January Review & February Intentions

Oh my, but Grandfriends’ Day with a second grader was uplifting! Such a positive environment making learning fun.

As a reminder, my motto for the year is Do the Hard Stuff - meaning things that are actually difficult or that I avoid or procrastinate on for some reason. Did I do that in January? Yes in some cases and I feel good about how the month went which is most important. 

Let’s review my grades for my overly hopeful goals for the month.

Health & Self Care (goal: increase strength, lose weight, less stress)

F     Dry January for an evening routine/habit change and weight loss as it will reduce my carb snacking too

F     Try different baked pancake recipes to come up with healthier substitute for commercial frozen waffles (reduce cholesterol & increase calcium)

Room by Room project (goal: improve function and aesthetics with minimal spending)

B+    Focus on our office: deep clean, organize and declutter files and closet, finish computer transition and dispose of old computer, try to get rid of white ring on desk or get large desk mat. 

         - I still need to deep clean and dispose of the old computer. Decided against working on desk finish or getting a mat. We jumped ahead and upgraded the family room with a new TV and TV stand which also added more storage

Home improvement (goal: increase comfort, conserve energy, and improve safety as 

A+   Learn about services offered by 2 companies doing home energy audits and book one. I’m especially interested in what they are able to fix based on the audit. 

        - The audit was completed and we are waiting for report

B     Get the names of people who might be able to build and install our desired new stair rail that will be safer and to code. Talk to them. 

       -  I still need to talk to them but have 2 names

A     Replace the gifted houseplant that died 😊 

        - Yeah, it is still alive and growing

Family, Friends, Fun (goal: build connections and happiness)

B+     Start using my reading journal for more thoughtful reading while working on the 52 book club 2025 reading challenge

All F’s

     Try a dim sum restaurant with Hubby and perhaps family 

      - he decided he didn’t want to do this

      Invite 8 year old granddaughter for a first sleepover 

       - she is too busy with swim team, etc so a no, but we did go to Fairyland and to her school Grandfriends day plus took her to swim practice and more.

      Try the library mystery book club or some other activity in my search for “my tribe”

       - I’ve realized this is not going to be my thing lol

Moving on to a more realistic February

Health & Self Care (goal: increase strength, lose weight, less stress)

• Doctor appointments for physical and eye exam
• Continue building strength through Pilates
• Try for healthy afternoon snacks
• Each morning ask myself: How do I really feel today? What will I focus on? How can I be gentle with and helpful to myself and others today?

Room by Room project (goal: improve function and aesthetics with minimal spending)

• Finish office project by deep cleaning it and disposing of old computer responsibly after deleting files
• Focus on dining room project by deep cleaning, decluttering/maximizing space on storage part of hutch
• Limit spending on upgrades: Keep looking for good buys on just right art for office & bedroom and for placemats

Home improvement (goal: increase comfort, conserve energy, and improve safety as 

• Get at least one bid for first phase of work based on energy audit suggestions

Family, Friends, Fun (goal: build connections and happiness)

• Start dealing with logistics for attending lovely niece’s June 1st (summer formal Palm Springs) wedding including dog sitter, plane tickets, gift, clothes for both wedding and dinner night before
• Go to local history talk at community center
• Family in town for a week - enjoy!
• 2 year old’s birthday party
• Lunch with friendly neighbor
• Mark pup’s 3rd birthday and Valentines Day in some way

And June is done

Let’s start with all the good stuff -

1. Our son made the train reservation for our granddaughter and he to come to visit. A pick up in Santa Barbara but that is easy. Our other son and DIL are driving north at the right time to take him home and visit for a couple of days. Hubby will fly granddaughter home and stay a bit for a visit. Just need to make that plane reservation.

2. Pup is learning our routines and house rules pretty well and we are learning his. All good. We left him in his crate for almost an hour and went out for ice cream. He was relaxed when we got home which bodes well for our future!

3. We are eating well at home, the weather has been lovely if way too little rain, the window and screen cleaning is done, etc.

4. My summer outfits capsule is fine tuned and working well while being quite simple to manage.

5. I started back on my Pilates exercises once pup had settled in a bit.

6. have enjoyed many books.

