daughter. At the end of the day we all snuggled up with the dogs and watched a movie together. It's been a while!

140/365 (Friday 20th)

Another lovely day out with daughter. We stopped at Munsinger Gardens. Minnesota is colder than we are and spring comes later, but they were starting to plant things - though they were also covering things up because it was supposed to be cold at night! I really love these gardens as the layout reminds me of some of the parks in England. I wish I could visit more often especially when it's in full bloom. 

Off to bed for now. Chat again tomorrow (hopefully!)

Tuesday

 Trying to get back into the groove of things again. I am all caught up on washing. Not so much on housework. I did remember to (finally) call the library bookshop today to try to set up an appointment to donate some books. The person in charge will (hopefully) ring me back. I have about three boxes ready to go. If they cannot take the books I am going to just give them to a charity shop. I'd rather the bookshop have them, but at this point, they just need to leave my house. 

I must have slept wrong on my hip last night as it was hurting this morning. After my walk this morning it hurt quite a bit - ouch ouch. I was planning on doing a small food shop, but decided to go home instead. 

MIL and I have decided to go to Jane's on Thursday. I don't think either one of us really wants to go back but it has to be finished. I'm hoping once we get into the groove of it again we'll get the remaining things packed up quickly. Tomorrow it is supposed to rain. I MIGHT be able to get in a quick walk and then I am going to do the quick food shop and then some housework. Fingers crossed I'll hear from the bookshop person too!

Phone Photos - Things That Make Me Smile

135/365 (Sunday May 15)

This was my birthday trip (to Interstate State Park). We went on the Sunday so that son-in-law could come with us. It's such a beautiful park

136/365 (Monday)

Another of daughter's huskies. This is Koda (aka The Princess).  She makes me smile. Comes across as aloof, but loves attention, though she's a little quieter and more subtle about it than the other two. 

137/365 (Tuesday)

Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge. It really is quite wild looking. I love it. I wish I lived closer. I doubt that I would end up getting even less done than I do now!

Home Again

 We just got back this evening so I thought I'd pop in quickly. We had a lovely time away. It was lovely and relaxing. I spent lots of time at the wildlife refuge and lots of time with daughter. Husband had a lovely time just relaxing most of the time. He's been very busy at work so a break was what we all needed. 

Tomorrow I'll start some washing, cleaning and sorting, then it will be back to normal - back to Jane's. 

I've got some catching up to do on blogs. I've popped over and read a couple but a little tired. It's surprising what a long drive can take out of you! I'll check in with more tomorrow. 

I have been taking my photo-a-day (Phone Photos - Things That Make Me Smile) but obviously I have some catching up to do! It's day 142 and the last one I posted was 131! I think I'm going to spread them out over a few days lol. 

132/365 (Thursday 12th May)

I packed my camera bags and in them I put... This was the day before we left for daughter's. Really excited. 

133/365 (Friday 13th May)

Cheating with this one a little. A long drive but smiling because we finally made it!

134/365 (Saturday 14th May)

Sasha, one of daughter's dogs. She was so excited to see us! All three dogs were really excited. It's lovely to be remembered. They are such a handful, but lovey to be around - and they give great cuddles. 

That's it for today. I'm going to relax a little before bed!

I'll be Back - Quick Update

I haven't posted in a week or so. We are visiting daughter in Minnesota and I just needed a little break from everything. Having a lovely time spending time with daughter, her husband and their dogs. I'll be back on Monday. It was my birthday on Thursday and I got to the spend the day with them. There's a Wildlife Refuge not far from daughter's and I am enjoying going there and watching nature. 

I'll have lots of catching up to do when I get back! Hope everyone is well. 

One of the eagles that nests at the Wildlife Refuge

A Burst of Summer

 Don't know about Spring, but summer has arrived full force here in my corner of Southwest Michigan. It was 90F/32C today! Phew. Too warm for me. Ha ha. After complaining about the cold I am now too warm! I wanted some lovely days where it was cool in the morning and I could open the windows and feel a lovely breeze. It's not to be. The sun is shining though and I am thankful for that. 

