tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46155663020851418802024-03-19T04:46:51.852-04:00A Boomer Girl's Guide - Embracing MY 70’sBe Brave. Be Bold. Be Active. Choose Happy.Juhlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14440147890620303894noreply@blogger.comBlogger1814125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615566302085141880.post-52433673876476957662024-03-14T08:28:00.000-04:002024-03-14T08:28:41.642-04:00Thriving Thursday Week 11<p><u style="font-weight: bold;">Happiness, Comfort & Health</u></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Woohoo! I walked over 10,000 steps outdoors one day (4.1 miles for this short person) for the first time since foot surgery. I was quite pleased with myself ☺️</li><li>Pilates trainer is great and it is helping me feel pain free.</li><li>Saturday we watched our granddaughter’s swim class while visiting with the rest of the family. She came over after and we colored, chatted, ate snacks, walked the dog, and helped her find our houses on a paper map and follow the route we drive between them. Then we and the pup had dinner at their house. The baby has learned to say “hi” so we enjoyed listening to her say “hi,hi,hi!” a lot! This is the kind of time together I was hoping for by moving.</li></ul><p></p><p><b><u>Minding our Money (and the Environment)</u></b></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Taxes e-filed and amount owed paid! It makes me so happy to have our e-filing problems over with and no more mailing of returns.</li><li>We bought an indoor tv antenna and cut cable TV. Once Sonic goes live in our neighborhood in July we will switch internet to them. We took the easy but more expensive route a year ago when moving as the house was set up for cable already.</li></ul><p></p><p><b><u>Making Home Upkeep Easier (and keeping things repaired)</u></b> </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Weeding one day a week during this rainy season seems to be working. The landscaping redo definitely helped.</li><li>We learned to bring the balcony chairs in when it is very windy. They were blown over and scraped the house. Hubby used paint left in the garage to fix it.</li></ul><p></p><p><b><u>Emergency Prep Project</u></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Added to the car emergency supplies: paper maps free from AAA and 2 reflective vests. Returned the Fix-a-Flat can. It says it has to be kept outside the passenger compartment and we have a hatchback so that won’t work.</li></ul><p></p><p></p><p><b><u><br /></u></b></p>Juhlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14440147890620303894noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615566302085141880.post-30500314881444457442024-03-10T09:09:00.003-04:002024-03-10T13:11:51.201-04:00The phone charger is working - slowly<p>We tried a different cord and it will charge an iPhone slowly. And I was wrong, it is a 12 volt charger. We will keep experimenting and order a charger that is supposed to be fast.</p>Juhlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14440147890620303894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615566302085141880.post-53922611524989995152024-03-08T09:45:00.005-05:002024-03-09T08:50:10.448-05:00Charging an iPhone in old car? Help!<p>Another Update: According to Google and Apple I need a 12V charger and ours is 6. Also according to Google car lighters are 12V so we will be ordering a new charger and see what happens. As Mona said in her comment, I have been joking that we should just by a new car with all the current bells and whistles!</p><p>Update: I checked to see if my Kindle would charge and it does so it seems only Apple products aren’t charging. Perhaps I need an iPhone specific plug in charger?</p><p>____________________________________________________________________________</p><p>We have an older car with no UBS port so can only use a phone charger plugged into the cigarette lighter as far as I know. The charger we have doesn’t work now that we have iPhones. </p><p>I don’t know if the problem is the charger, lighter connection, or car/phone incompatibility. I suppose we could carry a rechargeable charging pack but that kind of defeats the purpose.</p><p>Anyone have recommendations on a lighter plug in charger to try? Any other ideas?</p>Juhlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14440147890620303894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615566302085141880.post-15557808506410178702024-03-07T07:12:00.174-05:002024-03-07T07:12:00.252-05:00Thriving Thursday Week 10<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHPV90N9aOkfPbYuAuWWsKd5XnX6V84XIxMq6t5BXAsT_iSsCbO9cZJtBnPypoe2F6fnGvv5xm6r01axg6qaT9HiPIWA0pJZUJrjGaklzpQ8z1HAlMmyDwXzKhTrWvpJiAuGqICgblTjcQqpOKpAzyKW1L5RTTgVhw5LTSQTw-gMgpKOCQsS124hd/s4032/IMG_1156.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHPV90N9aOkfPbYuAuWWsKd5XnX6V84XIxMq6t5BXAsT_iSsCbO9cZJtBnPypoe2F6fnGvv5xm6r01axg6qaT9HiPIWA0pJZUJrjGaklzpQ8z1HAlMmyDwXzKhTrWvpJiAuGqICgblTjcQqpOKpAzyKW1L5RTTgVhw5LTSQTw-gMgpKOCQsS124hd/w300-h400/IMG_1156.jpeg" width="300" /></a></b></div><p></p><p><b><u>Happiness, Comfort & Health</u></b></p><p>Homemade Pumpkin pecan muffins made with yogurt instead of oil made us both happy and provided a stash for the freezer. Each fall I buy 10 to 12 cans of Trader Joe’s pumpkin while it is in stock as they have a great price. Do love pumpkin muffins!</p><p>The pup got his every 2 months bath and haircut. He is so excited to be at the groomer’s that he brought smiles to all the bystanders’ faces as we struggled to get him into their leash and out of his harness while he just wanted to give the groomer kisses. </p><p>And some good news about the flu. Apparently the pandemic made one B flu strain disappear for the past 4 years so it will be dropped from next year’s vaccine which means more doses can be produced as the formula is simpler. That means more doses worldwide. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/05/health/flu-vaccine-yamagata-strains/index.html">Flu vaccine </a></p><p><b><u>Minding our Money (and the Environment)</u></b></p><p>Balanced the books for February and am quite happy I moved a lot of our savings into CDs while the rates are up.