Friday, internet down, Staying afloat

 My internet was giving me fits yesterday.  I guess the string broke.  You know the one that connects the two tin cans together. In the rural west you take the internet you can get. 

I also laid down with both Kelsa and Oliver and we took a 3 hour nap and it was lovely.  I needed it.  Therefore, not much sewing got done and no cleaning of the shop, but hey the nap was good for all of us.

Last night I ran down to my old studio to help an old student brush up on a set dance for a local contest.  I thought she did well for not dancing for several years.  But then I remembered how dang talented she was.  I will meet with her again next week and for several weeks until it is perfect. It was nice to be back in the old haunt.  But still grateful I am out of there.  That time of my life is over.

I made two large pans of enchiladas, and sent one home with daughter along with 18 eggs.  The chickens are laying like crazy. Tonight we are having pork chops, homemade applesauce, roasted cauliflower and spuds.  I am also going to make a pumpkin pie with frozen pumpkin from our garden.  When I was going through the freezer I noticed something had leaked and of coarse it was sticky and bright purple.  What a mess, but it only took about 10 minutes to clean it up.  I found blueberries, huckleberries, cherries, and raspberries that all need to be used.  So I am going to make a mixed berry jam this weekend and I have enough fruit for 2 batches.  If I don't get this fruit used it will burn and then what is the use of going to all that work freezing it?

I only have 3 doses of antibiotics left and this infection is not gone.  I can feel it, so I made an appointment for Monday to see my regular doctor and get another run. I hate being on antibiotics for weeks at a time, but what else can I do?  Infections just throw off my arthritis so much. Inflammation in any part of the body can trigger a flare.  I do not want a flare.

This weekend I swear I will get the shop cleaned up.  Have I not had this on my list for 3 weeks now? I am going to post pictures.  Sissie look away.  (She is going to kill me tot find a way to do it long distance)

This mess needs to be cleared away. It is right as you enter the shop.  Mostly things from hand work on wedding dresses.  I need to hang up the other alterations.

Look at the mess around on the floor.  I need to vacuum!!!!!

Oh, the poor serger table and overflowing trash can, wedding scraps all over.

 Under the serger table, what a mess.

All the dresses hanging for second fittings.

Here are two dresses stacked on top of each other, ready for fitting.  I need to get my racks cleaned up, so I can hang things in order of completion.

 This closet is driving me crazy.  There are things in here I really haven't used since moving in here and they are going to go.  I am not traveling to do costumes any more and so don't need a big travel sewing kit.  I do not have the room to use my dress dummy, plus it was a cheap one and very aggravating to use.  I will eventually get a new one.

Sis was going to come here over Christmas and help me switch the shop into the larger bedroom, but with Hub's father's death and the babies deaths,  it took that time and money.  So we will have to wait until probably next January. Anyway I can really clean out and get rid of a lot of things and make the shop functional for the season.  I wish Sissie was here, she is much better at this than I am.

I just need to spend a couple of hours getting things organized and cleaned.  I know I will feel so much better once I do.

I was able to run down and pay the $500.00 to the hearing aid place.  Here is is the 25th and I haven't put any money in the sinking fund for the taxes. ($300.00).  Nor have I paid the power or phone bill.  I also have not saved any money in my 100 envelope challenge for the last two weeks and I have nothing for next week so far.  Then the $1,$5,$10,$20 bill savings has not been done for the last 2 weeks, nor will I have money for next week.  So I am behind. By the tune of about $800.00 by my estimate.

I have however still been saving my change, and also my $5 bills.  I have $90.00 in 5's.  But I need at least $300.00 for the phone and power bill.  I think I have $230.00 for that.  I am just going to have to punt and start in the hole next month.

That is okay.  Sissie says that I set too high an expectation for myself this early in the year.  I know that January and February are hard months with extra expenses, plus start out slow. I go through this same thing every year, and then feel like a failure.  Slugs said something to the same affect, but she was much nicer about it.  I am just going to try and catch up in March. I am sure I can. Things will just get busier and busier.

I know doing the grocery challenge has really helped as it has kept me out of the stores. 

I am very upset about the invasion in Europe. I just don't understand it and my heart goes out to those poor people and soldiers.  It makes me sick.  All I can do is pray.

I have a rush job on a suit coat and three zippers to replace before tomorrow, so I need to get those things done.

Have a great and productive day staying positive while you are in the negative.

Kim