Rainy Day

My first day back in Michigan and it rains. One thing I did really like about Minnesota was the amount of sunshine there was! Lots of quite cold days, but plentiful sunshine. I really was looking forward to doing an early sunrise, but it was not to be. I did manage to pop out for a quick walk in between rain showers. Tomorrow is supposed to be better!

Confession time - I am not all unpacked or sorted. My son was off work today and was doing his washing. I'll get mine done tomorrow. I still have to put away all the things I took with me too. I did get all the post/mail sorted today. I also went and got a few groceries, at least a couple of days of meals planned. I have to get back into the meal planning thing. 

I'm missing Baby A. She really did give lovely cuddles. I'll be a bit more on top of things (hopefully) by tomorrow. 

A photo I took of Baby A and Sierra on Saturday for my #1day12pics. I was playing with Baby A on the floor on her playmat and Sierra came and laid down right next to her, not even moving when Baby A flailed her arms. Adorable. 

Phone Photos - Things That Make Me Smile 65/366

Was really lovely to be back at Asylum Lake despite the weather! The beavers have been really busy. They even managed to bring one tree down on top of their lodge!

Just Another Tuesday

Woke up still not feeling great. It was grey and raining early and then drizzling around the time I usually go for a walk. I decided to give it a miss. I honestly just couldn't be bothered especially when the weather was horrible. I ran my errands, did my cleaning, had a nice bath and then fell asleep for a little while. I went to bed early last night too so I really shouldn't be tired, but I suppose it's my body's way of telling me that it needs some more rest. 

No great exciting photo today. I did sit on the back porch for a little while this afternoon. Blue Jays always make me smile, so today this is my Phone Photo - Things That Make Me Smile 158/365

Tomorrow is back to Jane's. We will (hopefully) be getting rid of the rest of the books. That's the plan for tomorrow. I have several things I need to bring to my house from there soon. I also need to remember to bring some paper plates that I saved as we need them for camping. We forgot them last weekend and only had two plates that we had to hold onto lol. We are going camping again starting this weekend for a week. It's our big trip. Last one for a while. 

I need to remember...

 I need to remember to post in the daytime before I sit down for the evening. I forgot to post last night until the computer was shut down and I was ready for bed. I almost forgot tonight. Shaking my head at myself. I even have a 'plan' written down in my planner, but did I look at it? Obviously, the answer is no lol. 

Monday - I was still feeling a little queasy and husband said he wasn't feeling too well before work so I told MIL and we decided to not go to Jane's. I would hate to get her sick! I did take a Covid test as I've been feeling really tired, but thankfully it was negative. We must all just have a stomach thing. Today was better and I'm almost feeling back to normal. 

Yesterday I went for a walk and then managed to get some things done around the house. I did a little at a time and sat down in between as I found that if I moved too much my stomach started rolling again. I did get a couple of things done that I have been meaning to do so that's a plus!

Yesterday's Phone Photo - Things That Make Me Smile 59/365

Not too exciting. It's from my walk yesterday. It was lovely and sunny, but that's not what made the smile of the day. The snow and ice is melting! There were still - unfortunately - lots of ice, but it's slowly melting. 

Today I took the time to go out and take some photos. Just me. By myself. I took my time, wandered around at the beach and enjoyed the quiet. At the state park I was the only one there! It was so lovely and peaceful. The beach was mostly free of ice, but there was a line of ice formations in the water. I could hear and see the gentle waves. It was really quite lovely. 

Here are a couple of phone photos 

The thing that really made me smile is something quite silly, but here it is. 

Phone Photos - Things That Make Me Smile 60/365

A staircase. The last time I was at this park there was no way down to the beach. There used to be a concrete walkway here, but it was destroyed due to raising Lake Michigan levels. It was blocked off where you can see the fence with caution tape.  The lake has receded a little bit now. I was so excited when I learned that a stairway had been installed. 

Maybe an Early Spring?

We've had a little bit warmer weather the past few days and the birds have been out and about. I was really excited to hear my first red-winged blackbird of the season. To me they usher in the first days of Spring. As soon as the days get longer and the sun seems to come more often they appear. Their song is quite distinctive and I heard them before I saw them. I also saw my first chipmunk! If they are coming out of hibernation it certainly must mean something!

I have been out walking every day this week. On Monday there was still quite a bit of ice at the local nature park. I took a drive to the lakeshore as the sun was shining in that direction and had a wonderful walk along the beach. It was lovely and sunny there and pleasant to walk in. There was still quite a bit of ice at the beach. I liked that there weren't too many people around as it was a work day.

As I've been out a lot things haven't been progressing too much on the Homefront. I am keeping up with my everyday things, but nothing extra seems to be getting done. I have started working on a card for my sister. I've finished one, but want to make another as I have an idea in mind. I might be asking for help deciding when I've finished the second. It's what I'm going to work on tomorrow as it needs to be posted to get to my sister on time.

Tomorrow is also Mum phone call day. We're trying to decide on a holiday and dates before I book my plane tickets. At first she didn't want to go away for a week and now she's decided that she wants to. We were thinking about a trip to Ireland but she's going to check and see if there are places on the holiday before I decide on dates.

Hope everyone is having a good week. Are you seeing signs of spring where you are?

Thursday - time flying by

I can't believe the week has almost gone! Seems like it's flown by. This weekend is a holiday weekend here in the US too. I think it's one of the few the US and England share. Over here it is Memorial Day on Monday. We're off camping for the weekend. Our first time out this year with tents and up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for dry weather - they keep changing the forecast.

Mum got good news on Tuesday. She had another scan and appointment. It's always a little worrying when this time comes around. She saw the Oncologist on Tuesday and everything is good!!!!! She doesn't have to go back for a whole year!!! Usually it's six months so we're really pleased. Mum is really relieved. Now we can look forward to our holidays and me visiting! I can't believe I fly in 5 weeks. We have two camping trips (one for a week) between now and then.

I've been trying to get out and walk everyday. It's beginning to look particularly beautiful down by Asylum Lake. All the wildflowers are starting to pop. The woods are beginning to lose their dull brown hue and the woodland floor is covered by growing greenery.

I can't wait to take photos in the U.P. From our campsite you can see the Mackinac Bridge. I'm hoping to at least see some sort of sunset.

I'm doing quite well with my this-week list. I'm sticking to the food list. It's warming up now so time to do less cooking - or prepare things earlier in the day. My 100 Days of All About Me book is coming along quite nicely. I'm thinking I might get caught up next week!

I hope everyone is having a good week!