Ta-Da

It's always 50-50.  Home inspection was okay -- problem with venting and mold in the attic and furnace.  It's becoming an "issue" but we're working through it.  Nothing that will prevent us from getting the house, but $$$ has potential.

But, hold on .... TA-DA ...

I finished painting the LFL.  Next up, deliver to Asheville.  I'll schedule an install and then decide whether to paint the post and interior.  While it looks like nothing special to paint (and it wasn't), it was an ordeal finding the exterior paint colors in a storage space with almost 80 cans of paint (that we had to solidify and take to the dump).  That was the big initial delay.  Then my clavicle injury and then the back injury -- with lots of procrastination in-between.  

Colors of our house so maybe
the historical committee doesn't
ding us for putting it in.

I found this beauty at Trader Joe's yesterday.  I had one when I was in Middle School.

Spider Plant

Now books.

This, I liked a lot.  Fun mystery with a few nice twists.

I finished the bookclub pick and it was depressing from beginning to the end.  No hopeful, or light at the end, etc.  It was well written and a heart wrenching reality of cancer from diagnosis to treatment to post treatment.  The last thing I wanted to read though.  I'm glad I can move on.  There's too much heart break to absorb more right now.  I'm a nurse -- I've seen her story too many times.

Today is a bunch of home inspection fallout and lunch with a friend.  Mixed bag -- but nothing horrible and hopefully some fun too.

Have a good day.  Later gators.

Fox Art

Yesterday was productive -- a Future Self kind of day.  Here's the scoop.

I painted a more "serious" rock.  Lots of the Happy Rocks are for fun and to brighten someone's day (probably a child!!), but I like to try my hand other things too.  Here's the fox I painted yesterday.  I was experimenting with base treatment.  I've painted a few untreated rocks only to have them turn too dark when I seal them.

After I sprayed with sealer.
Only slightly darkened.

Before sealer, but I based painted
rock with Modge Podge.
It prevents over darkening of the rock.

Took Duke to the park and we were able to run 2 miles (and walked one).  My back held up.  It felt really good to raise my heart rate.

I planted some propagated clippings into jars using the rock, moss, soil method I saw at a restaurant.  I think they turned out well.  I need to see if the rooted clippings survive the planting though.  I re-potted a few bigger plants and fertilized the bunch.  It's growing season.

This is the specific moss.

Mason jar, vintage jars
and the painted jar.

I finished the first bit of the LFL -- exterior paint.  I'll assemble the door tomorrow.  It's moving along.  Although, I'm considering painting some decorative things on the door which will delay assembly.  It'll be ready to take to Asheville this month though.

I finished a library book -- new one is ready for pick up this week (April's bookclub selection).  I didn't take a picture so more on books this week.  I started the March bookclub selection before bed and it's so depressing.  I think this'll be for daytime reading only.

Today is the home inspection.  I'm up early and will meet the inspector first thing.  That said, best get moving.  Have a good day.  Later gators.

Glass Paint

I follow a couple of crafty IG accounts and I saw glass paint on jars on whatever glass containers you have handy.  It cures for 24 hours and bakes in a low heat oven -- dishwasher and microwave safe after baking.  Giving it a try for flowers and little plants.  Biggest complaint is the streaking and, yep, it streaks!  That said, I like the messy, homespun look.  It's currently baking -- fingers crossed no cracks.

Jar from juice I get in Asheville.
I return them if I drink them there,
but saved them for flowers
when I bring leftovers home.

Started with a rainbow to try 
the colors.

Hold onto your hats ... I'm rapidly finishing the Little Free Library exterior paint.  Should be set to bring to Asheville next trip.  Pictures soon.  I'm holding off on painting the inside and post until we see how it handles the weather.  Most aren't painted on the inside in Asheville.  Still a lot to do before it's up and functioning, but making progress -- FINALLY!  Ball is rolling ...

Looks like someone else is taking over scheduling bookclub -- March is already getting planned.  Funny enough, the person who ghosted on scheduling the Botanical Gardens just posted that she went with friends this weekend.  Glad SHE got to see the orchids!!!  It's fine that we didn't go, but why the ghosting?  

Haven't found any hikes for this week.  I didn't get into the Thursday hike and nothing is timing for this week.  Bummer because hubby is home with the dogs and that frees up choices a bit.  No rain until later this week.

I held off planting because the overnight temps are going low later in the week.  I think one more week might be better.  I'll do some soil prep, but I don't want to bonk the seeds.  Indoor plant love today.  

Happy Monday.  I'm feeling good about the new week and spring in the air -- I could use a mood boost these days.  Hope you are set for a good one too.  Later gators.

Creative Fun

Saturday was an unexpected day.  

My DIL saw a listing for a townhome in her development that came on the market Friday evening.  We scheduled a showing ... and bam ... bought a house.  It ticked all the boxes from price, location and size.  It has a private fenced yard, two stories, 2 car garage.  It's move-in ready, but we'll want to do a few things to the place next year -- kitchen cabinet paint and countertop change and when sales hit at The Container Store, we'll rework the pantry and master closet.  It was owned by parents renting to a family member (just like us).  Our offer was strong and accepted within hours.  No squabbles, no nickel and dime.  Hopefully, that continues through the home inspection.  My youngest and his gf are excited.

