Finally Getting Around To It: I Didn’t Give Up
Five Down, One I Didn't See Coming.

Back in January, I introduced a new series called Finally Getting Around To It in a post titled I Give Up. The idea was to tackle 26 things I’d been meaning to do by the end of 2026. And then, in true Fine-Whatever fashion, I promptly disappeared from blogging for a while.

Now, there’s some irony for you. I launched a series in a post about giving up, and then didn’t publish another installment. While I’m still fond of the idea (the series, not the disappearing part), I’ve reconsidered the rules. No more numbers, no more deadlines, and definitely no promises about how often I’ll revisit the list. Just an ongoing collection of things I’ve finally gotten around to doing. Or at least trying.

As it turns out, despite my absence from the blog, I actually managed to check five items off that original, unpublished list. I also did something that hadn’t even occurred to me when I made the list.

I should also mention that not everything on my original list was something I could accomplish entirely on my own. A few projects would require my husband’s participation, whether that meant making decisions together or getting him involved in the actual doing of the item on the list. As you’ll see, a couple of those have already been checked off.

A Better Night’s Sleep

We bought our previous mattress in 2017 and, for reasons I won’t get into, it didn’t hold up particularly well. At the time, we’d also invested in adjustable bases that were linked to operate as one beneath our king-size mattress.

Those adjustable bases turned out to be a very good investment. They came in especially handy when I had major surgery six months after the purchase, and again the following year when I broke my foot and dislocated my shoulder. They made my recoveries much more comfortable and made getting in and out of bed considerably easier.

We’d been planning to replace the mattress when we remodeled our bedroom, but as the remodeling plans kept getting pushed back, so did the purchase of a new mattress. Eventually, I convinced my husband there was no reason to push off buying a new one any longer.

My preference was to buy two separate mattresses, or at least one with a split top so we could adjust our sides independently. My husband wasn’t keen on the idea because he was concerned about the gap between them. After some research and in-person shopping, we settled on the split-top option.

When the new mattress was delivered, the delivery guys decoupled our adjustable bases, easy peasy. Now we can each raise or lower our heads and feet independently, without having to agree on a single position. And as for the split between the two sides, we hardly notice it. We’re both very happy with our choice.

The bedroom remodel is still on the to-do list, but at least we aren’t waiting for it to get a better night’s sleep.

That Darn Rattle

For two, maybe three years (possibly longer), we’d been listening to an annoying rattle coming from somewhere near the rear of my car. It only happened when the engine was idling, which meant we got to hear it at pretty much every traffic light.

Since there didn’t seem to be anything else wrong with the car, we mostly ignored it and hoped it would magically disappear.

Spoiler alert: it didn’t.

With the sixth anniversary of its purchase approaching, along with the expiration of the extended warranty, my husband finally took the car to the dealership. Before he went in, I’d done a little Googling and discovered reports of rear-end rattles associated with loose exhaust heat shields and a few other potential culprits.

As it turned out, the problem was a loose strap on the rear fuel pump. Mystery solved. And an easy fix. When my husband mentioned my Google findings to the service manager, he reportedly shook his head sadly and asked that we not pass along that information. I’m still not entirely sure what to make of that response.

Anyway, the repair was covered under the extended warranty, and the rattle is completely gone. After putting up with it for years, we finally got it fixed just before the warranty expired. Talk about getting around to something in the nick of time.

Seeing Things Clearly

I’m fairly diligent about getting regular eye exams, and I was due for another one. I’d also been wearing sunglasses with an outdated prescription and was interested in trying Pair Eyewear, the company that offers interchangeable frames for changing up your look without buying multiple pairs of glasses.

Of course, it made sense to wait until I’d had my eyes checked before ordering anything new. So, I scheduled the appointment, got an updated prescription, and bought new glasses. What I haven’t done yet is try Pair Eyewear, although I’m still interested. In the meantime, I somehow managed to lose my old prescription sunglasses and bought another pair because, well, I needed something.

