5 thing Friday - blue week, paint by number, cleaning closet, thrift shopping, bluebonnets, rain

 Not gonna lie, its been a poopy week.  I have felt very blue and I am doing my best to keep moving.  That's one way I know to keep it from spiraling. 

I did get a few things done here and there (groceries, laundry, raking leaves, starting a new craft, thrift shopping, pedicure, lunch out), and today I have some things to do.  But man, the grey skies do a number on me.  

A small project that morphed into a bigger project was taking all of the vinyl albums out of this space, purging them, then moving them to another place I can actually use them.  I really love the metamorphosis this closet has gone through.  From being a catch-all place to store board games, vintage camera equipment, vinyl albums, coats, table leaves, and a vacuum to just being a plain old cleaning closet with a few unrelated things that are stored out of the way.

This week I spent $12 at Goodwill on a Lego knock off, wall wart for my charging cable in the sewing room, some ric rac, a book,

a belly basket, and some embroidery hoops.  I didn't really have to have these things, but it was a boredom buster activity.  I actually did hang out in the sewing room and work on a few small things including that paint by number canvas above. And lest you think me thrifty, let me also say that I ordered some things from Amazon to include a couple of switch plate covers, some new house shoes, and a self adhesive card holder for my phone.

Last summer I gathered a few bluebonnet seeds outside of the post office and tossed them in a spot near the sidewalk that never gets mowed.  I am happy to say they have sprouted!  I would love a bluebonnet patch out front.  I am making a mental note to stealthily harvest more seeds this year.

Spring sprung yesterday and we got an hours long drenching rain.  As you can see, I did not get the leaves in the front cleaned up before it rained, but there's always next week.  I actually have quite a few things to do in the yards - its just hard getting started.  This year I plan on simplifying the yard routine.  My thought is that the less I do to it besides water and mow it, the better it will do.

Gina

Peopling and pouring

Last Friday I volunteered at a wine competition in Buda, Texas.  It was a good peek at behind the scenes operations in one aspect of the wine world.

Basically it involved pulling wines from a list for each flight, scanning them into a computer, inserting them in sleeves, uncorking, and pouring.  When you got back from that, you re-sleeved, re-corked, then put them back in the specific box they came from.  Repeat.  Many steps, lots of opportunities for hiccups.

Sounds easier than it actually was!

Each box was numbered and had various wines, all with specific bottle numbers on them that we were keeping careful track of.  Each table was tasting a specific  and different flight for each round. The corked bottles you see in the boxes have already been judged.

Those silver circles are pouring guides that we slipped into each bottle to help make an easier pour.  I still managed to slosh a couple of times, but my table of judges were very forgiving.  You poured 3-4 bottles each flight and let me tell you - wine is heavy.  I was pretty worn out by the time my 5 hour shift ended.

Each flight had eight glasses.  On one round, I was invited to "guest judge".  The table captain was very gracious and friendly.  She advised me to "spit out the wine - don't swallow. Or do, I'm not your Mother". Ha ha.  There was only one glass of the eight that I would have finished drinking, anyway - a Tannat that won gold.

It was fun, very informational, and a bit nerve-wracking at times.  But I think I'll keep my regular job!

Gina

* here are the results!

5 thing Friday - easy meal, range hood, coffee shop, reading room, labyrinth

I relied on my old fallback of bagged chopped salad with rotisserie chicken this week.  Because I still dislike cooking.

I added chopped apple and a bit of orange bell pepper.  So far, this has been the most painless way to feed myself a decent dinner that has both protein and veggies.  Lately, I've been cooking one night a week, and winging it the rest.

Well, I thought the range hood fan was out, but it roared back to life.  So I took that opportunity to order it a new filter/light cover.  I have washed the one on the right many times, but it is 30 years old and has some stubborn grease soaked into it.  Plus the light filter is burned!

The whole area needed a scrub.  It was around 7 a.m.  Apparently I had nothing else to do.

I scrubbed the whole thing down as best I could, then replaced the cover, adding an LED bulb that is a little easier on the eyes.

Continuing my Wednesday practice of finding a new coffee shop once a week, this one is 86C Bakery on Airport.  

The coconut twist was amazing.

I had their signature milk coffee and sampled some of the bakery items.  I like this place, but I really love to sit and journal at the funky, out of the way coffee shops that have a bit more character.

Shopping plans: my idea for when Bubbie moves out is to make a reading space in the spare room.  I want to add a big chair like the one pictured above - bonus points if it converts to a bed for napping, or overnight guests.  I love the green corduroy on this one and the price point is reasonable at around $300.  I could add either the antique sewing table or the one I got from Mom's house for a lamp to sit on.

For the month of March I am on call a total of 70 hours, which at $5/hr adds up to a little bit of extra spending money.  As a gift to myself I ordered this handmade labyrinth plaque.  Originally I was going to hang it in the garage.  But now I think I will put it somewhere I can see (and use) often.  I was going to make one myself using some scrap wood in the garage. But this one is beautiful, and it also counts as wall art.

Happy first weekend of Spring!

Gina

What the week holds and planning my days off

I'm one of those people who sit down with my planner on Sundays and look at the week ahead, penciling in projects, chores, down time, and reminders.  I try not to overload my schedule, and truthfully, not all of what I plan actually gets done.  Sometimes I think it looks positive and fun and all, but trust me when I say that is not always the case.  Now that my focus is not on what every. other. person. in my house is doing, and I don't have the distraction of Highlands, I am left with big blocks of time to fill.  So I went back to my habit of leaving no blanks in my planner.