7. I feel confident in our new dentist which is good as I am in the process of getting two crowns done.

8 I think our other son and DIL will be staying with us a bit in July and/ or August. Always a true pleasure.

9. Blood test with my recent physical showed my cholesterol level improved and everything else fine. I have also finally dropped a couple of my Covid extra pounds.

10. Signed up pup for "Basic Skills & Manners" group class starting July 30th.

And then there are the things that haven’t gotten done -

1. Get info to set date for Hubby to start social security which will not cause a gap in his Medicare coverage. He has been paying quarterly.

2. Get another credit card with my name primary.

3. Find a source of replacement dishwasher racks or another way to repair deterioration of tines.

4. Need a to do list and an intense bout of working on club business and motivating some others to do the same.

5. Get permanent crowns on both teeth once they are finally the right color.

6. Have more fun!

April Update and End of Month Thankful Thursday

Working on that Spring & Summer bucket list and checked a few off on April.

1. I had a fancy cocktail at a fancy bar - for our 41st anniversary. I was great fun as we had stayed home the last two anniversaries and this was a new to us local restaurant.

2. Our son took us and our granddaughter out for lunch at a taco food truck in Berkeley.

3. I completed one drawing. I used a portion of a photo of mine as inspiration and watercolor pens for a different color effect. I kind of like it.

 

4. I made reservations for a one night early May get away in Santa Barbara. I also got tickets to a special exhibit at the SB Art Museum and we will meet local son and DIL for dinner. 

Things I am especially thankful for these past two weeks include that my club was able to award four scholarships this year instead of 3 as in past years. A testament to the rental coordinators getting the clubhouse fully rented to ongoing businesses which has given us a reliable stream of income.

Goodbye August! What’s planned for September?

Whew - The Delta variant pandemic surge, fires raging (but not nearby thankfully), a monster hurricane, Afghanistan, the California governor recall election starting, death of a good friend’s husband from cancer, close friends and nearby neighbors having to move …

But also in our little patch of the universe - nice weather, new neighbors seem nice, friends are supportive of each other and me, granddaughter likes her new big kid school, family including pets all healthy, started physical therapy and see improvement, grocery stores and gas stations well stocked, nice in person visit with one son and DIL, a couple of outings with Hubby…

So what is ahead for September in the areas where I have some control or at least some influence?

- Some birthday celebrations for me

- Labor Day weekend trip to see Berkeley son, DIL and granddaughter 

- An in person service club meeting with puppies (program is about raising puppies for guide dog training) with only fully vaccinated allowed to attend and with masks as county requires but at least we can get together

- Continued to increase strength, flexibility and endurance through PT and other exercise as able

- Continue to spend time with art activities as the process is quite stress reducing and relaxing for me

- More safe outings probably including a walk along the ocean boardwalk, art gallery visit and farmer’s market

- Planning family get togethers for granddaughter’s 5th birthday and for Thanksgiving 

- More reaching out to East Coast family members (brother, SIL and cousins)

- Get a recommendation for an electrician and get our broken ceiling light fixed

- Go through fall clothes and buy anything needed

- I need a project that isn’t club related so I’m thinking of getting back to improving our emergency preparedness, doing some thrifting and getting better at alterations, a bit of home redecorating or …?

How was your month? What are you looking forward to in September?

October wrap up

So here in S. California fall is just a little cooler than late summer. I'm determined to get in the fall mindset though. Here is what it looks like from our tiny patio some days - early morning and late afternoon.

I've joined up with Leslie and other bloggers to keep track of the month with a sentence (or more) a day. There's a link up below if you'd like to see what others have done or join in.

Week 1: Not only is it National Pumpkin month but the 1st was National Pumpkin Spice Day. I celebrated with a pumpkin spice latte to get me through a Pet Club board meeting and stocked up on Trader Joe's low cost canned pumpkin for future pumpkin bread.

Started 2 1/2 weeks of cat sitting for a neighbor who is insisting on paying me despite my protests.

Great clouds this week, made the best chicken noodle soup yet, and had a lovely time at my book discussion group.

