5 thing Friday - Mother's Day, corner gallery, meeting up with friends, yard care, car care

Its been another busy week here, with Mother's Day, book club, a calligraphy class, meeting with friends, and car care, among other things.  Mother's Day was lovely - although I worked all day, the workload was relatively light.  I visited with a couple of sweet co-workers who brought me some treats.  Got messages from my peeps.  Bought myself some flowers, inexpensive perfume, and sweets to come home to.  

But I came home to more flowers and a sweet card added to the mix by The Girl. Later in the week, Scout dropped in with a couple of goodies and a beautiful card.  Awww...the notes they wrote me brought a tear to my eyes!

I moved the shoe bench in order for it not to clash with the coffee table. Since all of the furniture in this room is the same style, the small bookcase came back.  But I want to style this little corner and I have the following two inspo pictures:

I like the combo of shapes here and the way they wrap into the corner.

On this one, I like the art choices and the mix and match of the frames.  I am going to thrift or reappropriate most of the art I get for this area.  Slooowww decorating for the win.

Yesterday I met a friend for our every other month "beer and widow talk" at a brewery halfway between both of our houses.  The miles may be many, but we are managing to stay connected and be supportive of each other.  I get a very different perspective from her, and she from me.  One of the things I am really looking forward to as a retiree is being able to connect with others on a more regular basis.  Whenever I meet with a friend to catch up, the hours seem to melt away.  I will be glad to be on my my own schedule some day!

All the rain has been great for the grass and landscaping in my yards.  They still aren't going to win any awards, but they are neatly mowed and edged.  I have lots to do on the outside of my house, but I am trying to do it one small step at a time.  Especially since its a One Woman Project and it feels like summer is here!  

Brigid got an oil change this morning at the dealership.  I love that they have a cafe with free coffees and treats, and plenty of space to spread out while I wait.  This afternoon, she will get cleaned up inside and out.  Also this afternoon: a little bit of tidying in the landscape rocks, a walk in the neighborhood, a nice dinner, a good book, and an early bedtime.

Happy weekend!

Gina

5 thing Friday - bathroom spiff, paint storage, keychain, going out, Spring

I didn't spend a lot of time feeling sad this week - too busy with things here and there.  I feel like this week's To Do list will not get completely done - and that's OK.  We are "springing forward" this weekend and I want to make sure I get a nap in today!

The light fixtures in my bathroom, repainted by me many years ago, are showing their age and a bit of rust on the corners.  So I will be spiffing them up with a little spray paint in this pretty silvery champagne color.  Which encouraged me to do a bathroom refresh all around.

I took everything off the vanity, cleaned it up, put back only the things I wanted sitting out, added a couple of faux plants.  I also stored all of the personal care things that were sitting on the ledge around the tub and added a pretty 3-wick candle (not shown). 

 A calm and clean uncluttered space was just what I was after.  Even faux plants can soothe!

I don't know if I ever showed the method I have for saving touch-up paint from those big painting projects.  These screw top plastic containers work well to organize the bit of paint with product info in case I need to buy more.  Each container has a small stainless steel mixing ball inside, too.

I had one more to add from the last big paint job.  They all live in the cleaning closet just off the kitchen.  Hopefully, they will stay fresher in here than their original can in a hot garage.  {every time I open this closet I am newly pleased with the fact that it isn't stuffed full of crap I don't want!}

I pulled out my clear crossbody purse to go to a show downtown and I found this silver keychain clipped onto it.  I polished it up and discovered "Jim" engraved on the back.  I had picked this up when we cleared Mom's house - I don't remember if she ever told me where it came from, but I suspect she bought it for him as a gift.  It lived in a small dish in her office for years.

With my '60 penny and a silver "evil eye" charm, it made the perfect talisman to navigate an evening out at the Paramount Theater to see the Vitamin String Quartet.

I found parking nearby, walked alone to the venue, found my seat, and enjoyed a show.  The music was all contemporary and the show was high energy.  Music of  Bridgerton, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and more - a varied mix with some music I did not recognize.  These solo dates have been a lot of fun, but I think I will change them up.  I have one more symphony to attend, then will look for things closer to North Austin that are budget friendly.

Beer and talk time with a friend at Meanwhile yesterday.  The weather has been unreasonably pretty with average temps in the low 80s.  Everything, and I mean everything, is blooming.  March winds are knocking all of the oak leaves and pollen out of the trees, so pretty soon it will be time for me to re-rake and clean the yards.  But not today.  The rest of the day I have:

*a meeting with retirement team to talk pre-planning

*lunch with Grayson (peep #4)

*pick up a few filler groceries and meal prep for three days at work

*get gas, do light housework, change out two floodlamps on the deck

*nap

Happy Friday!

Gina 

5 thing Friday - Tech Week, beer and Deb, butternut squash soup, photo gift, Pena print

 

Radiologic Technology Week is coming to a close.

My current boss believes in feeding us and gifting us!

She set up a table near her office and it was loaded with treats.  And she made plans all week to feed us bagels, BBQ, ice cream, pizza, Tiff's Treats, Taco Cabana tacos, and a ton of candy. Plus, she had games out and awards prizes if you play.  Everyone also got a tote bag with socks, a phone charger, stickers...we were all like little gleeful kids.

