A pretty good week

Happy Sunday to you all!  It is late in the day as I write because we have been busy today, so I'll probably be brief.  While we didn't have any grand adventures this week, we did get out for some fun.  This week just seemed a little more slow-paced and I felt like I was able to relax and enjoy some quality time with the girls.  Maybe I'm finally just used to our routine.   Either way, I'm thankful for the fact that I feel more well-rested and not quite so rushed.  Maybe someday life will get back to normal again, but for now I'll settle for more weeks like this.

On Monday, the girls got to have a really nice visit to the dog park.  The weather was nice and I let them run and sniff to their heart's content.  It was a great visit.  

The wildflowers are starting to fill the forest floors and the trees are getting more leaves every day.  This is the time of Spring that I love best of all, so I really enjoy these trips to the dog park with the girls.   Just being outside in the woods surrounded by the beauty of nature really makes a difference in my mood.  

As we left the park, we climbed the snow tubing hill at Hawk Island park on our way back to the car.  It was a beautiful end to our evening.

Earlier in the day, I had left the girls home and had lunch with Nicol and Fiona.  It was Fiona's birthday week, and I was happy to get to spend some time with her.  We had tacos for lunch, she opened her presents from me, and then I got to put her down for her nap before heading home.  She is such a character and I loved getting to spend this quality time with her.  She loves to tell stories and her personality is really evolving.  What a fun age!
 

Tuesday morning started quietly at my house.  Both Peaches and Mina slept in and were happily snoring away most of the morning while I worked. 

I took a late lunch Tuesday afternoon to make the drive to visit my dad.  I took the girls along for the drive and got them out for a walk along the way.  I finished my work day from a McDonald's dining room close to dad's rehab so that I could visit him right after work.  

I had a really great visit with dad that night.  He was feeling pretty good and even said he was feeling stronger.  I stayed for a couple of hours and then made the drive home, making it home just about sunset.  

I had a busy Wednesday morning at work, but I made a point of stopping for lunch so I could get the girls out for a walk because we were expecting some pretty bad storms in the early afternoon.  We took a drive to the gas station so that I could get a Mt. Dew, and I decided to take the girls for a nice walk in the neighborhood there.

It was warm and humid, but we got in a great 2 1/2 mile walk which was much needed by us all.  I made a quick stop at the store on the way home, and we arrived home in the rain.  I got the car in the garage as the storm picked up, and as I found out when I got inside, we had safely made it home in the middle of  a tornado warning.  Luckily no tornados touched down in the area and the weather at my house was never that bad.  The storm moved through quickly and then the weather cleared up for the rest of the day.  Thanks to that nice walk, I had a quite afternoon.

I was glad that the storms moved through the area early so that we could still hold our Wednesday night dog walk.  It was a little chilly and windy, but the dogs that were able to join our walk had a great time.  This time with the shelter dogs always makes my week better, too.  Look at those happy faces!

Thursday I made another visit to see my dad.  It was one of the best visits I've had yet and his progress is noticeable.  He has been told by a casework that they have been reviewing the physical therapy notes and that he may be able to go home in the next week.  I have to say that I thought this was really good news, and I honestly believe he is at a point where this moves makes sense for him.  I know he still wants to work on getting around better with his walker, but I can tell that he actually feels ready for the move home now too.  So hopefully when I write next Sunday, he'll be home.  His physical therapy won't stop then, and he'll still have work to do to continue to build strength and endurance and get back to a normal life again, but this is at least a step in the right direction.

After our visit, I got the girls out for a walk on a trail that I found in nearby Clio.  We didn't take a long walk because my knee was bothering me, but we got in a good mile and they seemed happy with that.  We made a few stops along the drive home to pick up some geocaches to make up for the shorter walk.  It was dark when we got home, but it was a good night.

Because my knee was still acting up on Friday, I took the girls for a run at the dog park on my lunch to burn off some of their energy.  It was just what we all needed.  

I was pretty happy to find my first Trillium of the year while we were there.  Peaches was just happy to be outside!  Part of the reason I enjoy visiting this dog park so much is the joy I see in the girls as they run and explore.  It was a good way to spend my lunch.

Friday was also a big day in our world because these two cuties celebrated their birthdays.   

Fiona is now two, which is so hard to believe, and Picasso turned seven.  Of course Nicol spoiled them both on their special day.  I really love the picture of the two of the together.

After a quiet Saturday morning at home, we headed out to meet up with Vanessa in Marshall for lunch and some fun. 

We had a nice 3.9 mile walk on the North Country trail along the Marshall Riverwalk.  It's one of my favorite spots along the trail, and it was a really nice walk despite the cold.  After our walk, we spent a little time doing some geocaching in the area.  Although we didn't have much success, it was still a great day.

I took some time Saturday evening and Sunday morning to do some cleaning and organizing around the house.  It felt great to have the energy to be productive because it's been awhile since I wasn't just dragging by the end of the weekend.  