Then we all went to a local town and had an outdoor lunch -- fun to hang out with the family and catch up.  It was a beautiful spring day.

Today is all things creative since I got to none of it yesterday.  Seed planting, indoor plant love, painting.  Hubby is golfing so I'm hanging home with the dogs.

My back is still wonky, but improving.  Sticking to walking to loosen it up. 

Busy and fun weekend.  (Of course, can't all be good -- built in microwave broke this morning -- ugh!). Hope your weekend is going well.  Later gators.

A little reminder for me.
I can get a smidge righteous
about my inner work.

Gold Stars

Yesterday was different than I expected because my back isn't well.  It's having a moment this morning too.  Yikes.  I was hoping this was a short-lived flareup, but it's proving more stubborn.  

Here's yesterday with some Future Self gold stars -- or just gold stars, maybe not all FS :)

I painted new rocks.  I did a couple of repeat rainbow dots with "LOVE" on the back side.  Here are some new ones.  Gold star for painting since my hiking pile is getting low again and gold star for finding some new ideas.

I studied Spanish -- in the name of "eat the frog first" which is why the frog rock.  Get what you are procrastinating (or dreading) finished FIRST.  Doing that again this morning.  I don't know why it's such a boring chore lately.  I've lost a lot of my Spanish chomps.  I have 43 days to get it back.  Gold star for starting and gold star for having a plan.

Picked up a library book (2 actually, but one is going straight back).  It's good so far.  Gold star for using the library, of course.  This was a longer hold -- it's popular.

Since I was out and about, I stopped at a local antique market to look for the thrifting items for Asheville.  No luck, but I found about 5 other things that were interesting (and overpriced) and I walked out with NOTHING.  Big gold star for editing purchases.  Keeping to my agenda.  

I passed a LFL and found a book.  I'm getting ready to set up mine and, yet I never use the ones I pass.  Now I stop and look every time -- it's my new rule.  Take, share, leave one behind.  I pass a children's LFL at the park so I'm going to paint some Sesame Street characters and leave them in the box.  Gold star for using the LFL system and contributing to it as well.

My back wasn't well enough to work on indoor plants or paint -- hopefully both today.  

Why gold stars?  Because I felt like doing NOTHING yesterday.  Everything feels blah, but I did things anyway.  Gold star -- trying to "celebrate" what I'm doing instead of lamenting on what I don't (or can't) do.

I tried to register for the hike next Thursday and it was full in 20 seconds!!  Oh well, I tried and will try again.  I heard it's hard to get into and, apparently, that wasn't an exaggeration.  

That's all from here.  I'm typing on a soft chair with my heating pad.  Gold star for figuring out a more comfortable position lol.

Later gators.

The No-Walk Walk

Well, we "walked" yesterday to the tune of 1.2 miles -- because it got "muggy."  Not unexpected!!  Any and every excuse to NOT walk, but I know this and I was there for the catch up, not the walk.  Took lots of time for me to learn that lesson, but knowing her and accepting those types of things keeps me happy in the friendship.  And probably her too.  This is why I almost always suggest coffee date instead of a walk -- yesterday was her idea.  We ended up sitting on a bench and talking -- not great for my back though, but I stood up for part of our chat (walking would've felt better).

On the way home, I stopped and got indoor potting soil.  Some indoor plant fun on the agenda today.

I'm also going to paint a bit of the LFL.  Now that I have a person who can put it in, I'm excited to get it ready.

Sign up for the fitness hike next Thursday is this evening.  I'm on the fence -- can my back be ready?  Should I push it?  I have until this evening to decide.  It'll fill immediately so there's no option to wait and see.

I'm feeling a little more myself today.  Eating better, hormones are mellowing out and my back is slowly mending.  My sleep wasn't good last night, but I'm hopeful for tonight.

It's a free and clear and RAINY day.  This can be good or bad for me (and the kitchen and my mood).  Library book pick up today.  Perfect timing because I read this one yesterday.  It was GOOD -- the ending, WOW!  This book kept you in the dark every step in the best way.  All the twists worked well.  I can't remember where I got the recommendation.  It's been in my pile for awhile.

Hope you have a good day.  Later gators.

Hello, March

The walk-in-the-woods proved a little more -- 6 miles of rolling hills.  It's a nice, local trail along the lake (with bathrooms).  I didn't get pictures because I used walking sticks again.  Glad I brought them -- helps my back on the hills and it was muddy in a lot of spots.  It was good to be out, in the sun, with a friend.

Also, the ortho practice released my medical records.  I printed everything so now they can go suck it lol!!

Today is March 1.  44 days until our Spain trip.  That means time to get my poop in a group -- better eating, practice Spanish, get in a curious mindset for big travel.  I want to feel my best to squelch my nerves.

I'm talking another walk with a friend today (my cancel friend, so who knows, maybe not).  This is actually a walk.  We usually go 2 miles on a paved trail -- short and slow.  She likes to plan walks, but never enjoys them!  

My back is no worst for wear from yesterday and I think it's actually improving a bit.  Changing position after sitting is the biggest issue.  It's staying in the muscles and that I can handle.   

Short and sweet today.  It's still uncomfortable to sit and type first thing in the morning.  Happy March -- later gators.