</p><p>Entered the data for our taxes using TurboTax. I still need to double check everything and finish. It took me quite a while because selling a house added complexity and required searching for old paperwork. We owe quite a bit as it was Hubby’s first full year receiving Social Security in addition to his pension and I forgot to increase our estimated tax payments. </p><p><b><u>Making Home Upkeep Easier (and keeping things in good repair</u>)</b></p><p>Hubby did use Superglue borrowed from our son to fix some cabinet veneer that had come loose in the rarely used 2nd bathroom. Not the best cabinet but it serves its purpose.</p><p><b><u>Emergency Prep Project</u></b></p><div>We finally checked emergency supplies we had in our car against a list we made for car breakdowns. A gallon of water plus a few additional things are back in our car and we ordered a small first aid kit, fix a flat canister, & 2 reflective vests. I will type up a list of what is kept in the car and put on the calendar to check batteries and expiration dates as appropriate.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next step is to plan several evacuation routes. The city has one I need to print out and I ordered local, area, and state paper maps from AAA in case phones aren’t working. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then we need to put together Go Bags for each of us and for the dog for if we have a to evacuate quickly for wildfires. After that is adding to our earthquake/power outage/shelter in place supplies especially more water, coverings for broken windows and lighting.</div>Juhlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14440147890620303894noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615566302085141880.post-48240559784180959392024-03-02T13:24:00.003-05:002024-03-02T13:29:56.629-05:00Tax Return Headaches!<p>Once again I am doing our taxes myself using TurboTax. Why do I do this to myself 😤</p><p>The hardest part was finding the info I needed from purchasing our former house and figuring out what I could enter. Once the return is done I need to go back and make sure I have clear documentation in the file to support what I did.</p><p>We are going to owe $$ as it is the first year Hubby had Social Security for a full year and we don’t have taxes withheld but rather pay estimated taxes. I dropped the ball on increasing the estimated payments in all the moving chaos.</p><p>So far I have done two 2 hour sessions and now it says it is time to review it. Since I have an headache after each two hour session the review will have to wait for another day! </p><p>We will sit down together and do the review.</p><p>Any predictions on whether or not trying to submit electronically will work this time after not working the last 2 years? I’m not holding my breath!</p><p>Do you do your own and hire someone?</p>Juhlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14440147890620303894noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615566302085141880.post-10588387600386120562024-02-29T08:55:00.000-05:002024-02-29T08:55:49.009-05:00Thriving Thursday week 9 - Leap day, Baby rave, & procrastination <p>How are you spending your extra “leap day” today? We don’t have anything special planned.</p><p>Spring has definitely arrived her! The trees are flowering, daffodils are up and the birds are staking out territories. Another colder spell on the way but it is temporary.</p><p><u style="font-weight: bold;">Happiness & Health</u><b> - because these make our lives brighter</b></p><p>The biggest happiness came from having my older son and DIL come to stay for grandbaby’s birthday party weekend. The baby’s parents and big sister had a blast setting up a “baby rave” birthday theme party in their dining room with colored lights synched to the playlist, a big balloon chandelier, lots of light up balls and wands, and good food. The birthday girls had lots of fun with the light up toys and loved her cake. The look on her face as we sang Happy Birthday to her was priceless. </p><p>The road to the party was a bit rocky despite all of us pitching in. The day before as cooking was about to begin a pipe broke under the sink causing a several hour delay. The morning of the party big sister had to be picked up at 5am as she was sick so she spent the party in her bed or the bathroom poor little girl. Then almost all of the baby guests plus some family and friends had to cancel at the last minute due to illness! The party still was a success and fun.</p><p><b><u>Minding our Money (and the Environment)</u> - saving on or skipping things that don’t matter to us so we can afford the things that do</b></p><p>We pruned the neighbors trees on our side of the fence so there won’t be a problem with homeowners insurance this year. He really needs to take them down or tun them into a hedge but I don’t see him doing that.</p><p>Otherwise the same old stuff here along with spending on family visiting for the baby’s birthday and helping with the party expenses as part of our gift. We got here a pile of pajamas in the next size as she needed them.</p><p><b><u>Making Home Upkeep Easier</u> - so we can spend time on what matters to us</b></p><p>I am trying out focusing on deep cleaning one room or space at a time. This month’s was the kitchen which will also get part or all of March due to all the appliances and cupboards. The dining room though will be quick so it may also get done in March.</p><p>Making sure I spend an hour or so each week keeping up with the weeding and any pruning is working well. My hope is that the amount of weeds will decrease each year as the seeds in the soil are used up. The weed barrier is helping a lot. This week the pup got to come out in the backyard with his chew bone for over an hour while I weeded as it was dry enough for him. He was so happy.</p><p><u style="font-weight: bold;">Emergency Prep Project</u><b> - we want to survive and thrive at the worst of times</b></p><p>This was the procrastination area. I did get hubby signed up for the emergency notification system and updated the dog finder info for his license and microchip.