What the week holds and hitting the pause button

Last week I finished up as much of the bonus room/guest room as I could before the workweek began.  It is an underwhelming makeover, just from the one lone photo.  But it represents a big investment in my time and energy.  I estimate that I've spent $215, which includes bed, mattress, linens, curtain rod, mini blinds, outlet covers, and paint.  I hung an un-used art canvas, brought in a brass floor lamp I spray painted years ago, and added an empty straw basket for under-the-bed storage.  The plant stand is courtesy of The Girl and I'm not sure it will stay in here.  Same with the reading pillow. I think I will arrange pillows for more of a daybed look.  But this is where I am leaving it for now so that I have time to just rest and enjoy my days off.

I love the late afternoon light

Next up on the list of things to do is paint the accent walls in and adjacent to the den where the new couch is going, but that will wait until next week when I have a full 5 days off.  The mind is ready and willing but the body says "Whoa, Nelly".  Meanwhile, it is beginning to turn to Fall here with cooler mornings.  I really want to focus on my daily walks this week so I can increase my strength and energy.

Happy Monday - let's start the week off slowwwwwly...

Gina

5 thing Friday - concert, plumbing, bonus room, front door, Chloe

I took myself out on Tuesday night.

Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra were performing at the Bass Concert Hall on the UT campus.  Finding my way to the theater from the parking garage should have been easier, but there is a lot of construction and I exited the garage on the wrong level!  I went to UT for 2 years and was a tour guide with Alpha Phi Omega, so you would think I could find my way around?  I guess not!

He entertained the audience with his quirky wit before the show.  My tickets got upgraded to the orchestra section for free so I had a great view.

And they were very talented.  They were joined by a singer from the Broadway cast of Wicked and she was really good, too!  I didn't get a photo of her because I was livin' in the moment.

I kept hearing a sound that I thought was the toilet running.  Couldn't figure out how and why...turns out, it was the faucet in the tub.  Running a steady stream of hot water, no matter how far to COLD it was turned or how hard I pushed it in.  At least 5 days of that - I will hate to see my water bill.

So, $355 later, it was fixed by a guy my plumber sent over, who informed me that I could "get one of my sons" to caulk around the tub drain until such a time as I could buy a new tub insert.

Look.

First of all, no sir. That, in fact, does not require whiskers. And stop calling me Miss Gina.  Second of all, no one takes baths in here, so I'm going to caulk this my damn self and go on living my life.

I spent HOURS this week trying to hang mini blinds in here.  Twice, I brought the wrong size home, even after I felt like I had measured it correctly.  Then I had to use the new hardware that came with the blinds, so I had to remove the old brackets and install the new ones which was a pain in the rear, and then it was so hard to get the new blinds snapped it.  I also discovered that the casing for the curtain was too narrow for the curtain rods I bought.  So I adjusted that with my trusty sewing machine, cleaned the curtain, and FINALLY called it all done.

I have steam cleaned this carpet 3 times.  I don't know what all Bubbie spilled on it, and I'm trying not to complain about it so much but it was also a giant pain in the rear.  All I wanted to do was get this room cleaned and painted and set up nicely. Sheesh.

I took a break from working on the guest room to put together a Fall basket for the front door.  Cost was zero dollars.  I guess it will stay this way until I decorate for Christmas.  Doesn't that seem far away?  Its only 105 days away, folks.

And, finally.

Today is The Girl's Birthday.  These are photos from her first morning at home. Her name is Chloe Erin, aka Coco, aka Coconut.  She is my smart and beautiful only girl and I cannot believe she is 34.  Mark and I looked so young, but we were about 30 years old and thought we had a lifetime ahead of us.  Seeing him with her wrecks me a little.  She was Daddy's Girl.  Its a bittersweet day here, for sure.

Gina

Fall 2025 home projects

I haven't done so bad with home projects this year - a lot of things have been crossed off the list.  But I'm giving myself a reasonable timeline to keep working on them.  I have realized lately that I am OLD.

