I may be a Bad Mother but at Least It's not Raining Today

Stinky and I went to a MOPS meeting for the first time. They have childcare for the babes, so the moms can have an hour and a half break and conversate.

This is absolutely the first time I've never left the Babes alone with anyone beside a grandparent. He saw an Elmo table in the toddler playroom and went straight for it, not looking back. When I came to get him an hour and a half later he was saying "Momma? Momma? Momma?" to the lady child care worker and crusty from dried tears and a runny nose (apparently, he was a little apprehensive when the group went to walk on the Nature trail outside). I felt so guilty, but I know that it's good for him to play with other kids without his Momma around.

We went home and played in the park. The trees are beautiful and the air is crisp, just one degree shy of needing mittens and a hat.

I Think the Rain's Killing my Mums!

Its still raining and my mums look droopy and sad. I don't know if too much rain can kill them, but they don't look happy.

It looks like we'll be spending another day inside. Yesterday, we went to Vinnies and I purchased some old records. I've been making record bowls (definitely not a new, fresh idea) and putting them in gift boxes made out of the old record album covers and using the paper sleeve as tissue inside the gift box (this may be a fresh idea). I made a few and plan on making more. Give me your feedback below, and I may choose someone to receive one from me for free. The rest of y'all can view more pics via my etsy art link located to the left.

Its off to float building for Mike again tonight; Stinky and I may have to stop by and lend a hand. We'll post finished pics of the float later.

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

It's raining today and as much as I enjoy every opportunity to sing a silly rhyme to the Babes, it means no park playing today.

We'll probably venture to the recycling center; there is no curbside pickup in our little town. We may even hit up Vinnie's (that's St. Vincent De Paul thrift store for all you in the lower U.P.). The downside to thrift shopping is (1) there is not a Goodwill close by and (2) no one (and I do mean no one) will budge on a price- even if that vintage apron has a stain on it the size of a dessert plate-and most definitely won't come out.

I'll leave you with a pic. of Beautiful Sunday Lake on the beach side that I took a few days ago while the Bacon Bits was soaking his clothes in the shallow water and feeding the ducks PB crackers.

Fall pic from the Park

This pic was taken the other week at the park down the hill from us. He loves it when Mommy rakes up leaves and piles them ontop of him. We did this game the other day where we hopped and said 0hhhh! every time we found a pretty leaf (mostly it was Mommy hopping around and saying ohhhhhh! and Nathan giggling). I made some leaf shaped sugar cookies the day after and did food coloring washes inspired by all the different leaves.

Ketola Grade and Black River Lake

We took a drive yesterday, testing out our new used '06 Jeep Liberty. Mike figured some grooved dirt roads would be a good test for our trail rated vehicle.
30 minutes later after feeling the shocks take a beating on big mud filled holes in the road, we arrived at Ketola Grade, a little bridge where Black River meets Black River Lake.
This is true backwoods, where homes, we assume, are not hooked up to city water and sewer and the Charter guy most likely does not hook up your cable. A cabin back here allows absolute seclusion. One driveway crossed through a stone blocked stream, where the residents figure if you don't have a big 4WD truck, you'd better not come and visit.
The drive was a true fall color tour with trees shading the road and branches within arms reach.
Before heading back to our original destination, Walmart, we stopped by the boat launch at Black River Lake. Beautiful! Hills covered with fall trees rose up behind pines touching the edges of the lake. The lake was calm and reflected all the colors like glass. No one was around except us and the blue fall sky. This is a wonderful hidden find...too bad I left my camera behind.

Let me start out by saying the U.P. is different. It has areas that feel like undiscovered land. Full, thick forests where you will have a slight fear of what animals may be (and probably are) living just beyond your line of sight. Unless you live in one of the few bigger cities, you won't have many shopping choices or fast food options. You better carry cash; not everyone can run your credit card, and you better learn how to make tacos at home.

You will have, limitless places to explore and hike. You will have actual "mom and pop" stores to shop at and support and restaurants where the owner may also be your waiter. And you will see the most beautiful starry nights and meet people who are your neighbors and your friends.

I hope you stick with me as I share the mostly good, sometimes scary, and definitely challenging days ahead.