</p>Juhlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14440147890620303894noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615566302085141880.post-72148206975670991712024-02-22T08:00:00.019-05:002024-02-22T08:00:00.150-05:00Thriving Thursday Week 8<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Q9-IlPZNAfpLvFro0a1i0dIwUyQL3c_HaO2peHCMVS0-SC4UWMHSWWftC6cio2MiOtGeWkdwOK8SNfNqeDcBu6_5OSISGHGB4Dv-iIRBUe2_-1tUijnIuMPhR09uEYU2EAY_-rfemN661OWiKbwedZKH7ouqvIKfshm_RK2p2IN8KKo0heeCzP1I/s4032/IMG_1150.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Q9-IlPZNAfpLvFro0a1i0dIwUyQL3c_HaO2peHCMVS0-SC4UWMHSWWftC6cio2MiOtGeWkdwOK8SNfNqeDcBu6_5OSISGHGB4Dv-iIRBUe2_-1tUijnIuMPhR09uEYU2EAY_-rfemN661OWiKbwedZKH7ouqvIKfshm_RK2p2IN8KKo0heeCzP1I/w300-h400/IMG_1150.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>A bit of excitement 2 houses up the street as the wind took down a large tree. I was on the other side walking the pup when it made a loud crash. It pulled up the sidewalk but that was all that was hurt thankfully. The family that lives there is out of town.<p></p><p>Another morning I was walking the dog early and for a brief moment there was a full rainbow visible. That did make me smile. </p><p>I had a good amount of time visiting with and helping my son with the baby while DIL and grandgirl went to a friend’s to play in the snow and have other adventures.</p><p>My older son and DIL arrive tomorrow to be here for the grandbaby’s first birthday party on Sunday. Always great to have them with us.</p><p>My local AAUW chapter meeting had two mystery writers as panelists and since I really love reading mysteries I enjoyed this program a lot.</p><p>We received a $2,371 property tax refund based on the assessment reduction for our previous home’s basis. Not sure if it includes the bill I just paid but either way I am happy. Our future property taxes will also be reduced accordingly. This is available to seniors who sell and buy in state. Filing all the paperwork pays off. </p><p><br /></p><div><b><br /></b></div>Juhlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14440147890620303894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615566302085141880.post-5242886926416371012024-02-21T13:16:00.003-05:002024-02-21T13:16:45.923-05:00Thank you<p>Thank you to those who gave suggestions about how to support my friend. I left her a voicemail and she called back and I listened for quite some time while offering understanding and just being there. She is in shock as you can imagine. We will be on the phone regularly over the next months.</p>Juhlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14440147890620303894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615566302085141880.post-57083547840895112802024-02-19T13:12:00.006-05:002024-02-19T13:12:59.651-05:00What a way to start the day<p><b>When I opened my emails this morning there was one from a dear friend saying her lovely husband died in his sleep Saturday night. I want to be with her to listen and help but can’t as she lives where we lived before. </b></p><p><b>How would you support a friend going through this long distance?</b></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div><br /></div>Juhlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14440147890620303894noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615566302085141880.post-84301635233666064622024-02-15T08:36:00.000-05:002024-02-15T09:21:48.471-05:00Thriving Thursday Week 7<p><b>Happiness, Comfort & Health</b></p><p>We hosted family dinner night on Thursday. The 7 year old had fun with the quiz I created for the pup’s 2nd birthday which included photos of him with her. The almost 1 year old was back to feeling well and happily joined us in the high chair and crawling around. The pup calmed down after greeting them and did well with the baby. He likes to lick her fingers and she likes it too but we don’t let it go on too long. She points at the dog and says “duhhh”. A good try lol.</p><p>Good weather for a few days in a row so I got out and took a long walk without the dog plus my usual 2 dog walks. I didn’t get to 10,000 steps but 7,741 plus however many steps indoors including stairs was pretty good for me. One ankle was tender the next day which is information for further exercise.</p><p><b>Minding our Money and the Environment </b></p><p>Our combined gas & electric bill that arrived this week is over $320. Guess it is time to move on scheduling that energy efficiency audit.</p><p>Purchased and downloaded TurboTax. Now to slog though it.</p><p>I looked to see if I could repurpose one of our Christmas bins as an emergency supplies tote (yes!) and found I had packed Christmas wrapping supplies, cards and napkins in one of the bins. Since I didn’t decorate this past Christmas I had forgotten about them and bought things. They are now where I will find them next holiday season.</p><p><b>Making Home Upkeep Easier</b></p><div>I finally got a plant care document put together so hopefully we can keep all our lovely yard plantings thriving by doing what they need when they need it.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Juhlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14440147890620303894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615566302085141880.post-21628436402296539632024-02-08T08:00:00.081-05:002024-02-08T08:00:00.147-05:00Thriving Thursday Week 6<p><b>Happiness, Comfort & Health</b></p><p>I think this award is so charming! Our first grade granddaughter received the Mensch of the Week award at her after school program. We got a photo of her holding the certificate and absolutely beaming! She is sooo proud of being a “role model for the community”. What a great way to teach positive behavior, care and compassion.</p><p>I was able to help out with babysitting when the almost 1 year old couldn’t go to daycare due to a slight fever. High energy but still taking naps 😉 As is the case with kids, although both parents were working virtually they had critical meetings they had to be present and focused on. They had breaks though and that gave me help. Started at 8 but our son’s meeting ended a bit after 3. I do need to build up my arm strength and speed of getting up off the floor lol.