5 thing Friday - Spring, book club, organizing files, meals, photos

Its been a long couple of weeks - finally spring feels like its here (in Austin) and the weather has been beautiful.  I have been walking about 25 minutes a day, out in the sun.  Sometimes raking the leaves.  Sometimes watering the grass.  Sometimes just sitting on my patio with a glass of wine, decompressing.

I found another book club and am enjoying chatting with people my own age and gender about books.  That seems like a small thing, but I feel like most of my friends are younger than me, so this is a chance to be with, more or less, my peers.  {This was an election sign outside of the library where we meet.  I promise I am not running for office!}

I am ordering less and less from Amazon, opting to shop in person whenever possible.  One of the reasons is pictured above - an anticipated book purchase that turned out to be not what I ordered.  A couple of weeks ago it was washi art tape that did not arrive, even though I was charged.  I know it sounds like an old lady thing to say, but I think I would just rather know I am getting exactly what I am paying for.  In both cases, a resolution was had.  But still.

I dragged out all 9 of the life insurance policies* and had a meeting with the agent (an associate of Mark's) who is helping me stay on top of them.  In addition I updated my VIP notebook where I store a household inventory, legacy list, copies of important documents, and all this policy information.  It was kind of overwhelming and made me feel a little sad, but I know that since I am organized, my kids will have an easier time of it when they need this information some day.  We will call it a gift of love, from me to them.

Nothing exciting on the food front, unless you count me making a batch of cookie dough for the freezer (recipe on Monday) and eating a couple of lunches out this week.  I also did an overnight crockpot of butter beans with some ham.  Dinners have been more streamlined and usually involve a protein and a veggie, like above.  I keep it simple and its manageable.  I run the dishwasher every other day or so and clean the kitchen each night before bed.  Maybe simplicity was the key after all!

The photo project is slowly coming along.  I find that I can only do about an hour at a time on it - its so hard to relive memories of a happier time.  I know it wasn't all roses - raising four kids and experiencing all the curve balls life threw at us.  But the photos show smiling, happy, loving, beautiful children and their parents.  And sometimes, I wish I could go back in time, just for a day.

I do need to finish this up so I can use this table for my jigsaw puzzles!

*Mark was an insurance agent for 36 years, as well as a Certified Risk Manager and Certified Insurance Counselor.  He worked at John Hancock, Prudential, and Nationwide, among others. Most of these policies were purchased when the kids were born, or very young, and there are a mix of term, whole life, and accidental death.  The premiums on them are low and since I am not sure if my 30 somethings have life insurance, I will keep these from lapsing until they can take over. I am the owner and primary bennie, siblings are contingents for each other.  For now, I will hold onto them.  

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 - 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

Going it alone

 This is my family blog, yes, but more and more its just about little ole me, here, living life on my own.  I've become more and more comfortable being solo, moving through life at my own pace.  I have been to movies, coffee shops, restaurants, breweries, parks, and live events all on my own. I bought a car by myself.  Tackled big projects alone. Every now and then I think it would be great to have someone to share experiences with, but then I realize that I AM experiencing life with other people - just not ones I currently know, ha ha.  And that leaves me open to meeting and seeing more people. Case in point is this coming weekend, when I will attend a Stick Figure concert in Austin at Circuit of the Americas. 

Have I ever been there? No. Is anyone going with me? No, but The Girl is going to give me a ride (in a weird role reversal!).  Its going to be hot, crowded, loud, probably full of all ages, and GREAT.  And the experience may push my comfort level a bit, being in a big scene by myself, but since I love the music and having fun I feel like it will all fall into place.  No matter your age, there might be worries, but live music tends to bring people together for fun and I will be well-prepared.  I'm never going to be this young again and I don't want to miss out on things.  What are your thoughts?  Have you had to be brave and go it alone?

