well I'm old

The other day we were in Hobby Lobby and I had a couple of bolts of fabric on my hip. FF asked how much they were and I glanced at the top edge of the bolts... and the labels were blurry. 

It was at that moment that I realized I might need readers. I've noticed lately that my eyes have been really tired and I have to blink a lot/ things are out of focus when I'm on my phone or computer for a while.

So I dug out some old readers that I used to use when I wore contacts a lot and my eyes got tired. Let's say I noticed a difference. FF is very amused, probably because I tease him about being old all the time and now I've made a large step to join him.

I've been meaning to go to the eye doctor (and the regular doctor, and the dermatologist, and the gyno...), but I never did find a doctor when I moved to Katy and now that we're at the river 90% of the time, I suppose I'll need to find one out here.

Anyway, when it comes to aging, at this point in my life I've got plentiful grey hairs and now I need reading glasses. I actually don't mind the grey because it's sparkly, and I'm excited to finally be able to get some cute tacky reading glasses and wear them on a pretty chain around my neck.

The wrinkles on my chest and sun spots on my face, however, I do mind. For the record.

bleach and jet ski lessons

My new favorite cleaning product: A tampon dipped in bleach.

This isn't groundbreaking, but it did save me from having to re-caulk a really awkward portion of the shower due to a set of stubborn mildew stains. I dipped the tampon in the bleach bottle (the string really came in handy lol), then set the tampon on the stain and walked away for a few hours. I've been trying to get rid of those stains for over a year and that's what finally worked. Horray!

We finally got around to an official jet ski lesson. I've been hesitant because I don't particularly enjoy watercraft, partly because I'm not much of a thrill seeker but mostly because of the motion sickness aspect (I get seasick on a hammock, y'a'll). But I have to learn how to drive ours and I would like to get comfortable on them.

I figured that it would be like driving a car- you are less likely to get seasick if you're the one driving. That's mostly true. The "you're on water" sensation is unavoidable but when you're moving it's less noticeable. It was uncomfortable but bearable. 

To be honest, I was scared. It seems like you're going really fast and I never felt stable or in control the entire time. Which means I have to keep doing it.

On a more positive note, I will say that it's really cool getting to see different parts of the river. There is a lot of beauty and a lot of neat houses. 

We picked a relatively calm day to go out, but we passed a few wake boats and I screamed in terror going over the waves. I caught air a few times and once I get over the terror I could see how that might eventually be fun.

healthier choices

Following the trend of making healthier choices, I've found myself mindlessly scrolling through social media for hours at a time lately. So after I see the content from people that I actually follow, I'm making the conscious choice to set the phone down and do something else.

So far instead of mindless scrolling, I've:

organized the tackle box

tried a few new cleaning methods on the shower (nothing worked great)

pet the cat

watered the garden

sat outside and watched the clouds, nature, whatever

researched organizing ideas for specific spots (like under the kitchen sink)

cleaned out a kitchen cabinet

picked out some wedding songs

taken a nap

I'm going to order a couple of books from my wishlist to have on hand and there are a million little projects around here I can take on. I think my eyes are happier, too. They get so strained looking at a screen for so long.

Also I figured out a good option for physical activity. You're going to laugh because it's so obvious. I got the idea when FF and I were taking a dip in the river to cool off one evening.

DUH. We live on the river. We can SWIM. Even hopping out of the tube to tread water is good physical activity. I haven't swam for exercise in many years but it's so perfect in this heat. 

So there you go.

crabs and dresses

This afternoon we checked the crab traps and were delighted to find 7 crabs waiting for us. So instead of meatloaf for dinner, we dined on crab on the back porch in our bathing suits. Does it get any better than that?

Then we headed down to the water and fished for a while. Caught a few things that didn't matter, but it was fun anyway. 

Also notable:

-Sewed a few more pillow covers for some new-to-us pillows that a friend gave to us. Brainstormed how I'm going to fit a craft area into this house once we're here full-time. Have not come up with a solution yet.

-Wedding dress: I inspected my it and determined that I can probably take the straps up. I've done it before and it's a more delicate fabric situation, but I think I can handle it.