</p><p><b>Minding our Money and the Environment </b></p><p>Collected all the documents and information required to do our taxes.</p><p>Paid 3 annual insurance bills (home, earthquake and excess liability) and property tax bill.</p><p>Fixed the hem of a glove after pup got hold of it.</p><p><b>Making Home Upkeep Easier</b></p><p>Hubby found something to use to block where we think the rain runoff came into the garage. Now to rearrange things so nothing that might get wet will be ruined and then wait for the next heavy rain to see if it worked.</p><p><b>Emergency Prep</b></p><p>We signed up for the county warning system for our phones. It is limited to life threatening situations and location specific. Next up is getting our Go Bags stocked and ready. Wildfires are the big evacuation risk here and you really need to leave in time. Potential chemical spills at the port or rail lines are another much lower risk.</p><div><br /></div>Juhlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14440147890620303894noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615566302085141880.post-63179349610967187642024-02-04T09:42:00.001-05:002024-02-04T09:42:10.454-05:00Atmospheric rivers, dog raincoats & water in the garage<p>I woke up this morning to rain runoff coming into the converted garage. Obviously our sand bag solution wasn’t sufficient to hold up to the amount of rain falling given the driveway slopes down to the garage and the conversion didn’t actually seal the door bottom. The door also seems to have some wood rot. Towels and moving things to the temporary rescue. </p><p>Fixing this must be the next project and I see garage storage reorganization being a big part of the project. Off the floor shelving and hanging stuff. ☹️</p><p>It is also clear that we need to get the dog a different raincoat as his isn’t staying in place with the wind.</p><p>This atmospheric river storm is going to be short lived for us but hitting Central and Southern Cal coasts really hard.</p><p>We have been trying to only focus on emergency prep as a project but now we have garage water intrusion as another one plus we really do need to have an energy audit and improve energy efficiency. Will be more positive about it all later!</p>Juhlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14440147890620303894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615566302085141880.post-31227174803807020932024-02-02T12:11:00.015-05:002024-02-03T08:22:58.411-05:00February Goals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_axKl2LH9yr_hF-nQeCTu8bix4_RaEZwuuHDgS49wIBAFPl7wrYtCegj5yTPyUjq7ZCCDYZvSL3nJRXmduuEJjaJt3-3OnCS8y-S70gb4LPmOyUa3ntxg2tdcw2IWip01QmcSIIfa-wtUGxaPPDyKCDBeFMaEXee-VrCIapOEjh6Kc0UG65UnBIen/s845/IMG_0291.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="845" data-original-width="564" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_axKl2LH9yr_hF-nQeCTu8bix4_RaEZwuuHDgS49wIBAFPl7wrYtCegj5yTPyUjq7ZCCDYZvSL3nJRXmduuEJjaJt3-3OnCS8y-S70gb4LPmOyUa3ntxg2tdcw2IWip01QmcSIIfa-wtUGxaPPDyKCDBeFMaEXee-VrCIapOEjh6Kc0UG65UnBIen/w268-h400/IMG_0291.jpeg" width="268" /></a></div><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Here are my goals for the month!</span></h3><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-6826536805522226808" itemprop="description articleBody" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 570px;"><p><b>Financial:</b></p><p></p><ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Prepare to do taxes</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Update all financial passwords for better security</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Pay 3 insurance bills (homeowners, earthquake and excess liability)</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Family & Friends</b></p><ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Host family biweekly dinner</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Celebrate Valentines Day </li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Help prepare for first birthday party</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Host son and DIL coming for first birthday</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Outing with Hubby</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Write cousins</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Connect with friends</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Invite neighbors over</li></ul><div><b>Fitness & Health</b></div><div><ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Stretch 2x/week minimum</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Strength train 2x/week minimum</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Long walk sans dog 1x/ week minimum</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Pilates weekly</li></ul></div><p></p><p><b>Home:</b></p><ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Get rid of patio umbrella and rug at minimum</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Deep clean/fix one thing a week minimum</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Keep up with weeding</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Keep up with routine house cleaning</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Call about cost of energy audit</li></ul><div><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 13.2px;"><b>Technology:</b></p><ul style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Critical documents into secure cloud storage</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Delete unneeded files and photo</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Uber app on phones</li></ul></div><div><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 13.2px;"><b>Projects:</b></p><ul style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Make Go Bags for us and pup</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Plan various evacuation routes</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Get Emergency Alert app on phones</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Get dog finder app for here</li></ul></div></div>Juhlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14440147890620303894noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615566302085141880.post-10810448187487902732024-02-01T10:12:00.001-05:002024-02-01T14:15:40.541-05:00Thriving Thursday Week 5 <p>Any ideas on how to celebrate or use our extra day this month? </p><p><b>Happiness, Comfort & Health</b></p><p>Our son has proposed making getting together be at a minimum a family dinner every 2 weeks. He invited us over for last Friday night and it was fun. We have the next one the day after pup turns 2 so there may be a theme 🐶</p><p>Saturday I went with a neighbor to a local art center for a show opening and want to go back to look more closely when it isn’t as crowded. Had an interesting chat with an artist about her creative process for a piece I really liked.