Gina

5 thing Friday - jewelry repair, home spaces, Friday Soup, journaling, furniture plans

 Whenever I take jewelry in for cleaning or repair, it makes me feel like I am getting brand new things.

It was great to get my birthstone ring resized, the gold and silver puzzle ring straightened and soldered, and the small gold toe ring repaired.  The jeweler also fixed a silver Greek key bracelet for me, taking out a link.  And he's going to work on a lapis ring and bracelet that I inherited from Mom.

What to do with this space?  Almost exactly two years ago, I was about to turn it into a sewing and crafting space, then Scout needed to come home, so I left it as a guest room.  I want to replace all of the carpeting in the house, so I may wait until then to decide.  

When my mother was working in Saudi Arabia she would make "Friday Soup" each week, stretching her food dollars and using up dibs and dabs of leftovers.  Tuesday cold snap was the perfect time for me to make my own Friday Soup!

In my mini crockpot I put two small boneless chicken thighs, the rest of a package of frozen corn, some frozen chickpeas, a too-ripe tomato, a cubed potato, some frozen broth, and seasonings.  I let it go all day, then made butter dip biscuits to go with and it was very comforting.

A friend gave me a Starbucks gift card so I have been taking myself to coffee once a week.  I also sit and journal in my Shutterfly freebie notebook.  Cheap thrills and it gets me out of the house. Plus, journaling helps me organize my thoughts.

Another space to spiff - my office.  I would love to paint the desks this year, to make it look brighter and more cohesive in here.  I'm looking at Dixie Belle paint colors.  The space functions well for me, but I might also add a different seating situation in here so I can still use part of the room as my reading nook.  Gradually, all of my home spaces will fit my purposes!

Gina

5 thing Friday - home, work, wax tart burner, wine, laundry

Sometimes I pause in the mornings and say goodbye to my house before I leave for the day.  {The Google lady usually responds "have a good day, Gina" in a monotone voice}

I clean the kitchen counters off, blow out that candle, load or start the dishwasher, then head out into the world, with the intention of making the most of my day and doing my best.

Then hours later, I am spent.

And I know I could start some new healthy habits to help me move thru the day a little better, and I will.  But my schedule is about to change, so I will wait until then to reassess. 

Me - in a late day surgery case, waiting on one of the evening crew people to relieve me.

I used to use electric wax tart warmers, which are probably far safer, but the glow from the ones that require tea lights does double duty - soft candle glow and a beautiful scent.  Had I known this one was further marked to 56 cents I would have bought all of the ones I saw.  It smells divine!

Even a self-professed wine lover sometimes gives in to the cheap stuff.  It lasts a loooong time, and I can leave the pricey bottles tucked safely away in my wine fridge.  I do enjoy a glass of wine while I make dinner.

Unapologetically me.

Today I will make a decision about this room.  No one has slept in it for over a year.  It does not have to stay a guest room.  And I think it would make a perfect sewing and crafts room, with the bonus of my office being a little less cramped.  I may not have this luxury in the future, especially if I downsize.  Why not create a sewing room?  No reason, I say.  Stay tuned.

Inspired by a post about tee shirts on another blog, I made a sweep of my closet and decided to define my clothes style.  I like comfort, and things that fit and flatter.  I love a good jeans and tee shirt combo with comfy clogs or sandals.  Simple dresses, Flip flops. Basics.  So I ordered myself some reasonably priced tees, a couple of sports bras to wear under those sleeveless tops that I love, and a tee shirt dress.  I also bought 5 new scrub tops for the new hospital, some new markers, and a pair of shoes for days off.

Turns out February was a spendy month!

My closet/dressing room is one of my favorite spaces, and it doesn't have to be complicated or jam-packed, but I do want to get the most use out of what I have.

We spent 5 hours cleaning my mother's house last weekend and still couldn't get everything done.  It was clear to us that no housekeeping had been done for months.  I took home two rugs and two sheet sets to clean, since she will not let us use her dryer and the clothes line was full.  But I can't be driving back and forth to Brenham to do her laundry.  And really, she needs to hire someone local to come help her.  All good things to remember and think on when I am in her position some day.

