Out My Window

Saturday, procrastinastion that's me!

2012-02-25T15:20:00.003-08:00

I went through the infusion with flying colors! Really nice nurses, no mining for veins. No bruises. I really tried hard to drink a lot of water Thursday and I got up two hours early and drank 3 big bottles of water before we got to the hospital. So great hydration means good veins. I am a little dizzy but that is all. I just pray that it works. I was able to inject my first treatment this morning, again no pain and so far no sickness but these drugs seem to have a cumulative affect and the longer you take them the worse they get, but so far so good.

I have three costumes to make by Monday and I haven't even cut them out. Just no motivation. But I will have to soon. Isn't Monday in like 2 days? Yes I beleive it is. But I am very tired and sleepy.

Kim

Saturday, procrastination, that's me

2012-02-25T15:20:00.001-08:00

Thursday, I am anxious!

2012-02-23T09:18:00.001-08:00

     I am anxious for $12 a day and Baby on the way to have her baby. Please jump over and give her a push.(just joking) But she could sure use a lift and a laugh ladies and gentleman. Mark we don't want any made up labor stories out of you. But really girls she just needs some cheering up. Nothing is worse than sitting around waiting for labor.

     I am also anxious about the new treatment tomorrow. I had a really bad pain day yesterday and also a terrific headache that bordered on a migraine. But today significantly less joint pain. My hands and wrists are badly affected right now and it is painful to sew. Hard to open doors, lift anything.   I jammed my little finger's top joint backwards on my left hand! So it was in inflammation mode and stuck that way. I had to physically bend it back and it will not stay. So now it is splinted so it won't heal backward. Try typing without your little finger, let alone play the piano. Well I guess I couldn't type well(okay I don't type well now) or play the piano with a finger that was bent the wrong direction either. Fun, my life is fun!

    Well, wish me luck, I will be gone for a few days!

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Wednesday, Rhitter I am proud of you!

2012-02-22T08:11:00.001-08:00

     I am working very hard to catch up in the shop. I have so many costumes to get done in the next 3-4 weeks, but first I have to have the shop cleared out. I try but it fills back up again! I am very grateful but sometimes I feel like I am on a treadmill that never ends.
     I received the final letters from the accountant and I think I will be able to put at least $3000.00 toward that last blasted card, also we have a three paycheck month this next month and I will put that toward the card. So if all goes well (and it usually doesn't) I can get that last CC paid off maybe by May?
     The only extra bills I have next month besides (Medical) are two life insurance policies for the girls. They are term and very inexpensive. I keep them until they are sufficiently on their own and can pay off any bills they have accrued themselves. I know the oldest has coverage with her County. I will keep daughter #2 until she has paid off all the parent plus loans. (By the way her goal is to have that $21,000 paid off by the end of the year.) Can you beleive that? I asked her to concentrate on that one first as it affects our credit, it also has the highest interest rate. After this one is gone I told her to pick each one off and snow ball the payments. She seemed very supportive of that idea.

   I am so proud of so many bloggers that are making great progress on debt. I often think about a year ago when I was frantically looking for some more inspiration to stay on a debt reduction program and I came across Rhitter's blog. It was so slow for her for so long, ( I was frustrated for her) but she had persevered and now look at the progress she has made! A year later and she has over 25% of her debt gone! Things will go faster now. We all know how the snow ball works. It gets bigger and faster. She is such an inspiration to me. I am doggedly trying to pay off the last card and I get so discouraged. Here she has been making these little payments faithfully every month and going without things so she can pay off her debt. She has had curve balls thrown at her over and over but she just keeps going and so will I. Thanks for setting such a good example for me.

     Out My Window:   Wind is blowing terribly here. Last night when Hubby and I were cleaning the bank it was 56 degrees outside. Too warm for this time of year. Consequently the ferocious winds. Last year at this time we lost a favorite tree. It snapped in half during a wind storm. It was the first tree we planted on this lot. But many of the trees on the college campus were also broken, so I hope we don't have that happen again. But we are having gale force wind gusts. Chickens only laid one egg yesterday so they must have known what was coming.

     I need to start some laundry, get cleaned up and get into the shop! I have a bride coming at 10:00 for a final fitting. Better get my butt in gear!

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Tuesday, Frustrated with comments!

2012-02-21T09:49:00.000-08:00

     Okay I am catching up on blogs and this new comment thingy, (don't know what else to call it) is driving me nuts.   I either I am blind or impatient or both but I constantly cannot figure out what they want me to type and then after about three tries I am done. Also my very favorite blogger Rhitter the first blog I ever read, I can't comment at all. It keeps asking me for an address of someone else? So for you Rhitter, Congrats on the pay off amounts and please e-mail me directly so we can talk as the blog thingy( yes there is is again) won't let me.
     We had a very busy hard weekend. Lots of moving and I am exhausted. We drove 8 hours there moved, packed, moved, packed, cleaned, drove 8 hours home. But I was able to see grandson and he is cute and fun the best! I love their new house. Much larger than I expected. Three good sized bedrooms and two full bath up stairs. Large front room , office/bedroom, full bath, kitchen and dining room downstairs. Tons of storage. I love the walk in pantry off the kitchen. Also a walk in under the stair cupboard that is carpeted and leads clear under the wide stairs that turn and go upward. We put grandsons toys in this closet and you can see him playing from the kitchen. So daughter can clean/cook dinner and still see the baby. It is a wonderful set up. He just played in there for hours and we worked away at the house. It has a three car garage! (We have a one car) It also has a huge loft room unfinished above the garage. They would have to have 6 kids to fill that space. The good news is they bought it for about $100,00 less than it originally appraised for and put a huge down payment on it and owe less than most older couples owe on houses they have paid on for years. But they waited 5 years to buy a house, have a 4 year old car paid for and drive another that is a 1985 jeep. No debt except for the house. This is the way to do it folks.
   My daughter has admitted to me that growing up with no money and the constant lack there of and worry about bills has made her not want to live the way we lived. That makes me feel bad but also I am proud of her for seeing that the cycle needed to be broken. She is just much smarter and much better at this than I was. I look back and try to see how I could have done it differently, but looking back does no good if you are beating yourself up. Look forward and do not make the same mistakes. ( Go and sin no more)
     I am going for my first medical treatment of the new arthritis drug this Friday. I will drive 2 hours to middle daughters Thursday evening. after I teach and clean the bank. She will then take me into Spokane to Sacred Heart Medical. I will have the IV drip and she will drive me back to her place. If all goes well I can start self injecting later next week. I am still frustrated about the cost, but if this works it will be worth it. I am getting worse and worse and I cannot imagine not trying to seek help.
     We were able to stay on budget with this trip and I came home with over $100.00 cash not spent, but this has really been an expensive month with all the travel and gas and now I am going again. Also I have now been able to sew for many days of the month because of travel and I am so(sew) behind.
     I was able to add over $5.00 in change to my sealed pot. I heard Carla was weighing hers? Great idea!

     Out My Window: It is rainy, I mean really rainy. Typical winter here. It should be like this for the next several weeks and then be a beautiful spring.

     Well I had better get myself cleaned up and hit the machines. I also have to figure out a new sound system for the studio, as the one we were using was on loan from an Irish group and they go on tour this week. I do have smaller systems but with 28 pairs of hard shoes going you really need a good set of speakers. I need to figure out another challenge after I tackle the tupperware cupboard.

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Thursday, Rant by Miss Crabby pants!

2012-02-16T12:47:00.000-08:00

     I have had the day from He#@ and it is only 12:15. I may explode. As it is my head has exploded at least 3 times today and I only have one replacement head left. I keep the heads in a spare closet I have not taken a picture of yet because it is much messier than my linen closet and I don't want to upset Jane.

     Got a call from the Specialists office. The drip in procedure is $3000.00 a treatment plus the hospital outpatient fee. My share (15%) will be $412.00 plus the gas up and back and a day lost from sewing. Add that to the $287.00 I have still to pay plus what ever I owe in labs and x-rays. I asked the woman what happens to people who don't have medical insurance or perhaps have good insurance like me and can't afford the 4-5 hundred dollars extra a month? Well they forgo the procedure. And Die? Yes. Health care in America. Remember I have great insurance benefits. I work 3-4 jobs I am in constant pain but I continue to work like a demon. (Remember that $35,000.00 of my original debt was for a chemo that had not been approved by the FDA. It worked, I was in remission for 5 years) so I can pay medical bills to stay alive and be in constant pain.   Okay maybe this medication will work again and I can get 5 more years, But I am still pissed off at the expense.

     Now I go to the CU and deposit the 2 tuition checks I rec'd last night. I show the cashier my bank book and the # to put the money in that account. I get back a rec't but the balance is really low? So I ask for a cut off statement. Did I make a mistake? Well the cut off shows that I have several thousand in that account. Payroll has not gone through so why does the deposit slip show just $775.00? I go back in and ask. Well she had not put the money in the right account, even though I show her the checkbook and the #. So what account did she put it in? I have no account with that low of a balance. Oh she put it in your studio savings. Well that account should have well over $1000.00 in it. Come to find out they had taken my last deposit of $500.00 to saving and put it? Well not in my account. Lots of whispering and getting the boss to help. So all in all I could have over drawn and because I caught it I also caught that money I had deposited before had not been credited to me.

    Next, my youngest calls me, she is so sick. I think it is strep. I tell her to get to the campus infirmary and I give her our Insurance info, which consists of and Idp # and my hubbies soc. #. I get a call from her and there is a girl at the front desk that will not accept these #/s she wants B to have a card. I don't even have a card! I have never had a card! Ever! So B is pleading with this girl and asking me for #'s that don't exist and the girl will not accept anything she wants a certain # that will fit into her system. I go to the medical file and start reading every # I have. Now this is over a cell phone conversation with B reiterating everything back to said girl. Now I demand that B give me the phone. B does not want to because she knows I am going to rip this ladies head off. I did so now she is out looking for a replacement head. I asked her very firmly to do her job! Make phone calls not every one especially a sick student is going to come in with the perfect info. We all know that you cannot be enrolled at the U of I without health care benefits In fact you have those on file, remember the fiasco at the beginning of the year? If we do not have a certain drug benefit number call Blue cross and get it. My daughter has a high fever and need prescription and needs to go home! Yes B was embarrassed but she called me back and said thanks Mom that girl was a jerk. She just did not want to be inconvenienced. DO YOUR DAMN JOB!

    There I feel better now, poorer but better.

     Shop is crazy busy, and I am going to check out until next Tuesday. I am going down to southern Idaho to help daughter move. I also get to see my grandson that just turned one yesterday! This should make me feel better! I am very cranky.

     So If someone does not drop a house on me you will hear from me again next Tuesday.

Here are pictures of the toy box Hubby and I just re-did for grandson. This was made for me by my grandfather, so it is grandson's great, great grandfather. We tried to recover it exactly like my grandpa did it! So cute!

Mess made by recovering toy box!

Inside of box!

Another view!

Matches his nursery!

Tupperware cupboard still a mess, hee, hee!

Have a great weekend!

Kim (Miss Crabby pants)

Wednesday, Becoming realistic.

2012-02-15T14:09:00.000-08:00

     Picked up the taxes today, with every thing said and done we do not owe, we actually get a small refund. We don't even owe the State (which we usually do). I will apply my refund to debt. I hope to get the last CC paid off by the end of April. What a joke, remember how that was going to be paid off last October and the Truck loan in May. Fat chance! I will be lucky to pay off the truck next fall. But that is okay, remember less stress, do not over pay and then have to debt to pay bills.

     I find myself becoming more realistic about just how much money it costs to survive, then live, then live with extra. It costs a lot. Going on this no/low spend challenge really helps. It has made me realize that I really need to live this way all the time. Not fun I know, but in order to make progress, I just have to.

     I ran into Macy's and paid the last of the Christmas bill, not much but it was a carry over from a return after Christmas and an exchange that actually cost more than the returned gift. I essentially used their money for about 6 weeks. I also went to Ross and right as I walked in I saw a set of white 500 thread count combed cotton sheets marked down to $22.99. Perfect! Now I will be on the look out for a blue or brown set. I love Ross and try to make sure everything I buy there is a mark down from their original price. If you wait long enough everything goes down really low there. But sometimes you miss out. That's okay a set of $129.00 sheets for $22.99 is okay with me.

     The housekeeper called and she is not coming this week as she is taking care of one of her other clients that fell and wants her full time for a while. She needs the money and called to see if I would mind her skipping me. Heck no! Also with both kids gone, I really don't need her every week. I was thinking of going to every other week, which would save me $128.00 a month. This is the perfect reason to do so. I cleaned the toilets this morning and it did not kill me. In fact I think my stiff hands improved with a little scrubbing.

     I had two more parent come in a pay last night. I have a huge sign above the tuition box that reads if you are paying your tuition after the 10th add a $20.00 late fee. They both did! No questions asked. Both sets had just come in from a Valentines dinner out, I know because I saw them enter the restaurant across the street when they dropped their little darlings off. I was thinking, gee you can eat out but you can't pay your tuition? $40.00 tip! Ka jing!

    Well, I have 4 zippers that need to be replaced and a Wedding dress calling me. So I had better get going. Hubby and I also will finish the toy box tonight.

Out My Window: Cool but a little bit of sun.

     Still have not done the kitchen cupboard. Just too lazy....

Have a great and productive day!
Kim

Tuesday, Taxes are crappy!

2012-02-14T10:37:00.000-08:00

     I rec'd a phone call from the accountant last night that we cannot claim our second daughter even though she lived with us and went to school all last year. We helped her in school (borrowed thousands in parent plus loans) paid out thousands for licensing exams. I paid her at least $6000.00 in income out of the studio which I did not make her claim. We also have a $3500.00 tax credit for school for her. Well we lost her deduction, we lost the tax credit. She turned 24 at the end of the year and made over $8000.00 the last 6 weeks of last year. So the combination of the two is she made too much money and turned 24. This is very bad for us. She paid in about $950.00 to the Federal government but she gets back over $3000.00 because of the college tax credit, she did not pay for. I am so upset. I don't care if I don't get any money back. I just do not want to owe. Accountant can't do anything a law is a law. But this could really change things for her as far as insurance goes. Can she still be on our insurance as a dependent when we did not claim her on our taxes?
     I am checking with the insurance company today. I also called and talked to her about the taxes and she was upset. She said she does not understand how she has worked so hard, passed these tests, gotten a good paying job and she is still costing us thousands of dollars. So she is giving us the $2000.00 tax credit, which I think is fair. She is also paying off a $1300.00 bill she owes for a test she took. The bill is in our name.
     So sad news is that we will not get a big tax refund. But I have a good kid!

   Happy Birthday Carla! I cannot post on her Blog at all. I have tried contacting her numerous ways and it all comes back with an error. So here is my Valentine, Birthday wish to you, Have a Hap, Hap, Happy Birthday!

Okay so last night I started to empty the linen closet and I ran out of steam. Here is the picture of my mountain oh junk. We could not get into the spare bath yesterday!

Yes this was out of the linen closet!

This was the rest of the closet!

Top shelf: Upper two shelves, Christmas throw, Curtains that could be reused, antique blanket tops.
Second shelf: Table cloths, Holiday napkins and table cloths. These two are at my eye level and higher.

King Size sheet sets and pillow cases.
Below: Queen Set and standard pillow cases.

Blankets, humidifier, steamer, hot pad
Below 2 air pump Queen beds for guests.

Okay Jane can you see the shelves?

                                      These are the two big bags that are going to St. Vinnies,
                                       Middle bag to High School Drama closet.

       Now What I discovered in the closet. Old curtains I will never use. Sets of double sheets, when we have not had a double bed in this house in 7 years. How did those escape me? Mismatched sheets for queen and king. Where we had a bottom tear or a top get a bad blood stain. Hubby went through a period of bad nose bleeds last year. What a mess, no matter what I did I could not get many of the things clean and I am known for my stain removal powers. Blankets I hated the feel of so I would not use. Old duvet covers that were worn and stained.
     Now I have an extra set of Queen sheets downstairs for the spare bed. The king bed has 3 sets, but we are short at least 2 sets of queen sheets. The kids both have Queen beds so I am sure this is the reason. I like to have at least 2 changes because people gets sick. Remember my Mother? I went through every set of sheets in the house in a matter of hours. Also if we have company we will need to have sets for the blow up mattresses. So when I am out and about I will look at Ross or Macy's or TJ maxx and get a good deal.
     I feel so clean and free of junk!

     I was thinking about Little Lamb's response to my response to Judy (are you following?) last night when I was teaching and the accountant had just dropped the bomb. Well was I going to change things? No. Was I okay? Yes. Could I still enjoy my students and get something done? Yes. It all worked out. Not the way I had planned but in the end it will be fine. It will mean that I pay of the debt a little slower, but in the moment I am still fine. We are all fine.

     Out My Window: Foggy, cloudy, cool, could snow later today.

     Well I need to get late notices out, 9 of them, so here is to $180.00 more dollars. That is how I see it now. I have turned into a CC company hoping my parents pay late! Well not really if they come up to me and explain I let it go, but most don't. I am beginning to realize that a lot of people will just add the late charge and pay when they want!

     Have a great Valentines Day! Don't eat to much Chocolate!

Kim

Monday, another Birthday!

2012-02-13T12:26:00.000-08:00

     Today is my oldest daughter's birthday. I just called her to wish her Happy Birthday and she says. "Mom I have to go, today is my day to do discovery", That is lawyer talk for I am busy doing something I hate. Anyway 31 years ago I had a bouncing 8lb,13 oz. baby girl. My life has never been the same. She has blonde curly hair and green eyes, smarter than she has a right to be. She has a crack-whip sense of humor, a beautiful voice, and the cutest little boy in the world. (I am not prejudice)

     I started to run a hot bath yesterday morning, I was in my bathrobe and I decided it was too hot so I added cold water and ran into the kitchen. Then I came back and it was too cold, so (no goldi locks is not part of this story) on with the hot, shut the bathroom door to keep heat in and then took off the robe realized I had left cell phone in bedroom across hall, bath almost full, ran in my birthday suit to grab phone, cat tries to come in bathroom, I set down the phone to shoe him out and door swings shut and locks! Now I am in my skin, the tub will over flow, I have no cell phone as it is on the floor of the bathroom. Run into the kitchen (hubby is at church doing clerk work), start to grab sharp objects that might open lock on door. Finally get a meat skewer to work. Fun! What have we learned from this? To keep a meat skewer handy!

   Well I still have not cleaned anything as I am in avoidance mode. Need to work on that, but Jane cleaned here linen closet and mine is so much worse.

Toy box I am recovering for grandson, it is pink from the last time I recovered it for B 17 years ago.

Molded short bread, yes you must imprint it with your hand tradition.

Baked, sliced, not sliced this mold has the perfect little heart design on it. It is Swedish. but perfect for Valentines day.

Chocolate dipped and ready to wrap!

Yeah! I got my shoes on for Church!

Offending cupboard!

                                            Linen closet, this is twice as wide as the door and it is deep, and it is full!

     Okay, I will try to get this managed but I have a lot of sewing to do. We will see you just might get some improved pictures tomorrow, if I can catch up. We need to finish the toy box recovery in the next few nights. It is frustrating as I have to rely on hubby and my hands won't work a staple gun any more. I remember a time when I could strip a sofa in one day and recover it the next. Now I cannot pull a staple without extreme pain. My days of recovering furniture are over, but I sure enjoyed it while I could do it.

    After all the shopping this weekend, I still have $64.00 in my purse, but the car I am driving has the gas light on again! There is no winning this war.

     Out My Window: Very foggy and drippy and cool.

     I need to pay the studio rent today, get at least $100.00 worth of sewing done, go deliver some Valentine short bread, get some measurements at the high school for costumes before I get to the studio. I had better get going.

Have a great and productive day!
Kim

Saturday, Franka's Birthday!

2012-02-11T14:04:00.000-08:00

     Today is the birthday of my daughter Franka. She would be 27 today. I had a phone call first thing this morning from my Aunt. She shares a birthday with Franka. I always send her $500.00 on her birthday. She is my only relative on my dad's side of the family. I do this as a memory to my Franka. She was beautiful. The prettiest of my babies. Jet black curly hair and blue eyes. I had a Blonde, brunette and a red head, but Franka was my black haired baby. She also looked like me. The other girls all look like their dad.
     My mom called and she is taking flowers out to the cemetery to put on Franka's grave today. We went out and found our grandson a green John Deere wagon for his birthday. We will take it with us next week as his birthday is the 15th. It is a busy month for us.
     I sewed very hard yesterday and I still had two customers call this morning and I had not gotten to their things. I feel bad but I really did work hard and I just could not catch up. I spent about $200.00 on meat and other groceries this week.   But the pantry is full. I will only have to buy milk and fresh things for the next couple of months. We also purchased some valentine chocolates for B, as she is coming to dinner tomorrow.
     I am going to make short bread today. At least 4 pans. I am famous for my short bread. I will take pictures and post tomorrow and while it is cooking I will clean the dreaded tupperware cupboard and maybe a few more kitchen cupboards, yuck. But I might as well do something while the baking is going on.
     I am also going to recover a toy box that my grandfather made for my twin sister and I. My dad recovered it for my oldest, (my twin has no children), so now it will go to my oldest daughter for her little boy. My grandson's nursery is done in an animal jungle theme of greens and browns so I hope I can find something cute. Hubby will help me.
     I am feeling better thanks for all the kind thoughts. I talked to my father-in-law today and told him I would bring him some Valentine chocolates but I was buying two boxes and I was going to eat all the ones I like (we like the same ones) and put all the duds in his box.:) Mother-in-law does not allow him to have sweets, so we conspire against her and sneak out for doughnuts.

     Out My Window: Rainy, rainy, rainy, cold. One of the chickens has a sore flank from being pecked by the other chickens. Hen-pecked is not just a term. They really do have a pecking order. I am just worried if I isolate her she will not be happy as she was raised as a flock bird. But I let her out today by herself and then fed her table scraps so she got a good share before I put her back. She seems happy and does not shy away from the others so I guess all I can do its watch her.

   Well I have many things I want to accomplish today and none of them is a have too, so I will play it by ear. I know Hubby wants to clean the garage and he needs to practice for a few hours He just had a musical come in that he has not played for at least 5 years, it goes into rehearsal in two weeks.

   Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Friday, I am broke!

2012-02-10T09:10:00.000-08:00

     I am broke in so many ways, right now, financially broke, and discouraged broke and physically broke.
I knew it would be a tight month because of extra bills, birthdays, travel, but I thought with the challenge it would be easier, it is not.
     Specialists office called and said the insurance company has agreed to pay for new meds. Yeah I know I already have the injections in the fridge. Awaiting your go signal. Well I have to drive 250 miles round trip back to specialist to have an IV drip and then I can take injections. So I have $2412.00 (yes that is the right amount) worth of meds in the fridge right now I can't take until I waste another day of my time. I also rec'd a $283.00 bill I had left over from my last visit not counting the labs and the x-rays. So I asked how much is this going to cost? Well we will check with billing. Because I will not be able to pay $300.00 every month to the doctor and hospital. I also told her I would not come up on any day but Friday. Well that will put you out farther. Too bad, I will not take time off work and pay a sub to teach, which would be an additional loss of revenue. My life my way. After all I am paying the bills. Just irritated by the whole thing, but I know I cannot change it.

