5 thing Friday - boob lights, paint, chickpeas, front door, Gina

I don't know that there is necessarily a season for home projects - I feel I've been at it for the entire year. Or, five.

The electrician that installed my garage light will be coming today to remove the non-functioning ceiling fans in two of the bedrooms and install with these very simple light fixtures.  Are they fancy? No, just functional.  He laughed when I said I wanted boob lights.

These 5 gallon containers with a bit of leftover paint in them take up a lot of space in the garage.  So I bought some 2 qt. lidded containers at Home Depot and transferred enough to handle touch-ups. There wasn't much left and I will take them to the City of Austin recycle center. Along with those fans.

I reinforced the seal on the containers with a little cling wrap and tape, then labeled them and placed with my other touch up containers in the hall closet where they won't bake to death.

Another benefit of having actual storage space I can use.

Trader Joe's has these canned cumin and parsley chickpeas in olive oil that are delicious served cold on a salad!  I'm not normally a fan of chick peas, but this was very good.  I spent a little extra money on groceries this week to fill in some empty spaces in my freezer and fridge and eat healthier.

Its hard to see in this photo, but there is a gap in the front door and the weatherstripping needs to be replaced.  I don't know why I have been putting this off...probably I just don't want to do it.  But the cavalry is not going to arrive any time soon, so its on the list of things to address today. I also want to repaint the door and clean the whole area up.

I would also like to re-do the cling film on the transom, the skinny window,

and the dining room window.  Once upon a time, it was all this floral cling, but it has faded quite a bit (over at least 15 years) and I want something a bit different up there now.  The hardest part of this project was matching the seams, which sort of shrunk over time, leaving a tiny gap of light.  Its time for this to go.

If I'm being honest, I'm ready for a lot of things to go.  But they have to resolved in the right way, you know?  Everything takes time.

Gina

The butterfly

 My butterfly is still healing (even after two weeks), and its devilishly hard to take my own photo of her:

I never realized how freckle-y my arms are!

She was a whole adventure.  

I scheduled the consult. Cancelled the consult. Rescheduled the consult. Made an appointment for the tattoo itself. Sent photos to the artist who did not receive them. Went to the appointment anyway. We consulted again, then I got tattooed for two hours. Developed skin irritation all around the Tegaderm. Ran a fever - developed tattoo flu. Spent a lot of time on my couch. Had a mild(ish) anxiety attack. Kept her protected with Aquafor.  Went to work as usual at the end of the week. Oof. I think I am done with this experience now and I do love her, but I was not prepared for that roller coaster.

Sometimes I go into these "projects" with a little too much confidence, but I expect the best anyway!  

Gina 

P.S. Its Ok if everyone does or does not agree with getting a tattoo.  I wasn't going to take a poll.  But unkind comments about it, or anything really, will not be published here.  (:

5 thing Friday - a butterfly, garage light, side table, lunching, journaling

**I don't have it in me to reflect on Sept. 11th on this blog**

  

The butterfly that the tattooist came up with - and no, I didn't add anything else.

She's very pretty - but we did not discuss the amount of shading she was going to do!  I broke rule #1 which is make sure you agree on every. stinkin'. detail in advance. Its very pretty - don't get me wrong.  But she is still healing so I will show her in the future.

It was a four hour appointment, and this lady was very tired at the end of it!  I grabbed a few groceries, ate a very simple dinner, drank some wine, and was in bed before 9 p.m. Its amazing to me how quickly I get worn out in my old age.

A friend gave me a referral to an electrician to come install my garage light, so he came by yesterday and I can cross that off the list of things to fix.

Its nice to have light out here without having to open one of the doors. Not cheap, FYI.

He is also going to remove the broken ceiling fans from two bedrooms and replace with a standard light fixture - I just need to go buy those.  He said he wouldn't charge me the service fee when he returns as it only took him about 20 minutes to install the garage light. Sweet!  I have never liked the light from these fans and the bulbs are pricey.

The additional small table arrived and I had it put together in about 10 minutes. I just shopped my house for things to set on it for now.  For Christmas, the fiddle leaf fig will go live in the office and the Christmas tree will be set up in here.

My kids seem to "accidentally" leave things at my house*.  Since The Girl needed her quilt, I fixed her a birthday lunch  of mixed greens salad with apple vinaigrette, spicy pumpkin samosas, butternut soup, and this cake:

Its that viral cake mix where the guy tells you to throw the box away and add an extra egg, a stick of butter, extra vanilla, and milk. It bakes at a lower temperature, then you frost with a warmed up tub of chocolate icing.  This is The Girl's favorite cake combo!

She will be 35 tomorrow - how is that possible?

