More holiday talk.

When my Mum was over we went up to Northern Michigan.  It's really beautiful up there.  I was apprehensive about going over the bridge - I have a thing about going over water - but it was really worth it.  The views were spectacular.  I have more pics to share.  Sometimes it's hard to think of the memories as my Mum is back in England and I miss her, but I know I should think of the good times AND I plan a trip over to visit her in October so it's really not so far away.

The weather up north was beautiful.  We had a bit of a heatwave with temps reaching 90+ F - quite hot to Munising.  We all came away with lots of colour. 

The pictures are of Mackinaw Bridge. The first two were taken before crossing the Bridge the second two were taken from our trip over to Mackinaw Island. 

Sunset over Lake

On the last night of our trip up north we stayed at Sunset Motel on the Bay up in Munising, Michigan.  This is truly a beautiful motel (reasonable price too!) with a spectacular view and a GORGEOUS sunset.  I could have stayed there forever.  The morning after our night stay Mum took her cup of tea and sat out in one of the provided chairs to read while looking out over the lake.  At night when we watched the sunset it seemed like every guest was outside watching.  It was a truly beautiful, peaceful time.

Been too long...

Am I bad at this or what?  It's been SO long since I've written.  My mum's visit has come and gone.  We had a lot of fun but time was short and it went too quickly.  However - good news - I am planning an England trip in October to see her. We will be going to the Cross stitching show up in London.  Something to look forward to.

On another note -  my ankle still isn't better.  I did it on April 20th and still hurting.  I am now in a boot cast/brace thingy - doc is hoping keeping it perfectly still will heal it. 

I do have pics to share (promise) of our trip to Northern Michigan.  Things are just so crazy around here lately.  Trying to get through each date with the foot thingy while being on my feet 8 hours a day working.  Sigh.  I will try to dig out some pics.

Happy Birthday to me

Turned 42 today.  OMG!  Where has the time gone?  Long time no chat...have a LOT to catch up on.  Hopefully will post tomorrow. 

42....not sure where the time has gone!

Book addiction UPDATE

I'm doing REALLY well.  I've cut down on buying new books.  I can count on two hands how many books I've bought in the last month - a GREAT accomplishment for me.  I have been purchasing a few new reads for my Kindle (which is my goal).  I have donated three bags of used books to our library bookshop - donations fund different programmes at the library - and I've got rid of bunches on paperbackswap.  I have also sold some on Ebay and used the money to buy Kindle GC so I can replace some of my 'keeps' on my kindle.

My bedroom is looking WAAAAYYYY better.  I still can't believe how many books I have left.

I am going to update my books read - have to admit I haven't been keeping up on this and have read more than listed!

Great veggie restaurant in Kalamazoo!

Before the show yesterday DD took me to FUEL - a vegetarian restaurant in Kalamazoo.  Loved, loved, LOVED it!  Great atmosphere, great food and friendly staff.  I would recommend this place in a heartbeat.  I loved the atmosphere - small (approx 20 seats) and only open Friday and Sat from 5-9pm and Sunday for brunch, but if you're in town (ha!) try it out. 

The chef came to our table and asked how our food was.  The staff talked to everyone and answered any questions people had.  The food was terrific and it was lovely not to have to worry if everything was vegetarian and prepared vegetarian.  They had specials and regular menu items  - the handmade fries were to die for!

Comedians of Chelsea Lately...

came to Kalamazoo, Michigan tonight.

Jen Kirkman, Brad Wollack and Josh came to State Theatre tonight - what a blast!  They were SO funny.  Glad DD persuaded me that I *needed* to buy tickets and go see them.  We had a GREAT night.  Brad is so much more funnier in person.  Josh was brilliant and Jen was great.  All in all such fun!  I haven't laughed so hard in such a long time.  Thanks guys - GREAT show!

HOT! HOT! HOT!

Is it really only March????  Here in Michigan we are all sweating as the temperatures heat up.  It has been so hot here the last week people have been running their air conditioning!  We have been in the 70s, 80s F (25-29C)for the last week or more and before that in the mid 60s to 70s (18,19C).  Our average temperature for this time of year is 9C or 48F. 

A lot of people have been turning on the air conditioning.  Despite the sweltering heat I refuse to turn it on.  We've opened windows and turned on some fans, but our air conditioners are window units that we take out during the winter.  It will get cooler again and I want to be able to shut the windows to conserve on heating costs.  It's been hard to sleep at night and it feels like the middle of June/July instead of March.  I've been sitting out in the garden the last couple days and even have a bit of colour. 

I must say I'm glad the snow has gone - hopefully it won't be back.  I'm not counting my chickens before they hatch (as my mother would say).  On the 5th of this month the high temperature of the day didn't even reach freezing.  In another week I'll probably be writing about a freak snow storm we've had.

Enjoy the sun! 

Updated Book Challenge page

I've updated the page with a few more books.   I'm not really doing a good job keeping track and there are books I have read that I haven't added.  I'll have to remember to write down as I read - or at least keep track!

Spring Cleaning

Clocks popped forward one hour this morning.  Does this mean Spring is coming?  Weather certainly seems a little brighter and warmer.  There doesn't look to be any snow on the horizon this week.  YES!

With thoughts of the warming weather comes SPRING CLEANING and perhaps decorating.  My Mum is coming from England early this summer to see my daughter graduate from High School.  It has been about 12 years since she came over to America.  We have quite a bit to do to spruce up the house before she comes.  I know she's not coming to see the house, but still....

My hubby did replace the front door and screen door and the back screen door.  Makes a whole lot of difference!  The front door has never been able to be opened from the outside - the old owners never had keys and neither did we.  We've used the back door since we came here, but I would like to use the front door.  It would be great to use the front porch for shoes in the summer instead of clogging up the space by the back door. 

The screen door on the back door looked a little worse for wear.  Our dog - when he was a puppy - used to scratch on it and over the years it has become rusted.  When hubby replaced it made the back door area look a lot fresher and nicer!

Will try to get a list of over things to do - know we have to paint, but our house is old and walls aren't straight and it's a pain. 

Enough for now...