Week 2: Saw "A Star Is Born" while avoiding our house during a scheduled power outage and it was such a sad ending but Bradley Cooper did such a great acting job and of course Lady Gaga's singing was amazing.

Ended the week with my women's club monthly meeting which was interesting and fun as usual, a local candidates forum, yoga class and then lunch with my son & DIL to see wedding pictures!!!

Week 3: Love this quote: “A party without dessert is just a meeting” ~Julia Child

Tried a new hairdresser and am quite happy with the result. 

It was mid-summer hot again plus very windy.

Did stuff - Yoga class, paid our property taxes, proposed Thanksgiving gathering at our house, helped Hubby pick out the color of his tooth implant (miniscule differences!). 

Offered a small patio table we aren't using to our son with new house. He wants it and we will take up in November.

Week 4: It looks like I can step back and just be Treasurer of the club that was without leadership. We have recruited candidates for the other offices and that makes me happy.

But for another group I have agreed to try to sell a 1932 parlor grand player piano with 30 rolls. It is supposed to be quite valuable. Any ideas? We need contacts in S. California or anywhere if they might know of a buyer.

And I felt very French (ok, very Californian) taking my tote bag to the organic farmer's market this Saturday morning. Even have the poodle to fit in although she stayed home. Lots of goodies including an apple tart to have with my coffee when I got home.

Final 4 Days: Sunday afternoon we went to see a performance of "Into the Woods" at our local small theater and it was great although a much darker story that we expected.

Finally figured out where to get our kitchen knives sharpened: a mobile service that is at the local Joanne Fabric store every other month.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN WITH A TRULY SCARY PUMPKIN!

An InLinkz Link-up

September wrap up

September was all about family and being active!

I've joined up with Leslie and other bloggers to keep track of the month with a sentence (or more) a day. There's a link up below if you'd like to see what others have done or join in.

September
1 - 4
My 69th birthday was on September 1st and I spend that day and the rest of Labor Day weekend with my younger son, DIL and granddaughter at their new house in Berkeley. There was a made to order birthday dinner (chili and strawberry shortcake - much more delicious than it might sound) and a little voice singing Happy Birthday Nanna. Also a visit to a little farm and a little train ride, a trip into San Francisco involving buses and BART followed by a walk along the waterfront and many viewings of "BOATS! WATER!" with much excitement by an almost 2 year old. A visit to the Exploratorium too. Helping with unpacking, weeding,  and general getting the house set up. Reading toddler books, building with legos and making playdough creatures. Wonderful. Then a drive home with another stop at our favorite Pismo Beach cafe (this time for BLAT sandwiches and a large side salad).

A train ride in the park

5 & 6Catch up day of bill paying, laundry, groceries, dog grooming appointment, flu shot, a chat with a neighbor, and there may have been some Chardonnay involved. The next day I pruned the bushes that are our responsibility, returned a plant to Home Depot, took a walk and browsed the internet!

7
Had a lovely time at my Women's Club book discussion group but Hubby is sick so unfortunately he had to reschedule his lunch with an old friend and I was tired so I picked up some ready made food.

8-10
Getting the stuff of life done: washed sheets and towels, mended, filed paperwork, ran errands for Women's Club and Pet Club, emailed my brother details about wedding weekend and visit after, cancelled Monday's massage as am feeling like I am getting sick after DH's 4 day illness (yuck and sigh - I really wanted that massage).

But then DH cooked dinner, I took more Tylenol and felt well enough to watch The Notorious RBG - wow!

11
Sold raffle tickets for a Pet Club fundraiser this morning wearing an outfit that received compliments of "adorable" and "hip" (neither of which I have ever been called since memory began LOL)

Tennies since I had to walk home. The dog is saying those shoes are for dog walking!!!

12
Haircut, more stuff for Pet Club, library, cooked dinner, took a family dog walk afterwards.

13
My women's club started meeting again after summer break so had a chance to get to know more of these lovely women better, eat a delicious lunch and here a live performance of some excerpts from Puccini operas plus all of us September birthday girls got balloons.