I have been journaling a LOT lately.  Its as though the mental dam broke and I have a lot to process.  I have found some great prompts on the internet - not all about grief.  Some colored pens help me stay engaged with it. I'm hoping I can destroy all of my journals someday, as the emotions in them are pretty frank.  But just in case? There is a disclaimer inside that says "these are my private thoughts and not meant for anyone else to read!".  

Everyone was warned, ha ha.

Gina

*I have a theory about that, but as I have said before, I am not a storage unit!

5 thing Friday - CDs, sprinkler system, enchiladas, side table, tattoo

 This has been a spendy week. But not on frivolous things, in my humble opinion!

  I pulled all of the CDs out of the CD carousel and went through them twice.  I pulled the ones out I thought I might listen to again, maybe 20 or so.  The rest? I will have to figure out how to get rid of them. They can't go into the trash or recycling, but perhaps I can donate them.  Same as the cassettes, and I have yet to purge those. I would try to sell the CDs to Half Price Books, but they have no plastic holders. I will investigate.  In the meantime, I am actually listening to some of them!

I was going to have the fence guy replace a couple of sprinkler heads and cap some off, but a leaky one told me there was a bigger problem afoot, and I was right.  It involved replacing a valve so I just had the sprinkler company do the whole thing. They also fixed some pop-ups and re-set the timer for me.  Now to make a plan for working on the front lawn.  Money, marbles, and chalk as Mark would say.

I had a yen for mole enchiladas, so I made some!  I bought the jarred sauce, reconstituted it with chicken broth and some extra seasonings (froze a lot of the sauce for future me), then stewed some chicken thighs in some of the sauce. Then I shredded the chicken, rolled it up in chicken in corn tortillas, topped with extra sauce and cheese, and baked for about 25 minutes.  With a side of green beans and refrieds it was OMG delicious.

I think this room is where the Christmas tree will live this year.  There's plenty of room in front of the windows without a table full of photo project spread out!  So, I ordered another of those $31 side tables from Target for the right side of the couch.  I think the lit tree will brighten up the space a bit, too.

Easy to assemble and very sturdy!  So we can all sit in here (whoever comes by that day) and we will have a place to set our cups of cocoa or coffee.  I also ordered a wood and metal coat rack for the hall leading into the den.  It coordinates with this simple style.  I will show that when I have it installed.

Next item on the list: installing a new light fixture in the garage and I have someone to do that, we just have to arrange a time.  After that, I will contact someone about getting the garage door motors rebalanced so I can use them properly.  Currently I have to stand there and press the button the entire time so that they close. And no, there's nothing blocking the laser light so that's annoying.

Its always gonna be something.

BUT...

Something for me. We can call it birthday gift, something to mark (no pun intended) an anniversary, or just a recommitment to myself gift.  These are some inspiration pictures from my tattoo artist, who is very talented.

Either way, its not something for the house! Next week it will be added to my existing tattoo along with some smaller blooms, just below the chrysanthemum.  When its all finished, I will show a photo of it.  For me, butterflies represent the nature of change and hope.

Fitting, I think!  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

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.

Homebody me

 One thing I re-learned about myself recently:

I am a homebody at heart.

I traveled lightly!

 Much as I loved putting my feet in the sand and feeling the warm summer sun and cool breezes off the Gulf, home is my Happy Place.  Two days away from home is always the outside limit for me, and I have always been this way.  As a child, we spent summers visiting family while my mother worked and even if we were having a blast I had some serious homesickness.  I remember feeling that way when we had Highlands, too.  On Sunday afternoons I was READY to get back home to my own home and bed, even though Mark was grumpy about it.  When I spent two nights at the hospital for the ice storm in January, I was so ready to get home that I was willing to face my fears driving through icy Austin to get there, crying as soon as I hit the front door.

Its just how I am wired.

I had a good time at the coast and I can cross it off my summer bucket list, but in future I will look for day trips, closer to home.  I still want to be independent, still feel capable, still want to have fun.

But I am definitely a homebody!  

Gina

Summer bucket list

I made out a new bucket list for Summer!

just me admiring a summer pedi (:

continue getting regular pedicures!

give myself more cooking breaks

clean and re-seal the deck

power wash back patio

store the firepit

clean outside windows

paint office furniture

make a plan for replacing the carpet

power wash near front door, touch up the door paint, replace weather stripping

clean a/c coils

get mower maintenance done

clean the gutters

arrange for the oaks to be trimmed

photo project progress

meet up with 2 book clubs

find a new PCP

therapy appt. 2x/month

walk at least three days a week

Port Aransas mini vacay

attend "Cozy Adult Social Hour" at library

plan a family get-together in July

get my RSV vaccine

visit dentist for teeth cleaning

refresh my wardrobe

try a new local restaurant

meet up with a friend at least twice

This time I am placing no monthly deadline on items - just a general goal for end of August.  I want to plan more fun things to do as well as get some of the things done that the rain has delayed.  We will see how it goes!