     I have sewn really hard all week, there is a ton more to do today and I have a lot to be picked up. I have filled two vehicles with gas and will have to fill another one tonight. I also have hit the sale papers to stock up on meat and a few groceries as last month did us in. Butter is on sale for $1.89 a pound here so I will take advantage of that. Meat was on sale yesterday and I bought enough burger and pork chops for 30 meals. Now I need to hit a chicken sale. I could also use some beef. We are out of shampoo, but there is a great sale on that also.

     I just want to get that CC paid off and I will be lucky to get a $200.00 payment made. It just makes me sad. I know you all know how hard I work, but I feel like I make no progress. Boo hoo.

     Out My Window: It has been cloudy and damp here, not helping the mood at all.

     Well I am going to get dressed and run a few errands and then hit the shop and sew. I need to quit feeling sorry for myself. I also need to take a picture of my tupperware cupboard and pick out another challenge for Carla. Hmmm, there are so many really bad spots in the house.

Have a great and productive day! I know my day will be productive but I am not sure about great....

Kim

Wednesday, I've been tagged!

2012-02-08T23:18:00.000-08:00

     Okay Little lamb got me: Here are the rules, I think?

1, Post the rules
2. Answer the 11 questions
3. Make up 11 new questions
4. Tag 11 new people
5. Let them know they have been tagged:

Okay to answer Little Lamb,

1. What is the biggest financial challenge you are facing?
      Just trying to stick to my budget, especially where my extras are concerned. It is hard, there is always something or someone who is there to take your money.

2. What is the best money saving tip you can share?
     Stay out of the stores, just don't go shopping. Refuse.

3. What is the biggest challenge you have faced and how did you overcome it?
     Our religion really stresses mother's staying home and not working. I married into a family where the women did not work outside the home. My mother-in-law has never worked. My sister-in- laws (husband's sisters have never worked) this is a big no no to them. However my husband did not get a job until he was almost 40, I was 30 at the time. He was constantly unemployed, we were poor. I was told if I was more faithful I would be blessed. I tried and tried to make money stretch, I tried to pray and be as perfect as I could because obviously it was my fault, I wanted too much, I spent too much. When hubby finally landed a job with his degree, it was the lowest paying job on the market. We finally had benefits but we qualified for food stamps. I gave up when my youngest was about 2 and went to work. Mostly volunteer work with small stipends, so I could say I was not working. Oh by the way, did you know that if a woman works her husband won't? So the reason hubby was or is underemployed is my fault. Because no man will work when his wife will do it for him. Direct quote from my mother-in-law. I waited for years for someone to rescue me as I spent money I did not have, surely eventually if I was good I would be able to pay my bills. It never happened. I finally decided to ignore the dogma, get a job and work as hard and as much as I could. I opened two businesses and I am climbing out. Oh by the way the reason my girls are not married (at 18 or 19) and they just go to school and get advanced educations is because Hubby and I have had an unhappy marriage and they do not want to get married and have kids as I have not set a good example. Yes a quote from the mother-in-law. I have one grandchild, Hubbies sisters, have 10, and 18 with no end in site. Do I care? NO!!!!!!!!!

4. What is your proudest accomplishment?
     That two of my daughters are highly educated and have great jobs. They can support themselves and a spouse if necessary. Third one is in college.

5. What is the best piece of advice you have been given in your life?
     Love your neighbor
6. What is your best cleaning tip?
   Do not leave the room(s) in the morning, bedroom, bathroom, without cleaning up behind you, make the bed.
7. Do you clean a little each day or is it all saved for one time?
   I have a routine that I do every morning, it keeps the place picked up. I also have a cleaning lady once a week. However I am a stasher as you will see from Carla's challenges; if it is behind a door or in a drawer and can't be scene than it is clean. Not!
8. What is your least favorite chore and what makes it pleasant?
   Ironing, I make a game out of it. I will do 5 pieces and then I can have a treat.

9. What do you wish you did more often?
      Saw my grandson!

10. What is one important thing about you that you would like to share?
     I am very straight forward. You will always know what I am thinking. When I am joking and you think, Oh she is so funny, I may actually mean what I just said.
11. What is one thing that your mother did, that you said you would never do, but sometimes you do it anyway?
      My mother always took the side of the child that was the underdog or in a bad spot or responsible for the argument. If she felt that the odds were stacked against a child even if those odds were placed their by said child she would take their side. If my alcoholic, bad-tempered drug induced brother came home and did not want you talking on the phone, you had to quit. Because if you upset him you were just asking for it. She never ever took your side in an argument. She always chose the wrong side. If one of my kids is obviously in the wrong, I tell them in no uncertain terms that they are wrong. But when they quibble about stupid things like who took the last doughnut I tell them to get a life which probably makes me just like my mom. They claim I takes sides, so who knows maybe as Mother's we do.

My New Questions:

1. Why do you blog about personal finance?
2. What is your favorite vegetable?
3. What is the worst financial mistake you ever made? Was it a mistake or on purpose?
4. Do you like that new car smell?
5. Do you own pets?
6. Do you have a bad habit you would like to quit?
7. Are you going to watch the Academy Awards?
8. If you were debt free, what would you do with all your extra money?
9. How much time do you spend blogging on average?
10. What is your favorite season? Why? If you can't choose list the order.
11. Do you ever look back at your life and think okay that was one thing I did right? What was it?

Okay: Taggies

1.Meri @ Couponing, Saving and life
2. Rachel@ Living better one day at a time
3. Steady plodding
4. Debby S.@ My Country Oven
5. Lena@Frugal and Thankful
6. Christy@ Mission: Debt Free
7. B-Kat@ Slay the Debt Monster
8. Rhitter@ Destination Planet Debt Free
9. Mrs.M@ Debt 2 Freedom
10. Gill@ The British Woman
11. Lisa@ Cents to Save

Okay that is all I can handle tonight, Jane has tagged me and I will try to respond tomorrow, after I try and see what I will do for Carla's challenge. The tupperware cupboard awaits!

Have a peaceful night,

Kim

Wednesday, I said no!

2012-02-08T08:22:00.000-08:00

     Remember my goal about less stress? Well yesterday a High school about 30 miles away called and wanted me to do the Choreography for an upcoming musical. I have done this musical twice in the last 15 years. I have access to costumes but the schedule was so close to my Spring recital and the pay would really just cover my time and gas. I said NO. I told them they could borrow the costumes and I would give them copies of choreography. Now last year I would have rearranged my schedule to go up and do this. I am getting smarter. Or older I am not sure which. Okay definitely older.

     I am still desperately missing Judy. Has any one heard when we can expect her?

     I got up this morning and the dog had been sick, so I am doing laundry. I also did not get enough done in the shop yesterday, so I need to speed up today. I had 10 pair of pants come in yesterday all due out by Friday. I also have two Wedding dresses that need to be ready to fit by the end of the week. I did get about 10 parents called about dresses, but I fear that anything that comes in will be too large and I will still be making 3-4 small dresses. Oh well.

     Had to buy gas and groceries yesterday. I also took the TV add manager out to lunch, but that was on a gift card. I did get about $3.00 into the sealed pot however. I have figured out how to get hubby to not right checks for gas. I come home and take the car between classes. If I leave it at home he goes and fills it up. Last night when I got home from the studio we went to the station together and I paid cash. He has not written a check since 1-27 which is good as it keeps me on budget. Now I don't care if he writes a check, I just would rather go on cash. We spend less.

     There is a ton of laundry to put away up stairs and I think I will go do the dishes in the kitchen sink. My hands and wrists are stiff and sore this morning, that will loosen them up. I also must really sew today. Don't I say that everyday? What is wrong with me?

   Out My Window: Cold! Frosty. Brrr! I don't think it will warm up today.

     I think I have the budget worked out to be on even keel by the end of the month, but it will be close. Tuition is still disappointing and it is the 8th. Scary. I expected over $1000.00 last night and I think we took in about $700.00. But we have 3 more days so I am trying not to get anxious. Rent is due next Monday and I want to get all the bills paid at least. This will let me see what can go to the CC this month. Last month it was $1000.00 and it would be great if I could do that. I just don't think it will happen. Too many little bills crop up.

     Okay I had better get busy, work here I come.

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Tuesday,

2012-02-07T09:14:00.000-08:00

Well I sewed like a mad woman yesterday. I actually took in more cash yesterday than I did the the whole of last week. I still need to sew very hard today. I have a lunch date with the TV station to get the commercial ready for the Celtic show. I also need to pull together a list of #'s of old students who own Show dresses. I hope to not have to make many more of these costumes as they are very time consuming. I have at least 10 students who either moved up or have out grown their dresses.

The back of this fully lined full circle dress, They are beautiful when they spin!

   The front, the cape is detachable.

     I've have made at lest 50 of these over the last 5 years and I would really like to be able to reuse. I only allow 28 in the company so these dresses are some where. I have some snotty people who will not sell them back. I now make dancers sign a contract that these can only be used for our performances so they cannot go out on their own with my design. I really do not like the politics of the Irish dance world, but you have to protect yourself. I might have to make a few smaller ones. But we will see, I will know by next week.
     I need to go to the dollar store today and get some Valentine and Birthday cards. I need to get treats for the students. I will do that on my way to lunch.

     I am steadily able to add money to the pig, but it is just a few coins a day. This is really going to be a tight month. I was just in my head figuring I had to have at least $2700.00 more $'s just to fund accounts and pay bills before I could make any kind of a dent on the CC. I know I can do it, right now it is scary as money comes in in dribs and drabs.

     We are going to try and drive to the oldest daughters house the weekend of the 18-19. I must save for gas there and back and also Oldest daughter's birthday is the 13th, Valentines day and then grandson turns a year old on the 15th! We are going to get him a wagon. So I am figuring at least $400.00. I had better get sewing!

   Out My window: Frosty, but sunny, it will warm up to about 50 today.

   The dryer just stopped so that is my signal to get my day started. I want to be able to sew at least $150.00 before I go to the studio. I also can't forget to make a bank deposit! Yikes always so much to do!

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Monday, maintaining the challenge

2012-02-06T10:01:00.000-08:00

     I see all the improvement we are making with our challenges. The de-cluttering pictures are great and inspiring. But I just found myself picking up several pairs of shoes and throwing them into the CLOSET! So I stopped and put them back in their spots. Now I am adding to my challenge. Can I keep these new found areas of cleanliness, CLEAN? Well yes but only if I am diligent about not throwing my shoes back into the closet.

     Did you know there is a direct relationship between clutter and money problems? People who can't handle their finances have too much stuff. I know this to be true. I have several acquaintances that are clutter bugs and scrap bookers and quilters and jewelry makers. There is nothing wrong with any of these things. But if you are buying them and they are cluttering up your house and you can't afford them or you are not using them then they are not bringing you joy and you need to stop and think about your next purchase.

    I am not saying these things to be a know it all. It is just that I have been caught in this trap before or one similar and it was no fun, expensive, a means of real guilt when I could not pay my bills. Let's get rid of the crap (trap) because you can't organize clutter, you just clean around it and it grows.

   I was able to get home this weekend after the move with $76.00 to start the week. The studio is a little scary as the 10th is not until Friday and the month of January ended in the middle of the week. This causes a drop in tuition at the beginning of the month. Now the parents will have to pay by Friday or receive a late charge.   I run a zero based budget and I need to do payroll by the 5th. That is only fair to the teachers who work an entire month without a pay check. Well payroll is running about $300.00 more than I expected and I did/do not have enough money taken in,in tuition to cover the payroll. The only thing that is saving my hiney is that I have a check in my purse for the Theater bill that came late in January. Money was set aside for this and I am kiting on that to do payroll. It will be okay, it is just that a great deal of money had better come in this week!

     So I took all these great pictures of all S's crap that would be gone when she moved and then I erased all but one of the pictures, so here are the pictures of the clean surfaces and closets and it is so nice!

See the pictures stored behind my shop desk/ and the corner of the old fashioned sewing machine that was very heavy. It was my grandmothers treadle and I learned to sew on it. Gone!

A clean night stand and made bed!

An empty clean closet!

A clean dresser, no bobbi pins, or junk in dishes, drawers are empty!

Corner has no snow board or skis!

Basement shop entrance is clean and you can move in there!

     Isn't it nice to reclaim space, that was full of clutter. Although I will miss my girl.

     Out My Window: Beautiful out, Sunny, warm just gorgeous.

     Well off to the salt mines, I have so much to do. I have also had two free pain days, yesterday was good and today, is the same. May it continue. May be I will go back into remission? Oh pray for that.

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Sunday night chit chat

2012-02-05T17:25:00.000-08:00

     Reading: Still working on the book I was on last week, it took a real turn south at the end and got really bad in a hurry. I will finish it just because I finish things. I'd mention the name again but it is not worth it.

     Listening to: The Super Bowl, loudly!

     Watching: the Super Bowl do I have a choice?

     Baking/cooking : nothing , we are having nachos (super bowl remember?)

     Something I accomplished this week: I moved 2nd daughter out of the house, storage units, garage up to her new apartment 120 miles away. She is gone and on her own. Hallelujah! I will miss her but it is time.

    Something I am looking forward to: I finally rec'd all the tax info, every 1098, every interest statement all the kids w-2's. So the accountant can work her magic. I hope!

     Something I am grateful for: My shop, I am so behind however, I will be very busy this week. Work is piling up and I have several large items to get out by Tuesday so I must really concentrate. I was not motivated last week.

     I took a bunch of pictures of all daughters stuff in the house and then I think I erased the pictures. You will see what I have tomorrow.

Have a peaceful Sabbath.

Kim

Friday, change of plans

2012-02-03T12:11:00.000-08:00

     I had a no spend day yesterday, beleive it or not! With all the running around I did you would have thought I had spent like crazy. But today I will do payroll for studio and my gas light is on. I also must grocery shop but I think I will do that in Moscow on the way home from daughters move. Winco is so much cheaper. Hubby will pickup U-haul this afternoon late, we are getting a $50.00 discount as they need this truck in daughter's town on Monday. So we get a bigger truck for the price of the smaller one and a $50.00 discount   that should just about pay her gas.
     I did clean my closet but the freezers are on hold. Although I cleaned all the Popsicle and frozen treats that B insisted on getting that taste horrible out of the freezer down stairs and I took them to the studio freezer. Those high schoolers come in at 3 famished and it will get hot here by the middle of April. They will eat anything. I also made 4 loaves of Banana bread that hubby took to work. I did an inventory and I have one whole chicken, one package of burgers, and three salmon left in freezers for meat. So I must go meat shopping. We live on the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers (Lewis and Clark) so a couple times a year small salmon are.99 a lb. limit 4 and I stock up. But you are at your own risk sometimes they are mushie. I have the best salmon bisque recipe for mushy salmon. But it is so high in calories I seldom make it

    Anyway I am spending my time after the closet in the spare room as daughter is moving her crap out! Yeah! I will take pictures before and after. It is an amazing amount of stuff! It will be so nice to have it all gone. By the way her Washington license finally came yesterday. It is a temporary. They can't seem to get her fingerprints done correctly. She has sent in 4 sets.

     I have not done much sewing this week, I need to get my butt in gear. Have I not said this before? I am going to blame it on missing Judy. How is that for an excuse!

     So here are my before and after pictures of the closet in the master bedroom.

Yesterday!

Today! I threw away three pairs of shoes, shhh! Don't tell.

Why must we have 5 backpacks and two overnight bags? Why must one of the back packs contain 7 pairs of Army underwear that we wore when we weighed 173? We now weigh..... Why do we keep these? But like a good wife I saved them, so his children can throw them away.

Oh the horror!

I threw away 2 pair of sneakers, three pair of broken down Dansko sandals. I really should get rid of the light blue ones also, the doctor hates them. So not counting the brown danskos I have on there are 7 pair there. Three pairs of teaching shoes and my church shoes. But I am going to have to get at least two more pair of sandals this summer. Darn!

Sweaters and 2 bags!

This is it folks, 12 suits, 8 for winter 4 for summer, 4 summer dresses, teaching clothes, summer shorts and cotton blouses, 4 pair of dress slacks, 6 jackets, I am always cold. I don't have a lot of clothes but what I have I love, they wear out I replace them. Because I am short, I wear very tailored clothes so I don't look like a little girl or an oompa- loompa.

                             The basket of throw away give away! Yes, all out of that closet.

Thank you Carla! I feel really good about this! The dressers will be next week. I know I have a couple of junk drawers that are scary and hubbies are just not to be born! But I am not sure what to really do about his stuff.

     Out My Window: Beautiful, sunny, warm.

     I need to go finish cleaning the kitchen, call my brother, finish a quilt binding and load a bunch of boxes in to car. We had 5 big boxes of costumes come that need to go to the studio. I also really need to sew. Ugh!
So unmotivated. Money motivates me, so when I don't have any left maybe I will get to work, I did take in $200.00 in cash this week but that is not enough....

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Thursday, Groundhog day!

2012-02-02T13:56:00.000-08:00

     My husband and I were laughing the other night about ground hog day and whether the groundhog would see his shadow or not. We both reflected back to childhood and how important this day was to us. Although we craved the beautiful sun hitting the snow encrusted playground, blinding us, we also knew that Pete would see his shadow and we would be in for a longer winter. I remember actually being depressed by this. My husband admitted the same thing. Just that feeling of uncontrolled malaise over an incident that you felt affected your life in an undesirable way. We both were silent for a minute and then I made the comment that even if he did see his shadow, winter was not officially over until March 21st. Which by the way is 6 weeks from now. We started to laugh at ourselves. Yes, we have had long hard winters and then we have had no snow at all, I don't think Pete really had much to do about it. It was just interesting to share those feelings with each other and realize how as children we are so much alike, all of us have the same little fears.

     I have been running with scissors all day. We had yet another death in the church, (they come in threes) and I had to go get a contract signed for the Irish show, take a care package to a girlfriend that had cataract surgery, meet with an announcer for a voice over of Keatts poem during the ballet section of the show. Now I am home breathing deeply. Oh yes, and I needed to secure a U-haul for the daughters upcoming move this weekend. It is less expensive for her to rent the truck here and drop it off at her new place then for us to all drive up and back. But that was a fiasco, dumb people live here also, (I think Mysti thinks they all moved to her town).
     Still No Judy! ARGHHHHHHHHH!   Splat! Not happy, not happy at all. I'm sure she is fit to be tied. (Now Jane is thinking) Fit to be tied where did that expression come from? :)

     I am going to clean out the freezers today, and also the floor of my closet. But first I am going to start some banana bread, as I found about 8 frozen bananas when I went to take a picture of the freezer upstairs. I am also going to put some chicken in the crock pot and filet the salmon that is upstairs and cook it with some rice. If I keep cooking I will not have to sew. Bad Kim, very undisciplined today.

Out My Window: Absolutely beautiful blue sky. Golfers are flying in from all over. You can see small planes coming in from all directions. I bet the control tower is jumping today!

Isn't this pretty, this refrigerator is in the garage and is 24 years old.

Okay who took this sideways? But you get the picture, Right?

My side of the closet floor, I think Hubby's ski hats are creeping over, the nerve!

Hubby's side of the closet floor, see the tri-pod we have never used it!

     These area's will be clean tomorrow, I think?

    So how many of you were also traumatized when Pete saw his shadow?

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Wednesday, February the month of Love!

2012-02-01T09:15:00.000-08:00

     Hey, we made it through January. We are all through what I deem the slowest, longest, darkest, coldest month of the year. Now we get the shortest month of the year with a celebration of LOVE a Presidents holiday and don't forget groundhog day, the day that terrified me as a child (more about that later).

     Please look at the post before this and give me your opinion on the poster for the upcoming show. No, I did not do it, it is done by my Web-site designer. I give him the photos the info and then kind of what I want. Then he does is magic.

     We also lost Judy which is really depressing, hopefully she will be back soon. I can't imagine blogging with out her.

     So here are my February goals for my no-low spend challenge.

1. Track every penny spent (yes I did this last month and it was he#@)

2. No eating out without a gift card.

3. Plan meals at least meat so hubby can cook.

4. Get to dollar store early for Valentine cards.

5. Make homemade valentine short bread to save on gifts.

6. Fund all savings options and then pay debt down. If CC get minimum oh well, do not over pay and then use card.
7. I have no big saving goals for the month as we have 3 birthdays and 2 moves and extra yearly bills.

     One day at a time, pay day is tomorrow. I took a salmon and some chicken out of the freezer. But we have very little meat left. I think tomorrow I will clean out the freezers. They are both small but I really need to see what I have and get rid of the burnt stuff. Oh Carla see what you have done?

     Okay here is the before picture of my junk drawer:

Now how can you find anything in that mess let alone close the drawer?

See the new results, yes we have three working flashlights! Also batteries in every size and I mean every size even camera batteries.

All of these items found a new home in the house. I could never find a highlighter when I needed one.

This is the throw away, dried out glue sticks, pencils without erasers, used candles note pads that don't take ink or pencil, junk. I also bought some pencils that did not make a mark on paper at the dollar store. These are finally gone! They cropped up all over the house.

    This took less than 10 minutes. Thanks Carla!

Well I have to set up a budget today and pay some bills. I also need to sew and go to a rehearsal at the High school, then I teach tonight but it is an easy night.

    I was able to add $5.00 from soda sales to the piggy banks last night! We are going to be rich next December.

     Out My Window: Grey and warm, but kind of gloomy. I will be happy it could be cold.

Have a great and productive day! Pray for Judy!

Kim

Tuesday, question about Poster?

2012-01-31T22:55:00.000-08:00

What do you think? I know the detail is small But do you like the Pipers faded to the back? This needs to go to print by Friday.

Kim

Tues, Last day of the month!

2012-01-31T09:50:00.000-08:00

This is the scene that inspired my blog. I look out this window every morning. It is the window above my makeup table in the Master Bathroom. The scene constantly changes with the season and it is beautiful. There was no deck, no escape hatch window, no trees, no garden or stone walkway, just lumpy grass. This yard was/is a work in progress. So am I. When I look out here I realize how much has been done to beautify this small part of the world. It gives me hope. I also see how much needs to be done, but that also gives me hope. In a different way, I hope I can do this!

     Mysti was wondering so I am sure others are also, why I do so much for my grown children? I do it because, my parents were not there for me. My mom was too busy dealing with my father and brothers problems and they were severe. I learned early on not to ask. I am sure I asked all the time but I rarely got help as I came into my teenage years. I know she tried but her own problems just took over. I floundered through early college and life set up and I needed help. I told myself I would be there for my kids.