</p><p><b>Minding our Money and the Environment </b></p><p>Got to love these class action suits you don’t even know are happening. We got a notice that if a settlement is approved we will get $12.40 while the law firm gets over $8 million. We have an older notice from a different one that hasn’t paid out yet and it is prorated by recipients length of involvement and investment. No idea what that will net but don’t expect it to change our lives!</p><p>Sent back the auto insurance form asking for the odometer reading and how our car is used. We drive so little and the car is so old that it helps keep the cost reasonable.</p><p>Hubby ordered FastTrak for auto pay of bridge tolls and carpool lane freeway charges. He figured out we need the one that reduces fees in some circumstances if 2 or more people are in the car. We need this to start taking car outings to explore without getting a bill every time we cross a bridge. We can also use the car pool lanes during restricted times once we have it.</p><p><b>Making Home Upkeep Easier</b></p><p>Our sanitation company is very responsive. Just a few days after calling we have a yard waste bin that doesn’t let the rain inside because it has a new lid. That makes life a teensy bit easier.</p><p>The patio umbrella was blown down a second time so we have decided it is going to have to go. Now to find someone who wants it. We also have an indoor/outdoor rug that was left at the house and it blows around also so it has to go too.</p>Juhlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14440147890620303894noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615566302085141880.post-36362507589766361782024-01-30T14:43:00.002-05:002024-01-30T15:30:02.854-05:00Grandgirl fun time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUMfLNou9WbHgUKS5bBiO2Yqc3V9-RAfdVoC9n00GION1z28Epxygg5kmEoizOltpMdF4wyUPgtkZPRv6yNedfCvvrt0C_xIC6CEqiySeYsm6RjlPp_kNpimOrnag2-hRH9XnG-MKt0c0-mOYeLT8ohiSPnpr9jvi0ONDmOo8vtx0Pf9GPVXFEwIz/s4032/IMG_1124.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUMfLNou9WbHgUKS5bBiO2Yqc3V9-RAfdVoC9n00GION1z28Epxygg5kmEoizOltpMdF4wyUPgtkZPRv6yNedfCvvrt0C_xIC6CEqiySeYsm6RjlPp_kNpimOrnag2-hRH9XnG-MKt0c0-mOYeLT8ohiSPnpr9jvi0ONDmOo8vtx0Pf9GPVXFEwIz/s320/IMG_1124.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>As a grandparent I’m loving those one day school closures for holidays or teacher in service training because then we get a day with the first grade grandgirl as happened yesterday.</p><p>She loves cats and her Papa so while they were coloring together she made him a cat picture to hang. I got my hand held and told that “I like to come to your house”. We took turns turning the jump rope out on the patio while the pup reveled in being able to be outside and have a chew bone.</p><p>All 3 of us plus the pup walked to the park and enjoyed various things there. Then Papa and she watched “the school of rock” while I made some soup. Add in some reading time, playing with the pup, chatting and quite a bit of eating (a growing girl for sure!) and it was a great day helped along by a Spring like sunny day.</p>Juhlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14440147890620303894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615566302085141880.post-38367391110516578882024-01-25T08:00:00.039-05:002024-01-25T08:00:00.131-05:00Thriving Thursday Week 4<p><b>Happiness, Comfort & Health</b></p><p>I attended this month’s AAUW meeting to hear a talk about development of more affordable and market rate housing plus a new library for the city. Making myself get out and about will eventually result in finding friends.</p><p>I’m determined to deal with several minor but nagging physical issues in 2024. Monday I went to a podiatrist for an ongoing nail problem. Feeling hopeful it will be solved after about 7 years!</p><p><b>Minding our Money and the </b><b>Environment </b></p><p>I got my sewing machine running again! Turned out it needed a thorough cleaning and oiling which I had neglected to do. I managed to break the latch holding a small door for the light bulb but blue painter’s tape seems to be working as a substitute. It works for occasional mending and that is good enough.</p><p>We finally received our house value adjustment for property tax purposes. California has this benefit for seniors based on the assessed value of their prior home. We don’t know yet how much it saves us a year but there will be significant savings over time plus a credit for however much we have already overpaid.</p><p><b>Making Home Upkeep Easier</b></p><p>Moved the cookbooks and charging station off the kitchen counter but there still is too much out for easy cleaning IMO. Still, we use all of it. </p>Juhlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14440147890620303894noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615566302085141880.post-6500874856203927982024-01-23T18:43:00.002-05:002024-01-23T18:43:42.010-05:00Tuesday’s to do list<p>Finally some sunshine but still mostly cloudy.</p><p>I walked the dog 3 times, took items to the hazardous waste drop off day, did 4 loads of laundry, changed the bed and towels, some dusting, put all 3 trash bins out, made 24 pumpkin pecan muffins, removed charging station from kitchen counter, read a while, figured out the stain on the patio umbrella is rust ( do you know how to get it out?), helped put away groceries and had a glass of wine. 