Five Things Friday #44 - Beautiful days, rainbows and sunrises paired with balcony fix frustrations

 

We have been having some beautiful fall days and taking more & longer walks. I've especially enjoyed the fall leaf and sunrise colors as well as a full rainbow that seemed to start in SF Bay if you stood in a particular spot.

I'm very eager for January 3rd, 2027 to get here! So happy congress flipped as did many governor positions and some state legislatures. Now fingers crossed for what happens next.

We are about to enter rainy season and have discovered that fixing our cantilevered balcony is more complicated than we thought. The city no longer has the plans on file; just the permit from 1962 and evidence of final inspection in 1963. The first contractor we talked to thinks we need a structural engineer to develop engineering plans and he would only develop the design & installation plans. We are going to talk to another contractor to see if they see it the same way. 

We are going back to the SF MOMA on Monday or Tuesday to check out all their ongoing/non-special exhibits and to have lunch. We joined when we were there for my birthday in September so we will now be ahead financially and have a fun outing. I really love going to art museums.

I went back to the dermatologist to have another go at treating a strange spot on my face. At least he still thinks it is pre-cancerous. I have my annual physical today and will get my related lab tests afterwards.

I saved money by not paying for shipping for an odd assortment of things bought from Amazon (Lego set Christmas gift, dog chew bone and printer ink) and not driving to 3 stores in hopes of buying those things. I try to buy locally or online directly from an independent business but sometimes Amazon is the answer. The part to (hopefully) repair a window that was broken when we bought the house is supposed to arrive tomorrow from & was bought online from an independent business. 

Five Things Friday #43 - Starting gift buying, altering dog coat & an expensive month

1. I have figured out the simple strap alterations needed to make the gifted dog fleece coat fit our pup. He seems to love trying it on so I can see how it fits so I guess it feels really cozy!

2. DIL gave me a couple of gift suggestions for the grandgirls so I bought a 10th birthday gift of a 4 book series in a boxed set and a lego set for the 3 year old's Christmas gift. At least I've begun! 

3. The pruning job I put off for weeks took less than 10 minutes. Cleaning the inside of the car windshield took about 5 minutes. We also managed to finally take a window pane out of the frame to measure and then order the missing tilt enabling part for a no longer manufactured window. It is the getting started that takes forever lol.

4. I'll be glad when this month is over as it has been both too quiet and rather expensive between expected semi-annual big bills and unexpected ones large and small. 

The most annoying unexpected expense was that the printer black ink cartridge developed a leak while it was still quite full. I did learn that scrubbing with Barkeeper's Friend on a kitchen scrub sponge will take most of the black ink off of fingers! 

The most rewarding expense was a donation to the granddaughter's swim team booster club scholarship fund. The kids participate in a Swim-Athon and get sponsors to pledge money.

I also learned that you can freeze peeled and cut butternut squash and then just cook it frozen. Half of the big one from Trader Joe's is now in the freezer so we didn't have to try to make ourselves eat way too much cooked squash and end up throwing it out.

5. This coming weekend is a 2 day in town swim meet for the older granddaughter so we will go at least one day to cheer her on. I'm hoping to schedule getting back to the SF MOMA soon and hopefully enjoying some holiday decorations in SF.

Just an everyday Tuesday

 

I'm "enjoying" the sounds of the washer and dryer running first thing in the morning as I catch up on laundry!

The dryer was fixed yesterday for about 1/4th to 1/3rd of the cost of a good new one plus the cost of having an electrician change a 3 pronged outlet to a 4 pronged one as would be required. The knob for setting the dryer cycle broke off Friday morning as a plastic connector so the entire timing mechanism had to be replaced. 

Wet towels had to be air dried for a while on the garage drying rack and then taken to son's house to finish drying. Glad that is no longer an issue although I imagine a neighbor would have let us use a dryer if necessary. Fingers crossed the dryer lasts for a few more years as it appears to have been made in 2014.

The rest of the day is probably going to be equally exciting -

Give myself a pedicure.

Measure the part needed to fix a window to see if the one I found online is correct and order it if it is.

Go through bins our son & DIL have stored in our garage due to their extensive home remodeling project. I need to see if there are any 5T clothes especially any fun ones for dress up play for the little grandgirl.

Go to CVS to get something we need and use ExtraBucks before they expire.

Another short pruning session before trash collection day tomorrow. 

I'll make minestrone & cornbread  for dinner as I have all the ingredients.

After our walk yesterday to city hall confirmed that they no longer have the plans for the 1962 2nd story and balcony addition to our house, I need to figure out the wording for an email to ask a building inspector if they are going to require structural info we don't have for us to get a permit to replace the decking and railing on the balcony but not do anything to the joists. We do want it safe but having to prove the joists meet current code would require tearing out ceiling or flooring to actually look at them! I have to say though that city staff is unfailing pleasant and as helpful as possible. It was a pretty day for a walk too.

There is a hitch in the library or Amazon programming that is not allowing early returns of Kindle books so I can't check out anymore! There may be a walk to the library for actual books as a result.

Five Things Friday #42 - Remember to get your RMD & gift giving marathon on the horizon

A charming bouquet resulting from a neighbor pruning a bush.

1. I don't like to do my RMD this early, but when I had tried to schedule it for later the system wouldn't allow it. Maybe they will have that glitch fixed next year! Just happy it worked.

2. I watched the British version of Professor T through our PBS Passport membership access. There is a version from Belgium that I haven't seen so I am wondering if it might be different enough to be interesting. Will wait a while before trying that out.

3. Hubby was going on a walk and asked if I wanted him to get me a latte. Yes please. It was still warm when he got home so he must have walked quickly on the way back!

