You don't know what you don't know if you don't know it - the mower edition

 After the mobile mower repair guy left, I sat at my kitchen table with my mower's owner manual and wrote down every thing he told me, and then some.   Truthfully, it was like talking to a father figure - one who shares his knowledge in such a way that you "get it". And I've been using the mower, but I didn't know:

*use non-ethanol fuel

*don't buy more than 30-60 days worth of gas at a time

*after mowing, turn the fuel knob to off and let the mower run a couple of minutes

*pull the air filter out and slap it across the handle a few times to dislodge the dust; never let it get wet

*replace the air filter once a year

*top off the fuel after each time you mow

*check the oil often, change it every 6 months (then he showed me how)

*at the end of the mowing season, put the container gas into your car

*if it hasn't rained in a bit, water the grass the day before you mow, then mow in the early morning

(dust can get around the filter and enter the engine)

*do a once-over on the mower every time you mow - check its condition

*use a pressure nozzle to clean the lawn clippings bag every now and then

Then I went onto Yelp and wrote him a stellar review!

Its good that Mark saved the instruction booklet for everything he bought.  I filed the paperwork for items I still have, and I'm reading as I buy things, like the pump sprayer I used on the deck last week.  Because when you know a few things about how to use what you have, life seems easier. (wink, wink)

Gina

5 thing Friday - cooking, trees, socializing, a coffee cup, gallery wall

Its been an OK week, overall.  I have gotten a few small things done around the house, read a book, worked on my family history, bought groceries, etc. and so forth. 

I've been shopping at Trader Joe's more often and making simpler meals.  The panko Tilapia is pretty good, as are the BBQ pork fried rice and the grilled chicken strips.  I haven't used the oven much.  I'm not as into salads as I was last summer, but maybe next week I will switch that up.

I had an arborist come take a look at my trees and make recommendations.  Of the four live oaks, this one I am most worried about.  This long scar is an actual crack from when the tree froze in the terrible ice storm we had a few years ago.  I thought my trees had escaped damage. It healed over the split so only time will tell if I am able to keep this 1/3 of the tree.  I'm trying not to obsess over it.  The tree company comes in a couple of weeks to give all of my trees a good haircut.

I met a friend for a beer and gab this week - 4 hours went by in the blink of an eye.  We went to a place where Mark and I used to go long ago.  They spruced up the place and were doing a good business - looking around I saw lots of folks my age and a friendly doggo or two.

She's the same one who gave me this mug!  I use it often and remind myself that grief and hope, crying and laughing can all exist sometimes in the same day.  Its nice to talk with her about everything.  We met 46 years ago as college freshmen at UT.

At this point, she's been in my life longer than Mark was.  He would have approved of the mug, and he did love his coffee.

OK, I finished the wall that was supposed to be a corner gallery. I changed up a lot of the art I had originally chose, opting for things that really spoke to me.  I thrifted some things, pulled some pieces from elsewhere, filled in with stuff from Hobby Lobby.  Its nice to gaze at as I sit on the couch, sipping my wine. Its gonna be one of those things I change up now and then.

Just on the other side of the front door, and it's prettier in person. And that's all I have for today - thanks for reading along and have a great weekend!

Gina

How the weeks go now

My weeks pretty much blur into each other with all of the days going about the same:

Saturday, Sunday - 12 hours shifts at the hospital.

Leave the house at 640ish, clock in at 7 am, clock out at 730pm. Rinse and repeat for Monday, but everything slides forward 1 hour.

The commute is nice, the parking is nice, I like my co-workers, the work load is doable. But on Monday night, I am spent. So, Tuesday is my day to do laundry, buy food, and relax with no big plans. That leaves Wednesday through Friday to do projects, creative things, cleaning, etc. Its a comfortable routine now, 3 years in to my new job.  This week:

*I'm meeting a friend for a beer

*have a telehealth appointment

*reviewing my budget

*selling some stuff back to Half Price Books

*doing some yardwork

*on-call Wednesday

*working on my family history

*seeing the dentist for a cleaning

On Friday, I will food prep for the weekend, do some light housework, take myself to lunch, and read. Bed by 9 pm.

Right now, the days and weeks look predictable and for that, I am mostly glad. Its a different place than I assumed I would be in 5 years ago.  I know it won't be this way forever, and I will have to adjust the days again in the future to add even more free time and pursuits. 

Not all change is bad, right?

Gina

Little project: the red tool chest

This started as an incidental project while I waited for the mower maintenance guy* on a hot summer morning.

I was out in the garage anyway, so I decided to do round three (or four, I lost count) of cleaning out the red tool chest.  I bought this as a Christmas gift to Mark in 1982 while we were in college, and it quickly filled up over the years as he acquired tools.  When his mother died, he brought ALL of the tools home from her garage as well.  At one point, you could not close the top, bottom, or drawers.

(And there are smaller tool boxes in the garage that I will empty some day.)

I pulled things out, drawer by drawer and wiped down the insides of the chest and the handles of the tools with antibacterial wipes.  There were a lot of duplicate items, so I only put back what I wanted or needed to keep.