🍷 Tired but not exhausted.</p>Juhlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14440147890620303894noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615566302085141880.post-27233447661991785892024-01-18T15:58:00.000-05:002024-01-18T15:58:01.977-05:00Beautiful Early Morning Dog Walk<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lqjapdG8VOmbq33_Z7TL5ogxOedh30t1KswB-Pg2lcicBrneFCOgbDR5qcjki7ByyRHhn8dGuPGxJCgbvQVAd04szI1_5sOPturOH0EcFfqv511CGyX2vI0ACJBLcFiD2izrQDg-Cj8t0__NsQp2kuP8Am2pSGhClCYEczhMuwQYpADohTklVZEJ/s4032/IMG_1112.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lqjapdG8VOmbq33_Z7TL5ogxOedh30t1KswB-Pg2lcicBrneFCOgbDR5qcjki7ByyRHhn8dGuPGxJCgbvQVAd04szI1_5sOPturOH0EcFfqv511CGyX2vI0ACJBLcFiD2izrQDg-Cj8t0__NsQp2kuP8Am2pSGhClCYEczhMuwQYpADohTklVZEJ/w300-h400/IMG_1112.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhEwxREfQFqmCBXwWTU4g0DBnR099P5ZuogdPCUG578nsOfFbZGn6dSSRxLMU_LHTMYCtvgxzJy5506NdtsXXIedU0xako60e_HvvcccCEvSyfREqztBNWh4VP_NAwNPx6kdHnS2kROpXKtbzK-A9GdHt1guUTC51WoECXospxkcgNcw1JAcE9a2Z/s4032/IMG_1111.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhEwxREfQFqmCBXwWTU4g0DBnR099P5ZuogdPCUG578nsOfFbZGn6dSSRxLMU_LHTMYCtvgxzJy5506NdtsXXIedU0xako60e_HvvcccCEvSyfREqztBNWh4VP_NAwNPx6kdHnS2kROpXKtbzK-A9GdHt1guUTC51WoECXospxkcgNcw1JAcE9a2Z/w300-h400/IMG_1111.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Juhlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14440147890620303894noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615566302085141880.post-7465980199082691502024-01-18T08:00:00.001-05:002024-01-18T08:00:00.137-05:00Thriving Thursday Week 3<p><b>Happiness, Comfort & Health</b></p><p>Lots of good family time plus exercise and progress on that darn move to do list.</p><p>Now that I know where a lot of things are I’m happy with the ease of most errands. Tuesday I did a short loop of errands to the hardware store, drugstore, UPS store and library. I could have easily gone to several grocery stores and debated going on to the coffee shop but is was nearly lunchtime so restrained myself☕️😁</p><p>As expected, between colder weather and a rate increase for electricity and gas our bill is a lot higher than it has been. Not that it is very cold here compared to most of the country! We are very fortunate that we can keep the house at a temperature that is comfortable for us although we are wearing layers as much as possible. </p><p>The first year in this house is an experiment in adjusting ourselves and the house’s systems but we are opting for comfort. We are now seriously thinking about having an energy audit done and then following the air sealing and insulation upgrade recommendations as much as possible.</p><p><b>Minding our Money and the Environment </b></p><p>Hubby touched up some exterior paint and caulked a tiny hole by a window frame where ants were coming in. He found he could use the house paint we thought had to be taken to hazardous waste. Now we need to find out if we can have a small amount transferred from 5 gallon containers to small paint cans and then safely dispose of the rest.</p><p>Sticking to my library books only pledge so far this year.</p><p><b>Making Home Upkeep Easier</b></p><p>Cleared, cleaned and reorganized the garage aka laundry and storage room. Found places where the floor paint was coming off but I really don’t care.</p><p>Keeping up with weeding our newly landscaped yard. I figure two years of more weeding than I want until the weeds managing to emerge from under the weed barrier are gone. Hope I’m right.</p><p><br /></p>Juhlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14440147890620303894noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615566302085141880.post-90798432303186109582024-01-15T20:22:00.004-05:002024-01-15T20:22:54.373-05:00Whew - A busy Sunday followed by a babysitting Monday<p>Today was full of the grandgirls as it was a no school or daycare day that my son had off too but DIL had to work from home. I picked up the 7 year old at 10, took her to the bagel shop and then a bookstore before heading home. After she had her snack she crafted for a while, then we colored together, had lunch and Hubby took her to the park to use the climbing wall. At 1:00 the 11 month old was dropped off so son could go to a dr appointment. We laughed and all crawled around on the floor. When son came back we visited while the girls got very would up and so they headed out. Fun. Tiring. Special.</p><p>It was especially tiring because yesterday was a very physically active day for me including exercising, dog walking, lots of weeding and spending about 2 hours clearing, cleaning and reorganizing the garage aka laundry and storage room. Hubby did a lot the first hour or so before he had other things to attend to. It is marvelously uncrowned now. </p><p>I was tired so took myself out for a coffee shop break. Came home and just as I had started making chili our son asked if he could take us out to dinner. Of course we said yes but I still had to make the chili which is dinner tonight. </p><p>I woke up today feeling every minute of all the exercise yesterday and then put in a busy day. It was a wonderful Monday!</p>Juhlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14440147890620303894noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615566302085141880.post-71596263522455630492024-01-11T09:02:00.000-05:002024-01-11T09:02:20.473-05:00Thriving Thursday - January 11<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oecV0-6qQBDLrXKsGFIR-tp_RjQKNYBX3NEwDqSRlCkV3G-U2TPVxpq_oKw7yeGiGQME9GkQv3hl7j8suKbA0IMDsTYOYaCgkFev36FBkW7BYLWJYOXXRgurmXnvBURr8GAcKzIR1BHirBpmk4vy68bSSS341oMcYv20r2Chn9XLg4ldk33lOKtu/s4032/IMG_1106.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oecV0-6qQBDLrXKsGFIR-tp_RjQKNYBX3NEwDqSRlCkV3G-U2TPVxpq_oKw7yeGiGQME9GkQv3hl7j8suKbA0IMDsTYOYaCgkFev36FBkW7BYLWJYOXXRgurmXnvBURr8GAcKzIR1BHirBpmk4vy68bSSS341oMcYv20r2Chn9XLg4ldk33lOKtu/w300-h400/IMG_1106.