4. Contemplating the season of lots of gift giving. Older Grandgirl's 10th birthday, Hubby's birthday & DIL's birthday all before Christmas. Soon after Christmas - older son's birthday & little Grandgirl's 4th birthday! Numerous cousin, niece & nephew birthdays & brother's anniversary too but those just require a card or online greeting as everyone is well grown up! I do love giving gifts that light up the recipient's eyes, but that is hard to come up with those consistently.

5. This past week I went to the dentist for a checkup & to Pilates, we had the first rain of the season (0.4") which hopefully will calm our and the dog's allergies for a bit, the chicken & veg soup came out tasty, cleaned inside of car, did a little yard work & dropped an item off at hazardous waste collection day. I enjoyed the early morning sky while walking the pup. Oh, the excitement.

What I'm contemplating, avoiding and doing today

We decided last night that we have to go forward with rebuilding the balcony to code with a permit despite the expected eye watering cost. It is 1 1/2 stories off the ground and scaffolding will be required. We have coastal weather so are going for a stainless steel railing system and "Trex" like decking to avoid rust and warping. We probably should have repainted/fixed the house siding first, but that is not in the cards. Now that I know what is wrong with the way the balcony was built on top of the cantilevered joists and with the railing construction, I won't even walk out on it. We are assured that it is sturdy right now and it was to code in the early 1960's but it is a long way down. 

This past week has not been exemplary in terms of exercise, diet and activity. I will have to head off my Pilates teacher's questions about all that today somehow lol. I did have a healthy breakfast.

We did do most of the prep for the forecasted very, very rainy season - or rather, Hubby did most of the prep and I did some. Only 0.4 inches total expected starting today with most tomorrow. That means there are still sandbags that will need to be put out to avoid excess water in the crawl space. We suspect an underground stream contributes to that problem so we can't keep it totally dry. As long as the sump pump and outside drainage system works it will all be fine hopefully.

Today I have Pilates in the morning and then will try to make myself go to REI to see if I can find something I want to spend my credit & gift card on. I've spotted a couple of things online but often their clothing lines don't fit my body. There are still socks & shoes!

We are trying to find a part to fix a window that is no longer made. That is how far down the "fix it" list we have gotten in 3 1/2 years. I have sourced a likely part and now need to measure that part on other windows to see if I am right. Fingers crossed.

Five Things Friday #41 - Balcony repair and found money

I really like the little flowers on this petite Camilla in our front yard. Makes me smile!

1. We have a 2nd story cantilevered balcony running the width of our house in the back (24ft x 5ft). It is linked to the family room by a patio door and provides a view of SF, the Bay and Bay bridge and a bit of the Golden Gate bridge. 

It was built as part of the 1962 upstairs addition as the balcony is supported by floor joists extending an unknown distance into the house depending on what the code was then. 

It needs the decking and railing replaced and we also want to ensure that all of the supporting structure is sound. We met with a contractor on Friday and again yesterday to start the process of hiring a firm to do the work. Fun.

2. We spent 3 hours at a swim meet in another town to help our DIL. She had volunteered to help with the meet midday and then her mother was unexpectedly unable to attend. We got to hang out with our younger grandgirl as "babysitters" which was fun. We also had our older daughter over Friday evening for parent's date night. Our DIL brought us the flowers as a thank you for our help these last few weeks.

3. Voted and put ballot in drop box that is within walking distance.

4. Got my COVID vaccine and today I will take it easy as my immune system reacts.

5. I found two $50 bills on the sidewalk when walking the dog! No one was around within sight so I picked them up. Would you have done the same?

 

Five Things Friday #40 -

1. We spent Friday afternoon with our son at his house armed with vacuums, Clorox wipes and dust cloths. The new & refinished floors look amazing, but sanding wood floors in every room but the bathrooms leaves a lot of dust everywhere including on windows, walls and lights. We focused on the bedrooms and stair railing. We got the 3 bedrooms including closets done and the stair railing mostly done. Whew.

We were treated to a whole family dinner of bucatini and meatballs made by our son at our house. Saturday we had a "special time" with the 3 1/2 year old at our house so no one would have to watch out for her while the movers took everything back into their house. She was really good and fun.

They finished so late on a hot 97 degree day that they spent Saturday night with us as well. I was so tired Sunday that I totally vegged, but it was fun spending so much time with all of them.

2. We did not make it to the annual art show at the rec center because it was the same weekend we were busy helping our son's family. 

3. We had a 6 day heat advisory here starting Oct 1st. The 1st day was the worst as the "feels like" temp reached 97 which is quite unusual in the East Bay. 

We continue to be very glad we had a mini-split heat pump installed upstairs as it gives us AC up there and helps cool the main floor a bit. I got some use out of my summer dresses at least!

4. Apparently when I am very busy and/or it is quite hot I fall down spectacularly on my exercise goals. Such was this week until Wednesday when I managed a 2 mile walk before it got too hot. 

For 10/1-7 my daily outdoor walking average was 1 3/10ths miles instead of my target of 2 miles but better than my September average. I can't be bothered to carry my phone around inside to track that so I know I walked more.

5. I received notice via email on 10/3 that my mail in ballot had been posted to me and if I didn't get it within a week to contact the county Registrar's office. Received the ballot on 10/7. Lots decisions to make  before voting including on 14 Propositions some of which nullify others! I'll get it completed and walk it to the dropbox by Monday.

 AND

Our 6 month car insurance bill went up $169 sigh. However our earthquake insurance stayed the same price.

The best gas price near us is $6.38/gal. 

We continue to shop at Trader Joe's and The Grocery Outlet for the best values. We supplement with occasional forays to the farmer's market, our little corner market, CVS and Safeway plus twice a year Amazon subscription to get specific things not available at those two stores. If we were more than a family of 2 we would join Costco I'm sure.