Gina 

5 thing Friday - sparkling wine, flashbacks, sales, disaster, New Year's Day

Long story: Mark handed this bottle of champagne to my brother at our wedding and told him to "hold on to it".  Then he forgot all about it, as I guess so did my brother, until last year when he had my sister bring it to my mother's house .  It's been in mom's fridge for weeks. 

 

On a recent visit to her I opened it.  There was zero fizz and it had turned brown, but before I could stop her, my mother grabbed the bottle from me and took a swig of it!

She missed the wedding, so she finally got to toast me with my wedding champagne, 37 years later.  And the rest of it got poured around her yard!

Ambulance lights bouncing off the house next door and lighting up my front windows gives me that flashback feeling of doom.  And in this case, it was my next door neighbor who has cognitive decline and was so weak from covid that her husband could not get her into the car.

HEB apparently thought everyone in Austin, Texas was going to make a gingerbread house this year, so they had a bunch of different types of them on clearance and I bought one for The Girl for next year.  That and a roll of wired ribbon constituted the extent of my after Christmas sales shopping.

Another freeze, and this time the pipe broke below the cutoff valve.

The top of my hill was a flooded mess.  The only thing I knew to do was call The Girl for advice, shut off the main water, and turn off all the breakers in the pumphouse.  {in hindsight, I could have skipped step one above}  There's no sense in me berating myself for not fixing the pipe once and for all, then wrapping it securely in insulation.  It didn't happen.  Now I have a new project out there.

To work off extra energy I gathered up a load of things to take home: all of the remaining firewood, the windchimes, the sink table from back here, the 5 gal bucket, most of the extension cords, and other crap.  I will continue carting off my old life at Highlands one pick-up load at a time, I guess.

On NY day I got up at my regular time and starting my yearly cleaning, organizing, and purging.

The Christmas tree went back to to the garage, and I decided to put the fiddle leaf fig in the front room and remove a small side table. Everything got dusted, vacuumed, or wiped down. 

I made the best skillet of sauteed cabbage I ever have, and enjoyed my Swedish ham balls, black eyed peas, and wine as I sat out on my patio.  Then I read for a while and went to bed by 9:30.  An altogether pleasant start to the year.  And whether good things or bad things happen this year, I am going to do a better job of dealing with life.

My peeps are ready to move forward - and so am I.

Gina 

5 thing Friday - Tajin, Scout, solitude, yarn birds, quick dinner

Have you ever tried Tajin?  I don't buy the dry version any more because I really don't need to be adding extra salt and sugar to my food, but on a whim I bought the hot sauce. 

Supposedly its got a hint of apricot?  But really all I taste is chilies and lime and it is delicious on cold watermelon and orange segments.

I stole this pic from Scout's Instagram because I thought he looked so handsome.  I guess he's out of the pink/teal/blond phase for his hair, but either way I think he looks like exactly who he is: a kind person with a good heart and gentle ways.

I like my introvert/alone time but it can seem like too much at times and I know I need to investigate groups and classes and such. Meanwhile, home is my sanctuary - a place that is calm and smells beautiful and has everything I need to be comfortable and its not lost on me how fortunate I am, even in the midst of grief.  Lately it seems very lonely here.

If you use your imagination, you might see birds here.  I still need to get the yellow felt for beaks and some black beads for eyes.  Just a little crafty thing that kept me busy last weekend!

This was a very good meal: a package of Knorr creamy garlic shells with a half cup of grated cheese stirred in after it had thickened, topped with a sauteed yellow squash, red onion, and garlic mixture, then finished off with  "blackened" shrimp on top.  It took about 15 minutes to fix and was very comforting to tuck into after a long day at work.

Cheers to the weekend!

Gina