I also noticed that the stitching around the armholes is scratchy- they used that clear thread that is never comfortable and I only wore it for a few minutes and my skin was red. I might have to take that out and re-sew it with a softer thread or I'll wind up with some irritated arms. That should be fun- ripping out clear thread sounds SO easy.

The bling situation is definitely happening. I bought some glass beads to sew onto the bodice and I think it's going to add that little oomph. 

Here's hoping that I don't fuck it up, ha!

I ordered some silver shoes (flats because let's be real here) to wear, and a veil. It's getting closer and so real yay!

It was a really great weekend, so relaxing. 

good saturday

Today was gloriously lowkey.

I slept until 10, then read magazines while I drank my coffee.

After breakfast, we headed into town and ran a few errands.

Had a late lunch at the local mexican restaurant so FG could sample the fajitas and see if it's a good catering option for the engagement party.

Got home, I fell asleep for a few hours with the cat, and then we ate dinner and re-spooled all of the fishing reels. Of about 10 fishing poles, we could only use 2. They were all in various stages of old and un-spooled and missing hooks, etc. I got to learn something new and now we can just grab a pole and fish. I love that accomplishment. 

Mah invited us over at some point today, and it became a topic of conversation that once we move out here, it will become more difficult to randomly pop over. From home, it's a good 40 minutes to Mah's depending on traffic, but from the river it's at least an hour. Sure, if you plan it it's doable but last-minute plans get less realistic. Not just to go see Mah, but for anyone. Our social circle might change a lot.

OH- I got another bout of poison ivy. That plant is pure evil. At least this time it's not on my face. I think it's from when we were doing yard work and the weedeater kicked up some debris on my leg. It's just a little patch but man it's annoying. Calamine lotion isn't doing much; I think it's been too humid for it to dry properly. Dad mentioned that there's a product that worked really well for him. Gotta try that. What a pain.

The gardens (both at the river and at home) are in the beginning stages of summer survival mode. Everything wilts at mid-day, and there are blank spots that I'm tempted to fill in, but I know that anything I plant now will surely perish. I keep reminding myself that this is the time to water, fertilize, and maintain. I also think that I need to re-evaluate what gets planted in "full" sun because here, that means something entirely different  than it does everywhere else, and really only succulents thrive. At least the armadillos have been staying away from the beds lately. They are harmless little creatures (if you don't count the potential leprosy), but once they start digging up my gardens, it means war.

I got some new fabric to re-cover the pillows and also some glass beads to sew into the bodice of the wedding dress. Today got away from us, but maybe tomorrow I'll have time to start on those projects.

Or, technically today. Because it's past midnight. I guess that's what happens when you take a solid evening nap.

catching up

Feeling refreshed after this weekend. I think everyone had a good time. It was relaxing and it's so fun to watch the kids have fun.

Currently sittin' on the dock (of the river). Got a fishing pole in the water and FF's classic rock playlist going upstairs. The cat is inside having a delicious snack and the dog is wandering around in the yard.

I have a weekend ahead of me with no plans and four magazines came in the mail today. It's going to be so good.

This week the contractors came by to prepare bids to raise the house. Things are moving along! I have a feeling that whole process is going to be a wild ride.

We need to start planning this engagement party in a couple of weeks. The plan is to cater, hire cleaners, and take the major burdens off of us. What were we thinking inviting 36 family members to the river? 

We are slowly realizing that we can't have huge crowds out here. Everyone needs to be fed and that adds$ up quick. We have 1 bathroom. At some point a line develops and you run out of hot water. Plus all those bedsheets have to be washed and we have a smaller than average washer and dryer and a really old septic system. In a stroke of genius I remembered the laundromat around the corner and I think that's going to be a game changer. We will always be hosting people out here, and I think after a year we're starting to get smarter about it.

Wedding plans are also coming along. I was a little nervous but I fit into my dress perfectly. All it needs is the straps taken up a little and maybe the bottom hem taken up. I plan to add some bling to it, too. It's SO pretty and I love it.

We're having fun planning the random little details and I think it's going to be a great party.