   Hubbies parents always, always moved us. The first 10 years we were married we moved 11 times. I think they were very generous with this as they are the cheapest most selfish people I know, but they were so afraid I would leave their son who had lost yet another job. We always had to move to find a less expensive situation as hubby had no work. He was always the first one let go, laid off, you get the picture. His parents did not want him back and they did not want the stigma of divorce (heaven forbid). I guess it is a family thing. I do it because I want to help, he does it as he sees it as tradition. But if we did not have any resources we could say we could not. I will not go into debt for this, I will just cut back somewhere else. I know I over indulge my children. Baby steps, baby steps....

     I just looked in the freezer, which is a mess( it will be a Carla challenge) and I don't beleive we have much in the way of meat. I have a lot of frozen fruit from the trees out back. I will have to dig. This is from eating out of the pantry the last month.
We are going to have so much fun this next month. Read Carla's blog she is under fire also. that makes this challenge all the easier. I can see it now we will all be together splitting the same bean like Micki Mouse and Pluto!

     So here is a picture of my first challenge it is small, but you have to start somewhere, right?

     The infamous kitchen junk drawer! Do you think I can get anything else in there? I bet you can't wait to see tomorrows picture, right?

     Out My Window: It will be rainy and cloudy today, but the weekend is supposed to be beautiful!

     I have to get a great deal of sewing done today. It is due tomorrow. So off to the Salt Mines I go.

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Monday, Late post

2012-01-30T21:42:00.000-08:00

     Well, I am not only going to do Carla's low no spend challenge in February, I HAVE too. Ran my end of the month numbers and I was very good last month. Not perfect but I did get to pay off the fridge. The problem is February is a month with a lot of extra expenses. Both of our daughters will have major moves and want our help. By help I mean getting to their houses and helping them move. So that is extra gas. It is also my oldest daughter's B-day, grandson's B-day, Aunt's B-day, Valentines Day. I have to pay the accountant when the taxes are finished. Ascap fees are due, and I will need to pay the Roto rooter service for last month as the bill just came. I almost want to give up. Lest I forget my specialist's bill just came and I owe $236.00 of his $811.00 bill. Is it just me or do you think I am always paying medical bills?

     In addition Hubbies boots were $292.00. I knew he needed new ones, but I was blown away by the price. He wears a 9.5 the most common size and has very narrow flat feet. Hence the need for a built up insole with a high top to prevent ankle turns in the woods. His last pair were $135.00 but we got them on a 1/2 price sale. That was 4 years ago. These were not on sale. But his old ones split across the sole bottom so it wasn't like we could wait. Now I am behind. Crap!

     It is okay, just for today I am fine. I have a roof over my head, food to eat, clothes to wear, people who love me.

   Out My Window: Sunny and warm today almost 50! If we are not careful we will have crocuses blooming by Valentines Day.

     I still have a great deal of work in the shop and also all the sewing for the Celtic show. I will make it, it is just going to be tough. I also must realize that I save a great deal of money every month. Savings comes first right off the top. 10% off hubbies gross before we even see a check. I fully fund a IRA. I am also putting $500.00 a month in a studio savings. These things are not options. Everything else besides set bills is negotiable. I will just have to work smarter. I am also going to tell my housekeeper to just come every other week. I have no kids at home and this house is clean. Every two weeks for the dog and cat hair and the heavy bathroom work is enough. I must cut my coat to fit my cloth.

     I have so many de-cluttering projects for the month. Can't wait to get started!

Have a good evening.

Kim

sunday night chit chat

2012-01-29T21:05:00.000-08:00

Okay: I am

Reading: the Kestral's Flute, fantasy written by a 13 year old Idaho man published at 17. Fast read. Tolkien had to start some where.

Watching: will watch Dowton Abbey at 9. The only TV I will watch all week.

Baking: chocolate cake. I just cut a piece and sat down at the computer and now it is gone. I hate that when you get a goodie and then you eat it and don't realize it. I know it is not hubby as he is at orchestra practice.

Listening to: silence I love it. Although I also love the Celtic Thunder group Judy, I just dance to them.

Happy I accomplished this week: Most of the taxes! Oh what a relief.

Thankful for, My new camera!! Yes, here are some really bad practice pictures!

Will I get this arthritic foot into a dress shoe today?

Corner of bedroom just redone, daughter's TV needs
to go bye-bye.

oops!

to answer your question yes I did get shoes on, but now can I turn off the flash?

Remember the knobs I installed a few weeks ago?

Two of my favorite Carl Larsen prints in my Mothers room The one on the left is called Sunday Morning. and the other is called Mother lives.

I can take great pictures of the floor. This was my Mother's bedroom set as a young woman, I replaced the knobs and repainted it years ago. But this was the original color.

Grandmothers' sewing bench recovered! Don't forget he floor!

Working on the flash.

Dining room, with viola case, by the way Hubby made the side cupboards, mirror and candles steins, he is quite the rough carpenter. Table came from an old house in Sweden. My house is done in early attic. Complete with a ghoul who has not learned to turn off her flash.

Oh Carla and friends you may so regret the challenge.

Have a peaceful and restful Sabbath!

Kim! Now I can't get the darn thing off center.......

Saturday, What is it with people?

2012-01-28T10:22:00.000-08:00

     We have had quite a few deaths in our Church lately. This requires funeral meals and service. Who has not received food at the death of a loved one? But we are having a really hard time getting people to sign up. I am on a limited budget, but I can always get a cake mix out of the cupboard and make some frosting. Or boil some potatoes and make a casserole of funeral potatoes (I call them that). Macaroni salad, Jello salad. Are all most all people selfish, lazy, cheap, broke? What is it? Come on it is not that hard to give some small amount of service in a time of need. After all was not that the mission of the Savior? Wasn't his entire ministry based around the love of all mankind? That means your make a cake cranky puss. Okay I feel better now.

   We had a nice dinner last night. This older couple we went out with have a very beautiful home, but I don't think they saved enough for retirement. They were self employed. Now both face some extreme health problems. It is sad and makes me want to save all the more. I don't need to be rich but I do want to be able to afford hearing aids for Hubby and the things we need. Then I think these people had 6 children, where are they? I guess I am thinking this as my Dad's only sister lives in Minnesota and is on a very fixed income. Every year on her birthday (the anniversary of my daughters death) I send her $500.00 to help pay her taxes. I know that my two sisters also help her with large sums of money. Her children are unable to do so and we have done this since her husbands death 4 years ago. I am coming out from under my financial fog and just beginning to realize how lucky I am and how bad off many others are.   Especially the elderly who can no longer earn. It is scary.

     S is home to teach a master class today. I also have to sew today, which I don't like to do on Saturday's but the taxes put me behind and the shop looks like a disaster area. I am also going (I think) down to get a camera today. I want to add pictures to the blog of my organization and cleaning for Carla's challenge. You all know that Little Lamb snuck (I know not a word) into my house and took a picture of my tupperware cupboard. She got it from the wrong angle. I know she made it seem worse than it really is. So if you people are going to treat me like that I will have to have some defense. My own camera!

   I am going to make some breakfast!

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Friday, I paid off the fridge!

2012-01-27T09:23:00.000-08:00

     Yes, due to Carla's kick butt challenge, I was able to save enough money to pay for the fridge I bought the 7th of the month for the studio. I have saved so far $576.00. I went to the bank and put the money back in the account last night. I could never have done this without trying not to spend money foolishly. I normally am not foolish with money, but I can spend on a whim if I think something is a good buy.   I always think something is a good buy. So this made me stop and evaluate my purchases. Also writing down every penny I spend helps. Although that part of the challenge is hard for me.

     I sewed very hard yesterday and even came home and sewed after I taught. I am still behind, so I will need to work hard today, around the appointment I have with the accountant. But money is coming in and I have bills to pay. I can't beleive January is almost over it is my most dreaded month and here is has just flown by! There are many people who need to pick up in the shop. The table and closet are still over flowing. I also need to get started on costumes. Always something. But I should be able to bust out the skirts for the ghost # pretty quickly. It is the Celtic dresses that are time consuming.   I have made so many of these and really don't want to do more. I need to redesign a new Jr. Company dress. Okay now I am overwhelmed. I couldn't just leave well enough alone.
     Back to" just for today what can I get done?" See how my mind works?
Jane do you do this?

     Well off to the salt mines. We are taking an older couple out for their 50th Wedding anniversary tonight. I am using gift cards. So no spend except for the tip. Hubby and I also have to get groceries. But I have to be careful because the house payment is due on the 1st and I have to have enough set aside from his check on the 20th and I fear I am going to be short.

     Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Thursday, Taxes are done! Well maybe...

2012-01-26T09:20:00.000-08:00

     I am done! I still have not received the interest statement from our new mortgage department. I also have not received anything from B's or S's college. But I will take them in as is, and add that latter. I also have to get a few address and Id numbers for I99's but I can do that later also. I am going to clean up the dining room and take that box a file it under the stairs! I always think that we are paying less interest or that we have made more money, or have paid less taxes, but it always looks about the same. I always owe the State and get enough back from the Feds to pay the State and have a little extra. I don't care as long as I don't owe a huge sum to the Feds! Which I can't see happening as figures have not changed that much. If one column goes up by $500.00 the other goes down.
     Now I am very behind in the shop! I must get busy,busy. I have a fridge that needs, $100.00 by Friday.
I have two dresses that will almost do that and some pants that will be picked up today. I am sure I can do this.

   Out My Window: There is no snow in the back yard, I can hardly beleive it. It had at least 6 inches on Monday, but between rain and the strong Chinook, it is gone. It looks barren and soggy and sad.

   This soda and fridge thing might tun out to be a good deal. I was able to put at least $4.00 in my coin bank and $5.00 in my dollar pig yesterday. I notice on the days that advance kids dance I have more sales. Fine with me. Where else can you get a can of soda or a large bottle of water for .50. I am still making well over a 100% profit. Plus it is fun to see the pig grow fat!

   Need to hit the shower, and hit the sewing machines after I make a few phone calls!

Have a great and productive day.

Kim

Wednesday, Taxes, blah,splat!

2012-01-25T09:16:00.000-08:00

     Okay this is just as much fun as it was last year. I am tired and I am not even 1/2 done. I have a ton of sewing to do. I am not getting any sewing done. Frustrated. I don't know why my files are such a mess. Then I got to thinking. We refinanced the house and I tore through everything in the businesses especially to prove income and then I did not put it back and the bank did not give back many of my records. So trying to prove up has been miserable. But I will schlogg along as it must be done.

     I did have a no spend day yesterday, so that was great. Maybe I can get one in today also. But I do beleive Hubby will fill up car. If I don't sew I don't get money. I will have to get at least the prom dresses done, and a few pairs of jeans for a woman. I still added to my sealed pots yesterday.

     Out My Window: We had a Chinook come through last night. Very warm like 52 at 10 p.m. But what terrible wind it brought with it. Gusting all night. Now they are saying snow is in the forecast

     I did however get all of the important costumes ordered. If you don't order by the end of January, you can't get what you want. Then you are stuck with the more expensive models. I was able to get all the ballet stuff ordered. Except, Cinderella, the mother and the step sisters and I think we will make these. I still have many other costumes, but these will be ordered in parts which are easier. It took me all morning. I was just going to order the pumpkins, but then I checked on the availability of another costume and was told it was sold out in several sizes. So I panic and I needed to and sat down and ordered it all!
But I hate worrying about the Spring show when the Celtic Show is so close. I need to worry about those costumes.

     Well, I am going back to tax hell. Pray for me.

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Tuesday, feeling better!

2012-01-24T10:33:00.000-08:00

     Well I walked down the stairs this morning like a normal person. I also was able to take the top off my yogurt, open the back door to the chicken coop, brush my teeth, set my hair, and then brush it without extreme pain. I can open and close my hands, and I have not dropped one thing this morning. I love the good days they are so few and far between.

     I am boiling a big pot of potatoes and another pot with a dozen eggs. This way with the meat loaf I made and the spaghetti sauce I have thawed, meals are done through Saturday. We have plenty in the freezer, so besides milk and maybe a few veggies we are set.

I did not sew at all yesterday. Just taxes and I barely brushed the surface. But I had over $240.00 worth of work come in so I must sew something today or I will be behind. Carla has issued two new challenges that I am going to join, but I will set my own rules on the no(low) spending one.

   I feel like this challenge was really worth it, and it opened my eyes to how much I spend that I don't have to, but I also skipped a great many good bargains at the grocer store. I use sausage in many recipes and it was on sale 4/5. I did not get it, so now if I want to make one of my favorite recipes I will have to spend $3.99. I have a nice food storage pantry, that I rotate and I love going down stairs and getting a jar of mayo that I bought for $1.99 on sale as opposed to $3.99 now. If I truly lived this challenge all the time my pantry would be empty and I would be purchasing things at full price. Since I am such an undisciplined spend a holic and will use any justification to spend, I will allow myself to add really good grocery deals. Not Christmas candy! We all know where that would go. We will leave the candy in the cart for Jane.

   Now can some one please tell me how to link up? I am so not blog savvy and I do not have hours and hours to learn to be. I need a tutorial. I would also like to be able to add pictures. But I can get one of my kids to do this with me or at least teach me. I am not stupid, I can fix a computer just not run one!

    I have so much to get done today, so I had better get hopping! It is so nice to feel good.

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Monday, Taxes!

2012-01-23T09:05:00.000-08:00

    Okay, that is the rant you will hear all week. Taxes. It will take me a while. I have everything organized in files but all have to be totaled and it is a head ache. Personal, shop, studio, all have to be separated, although I do file them differently, there is always an over flow. Yuck! Then I read Judy's blog and she said the FAFSA word. I will be very glad when I no longer have to deal with them. I'm thinking 4-5 more years and I am done! Then B will be on her own. Like I pray she will be.
     Many people in our religion marry very young. It is encouraged by the parents. It is much easier to pawn a daughter off on a young husband and say you are married you are on your own now. Children come and the kids are tied down with kids so no education. But now you have a pack or 2-3 packs of uneducated kids and their kids living with you. So as aggravating as helping your kids in college is, I think it is a better alternative than the other.
   We have 9 more days of our challenge, let's see how well we can do. One thing that I have really made myself do although I hate it. Is write down every purchase. I am anxious to total this although I think it will scare me. This is one part of the challenge that I am going to do next month. For some reason having to write a purchase down makes me not purchase. Kind of like having to write down that ice cream in a food diary. Yeah, this works for me. Don't like it but it works.
     Out My Window: Overcast and gloomy and cold. January can be the longest month, but I feel great about it right now, I think the challenges and blogging have really helped!

     I need to go get dressed, do a little house work, put together a meat loaf I should have done yesterday. I am going to make myself sew at least $100.00 and then attack the taxes, I also have 3 college classes that have to be sorted out today as last week was a holiday and they didn't meet and then were cancelled on Wednesday because of snow. I also must order some costume TODAY. So I am going to get right on that.

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Sunday, dealing with snow

2012-01-22T10:04:00.000-08:00

     Hubby and I went shoe shopping for him yesterday. We could not find what he wanted at a decent price in Lewiston, so we called daughter at college and decided to drive up there as they have more sport stores and a better selection. Now it snows a lot on the prairie. We have had a lot of snow and they have had twice as much. But just like in the years that our oldest daughter was up there they don't take care of it. So we pull in to the apartment complex and it is full of snowed in cars. No one has moved since last Monday. There are a few people dug out, but other than that just large lumps of snow. You can't get into the building with out climbing huge drifts. As her dad and I are hurtling up the snow to try and get to her door I here a car stuck and spinning. I told hubby go help that young man and give him a push.
     He spun and spun the snow was so deep. So I took the two cheap door rugs from B's apt and we put them just under the tires and he popped right out. Joel was so amazed. We always carried small rug remnants in our trunks in the Dakotas. I guess we always have had 4 wheel drives and I do not ever remember getting stuck with Hubby. I do remember being pulled a few times and it was scary. But back to the college kids. NO ONE HAS A SHOVEL. Twenty-four apt.'s this side a nary a large spoon. I know we pushed and dug people out on a regular basis at the University of Montana. Are these kids just helpless?
     We went boot, shovel and grocery shopping. We found boots, but we saw this same pair in Lewiston so we will buy them here and support our community. We also bought 2 shovels, one small for the car and the other for the apartment. Hubby dug out B's car and the two spots around her. Which were immediately used by grateful students. He also dug a path to her door. The shovels are labeled and inside her apartment. We also pushed out a total of 4 more people.
     I told B to take it easy on groceries as I was trying not to spend money. We purchased a few things for ourselves and we stocked her up for the next month. B does not want to drive until it is safer, which is fine with me. She says she is walking so much she is sore. But one accident can set us back thousands so I am glad she is just parking the car. (It will also save gas)
     One of the sport stores we looked at carried Fiesta wear dishes. I love Fiesta wear, I always have. Hubby saw these cute little syrup pictures and wanted me to get some. They were $15.99. I said no they were too expensive (and they were). But I am not buying anything that I don't need this month. Yes they are cute, but they will be there and I will have a Birthday and Mother's Day.
      All told we spent about $206.00 for groceries, shovels, dinner out. I felt lucky to get away with that as we did not get B any groceries when she went back 2 weeks ago and she was down to ramen noddles. I had also not bought any real groceries all month and the shovels were about $25.00. With this no low spend challenge I hate spending money. All I can see is my hard work going down the tubes. What I should see is that I am able to shop and not use a card or be behind on some other bill to get what I need.
      We are going out to dinner at a friends house tonight so I don't have to cook. Yippee!! I do have some hamburger that is thawed so I think I will make a meat loaf with it for tomorrow. My kitchen is a mess so I had better get busy and do something about that, maybe a little laundry on the side.

Out My Window: Beautiful sunny morning! We will have a lot of melting today!

     Have a peaceful and restful Sabbath.

Kim

Saturday, I paid off the furniture!

2012-01-21T12:35:00.000-08:00

     Yes, the paycheck from the school arrived last night and I went down and paid off the bedroom set. It is mine, it is beautiful and I paid no interest! I also have $450.00 in the fridge fund. I thought it was about $300.00 but several people picked up and walla it is $450.00.   I am almost there.

     I will spend the majority of my week doing taxes. Yuck! So I will not have a great sewing week. I will do what I have to and I hope to make at least $500.00 but we will see. I will need more work to come in. Hubby has been having terrible pains in his ankles for several months. We are going to go and get new boots for him. His everyday work boots are 4 years old and really worn down at the backs and on the sole. I am hoping that this will help. I hate to see anyone struggle to walk in the morning, I have been there to often myself. He is not a complainer so I know that this is serious. It is hell to get old. I really do not want to pay for boots right now, but I see no choice.

     I also went to Wal-Mart last night to get some celery and yogurt. I purchased a silver china pig bank to keep in the shop. I have my large China pink pig in my bedroom for my sealed pot challenge and all my spare change. I will put all my $1,s from selling pop at the studio in the silver bank. Once I have the fridge paid for, all I have to pay is the difference between the soda and water. I decided to fund this out of the studio as it is not an excessive amount of money. I will save the rest in this bank. There is $9.00 in there so far in bills. This won't be a great deal of money but it will help with something next Christmas.

     There has been talk on the blogs of doing this no low spend challenge again as most of us have done so well. I don't see that we have not spent any money, what I see taking place is that we question ourselves before money is spent. This is making the difference. Do I need this? Yes I need celery for the funeral dish I am making but do I need the sausage that was on sale? No. So I don't buy it. I beleive that if this were a habit for all of us we would all do better with our goals. Everything I purchase I ask myself, is this part of the challenge? Does this count? It really makes me stop and think about how I spend.

     No spend days are a big help also. If I can just get home tonight without spending any money. Stay out of the stores. This helps a lot. I am a compulsive spender, and will justify purchases because they are on sale. If I don't see the sale I don't think I have to have that because I am saving so much money. No you big idiot you are spending money.

     Out My Window: Snow is melting fast and now we are worried about flooding. Our storm drains are not equipped to take the mess. We are fine as we are on the hill but the studio is downtown.

     I need to run a salad up to a funeral and then I am going to make myself pull all the tax paperwork upstairs.

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Friday, posting late today!

2012-01-20T14:39:00.000-08:00

     I had a hair appointment this morning and I was up late last night sewing so I was up late this morning. I only get my hair cut and colored every 6 months. I thought about the low now spend challenge and that I also had this on the books for 6 months so I went ahead and did it. I would have done this the first of February any way. It looks great and I cut off probably 5 inches. So you can see what a sheep dog I looked like. A grey frizzy sheepdog. It feel so much better.

     I had to up one of my meds under doctors orders and it is making me very sick to my stomach. Now I don't mind getting sick from eating brownies for breakfast but I hate these meds that keep me in a constant state of nausea. The alternative is not being able to move my hands or walk so I will take the lesser of the two evils. I still hate it. I am grouchy and I feel sorry for myself. Okay I am done with this.

   I still have a great deal of sewing to be picked up and I need to get to work on the taxes! Ugh! They are due out next Friday. What have I been doing with my time, besides, eating brownies and watching Harry Potter? Shame on me can't you bloggers keep me on track? What is wrong with you guys anyway?

     I sure have saved money this month with the challenge, but I really need to clean the desk and pay a few bills. Also send out 4 late notices. Yes, $80.00 for my snowflake to debt. My spending is down by 1/2. We have a potluck tonight at church, so I need to go figure out what to make.

Out My Window: I am convinced that the chickens don't like the inversion and snow. Egg production is off by 70%. We give away over 1/2 the eggs anyway so it really does not matter. Roads are drying up but we still have a ton of snow here.

     By the way I am going to be able to pay at least $1000.00 to the Visa along with my Christmas tree return means I will have paid off over $1200.00 this month and next month should be better. I have a few smaller bills that are due next month that are yearly charges. But they still total almost $900.00 so I need to watch every penny.

    I just had another $120.00 picked up so I have almost 300.00 in the fridge account! Yippee! Thank you Carla for offering this challenge.

Have a great and productive Friday evening!

Kim

Thursday, I did nothing yesterday

2012-01-19T10:25:00.000-08:00

     Yes it is true, Kim sat down on her sofa after making a pan of home made brownies and did not move until later that night except to call all her dance students and cancel class. Something I have never done before. I also got up to get sodas and go to the bathroom. The shop called but I ignored it. Hubby came home early from work as they were having problems with electric lines. He plowed all afternoon , most of the neighbor hood drive and walks are clear. We did manage to get down to the bank last night, but there was not much to do. I think the city pretty much shut down yesterday.

     It was so nice like a free day when you were a kid. I am sure I will pay for this lost time later, but right now it was so nice! I ate brownies and potato chips and watched several movies, just a great day. Did not spend any thing either. Just wish it could go on.

     I have over $400.00 of product in the shop to pick up so I hope the roads clear and I know they are getting a lot better. I want to pay off the fridge in less than two weeks.

     Out My Window: Snow. Snow. Snow. So pretty. Chickens don't seem to like it. Only 2 eggs yesterday.

     Well I am up and showered, and I am heading into the shop to get done what I should have done yesterday! I also ate 4 small brownies for breakfast and I am now sick to my stomach perhaps I should lay down on the sofa with a movie....

