August 1 2014 Marsh bank Park, Cass Lake - Michigan

 It was not easy cleaning, sorting and taking care of our Mothers items. Every afternoon when we had enough I tried to get us, (My sister, Michael and I), out of the house and away for a bit. One afternoon I took them to one of my old hang outs (Photos soon) and another afternoon my Sister took us to where she use to hang out...It was a break we all needed and it was nice to spend time together enjoying a beautiful Michigan summer afternoon/evening. Some days we went shopping and others we checked out some shops or local gardens...Always something to do in the big city.

 Michael checking out the lake and we found out later this is where you can launch your Kayaks from. Wish we had our Kayaks with us!

 Lots of Wildflowers blooming. 

 Queen Annes Lace with wasp.

 Everything was so green!

 Bumble Bee on Clover

 Beautiful Park

 A queen butterfly

 They are smaller than monarchs but still pretty.

 Here is a Monarch but it wasn't in the mood to pose for the camera.

 Michael spotted this chipmunk and was so excited, we don't have them here where we live!

 He's so goofy at times!

 I let my sister have my camera...Memories!

 We had a few laughs when we found this really neat playground. The thing Michael is on spins. We thought you sat on it and then spun yourself around but Michael and my sister kept falling off it. We were laughing so hard as they tried to stay on it while spinning it. Then a 4 year old walked up to it and stood on it and started walking around on it and it spun as he walked...Hmmm? So that was how it's done, we were laughing as it took a 4 year old to show us how to use it!

 This is like a gyro-sphere (I think that's what you call those things) and my sister didn't check it out before hand but just jumped on it...The next thing you know she is stuck as it was spinning her. She was stuck and couldn't get out of it and Michael and I were laughing so hard we couldn't help her!!

 My sister was acting like a kid!! I was waiting and watching with the camera!

 This was a really cool playground. Most of the items spun and used gravity to spin, there was a climbing wall too. Wish we had more playgrounds like this around here!! Michael had a lot of fun!

 After a while we went for a short walk to explore...

 I love Gold Finches and they were all over the place eating thistle seeds!!

Beautiful!!

Good Morning!

Straight out of the Camera this morning, Gorgeous!

My morning's consist of getting Michael on the bus, waiting for daylight, feeding the animals and sitting on the deck of the barn and watching the world wake up!!

A nice start to the day if you ask me! 

Wow....It's true!

This really pulled at my heart-strings and made me tear up!! 

Home Sweet Home...

Our new home...Well the buildings are new but we've had the property for 8+ years...It is about time we moved and are living on our own place!

The bunkhouse is in the front and the Barndominium is in the back. I've spend a lot of time here the past 8 years but it still seems strange to be living here now! The stars at night are so big and bright and I love that I can sit outside at night as long as I want and star gaze...

Today we had storms pass us to the North and South, the skies were dark and ominous. We had a few brief showers, only about 3/10ths of an inch total. At this point any little amount of rain will help. As you can see our pasture is brown and crispy! I've had to start buying hay and we are under a burn ban too. 

After being in Michigan for 3 weeks and enjoying temps in the 70's I've had to acclimate and it hasn't been going well. I work really early in the morning and quit for the day about 11am as it's just too hot. 

Hopefully I will be able to share more photos soon....

It's been two months...

Still hard to believe she is gone, Love you Mom!!

~

Michael has celebrated his Birthday. He said it was the best birthday ever, he had friends over, they went swimming, played laser tag and at all the pizza they could eat with cookie cake for dessert. 

He started 6th grade and loves it. We are moving on with our lives just as Mom would have wanted. There isn't a moment I don't think about her though. 

I am in the process of getting things organized and straightened out. I recently bought the electrical supplies to start getting the electric in the barn. Living in the bunkhouse with the guys and 1 Tv is tough but so far we are managing! I can't wait to start living in the barndominium and having a kitchen! 

Some homemade bread sounds really good!

Not sure what to say...

I miss my Mom. It is so hard to not pick up the phone and hear her voice. Before heading to Michigan to help my sister we managed to clean out the rental house and move to our property. We are living and will be living in the bunkhouse until the barn is finished out on the inside. It was a rush to get moved so I will have a lot of organizing and straightening things up when I get back.
I've been in Michigan for the past 3 weeks helping my sister. Our Mothers memorial was on her birthday, July 27th and it was beautiful. My sister and I have our moments but are doing okay. We have our Mothers condo cleaned out and buyers have signed a contract on it. We are moving ahead but we'd both prefer to have our Mother back. We have most everything done in regards to our Mother and her estate, my sister will have to do the rest.
Michael and I are both homesick and will be heading home soon. I feel for Michael as he hasn't had much of a summer break, he's been a great helper and worker. Karen and I have tried to take breaks in the evening and do something fun with him. It's going to be hard leaving my sister and my Moms place. So many memories. Hard to believe we won't be coming back here ever. The condo is empty and echo's with our voices. I try not to think about it and just keep pushing forward.
I started this blog to share photos and items with my Mother and not sure if I will continue or not. Something I need to think about...

My Beloved Mother...

 

On Saturday June 28 my sister and I lost our Mother...She will be missed and we are still in shock and adjusting...

 

 

 March 2014

 



I am so thankful that we had 2 wonderful months together this spring and that she made it to the National Quilt Museum...

 

I love you MOM!!!