I met up with my college roomie this week to enjoy the beautiful weather and beer.

She has a lot going on, but never fails to make time to meet up.  We talk about anything and everything and the hours always go by in a flash. Its been one of my favorite things to look forward to.

No matter how small a butternut squash I buy, it always seems too big.  So I got the idea to toss half of it in the crockpot with onions, apples, chicken stock from the freezer, a bit of butter, and some seasonings.  I cooked it on high for about 6 hours.

I used my immersion blender to make it creamy and it was delish with a grilled cheese and ham sammie on a night I did not feel like eating what I had on the menu.  Some days are like that.

I am putting together a sentimental gift for the peeps - a Shutterfly calendar with rarely seen photos before the digital age.  I say rarely seen because my kids never look through all these old albums.  But man, were we all cutie patooties!  I shed a happy tear or two.  I hope they love them - Firstborn was just telling me he needs a paper calendar to keep up with everyone's birthday, ha ha.

Since that Pena print is hanging in the hallway at eye level I could see how dirty it was - on the inside!  I don't know how that happened, but I was determined to clean it up.

I carefully removed it from the frame - it had been mounted on foam core board.

I think I may have spent more on the frame job than the actual print itself!

I love it so much in here - I admire it daily.  Mark and I bought it at the Pecan Street Festival in Austin in 1988 and had Mr. Pena sign it right then and there.  It will always remind me of when we were young, in love, and building our future together.

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

5 thing Friday - beer, Ebay, wrapping supplies, dinner, thrifting

One day last week, I stopped into The Burnet Go-To for old time's sake. Why not reclaim this place for myself?  The 512 Pecan Porter was delightful.  I might need to go back there today.  So much for resolutions.

Previously it was known as the Growler Room.  Mark and I spent many an afternoon there, drinking a pint and playing cards.  The owner sold it, then applied for a job there.  Ha!

Its much lighter and brighter than this photo shows.  The barkeep was very friendly and the place was an oasis of calm during the day.  I shall be back.

I listed 14 things to sell after cleaning out my jewelry chest.  My tastes have changed and I want life to be a bit simpler.  Here are the listed items, waiting for their new home, packing supplies at the ready.  James Avery is a popular pick on Ebay.

I felt a little sad with each item listed.  Not because I wanted to hold on to them, as objects.  But because its one more step in a different direction, one more change, another reminder that life is different.  And I know that more jewelry does not make you happy, even if you love shiny things.

While I was digging around for padded envelopes I went through some Christmas bows and bags to cull through.  Will anything in this house escape my purging and organizing? 

This is not a healthy dinner.

But I'm not about to throw food away that I have already purchased, so its going to get cooked and enjoyed.  This was a hamburger "steak" with onions and poblanos, seasoned pintos on the side.  Pass the ketchup.

A little treasure, this switch cover found at Goodwill as I was looking for books.

I found said books, along with the cover and a new Tervis with lid - total of $14.

These no-sweat tumblers are perfect - I use them mostly at work and on my nightstand. 

Its like a little mini painting in the bookcase!  Me like.

Happy Weekend!

Gina

5 thing Friday - mom's house, beer, good advice, fresh spaces for Fall, teeth

 I've been bringing home sacks of things from Mom's house to attend to.  Some of it is bills, some is laundry, some is things to be shredded, some items I want to protect from burglary.

I'm taking my responsibilities to my mom pretty seriously.  In everything, I am guided by the thought of "what would I want done for me?".  Do I know 100% what I am doing?  No.

I brought the blue and white tote bag home this week, intending to wash it and use it for files as I am traveling about.  There are many things for me to attend to.  Always I take an empty laundry basket with me to corral items.

One of the neighbors sniffed that the chicken and garden lot was "overgrown".  A few bean vines might be overgrown along the fence, but the grass itself was mowed by my niece and hubby and it looks like they picked up trash, too.  Still, the neighbor paying attention is not a bad thing.  

I feel a little horrified running my hands through my mother's things, invading her privacy.  But there is not a lot of organization that makes sense to me, and I have to locate files and paperwork without her there to guide me.  I would like to think she would forgive me for that - my intentions are very above-board.  Still, its hard, knowing that she is a person who deserves dignity, respect, and my best detective skills.  How to balance it all?  Very tricky.

While I was waiting on the bank to call me about an appointment related to handling her affairs, I stopped at a local brewery with my basket of things to sort.  People come to breweries during the day to have a beer while they work on their laptops.  I need a job like that!

Or maybe I just need to work at a brewery.  I think I would like it.

I feel like haven't had a lot of time to just relax at home lately. But I did freshen up some spaces yesterday.  Things got dusted, swept, 

...sheets washed, comforter switched out, rooms vacuumed, floors mopped.  My home is still 100% the greatest source of sanctuary and comfort for me.  If I only get to reconnect with it sparingly during the week, it can at least be clean and smell nice.

An overdue teeth cleaning yesterday and a plan to spend some time freshening up myself, as well. Happy September.  I, for one, am glad August is over.

Gina