Gina

5 thing Friday - shoe bench, sammiches, rain, yardwork, empty day

Please forgive all of the dark photos - we've had nothing but gloomy days and rain rain rain.  After a few tweaks, I can't make these pics look that much better!

I was tired of the shoe basket in this corner by the front door.  The Shoe Basket was something we started when the kids were small.  It was a way not to play the "hunt for your shoes before we have to run out of the door to school" game.  Instead I now have a nice bench to stow my work/tennies/house shoes, and to sit when taking them off and on.  No more holding onto the wall, ha ha.

I have entered my Sandwich Era.  Toasting the bread with some cheese on top, adding some sliced tomatoes, plenty of Miracle Whip - my kind of lunch or dinner.  Cheaper than takeout, although I'm not sure its all that healthier.  But it gets me out the kitchen fast and makes for fewer dishes to wash.  Wins all around.

During a break in the clouds I took pics of the Wandering Jew in the backyard.

I know its considered an invasive species, but I like it.  I haven't had a lot of time to do yardwork in between storms.  I managed to get it mowed, and even sprinkled some grass seed.  That's about all Mother Nature is allowing right now.

On my "empty day" I took myself to Bertram for a trip to Donut Plus (an old favorite), 

a pedicure (sweet lilac color) followed by yet another sandwich, and a trip to "my" winery.  It was a lovely day, high of 63!, thunderstorms that shook me to my bones as I sat wrapped in a Mexican blanket on their patio, journaling and making plans.  I really don't have many complaints right now, and I will strive to get better at acknowledging that every day.

Gina

5 thing Friday - crayons, surge protector, earrings, scrub tops, leisure

 This week for some reason (I mean, its not Back to School time), HEB had all of their crayons, markers, and such for 20% off, so you know I had to get some supplies for my little art cart.

As one of many children at home, I remember well the thrill of a big box of crayons all. for. me.  So I got a box I don't have to share now, either, ha ha.  Because apparently 65 is the new 5.  Therapy in a box.

I don't know what it is with me and batteries (and plumbing, and car tires).  Mark had many devices around the house that require them and sometimes figuring them out is challenging to me.  When I heard a mysterious beeping coming from the office, I discovered that this back-up/surge protector in fact has a battery.  I'm not sure when he purchased this - 2020?  As with a lot of these gadgets, he didn't really explain how they work or how to set them up.  I am assuming he bought it because he was working from home.  Its a nice one, and the battery is pricey.  Of course it is.

Did I rely on Google lens to identify it?  Yes.  I also watched a short You Tube video on how to replace the battery.  Which I then ordered from Amazon.  And now my printer, computer, router, and sharpener are back in business.  And I will take the old battery to Home Depot to recycle it.

A couple of fun purchases.  The first one are these pretty Mother of Pearl earrings from an Etsy shop.  Kinda small, but appropriate for work and light and easy to wear.  Me like.

Also two new scrub tops because some of mine are getting tighter...

I have made some changes in how I care for me, and if someday they are too large, that's OK.  I also managed to buy myself some protein powder, a blender bottle, and a thrift store novel.  And a hotel for a beachy vacay in June.

In keeping with my plan to relax the To Do list and do things for leisure one day a week, I took myself to a movie yesterday, seeing The Drama.  What an interesting, quirky film and very thought provoking!  I wouldn't call the ending "happy" but it took the story back to the start, full circle.  I liked it.

Have a great weekend,

Gina

Pros and cons: thinking about retirement

 I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about how retirement will play out.  I am starting the process, even though I know that I'm still a couple of years out from making big changes.

Having my own desk at work feels unusual for me but I kinda love it

Over 30 years, more or less, I have worked hard to get to get to where I am right now with a great shift (Saturday through Monday), a boss who values me, an easier workday, increased pay, and maximized benefits.  And work provides me with intangibles, too, like socialization and a sense of purpose.  My weekends bookend my days off, which are easier traffic-wise and in setting appointments. Those four days off provide me with lots of rest, free time to work on my hobbies or my home, and time to meet up with friends and family.  There are several reasons for me to keep working, and not one I can think of right now to stop.

This was an epiphany of sorts to me.

I can plan for retirement in the future, but I will continue working this job and this schedule until I am ready to pull back.  A lot of what feels unlikeable about my day-to-day living is like burnout, and I can take steps to improve that.  In every job, no matter how much you love or value it, there are going to be challenges.

Anyway, that's where my head is today.  The week ahead holds a book club meeting, starting a new book (The Frozen River), continuing the photo project, getting my desk organized, and doing a bit of yardwork.  Missing from the list will be worrying about the future!

Gina