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Wednesday, Snow storm

2012-01-18T09:43:00.000-08:00

    We are having a bad snow storm and not the money kind that you get when you snowflake a lot. It has snowed 8 inches here and is continuing. Many schools are closed. I am not sure about ours as my children don't go to school here. We are not prepared to take care of snow as we hardly ever have it stick. So I am going to enjoy the moisture. It is sure pretty outside.

     However, I have a ton of stuff that needs to be picked up and I don't beleive that any one will venture out today unless they have too. That is okay, it is not like I have anywhere to spend the money. Hubby was an hour late for work today so he could shovel out the driveway for my customers. We have a 7 car driveway so no easy matter. I do believe he will pull out the snow blower tonight. We are the only ones to own one in a large area, but we came from Wyoming and we just thought we should keep it. Hubby still makes sure it runs. He will be a busy man tonight. If the police man across the street doesn't come get the blower like he did during the last bad winter:) Yes, they can come get your gear for an emergency, that includes your Jet Boat!

     Classes don't start at the studio until 4 p.m. so we might be somewhat plowed out by then. I also have (I think) 3 college classes that start tonight, so I will have to get instructors and timing worked out for those. But if this snow does not abate I will have no students. People here just don't wander around in deep snow. At least we don't drive. Both of our vehicles are 4 wheel drive, but Hubby works in the woods and that is expected. I just have never let it bother me.

     Out My Window: Yesterday I was noticing through the dressing table window the chickadees, flying to and from the Sumac to the Wisteria. They were so cute. Most people here hate Sumac as it is really a weed tree, but I have one I keep carefully pruned over the pond. I love the way they grow like deer antlers. I love the soft fur on the bark, like new antlers in the velvet, I also love the huge Red seed pods on the ends. So do the birds. It adds such color to a dead land scape. Right now I have Red twig dogwood branches peeking out of the snow along with ever greens. You should always landscape for every season.

     I was able to sew $236.00 worth of product yesterday. I have a big pile today also. I swear the phone rang off the hook yesterday, it about drove me nuts. Today will be quiet. If I can get through my alterations for today I think I am going to make a pro to-type of the skirts for the ghosts in the Celtic show. Or maybe I will make some brownies. I am really craving chocolate. Hmmmmm.......

   If you haven't read Judy's post at "We may be poor but we are happy" go read it now. Very inspiring and thought provoking. It is a great post about the time it takes to get out of debt. We all go into these plans thinking we can do this in X amount of time and in reality we can't. Life gets in the way and it is very hard to break old habits.

   Have a great and productive day!
**** They have closed all the roads out of my neighborhood. Schools are closing, it has not stopped snowing! 12 inches now. Yippee! I am dusting off my cross country skis. May this last for a few days!****
Kim

Tuesday, out of touch

2012-01-17T09:15:00.000-08:00

     I feel so out of touch, I don't know if it was having company or just the intensity of the company. BIL left yesterday morning and I realized that this is the week of the winter ball I have several dresses that need to go out. I also have at least 30 pairs of trousers that need altered. Since BIL could not be left alone and had to read over my shoulder I decided to get right in the shop. Sewed $150.00 before I left for the studio. I know it was a National Holiday yesterday but I am self employed and we only take off a few of these a year.

     The college starts today so I have 11 teaching hours to fill, but I will combine some of them and drop others. It is no fun to be in a class with 2 students. I am seriously thinking of dropping this program next year. We can all see right now it is not a financially feasible program. But we are in it for the year.

     You would be very proud of me. I had volunteered to go and clean the Green Room at the local High School on Monday morning.   Because I have worked in the Fine Arts dept for 20 years I know where every thing goes. Also I am fast worker. But when I got up and realized how much work I had to do, I did not go in. I thought, if I do go and clean for 4 hours I will be SO behind and it will stress my whole week. This is a year of less stress. So although I felt guilty I did not go. They costumed the show and called and gave me notes on what will be needed. I will need to redo or make at least 9 costumes but that is doable.

I also have many Celtic costumes to make and a number with ghosts and wolves so I will have to come up with those. Tonight is Celtic night and I will figure out who needs what and go from there. I do beleive that I will have at least 25 dresses. So I had better get busy. The parents pay for these and I do make a profit. Not large but enough to offset the shop. No more giving my time away. Then scrambling to pay bills. That is over. Less stress remember. But I do have to stay on top of things and I will.

     I spent $2.97 yesterday and I forgot we need milk! So I will have to go back to the store. Drat.

     The company we clean for is doing an overhaul and cutting wages, I don't know if we are affected. If we are do we stay? If we don't stay how do we pay bills? I am waiting. Hubby wants to stay so we will see.

     I need to get into shop and get busy as I have to be at the college by 2 p.m. Then 3.p.m. and then teach at 5:30 so I should be able to get some sewing done today.

     Out My Window: It has snowed the last 3 mornings. We are finally getting some moisture. It does not stick here and has been warm during the day.

     Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Sunday night chit chat

2012-01-15T18:10:00.000-08:00

Reading: Great book about the Irish Potato famine. If that could be great. Actually it was pretty awful, in fact very awful, but I find the Irish tenacious and fascinating.

Watching: A PBS Special on Martin Luther, fascinating.

Listening: I only listen to music when I am teaching or doing choreography. I am sorry overkill, maybe someday!

Cooking: Shrimp pasta, blood orange and avocado salad.

Happy I accomplished: Really stuck to the low no spend challenge. Wrote no checks for personal things. Yeah!

Looking forward to: Another week of no spending. Getting caught up in the shop, Ha! Ha!

Thankful for today: A really great husband at least right now:)

Have a restful Sabbath!

Kim

Saturday, Company.....

2012-01-14T09:32:00.000-08:00

Well Hubbies brother is here and of course we are visiting. It is awkward. But I know my husband is glad to see him. He will stay through Sunday and leave Monday morning. We have been so out of touch. He is recently divorced and that is a mess. How do you go on after a 40 year marriage dissolves? I think both of them are going to find that they will not be any happier with someone new. It is a tough situation. The chance of them getting back together now is slim. And statistics are almost null for the success of a relationship when they try to reunite.

Daughter #2 is coming down to teach a master class at 11:00, Dancers are excited. I am going to do some sewing today as I have so many dresses for an up coming dance. We are taking BIL out to dinner tonight on a gift certificate. But it is going to be a slow day today.

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Thursday, funny how that works,

2012-01-12T22:56:00.000-08:00

   Yesterday I was at the CU making a deposit.   I also had a $30.00 check to cash and had withdrawn $265.00 out of B's account (money she owed me for paying her rent). As I was waiting for my deposit slip to print the computers went down. The man next to me in line was asking the teller to check his account, he needed to withdraw $25.00 for gas. He looked like a painter or a dry-Waller. You have to keep a minimum of $35.00 in your account to keep it open. He had $35.00 left. So no money. He was begging to just get $25.00. I heard him say I will come in tomorrow and give it back. I just have this job to finish and I need gas. He also said it was the hardest winter he had ever experienced for finding work. The teller made a phone call and she turned to tell him that she had gotten permission to suspend his account and give him the money. The computers went down and she could not even open her cash drawer. I mean everything locked up. What a mess. The young man looked like he was going to cry, so I quickly slid $25.00 over to him and said quietly "pay it forward and go with God".   I had to do it quickly before I talked myself out of it, because you all know how hard I am trying not to spend and how I am trying to pay off the fridge. But all I could see is that I had $265.00 and $30.00 in front of me in cash and I am so blessed financially in so many ways. He was astonished and said who are you? I told him Santa Claus and hurried out of the bank. Then I chastised myself for having $25.00 less for my fund. Well guess what? Today a $25.00 refund check came from the State for my husbands lunches. He had paid out of pocket for lunch when he attended a mandatory work shop. I did not even think about getting reimbursed. So it is solid proof. The giver always receives back what is given.
      I have been in the man's place so many times in my life. When I had no money and I was down to the last $10.00. When my kids were sick and I could not buy medicine. I remember one time selling my dishes and electric skillet in a make shift yard sale I set up to get enough money to buy and $87.00 prescription for one of my babies. I have so much.

     I just realized that I have not contributed one penny to my pot this week. Why? Because you have to spend and break a dollar bill before you can do that. I am not spending any money! Tonight we filled hubbies car with gas and went to get a few Groceries, so I was able to contribute a few coins.

     I was able to make about $12.00 on soda/water this week so far. I am sure it is beginner's luck, but we will see. Lots of work came into the shop today so I will have to get busy tomorrow. Winter ball is coming up next week end and I have many dresses to hem and alter.

      I also have 2 funerals to make food for on Saturday, but I have not been told what they need. I am sure I will get word in the morning. I can bake something while I am working in the shop.
     Carla's challenge has sure helped my pocket book this week!

Have a restful night, I know I will!

Kim

Thursday, so tired.

2012-01-12T13:57:00.000-08:00

     Last night I had my two main teachers come over about 8:30 in the evening and we watched Cinderella preformed by a local small ballet company. It was good. We also downloaded music and sound tracs. We story boarded the show and found costumes that we liked and assigned parts. It was an arduous task.   They were frustrated and I had to keep telling them that the first board is always a mess and it will be a work in progress for a while. We will be making changes right up to the few days before the show. Plans on paper are always easier that reality.    This is their first time helping to put a major production together.

     My daughter and I worked together every day and we just flowed with production and changes. These two are so new to this that they were totally amazed by the work that had to go in behind the scenes. How do you make a story line flow with 120 dancers and 3 different musical scores. Prokofiev, Roger's and Hammerstien and Walt Disney all have to be recognized without killing the score of any of them.   We cannot have Bippity Boppity Boo after the 4 seasons as it would bastardize the Prokofiev score. But we have to have that particular song as little ones will expect the Fairy God mother to dance to this in some way. AHHHHHHH!

     Fun, but on a better note it is wonderful to work with two young enthusiastic, talented dancers. We were up until 3 as they would not leave until they were satisfied. Such dedication, how lucky can I get? I did miss my daughter however. We have such evil senses of humor and I missed the "Mom, that is the stupidest idea I have ever heard" Snort, laugh, because sometimes they are stupid ideas. It is harder to work with people who always defer to you, I am often wrong. But I finally got them to really see the show and give me their input.

     I am very tired, I have taken in work today, but have not sewn anything. Just too sleepy. I need to teach at 3 and also go to the bank. I did spend $27.00 yesterday on studio things. I also took in $42.00. So far I have $125.00 in the fridge fund. I just hope with the three day weekend coming up that I don't have to spend money and dip into it.

Out My Window: Very cold this morning, but sunny and I still need to go and check on the chickens.

      I think my husband's brother is coming for the weekend. He is recently divorced after a 40 year marriage. We have not seen him in about 5 years. This should be interesting. He is a nice person but perhaps one of the most socially ignorant persons I have ever met. Rush Limbaugh is his hero if that tells you anything.   He is very selfish and cheap to the point, that all people know him for this behavior. He was never selfish with himself. He had the nicest and what he wanted. He would scrape corn off the plate of the Queen Mother at the dinner table if he thought you were taking more than he thought was a 1/4 cup serving. Because the can should feed 8 people! This should be interesting. In his defense, when our 3rd daughter died my Husband was out of the country and he never left my side. He was truly his brother's keeper. A boob but a good boob.

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Wednesday, keeping things positive!

2012-01-11T09:12:00.000-08:00

   That would be a great name for a PF blog. Keeping things positive! Both in numbers and in life. Positive balance, positive attitude. They sure go together. Obviously keeping the attitude up is harder, as we can sure witness many people with positive bank balances that are miserable. But I can say from personal experience that maintaining a positive bank balance sure helps your(my) attitude.
   I did not get a no spend yesterday, drat. But I hope to get one in today. Even though last weeks spending was more than I wanted my totals for personal spending are way down. Of course it is only the 11th and things could get ugly later, but right now it looks pretty good. Spent $9.56 on groceries. Last night after we cleaned I dropped Hubby off at house, explaining to him I needed to run to the store. He is on a diet and stores make him hungry. I planted this in his head as I knew if I took him with me he would find something for me to spend money on. Notice he never spends money. He has me do it. So he can have someone to blame when there is no money. Clever man, but I am learning!:)
   I actually made him start carrying a check book a few years ago so he could write checks for gas. This has been good and bad, but he has to spend money and realize how much it costs him to commute. When I would tell him that gas was costing over 1/4 of his already dismal take home pay he would not beleive me. Now he writes the checks and he knows. This led to a car pool, which is very helpful. But when I tell him I want to go on a cash basis (Like right now) he uses the checkbook anyway, then I am running to play catch up. You can't have everything. But I sure want it.
   By the way gas is down to $3.12 here and up north 100 miles it is under $3.00 a gallon. I hope it continues to drop, but it will probably jump in the spring as it usually does. The truck is full, so unless we go some where out of town, which I doubt this will last until next month. Hubby will have to fill the car again Thursday night.
     I was able to take in $44.00 yesterday so the housekeeping fund is fully funded. I have $144.00 in my wallet. I will put $35.00 into the fridge fund. Hopefully more will come in today, so I can add to it, but I also must remember that we will have to have some money for groceries this weekend. Hubbies brother may be coming up for a visit, I have almost $200.00 in gift certificates to restaurants, so we can go out if he comes. I won't have to foot that bill. Remember my goal for the fridge this week is $100.00.

     Out My Window: It clouded up yesterday and daughter called to say that it snowed at her place. We hardly get snow, although it is much colder today.

     I have to meet with my teachers tonight to story board the spring show. I have plenty of sewing to do and at least two more winter ball dresses coming in today. If all goes well I am well on my way to a great month. Yeah 2012! This is our positive year.

Have a great and productive day!
Kim

Tuesday, Be careful what you pray for!

2012-01-10T09:46:00.000-08:00

     The shop was a little slow last week and I was a tiny bit worried. I am a worry wort if you haven't figured that out already. So I have really been praying for more work to pay bills. Finally by last Friday I figured I had a good days worth of work in the shop. So because of my desperate need for money (did I just say desperate?) I hit the shop at 10:00 yesterday determined to sew. Well $305.00 worth of work came in yesterday. So now I am slammed. I am also thrilled! Remember the challenge? I need this moolah!

     I was able to take in $85.00 yesterday. $50.00 goes to hubby for gas and the rest goes to the housekeeping fund. I should take in at least $30.00 today so both of those bills are paid. Now Hubby will have to have at least another $40.00 by Friday. All other money goes to groceries (what we absolutely need) and then the fridge account. So I am looking at the end of the week to be at least $100.00 into this goal. Hooray! Here I am counting my chickens, I do that a lot.

     I also sadly took the beautiful Christmas tree I purchased and loved back to the store. This is why we keep receipts. I was credited $202.00 on the cc. So although I would have rather had a substitute tree, I will have less to pay back on the Credit Card. Of course I will have to purchase another tree next December. But I am also going to look on Craigslist for a tree and really watch the sales.

    I actually had a NO SPEND DAY yesterday! I hope for another today! I was tempted. Hubby wanted gum at the store where we returned the tree, but I told him he had his own pocket money. I wasn't spending any money.

     Out My Window: Warmer that usual, chickens are laying well. I need to give neighbors some eggs. It is still sunny today.

     So I am going to go get ready for the day and hit the shop, I need to be at the studio at 3 for a few minutes and then don't teach until 5:30. But I have some banking to do, and bills to mail that I have been holding in my purse waiting for today's pay check. I also paid the rent at the studio last night and now all I have to pay is the Visa bill. I hope to give it at least $1000.00. We will see.

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Monday, I am going to no spend today!

2012-01-09T09:41:00.000-08:00

      Okay, kids are gone and I can really focus on not spending money. I can really focus on my work. I plan to take this low spend month seriously and by the way I have to. I spent all my money! Yep the first week and it is gone. Like a kid at the fair who buys the first article they see and has no money for the rides. That is me. Now what am I going to do about it? Can you guess?

    I am going to go to work. I need to turn over money. Hubby drives this week so he will need money and I will need to pay the housekeeper on Wednesday and I want to put at least $100.00 in the fridge account. My goal is to have it paid off by the 31st of January.

     It is going to be tough, but look what I did at Christmas. I was able to squirrel together about $1300.00 in less than a month. So I think I can do this.

     Out My Window: Beautiful sunny day! Frost on all the trees and grass. No snow to speak of in this part of the country. Scary as it affects our water supply, but I have also seen it really snow in January and February and the snow pack in the mountains can be normal by March. When I was going out to the chickens Friday it was so warm it was almost like spring. I thought to myself, soon I will be out here working.

     January is always the longest dreariest month so I am glad the sun is shining!

So here is to starting Kim's fridge fund it is at Zero!

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Sunday, past due projects

2012-01-08T11:33:00.000-08:00

     I was up early (for me) on a Saturday when I can sleep in and I went into a Kitchen that looked like a bunch of frat boys had a party in it! The front room is sad long over due Christmas. The laundry room and back door are loaded with crap. Bedrooms are trashed. B was leaving yesterday and most of the mess was hers.

     So I put on my big girl panties, did the dishes, cleaned the kitchen. I started the laundry and put two huge baskets away. Then I hauled out all of the Christmas boxes out of the garage and took them upstairs. B finally gets up and tells me she wants to be in Moscow by noon, but she needs to clean and vacuum her car. She also needs to LOAD her car.

     I stop my Christmas cleaning and clean out her room and bath. Go down and clean out her car, take it to the gas station vacuum it, fill it with gas and bring it home. She is still applying makeup. Then I get her dad to help me load up the Christmas loot and two HUGE baskets of clothes into her car. (I think I can see the laundry room) She gets three over the shoulder packs that are full and her laptop out of the guest room upstairs. Then all her crap out of the guest bath! ( I think I can see a bed spread and a counter top) I will miss her, but not the mess.

   I took a short nap after I packed away the Nativity set. Hubby and I went downtown and picked out a small refrigerator freezer combo for the studio. We walked it right out the front door of the appliance store and right down the block and into the studio. $466.00. Then we went to Costco and bought $41.97 worth of water bottles and diet soda. We went back and stocked the fridge. Water bottles and soda will be 50 cents. When the fridge is paid for, I may add healthy snacks, but we will see. I know that the machine sold a lot of soda. I will keep track weekly and see how long it will take me to break even.

     Hubby and I went home and I continued to pack up Christmas. It is all put away now. Every box and piece of China. But we discovered as we took down our new tree that about 1/4 of the lights are not working. So I pulled out the receipt and they will take it back or replace it.   Crap. I love this tree but it did not even last a season. I do not want to have to find a new one next year. This big box will go in the truck today and I will return it tomorrow. I still need to rearrange the furniture and vacuum the front room. I want
move the baby grand over to the front window.

     Daughter took us out to Thai food last night. Yum so good. Then I am home and did a bunch of honey-do things that have been bothering me. Daughter had purchased 6 new china knobs in a soft turquoise and silver for my Christmas present. The guest bath has silver chrome and turquoise blue towels. The old knobs were original to the house and two were replaced by me when we moved in, they did not match and one was broken. So I replaced those with my new ones and they are so cute. There was a nail missing from a curtain rod in the guest room and the curtain was drooping. I fixed that. There were two light bulbs burned out in a light fixture in the Mater bath. They are hard to change. I did that. I washed the last load of white costumes and they are packed into the car with the rest of the left over costumes. I will take them back after church today.

      The house is clean (except for the tree) The laundry room is clean and organized. My shop has been some what emptied of costumes. I was not busy last week in the shop. But every day a few things came in. I have plenty to do this next week, so the money should start flowing. No more lap tops all over! No more open cupboard doors! No more curling irons, play stations, ipods, make-up bags shampoo bottles, nail polish, etc. I have normalcy. I can live with this.

     I am looking forward to the rest of January. I hope it will be less expensive. I only have the rent for the studio and the Visa bill to pay. All other bills are paid. Now I want to see if I can pay all gas and groceries, house keeper, and make up the money for the fridge out of my shop and I think I can. I have 3 weeks.
     It is really had to stay in budget with a teenager at home. Always something. Contact lens problems, medicine, hygiene stuff, money, money, money. Carla has been very patient with me!

Can I do this?

     I am going to organize the shop tonight, total my weekly spending into a record and pull all the tax stuff upstairs so I can work on it an hour every morning. My appointment is on the 27th of January so I need to get busy.

     Have a peaceful and restful Sabbath!
Kim

Friday, Facing the truth

2012-01-06T09:23:00.000-08:00

     Now that I have my budget set for the month, I am looking forward to the new year and realize that I am a pie in the sky dreamer. Getting out of debt is a long and involved process. What I scheme in my head or dream in my mind is not reality. Reality is the check book balance. *&^%^$ I hate that. My dreams are always so much faster and better. Then Jane's Ugly troll comes and wakes me up. The troll needs to stay at her house, with his hose.

     I have to get the Christmas decorations down in the next couple of days. I mean it. I also must sew today, I have been so lazy! Not sew lazy, but so lazy! I need some motivation.

    We have a soda machine at the studio. It sells water and non sugar drinks. It costs about 11.00 a month to run. Last quarter we earned $11.37 in soda sales. This has been going on for about 2 years. So the machine is gone and I am going to get a small fridge and stock it myself. I do want water and drinks available but I will not lose money. If it turns out to be a fiasco, I will get rid of it.

     Tuition is coming in slowly. Next Monday is the 10th, I hope the parents are watching, because I could use a few hundred dollars in late charges. Okay the Troll wants the late charges!

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Thursday, my smart move is scary...