At least I am feeling that way!  I want to:

*Replace the carpet in the house.  This will be a big project that will spawn smaller ones, like painting all the baseboards in the carpeted rooms.  Furniture will all have to be moved, so this project will have many stages. 

Probably going to get a similar color, though.

*Level the paving stones in the red rocks area with some paver sand (which I bought already).

I will also power wash everything back here and set up the firepit.

*Paint my bedroom

Probably the same, color-wise, but I don't have any of the original paint left, so it will get totally refreshed.  I'm going for a mushroom/taupe shade which is a soothing color.

*Paint the front rooms

A slightly lighter shade on the walls, and I will consider adding a large area rug.

*Add weather stripping to the front door

Also, give the front of the door a fresh coat of paint, and power wash the brick portico.

*Pick out the paint for my desk and printer table.  Get a new office chair.

I want to use Silk Fusion mineral paint for this.

*Finish up the den with the addition of a new couch, new accent wall colors, and a room size rug.  

I will create a "library" where I can read, listen to music, and work on my puzzles.  I already moved the rocking chair out and won't likely hang curtains, so this one will have a shorter list of To Do's.  I haven't decided what to do about the coffee table yet, nor the small rug.

Hopefully, keeping myself engaged in these projects will keep Empty Nest Syndrome at bay for a few months.  But at the same time, I want to move along at a slower pace so I don't get exhausted or discouraged.  Everything can't happen all at once, so it may well stretch into 2026.  What about you - got any plans for spiffing up your spaces?

Gina

5 thing Friday - easy meals, painting, tired me, new couch, moving decor around

I've been doing fairly well at feeding myself reasonable meals lately. 

One night this week I made a noodle bowl with bowtie pasta, broccoli, lemon pesto, and a sauteed tilapia filet.  Easy, quick, and filling, with no leftovers.

Another fairly easy meal was smash burger quesadillas.  Not low cal by any means, but super delicious.

Bubbie has gotten into the swing of meal prepping again, now that he has his own kitchen.  Looks like he is focusing on veggies!  This makes my heart happy.  I know he was so ready to be out of my house and into his own space and I don't blame him one bit.  I should have him cook for me!

On Wednesday I tackled cleaning and painting the closet in the bonus room.  I also took all the switchplate covers off, removed the shelving system, patched nail holes, and bought the paint.

The color I picked is called Misty Surf and is a dusty greenish blue.

Once I painted the inside of the closet, I realized I needed to touch up the door frame and door.  (of course, because one project always spawns a few more)  I took loads of command hooks down and I may not replace them.  With 4 kids, I have purchased enough Command hooks to keep that company in business.

I felt so out of gas the first half of Thursday and I will admit, I was laying on my couch for most of the morning.  However, after lunch I rallied and painted the bonus room in record time - 2 hours.  It helps that I had already done all of the prep.  The color doesn't look all that different in this photo, but in person is so pretty and soothing.

I also made plans to paint this wall in the den  in the color "Blue Blood", which is from that same paint palette.  Because guess who bought herself a new couch?

It is being made now, in a gorgeous deep soft navy.  I am so looking forward to getting cozy on that chaise and read to my heart's content.  I'm going to look for a neutral rug and I have already moved some things around in the room.

Like a signed Pena print from 1988 (that I cannot part with), and these sconces which went to live in my bedroom temporarily (which will also get painted!).  I am shopping my house to change things up. But I am getting ahead of myself - got to work on the bonus room today and get ready for the work weekend.  Lots of plans, but all in good time.  I am definitely going to rest today!

Gina

Bonus room plans

Well, the day arrived for Bubbie to move out and into his own apartment.  While I am happy for him to gain his independence, I am feeling the Empty Nest thing hard!  Time for a big project - I already have a home office and sewing room, so this is now a bonus room.

