Wednesday

Back to Jane's today. I feel as though sometimes we take two steps forward and one step back. There is still so much stuff. I might be repeating myself but we're donating a lot more now and having a limited sale that we can manage. It still seems like a lot of stuff. I really don't know how one person could accumulate so much. It makes me feel a little sad, but also I appreciate all the places Jane saw and all the things she got to experience. I'm just not sure where it will end and I know that both MIL and I are getting weary about going over there and sorting. We both feel - after experiencing this and Jane's house - that we want to do so much in our own homes, but after dealing with Jane's (not just physically, but mentally too) that we struggle. 

I know that we're going to have to do a little research on the prices things are worth and then slash them so that people buy the items. 

Here are a couple of things that caught my eye

Not my style, but I find these quite interesting. Large bowl and several smaller bowls. MIL calls these berry bowls. 

Jane taught school on a military base (Ramstein) in Germany for 10 years and she sent her mother a Hummel plate each year. Again, not my thing, but I find these interesting. 

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Another outdoorsy one. Was supposed, smiling that it wasn't and I managed a walk. 

Another Week

 I've been absent for a couple of days. 

Sunday was the first Mother's Day (UK) without my Mum. It was a tough day. I mostly stayed off any kind of social media just to not spend the whole day in tears. We spent the morning out even though it was well below zero. I don't think husband was too keen, but I needed to get out and not mope all day. 

Later, my sister sent me some photos of the trip her and her family took to Mum's bench where they put some flowers and cards. It was lovely to see them but made me a little teary. I won't share the family photos but here's one of the bench 

My daughter sent me a big box of English goodies and rang to talk to me for quite a while. She knows how difficult I was going to find the day. So thankful for her. 

I can't believe we're in the last week of March! It is feeling like winter again here in Michigan. Since the snow the other day it's been really, really cold. I'm back in my long underwear, double gloves and handwarmers! I'm not sure where spring went. It is supposed to warm up a little tomorrow - and rain - and then drop back down again just in time for - you've guessed it - the weekend. 

Life is plodding along and so am I. I haven't got a lot done this week but, to be fair, it is only Tuesday. 

I'm behind on posting the phone photos - but I have been taking them!

Phone Photos - Things That Make Me Smile 

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It was really cold when we went out on Sunday. Mum would have laughed when I told her about our Sunday Adventure and told me how crazy we were to go out walking when it was so cold. 

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Was so very cold on Monday morning. It was lovely and sunny though and that made me smile. I bundled up and went for a walk anyway. Roll on Spring!

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Seeing this actually made me laugh as the water has froze again! It has been that cold lol. Hopefully a warm-up is on the way. Keep your fingers crossed!

Okay - What Happened to Spring??!!

 Woke up this morning to several inches of snow. Yes, you've read that right - snow! I think Mother Nature is sleeping in and has forgotten that it's supposed to be spring!

I must admit that it was quite beautiful. The snow had stuck to the grass and the trees, but the roads have been too warm for it to lay too much and so those, and the pavements were clear. I did go out. Just to the local park as husband was helping middle son look for a car again. I wanted to at least get out for a little walk, just to break the day up. I'm also doing a Big Project for my online camera club - A Year at Asylum Lake - so I wanted to take some late snow photos for my project. I don't think the snow will stick around for long. It is supposed to be cold tomorrow - some artic thing (don't they always say that now?) - but warmer at the beginning of next week. 

There was hardly anyone around - just two runners, one I recognise from being a regular. So it was lovely and quiet. 

I went to look at the daffodils. Poor things were mostly buried. 

I had to look really hard to see these ones. Most were buried beneath the snow so I hope they survive! They are pretty hardy, I think.

Back home I don't think the birds were too happy about the snow. They were awfully hungry most of the day. 

Don't these photos look like winter, rather than spring?

The rest of the day I stayed inside. I thought about sitting out and enjoying the birds and taking some photos (bundled up of course) but, in reality, I am a little tired of the snow, so I stayed inside. I got (mostly) caught up with my online Camera Club Project. I sorted out a few things. 

Oh, by the way. Son did find a new-to-him car. He bought it today! They did a little... well, a lot of running around, but he has the car and he is so excited! 

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I'm not liking the snow, but just the peacefulness of my walk made me smile. It's amazing how much joy nature brings me. Even though it's a tough weekend I find joy in the little things. 

Book Declutter - yes or no?

 Did I do it? Have I managed to declutter some books? 

(This is where, if my blog had sounds, there would be a drum roll). 

Yes...some...sort of.

I'm quite pleased with what I've managed. 

To say that I have a lot of books is an understatement. I love books. I have a Kindle, but it's not quite the same thing (not to mention I accidentally stepped on it the other day as it was beside my chair and I cracked the screen - sigh). I enjoy holding a real book in my hands. I like thumbing over the pages. I like bookmarks too - funny ones, inspiring ones, ones I bought at places I've been too. 

