Friday, Happy 4th of July!

 Happy 4th of July my friends. Do you ever look back and realize how much you have compared to your earlier life?  Whenever I start to feel anxious about the world, I remember how hard I prayed for a beautiful home, a financially solvent life.  The blessings of a loving family and friends. A country that allows me freedoms not experienced in other parts of the world.  We are all so blessed. It is easy to soak up social media and think we are on fire, but are you on fire right now, I mean personally?  Probably not, so live with joy this day, pick up the woe tomorrow if you must.

I woke today with a bad headache, still not feeling my best.  Sissie not feeling well either.  Great! Two old sickies.  But we are both up and moving.   It was weird getting up today and not having a mental list of sewing. I have two more wedding dresses started that will be tried on Monday.  One is a nightmare. I worked on that sucker until after 10 p.m. last night.  Redid one of the hand darts 4 times. Might be why I woke with a headache.  Way too much stress on my neck for way too long. I will be happy to see this dress gone!!!!

Completed another chart, onto # 14 which should be done before the end of next week. Then I am off! I am so excited to get to go on a real vacation. 

I have many little bills to pay before I leave and then will face the music when I get back. I still have 3 major things to save for before the end of the year.  Actually 4 if you count Christmas.

I hope all of you have wonderful 4th. I am excited to get everyone together just wish I felt better.  Might be coming down with a sinus cold, hence the headache.  I will ignore it as much as possible.

Now time to break out the sparklers!!

Have a great and productive day

God is good

Kim

Thursday, let's get her done!

 

This was me this morning. I spent most of the day yesterday with Dan and daughter Signe'. She came by after I picked Roscoe up from groomers, and we decided to go and get groceries for the 4th.  Mine was mostly loss leaders as I base my bringing's around those. Also, we had Dan and decided to go pick up two greenhouse kits at Costco, because the truck was in town and we had Dan's back.  Poor Dan.

Anyway, just as I suspected they were sold out as the greenhouses, had been marked down $500. But we were able to order online and had them shipped free to my address which is in Idaho and has 3% lower sales tax.  Win! One of the houses is for Lil sis. I gave daughter $1000 in cash I had been saving for the green house as she ordered with her CC.  So, it is paid for. I am sure there will be more expenses concerning this as it will have to be put on a foundation of some kind, although I might have those here. I am excited as I am hoping this will really help with expenses in the spring. I spend a great deal on flowers and plants, and I know how to do my own.  Plus, I can share with others.

All the running around really cut into my day, but I managed to get done what I wanted to get done.  Signe' wanted me to come up to her place and help her purge her closet.  I enjoy spending time with my daughters and helping them.  As we had no kids or husband to distract, I said yes and went up about 7 last night after I had watered and taken care of things here.

We pooped around for a couple of hours and finally at 10:30 at night.  Yes 10:30 I said," Well I want to be in bed by midnight so let's get crackin."  I piled as much on the bed as possible and then grabbed item after item.  KEEP? DONATE?  If she took too long, I said DONATE!  We completely cleaned that closet, sorted, and hung by style all the clothing.  She had three large bags of donate. Then I vacuumed and we were in bed by midnight.  Lots of laughs. I even found a few things of mine... Those lulu lemon sweatpants I was missing, a pair of Dansko sandals, a swimsuit cover up, and a summer dress.  I also helped myself to a really nice coach pocketbook she never uses.  Go me! Left there this morning about 9:30.

I had a piano lesson at noon today, and I have two wedding dresses getting picked up today.  I hope!

Sissie and Dan are coming up to cook dinner on my grill and I put the whole chicken in the oven that I had pulled out yesterday.  It is done and cooling and I just put a small turkey in the oven to roast this afternoon. Had to get some things out of the freezer.  I will make a chicken salad for the weekend and then slice up the turkey for sandwiches and freeze the rest.  Plus make a pot of broth.

I have everything for my Sunday bar for the 4th.  Saturday morning the 5th we will do big breakfast at my house.  Could be as many as 20 people.  Will do bacon and sausage, overnight yeasted waffles and eggs. I will get Kay and Dan to come help.  Then I plan on making a triple batch of rolls for turkey sandwiches and leftovers from the 4th. Between the bar, the dining table and the outdoor deck seating I can do 20.  Who am I kidding, will I get to sit down? 