Today MIL and I went over to Jane's. We managed to box up all the Christmas Village and it is ready to be donated. The family room is clear. We then moved on to the Living room where we had put out all the lighthouses. Those have all been boxed and put in storage tubs until I resell them. The rest of the things were boxed up ready for donation. I shall be taking a weeks break from Jane's house as I am travelling to visit daughter for a week on Friday. So excited! It's a much needed break. I brought home some items from Jane's house to take to daughter. There were a few things she had wanted. I'm not sure if I mentioned this before, but there was also a small antique chair that Jane wanted daughter to have. When we were sorting out the bookcase near the chair we came across an envelope that had daughter's name on it. Inside was a card telling daughter about the chair and that Jane wanted her to have it. The card was written in 2015! 

My morning walk was warm but sunny and the sunrise was just beautiful - a sky of deep purples and a little hazy. There was a lovely mist over the field as I took in the sunrise. What a wonderful way to start the day and something to make me smile and be thankful for!

131/365

Tomorrow will be a busy day. I have to go to the shops and pick up some food for our drive. It's a twelve hour drive and we are planning a stop at somewhere we have been meaning to stop at on the way so we are taking food to try to cut down on costs. I also have to clean house, do some washing and pack! So excited!

Spring has come - I think

 It was sunny (sort of) and very warm today. We've gone (as I thought) from cold to hot in one swoop. Today it reached 84f (29C), tomorrow it is supposed to be 87F (31C). We don't have the air conditioners in yet (we only have window ones) so it's all the windows open and maybe some fans. It is nice not to be cold, but I haven't sorted out my summer clothes yet so I struggled to find something to wear - especially for my walk this morning! I didn't get around to sorting them out today either. 

I didn't end up going to Jane's. MIL is going tomorrow so I thought I'd go with her. It was lovely to have the day to work on my house a bit. The pile that had been sitting in the dining room has mostly (one box that needs to be donated) been put away and I am actually feeling a bit more relaxed about the house. I have some major sorting out to do of my own stuff once Jane's house is done, but at least the unsightly pile has gone!

I sat in the garden for a while this evening. The birds are out so late. I saw a Red-headed Woodpecker in the neighbour's tree. I am hoping it stays around a while. I don't see them that often. This is the first time I've seen one in my area. Yesterday it came to my garden and I was able to get photos. Of course, I'm behind in sorting them out. I will be taking my computer to daughter's house and will work on some while there when we are sitting around. 

Phone Photos - Things That Make Me Smile 128/365 (Sunday)

Just a lovely walk by myself. It was at my local place but I really needed some alone time. 

129/365 (Monday)

After the dentist had a nice walk with my friend. The sunshine and warmer temperature made me smile!

130/365 (today)

Yes, it's another outdoor photo. I saw the beavers today! Was lovely. I was out early and the birds were singing, the sun was shining and it was lovely and quiet. Made me smile and a lovely way to start the day!

Monday - Ugh Dentist

 Monday plodding around again. I had to go to the dentist this morning to have the permanent crown put on and another filling. Luckily being so busy I only really had yesterday to worry myself about it. I had the earliest appointment they had - 8am - so I didn't have time to think about it before hand either. I managed to get through it. There was a moment or two, but I reminded myself to stay calm and not panic and it worked. I now don't have to go back until October. It's a load off my mind. 

After the dentist I went for a walk with my friend and stopped at the shops before coming home. I can't say I was particularly productive today. I had some auctions to box up and get ready to have shipped. Luckily, I am able to have the postman/lady pick them up when they drop off our post. It's really convenient and will save me a trip to the post office. 

Tomorrow I am going for an early walk and then I shall pop over to Jane's and start boxing some bits up. I feel very relieved that the sale is done, now it is a matter of boxing up and sorting out the bits left. We are hoping to put the house on the market soon. 

This last Saturday was the first of the month which is the day for #1day12pics. I actually managed to complete it. I chose the theme Flora as I was at Jane's house for the sale. I took my camera and managed to pop out at hers to take some photos and some photos in my garden. Mine are mostly the wildflowers (weeds lol). 

Busy Week

 I don't think I've posted at all this week. I was intending to but time got away from me. I was at Jane's every day as the Estate Sale (where we sold items from her house) was Friday and Saturday. It went fairly well. I think we were pretty organised for just my mother-in-law and I doing it ourselves. The traffic was pretty steady. We didn't sell as many collectibles as I had hoped but we sold a lot of the furniture which were the bigger pieces and lots and lots of books. We had a couple of book dealers come and they bought many of the history books. 

