Weird

Seems kind of quiet without DD.  I will get used to it :)  I pulled out some cross stitch -  shock horror - haven't done any for a while but figured I might get started again to keep myself occupied.  I jumped right in and began working on a large piece again.  Hopefully I'll have a pic update again.  I forgot how much I enjoyed it.

Today's picture is of East Channel Lighthouse.  It's a picture I took on our trip up to Northern Michigan.  I took several pics of Lighthouses, something I never thought I would be interested in. They are interesting buildings though.  Most of them have lots of history.  I think East Channel is one of my favourites.  I wouldn't mind taking a holiday there though I don't think it's open anymore.  Bit of history below and then my pic.

The Lighthouse sits on Grand Island up near Munising.  It was opened in 1868 and is made of wood.  As it is difficult to get to - I believe the island itself has holiday homes on but is not inhabitated all year round - the lighthouse was closed down in (year varies) 1908 or 1913.  The lighthouse was severly neglected and damaged due to erosion.  In 2005 volunteers worked for 30 days straight to build seawall. Restoration is now complete.  The Lighthouse is privately owned

Going, going.... GONE

DD moved into her dorm on Sunday.  It seems awfully quiet here.  Last night when I went to bed was the worst.  Usually she'll come in the bedroom and say goodnight and sometimes stay and chat a while.

I'm happy that she's going to Uni, I'll just miss her.

We managed to get everything into her dorm room and her room mate seems okay so hopefully it will all work out.  She rang yesterday to say she was in her orientation for her job at the cafeteria. 

I treated myself with a phone call to my Mum and a chat about my upcoming visit back home (October so not many weeks).

Right now it seems awfully quiet in the house.  This has to be the first time I've been alone in the house since maybe May.  Wow - yes, that long!

More DD and Ren Faire

DD will be leaving in the am.  I think it's finally hitting her and she's a little (well, maybe more than a little) stressed.  We have most of the stuff packed but she seems to think it's a lot.  She is moving out and I don't think it's really that much.  Not sure what the size is of her dorm room though.

I guess they have a 20 min unloading thing and then cars get parked somewhere else so the plan is to drop everything off. DD, DS and I will be there while hubby parks the car.  I'll stay with the stuff while DD and DS start taking it up.  I'm okay going up the stairs but coming down really hurts my ankle so I don't want to do it more than once. 

I'm not sure how long we'll stay after that - not because we don't care or we can't but because I'm not sure how long DD will want us to stay.  I think she just wants to get settled and all that.  I understand.  I don't want to be a clingy, teary mum even though I feel like doing it :)

More Ren Faire pics

Life and Knights

DD leaves on Sunday.  We've been running around today picking up last minute stuff.  It's getting closer now and seems more real.  I don't want to be too much of a downer as this is really exciting for her.  So far her life is packed into four cubes (this does not include clothes).  I'm going to make sausage rolls and Cheese & Onion pasties for dinner tonight.  Something special before she leaves.

Enough of that.

One of my favourite things at the Ren Faire are the Knights and Jousting.  I think everyone loves them.  Strong men on powerful horses.  Phew.  Below are a few of my pics.  Tomorrow they'll be other sights from the Ren Faire (and a little more about DD leaving)

Balloons, Balloons and more Balloons!

This past weekend we took one last family trip before DD leaves this weekend for college.  The Ren Faire near us has been canceled this year!  Sob, sob!  Usually there is one really close to us and really fun to go to.  We decided to travel a little over 2 hours to hit the Ren Faire at Holly, Michigan.  It's the Mid Michigan Ren Faire and is held on permanent grounds in Holly.  I have lots of pics of that to share - that will be tomorrow's project. 

On our way to the Ren Faire we passed by a beautiful sight of loads of colourful balloons in the air.  I guess there was a Balloon Fest going on somewhere.  It was difficult getting pictures as we were driving on the motorway at the time but I think a couple of them showed up well.

I opened a Photoshop account today and decided to play with one or two of them (another reason for the delay on Ren Faire pics)

Acckkk TIME FLIES!

Can't believe how time has flown!

The Olympics are over and done with.  I ended up watching the ending ceremony live on my computer - once again they didn't show live on American TV.  I must be getting old - recognised all of the 'golden oldies' - from George Michael, The Pet Shop Boys and Annie Lennox.  They were just starting out when I was sliding into my teens.

How the years have passed!  My oldest just celebrated his twenty-third birthday and my youngest heads off to college in a few days.  I'll miss her.  She's the only girl and we do a bunch of stuff together but now it's time for her to spread her wings and learn to fly.  I am SO very proud of her and excited for her.  She is starting off on her own adventure, moving out (not quite on her own but with a room mate in a dorm), but it's all new for her.  She's going to college and she has the chance to do something marvelous with her life.  I married young (when I was her age) and had 3 kids by the time I was my oldest son's age.  I don't want that for her.  I want her to have more.  To do something bright and exciting, to go places and explore.  I wish all that for her.  She's a really smart young lady (hey, that makes me sound really old!). 

This summer she's been helping out the 90+ year old Great Aunt of my Father-in-Law.  My in-laws had asked if - instead of her getting a regular job for the summer (which was slow coming) - that she come over and help Aunt for an hour or so each day, drive her to hair appointments, shopping and put in her eye drops.  For a 90-something lady Aunt can still walk around and is in general good health.  DD has spent time with her, played with the cat Aunt just adopted and played cards with Aunt.  Today DD says when she was over Aunt cried because she was going to miss her. 

It seems like she'll be an ocean away (like I am with my Mum) but it's only a couple of hours drive.

Here's wishing DD a good school year.  May she have lots of fun and make lots of new friends. 

:)

Go Team GB

Lots of medals won yesterday for the GBR team!  YEAH!  Sad to say the football team lost.  Aarrrggghhh - knew it probably wouldn't be good when it came down to the penalty kicks.  Not very good at them and England just lost with the same thing a few weeks ago with Euro 2012.

When they lost the song they made up on a radio show I listen to played through my head.  Scott Mills (BBC radio one) had a song on that they made up for when teams loose out.  Balls of Disappointment.  The download is still available at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01k06mp

I'm still very disappointed in the NBC coverage.  Nothing like hearing the results before seeing the event :)