2012-01-05T13:55:00.000-08:00

     When I moved my business account from USBank to the credit union it changed quite a few things. All of them good, especially the interest rates. But before I had a credit line attached to my business account. I did not apply for this it was just given to me. It was a $10,000.00 line. I use it up almost immediately. It was used for remodeling, and for costumes and summer bills. I would pay it down and rack it up. But I never worried about over drawing the business account so I rarely knew how much was in the account. I did not care and it led me to debt. When I did balance every 4-5 (yes can you believe that)months I was always shocked by how much I owed this account. Oh, by the way, the payment was taken out automatically so I never had to really pay attention. I also had a $22,500.00 limit on the USBank CC. I could spend for a long, long time.
     The Credit Union does not have a credit line attached to business accounts. I did apply for a line and was granted one for $5000.00. But I have to call and advance money and I have to pay it back with a phone call or go into the office. I guess I could do it on-line. The difference is I have to know if I need the money. How would I know I needed then money unless I balanced the account? So you guessed it. I really have to pay attention. I run a zero based budget and I cannot overdraw. No one will save me but a big old overdraft charge. I also cannot seem to get approved for a CC in the studio name right now. This is why my personal card is so high, most of it is studio costume debt from the last show. Well at least $2100.00 of it is. So when I order costumes for spring I will have to go to the new account and take money out and put it back as needed. I guess what I am saying is that the Credit Union forces their members to be a little more accountable.
     But, but.....but I am not used to this and it is such a good lesson for me. Instead of just writing checks for bills and knowing they are going to go through I have to get a deposit in and stay on top of things. I was going to pay all my bills last night and realized that I was short about $1200.00. Before I would have sent those off and just expected the Overdraft to protect me. But no more now the bills will wait until there is money to pay them. There will be. But I can no longer live in LA LA Land.
     Slugmama, also gave me a good piece of advice. Wait a few days when there is extra money, before you throw it at a debt. Something may come up, or I may have forgotten something. This happens all the time and then I am broke and I am using the credit line. Gee I think of myself as a pretty smart person, so why could I not see this? Well, okay I did but my impatience and my gazelle intense attitude sometimes over shadows my reason. So we will work on this.
   I am also experiencing a payment shock with my new house payment. I am very happy that we refinanced, our interest is down almost 2% and I am no longer just paying interest on a $75,000.00 equity line, but our payment has gone up to $450.00 a month and our income has not changed. This is a big old chunk of change when you consider that my husband only brings home $950.00 on one paycheck and $888.00 on the other. Factor in gas, utilities, tithing, car payment, food. You can see why I worry. When you are self employed it is all you. But again I must be accountable. This can be done, but I have to pay attention. I don't have any extra money lying around to cover this payment.
   I think that people who have trouble with debt also have trouble with accountability. We are very careful to make sure we always have a safety net. Like another Credit card. But our safety nets always involve someone else's money!   Hence the emergency fund. Now for me 2 emergency funds.
    As I become more financially solvent and I make changes to better my financial life and get out of debt I find I have to be more responsible, before, I was just kidding myself. Now it is me. Scary.

Has any one else experienced this same phenomena? I guess what I am asking, have you ever felt that having credit at your disposal made you more secure? Or is this just childish ignorance?

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Wednesday, Okay I did it!

2012-01-04T22:48:00.000-08:00

     I finally balanced the studio checkbook and I set the budget. I have goals for the new year but I am only going to set a budget for the month. Each month has challenges or extra bills. Next month I will have at least a $350.00 accountant bill and a personal gift I give every year of $500.00.   So it is hard to say this is my budget every month. But needless to say I am BROKE!

     I paid the water bill today! $467.12. I paid my Roth Ira $500.00, Studio savings $500.00, Studio loan $500.00, Pay roll $712.00. See the money flow. I have decided to fully fund a savings account for the studio up to $6000.00. I will also fund my personal Roth Ira. Hubby already pays a huge amount to retirement and we also save well over 10% of his gross, so I feel that this is all we can do for savings until I can pay off the debt.

So New Years financial goals
1. Fully fund studio savings for summer $6000.00
2. Pay off Credit card minimum $500.00 and all left over or snowflake money
3. Pay off truck loan by the end of June, now pay minimum of $500.00
4. Always pay Roth Ira by the 5th
5. Pay off car loan by next Christmas

     If I can do this we will be debt free except for our house. If I don't do this we will be closer. Remember less stress. I am making progress. It doesn't do me any good to pay huge amounts to a credit card and then turn around and use an over draft protection to cover 1/2 the house payment and then scramble and take on a lot of extra work to pay off the overdraft. How about making a reasonably large payment and then not using the overdraft at all? I am so tired of playing catch up. But I set up these unrealistic goals for myself and then crash. Well no more. Okay I will always be over the top on most everything I do, but the financial stuff is killing me and I am done.

     I have to keep telling myself, just for today I am fine. The specialists office called today and I had an infection show up in my labs last week. So now we know why I was feverish and cold. I picked up an antibiotic today and they also upped an injection I take to 1ml. Much larger and I am dreading it as it makes me so sick. But I am off the enbril and my x-rays came back with significant erosion from 18 months ago. My insurance company is fighting the new medication because of the cost. But I know they will cave as Hubby works for the State and we will go to a congressman if we have to. I also have the final bills on Hubbies surgery. Total $471.00. Which I will pay on the 10th.

     Tomorrow morning I am going into my personal Credit Union and doing some book work. I serve on a check up committee to oversee policy. It will take me about 3 hours to do the books. I am living for Friday because I am so tired. This week has been long. But I feel much better now that I have my budget set for the month. My bills are well underway to being paid and I will be interested to see just how much I can put toward the CC this month. But I am not going to stress and be stupid.

     Have you ever over paid things to feel that you are making progress only to slide backwards even farther? Has anyone ever set goals that were unattainable?

Kim

Wednesday, this week is dragging

2012-01-04T08:48:00.000-08:00

     I am with Mysti, impatient to get somewhere financially. But I have no money and paychecks are few. I went to the School district yesterday to get the paycheck I did not get from the play I did that should have been deposited last month on the 20th. It will be deposited this month on the 20th. So you work with kids 3 days a week for two hours after school for 10 weeks and then wait 3 months for a paycheck. One more nail in their coffin. I am so glad I am done! My shop has been really slow this week also. But whenever I say that I get bombed so I want to be careful.
     I hope I don't have to spend any money today. Although I know the truck needs gas and I have a prescription to pick up. Always something.

     Out My Window: It has been very sunny here and warm (50's) I keep waiting for a cold snap!   Chickens are fed and happy.

      I will balance the studio account today and get a few bills paid, then see where I stand as far as a budget is concerned. Am I putting it off because I don't want to know? Or am I really this busy? I seem to be doing something all the time. I know this. My emergency fund is at $1000.00. I will pay all the bills and fund the studio savings hopefully $1000.00. I have a print out for a debt snowball, but I don't know if it will work. Oh I get it I have to make it work? Silly me! I thought there was a debt fairy that did that?

Have a great and productive Day

Kim

Tuesday, I forgot chicken feed!

2012-01-03T22:58:00.000-08:00

Yes, I forgot to get chicken feed, so back to Wal-mart this evening, for carrots, chicken feed, Greek yogurt, and diet soda for hubby, $34.91 . He had lost 18lbs before Christmas and has put 6 back on so he needs a little incentive. I also paid the studio insurance 71.18. I paid daughters storage bill (but I will pull this from her account tomorrow) $135.00. My studio Credit Union had a computer crash today. What a mess, long lines and I wasn't able to get studio account balanced. My personal account is in the hole. Where did all my money go? I have a big water bill to pay and 2 large doctor bills. Oh yes, I remember now I bought a wash machine. I am no spending or low spending myself into a big old dark hole. Thanks for all the comments, I feel a little better. At least I am not alone. At least the animals are fed for a month or so!

Started a new opening number for upcoming Celtic Show and it is so good. We have a theater here with an opera curtain that goes up in a full 1/2 circle. It is so beautiful and I start with dim lights as the curtain rises to drums and then into full light with all 28 dancers in full unison. It is great! Can't wait to finish it.

Well off to bed!
At least I can't spend money while I am sleeping.

Kim

Tuesday, remember the no(low) spend challenge

2012-01-03T10:05:00.000-08:00

     It was only the 2nd and I spent over $400.00. This is why I can't get any where. Actually it is kind of funny because, my goal yesterday was to go to the studio and clean out the costume loft. This is a huge room that is up on a mezzanine section of the building. I have not cleaned it for the last 4 shows!
     Anyway B and I are on the way there and she want's to go to McD's for breakfast. Okay why not she is helping me after all and this is a a big nasty hard job. So we go and I spend $7.10, as I am putting the deliriousness to my mouth I remember (I CAN'T SPEND ANY MONEY). I told her here it is the morning of the second and I already broke my challenge. ^&%$#@#
     So off we go and we pull every box out and start to go through boxes one by one. It was 3:00 and we still were not done. B says, "Mom, how does this get so messed up?" I thought about it. Many of the costumes are put in bins that are not labeled, also many items and groups are in cardboard boxes. So B counted how many clear boxes we would need and then she went a got a large sharpie and labeled the bins. Soldier costumes, Lords a leaping, etc. Then she said, "Mom, we need at least 10 more storage containers so we can get rid of all these cardboard boxes I know you did not come up here and pull all this stuff out and rifle through it and leave this huge mess." She is right I did not, it happened over a period of a year and it was students. So off we go to Wal-mart and $71.25 we have everything in see through containers and labeled. I mean the rose petals are in their own box. Flowers in another. Every box is see through. If you need white basics, you look at the boxes and grab the basic box. These boxes take up an entire wall floor to ceiling. So nice..... but I spent $71.25 out of the business account on boxes.

     Now I get home from cleaning the bank. B points out that I have not purchased any groceries since before Christmas. Yes, before! I had stocked up and there was so much leftover food. We had, no milk, dog food, cat food, fruit, veggies, yogurt, nothing for Hubbies lunches. During the break I would get up and cook pancakes, or waffles, or eggs and hashbrowns , then we would graze on leftover cheese and crackers. We would have cheese sandwiches at night and left over deli meats etc. Well the fridge was empty. So off we go (again) and when I got to Wal-mart for the second time, I remembered that today I need to clean out the files and desk and x-fer everything to a new year for tax purposes. To make a long story short. I bought milk, yogurt, apples, bananas, oranges, cauliflower, broccoli, baby cucumbers, pickled veggies (husbands diet) large bag of dog food, large bag of cat food (good brands), then went to office supplies and purchased 50 new file covers, for home, shop, and studio and a large plastic bin to store old files in, just in case I am audited everything is at my fingertips in order. I spent $124.54!

     On the way home from Wal-mart daughter #2 calls and says, "Mom,I wrote a check to C.C. for $230.00." This is for continuing studio education. But right now? Also the sewer clean out people will be here this week. $180.00, but do I want that new bedroom covered with sewage? This is a yearly maintenance procedure that I know had saved us tons of trouble. Since I have implemented this program, I have not had a back up issue. I will have to pay the accountant this month also. I just forgot how expensive January is. Rats! I also rec'd a bill from the storage facility(remember I eliminated this, but daughter stored her furniture in there until she finds an apartment) She had not paid the bill in November or December and January is due, so $135.00. Which I will take out of her account, thank you very much.

   Okay enough whining!

Good things about yesterday.

The studio is clean!
The costume storage is clean!
I have tax files ready to purge!
I was able to work all day with my youngest daughter and she worked hard!

Bad things about yesterday!

It was expensive!
I am really going to have to assess the budget this month

Ugly thing!

What budget, I haven't even done one yet! Grrrrr....

   Out My Window: Hubby cleaned garage yesterday, while I was at the studio and I can get my car in there. It was full of wood scraps and set up to build set pieces for the show. He also cleaned out all the green black berry from the backyard. No easy task, as this is invasive and takes over and is terrible in the spring to get rid off. Last year I was a mess for two weeks after I dug out the blackberry. He also let the chickens out while he worked in the yard. They just love him.. Follow him like dogs, Where ever he is they are all around him. So Cute!

      Well today, I must balance books, make a deposit, go to the school district and get my payroll figured out. Stop at the Jr. High with a bill. Take some costumes to the green room at he High School that I found in my stuff. Try to set up a budget for January and a tentative one for the New Year, teach, clean, drop with exhaustion. I will not sew today. I need to start new routines with all my kids for the St. Patrick's Day show on March 17th. So tonight that means 4 new routines are started along with solos assigned and all music selected.

Have a great and productive day!

Carla, I am starting over on the 3rd!

Kim

Monday, Off we go!

2012-01-02T09:28:00.000-08:00

     I am headed to the studio this morning to gut out the closet up stairs and to put everything away! My youngest is going with me. I will then teach for 3 hours, but I will put in at least 5.5 hours in class. I am excited. I miss the kids. This time of year is always scary as people don't come back and tuition can take a real hit. I mean up to $1000.00 a month. We don't want that to happen. I am going to stay positive. We only had a couple of parents approach us about leaving and several new so it should be a wash!

     I still have not taken down any Christmas stuff so this has to be done. It won't be done today or tomorrow! Maybe Wednesday. I also have major cleaning and tax things to do. Check books to balance, files to set up for the new year. I want to get a budget printed (tentative). I also have a few bills to pay and I need to get busy. It has been a nice break, I really haven't pushed myself. I just wish it was one week longer!

     I wonder when the shop phone will start ringing. I have a wedding dress to go out this week. My husband bought me a professional steamer for Christmas. I can now steam wedding dresses. This will be my first. I charge $35.00 and hour for my time. So this might be a way to make more money this year.

     Out My Window: I am sending hubby out in the yard to mow down the blackberries This is the only thing growing right now and they are soft.   By spring they will blend in and be as hard as a rock and tortuous to remove!

    If I am not too tired tonight I will set up a budget, but I think I will be in bed when I get home. I am getting old.

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Sunday, Happy New 2012

2012-01-01T20:28:00.000-08:00

     This is the year people. I can feel it. We are all going to make great things happen. So many of us are close to paying off even a little debt and that will help us into the next one. It is coming.... financial freedom.

     Rec'd the power bill for the studio and it was $195.00 (last year it was over $400.00) But I paid to have a furnace man come down and set the thermostat. Heat goes up to 68 at 2:30 p.m.and back to 55 at 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. This is great news!(last year it was $460.00)

     Rec'd my power bill and it was $265.00 which is really good for this time of year. I am sure next month it will be higher as we turned the heat up when the baby was here.

     We had a prime rib dinner at friends and I am so full. The studio opens tomorrow, I know it is a holiday for some, but we have a show to put on in 10 weeks and that will come up fast. We have not put anything away or cleaned out the costume closet , so youngest daughter and I are going to go down at 10 tomorrow morning and gut it out. Studio opens at three. Back on the fast track. Remember less stress!

     The last 8 weeks before Christmas I was trying to add in Jr. High rehearsals (won't be doing that again) and combine several classes for the 12 Days show. Now I can just concentrate on my classes without, running between schools. I have also moved the advanced ballet out of the college and back to the studio. Also less running and more control. I will feel more in touch with the students as I will not be calling in substitutes. The classes will be mine alone.

     I need to pay a few last minute bills, balance both check books and set up new files for the new year. Also taxes will be going to the accountant before the end of the month. Ugh! Still have not compiled a list of goals, just can't decide what I really can accomplish and I don't want to throw a whole lot of stuff out there and then watch myself flounder. I flounder so well. Daughter and I are going to watch a movie.

Have a wonderful 1st day of 2012, it will only get better after this!

Kim

Saturday, Out with the old in with the new!

2011-12-31T16:13:00.000-08:00

     My new washer is in and the first load has been washed. I am a little behind on laundry as I have not had a working washer since last weekend. I thought last weekend it could be fixed. When the washer was moved it was obvious that the transmission was out on it so really not worth fixing. I took the last load of washed costumes back to the high school from the play and also a big basket to good will. I have been very inspired to read everyone's goals for the new year. I am still pondering mine. I just don't want to throw a bunch of stuff out there and feel like a failure. But I really like what Sarah had to say about changing priorities.

     I need to see the changes I make in my budget or life as priority changes and not failure. When you total your car it sets you back financially and you must change plans to set things right. This is not failure. I am just too hard on myself. This leads to stress. My biggest goal this year is a life of less stress.

     My new budget for the new year is going to look very different from what I had originally planned. But it will lead to less stress on my part. It might lead to slower debt pay off but maybe not in the long run. I just don't plan on having as many large expenses this year. Really I just can't have that many things go wrong.

     I have joined Carla's challenge and I have my little note book all ready. That will be the hardest thing for me is writing things down. I have tried to do that over and over for years and have always failed. But I will try again. I have been stuffing change away in my pig and I am excited to not open her until next December. I like that fact that the challenge can be fit to our rules.

     I am just positive that this next year is going to be great for all of us, because we have all made such great progress and we have each other and that is what counts.

Have a great and Happy New Years Eve! May we all be blessed as abundantly as we were last year !

Kim

Saturday, Things I achieved in 2011

2011-12-31T00:42:00.000-08:00

It was a great year for expensive trials but also expensive blessings. When I listed all the things I had spent money on I began to understand how hard it was for me to get debt paid off, but I also need to realize that many of these same negative monetary experiences were also things that will lead to positives in the future.

1. I paid off our truck in 18 months down from a 5 year note (Original loan 19,300.00)
2. I paid off my mother early (original loan $12,000)
3. I paid off another consumer loan
4. I refinanced the house and home equity line down to 3.36% making a possible pay of in 3years 5 months
5. I took two large high interest studio notes and refinanced them into the truck equity at 3.99%
6. I bought a new(used car) and put $2500.00 down on it, to keep payments down under $350.00 and guarantee a pay off in less that 4 years.
7. I had my first grandchild
8. I was able to help daughter #2 with her exams to finish her licensing.
9. My youngest graduated from High School with a 3.79 GPA and a 4.00 her final semester enabling her to go to our State University with over 1/2 her fees paid with Governors Scholarships.
10. Our middle daughter graduated from Dental Hygiene school and passed all her exams and now has a very good job.
11. I helped youngest daughter get a car that will last her hopefully through college.
12. I had three very successful Dance productions
13. The studio came in at maximum enrollment this fall, we had to put students on waiting lists.
14. We finally made the parents get on the right page to pay tuition in a timely manner.
15. My mother survived 2 very bad heart attacks.
16. My husband survived a very bad choking episode followed by surgery to help correct a problem.
17. I created a blog that helps me set goals and get out of debt
18. I have made many new friends that I can't imagine not having in my life right now.
19. I paid off $28,000 worth of debt
20. I was able to survive many financial set backs without going further into debt!

It was a great year. See the glass is half full!

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Friday night, I am home from the specialist!

2011-12-30T22:16:00.000-08:00

     Long drive, long visit, blood work, yes they had to mine for a vein, x-rays, I feel like a pin cushion, and because my medication is going generic, it has stopped working well, so I get a new more expensive medication that has to be injected by IV drip requiring a 5 hour round trip to the specialist. But remember this is happening in 2011 so it is okay! Once the first drip is administered I can do the injections at home weekly. The joints in my feet are collapsing and my right wrist is collapsing, but my blood pressure is 96 over 54 so I will outlive my washer!
     I had to laugh at the receptionist as they have started a new program and the rheumatologists office to help patients. Do you smoke? No. Have you ever smoked? No. Do you drink? No. Have you ever drank? No. Are you over weight? No. Do you exercise? I teach 16 hours of dance a week. Can we give you some special diet advice on whole foods and grains? I grow a huge garden, grind my own wheat and make bread, have my own chickens and fruit trees and bees. Oh we can't help you with this program but we can put you on a new medication that will cost about $1500.00 a treatment. Okay I am grateful. Just sarcastic.

     I can't beleive tomorrow is New Years Eve! I haven't made plans. Yikes!

Kim

Thursday, so I bought a new washer

2011-12-29T17:57:00.000-08:00

     Hubby and I bought a new washer $679.00 with delivery and hauling off the old machine. I am paying all the medical bills, I am fully funding my emergency fund and whatever is left will go back on the credit card. I already made a $500.00 payment to the card. I will survive. Actually I will more than survive.
     I really like Sharon's, motto of spending less and living more. I need to pay less and save more. I stress myself to the max with unrealistic goals and then feel like a failure. So stupid. I need to relax and stress less. This blog actually helps me to do this. I get great advice and support. It is a way of thinking out loud. You get others in some what of the same position you are in, that can say yes you are doing it right or no your need to do this.
     My biggest goal for next year is less stress and my goals financially will reflect that. My budget will reflect that. I will still get out of debt and it will be okay. Just think of how far I have come. I just went out and paid cash for a washer. Two years ago I was so in debt I would have had to have charged this and just had less to spend.   My post yesterday listed all the big expenses I incurred in 2011 ending with the purchase of a wash machine, but I did not go further into debt for any of those things. How many people can do that?
I did however incur debt last summer keeping the studio bills paid and that will not happen again. I will have a savings for that. I may not have to use it if we can keep a summer ballet program going.   But I will not worry about that now. I cannot control the summer but I can save for it.
    Tomorrow I will list all the great things, I think I have accomplished this year. NDChic has a great post about this.    This blog was started to help me see Out My Window and appreciate what I have.

I just want you to know I have a lot! (that was for Judy)

Have a great evening,
Kim

Thursday, frustration,where do I go from here?

2011-12-29T12:39:00.000-08:00

     Well now that I listed most of my big bills from the year and I have yet to go out and find a washer, I am in a funk over how to set up the debt repayment budget for the new year. I think part of my problem with indecisiveness is that I make these goals and then *WHAM* they are shattered by a large expense. Remember in early November I had three $800.00 bills out of no where. Yes I paid them but there went the $3500.00 I was to pay to debt. I should have had the last CC paid off last month. I am not going to be able to pay it off this month either.
     I feel like a big old failure. But I have not incurred any new debt with my large bills except for the car. I called and talked to daughter last night and she thinks that I try too hard and then I don't have enough money to live on and I go backwards. Redoing the bedroom cost about $2400.00. I did not flood the basement on purpose and I could not leave the mold to eat the sheet rock. But there goes my $3500.00 payment. J (daughter) just thinks that I should be happy I had a way to pay for this without debt. I see myself backsliding on my goals. She also wants me to slow down and pay at least $6000.00 into a studio savings for this summer.
     My original goal was to pay off the last CC which now stands with a balance of $7219.00
I have $4100.00 to put toward this card. However, I have a $445.00 water bill, at least $500.00 worth of medical bills to pay, my emergency savings is under $500.00, and I owe another $512.00 to the pharmacy. So you can see that paying a huge payment to the CC is pretty stupid.
   I was going to pay $3500.00 a month starting in January to the truck loan and have it paid off by May. J says this is impossible as things will come up and then I will still not have the truck paid off. The minimum payment is $500.00 easily doable, but not in the summer when we have no money coming into the studio. I need at least $2000.00 a month to get buy in the studio. She wants this funded first. She says to pay the CC off in the next two to three months, fully fund the studio savings and then put the rest to debt. Actually when she ran the numbers we could still pay off the truck in May but it will be very close. Budgets always look great on paper and then you start to try to live within them and all ^&%44 breaks loose. J just does not want to see me stress all summer about the bills. I run a zero based budget as I am trying to pay off debt and I have done really well this year but summers are always hard and I never have any money and then bang I am back in debt to a CC.

     I guess my question to you is am I trying too hard? or am I caving?

    I think I am struggling with the fact that my arthritis has been very bad the last few weeks. I am going up to a specialist tomorrow in Spokane. Both of my wrists are stove up. I had terrible fevers and chills for almost a week related to this disease. Now I still work and get things done but I am just miserable and in pain all the time. I hate it. It is hard to brush my teeth and comb my hair, just simple things that you need to do to live. Getting in and out of the tub is a nightmare. I am typing right now with a space heater on full blast blowing on my legs. I cannot get warm. My temperature gauge is faulty, the worst part of this illness I swear.

      I worked all day yesterday to send out a letter and new schedule to all the parents. Over 90 letters, stuffed, addresses, stamped, mailed. What a lot of work. I also had some sewing that had to get done. Tonight hubby and I will go to a 50th wedding anniversary celebration for some friends of ours and then we will go find a new washer. Sorry I am in such a mood, but I will feel better soon.

Have a great and productive day.

