5 thing Friday - Fall (or the lack thereof), yards, Frosty, tires, Mom

 The weather here has only eased up the teensiest bit.  Seems like everyone else is like "yay! cooler days!  I'm so happy its Fall!"  Its definitely not Fall here, but the 100 degree temp days are more like 92, so...yay?

In protest of the heat I have placed some apple cinnamon pinecones in an otherwise empty basket in the den.  {goodbye, National Geographic magazine collection}

And to the hanging basket on the front door, I added some Fall-ish sprays. The glass eye pendant is not doing it's job of warding off evil spirits, but I like it, so it stays.

Yesterday I spent two hours mowing, edging, raking, blowing, and etc.  I had not tended to the yards in weeks.  That's what a drought does - makes mowing so much easier.  Today a tree company is coming to do some pruning that the homeowners insurance company is requiring.  This has been a pricey week.

My honest assessment of the pumpkin spice Frosty is that it has a fake nutty pumpkin flavor, a little heavy on the spice, and verrrry sweet.  Did I finish it, though?  Yes I did.  It was my reward for getting the oil changed on my car - a job that's been on my to do list for weeks.

In the "it doesn't take whiskers" category - I fished the air compressor out of the storage bin in the back of my car (thank you to my mother), aired up a completely flat tire, then drove over to Discount Tires for new tires.  Did I mention its been an expensive week?

I am doing my level best to help my sister with my mom and I know I am failing.  I keep repeating to myself: you cannot move mom to your house, you did not create this situation, and you are doing what you can to help.  I am already managing her money and setting things in motion to get some income generated to help her and I have spent hours on the phone with the long term care insurance company, the banks, the financial advisor, and her neighbors.  I have driven to Brenham twice to check on her house and arrange her mail being re-routed, taking out her rotten food and full trashcans, as well as scrubbing her potty and setting off a bug bomb since the roaches seem to be taking over. 

Life hasn't been real fun lately.

I will be so glad when this year is over.

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.

My sister and I 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 - winery, cleaning, trees, Valentine's, home

I took an old friend to the pick-up party at Perissos last weekend:

We had a really good time - sipping and strolling through a tasting, enjoying a chicken alfredo pasta lunch and a cranberry/coconut cheeseball for dessert, sitting and chatting for four hours... 

The weather was gorgeous, the wine exceptional.

The music on the patio was an amazing backdrop to a beautiful afternoon.

And by yesterday evening, I had opened one of my favorites

Some weeks are like that.

Tomorrow we and I are going to help out mother with some housekeeping.  We want her to have a clean place to welcome visitors to her home, which is vitally important for someone in her circumstances and age group. She will be 93 in two weeks' time.

I thought I had dodged a bullet and only lost a few branches off my trees - but no, there was more damage up there, just waiting for me to discover it.  I called the landscape guy that helps my neighbors, and he was out the next day, removing big broken branches from my trees.  I came home to an even bigger pile of branches, since the city has not come yet to remove all of the piles around my neighborhood.

  My poor oak tree out front - it makes me want to cry. "What can you do?, it's nature" he said.  There was nothing I could have done to protect my trees, (other than keep them pruned) same for all of my neighbors.  But it kills me.

Valentine's Day passed without incident.

I didn't make any special treats for anyone, including myself.  Didn't go out of my way to decorate for it, except for this burlap banner I made years ago.  Didn't spend the day crying, didn't eat too much candy at work.

I call it a win, overall.

My home is my sanctuary, and that includes good days, and bad days, too.  For holidays.  Special calendar days.  Fridays.  I am lonely here sometimes, but I feel a warm glow here as well.  And It makes me feel safe to be here at the end of a long day.  And really, always.

Happy Friday,

Gina

You'll never know

How much all that you did meant to me.  From the moment Hubby and I started dating in college, you welcomed me into your family with open arms.

 You spent the afternoon of my wedding ironing all of the tablecloths - with a smile on your face.

 And still managed to be a beautiful bridesmaid who just beamed with happiness on our special day.

 You were never camera shy, even if my wee ones were - they loved being around bubbly and fun Aunt Sharon.  Always up for a tickle and a cuddle!

You were a second mother to Hubby and always thought he was fabulous - you made him feel loved, helping and encouraging him to stay on the right path.

You shared in our joys as we expanded our family, even if it caused you to ponder if we'd lost our minds by the fourth one...you always wanted to live closer saying that the miles were too many.  You were right.  I learned so much from you about keeping a home and raising kids.  You were such a great role model.

You were so much fun to be around, so lively, so alive.  Your home was always warm and welcoming and we all felt happy to be with you and your family.  You waited on us hand and foot - the most gracious, loving hostess who was so happy to see us!

Being with you around the holidays was especially nice - you were up for games and wine drinking and more camera silliness.

And you shed real tears of joy whenever you saw us after an extended time - you were completely and totally in love with all things family.  

I will miss you more than I could ever tell you, but I could never express all that you meant to me.  And I, like everyone else, will find it so hard to say goodbye.

Gina

A pretty for my niece

Last week I completed another embroidery project, this one for my niece who is turning 16.

She wouldn't give her mother or I any ideas as to what she wanted, so I had to improvise.  I decided to make her a pretty pillowcase with some other goodies.

I'm not the seamstress my mother is by a long shot, and I was late getting her this gift, so I had to work quickly but I tried to stitch as neatly as possible.  Even tho the design was pre-stamped, it took some concentration on my part...

 I think it came out nicely - looks like it's for a lady.  Very feminine.

 

 I packaged it up with a sleep mask and some aromatherapy spray.  I wish I had thought to buy a gift bag, but this will work:

 

 voila!

Happy Birthday, Miss Liv.  Hope you have the sweetest of birthdays!

Gina

La Grange Quilt show 2011

A couple of weekends ago, my sister and I took my mother to a quilt show in La Grange.  The "Best Little Quilt Show in Texas".

My mother is something of a quilting pro - I have no idea how many of them she has made, but I bet in the dozens.  Which is no small thing considering she pieces, appliques, and hand quilts. Truly an art.  I have several at my house:  Drunkard's path, Carolina Lily, Cats, Little Houses, Log Cabin, Butterflies, Sunbonnet Sue - and she has given many more away over the years as gifts. 

She recently sent "Checkers" to Firstborn.

 Only a few that we saw actually impressed me - they were almost too perfect - know what I mean?  Most of them had machine quilting, instead of by hand.

They are beautiful, yes, but I think some of the art is lost if all the patterns are color-coordinated.  My mother uses fabric from a closet, an entire closet, full of fabric she has accumulated over the years.  My sister and I like to point to various prints and say "I had a dress made of that!"

This one is just lovely - a Wedding Ring quilt.  My mother has one of these in her linen closet.  Hers is well-loved and worn with scalloped edges.  Quilts make you feel connected to a mother, grandmother, aunt...a womanly pastime with so much history sewed into each piece.

 She and my sister pose in from of another pretty one.

 After the quilt show we stopped in Round Top for lunch - the best burger I ever had! - and to the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center with even more quilts and other handmade crafts.

 I love this Yo-Yo quilt, it make such a fun, textured bed covering.

Just lovely and a nice way to spend an afternoon with my mother and sister.

 Well, and my silly niece, too!

Gina