This week, the activities involve working/taking call at the hospital, a telehealth appointment, visiting a new-to-me coffee shop, working on my yards, and volunteering at a wine judging.  All things designed to get my body moving, get some things accomplished, socialize a bit.  I think it all sounds easier than it will be, but that's usually true.  

How do you plan your week and time off?  Inquiring minds want to know!

Gina 

5 thing Friday - garage, switchplate covers, bumpers, crystal, cooking

Yesterday I came to the final stopping point with painting the garage.

I have scrubbed or painted or organized every single part of this garage.  I went through ALL of the tools, camping equipment, kids boxes, fishing poles, scrap wood, and etc.  Cleaned the floor.  Scrubbed the inside of the garage doors. Left to do is: 

*get rid of that propane tank

*deal with some scrap lumber

*hang a piece of art created by The Girl

*help Bubbie move

*get the ceilings retaped and painted

*get one garage opener replaced, dismantle the other

*replace the locks on the garage doors

Once Bubbie's things are gone, the wall above will be empty and I could throw a dance party in here!  I will show more of this later, I'm sure.  I mean doesn't every single woman obsess over her garage? Ha! 

For now, only one garage opener works - the other motor has been burned out for years.  But all of these switches can stay, so let's make them pretty.

I ordered some switch plate covers with a Talavera tiles print.  They're like tiny pieces of art.  I want to order some pretty ones for inside of the house, too.

This week I also did a quick project in the kitchen - replacing the bumpers on the inside of the cabinet doors.

I had to scrape off several different versions of bumpers.  The cork ones fall apart and the foam kind don't have enough cushion.  I had also used felt pads at one point.

Hopefully these will stay put - they do make the door quieter.

I do enjoy my outdated kitchen, though of course there are things I would like to change in here.  For one thing, the cooktop exhaust fan went out this week.  Also, some day I would like to lose this wallpaper.  Change out the light fixture.

I can envision using this space a little differently, too.  Maybe a tabletop bar?  A place to set a portable record player?  Ideas, please.

Recently I hauled out some of the crystal that belonged to Mark's parents.  I've been using it to drink out of because why not?  There is a complete set of pink martini, iced tea, and wine glasses and there are clear cut crystal tea glasses.  If I have them, I may as well use them.

I haven't done loads of cooking this week, unless you count ramen noodles, salads, or pancakes.  But tonight I am making Maple Glazed Salmon bites with cabbage slaw, and will pick up a few groceries.  I will also make time today to read, nap, and do a pedicure.  TGIF!

Gina

Tourist in our town - Umlauf Sculture Garden

Last Friday I took myself over to a well-known garden in downtown Austin, near Zilker Park.  My plan was to pack a lunch and walk around, relaxing and taking some photos - which I did!  It made for an enjoyable break in my routine.

It reminds me of when I spent summers taking my kids all over Austin! And its good for me to get out and about and enjoy the weather.  I'm always tempted to self-isolate in my cozy home, but I know there is a Big World out there and I belong in it.

Gina  

5 thing Friday - work, coffee shops, garage progress, Spring, Friday plans

A co-worker likes to shove many spoons into my cabinet drawer.  It started out as him leaving me one or two plastic spoons (because for some reason they don't bring plastic cutlery to the breakroom), and now its full on drawer full of spoons.  I like my job and the camaraderie we all have, even if it gets silly.

Work has been very Ok lately - there have been minor tweaks to the schedule and everyone seems to be adjusting.  

 I've been going to a local coffeeshop, someplace different, every Wednesday morning. This one is very artsy and vibrant - a favorite of Scout's.   I sit and sip and think and journal and generally soak up the vibe and people watch.

Most people aren't there to socialize - a lot of them have their laptops open.  But it feels good, in a way, to be alone in a crowd of people just doing normal things.

I made my painting way around the corner of the garage and almost to the end of the wall just to the left of that red step stool. I went through the camping equipment, scrap wood, the kids' storage boxes, the fishing poles.  Moved a few things out of here (glass china cabinet doors, 2 quilts, boxes of mementos).  Then realized I needed some spackle for some areas near the garage doors.  

So I pushed the remaining piles further into the garage to make space.  To do: 

*spackle some gouges and caulk some gaps

*finish painting out the last 1/4 of the garage

*clean the garage door insides

*get wire clips or Command clips for wires to sprinkler system and garage door openers

*get rid of that FULL propane tank

*scrub the floor

*put everything back and add some fun touches

I stopped for the week yesterday - today is not the day for me to overdo it.

I loaded a box of camping gear and the collection of tents? tarps? into the back of Brigid.  That scrap wood is going away, as is the length of flashing or whatever that is.  The rest of the items in the garage, except for the propane tank, can sit if they fit.  For now.  I can envision me doing another purge next year.

There were still boxes of old photos and mementos out there that need to go to their new owners - namely one of Mark's nephews and nieces.  In the black case is the trumpet that belonged to his brother Harry from 1950.  We had it refurbished and bought a new case when The Girl was dabbling in jazz band.  It belongs to the daughter of its original owner.  These things cannot go back in to the garage!

I did a big chop on my crepe myrtle and the Ligustrum out front and they immediately starting budding out.  I treated the crepe myrtle again so I hope it will survive.  When I finish the garage project I can focus some efforts on spring yard and landscape items.

Today the plan is:

*move plants back outside and give them a good drink of water

*prep my lunches and do a bit of housework

*drop off those items at Habitat Restore

*Go to Umlauf Sculpture Garden for an al fresco lunch and unwind time

The weather has been so beautiful here - I definitely need some outside time today.  Happy Weekend!

Gina