Then I organized it as best I could.

And there are things I will donate.  Like giant plumber's wrenches that I can barely lift. Multiple drill bits that match nothing I own. A belt sander I will not use. An extra electric engraver.

I access the top most often, so it had to be tailored to me and the things I use.  And it absolutely has to be able to be closed.

There are still things in here that one day will go - probably to my boys.  But for now, the bottom flap closes as well.

Mark's general rule of thumb was that if one was good, 5 or 6 was that much better.  If an item had any perceived value, he was going to hang onto it.  Most of us understand that if you cannot find what you need in the collection of things you do not have organized, it isn't as useful. Once you run out of space, its time to take stock.

More does not equal better.  You either need to adjust the amount of things you own, or the size of the place you are storing and organizing.  And unless you use them for work, how many hammers or axes do you really need?  It was a sticking point for us, to say the least.

My garage may not be beautiful to anyone but me.  But if you ask me if I have what I need and do I know where it is?  The answer will be yes.  And now there is room in this toolbox for me to adjust what I may need in the future for whatever project I am working on.

Gina

*And Mr. Berry spent less time counseling me about how often I need get the mower serviced, instead showing me how to do those things (cleaning the filter, changing the oil, making adjustments) myself.  I would say it was a productive day!

Temporarily stuck in July

 Last week felt pretty poopy*.

But this one has better vibes and a lighter schedule.

I stayed as busy as I could and enjoyed a quiet, cool house (with no Pandora), my scented candle, and minimal cooking.

I don't want to be one of those people who feel like they need to ritual mourn every deathiversary.  And I am tired of referring to myself as a widow.  Just my Hot Take on it all: it has gotten very old.  And keeps me stuck in a place I never wanted to go to.

Instead, I want to take back my summer.  Its my time to get some yard work and odd jobs done. (Mr. Lawn Mower Maintenance Guy is coming this week)  I want to sit on my deck. Get some sun. Read more books. Take myself out to lunch.

Finish up this photo album project which, as I have written before, is harder than I thought it would be.  That's OK, I will take it in small bites until it is done.  Then I will spread a puzzle out over this table, and put those albums in the bookcase.

That collage wall is taking me ages to complete, too.  I don't have the same Energizer Bunny mojo I used to have.  July has sucked the life out of me for the last time. 

When I get to feeling this way, I tackle some cleaning and organization. So, goodbye scrubs that don't fit and flip flops that are falling apart and holey socks.  I'm going to end July on a high note.  And next year, it will start on one, too.

Gina

*Thursday 7/23 was 5 years to the day I lost Mark.

Home projects I'm getting help with this summer

 Mostly, I can do what I need to do for routine maintenance at my house.  I can replace filters/bulbs/batteries on all sorts of things, caulk and paint, deep clean and organize, mow and edge.  I can troubleshoot small and medium sized things but I have learned to call in a professional for things beyond my scope.  Topping that list is anything electrical: installing a new disposal and sink, replacing a switch, minor repair of a washer or dishwasher, changing out a light fixture. 

I have no business trying to do something a professional can do faster and better.

I have a working list at all times of things that require attention at my house that I need to get going on.  That includes:

*getting a new overhead light fixture installed in the garage

*installing ceiling fans in two bedrooms

*maintenance on the garage opener motors

*tree trimming

*sprinkler system and mower maintenance

*thorough cleaning of the roof gutters

*installing carpet

Its gonna be a HOT week in central Texas this week, but I already have some of these things scheduled.  Staying busy will be key for me as July finishes up.  What projects have you been hiring out lately?

Gina 

The summer week I am not sad to see end

It was "one of those weeks", a mix of tying up some loose ends and working on future projects.

Reba's in Giddings

A trip to Brenham was made, with a stopover at a restaurant in Giddings that a friend and I used to meet at for lunch.  Sometimes Mom and I went here, too.  Their new location is BIG - a space where a furniture store used to be.  Mom and I bought her little loveseat here many years ago after she moved to Brenham.  She would have enjoyed this burger - we did love being Ladies Who Lunch.

the burger and fries were amazing

I got many things done this week, including:

*met with Mom's executor one last time

*bought groceries and did errands

*cleaned the front door area and transom window

*enjoyed martinis with The Girl

*set up the mower maintenance and tree-trimming

*got my CEU's loaded into a new system

*caught up on book club reading

*and barely cooked!

I tried not to think too hard about how final this last trip to Brenham felt.  Saw Mom's house - it looks nice and the new owner is happy there.  Next week will feel challenging too, as it makes 5 years since we lost Mark. July feels a little hard right now.  But like I told a friend, I know it won't feel this way forever.

Happy weekend!

Gina

Addition by subtraction

 I knew that, as time went on, I would be able to let go of even more things.  As I make my way as a single person, I realize that less stuff makes more space - addition by subtraction is my mantra.  Last week I sent another set of china away, along with two very fussy silverplate candlesticks and some pink cocktail glassware.  Shocking, right?