As of Friday morning there were still things in here that needed to be dealt with.  So I moved it all out into the garage for him to make decisions and deal with the pile. (including that desk which is a beast!)  I carefully peeled those posters off and removed all of the tacks and nails in the walls.

I emptied the shelves and closet, too.  I want a completely empty space so I can decide how to reimagine this space.  Plus, oh my goodness its dirty in here!  Everything needs cleaning and dusting. 

The carpet for the entire house will be replaced, but in the meantime, I vacuumed and steam cleaned in here, and made a plan for refreshing the space:

*use Magic Eraser on the doors, clean the fan

*replace the mini blind, one of the outlet covers, the switchplate cover, and the ceiling fan pull

*repaint the closet and the trim

*paint the room a soothing color.  A green/gray blue?

*remove the shelving system and patch the holes

But, how to use this space?  I don't really want to just leave it empty and close the door - I'm not selling the house anytime soon.  And someone warned me that a guest room would mean its available for someone to come back home...but what about having a day bed in here, with a table and lamp, possibly a chair.  I may very well have a guest one day!  Originally, I was going to make a reading room, but I have found a different solution for a place to read.  I know I will use the closet space for storage, though. I'm taking it step by step until I figure it out.

Any and all suggestions are welcome!

Gina

5 thing Friday - work anniversary, summer heat, moving Bubbie, refreshing my spaces, easy dinner

What a week it has been. 

I started off by celebrating my 31 years as an X-Ray tech with my weekend co-workers.  A nice group of people, no drama and usually a smile on their faces.  I think this is the most peaceful group I have yet to work with!  It makes Monday seem very loud...

The neighbor that lost half of the tree when it unexpectedly fell, just went ahead and cut the rest of the tree down. It had some weird looking places on it - was most likely dying.  But man, this makes the view different in my backyard. The grass is really suffering back here and I have had zero time or energy to water it. Its just too hot out.

I work at my puzzle table a few times a week and it helps to make me feel calmer.  This one was given to me by a friend, but I also find them at Half Price Books and Goodwill.  The Girl says she has some I can do, too.  That puzzle table was a good idea!

Moving day dawned.  Once the office was opened, Bubbie paid his deposit, got his keys, and we were in business. Between he, The Girl, Scout, and myself we got most of his things loaded into our cars and up a flight of stairs to his new place, which is very nice. I am doing my best not to worry.

 

On Thursday, I unloaded the rest of the room right out into the garage. I wore myself out, but it made me feel productive.  It's decision time: either take it with you or donate/recycle/trash it.  I already have plans for that room.

Moving during the hottest time of the year is a Cannary family tradition, I guess.  So is getting a cold beer afterwards.  I treated myself to an apricot Belgian white while I sat and journaled.  Incidentally, this is the place where I discovered I had a very flat tire after meeting up with a friend.  Returning to the scene of the crime, ha ha.

I also thoroughly cleaned and restocked my fridge and freezer.  I know it just looks like a lot of bevvies in there, but I also cooked taco meat and chicken breasts to freeze, along with portions of ground beef and some frozen veggies.  I should be able to feed myself pretty easily and now all of the space in here is MINE.

I gave the guest bathroom a refresh and deep cleaning, hung a new shower curtain and liner, hung those plaques I had found at Goodwill months ago, swapped out the outlet cover, put the new towels in the linen closet, put some tub appliques down, washed the rug, added a plug-in air freshener.

Its not fancy, but it is clean and useable once more.

The only cooking I did this week was very easy and should last me at least three days - Suddenly Salad pasta mix with added sauteed shrimp, extra peas, and quartered cherry tomatoes.  Quite good.  After we finish up moving the rest of the stuff out of my garage I will get myself ready for the weekend then plop myself down and read until bedtime because I am TIRED.  

Happy weekend!