BUT enough is enough. I am determined to get rid of some. I managed to get rid of 32 yesterday and over 20 today! I am going to call that a win. These are ones sort-of easily parted with. I have a few series ones that I am going to list on Ebay for a while. If they don't sell I shall be letting them go. I have contacted the local community centre to see if they are accepting books. If they don't they are going to the charity shop along with a few other bits I've decluttered from around the house. I'm also going to check what books on my shelves I do have on my Kindle. If I have duplicates I am letting the 'real' ones go. I tend to buy books on Kindle when they have a deal on them so I probably have duplicates on my bookshelves. 

I want to at least go through the books once before tackling the craft room which will be a project in itself!

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Smiling because it does actually feel good to just let them go!

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It has been raining for days on end. There was a brief moment this afternoon when the sun came through. Then it started raining again...now it has changed over to snow. Sigh. I think Mother Nature has forgotten that it's supposed to be Spring. I know that the saying is 'in like a lion, out like a lamb' but I think it's been mixed up lol.

Plodding Along

 Wednesday again. It rained all day today and I got absolutely drenched on my walk! It was only spitting when we started so we put on our raincoats and decided to walk. Of course, it didn't just stay that way. It absolutely fell down. We were - of course - the only foolish people at the park lol. At least we got out and had a walk, right? Tomorrow doesn't really look a lot better and if it's raining in the morning I think I'll stay home!

Daughter rang yesterday. Not sure if I mentioned this, but she got a promotion at work and started her new position this week. It's a little different for her especially as they are working from home and all training is done via zoom. She cheered me lots yesterday, so I appreciated her calling. This Sunday is UK Mother's Day. Not looking forward to it. It will be my first without Mum. Daughter says she has ordered me some English goodies to cheer me up. Some arrived yesterday and are coming in different packages apparently. I'm so thankful to have such a thoughtful daughter. 

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I got these yesterday from daughter. Yum! Chatting with her made me smile and cheered me up!

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Kind of a rainy, dull day. Not much grabbed my attention to smile at. I did start a new book (above). I love books. I have too many of them. I must admit this hasn't grabbed my attention much. It's an average romance but a light read. I shall finish it and it will be donated so a good thing that another will be leaving my house!

Tomorrow I have some oh-exciting housework to do. I am hoping to get some sorting done, but I seem to be doing lots of that at Jane's house and not so much at mine! 

Hope everyone is having a good week!

Another Week Starting - Monday

 Thanks for all the comments and suggestions on the last post. I'm not quite sure what combination I'm going to try. I just know I want the things to go. 

Yesterday was a lovely sunny day after the rain all day on Saturday. We took a drive to a park quite a way away. It charges a fee to get in and we opted to get a yearly pass as we tend to go there enough times to make it worth our while. The pass also gains you access to some other parks we intend on visiting. The one we went to yesterday has some fantastic trails, beaches, a golf course, shooting range and more. We love the walks around the nature centre - though we haven't done them all. There is always lots to see. We walked for quite a while and were both tired when we got home. I took lots of photos though haven't sorted through them yet. 

Neither one of us was ready for Monday. Another beautiful day. I took my walk and then went over to Jane's. I felt as though we made some progress. We got a lot of the kitchen boxed up and ready for donation. I think it is making things a lot easier now that we are donating a lot more. 

Tomorrow isn't supposed to be so nice. That's good in a way. I won't have an excuse to procrastinate. I haven't made a meal plan yet, but I need to as I have to go to the shops tomorrow and want the meals planned so I don't have to go again. So, it will be a walk - weather permitting - the shops, housework and some sorting. I am in the mood to let some books go!

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Yesterday I really wanted to go to see the heron rookery at the park. You can just seem them on the tops of the trees. There are lots of pairs of blue herons, sitting on nests and building them. It's quite a sight to see. There were quite a few photographers there watching and snapping away. It made me smile!

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What an absolutely beautiful morning this morning! I got to the park before my friend and walked down to enjoy the sunrise by myself. It was so peaceful and a great way to start the day. 

Thinking Out Loud

 Today was rainy, cloudy and just plain yuck. I didn't get out for a walk. I cleaned up something I had been meaning to, I sorted a little, played with photos. Middle son stopped in for a while after car shopping with husband. No luck on the car. They didn't find anything remotely close to what he is looking for. He has a set amount budgeted and used car prices are terrible right now. Hopefully he will find something soon. It was nice to see him. He stayed to watch a film and have something to eat before husband drove him back home. I went along for the ride just to get out of the house for a while!

I did get up in my craft room today. It's part of what the Thinking Out Loud title comes from. I just have too much craft stuff. Way too much. I admit to being a paper hoarder. I need to seriously thin out my craft items. I think that a part of why I haven't been crafting too much is because of the space. I am just too overwhelmed with all that is in it. I'm not sure if this is coming from dealing with Mum and Jane's things, but I just find myself wanting less things and more space, more a feeling of calm. 