Kim

Wednesday, A response to Judy

2011-12-28T17:51:00.001-08:00

These words are above my machines and in my studio, I make my kids memorize them, they are words to live by. I spent many years trying to hide what I wanted to do or could do for fear that people would not like me. Well guess what they will either like you or not and it is their problem.

Our Deepest Fear

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our Light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you NOT to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to manifest the glory that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Nelson Mandela

By the way my wash machine just died. But that is okay because it is still 2011! Right? It was next year I didn't want any large unexpected expenses. We will just add it to the $24,000.00 I already spent. Yippee!

Sarcasm drippeth

Kim

Wednesday, is next year going to cost as much?

2011-12-28T09:34:00.000-08:00

     In reviewing the calendar for last year, I started to realize just how much money we spent on non essentials. Now I am not saying these were not worth while expenses, just that they will not occur or I hope they will not occur again this year. We all have emergencies that we cannot avoid and we will all continue to have these. But I just had a whopping amount of money go out of my budget that I wish I could have applied to debt.

January: Christmas bills because I was bad in 2010. I will not have that
                  problem this year. $2,412.00
              Help daughter with school $500.00
February:   New grandbaby, cost of travel, gifts, time off work, subs, $1500.00
                  Purchase loops for daughter for school $600.00
March:    travel with the family to see grand baby blessed $700.00
April: Mom has major heart attack, travel, time, work lost, $1500.00
May:       Graduation expenses and testing for daughter's license $3000.00
   Purchase a new (used car) $2500.00 down payment
June:       Youngest graduates, party, gifts, pictures etc. $1000.00

July: Vacation $700.00
                Purchase new (used car) for youngest daughter $2500.00 down
                payment
                Mom comes to visit and gets very sick, supplies $500.00
August:     Get daughter ready for school (College) set up apartment and
                move her. $2000.00
   Daughters new (used car) needs a clutch $750.00
Sept:        Trip to sisters $1000.00 (I did not want to go and I will not go again this
                year.
October:   Mom has another attack (I did not go)
November: Hubby has a medical emergency $700.00
                   New tires for truck $903.00

December: Bed room flooding has to be fixed, $2400.00

     Add these up folks and it is over $24,000.00. See how hard it is to get out of debt? Now some of these things are certainly not necessary expenses. I did not have to go when the grandson was born. But I did. We did not need to take a vacation or go on the girls trip but we did. My mother has had a bad health year, but is this going to get better? Probably not. I do see several expenses that will not likely reoccur this year. We will not need to put down payments on cars. We will not need to set up a college apartment, the truck tires will last for at least 4 years. Hopefully we will not have as many medical problems, but who knows? The bedroom flood was an accident, but we all have those, right?

    This is why I started blogging. I work so hard and I feel like I tread water! But it is easy to see why when you list the things that go on here financially. I can say that I have two daughters that are in very good careers and are on their own now. Such a relief. We have the other set up ready to stay for the long haul. (Our oldest stayed in the same apartment all the way through Law School, 7 years) it was pretty ratty when she was done. We will expect the youngest to do this also if we feel it is a good situation. The medical emergencies we just can't avoid that is life.

     But here is to a new year without major expenses with cars and kids! That is my one big goal!
Even if we can keep this list down by 1/2 it will be better. But I think that this year will be the year I finally break out! Because it is getting easier and I am getting tougher.

     Out My Window: It rained here hard all day yesterday so it is much warmer! But that means it is really snowing some where else.

     I have to do a mass mailing today for the studio with some tweaks on the schedule. I hate the time it takes, but that is life. Also have sewing that has to be done and a bride coming over for a fitting. I need to fill the truck with boxes from all the Christmas crap around here and take a run to the dump. Also Judy has inspired me to clean out my closet and linen closet. I think I need to start taking down Christmas.

     Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Tuesday, Christmas guilt.

2011-12-27T11:42:00.000-08:00

     Christmas was grand. I am very tired, but today I am taking it easy. Yesterday the kids left, it was quite last night and we ate left over oyster stew. You know fish and company really do stink after three days. I had so much Christmas guilt. I cut back in so many ways this Christmas and was just ready for a load of crap from my family that never came! I was just so tired and busy and behind and I thought screw it! I don't care. I hate not caring. Here are the ways I am cut back and next year I will cut back even more.

   I did not make pj.s for everyone. Yes, for years we all had matching night clothes even Grandma and Grandpa. Great family pictures but too much work. This year I did not even buy everyone pj.'s. The two youngest do not ever wear them except Christmas night. They put on sweats and a t-shirt. So why waste the money? I did buy a really cute pair of elf pj.'s for grandson. $2.37 at Macy's.

   I did not buy any expensive electronics, or outdoor gear. Youngest daughter wanted her I-pod replaced and I was so tempted. I looked at then several times. But $400.00 for something she lost in a foolish way. I just knew she was going to blow a gasket but she didn't. So see you do not have to get everything on their list and you can set and enforce limits. (I did not know that)

     I seriously cut back on Christmas Eve dinner. We still had too much food and we will throw some out to the chickens.

     I did not fret over stocking stuffers. Which by the way can add up fast! I usually have so much stuff to put in the stockings, I cannot fit it all in. This year I could fit everything in and no body knew the difference. The cute little soaps and crip/crap I spent money on, I would throw away later when I finally got tired of seeing it in junk drawers. I bought candy, a new toothbrush, hairbrush,ponytail holders,bobby pins, flashlights(with batteries) hand sanitizers to hook to key chains. They all use these things. I did not buy, socks, underwear,soap,chap stick, notepads,lotions etc.
No one complained.

      I did not buy movies or games. We have enough, they have enough. They all have Netflix, we don't and we can go to the $1 movie. If I want it that badly I will buy it.

   I did not buy a Santa present for anyone but the baby. This is usually the most expensive part of Christmas. But they are 19, 24 and 31 do I need to be Santa? NO! No one complained.

     These are just the ways I can think of that I cut back but next year I will do more. It is just time. They are all adults and I want to get out of debt more than anything. If I wasn't so in debt I would not have to work so hard. They can understand that.

     So in a nutshell:

1. No p.j.s
2. No outrageous expensive gifts
3. Less gourmet foods, seafood, we still had too much!
4. No outlandish stocking stuffers
5. No, movie and game for each person
6. No Santa presents

     Now if you just read this with out explanation I sound like scrooge, but everyone opened at least 10 or more gifts. That is enough. I think sometimes the kids were just over whelmed and they get to be ungrateful.

Next year, I am going to cut back on cookies and only make 1/2 batches as most of my recipes are old Swedish and make at least 10 dozen. I made my favorite 13, but next year no double batches and I am going to make 3 kinds of candy and Swedish cookies. I will leave the non-traditional to everyone else. Just too much. I will buy less seafood. We could have gotten buy with 4 crabs, and 2 lbs of shrimp, 2 cans of oysters, 3 boxes of crackers. My dream is to have Christmas at my daughters and just help her and contribute money.

     I also have the new artificial Tree for next year yippee!

Did any of you cut back? If you did, in what way?

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Christmas Eve!

2011-12-24T09:20:00.000-08:00

    Well grandson is here. All the kids are home. Presents are wrapped. House is a wreck. Isn't it grand!

     I still have a couple of cookie trays to deliver. We will have a big seafood dinner tonight. Church in the morning, then homemade orange rolls and bacon. We will go over to one of my clients houses for dinner about 3.
     I opened my secret Santa package from Jane!

It was so fun! I have worn the beautiful shawl/scarf twice so far! I have dansko clogs that match it, very smart and stylish. She sent me a soap stone sculpture she had carved! So talented, I am impressed. Chocolate and caramel pretzel sticks (mine) and a very good novel, which I read in the past 24 hours. Thanks Jane you are a very generous Santa!

    Well I am off to make beds and do a little vacuuming.

Have a wonderful and Merry Christmas you all mean so much to me.

Kim

Thursday, The Christmas house

2011-12-22T10:02:00.000-08:00

     I have one more batch of cookies to make and then I am done baking! Yeah! I will male up the trays and plates and clean the kitchen while I do the last batch of cookies. I need to go in and clean the master bed and bath as Hubby stayed home from work yesterday and the housekeeper did not go in there. I also need to straighten my shop and get a little laundry done.
     The spare bath downstairs is wrapping central and I need to finish up and get everything moved out before my oldest daughter, son-in-law and GRANDSON arrive at 6 p.m. tonight. I baked all day yesterday but it is just not as much fun as it used to be. I feel like it is one more job I have to do. But every year I cut back a little.
     Everyone will appreciate the treats. It is nice to not have to be anywhere every minute of the day. But I still feel like I have so much to do before everyone arrives. I went through 6 lbs of butter yesterday and 3.5 dozen eggs. Swedish cookies rely heavily on those ingredients. Cream, butter, sour cream, eggs. Something they had a lot of in my family. I always make all the traditional cookies. Some are very hard and time consuming but I feel it is important that my girls know how to do this and appreciate the heritage.

     B and I were up until 11 last night finishing the rosettes. So messy but so good. I will finish the jam wreaths today. This is a double decker cookie with jam (lingonberry) in the middle and a cut out section to show the berry center then covered with powder sugar. Daughter #2s favorite.

So the washing machine has finished and I am going to go in and start another load before youngest brings in all of her laundry from college.

     Merry Christmas mom!

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Wednesday, I think I have the sewing done!

2011-12-21T08:21:00.000-08:00

I have a tendency to put off hard stuff. I thought I had just a few things to alter yesterday, but they were all hard! Like trench coats that needed hemmed. With lots of lining and seams and pleats. Yuck! Then coats that needed the sleeves shortened. Heavy winter parka's that have linings. It turned out that I had to sew until 6:30 last night to get everything done. But I will make $286.00. I really don't need the money right now, but I had promised the items before Christmas.

I then went to clean the bank and ran to Wal-Mart. I got phone call from a woman at church she was in hysterics trying to finish a large denim quilt for one of her children. She had already made 2 of them and she could not get the last one to sew straight. I told her I would meet her in 30 minutes at my shop. Well she was using a heavy duty hand quilting thread in her cheap machine a big no no. She had the timing all thrown off. The machine was very mad at her. So I helped her finish her quilt then at 10:30 we made fudge.

The easiest fudge you will ever make!

1 lb of cream cheese (do not use an off brand or low-fat)
1 cube butter (do not use margarine)
2 tsp of vanilla
dash salt
1/2 to 3/4 cup powdered cocoa
Melt cream cheese and butter until it is soft then mix with mixer add above ingredients until it is shiny and smooth,

Now add 2 lbs of powder sugar, Yes 2 lbs. Knead when your mixer starts to moan. Add nuts if you wish press into a pan. Refrigerate. The best fudge you will ever eat. No stirring,no sugaring, no burning.

I have to get to the store for coconut, and a few items I forgot.

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Tuesday, so free!

2011-12-20T10:51:00.000-08:00

     I feel so free, but this also makes me unmotivated. I really have to go in and sew for a few hours. I need to clean the kitchen. I have to wrap presents. But here I sit and blog. I just really don't care.
     I did get to Macy's today and exchanged that sweater, no problems. Bought a pair of black pants that don't fit. No I did not try them on, I hate trying things on. Now I will need to go back. I did find Grandson a pair of elf pj's for $2.49. What a bargain.
     I am going to make caramels, toffee, and fudge tonight. I will also make all the cookie doughs that have to be refrigerated before they can be rolled out. This will make things go faster tomorrow. Hubby picked up walnuts and heavy cream at Winco, while he was out of town yesterday. He is so miserable with his cold but he has to go up for a very expensive map-training course. So he took off this morning sniffing and dripping. I went to the pharmacy last night and bought him, dayquil tablets and packages of kleenex.
   B is going back to Moscow to work for the next 2 days. So I will clean the house and hopefully I can stay on top of her until the other come home! I will have the house keeper change all the sheets tomorrow and help me bake. She loves it. She says it is the best bonus ever. She gets paid 4 extra hours, has a blast and gets all her baking done! I send her home with 13 different kinds of treats. If I did not have her help I could not do this so it is worth it besides I love her.
   So now you can see what a lazy procrastinator I can be when I am not behind the 8 ball!    I really just want to go out a shop some more and read books and watch movies and eat crap. But I will not!

   Out My Window: I need to go check on the chickens! See I am even neglecting the chickens.

   Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Monday night, why did I want the kids back home?

2011-12-19T23:08:00.000-08:00

   My house is a wreck, There is not a bedroom with a bed made, the family room is a disaster, the kitchen is disgusting. Curling irons, bobby pins, hair bands, dirty clothes. Every cupboard and drawer left open. Just a pig sty. I am used to a very clean house. No clutter. My shop gets trashed but I can handle that, I am working in there and I clean out constantly, but this is just inconsiderate. I took daughter #2's stuff and put it in a cardboard box in the garage and next week when she comes home she can just look for it. I also hid the straightener and the i-pod player in my closet, I am sure it will be needed tomorrow and it will not be returned until I get a guarantee that it will not be left out. How many cell phone cords can 2 kids have? I swear there are 20 plugged in right now! Okay enough I love my children but they are pigs!

   I just found out that my expensive medication will go generic in August of next year! Yes that $2000.00 a month will probably drop to $1000.00 and then 6 months from that date down below $300.00. Yahoo! I can afford that. We also received the rest of hubbies doctor bills for his choking episode and it will be about $350.00 more dollars, so that isn't too bad.

   I am anxious for the grocery store sale adds to come out tomorrow as we always do a big seafood dinner and prices are so high I am wondering what I am going to cut out? We can afford it but for me it is the principle of the thing.

    Macy's is at it again. Flier came out last week with cashmere sweaters at $39.00 regular $109.00 but when I went to get one they were marked $59.00, I asked the clerk about it and she said they were not offering everything at this store. So I bought what they had. Well tomorrow that same sweater is $39.00 and you can get $10.00 off a $29.00 or more purchase. So guess what is going back? I will then repurchase it for $19.00. I guess it pays to do your shopping late. If there was any place else to go, I would so be there.

     I think I am done shopping, except for the sweater exchange and a few stocking items. I do have to plan a menu and shop for dinner, that is it!

     I returned many items today, and I turned in all Jr. High bills, have most of the laundry done from the show, I also mailed three packages today for Christmas. I so love the fact that I have to shop for my in-laws and make sure their package is mailed on time. Spent over 3 hours doing this today with my 1.5 hour wait at the post office. It cost $57.00 to mail three packages!

      I got hubby a real nice gift for his Birthday. He came home today with my cold!

Have a restful night.

Kim

Monday, Hooray I did it, I am free!

2011-12-19T09:32:00.000-08:00

     The shows are over! I can concentrate on Christmas. My husband turns 61 today! We celebrated with the girls yesterday. Homemade fried chicken, biscuits, mashed potatoes, Waldorf salad , German chocolate cake. Yum. Hubby is at a conference out of town today.
     The Jr. High show went well. But I did announce my retirement. I will never do another show for them. Just too much at Christmas. I do not make any money although money is not the object. You do this for the love of the theater and to help grow a program. You do this to give artistic children a place to belong. But I have worked with this school for 18 years and I am tired and so done! If all goes well the studio debt will be paid off in May and I want to make money for the first time in my life! Instead of paying huge amounts of money to high interest debt, I can put it to use to make my life better. I feel a little selfish, but I have given my time away, long enough. I want to do for me. Is that wrong?
    My Daughter lectures me constantly on slowing down and taking care of me. I have a hard time with this. But I am just getting so tired. I know some of it is age and some of it is health, but most of it is just maturity. You need to know when you are done!

     Out My Window: We did have a beautiful day Saturday, warm, sunny, of course I did not get to enjoy it. But it did remind me that there is a sun out there.

     I actually sat down last night late and paid all the bills and balanced both the check books. If the Jr. High money comes through I should see a pay off at the end of the month. I am so excited. I still have $800.00 in the Christmas stash. Which I will whittle down today. I have many returns to make today and many stops to turn in receipts and costumes although I am not done with the laundry yet. I also have some sewing left to do, but I am going to run get all of my errands done this morning and sew this afternoon. Yeah! I have 2 weeks off! No classes, no teaching, no rehearsals. We still have to do the bank and I will have to sew but I am free!
     Also the bedroom is done! It is very nice. It has no artwork yet, but that will come in time. Brown furniture, wheat colored walls, cream carpet with brown flecks. All the trim is white. I was able to purchase 600 thread count sheets, mattress pad, 4 pillows, blanket, bedspread, shams, bed skirt (makings), curtains and rods and an accent chair and lamps at Ross for under $200.00. I took these really cheap curtains and cut them off. They are room darkening and have insulation (thanks, Judy for the tip). I also bought a curtain for a valance as the window in the room is one of those deep celled escape hatch windows for firemen. (hubby and installed this 11 years ago by hand, we dug dirt for days). I took the left over fabric and made 4 really nice accent pillows (I had the forms in the shop closet). I also made the bed skirt with an extra sheet and old queen fitted sheet. I did this in the few breaks I had over the week end. I am just so glad it is done! If you are willing to find a piece (in this case an odd accent chair in beige, blue, brown, white) and work with that you can really pick up some bargains at Ross. I think the bed set was $19.00 and the lamps were $14.99 a piece. I just looked for stuff that was really marked down and fit together. The other great thing about this is that I can pay for it! I have never in my life been able to just pay for something. How is that!

     Well I need to go get my errands done. Christmas is in the air!

Have a great and productive Day!

Kim

Friday, on my way

2011-12-16T11:10:00.000-08:00

     I was up early and hit the theater, the studio, the Jr.high office, several stores for supplies for dinner. I think I got it all. Now I am waiting for daughter to join me for the next hour. I have to be to the Jr. High at noon. So much to do, but I really just want to curl up and sleep. I want to make Christmas cookies and wrap presents.
     Foster son's cell phone is on the fritz so have to go and get that fixed. He pays the bill but stays on our plan. I swear cell phones are my downfall, one is always broken. We have to keep 5 going at all times. What a pain.
    I can hardly wait for this weekend to be over! Daughter takes her last final today! She will come home for a few days at a time.

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Thursday, late night coughing

2011-12-15T22:59:00.000-08:00

Well here I am coughing my guts out, don't worry the codeine will kick in soon. Bedroom furniture delivered today, it looks so nice. No linens, no curtains, no lamps. But daughter will be home tomorrow and we can take care of that later. Have a big list of last minute Jr. High stuff, but Mom's will come and help in the afternoon. Had a mom come with a steamer to help press all the costumes that needed help. So nice. So grateful for the mom's that go the extra mile to help. Made the kids walk over to the High school to pull sets and furniture, then made them walk back with pieces. Nothing was large so it was easy for them. Had one young man lose his trousers on sate, thank goodness for long johns, I told him it wasn't that kind of show. We all had a good laugh, including him. If you can't laugh at those kind of mishaps on stage you will never make it. Okay screen is getting fuzzy and I am coughing less......

kmi mik

Thursday, I am close to done!

2011-12-15T08:28:00.000-08:00

     I have been dashing in to shop between rehearsals and I am almost done. Now I have to sit down and account for the money I have spent. But I can do that this weekend. I feel like I am wrapping up such a busy schedule. The play will soon be over, the bedroom is done and the furniture will be delivered today, Christmas shopping is almost done. Still have to figure out stockings. Shop for food, but I have all next week. No lessons, no school, just the shop it will be great.
     I also added $119.00 to the Christmas fund yesterday. I have 3 bridesmaid dresses that have to be picked up for a Wedding on Saturday. I keep wondering when they will do this, it is getting close. I am not here a lot. I will not be here at all on Friday as I will be at the theater. The # they gave me is a cell phone and it is not working.
     The young man who was renting from us came and picked up his bed yesterday. But there is still more to come and get, but that is good, it was the largest object and I can move the rest of the stuff into the shop. I want my shop bathroom back! It has been full of boxes for 2 weeks. Just nice to get my house back. You know what I mean don't you Sharon?

     Out My Window: Still cloudy and cold, drab I hope this doesn't continue through January. I will have to leave the valley to see the sun.

     I will go pull props this afternoon, and I will pull set pieces (very few) tonight. I have been very lax with this show because I just don't care. Also so we don't get our stage until Friday afternoon so what is the use? Jr. High kids are visual learners you cannot tell them in theory they have to do it and experience it and I am not going to waste my time. I do have a nice group of kids. A few I would like to throw out but you always have a few of those. Sometimes years down the road they turn out to be your best. I am always reminding myself how miserable I was to work with as a kid. Kind of humbling when I think of it.

     I have developed a bad cold. I am on a Day Quil high right now. It has been coming on for 3 days and now I am on the first day of the three days there. Yippee! Drip, sneeze, headache, can't hear, cough, wet pants (oops too personal).

     I am really tired of being so busy. I hope in the new year to try and scale back. I know I have to do the three dance shows a year, but I would like to get rid of all the others. Just too much, it makes me cranky.

     I need to go clean up, run through the house, do a pile of sewing, make a prop list and hit the theater.
Cold medicine is making me goofy, like I need help with that!
Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Wednesday night, Who keeps eating the Christmas candy?

2011-12-14T21:28:00.000-08:00

Okay I still need to find a gift for the son-in-law, one for daughter #2 and my husband. Hubby and I will go out and get something for our grandson. I will send boxes to my mother and in-laws and to my secret blogger on Monday, then I just have stocking stuffers, but someone keeps eating the stocking candy. Jane has not biked here yet so I know it isn't her. Hubby is on a diet....... I couldn't possibly have eaten 8 Russell Stover Santa's. See what stress does to me?

Kim

Wednesday, Still saving, not spending

2011-12-14T08:59:00.000-08:00

     I will have the biggest Christmas fund ever because I don't have time to shop and when I do I return the gifts! Ha! Added $22.00 yesterday and much more will come in today and tomorrow. I hope to top out at $1000.00 this will include the groceries also. It is so nice to realize that I am not going into debt for Christmas.
     I have to pull all the costumes for Jr. High show today and I am dreading it. I am sure I am making it a much bigger job in my mind than it will be. But it will get done. I have a dance mom with Theater experience coming down today to help me. The cast only has 16 kids but some have up to 4 costume changes so that is a lot of work. Hubby is busy making me a frame for Scrooge's bed so I can hang bed curtains. What a nice guy. I also need a tomb stone on wheels and a crutch.
     After my rehearsal tonight I will be able to do a little shopping. I plan to return to Macy's. Yes I think I will get a red wallet (gasp) and a couple of sweaters. Hmmmmm? I think I will have to get online for the rest of my purchases, or drive to Spokane. Both girls need and want boots and you will not be able to get those here.
Great news! Youngest daughter got a new roommate yesterday for next semester. I was worried as she had no one this last month and we had to come up with the extra $300.00. I could just see my budget blown to pieces next semester. She can borrow more money, but I would prefer that she did not. The new roomy was excited as she only has to bring down personal items and a bed. How easy is that for a move?
     I took a few things down to the studio yesterday that belong to the old roomy here. I still have a nice bed and a desk. But I will move those to the studio also. We just don't have the room here. I can't beleive this kid just walked away from all of these possessions. I mean a ton of very nice clothes. Weird. I am sure his parents will come and get them.