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><p><b>Happiness, Comfort & Health</b></p><p>I am really liking the daisy pictured above for some cheery winter color and would like to get another one for the other side of the backyard. We will see. </p><p>This little white one is sweet and a surprise so it must be bulbs that were already here.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lxUgNWpb-d2keeqEbkQW3dcw_nhV0hRMBDPnXZurCkakPSKyReh6rhFAXeHVV8ArwAw8e0qFzBzj_ZCEbDNU5B3WqyndjrS6i9lxAq9QAJRCioN5kUwsvJrhk2JRiqsbF45i9ZAU9jsusHf9fehTE0FNoNx72JWwDSQq0io0vBkvh_r8p_Bd6bwR/s4032/IMG_1107.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lxUgNWpb-d2keeqEbkQW3dcw_nhV0hRMBDPnXZurCkakPSKyReh6rhFAXeHVV8ArwAw8e0qFzBzj_ZCEbDNU5B3WqyndjrS6i9lxAq9QAJRCioN5kUwsvJrhk2JRiqsbF45i9ZAU9jsusHf9fehTE0FNoNx72JWwDSQq0io0vBkvh_r8p_Bd6bwR/s320/IMG_1107.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p>We had a fun evening at our son's home watching the College Football Playoff National Championship game and having dinner. I made cabbage and carrot slaw to contribute to the game day meal of chili and cornbread. Hubby was put in charge of coming up with a signature cocktail. We thought it should be blue for Michigan so he made this <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/gatorade-margarita-3757681">Blue Margarita</a> with blue Gatorade. More aqua than Michigan blue but it was fun.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEzjib8PKLr-S5z_qkmVh8RPAX5j4F1T2Av2g5KYN3BC2tb2rxGVV4sb_hTDgYLrk0c8iyAwuBte0y3HmOcG8KhTfBN-B402ZGyivctQayhwp1ZO8mMhx0NmANfZngxpMUjdUUk_aXsQHnIa2WnC_jPDQMBtxDaQkIlYqCalWBzzZNkGFp7kO19Vv/s4032/IMG_1108.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEzjib8PKLr-S5z_qkmVh8RPAX5j4F1T2Av2g5KYN3BC2tb2rxGVV4sb_hTDgYLrk0c8iyAwuBte0y3HmOcG8KhTfBN-B402ZGyivctQayhwp1ZO8mMhx0NmANfZngxpMUjdUUk_aXsQHnIa2WnC_jPDQMBtxDaQkIlYqCalWBzzZNkGFp7kO19Vv/s320/IMG_1108.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p>I invited my DIL to an art opening and curator lecture later in the month. She has to work that Saturday but said I was “spot on” that she would like to go. Since she couldn’t go, I invited the neighbor who I went to San Francisco with. Determined to reach out and make friends here. </p><p>DIL had a few days off this week so we went out for coffee and to a plant nursery. One on one time is nice.</p><p>And to not leave the pup out - he got his final first time canine flu shot and a larger harness to fit his STILL growing body. He is becoming much larger than predicted. 🐶❤️</p><p><b>Everyday Thrifty Stuff</b></p><p>Talked myself out of buying additional shelving for my closet by changing where the extra sheets are stored. Also cancelled a final chiropractor appointment as I am good for now.</p><p>Returned a couple of items to the grocery store that were not used for game day. Bought more “emergency water” instead.</p><p>We seem to have switched to eating instant hot oatmeal as we both are unwilling to cook regular oatmeal in the morning anymore so I made yummy oatmeal muffins to use up part of the remaining regular oatmeal.</p><p>Fixed some stitching coming undone on my down jacket. Fixed the frig door seal where it wasn’t staying in place.</p><p><b>Making Home Upkeep Easier</b></p><p>We agreed to go through the tile and other remodeling materials left in the garage by the seller once the weather is a bit warmer. We will keep less than is there and take the rest to the local Habitat ReStore. My slow garage decluttering continues very slowly.</p>Juhlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14440147890620303894noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615566302085141880.post-4703783071345249722024-01-09T07:53:00.000-05:002024-01-09T08:04:16.971-05:00Unexpected art - Exploring the area<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnBns0-J9eX0anyysBpF9MsdD_qMV3IjWybS8nzBzA8AvnK2_0t9IvXrYrqimusBdMNmf5POglLxNB0wUhvOnj-qVqFZc1TWmb0kL1znpGOsyhkKwcRVGLafy9w_-2NITmbX69lQDlXQYRY-dtrl5trlUasF3vTSAlDu4wFhhlQlDRdJIbS_k5TKW/s4032/IMG_1103.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnBns0-J9eX0anyysBpF9MsdD_qMV3IjWybS8nzBzA8AvnK2_0t9IvXrYrqimusBdMNmf5POglLxNB0wUhvOnj-qVqFZc1TWmb0kL1znpGOsyhkKwcRVGLafy9w_-2NITmbX69lQDlXQYRY-dtrl5trlUasF3vTSAlDu4wFhhlQlDRdJIbS_k5TKW/w480-h640/IMG_1103.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>A house in the Berkeley area. We happened upon it when looking for a parking space while taking our granddaughter out for frozen yogurt. Amazing!<p></p>Juhlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14440147890620303894noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615566302085141880.post-45283963008421367352024-01-07T12:36:00.000-05:002024-01-07T12:36:25.184-05:00Hotdogs and chips plus art venues<p>We decided to go totally kid friendly when our son and 7 year old granddaughter came to lunch on Friday. Hotdogs in buns, chips and cut up raw veggies. She cheered when I told her what we were having and I really enjoyed it as a change from our usual lunches. We did get chicken sausage to and the guys had one of each.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsfgHIXooHb2mPuHNo-nWrkYnXIgU-w_1gv-80Wr_EoI8gqAppqB0CvJAri_TYA5871bH5BZqwZxogdq5vdXF1Afi-w_c4yK-6_3xAn-T3Aj-snUL_1zzELINmlXhwsRbLGQDcEFqWZmVtqdqnsPAk9Kahf3AnPzdthmwLYerlEVrKR57UXkqRwAd/s4032/IMG_1101.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsfgHIXooHb2mPuHNo-nWrkYnXIgU-w_1gv-80Wr_EoI8gqAppqB0CvJAri_TYA5871bH5BZqwZxogdq5vdXF1Afi-w_c4yK-6_3xAn-T3Aj-snUL_1zzELINmlXhwsRbLGQDcEFqWZmVtqdqnsPAk9Kahf3AnPzdthmwLYerlEVrKR57UXkqRwAd/w300-h400/IMG_1101.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our son got all the fixings on his</td></tr></tbody></table><p>She stayed afterwards for a while which made the pup and us quite happy. I’m loving our impromptu chats about little things. Perla bead art for the activity win followed by soft serve frozen yogurt as a treat and then dropped her home. Later we went to watch her final private swim lesson followed by getting Thai takeout. A lovely afternoon and evening complete with several spontaneous hugs from her.