My dilemma is this - what do I do with all the items? What would you do with all the items? A lot of them are unused and I'm not swimming in money. I'd love to be able to go to visit my sister this summer and spend the anniversary of Mum's death sitting on her bench and remembering her. Air fares are going up so I will have to budget the money somehow 

Do I...

a) Ebay the items

b) Open an Etsy shop where I can sell some craft supplies as well as finished items

c) do a combination of either a or b and donate some

d) let it go and just donate the lot

I'm tempted to do C. As I said, I could use the money. D would be the easiest. I suppose I could give a limited time to sell some and if it doesn't go then donate it. 

What would you do? 

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Finished up the crafty album. I miss crafting. It was nice to get up in the craft room. 

March 18th - Friday

 Well, it didn't rain this morning. 

It was nice to get out with my friend and walk. I managed to spot the beaver down by the lake again. He wasn't up for long before swimming away. Most of the ice on the lake has defrosted now too. J (friend) and I walked for a while and chatted. It was quite quiet by the lake this morning. 

After the walk I went to the shops to pick up a few things. Ouch. The prices made me cringe, but hopefully we're stocked up for a few days. I am actually pleased that I haven't succumbed and bought material things. I've stayed away from books and, although I was tempted by the free shipping St. Patrick's Day craft sales, I haven't given in. After a while I think it gets a little easier. There are several books I am sorely tempted by BUT I want to get rid of some of mine before I think about purchasing any more. I am still debating whether to put some things on Ebay or just let them go and donate them. Still thinking. 

Tomorrow it is supposed to rain. I haven't got a walk planned if it doesn't. I am tempted to just stay home and sit on the back porch for a while if it doesn't rain. I really need to give my ankle and knee a little more rest. Especially if I want to walk on Sunday - which is supposed to be sunny. 

I checked in for my weekly message with my middle sister today. She told me that her oldest daughter's partner tested positive for Covid as did sister's grandson who she had picked up from school earlier in the week. Sister is hoping they don't catch it again - they had it when Mum got it, but obviously this is a different variant. I hope she doesn't. get it. Please keep them in your thoughts. I know it's not the same now as it was back then - especially with the vaccines - but I still worry. 

I have a couple of days to catch up on phone photos. I'm still plodding along but feeling a little repetitive. Sometimes the same things do make me smile though, sometimes walks provide the most smiles along the way. 

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From behind the beaver's lodge. They downed another tree. I was so pleased to be able to see them again since the ice is melting. A great way to start the day and seeing them always brings a smile to my face. 

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Clouds and Reflections in the lake. Lovely to see them again. It's always amazing to me how the views change during the seasons and how my favourite views change during the year. I love seeing the reflections on the lake now that it has defrosted 

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I love diaries/journals. I have a thing for stationary. When I saw this one at 50% off at the beginning of the year I couldn't resist. I am loving it right now. I have been trying to write down what I am seeing each day on my walks so I can remember as I write my year long project on my photography blog. The entries are evolving as I decide what information is relevant for my project. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Days Slipping Away - Woody Woodpecker/Pileated Woodpecker

I'm having a funny brain moment. I was pretty sure I posted yesterday but apparently not...lol.  I shall have to catch up on posts tomorrow as I am just about ready for bed. 

It was a lovely sunny day today. Spring was definitely in the air! Won't be for long though - as we are due cooler temps and rain tomorrow and Saturday. I did actually have my windows open today for a little while to air out the house. Gasp! 

I spent a lot of the day walking. Paid for it later with my knee and ankle, but it was really lovely. Tomorrow I just plan on taking a shorter walk and then catching up on housework and some other stuff. Saturday looks to be rainy from the start so I might just spend the day sorting out some of my own things. 

I'll have to catch up with my phone photos tomorrow. Today I'll post a photo of a lovely Pileated Woodpecker that I saw on my walk today. I actually saw two of them! Woody Woodpecker, Looney Toons cartoon character, was based on this woodpecker. It's really quite large and has a distinctive sound. I've included a link to a Youtube video below - hope it works! I love seeing these woodpeckers. 

Youtube video of Woodpecker sound

I just seem to be drained today. I didn't get as much done as I was planning. 

I woke and went for my walk. The paths were a lot clearer today so that was nice. My walking friend and I saw the beaver and some muskrats. As we walked along we heard a lot of crows cawing in the trees. Usually this means there is a predator nearby. We looked up in the nearby trees but saw nothing. As we were walking along I happened to look over and saw a beautiful Cooper's Hawk sitting on a log! He sat there long enough that I was able to take some photos with my camera. Such a treat! He flew off to find breakfast after a little while. 

I stopped at the shops. Did some housework. Took a bath to try to soothe my knee and ankle. And that was that (apart from making food and doing the washing up). I did not get half of what I woke up early in the morning thinking about lol. I don't seem to have a lot of energy. I've been half falling asleep since about 8pm. I am waiting for son to ring me after work (he finished at 10.10pm and then I shall be off to bed. Hopefully I'll have more energy tomorrow. 

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Reflections. This view made me smile as it is the reflection right by the beaver's lodge. I had to watch really carefully to catch sight of him!

Hope everyone had a good day!