Gina

Dinner date with Firstborn

 I had dinner with an attractive fellow on Friday night.  We had Chinese food on paper plates in his tiny apartment.  I took him a beer.

Firstborn AKA Burlyman aka Spencer.

But when he was very little we called him Boober.

A couple of the photos made me catch my breath when I looked at them later.

His facial expressions are pure Mark.

He's not a fan of posing for photos.

My photography skills notwithstanding, he is 

a nice man who loves his family and works hard.  He has his head screwed on straight and is someone who will take the lead in his tribe of siblings. He has come a long way and learned a lot of life lessons.  I am proud of him and enjoy seeing him, so we need to have dinner together more often!

Gina

5 thing Friday - BTS, book club, deer, tire woe, end of physical therapy

I pride myself on not having to know when the first day of school is now.  For years, the back to school prep for four kids during the hottest part of summer almost sent me over the edge.  When I see moms in the store, list in hand, kids trailing behind them, I feel thankful.

Some places are calm and quiet now, like Half Price books, where I sold back almost all of the DVDs, a couple books, and a puzzle while I picked up a copy of the next book for book club.  I figure I will keep book club, even though they lean towards Sci/Fi.  It was fun to meet other adults for a beer and talk.

I was noticing that this particular shrub out front didn't look as full as the others.  Was I not watering it enough? (we definitely need rain) Same with the Wandering Jew pictured below...

A bunch of the tops were gone and I noticed a leaf now and then outside of the edging.  Then early one morning I noticed two deer in the front yard, feasting.

A quick order to Home Depot and a painless pick-up process got me a spray bottle of deer spray.  Do you know they make a spray for just about anything you want to discourage in your yard?  It smells so bad, but it actually works.  I am OK with the deer peacefully chowing down in the nearby greenbelt.  But in my landscaping, they are giant rats and need to mosey on.

Brigid managed to run over a carpet razor, slashing herself*.  I should have taken a photo of it - it was impressive.  Props to Traveler's roadside assist who sent someone out in 6 p.m. Austin traffic within minutes to change the tire.  Then it was off to Discount Tire the next day for a new tire and the hazard certificates on all four tires.  July and August have been pricey months.

*note: I think I handled that pretty well!

This week was my last in physical therapy for my old lady shoulder.

The PT asked me how I felt and said she thought it could be graduation day for me - yay!  I got through my routine in record time and banged the celebration gong while everyone applauded, then signed the banner.  I have been a bit sore here and there, but feel back to being strong.  I will continue my home exercises and be mindful of body mechanics.  Work smarter, not harder, Gina.

Happy weekend!

Gina

Thankful today

 Its been a crazy summer - every other week it seems like there is a new thing to deal with.  I could get myself worked up over the hard stuff, or I could reframe it.  It seems right to acknowledge the struggles, but maybe just as right to express the gratitude, and may be even more so.  Gratitude is hardest to find when you need it the most, but the practice strengthens us and can be life changing, shifting our perspective from scarcity to abundance.  Every day I want to give my brain some proof that life is good.  

So this week:

*I am thankful that I have the money to buy a new tire after I ran over a carpet razor!  The new tire is on its way to the store as I type this, and by tomorrow this will be remembered as a minor inconvenience.

*I am thankful for my friend, Deb.  She loves and accepts me without judgement and has been a good listener these last few weeks. Having this strong social connection is a blessing to me.

*I am thankful for the mail order prescription service my employer provides.  They are friendly and helpful on the phone, its cheaper than a retail pharmacy,  and I get my refills delivered to my house fast. 

*I am thankful that the washer repair was relatively fast and easy, and that I had the funds to cover that expense.  I got the new dryer vent installed and the whole nook painted and we're back in business!  

*My shoulder did not hurt with all of the hard work in the laundry nook, so I am counting shoulder improvement as a Big Win.  PT is going well and I am experiencing very little, if any, pain. 

There is a lot for me to feel thankful for right now!

Gina