</p><p>I did some online searching for arts venues to check out. Found 2 local-ish art centers and 2 museums in San Francisco. Lots of live theater to consider including many small venues in Berkeley. A few arts and crafts class venues plus knitting groups. Now to think about what kind of live music options to find and to get out there are explore.</p>Juhlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14440147890620303894noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615566302085141880.post-38702669272469896732024-01-04T08:00:00.093-05:002024-01-04T09:38:53.994-05:00Thriving Thursday - January 4<p>It is going to be a year of focusing on what brings happiness, comfort or good health to us or our family - and thriftiness on the everyday stuff plus making home maintenance easier! You already heard about our family New Year’s Day and the other couple of days were catch up and starting a couple of small projects.</p><p><b>Happiness, Comfort and Health</b></p><p>School is out this week so we invited our son and older granddaughter for lunch and a visit tomorrow.</p><p>My older son turned 53 yesterday so we caught up by phone.</p><p>Having my last (for now) myofascial release chiropractor treatment this morning.</p><p><b>Everyday Thriftiness</b></p><p>- returned an item I decided not to use to organize the garage as I am trying not to spend money on that project</p><p>- exchanged a new jar of peanut butter that had a broken seal and was leaking</p><p>- put a chunk of money from our savings into a 1% higher interest rate 12 month CD</p><p>- put a few Christmas ribbons and gift tags made from cards into a drawer to use for future<br /></p><p>- no food waste so far</p><p><b>Easier Home Upkeep</b></p><p>Put sand bags on the patio where it drains towards the house to prevent or at least reduce water intrusion into the crawl space during rainy season plus a couple in front of the sealed garage door </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBsnNx9AnaBnbJGQuz0WYqbJfp2WqiHBpBIBjCgGwQBWbgwP_iXj7a9jpuh3eXTKWUBDYHHMc7rYfqZOqN-htPJAwK0cZrouPMJXdxdObbYFFMKn7wN-a2u0ftAmTE0ubmPC_CZORtFECbbT26YmleRE35rrk_rjhfGIR5EWNfq5zIe9SL0XQSbO7E/s4032/IMG_1100.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBsnNx9AnaBnbJGQuz0WYqbJfp2WqiHBpBIBjCgGwQBWbgwP_iXj7a9jpuh3eXTKWUBDYHHMc7rYfqZOqN-htPJAwK0cZrouPMJXdxdObbYFFMKn7wN-a2u0ftAmTE0ubmPC_CZORtFECbbT26YmleRE35rrk_rjhfGIR5EWNfq5zIe9SL0XQSbO7E/s320/IMG_1100.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><u>Office and Garage Refresh Projects</u><p></p><p>Started weeding out the office file cabinet. The file cabinet needs to be replaced as the top drawer mechanism is breaking but I do try to go through many of the files once a year. The bottom drawer though is genealogy mostly and just sits there pretty packed.</p><p>Decided that two 5 gallon paint containers left by the sellers in the garage laundry/storage room are unusable and will go to the hazardous waste disposal next week along with some pesticide containers. Still need to assess the smaller paint cans.</p><p><br /></p>Juhlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14440147890620303894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615566302085141880.post-29762111411292772822024-01-01T19:10:00.000-05:002024-01-01T19:12:12.725-05:00Well hello there 2024! I hope you will bring us many more good days<p>The new year started off quite happily for us as we spent the day with our son, DIL and 2 grandgirls. A belated Christmas gift exchange, delicious lunch and watching the Rose Bowl - Go Blue! The pup got to go too and be part of the pack to his delight.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqVl5oJm5mR_8MDEUU43Nhmvbp3kAFnnezZNDCGlERCUeLXibfIiTybjDxPUcKlmmBr_cSCBkxKe2JgBTizmrQeXsklbXYUH9rxyqA1cjqO7CWPNHdlXlKmd55ZBJvb2W-_RE3p0DLW2pwYq5UyJi7YxymhqplcbxOa795FKSa4AL8g8Zsf4dv_PI/s4032/IMG_1070.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqVl5oJm5mR_8MDEUU43Nhmvbp3kAFnnezZNDCGlERCUeLXibfIiTybjDxPUcKlmmBr_cSCBkxKe2JgBTizmrQeXsklbXYUH9rxyqA1cjqO7CWPNHdlXlKmd55ZBJvb2W-_RE3p0DLW2pwYq5UyJi7YxymhqplcbxOa795FKSa4AL8g8Zsf4dv_PI/s320/IMG_1070.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDb0nTglNDWvhXPPBVK1bl5_cieAT61cgzf1i0M7HZevzV-KJYi7Ih9LO5ifNFc6qHwOQgHv0r60SXt7xgXoeG_aqPW-naaEj0bom2dIYlWOwhKbT5wBz4X15kW9aPt-w1NnOoo2Qt-_162bh7acQzGLnovhiUhCbXzDThbBrBbPviAqbefEsiIXSh/s4032/IMG_1072.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDb0nTglNDWvhXPPBVK1bl5_cieAT61cgzf1i0M7HZevzV-KJYi7Ih9LO5ifNFc6qHwOQgHv0r60SXt7xgXoeG_aqPW-naaEj0bom2dIYlWOwhKbT5wBz4X15kW9aPt-w1NnOoo2Qt-_162bh7acQzGLnovhiUhCbXzDThbBrBbPviAqbefEsiIXSh/s320/IMG_1072.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvQszQlB046p0bf__cHvwH2iFC3dy6sYUNUm5GpPZM8V2qLjYorMAjsLAc-KazvHRhWEj5IBw892HFUgnIKwe3HMNi0P4uTN1uWxAt7CcdvbXlZLgzV-YkfoAMCRcmXVGjctpHHgU76qaVrnOTac51x3f7FKMMm1BS6jQW6OW6GZ0JOl1ITORL8Xv/s4032/IMG_1078.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvQszQlB046p0bf__cHvwH2iFC3dy6sYUNUm5GpPZM8V2qLjYorMAjsLAc-KazvHRhWEj5IBw892HFUgnIKwe3HMNi0P4uTN1uWxAt7CcdvbXlZLgzV-YkfoAMCRcmXVGjctpHHgU76qaVrnOTac51x3f7FKMMm1BS6jQW6OW6GZ0JOl1ITORL8Xv/s320/IMG_1078.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1gSGCxDn6ugmBIAZnH-ZneAuulXnuCGsvmQVpJweWMjhAzMaE2TG7B5WwftGSJ0EaWKcQet1Ca-rgapYbPT8A-xX00_lAKLiK-QC6ad0Y_V3RjDve54UyDKxkBZwupJAHF8svZX19qQoh1j5Yqca9WU1LwnwZXUXxrr6S_oiejMLsUC69h1A2ukuJ/s4032/IMG_1094.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1gSGCxDn6ugmBIAZnH-ZneAuulXnuCGsvmQVpJweWMjhAzMaE2TG7B5WwftGSJ0EaWKcQet1Ca-rgapYbPT8A-xX00_lAKLiK-QC6ad0Y_V3RjDve54UyDKxkBZwupJAHF8svZX19qQoh1j5Yqca9WU1LwnwZXUXxrr6S_oiejMLsUC69h1A2ukuJ/s320/IMG_1094.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwo4vRdYYKqxtBw6r5yV3uwXjgUouOLYfAAubgB1mI0wvHwj06bmkci62G3N02saikO2T__fXp-2WzFjrIrh8odvC1k61Qe0OxghcM8ljs1plyppH_B6sQFcQkNBNIzUtHwlERbmHhsN7ExtIE8PXSd3kX_RqXb5C5ZPjWg5pv5wBDSk5o-YYeqI8B/s4032/IMG_1095.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwo4vRdYYKqxtBw6r5yV3uwXjgUouOLYfAAubgB1mI0wvHwj06bmkci62G3N02saikO2T__fXp-2WzFjrIrh8odvC1k61Qe0OxghcM8ljs1plyppH_B6sQFcQkNBNIzUtHwlERbmHhsN7ExtIE8PXSd3kX_RqXb5C5ZPjWg5pv5wBDSk5o-YYeqI8B/s320/IMG_1095.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Juhlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14440147890620303894noreply@blogger.com4