I'm back from my short Michigan trip.  It was a very nice two days.  My grandniece's open house was pretty amazing -- held at her grandparents' farm, which includes a beautiful house, swimming pool, and some beautiful landscaping.  My brother and I attended together and met up with other family members we hadn't seen in several years.  Good conversation and good food in a beautiful setting.  You can't beat that!  

In the evening I played cards with my brother and his wife.  In the morning I met my man friend at a bakery/restaurant for breakfast.  I hadn't seen him for a year and a half, though we have kept in touch by email.  His health is clearly getting worse, which is concerning -- so many things he doesn't remember!  But it was still a really nice time.  Afterwards we went to his retirement home, where I toured the facility (lovely!) and saw his studio apartment.  I asked him if he was happy, now that he's been there ten months, and he said yes, with reservations.  I know it's been hard for him to give up his home, but he knows he is safer and that if he needs care in the future it will be an easy matter to arrange.

My spending on this trip was very small.  I spent $27 for gas and $2 for an ice cream cone.  Variables are at 49% -- which doesn't count the big spending on my Oregon trip, nor the down payment on my table.  Yes, it is actually a crazy spending month, so I'm really working to keep regular expenses down.