Apparently, getting around to one thing doesn’t necessarily mean getting around to everything that goes with it.

Getting Under My Skin

It had been quite a few years since my last full-body skin check, despite having a personal history of squamous cell carcinoma. More than a decade ago, I’d had two growths removed, one that was just below my eyebrow and another on my forearm.

I’d been meaning to schedule another screening for some time, particularly because there was a spot on the same arm that had me a little concerned. I finally got around to seeing a dermatologist recently, and I’m happy to report that he found nothing of concern. The spot I’d been worried about turned out to be seborrheic keratosis, a benign skin growth.

Of all the things on my original list, this was probably one of the more important appointments to stop putting off. And I’m certainly glad I finally got around to doing it.

A Little Off the Top

Getting a haircut was another item on my original list, as it had been over a year since I’d seen a stylist. I didn’t want to go back to the last person who’d cut my hair, and it took me a little while to find another person with more than a passing familiarity with curly hair. My first visit with the new stylist went well enough that I booked a second appointment.

That was when I decided to try bangs for the first time in years, along with a slightly different shape for my curly gray hair. As it turns out, I’m rather pleased with the change. I’ve even found myself wearing my hair in a ponytail more often, something I hadn’t expected.

I’ve already shared the details in my Bang, Bang … You’re Not Dead post, so I won’t rehash the whole experience here. Suffice it to say, this was one item on the list that turned out to be more fun than I’d anticipated.

Not on the List: Back to Getting Manicures

This one wasn’t on my original list because, quite frankly, I had no interest in doing it.

In September 2023, I published a post about my decision to stop getting manicures after nearly 20 years of biweekly appointments. I’d embraced the natural look and was perfectly happy with my polish-free nails. In fact, I ended that post by declaring that naked they would stay.

Apparently, I spoke too soon.

With our son’s wedding approaching, I decided to treat myself to a manicure for the first time in roughly 20 years. This time I opted for gel polish, and I’m impressed with how well it’s holding up. There’s a little chipping around the edges near the nail beds, but otherwise, the staying power is remarkable.

And wouldn’t you know it, I’m now low-key obsessed. Time to book my next appointment.

What I’m Wearing: Finally, that Skirt

And because this is still a style blog, I have one more thing I finally got around to doing. Wearing a skirt I bought in the summer of 2025 that, until now, had been hanging unworn in my closet.

The floral print includes olive green, which ties back to my October moodboard. I paired it with the waffle-knit top featured in that post, then added a thrifted corduroy jacket (olive green, of course) and a kickin’ pair of pink western-styled boots.

As it happens, this outfit also offers a little preview of my November moodboard, which is still in the works. Corduroy, florals, and boots will all be making an appearance, although not necessarily in the colors I’m wearing here.

And speaking of skirts, I’m thinking they might be the next category I tackle in my Reducing by 50% series. Considering how long this one waited to be worn, perhaps it’s time to take a closer look at the others.

What’s Next On The List

Speaking of things I’ve been meaning to get around to, I’m planning to return to posting on Instagram after a rather lengthy absence. Aside from occasionally sharing something to Stories, I’ve been pretty quiet over there for quite a while. I figure this installment of Finally Getting Around To It is as good a place as any to pick up where I left off.

So, the FGATI series is back, although I’m not making any promises about when the next installment will appear. I’ve still got plenty of things on my original list, and I’m sure I’ll think of a few more along the way.

In the meantime, I’m rather pleased with what I’ve managed to accomplish so far. Even if it did take me a few years to get around to some of it.

What’s something you’ve been meaning to get around to doing?

Stay well and let’s keep in touch! Subscribe, follow, friend, pin … all options are available. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Photo credit: MMPerez

Note: This is an unsponsored post; however, some or all of the links to clothing items may be associated with an affiliate program, where I earn a small commission for each purchase at no additional cost to you.