Now we have to decide what to do with the rest. I think the Christmas Village pieces will have to be donated. They aren't expensive makes and I don't think there's much of a market for them on Ebay or anything. The lighthouses I am going to try to sell on Ebay either individually or by lots. This will be my summer project along with the postcards. So, I am going to box up the lighthouses, put them in plastic boxes and store in a closet at Jane's house at least until it sells or my house has some TLC sorting done. I am giving myself a limited time as I don't want them in my house indefinitely. I have sold on Ebay before - I have even sold a couple of Jane's lighthouses recently and they did well. I also sold a couple of her postcards (one sold for $61!). 

The little bits and pieces will be packed up for donation. The remainder of the books will be boxed up and MIL's cousin is going to take them to a book sale that an organisation that she is involved with has. We still have some bookcases left and I think I will put them on Facebook marketplace for a couple of weeks and if they don't go we will donate. I would really like the rooms to have only furniture on the edges so they are easily seen when the house goes up for sale. 

This week the plan is to get the Christmas Village boxed up, the books and the lighthouses. The rest will have to wait. On Friday husband and I are taking a trip to visit daughter for a whole week! A whole week of doing nothing - no sorting, no housework and very limited cooking lol. 

I have some catching up to do with blogs that might take me a couple of days. I am glad the sale is over. I had nightmares that nobody was going to show up. Thankfully that wasn't the case. I can relax a little and slowly things will get back to somewhat normal. 

I have been keeping up with my Phone Photos - Things That Make Me Smile

123/365

While looking through postcards I one that MIL had written Jane when they were young. It was an old postcard, no photo on the front, but it was fun to read and made me smile

124/365

The blossom is finally blooming at the lake! A walk before going to Jane's. 

125/365

It's another photo from my morning walk. I had to miss the next two days (as the sale was starting early) so I made the most of this one. It was chilly but the grass is finally growing, and things are starting to look greener. Soon the trees will be filled with leaves!

126/365

A treat at the end of a long day! I'm an introvert by nature and I find talking to strangers quite difficult and mentally draining. I managed to talk to people at the sale, but at the end of the day I was emotionally drained. It was good to sit down, put my feet up, eat one of the treats daughter had sent me and fall asleep!

127/365

I was smiling when it was over! This was my view most of the day as I was the cash person most of the time. 

Now to catch up...

Beginning May

I'm not making any plans to get a lot done this month. We are working hard at Jane's to get things ready for the sale. I had nightmares last night - about every kind imaginable, I think. I'm worried people won't come, worried things won't sell, worried that we won't get things done in time. I know that, in the big scheme of things, the sale isn't a huge deal. It's just a worry.  I really want to make sure Jane's things are taken care of. 

I'll be glad when the week is over, but it won't be the end of it. We will still have to get rid of the leftovers and then tidy up the house before listing it for sale. At this point it just seems neverending

And that's the end of my moaning. 

I have things to look forward to this month - we will be going to visit daughter for a week in mid-May! I am so excited. I haven't seen her since Christmas. I usually see her between then and our trip in May, but with all that's been going on I haven't been able to get away. 

We also have our first camping trip over the holiday weekend at the end of May! Another thing I am looking forward to. I love just being outside, sitting around a campfire, sunsets and sunrises (hopefully). 

Not this month - but something else to look forward to - I have booked a trip home to England in July. It's just for two weeks, not my usual six. It's a little bittersweet too as usually Mum and I are planning things to do together. My middle sister has invited me to stay with her and I will be with my sisters on the first anniversary of Mum's death. I shall finally be able to visit her bench!

Phone Photos - Things That Make Me Smile 121/365

Yesterday husband and I managed a walk. We got to this section of beach, and it was deserted. There were some logs that had washed in from the lake and we sat down on one and just listened to the gentle sound of the waves brushing the shore. It was absolutely lovely. So calm and peaceful. 

122/365

Before I went to Jane's today I took a walk with my friend and we came across this lovely painted stone. It's been a while since we've seen one. They always make me smile. It was the perfect beginning to the day.