   Out My Window: Still very cold and miserable. I long for the sun. Maybe it will peek out today!

     I see that many of us are already blogging about our goals for the new year, but I am going to wait until after Christmas.   I really don't know where I will stand and I want to get one thing done at a time. I feel like I have made really good progress this year. My daughter (and attorney) will look at my books and pay off strategy when she comes in a week. She always has a plan which usually differs from mine. But this is a child that has yet to buy a house and has thousands in the bank. She is very good with money. Much better than me.
     I think this will be a good Christmas, mostly because two of the girls have good jobs and are not expecting me to deliver. I can handle the youngest. She is also growing up. I think it is an eye opener when you have to call your mother for $3.00 because you are out of milk. She really sees that she has to budget and she can't just have anything she wants. I am looking on line for a used Ipod. Has anyone ever bought a used item like this? I know I will not get her a new one as she needs to learn to listen when I tell her to not take her expensive stuff to parties. But I am some what at a loss on what to get her. I also wonder if these will go way down after Christmas?
     I feel so bad for Mysti with her i pad dilemma. What a mess. But she is in the same boat I am in. New car (Cars with the girls) and two to buy for without a lot of cash laying around.

     Well I have a pile of sewing that will not do itself and then off to pull costumes! Hooray my favorite thing to do! Not): But maybe, just maybe I will get somewhere on my Christmas list.

     Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Tuesday late night, who picks up the confetti?

2011-12-13T23:16:00.000-08:00

I just got done watching the biggest loser? It is the first TV I have watched in weeks. My question is, who picks up all that confetti? Just wondering, is it a vacuum? Brooms? Oompa Loompas?

Just wondering!

Kim

Tuesday, Christmas shopping dreams

2011-12-13T09:14:00.000-08:00

     Okay first we have the nightmare. Last Saturday between shows I went to Macy's to purchase a wallet on sale for my oldest daughter. We looked at several red ones. I finally chose one and took it to the register. It rang up for $47.50. What?,I asked that is 40% off see the large sign right on top of the wallet display?. Oh no, I was informed this wallet is from this small 12x12 inch group in the front of the display that is not on sale. I was irritated as $47.50 was over my budget and I did not have time to argue so I left intending on returning this purchase.
     Last night after my long rehearsal Hubby and I go back to Macy's it is about 7:30 at night. I go to the wallets and they are all marked down to 50% off SCORE! So I choose the one I want and take back the original wallet, I do not tell the clerk why I just get back my money. She rings up the new wallet, it is not on sale. Again I point out the sign and she says that sign is for tomorrow mornings sale. I then explained to her the reason I had returned the first wallet is because I felt I had been used and lied to and now this was a blatant bait and switch which is illegal in the United States. She said she was sorry. So I put down the two cashmere sweaters I was going to buy and got my money back and left. Then I called the manager and told him what had happened. He apologized and said he wanted to make it right.
     I have very little time to shop and now they have wasted two trips of mine. So I will go back on Wednesday to see what they will do to appease me. Can you beleive some merchants? What is wrong with people? DO they do this on purpose or are they just stupid?! Remember this is a very small town, we have a Macy's ( and not a nice one like a class C store), a very poor Penneys, Wal-Mart. K-mart, Ross (which is always sold out). That is it for a population base of about 40,000 with the outlaying areas. We have to travel 120 miles to shop. Nice I just don't shop here ever.

     Now I take Hubby and go to Hastings, I think their books are overpriced, but I am not above buying a good quality used book. I find every book I need on my list 3 are nice but used. Then I go to check out and I pull out a Hastings gift card I have been lugging around forever. I thought it had a couple of dollars left on it. No, it had $50.00. So my books only cost me $42.37. This made up for the Macy's fiasco. Now I have a few presents bought.

     We also ran to Ross and found a pair of gloves (columbia) for son-in-law and a neck heat wrap for daughter. I'm making my list and checking it twice. Hubby and I will try to go out again tonight when I get out of the studio.

      I am up to $757.00 in the Christmas fund less the presents I have purchased. The carpet is down in the basement, the room is not quite done. I am not sure I really like the carpet. It is nice and clean but it is an indoor/outdoor glue down because of the water problems. I am sure once we get furniture in there it will be fine and I can get a couple of area rugs for warmth if I have to.

     My husband is a very punctual man. He has now been late for work and has missed his car-pool 4 times in two weeks. He does not hear his alarm clock. He snores badly and I wake him up constantly, so I get up and go to another room about 2 o'clock in the morning. I could stay but then I get no sleep. He also has left his shower running the last two mornings. He thinks he has turned it off but he is leaving it at a very heavy running drip. He just doesn't hear the water. So now we are entering the phase of profound deafness where I feel that I have to babysit. I know he can do this himself he just has to figure it out! Love my life!

     I am going to see if I can find a website for the deaf that has any suggestions. The phone is ringing off the hook this morning with alterations. I have had three calls since I started typing and three customers.

I am going to the studio this afternoon, to tape the floor and sort the laundry and the costumes. I will not do any cleaning and sorting until Christmas break. I also have made a costume and prop list for the Jr. High show and I need to organize it so I can get those costumes pulled tomorrow. I will try to get the kids to help.

     Well I had better get busy because no one else will do it!

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Monday, One more show to go.

2011-12-12T08:37:00.000-08:00

     Well the show was fabulous. I am so glad it is over. The parents were pleased, we did not have any horrible things happen. Just the normal glitches of live theater. Hair pieces and hats going airy.   Kids running off stage and falling in the wings, the normal, normal. Quite a few laughs. Do not know how much money we cleared for the charity. We always send the cash boxes home with others so we are not targeted over the weekend with cash. This way no one knows where it went. We have had two instances in this little tiny town where thieves have broken into the car where people have put the cash box and into the house, so the police that guard the school always tell you to send the money home with someone you trust that is not associated with you. Since people have done this there have been no more problems.

     I am tired but also relieved as you can imagine I would be. The Jr. High Show is this weekend, so I need to gear up for this. I need to make a list of furniture and props, and I also need to pull costumes. The studio has a little party tomorrow so that will be fun.

     The bedroom is painted and the carpet has been delivered. The room looks really nice. Daughter and I went and bought a new bed and night stand and small dresser media stand between shows. I realize that I will now have to pay for this somehow, but it has not been delivered so if the show does not come out on top (which am sure it will) I will just get the bed. Regardless of the outcome I will write a $500.00 check to the charity. We always have and I think I am doing well because of it.

      Out My Window: It is still unseasonably cold here. Foggy, nasty, overcast. Put a warming light back on the chickens.

     I did not sew at all Friday, but I now have $709.00 in the Christmas fund. I do have a few gifts bought, but boy do I need to get busy. I have brides maid dresses to do today and a rehearsal from 3 until 7. Maybe Hubby and I will go out after that and shop for a couple of hours if we are not too tired. I need to make a list and just go. But you see I don't want to spend any money. I spent money on the bedroom and I feel that was a necessary improvement for the house. You really could not stand the mold smell in that bedroom once we started to rip into it. (bad idea)

     I am looking forward to this week and I am going to try to have a positive attitude about this show and Christmas. We had so many parents that stepped up to the plate and helped out so much so I hope I can have the same with this show.
     I am going to try and catch up on the blogs later tonight. Keep pedaling Jane!

Have a great and productive day!
Kim

Thursday, trying to stay positive

2011-12-08T08:52:00.000-08:00

     I am trying to stay up and positive, but it is hard. I sewed like a firestorm yesterday and I will take in no new sewing in the shop until next week. I mean I will not do any more for customers until next week. I also have $645.00 in the Christmas fund with $140.00 more to be picked up today or tomorrow. I do have plenty of work for next week, but with the Jr. High show who knows when I will get to it.

     The piper costumes were brought in by a Mom last night and they are so cute. I traced the blouses on UPS and they are due in late today. She has not finished the hats so they will come to the theater. Also picked up Nine ladie dresses not done yet from a mom and I will finish today. (her husband needs a heart transplant and is going blind) I just figured she had enough on her plate. She was a big help in getting the 2 cow costumes done. I will meet with a crew at 7:30 to move the floor and all props to theater and green room tonight.
     Met with set man yesterday on moving tree platform for Partridge. He will deliver on Friday afternoon. I am so relieved to have the sewing caught up in the shop. Now I can concentrate on the show. I also will not meet with the Jr. High again until next Monday, so I don't feel so fractured.
     I was able to get foster sons Christmas gift purchased yesterday and it was over budget so I told him no stocking this year and I wasn't going to wrap it! I wasted at least two hours yesterday trying to get a window replaced in the truck we had purchased him for his B-day. It is a 1989 hi-lex? Anyway finally found one at a wrecking yard. Kids! Like I needed to take care of that in the middle of all I have to do.   But where do these children/young adults go when they have no support group? He is such a kind sweet young man, he just needs help. Not financial help just life help. Like who do you call? How is that done? Can he borrow a socket set? Can he borrow the battery charger? Can he work on his truck in the garage where it is warm? The sad thing is that there is a whole under currant of society out there that needs the same help.
   I have a list of things that have to be done today before three o'clock when I teach.

     Deposit
     Cow costume
   2 Nine ladie dresses
     One turtle dove skirt
     Alter a package costume (too big)
     sew the lead dancers new pointe shoe ribbons
     Finish pear costumes (2 are almost done, head pieces done just need elastic, finish cutting one out)
     Take everything to theater
     Pull floor, unroll at theater
     Set up platforms at theater and gaff the blacks onto stage
     Take all artificial trees to theater and set up

Fall into bed, Hoorah!

     Out My Window: Very cold here, like below freezing, everything covered in a heavy frost. Brrr!

     I need to shower and hit the machines, I have my lists, please don't let me get to many interruptions today.

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Wednesday, My best Christmas memory

2011-12-07T09:14:00.000-08:00

     Now before I tell this do not start thinking this is an awful story that poor child because to me it is a wonderful memory and really shaped my independent life.
      I was born and identical twin in the late 50's before preemie units came into being. I weighed a whopping 3.6 and went down to 2.11. All they could do back then was put you in an incubator and keep you warm. They also pumped you full of pure oxygen, which in turn ruined your developing eyes and blinded most of us. My older sister (by 7 minutes) was much bigger and stronger and she was in the hospital for 6 days, I was in for weeks. I was legally blind soon after birth. We were cute, smart children. We had two very bright parents and a Great grand father that lived with us. All three doted on us and it was obvious.
     My sister was stronger and more outgoing. She was just dominant, I wanted what she wanted. I loved what she loved, I did what she did.
     The first Christmas I really remember wanting something specific was in first grade and I am sure that this was spurred by the new black and white TV my dad had brought home. Both of us just had to have a "new baby brother" It was the first boy doll. Christmas came and Santa had left "baby brothers". Sister's was perfect, mine had the eyes poked out and a note saying that it had fallen from Santa's sleigh and he would fix it after the holiday's. Now I still carried around my blind baby and loved it to the horror of the relations, I was not upset and I do not remember if it was ever fixed. My parents had gone to the store too late (as usual) and could not find two so the manager had found the broken doll in the back. I had to have what my sister had at all cost.
   My second grade year we wanted "baby first step" the first walking doll. Christmas morning you guessed it, sister's doll was perfect, mine would not walk, the note said it had fallen off Santa's sleigh. Again I do not remember being upset although I do remember the relatives laughing about Kim always have a Santa damaged gift, because they were laughing I thought I was special. I do not remember if this ever got fixed either. It was shortly after this Christmas that school teachers realized that I could not see. I was bright and memorized very quickly. I could see up close and I was able to fool everyone. Plus I had a twin at my side to help me. No one knew until they separated us in to different classes in 3rd grade. It had become very obvious that I was to dependent on my sister and she was too dominant. We were actually placed in different schools.
     My third grade teacher loved me, she realized immediately that I needed glasses. I will never forget that first pair of glasses. The doctor had just given my mother the lecture about not making me wear them all the time. They were thick and heavy and I would probably protest, to just take things easy. But those glasses were my life. I put them on and on the way home I was exclaiming "Mom I can see trees on the mountains" "Mom I can see cars", I knew what a car was but before they were large dark whooshing objects. When we arrived home I ran around the house. Pictures had stuff in them. China plates had a design! My grandmother was an artist and so was my father, I had never, ever seen detail and I was thrilled. My mother was crying by the time I was done with my victory dance. In all the years I wore glasses, they were the first thing I put on in the morning. The last thing I took off at night. They were my freedom and I never broke a bow or lost them as a child. I became more independent.
   Enter 3rd grade Christmas. I was in the drug store and saw a beautiful long haired red dog. He was large, bigger than me. (red is the favorite color of most partially blind people) Sister wanted the" Barbie folding fun house" (Later referred in family tales as the "Barbie F$%(&#$@, Fuc%$#%, fun house" as it took dad all night to put together) I was supposed to want the "Barbie folding swimming pool". But I wanted the dog. My mother did everything she could to talk me out of that dog. But I was adamant. My sister was down right angry, she used all of her persuasive powers to get me to change my mind. She used all of her persuasive power to get my mother to get me to change my mind, but I held firm. I knew in my heart I would never get the dog, I was resigned to get what sis wanted me to get, it would be okay, it always was.
. I played and brushed that dog until it had bald spots. But it was mine. I will never forget the Christmas, I danced with a red dog.

     I am still running with scissors and the list seems to get longest at this point instead of shorter, but I will persevere.
     Christmas fund up to $575.00, bedroom on the mend but too expensive.
     Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Tuesday, still moving forward

2011-12-06T09:52:00.000-08:00

     Well I was very busy yesterday but I am pretty proud of myself as I got a lot of things done, little things that will make my life easier as the week goes on. Like call daughter and say can you just order son-in-laws gift as you know where to look for the best price and have it shipped to my house and then I will send you a check? Sure mom. Done! Or how about e-mail the newspaper with all the info for the two shows and have them write the articles and get them in the right days! That was a two week in advance assignment. Or call Jr. high secretary to make a poster and tickets and get the office runners to put them up around the school. That way I know it is done and I don't have to do it or assign it and then go to see that it is done! Oh I am clever.
     I was able to get all of yesterday's sewing done and of course have a huge pile to do today. I need to revamp the pear costumes and finish two more of them. The turtle doves were ordered in by a design company and are just not right, so I will revamp them also. Then I have to wait for one more package of shirts to come in for the Pipers. Also have a mom out with sewing that I need to call and check on. If she isn't done I will get hers and help. That should tie up sewing for the show.
     I was also able to clean out the bedroom, except for the bed. The man is coming to tear out the carpet today and he can shove the bed around as he tears it out. But the downstairs bath is full to the brim with renters stuff. It is neatly boxed so it will be easy to move. I am also going to ask the man who will rip out the carpet, what he would charge to paint. I know I can do this myself, but I just don't see how I can do it before the 19th and that is cutting the carpet laying too close.
     Ceiling, closet, patch, dry walls, trim dry times then carpet down. Then we have to get a new bed in there and some furniture, which will have to be delivered. Curtains. It can be spartan but it has to be done.

     Out My Window: only 2 eggs yesterday, I think the chickens are mad at me for the way I fed them yesterday! Chickens can hold grudges. Remember the zucchini?

     I will not go into the studio until late today, my teachers can handle it and I will sew later and get the bedroom worked on. My goal today is to get the pear costumes done, get paint and supplies for bedroom, get sewing caught up in shop.
     I have $487.00 in the Christmas stash and growing. If I can get this show over with I can start a little on Christmas. But Jr. High will occupy most of next week, and that does not leave me much time!

      Well I had better get my butt in gear. Frugal Dad has a great post today with a lot of great posts attached. If you have time, which I do not.

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Monday, get ready for the ride of your life!

2011-12-05T09:08:00.000-08:00

     The show goes on Saturday at 1p.m. and 7 p.m. I can't beleive it is time already. I have so many lose ends to tie up. They will get done but it just puts me into overdrive. Which I hate. I am already high energy enough of the time. But all I can do is make lists and get things done.
     I have $437.00 in the Christmas fund too bad I have no time to shop and if I did ,where here would I buy anything? I really need to get on the internet like Amazon. I will try to do that late tonight. Christmas is coming and my wallet is getting fat. Oh wrong lyrics.
     I have to pay bills tonight also. Tuition is coming in full steam ahead. I am so hoping to pay off the CC. I also found carpet I like for bedroom. I just need to get in and get it boxed up and then my housekeepers husband will come and rip up the old stuff. I am going to try and get him to do that tomorrow, so I will need to get in there sometime today. I do think I can do this in an hour. That way the housekeeper can get the cleaning of the floor done. Her husband lays carpet and can put the molding back on so they are excited for more Christmas money. Getting this room redone is my Christmas present. If it is possible.

     Out My Window: Chickens were out of feed and their water was frozen this morning. My hands are not strong enough to get their feeders down and open so I took out a pan of water and threw handfuls of grain on the ground. Hubby can take care of it when he gets home.

     I need to get dressed, do some laundry, straighten the house, sew, get costumes done that are due out tonight and work at least one hour in that bedroom. Can I do it? I will try. One thing about being so busy I don't have time to waste money. Okay large sums of money. I can still stop at McDonalds. But I am positive proof that one can survive on Diet coke and "Sees chocolates" At Christmas time the banks has all of these chocolates behind the teller line. I forget to eat all day and run like a rabid squirrel and then get to the bank and eat an entire layer of chocolates. Bad Kim, bad.

    Everyone go and give" Little Lamb" a big Bunny hug, she lost a beloved friend and needs some hugs.

Have a great and productive and Supportive day,(Up arrow)

Kim

Saturday night, All day rehearsal,

2011-12-03T19:24:00.000-08:00

     Oh my soooooooo tired, rehearsal from 8 until 3. Then home to make a tossed salad for 30 to take to church Christmas party. Just got back from party that I had to force myself to sit through. I realize I have and I mean have to go to the grocery store.
      Rehearsal went well, but so many costume glitches. I thought I was almost done and almost every number has a problem. I also need to go to Joann fabrics as I ran out of under lining for pear costumes. The mock-up is darling but the design needs to be tweaked.
     The shop was so busy yesterday afternoon and I am very behind. I mean with clothes that cannot be put off, like dress blues, inspection blues, police uniforms and bridesmaid dresses. I need Christmas money so it is good, but I also have to find time to do all of this. I will, I always do I just need to whine.


     Out My Window: What window? I left in the dark for the studio and came home in the dark.

     I am gong to the store and then I am going to bed!

Have a great Saturday night!

Kim

Friday,

2011-12-02T09:34:00.000-08:00

     I had a contractor come in yesterday and he said the sheet rock is fine. It is not mushy or molded through. We are to pull up carpet and then continue to wash with bleach and vinegar let it dry and replace the carpet. So that is a big load off. I tried to get out yesterday to look at paint and carpet but it never happened.
     Frantically working on costumes, and I do beleive we have everything purchased for the show as far as costumes are concerned. I made a list, I have checked it twice, and I have started to eliminate things on the list. We will still have our share of aggravation. Daughter is home today at sometime and that will be a relief to turn some things over to her. Even if it is only for 2 days. We have to get the program hashed out tonight and that is always fun, oh and also the music cut and ready, yeah! Got to love show time, the world speeds up and I feel like I slow down.
     Went to the CU board meeting last night and felt like all they do is disagree. There are some real strong people there. I feel sorry to have been put in with them. Not that they are not all nice great people, but I feel that the situation is antiquated and no one wants to change, if they don't change they will fail. I will not run for the board as I will not be there when it goes down. I just have to supervise and that is fine with me. I can count cash drawers, and check records and stay out of the fray!

     Out My Window: It is cold, foggy,the deck is covered with a fine frost. Truly winter. I received my first power bill and it was for $246.00 last month and it wasn't even cold. We really need to replace windows and doors like Judy, but no money right now.

     I was not able to sew at all yesterday or add to my Christmas money. So today before my rehearsal (at 3:00) I will get busy and get some work done. Shame on me. Laying around yesterday reading dime store novels. I had a mother come help me yesterday and she will help again today, so that is nice!

   There are several blogs out there that are just starting with debt repayment and they are so discouraged. One blogger was upset as she had not made any progress the whole year. She had not paid down her debt at all. She felt like a failure. But I told her I went like this for years, pay off ,charge up, progress, no progress, but I was learning. I was not going deeper in debt. I was developing skills and eventually it worked. Christmas is a bad time to self reflect sometimes as money flies out the window, (yes ,Jane here also) but we must not forget what we have learned from each other and the great support network we have made. We all learn from our trials and errors. We will master this, we will also backslide (some of us) but we will also conquer this problem.

If I played the lottery (which I don't) and I won (which I won't) I would pay off all of our bills and we would have a big old party. Because I cannot do this alone (I feel a Broadway tune coming on) Mark will you back me up on this one?

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Thursday, still saving but frustrated!

2011-12-01T09:10:00.000-08:00

Well I have $406.00 in the Christmas account not counting my change jar that I have not touched since Sept 5th. I also received a phone call from the older couple that had Thanksgiving dinner with us. She wants the family to come to her house Christmas day for dinner. We always have a big Christmas eve meal and I make orange rolls Christmas morning. This is great, it makes her happy and I do not have to spend the money. I am looking for ways to save right now as Murphy is here and staying.
   I received a $467.00 water bill, that is due December 20th! Yes,our lovely flood and our renter and his 45 minute showers to cover up the fact that he was smoking and not always cigarettes caused the bill for November to be about 2x as high as usual. Oh well he is gone, at least I have not seen him for 2 weeks. We think he comes back when he knows we are not home. Nice kid but what a dunce.

   Anyway about the room. I do want to get it done before Christmas as my oldest daughter and husband and her baby will stay in there. The flood did major damage to the sheet rock.   Because the student did not tell us for 4 days that the room had flooded (I think he was in a stupor and thought he had caused it.) We did not get to clean up right away. This basement has flooded before and we have gone right in and sucked out the water, dried the carpets and it is fine, but 4 days was too long we have major mold issues now.
   The room smells musty and old. Tore off the molding around the room and closet yesterday and all of the wallpaper is off thanks to the housekeeper! There is black looking mold up at least two inches all around the room. We went in and cleaned with bleach and vinegar and it certainly does not smell as bad to day, but a man will come over to see about cutting the bottom off the sheet rock, at least 4 inches. I told my husband that I was not going to let the sheet rock touch the floor and put 4 inch rubber molding around that was if it floods again I can be sure it does not wick up. What a pain and an expense. Like I need this right now. But I also cannot have black mold in the house with the medication that I take. It is one of the big no,nos. Now that the mold has been disturbed we have to take care of it.
    Why does everything have to be a huge project?!

     Was able to sew some yesterday and pass out some costumes. I have a finalized list and it is long, but doable. Have parents crapping out on me right and left, but I am used to that. Then I have lovely parents that do too much, love them! I am taking a woman out to lunch today from our church. She needs friends. I really like her, very talented musically, but some what caustic, I understand her, but most people are put off by her, she just marches to the beat of her own drummer. I then have to teach and have a sub going in tonight as I have a meeting with the CU board of directors( I serve as the trust control liaison) It is a biyearly meeting I cannot miss. Blah! Like I have time for this right now.