We left home late Sunday morning to make the drive over to visit my dad.  I wanted to be able to get the girls out for a walk before we got there, so we may a stop at the Flushing Riverview Park along the way.

It was chilly and windy, so we had a brisk walk around the park.  The sun was shining and the view was pretty, which made for a really nice walk. 

The girls always love when we stop somewhere new, and they really enjoyed our stop here.  We had a nice one mile walk, and then we were on our way to visit dad.

My mom was at the facility when I arrived for my visit so I got have a visit with both mom and dad, which I haven't done in quite awhile.  After my visit, I treated myself to dinner and then took the girls for a walk around Birch Run before heading home.  It was a good way to end our weekend.

I am actually feeling pretty good about the week ahead too.  I have no big plans or commitments, and I'm hopeful that my long drives multiple days a week are nearing there end.  I hope that you all have a great week!  

Doing your best is enough

On Thursday we reached day 100 since my dad first went into the hospital.  It's crazy to think about all that we've dealt with over the past few months.  Thankfully, he's continuing to make improvements, although his progress in getting back his strength has been slower than he has wanted.  I know we are all looking forward to the day that he is able to get back home.  I had a couple of really nice visits with him this week, but if I'm honest, the travel is really starting to get to me.  At a minimum I'm spending two hours driving every time I visit, so there's no such thing as making a quick visit to see him.  

Work has been keeping me busy, and when you add my volunteer commitments and my weeknight visits to my dad, the week days seem pretty long.  Of course, I still have to find ways to get the girls the exercise and mental stimulation they need, try to take care of myself, and keep up on all of the things that are just part of daily life like cooking, cleaning, errands, etc.  I am doing my best, but I'm certainly not keeping up with everything.  It's just a fact of life right now.  

I've been maximizing the days by using my lunches to get the girls out or to run errands, and I have been bringing the girls along with me on my trips to visit dad.  This allows me to get them out for a walk along the drive home while it is still light out.  We've discovered some nice trails to explore and the change of scenery is good for all of us.  Plus I'm really enjoying all of the suns of Spring. This has meant a lot of dinners out over the last couple of weeks and arriving home after dark, but it seems to make the most sense right now.  

I'm thankful for my Wednesday nights at the shelter because my volunteer time gives me a break from all of the other responsibilities of life.  It feels like something I can control and that I am choosing to do for myself (although I do feel some responsibility to the dogs).  I do love the time I get to spend with the dogs.  They are always so happy to get a little love and attention and return it tenfold.  

I've also tried to find one day that we can just do something fun and to take my mind off the whirlwind of responsibilities, but what I need most by the end of the week is a full day of rest.  That seems to be the one thing that has gone to the wayside in most weeks.  I just keep reminding myself that this won't last forever, and I can't even imagine being in my dad's shoes...so that keeps me focused on what needs to be done to get through this little blip in our lives and reminds me to appreciate every day and to stay positive.  This will pass, and I'm lucky to be able to spend this extra time with my dad.

This week, by the time we reached Friday, I was exhausted.  The weather was cool and rainy, and I was glad not to have any plans for the evening.  I had decided earlier in the week that I'd stay home Friday evening and Saturday to try to do some things around the house and yard.  Saturday's weather looked promising for getting a lot done.  I was pretty excited about it.  So the girls ate dinner in there food games and then we settled in for a quiet Friday evening at home.

The girls woke up much earlier than normal on Saturday, and I felt like the thing I needed most was more sleep.  I convinced them to settle in for a little nap after a trip outside and an early breakfast, but they were pretty restless.  I finally decided to get up, but had no motivation to do anything.  So rather than force myself to start odd jobs around the house, I just sat down to read.  When I was feeling a little better,  I thought maybe it would make sense to make a Saturday visit to my dad instead of waiting until Sunday.  So I got ready and loaded the girls into the car for the drive.

Along the way, Peaches was anxious, so I decided to stop at a small nature trail in Shaftsburg to stretch our legs.  We enjoyed this lovely little area so much that we walked all of the trails in the park, and by the end of our walk, I knew what we really needed was a day off from running around and responsibility, so I changed the plan for the day again.

It was such a beautiful afternoon, that I decided to head to Lake Lansing North Park for some more time in the woods.  It was a beautiful late afternoon to be in the woods, and the marshes around the park were full of new life.  I saw skunk cabbage and marsh marigolds, and we heard lots of birds and peepers.  The girls were happy to be outside, and so was I.  

Ultimately, I made the decision to stay home on Sunday as well, and take the full weekend to catch up on some work around the house and yard, as well as to catch up on rest.  The weather is absolutely beautiful, so I'm hoping to do a little work outside this afternoon after spending the morning finally finishing my taxes and doing some other things inside.  

The girls have alternated whining to go outside with whining to come inside.  Peaches just isn't happy outside like she used to be and can be pretty pathetic(and annoying).  I had hoped that they'd just want to spend time outside on this beautiful day.    Mina has had some fun outside, but is currently whining to come back inside again, which I'm sure will start a nice wrestling match.  I'll be heading outside soon, and hopefully that will make them both happy.