I will also have Oliver and Kelsa this weekend this should be interesting.  Therefore, help from sister and Dan necessary. 

Today I have two mothers of the bride dresses to hem, one is a nightmare and then I want to start on that last monster wedding dress if possible.  The more I get done the easier next week will be.  Even though I have 5 days, I know how my schedule can change in a minute, and I just want to be ready.

So, I am going to force myself to get to work, even though I really do not want to. I have to say I am thoroughly tired of sewing. However, that is not an excuse to slack. I wish it was.

Are you ready for the 4th celebrations?

Have a great and productive day

God is good

Kim

Wednesday, I am Smoking!

 Isn't it nice to have friends that understand you...

I was one busy beaver yesterday along with my foul mood, but I have quickly brought myself back to cheerful.  Just can't abide foul for too long.

I was able to actually get three wedding dresses done yesterday.  I still have to sew up the inside of one dress and that is the first thing I will do today.

I started to pick the lace off the bottom of the fourth wedding dress last night and I have to hem the under skirts and call the bride to come in so I can place the lace. That leaves one bridal dress left before I go.  It is also a really, really hard alteration, and I am dreading it.

So, in actuality I have two more wedding dresses left, one I have a good start on, which I am happy about.  Then I have two mothers of the bride dresses and of course the piles.  I will try and get all the bridal stuff done except the one hard dress before the fourth.

I need to run out and do errands today, as in pay a bill, cash some checks, and go to a couple of grocery stores. 

Sissie and I looked through my freezer and I pulled out a turkey and whole chicken that need to be cooked.  I can do this and pull the meat off the bone. Will probably make some homemade rolls for turkey sandwiches and then will freeze the rest and make broth for later.  I just need the room in the freezer.

Took the dog to the groomer this morning and she has a huge apricot tree that is loaded, so I will pick some apricots while I am down there when I pick Roscoe up.

So next week all I will have are the piles which I can get done in one day and the zippers on some Indian Regalia. I can handle a week of that.  Kim needs some down time. I might go ahead and pick all the apricots from my baby tree, as they fall off and the marmots eat them.  I think I will pick up the culls at me neighbor's house for my chickens. I see myself, making apricot jam next week.

It is so nice to finally feel like I can see light at the end of this tunnel.  Still there is a lot to do and I can't rest on my laurels, or my butt for that matter.

I was able to get all of the weeds picked in the front yard last night after the sun went down, so now I can mow without guilt.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed?

Have a great and productive day

God is good

Kim

Tuesday, I am tired, but can't quit.

 I sewed all day yesterday and now I have two wedding dresses that I can finish today and then start on a third. I finally figured out what my problem is... I am tired of sewing.

I actually really enjoy sewing, but trying to keep up is getting old.  I am not behind like I was last year, so I don't have that stress but trying to keep up from getting behind is also a stress.

I am reaching a point now that I will not be able to take on any new sewing until I get back from vacation.

I had another wedding dress come in yesterday, that someone's grandma was supposed to do and then grandma realized it was too hard.  Wedding in two weeks. So, in reality with the dress I did yesterday for my little sister's stepdaughter and this grandma fiasco added two more to the already tight list.  I am over it.  No more. This girl is done.  I have this week which is short and then next week, and I am out of here.

We are in our hot season.  102 yesterday and 104 today.  I was able to get 1/2 the weeds in the front yard pulled last night after the sun went down and will do the other 1/2 tonight.  The chickens need fresh cool water, and I have been giving them corn cobs every night which they love. I change the water twice a day.  Also, I cannot skip watering as all the flower beds, pots and part of the garden are hand watered.  This takes me almost an hour.  So right now, a minimum of 2 hours of yard duties and I really should spend more time out there. I am in the keep it alive mode for the next month.

I just responded to a txt where a client who wants a fitting on Saturday.  She tried the same thing last week.  I am not open on Saturdays and Sundays. People will just push and push for their convenience, and I am over it!  Is it an emergency? As in a funeral?  Then no come when I am open.  Oh, Kim is developing an attitude. Remember the Fridays off?  Well, that has not happened for a long time, and I knew it would not work during high bridal season, but that is coming back my friends.

Okay enough feeling sorry for myself and complaining.  I need to get to work.  When I have two dresses done and ready to go out, I will feel better and less anxious.   Alos need to quickly pay my bills it is the first!

Have a great and productive day

God is good

Kim