14
What a great Pet Club event - a potluck lunch followed by an exotic animal show put on by students in the Moorpark College animal trainer program AND we raised $532 from our raffle!

15 - 17
Errands plus casual dinner out Saturday night. Found out Home Depot can't copy my car key so I will have to go to the dealership, picked up a pair of olive jeans and a top at Macy's, grocery shopped and did some laundry. The dog saw a rabbit sitting still while we were on a walk and didn't know what to make of it until it moved and then she decided it was something to chase lol.

18
Follow up visit to dermatologist and cancerous spot on my nose had another round of freezing and so did another spot.

19 -20
Drove over to my son and DIL-to-be's home to have lunch with them and her parents and younger brother who just arrived for this weekend's wedding. Prepared for dog sitter to stay the weekend.

21 - 23
Wedding weekend! Pub crawl, final venue set up, "I Do BBQ" wedding event, brunch at Santa Anita race track followed by a stables tour and wedding venue clear out. Came home to a coping pretty well dog.

24 - 25
Caught up on household chores and prepared for my brother and sister-in-law to arrive.

26
Took them to the Reagan Library & Museum which is quite interesting no matter what your politics are.

27
Coastal day: Maritime Museum which has lots of ship models and paintings, beach boardwalk and Ventura pier, tacos on the pier and later dinner outside at a wine and beer bistro here in Camarillo.

Korean turtle ship with spikes to keep Japanese warriors from boarding

A ship designed by a king of Sweden that was so top heavy that it sank upon launching

28
Murphy Auto Museum and Heritage Square in Oxnard followed by a great lunch on a patio at a new to us Italian restaurant in Oxnard's Heritage Square.

29 - 30
Catch up on chores and errands.

An InLinkz Link-up

June in a Sentence a Day

This is the month we felt like we were really settling in both to our new location and new home.

My June -

1 - Nearing the end of the HVAC installation saga with both the installer supervisor and city inspector visiting as a team today and finally agreeing on the changes that have to be made to get sign off.

The view out our front door on June 1st.

2 - We have beds!!!
3 - So tired of shopping for the house and returning our mistakes, but the new resident orientation today was very illuminating and dinner with my FIL and husband's great aunt was fun so I think I broke even for the day.
4 - One of three ceilings needing painted was done by Hubby today so it is now white instead of dark khaki and seem much higher due to optical illusion of color.
5 - I wasn't able to access my new mobile banking app and it turned out it was something the bank had to do on their end not app inexperience user error!
6 - Went to a yoga class in a while and marveled at the 98 year old participant.
7 - Hubby headed off to another required in-person work week in Atlanta and I attended the Art Club summer picnic where I chatted with some very nice people.
8 - Gave myself permission to just "hang out" and not be productive or social.
9 - Stopped by the Studio Channel Islands gallery and had a nice chat with one of the resident artists.

10 - Made an early morning run to the Camarillo Farmer's Market and was happy to find a good selection of in-season veggies & fruit plus baked goods, prepared food items and flowers.
11 - Came up with a menu for our Father's Day dinner for 12 with help from Hubby and both DIL's.
12 - Took the pup to the Pet Club ice cream social, calendar photo shoot and doggie fashion show and she relaxed enough to meet some dog friends and accept some pets from other people!
13 - Had a fun chat with a neighbor and she brought over her phone number a bit later so there is definitely potential for friendship.
14 - The dog tossed and turned for hours last night so we both are tired today but she is the one taking naps and I am the one who went and picked up a free set of golf clubs for myself!
15 - We enjoyed a beer on the patio at Institution Ale Company here in Camarillo.
16 - Of course a planned power outage would be on the hottest day yet this summer.
17 - Two more pictures hung and two flowers planted - progress.

 18 - Celebrated Father's Day with dinner for 12 and the dog became friends with our DIL and her dog.
19 - Decided to put my money towards exercise and recreation by buying a putter to finish up my free club set and sunscreen to ensure being outside isn't painful the next day.
20 - Wow, that was an unpleasantly chaired meeting to attend as a potential volunteer.
21 - These make me happy just to look at but I won't be trying to recreate them!