This week was originally supposed to be the week of my Spring vacation, but with everything going on, I never got the chance to plan a road trip, and it doesn't make sense to be away from home for a week right now.  I thought about taking the week off just to stay home, but instead, I think we're going to plan a longer trip for June so we can get away and really get a break.  But I sure am going to miss my April vacation.  It's always one of my favorite times to explore new places.  

I am excited that I'll get the chance to see Fiona this week, though.  I can't believe that in just a few days, she will celebrate her second birthday.  Where has the time gone?!?  

Now I'm off to get some lunch and enjoy this nearly perfect Spring day.  I hope that you all have a great week!

Rainy days, flowers, and softball.

Our week started off slowly and uneventful.   

Monday's only adventure was a lunchtime visit to Soldan Dog Park where I didn't take one picture, but had the best time.  

Tuesday we had a rainy evening, but after a busy day at work, I needed to get the girls out of the house.  We got in the car to take a drive, and when we drove by a nearly empty Dewitt Dog Park, I decided to make a stop.  The park reopened for the season on Monday, so it was nice to stop for a good run.  Mina played several rounds of fetch, ran at top speed, and tried some of the new agility equipment.  Peaches spent her whole visit sniffing every inch of the ground.  It was such a nice visit.

Wednesday morning was crazy busy at work, so a nice walk on my late lunch was very much needed.  We spent some time exploring Delta Mills Park hoping to get out before the impending storms. The sky was dark behind us, but we never even felt one sprinkle. It was a really nice walk in the sunshine. 

Luckily the rain held off for our Wednesday night shelter dog walk too.  We were able to get four dogs out for a walk...three of them these 8 month shepherd mix sibling puppies.  It was such a fun walk! I can't believe these three are still available for adoption. 

After the shelter dog walk, I had time to take the girls for a quick trip to Soldan Dog Park for a nice run to end our evening.   It was a beautiful cool Spring evening and I found evidence that the Spring flowers are coming.  So exciting!

After work Thursday,  I made the drive to Birch Run for Brezlyn's first softball game of the seasons.  I was glad that the girls could join me as I watched the game.  It was chilly so we did some laps around the field to stay warm.  Mostly we stood behind the umpire so we could have the best view of Brezlyn pitching. 

Unfortunately Chesaning lost the game 6-2, but I was glad I was able to be there.    

After the game, I was able to stop for a visit with my dad on the way home.  He was in great spirits and looking great.  We had a really nice visit.

Peaches apparently had an exhausting evening!

At the end of my workday on Friday, it was clear that the girls were ready for some fun.  Just look at the look Peaches was giving me.

After a stop for dinner, we drove out to Dewitt for a walk at the Padgett Natural Area.  This was a new area for us to explore.

While most of the paths were paved, we were able to get out onto some dirt paths too.  The girls loved their time in the woods. 

The sunshine, blue skies, and birds chirping made for a nice time.  

It was a great start to our weekend despite the tick I found crawling on me.  That's my second tick of the season vs none on the girls yet.  Ugh, I hate ticks!

Saturday I was happy to start my day with a shelter dog walk.   I haven't been holding regular Saturday morning dog walks, so it was nice to be able to start my day that way.

We walked four awesome dogs.  These boys were both so nice.  

After walking the shelter dogs, I headed out with the girls for a trip to Hillsdale to join a group hike on the NCT there.

This was the Chief Baw Beese Chapter's 4th annual Brewery to Brewery hike between Jonesville and Hillsdale. 

It was such a nice day to be out for a hike along the Baw Beese Trail.  The weather was perfect!  We ended the day with 6.4 miles on the trail.

We met a really nice couple who are also GSP owners and had a great time hiking with them.  When we got to Hillsdale Brewing Co., I  decided we'd stay and have a late lunch with the group.  It was so much fun and the food was excellent.   The girls had a great time too.

By the end of the day, I had walked a total of 9 miles.  The girls and I took a slow drive home picking up some geocaches along the way.  It was just after sunset by the time we arrived home.  It had been a long day, but we had so much fun.  It was a great way to spend our Saturday. 

While I debated how to spend our Sunday, and thought I might try to stay home, I ended up deciding to make a visit to my dad.  After a quiet morning at home, we made the drive East to the rehab facility.   I had a nice visit with my dad and we watched the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship game together.   As I was getting ready to leave, my nephew Mason showed up for a visit,  so I stayed a bit longer to visit with him too.

Finally, I left my dad so I could get the girls out for a walk.  I had found the Birch Run Community Park nearby and thought it looked like the perfect spot for a walk.  We had a nice 3 mile walk on the paved trails and picked up a few geocaches while we were there.  It was a nice little park and we all enjoyed our visit.

The day didn't go at all like I thought it would, and we got home a lot later than I had originally planned.  Not exactly the Sunday I had hoped for, but still it was a good day.  Maybe next weekend we'll take a rest day. 

Here's to hoping for an uneventful week ahead!  I hope you all have a great week.