For me, there is zero purpose in storing this stuff away until I die and making it someone else's problem.  And I don't think my kids' generation views china as practical.

More empty space.  I love it.

I saved out a pretty dish for the sewing room.  This can get passed down to my daughter as a memento of her Nana and a grandfather she never got to meet.  I also saved out 6 pink martini glasses, just because I like them.  

We didn't use these dishes even one time - just stored them.  This set dates from 1950 and likely was not used past 1970, if even then.  That's a long time to keep something pretty boxed up and un-loved.

I set it all by the door, and the next morning it went to a charity thrift store to find its new owner.  Who knows? Someone may see it and recognize the pattern.  Or fall in love with it and buy it for their home.  Or gift it to a couple as an anniversary or  wedding gift.  My garage and closets and cabinets have never felt emptier or cleaner and my home is getting more representative of me.

Gina

5 thing Friday - freezer cleanout/restock, backyard relaxation, paver re-do, ice cream, Girl Lunch

For the last few weeks I had been doing little grocery runs for fillers and eating meals made of what I had left in the freezer.

I got myself organized with everything I wanted to do for the morning.

I made some containers for work: Beefy Spaghetti, Chicken and Lentil Tikka Masala with rice, and Veggie and Chicken Korma with rice.  Eight containers that should make Friday food prep easier for almost a month. Pasta and rice dishes generally heat up really well for me at work.

Then I wiped down the inside of the freezer and bought some things from Trader Joe's that I think will be both appetizing, and easy to cook.  I will fill in with sandwiches and the occasional meal out.

I bought a new strap for the vintage binoculars - worth it to not accidentally drop this thing on my concrete patio.  I have been spending lots of time in the backyard, listening to and watching birds.  So relaxing.

I got the firepit put up and hauled the lounger over to the shade.  A perfect place to unwind with a glass of wine.  Now I need a pretty lumbar pillow.

Then I reworked the pavers (again!) and will gift the others to a friend for her garden. (she also has the timber from the Cannary kid's playscape!)

 The two piece design was making it easy for the oak sprigs to push up between the pavers.  And it was impossible to keep them level.  While I was at it, I used some random ones to make a small little "plant patio" under the window.  That's how it goes with projects sometimes - tweak it 'til you get it just right.

And then reward yourself with a treat - sweet cream ice cream with bananas and caramel swirl in a waffle dish at Coldstone's.  That hit the spot.  Our days are pushing 100 degrees now and rain is nowhere in sight!

Another way to cool it down - Girl Lunch.  This week: fresh peaches, water crackers, Caesar Salad dip, prosciutto rolled with mozzarella, pinot noir rose.  Better than take-out!

Gina

Orange Fig Jam

I've been mostly letting the squirrels have the figs my tree produces.  In years past, it was nothing to write home about. But for some reason (probably all of the rain we've had) she decided to make a lot of fruit this summer.

She's hiding waaay back there in the corner.  She has been very nearly dead two or three times due to ice storms or drought, but always manages to claw her way back!

 

Lately I've been finding a couple fat figs per day.

And since one of my favorite things is fig jam, I made some!

This is about 1 1/2 c. quartered figs placed in a small pot with the juice and peel of one small orange, about 1/2 c. or so of sugar, and a couple tablespoons water.

I brought it to a boil, then simmered it nice and slow until it was the thickness I wanted.

I also sliced the orange rind very thin and stirred it in. When It was cool, I ladled it into a pint jar for the fridge. I'm having a friend over for wine and charcuterie this week and I think this will pair nicely with some cheeses! 

But it will also be wonderful on my oatmeal, a bagel, or PBJ!

Gina

Little project: garage opener bulbs

I truly am trying to make headway on my summer bucket list - I would say I have at least a third of it done.  But along the way, these other mini "projects" keep popping up and I think, oh I can do that right quick. Case in point are the bulbs in the garage door motors. 

One of them is burned out, so I decided to replace all four and in the process discovered that the opener on the storage side of the garage actually works.  I could have sworn Mark told me that its motor was burned out.  But no, it opened smoothly and quietly - unlike the side I use all of the time.

These motors are 30+ years old and still going strong.  I do need someone to come out and adjust them, but I can change the bulbs and clean them up.

I hauled out my trusty ladder and unplugged them first. A YouTube video later, I had figured out how to open the lightbulb cover.

They were very dirty and had a couple of dirt dauber wasp nests in them.

(side note: do you know that people actually sell large wasp nests on Ebay? What a weird world we are in. Mine got tossed into the driveway.)

Things like this make me pause - why did we never have actual pull strings on the emergency release?

I found some paracord and a 2 knobs from my stash and put one on each door, making it long enough for my 5'3" self to reach.

You would think a simple project like this would take maybe 30 minutes, tops, but I also had to look things up, go buy the dang bulbs, and talk myself onto that ladder.  I also swept out the garage and set some stuff by the trash bins.  Plus, it was already climbing in the 90s here.

I'm gonna have to pace myself with outside projects in the summer...

Gina