22 - We are off for a long weekend with the grand-baby!

Dog pit stop

23 - She spends her time clapping, pounding things together or untying Pooh-Bah's slippers.

24 - Merry-go-round and a steam train rides followed by dinner out with a happy baby is the best way to spend a Saturday.
25 - A fearless baby splashing and kicking while in Daddy's arms in the pool at baby swim hour had us laughing hard.
26 - Another 7 hour drive to get home.
27 - Catching up today on laundry, grocery shopping and other home chores.
28 - A day of just doing stuff including pruning the bougainvilleas.

29 - So tired after the dog's restless night punctuated by midnight strolls outside with no results but we went to the Classic Cars and Food Trucks event at Camarillo Ranch tonight anyway!

30 - Ended the month by having a laser procedure on the back lens in my right eye to correct a complication that is common after cataract surgery.

An InLinkz Link-up

May in a sentence a day - the bloom where you are planted month

I'm joining in with My Retirement Project , Andrea's Wellness Notes , Once Upon a Time  and Natalie's Blog for a “sentence a day” month in review.

My May 2017 -

1 - We now officially have California car insurance and I learned where the closest post office is located.
2- Those HOA fees are worth it in terms of prompt service as we now have new drip irrigation hoses and a new bush to fill a bare spot once it grows a bit!

3 - I joined the Village Arts group and think there will be some nice friendships created here as well as possibly getting me back into colored pencil drawing such as this one I did a few years ago.

4 - We went to the paint store for a color consultation but are still having trouble picking a color that goes with everything and pleases us.
5 - It took two tries but we found an ATM near our house that takes our credit union cards and doesn't charge so we are in the money again.
6 - Big decision is love the paint color that is already on the walls!
7 - My baby with his baby in Santa Barbara for brunch - happy day!

8 - We are officially CA drivers again and they even found the record of my license from 20 years ago so I only had to take the shorter renewal test but Hubby wasn't so lucky.
9 - What did we do before the internet?
10 - Poor doggie stepped on a bee and got stung, then threw up & messed on the carpet, went to the vet & got lots of medications, but hopefully better now.
11 - Attended a very interesting talk about a dam failure in the late 1920's that flooded this area.
12 - Hubby is out of town, pup is still under the weather a bit and it is too darn quiet in the house.
13 - Went to the HOA Spring Cleaning sale and bought myself a fun bracelet for $5 and supported the golf club at the same time.
14 - Mother's Day at my son and DIL's with the my pooch & their pooch was so great.

15 - I think I have found a kind, caring dog groomer that has scheduled us to come visit to get acquainted.
16 - Whew, first hairdresser I tried in my new location did a great job!

17 - Hubby finally back from first of 5 trips to Atlanta before he retires.
18 - Met the new dog groomer and she is a sweetheart.
19 - We passed the air duct leakage test requirement and now have to schedule the city inspection of our new HVAC installation to finish that project.
20 - Visiting one mattress store, lunch with FIL and great aunt, and towel shopping at Kohl's is about all we can handle today.
21 - Visited another mattress store and then went back to first one and decided on less expensive option.
22 - Sat at the car dealer service department for only 1 1/2 hours to get a recalled air bag replaced, bought new kitchen towels, went to the library and got a fun Mother's Day gift and lovely card in today's mail.

23 - Twelve hours without power, but at least it was in the daytime and they were able to fix the problem and it meant we got to try a new to us restaurant for dinner.
24 - Bad moods abound.
25 - Ordered 2 mattress sets and frames so in about a week we should be sleeping more comfortably.
26 - An overcast, cool day spent on errands and laundry.
27 - A non-memorable but pleasant day that included a long after dinner walk.
28 - A lovely lunch with online friends including one from Australia!
29 - My older son stopped by to visit which made me very happy to have moved close so this could happen.
30 - More progress on settling into our new home with the carpet and upholstery cleaning completed!
31 - We have reached the 6 week mark for having arrived at our new home and the end of "May Gray" with "June Gloom" next up. 

The May Gray viewed from the walk in front of our house!