      Out My Window: COLD! I mean 31 degrees which is cold for our part of the country!

     We have already had over $1600.00 come into the studio for December's tuition. I think the parents have got it now. Maybe I should not say too much this could all be for naught. But at least I can pay the $500.00 CU bill and do payroll tomorrow.

     Well I am going to take a bath, the I will sew until noon, go have lunch, go teach, go to the meeting, I also have to get to Joann's for fabric, we are short a pair of drummer pants! Does it ever end. NO!

     Sending love to Mark in his time of sorrow, I wish everyone had a brother as great as you!

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Wednesday, I am saving

2011-11-30T08:46:00.000-08:00

     Well I am saving for Christmas, don't know when I will do the shopping but at least I will have some money. So far I have $270.00 saved. All my savings has to come out of the shop and since I am very busy with all the shows sewing is hard.
     The first classes back after Thanksgiving break have gone pretty well. We still need a lot of rehearsal and we don't have much time left. I did manage to get 4 costumes sent out to a mother to sew and then I realized that I am short a cow costume so I have to get that done.   I also had a mother come in last night and we figured out how to fix all the Lords a Leaping costumes. She is going to do this tomorrow or Friday. We are short one pair of pants for the drummers. I have no idea where they went. Also a dad came in last night and fixed the drums so they fit the dancers better. Have you ever danced a fast Celtic number with a drum around your neck? I am task master. So now I have to make a master list and get as many costumes passed out this Saturday at the big rehearsal as possible, that way I am not inundated at the dress rehearsal. I will put a mom in charge of hair,hairpieces, and makeup for each class.
     I started to pull the wallpaper off the walls in the downstairs bedroom. I am just going to work for 1/2 hour a day in there. Just like I weed the yard, if I do this it won't seem like such a big job. When I am done with this I will remove all the molding around the room and wash all the walls with a bleach solution to kill any mold that might be lurking. I want to paint and have new carpet laid. I did call a carpet man yesterday and he is coming to measure.
     In the mean time I have a a lot of sewing to do in the shop. So this morning I am going to do a quick run through the house, pull wall paper and then start sewing. I am also going to remake the Master list for the show on props and costumes. I have made several of these but I update as the list gets smaller.
     We are already getting tuition for December, can you believe that? I sent out a three page note about the recital, upcoming rehearsals and costume info, but the first paragraph was thanking the parents for their prompt response on tuition. I wanted them to know how much we appreciate not having to nag them.

     Out My Window: Still losing leaves off the trees, Hubby has hit the back yard, but sometimes it looks like we have not touched this yard!

   I actually paid the house payment yesterday, and set up December's budget. I have never done this before a month starts in the last 5 years. See what good influence you bloggers are? I used to pay my house payment on the last day of the month before I was charged a late fee. Now it is paid by the first. Of course I am broke but at least I know where I stand. I also know what I need to do for Christmas and it depends on me. No guessing and hoping that the money is there and then over spending and depression setting in in January. I still look at my bill book as a miracle. It is still hard to pay the debt and it is slow going with backward steps sometimes but I know I am making progress just in the relief I feel and the number of bills I pay a month.

Have a great and productive day!
Kim

Tuesday, tying up loose ends

2011-11-29T09:22:00.000-08:00

     I feel like yesterday ran by in a rush. I was only in the shop for about 2 hours and had over $200.00 worth of work come in. Now when am I going to do that I wonder? I was able to order the rest of the costumes that I needed mostly parts , hopefully they will come in on time. I also handed out three pages of info to each parent outlining costumes, rehearsals, thanking them for swift payment last month and asking for the money to come in again as swiftly:) I real want to pay off that last charge card and I have used it a lot for this show.

     A few months ago when I went down and borrowed money from the credit union to pay off the studio CC and the studio credit line, I did not close either one. Our credit score took such a hit that I was afraid to close anything. When you refinance a house and buy a car and co-sign for two others and a college apartment in 6 weeks it kills you credit score. We have no new debt are paying larger payments than ever have never been late but we took a hit and a big one. So I will not close anything. The problem is I need a studio card for costumes and electronics etc. I have been using our personal card and I can't get it paid off, I will but I ordered a new $5000.00 limit card for the studio and I was turned down stating too much credit open.
I still have a $21,000.00 cc open with US BANK that is paid off. I have a $10,000.00 credit line open at US Bank paid off. I really now only have the house, the car, and the truck(aka collateral to pay off US BANK) and the one card left. Only the one credit card is not tied to collateral. But I cannot seem to get any new credit. So I ask? Do I close out the two US BANK accounts and take yet another hit on my score? I really should not be using a personal charge card for a business when we run an LLC. But I cannot get a card, I have tried.    What are your suggestions? If I go in a close out of all those account that now stand at zero how long will it take me to recover enough to get a studio card? Financial advisers all say not to close accounts as it hurts your score. The funny thing is I have never had less debt in the last ten years than I do now. We are making more money and making larger payments yet my score stinks, like I did not pay my bills on time. So frustrating. Anyway suggestions wold help me make a decision.

I need to run to the bank this morning and get some sewing done. I can't beleive it is almost December but I am excited!   Yeah in three more weeks I will be free, counting the days.

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Monday, Internet troubles

2011-11-28T10:45:00.000-08:00

     Well thank goodness that Holiday is over! I am very frustrated, installed a new security program as ours was about to expire and all He## broke out on this computer. I had last week off and really got nothing done for the upcoming show. Had to entertain the old folks and cook. It was fine but an irritation. No rest ,up at the crack of dawn for me. My one week to get ready for Christmas shows blown by blither. But I must remember that someday I will be old and I will be upsetting someones apple cart.

     I hope every one had a great Holiday, I ate too much and still have pie left, I am also making Turkey soup today. I have so much to do in the next three weeks it is actually scary. But one day at a time. It is my youngest daughter's birthday today. We celebrated yesterday before the girls left for their various homes. They were actually quite nice to each other very little fighting over the holidays, I think being separated and getting a good job has made them easier to live with. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

      You will all be proud of me. I was so frustrated Saturday morning when my in-laws left. I had that day to get so much done and Daughter #2 says, "Mom next weekend is the big rehearsal the next the show and the next the Jr. High show. When are you going to do Christmas?" Duh, I don't know. I avoid Christmas until the last minute and then spend too much money in desperation to make things right.   She insisted in doing all the decorating Saturday. We worked form noon until about 10:30 p.m. The tree is up, entire upstairs done and it looks beautiful We actually went a bought an artificial tree. I always wanted one but with a forester for a husband this was hard. Well nursery trees this year are about $80.00 for the size I want. It is always dead and crackling by Christmas   We found a 7.5 foot prelit pine it is gorgeous and I will use it on stage at the show. We can move it in three parts. So tax-deduction, show expense. Yeah! When I go upstairs I can almost feel the Christmas spirit. I also got the kids to fill out Christmas lists. All were reason able except for the youngest. She has a lot to learn.

     Out My Window: The larch trees have lost all their needles and stand like huge naked sentinels in the back yard. Hubby picked up truck loads of leaves this last week. I was having trouble with a large plastic broom rake. It was not picking up. I kept turning it over thinking that I was not using the correct sides. Well low a behold we have worn the middle tines off on both plastic broom rakes. How funny they have to be 10 years old. That is a lot of raking! We went and purchased new ones on sale as all of the Christmas was crowding out the yard tools.

   I get a little bit of joy every time I walk through my front room! I ordered feather pieces we are short for the show and I need to go get copies made this morning. I am about caught up in the shop. But you all know how that goes. I have so many costume issues to cover in the next two weeks so I had better get busy. My goal is to have this last CC paid off by the New Year. So I had better get my butt in gear.
I will try to catch up on the blogs tonight!

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Wednesday, Thanksgiving eve

2011-11-23T08:48:00.000-08:00

     Crazy here, people all over. Daughter #2 will be home this afternoon. In-laws in spare room/bath. Girls in renters room downstairs with bath. We are in our own room, with bath so why is my bathroom covered with curling irons and make up bags, and used towels and dirty underwear? (not mine) I have little Claire here this morning also. Cats, dogs, kids, in-laws got to love it.
     I put up most of the new hardware in downstairs bath last night. I still need to hang the mirror and get the new mirror hung on the back of the door. I will also hang two new towel racks in spare bath upstairs and a new mirror in hall way. My father-in-law came down last night and he was so shocked that all the old hardware was off and the new installed. Hubby watched PBS all night. I told him I have never had any help with anything before why would I expect it now? Hubby is out raking leaves this morning, I think he was shamed into it! :)
     I removed most of the towel holders when kids were young, but I can put them back now. Jane and I can take care of ourselves.
     I am going to finish hanging things and try not to hang myself in the process although it is tempting. Then I am going to make the squash, sweet potatoes, pies(apple,cherry, peach,pumpkin), the relish tray, cheese ball,and stuff the turkey tonight. That way I only have to reheat and do rolls tomorrow as the turkey roasts. I have a DCS convection/microwave that is such a blessing this time of year. My brother purchased it at a scratch and dent sale from a high end cooking store. He is a gourmet. He then did not have room for it in his newer place so I got it! Yeah for me!
      It is nice to be able to cook a large dinner like this and see all the things that we have produced ourselves on the table. Squash, onions,apples,pumpkin, cherries, peaches,eggs,bread, rolls,carrots, I am a scratch cook and it shows on my husband!
   To all of my special blogging friends, have a precious and wonderful Thanksgiving, don't eat yourself sick and know that I am grateful for all of your support.

     Have a lovely Thanksgiving

Kim

Tuesday, A little over 1/2 done

2011-11-22T11:00:00.000-08:00

     In laws are here, have not slapped any one yet. This is a good sign. I still have about 1/2 my list to go. It took longer to pay bills and balance books than I thought. I am also broke! I will be until I get some money in the shop. Scary!

     I was able to get all of my aprons done and they are so cute, I am going to finish pot holders this morning. I also need to make a list for last minute groceries. Mom and Dad and I are going out to find some new towel racks for the down stairs bath. The ones down stairs are oak and some are broken. I think they are at least 30 years old. I don't know how much sewing I can get done with them here. That is the frustrating part about having company. I do not get to walk away from my business. Oh well, it won't be forever.

     The Help is at the $1 theater also we are going to the early show tonight. I will have oyster stew for dinner, it is simple and warm. The house feels so cold to me today. Probably because it is cold out side.

     Dad fixed the loose gasket under the kitchen sink for me, it involved bending over and tightening a large screw. Something my hands could not do and it involved bending over so Hubby would not do that. He absolutely will do nothing that causes him to bend over. At the bank we clean, the tellers throw tons of paper clips and rubber bands all over the floor. He has to pick these up by hand and I am thrilled. Because he is forced to either bend over or get on his hands and knees something he refuses to do at home or in the yard, which is very unfair to me. I go behind him and if he does a sloppy job I count how many I pick up and then tell him the totals. It makes him so mad but tough you have to do a good job or you lose your job. Funny he has never had a promotion and spent the first ten years we were married unemployed. It could be now that you think of it , that he might have been required to move quickly and bend over to pick something up. Hmm..... sarcasm. He does have some good qualities. Just not as many as me!:)

     Well, I had better get my butt in gear, I want to get a few things done today before Hubby gets home and insists that I play the part of the devoted wife, which I am not!

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Monday, I will get those bills paid today!

2011-11-21T09:20:00.000-08:00

I have too much to do today, I bet you have never heard me say that before. But my In-laws are coming so I need to get busy. Oh the joy of the Holidays!

Go to Joanns to get trim to finish last apron
Dust and clean Family room
Change sheets on guest room bed
sweep out garage and straighten shop
clean and straighten kitchen
make a last minute list for Thanksgiving dinner to give to In-laws
Pay #$%@ bills and straighten desks (Wasn't this on the list last Monday?)
Make 10 pot holders, (I have all the stuff and left overs form aprons, they will look cute in the pockets)
Finish an sewing in the shop

There you have it. the list it is official.

Out My Window: Okay, you can not see the back yard due to the leaves, it is time to rake. My father-in-law will kick my husbands butt out there I am sure.

I am going to get dressed and get busy, because I usually sit around reading novels and eating bonbons. I will report on the progress of my list later. I have had 4 phone calls during this post for sewing, money, money money, I know you are the root of all evil but I love thee.

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Sunday, I'm alive!

2011-11-20T15:05:00.000-08:00

     This was not a fun week, I posted last Monday about how hectic it would be and then splat! I did live through it, but I was down for about 4 days. Now I am very behind. I still have not balanced my checkbooks or paid my bills. I will try to do that today, but I keep getting headaches when I work too hard.
     We had our first big performance last night, it went well, but the stage was icy by the time our kids performed. We always perform last after the park is lit. They save the best for last! Our two turtle doves actually took off their point shoes and rolled up there tights and danced barefoot in sub zero temperatures. But the ice was just too dangerous. I have a reputation for being a hard a## and this did not help. I did not ask them to do it, they just ran on stage like that and the music started. They were still beautiful.
     One thing about being sick is that you do not spend money! Unless you go to the doctor. I did not eat, I did not drink, I did not move! Now I must move.

Out My Window:   Cold! Leaves every where, messy, wet, but beautiful.

     I am going to take a nap, and work on my aprons later in the afternoon, I also must pay bills!

Have a restful and peaceful Sabbath!

Kim

Wednesday, sick with the flu

2011-11-16T09:44:00.000-08:00

Well it did not go away. I called in subs for the first two classes and then went in for the last 3 hours because I had to finish routines. I did finish but boy are they messy. I can't eat anything without going straight to the bathroom. So I try to drink water to stay hydrated. Very nauseated. I want to eat but then when I start it is like I am not sure... and I quit. No food for two days has made me weak and shaky. I also have a bad headache and a fever of 100.9, not high but high for an adult. I wanted to die when I was teaching last night. So sick. Then I cleaned the bank (poorly) and I was supposed to meet a new employee at the coke plant and give him the keys. He did not show up, so here I am standing in the wind and the cold with a fever, I started to cry and went in and did the building myself, crying the whole time. It was lovely but I was just so sick and I wanted to be in bed. You know those electric shocks you get in your joints when you have a fever? I hate that. So I am sorry I cannot comment one the blogs today, I am going to bed!

Kim

Tuesday, I must keep going!

2011-11-15T08:47:00.000-08:00

     Well so much for not spending, I had to pay the printer yesterday $227.00 and then we had asked to have the back windows at the studio lined with a white liner that would allow us to store things behind the windows. These take on full hot sun and anything we put in them melts. Remember 120 degrees in downtown is not unusual. We ordered the window paper in August. It arrived and the workman was putting it on yesterday, during a wind storm. It is beautiful and the parents who saw it really liked it. But the cost was $432.00. So for someone that was not going to spend money, I am doing a great job! We were going to have to rent a storage unit after this show, but now we can store in the windows, this will save us about $65.00 a month plus the aggravation of having to go to a unit. I keep telling myself I will make it up in December, but I am having bad feelings about this. Okay I did not spend any money personally, not even a soda! After all a soda is .65 out of my machine so I was really good. I spent $659.00 on the business. (heavy sarcasm) What about broke do I not understand? I thought I would be sending $3500.00 to a credit card this month and I only sent $1000.00 and climbing into a hole!

I Love Getting Out of Debt, it is so easy.

     I ran like a raped ape yesterday,sewing, bank, bank, printer, studio, lunch with TV Add manager, sewing, play rehearsal, teach dance, clean, work on my aprons, oh don't forget spend money I didn't have on bills!

     I was under the weather a little yesterday, I must have eaten something that does not like me, without going into details it is worse today. At least I do not have a play rehearsal today and I have 1.5 hours tonight that I don't have to teach.

     Okay enough whining. I was able to pull many costumes and things and count what was needed at the studio. I did find an expensive costume for one of the French hens that was missing. I also pulled all the props and counted them. So now I have a better idea of what I need to do. I also made a list of people who I will call on to fix things. A mom will come tonight to pin and get costumes ready to alter and I will finish all routines tonight. If it kills me! It just might. Drummers, Lords a Leaping, Swans a Swimming. Just too much to do with 27 kids in three hours.

     All of my new napkins are done and the table runner. I have cut out all the parts for the bibs on the aprons. The one bib is put together and it is so cute. My goal today before I leave for the studio, is to put the 4 other ones together and to clean the desk off and pay all the bills due for the house. Balance the check books, YUCK! Also laundry needs to be finished.

     Again I am trying to think of my mantra this week. Is any one going to do this for you? No! then get busy. I keep saying this to myself. I think it is working.

     Out My Window: Really bad wind storm here yesterday, many people lost power. Chickens freaked out and broke their warming light and several eggs. Poor darlings.

     Well typing here is not getting anything accomplished on today's list, but it is nice to sit and chat and a stress reliever. Organizes my brain, or whats left of it.

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Monday, this will be a week of chaos.

2011-11-14T08:41:00.000-08:00

     I have a big performance this weekend at the Lighting of the Christmas Park. I really need to get costumes organized and some of them found. The closet where we have $70,000 worth of shows is less than organized. I always organize it 2 times a year but this last year I did not and now we are missing things. Daughter also figures out she ordered 2 costumes less than she needs (ugh). For someone that counts music she cannot count bodies.

      So this will be a busy week. I am full of anxiety and then I tell myself. Is anyone else going to do this for you? NO! So make a list and get busy! Call your suppliers, pickup your posters, dig through the closet, meet the TV station for lunch and advertising and quit wasting time worrying as it will do you no good. I also need to get music copied for the Jr. High show. I can be a terrible procrastinator, especially when I am busy.

     I do not have a lot to do in the shop, a blessing, as I will be running around most of the week and need to get costume sewing done. A Partridge in a Pear Tree.......(where is my gun)

     Out My Window: you should see the large oak tree I have out front it is stunning, and I also have a huge grove of Pines out back and some are yellow and dropping their needles, so pretty.

     I am going to get busy. Like you have not heard that before. I have no money for the rest of the month unless it comes into the shop. All of these disasters have taken their tole financially. SO I must be very careful. No spending money until next month! Unless it is cash. I need to buy a Turkey.

Have a great productive day!

Kim

Sunday, evening chit chat

2011-11-13T21:57:00.000-08:00

Thanks Carla!

Baking/cooking: Pork roast with potatoes and carrots Also 4 loaves of WW bread for the week.

Watching/Reading: Harry Potter part 2 of the Deathly Hallows, also re-reading the book:)

Listening: Do not really like to listen to music as I choreograph when I do, but I played Christmas carols for two hours this afternoon and Hubby and I played Christmas duets for a while. We have to bone up for the Holidays. I play the piano and he plays the violin and piano.

Looking forward to this week: FINISHING THE CHOREOGRAPHY for the upcoming show!

Happy to accomplish today: Made a table runner and finished 14 napkins, I have 10 to go. I also cut out template that I made for turkey aprons!

Have a restful Sabbath!

Kim

Saturday, Fun project!

2011-11-12T09:35:00.000-08:00

     I have been replacing things in my kitchen since September, when Husband realized that after sending three girls to college the equipment in the kitchen was getting scary. I saved and replace the silverware, pans, and knife set. The knives were 33 years old. I have never had a really nice set of dishes. I purchased two colors of Fiesta wear, soft teal blue and cream, 4 place settings of each. Over the past 3 month I have added a few pieces as they go on sale. Yesterday at the Veteran's day sale I was able to get one additional color, it is called paprika. So I have 12 settings and the three colors look so good together and go with the wallpaper in the dining room. (Birds from the 50's very retro!) Kind of silly but I love my new dishes. Maybe because I never buy anything really nice for myself.
     Daughter and I went to Joanns yesterday to purchase polar fleece for the studio. I am making hats/scarf sets for the dancers for an upcoming outside performance. We stumbled upon some really cute Thanksgiving fabric 50% off. I had an additional 10% coupon and a gift card for $25.00. I was able to purchase napkin and runner fabric and enough additional fabric to make 5 holiday Turkey aprons. It has a Turkey front on the bib with 7 different colored feathers. So funny and cute. Each lady at dinner will have one. Daughter is going to help.

     Now you are thinking why would someone with 2 upcoming shows and all that costuming stop and make 5 aprons and napkins etc? Because it is fun! Sometimes I just want to do something creative for me. Just for the h#$@ of it. I was thinking as I was buying this fabric, I am like Judy in a yarn store! Colors are rust, burgundy, beige, turquoise, green,brown,orange. Very bright and so funny. Total cost $42.69. less $25.00 gift card, you do the math. I know, I know money I did not have to spend. But I do use cloth napkins and my Thanksgiving ones are 14 years old shabby and faded and my new dishes don't like them. My new dished talk to me. They like me. They think I am pretty.

     Out My Window: Hubby home yesterday, did he get any yard work done? NO! Did he get a long nap? YES!
     Well I am going to get nails done (yuck, I hate this, time and money) then I need to get the truck tires replaced. Also we are going to Moscow to watch a play tonight. One of our dancers is in the show Bye, Bye, Birdie. I am also going to work on my aprons today!

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Friday, Veterens Day!

2011-11-11T08:57:00.000-08:00

     Daughter called me last night from a town 120 miles away and said, Mom the check you gave me won't go through so I can get gas to come home. Remember her exit last Sunday? I gave her that check for dance lessons. I had opened a new bank account at a CU and it was a counter check, so of course it could not be used at a gas station. I had filled her car when she left and I did not worry about how she would get back, I thought she is 24 she can figure it out. Anyway, I told her to use her CC. She said it is maxed, (Like Duh) I told her to use it anyway and pay the overage charge. They would not let her. So I asked the clerk to take my # over the phone they would not do that either. She was crying and desperate. I just want to come home. Well I know,but you also need to plan ahead, I am thinking. She has now thoroughly embarrassed herself at this station. I said where is your check book? Usually she can't find anything, car insurance proof, license, cc, checkbook anything that she needs to be responsible in life is just missing or left behind.   I check the balance in her checking account on-line and she had about $91.00, more than enought to fill-up. So I told her go to a different station and see if they will take your check. She was able to get home. But I don't think she will ever repeat that experience. Hubbie and I sat at dinner last night and laughed. We don't want her unhappy but pull your head out and think. You knew you had to get home. Why not ask or go to a bank or call before the banks close? She has been away to dance, in New York, and other cities but always at company expence with a company CC. Never away on her own. The good news out of all this is that she earned about $3000.00 last week, so she will eventually be fine. Her plan is to get out of debt and pay all of her school loans off this year.
     It is so good to see her. She had a paycheck waiting for her when she got here. Husband is home from work for Veterans day. There is a parade downtown for the Veterans. I need to go put posters out today for the upcoming show. I will also send Hubby to get new tires on truck. I have $500.00 saved now and I just got paid so I think we can do this without killing the emergency fund.
     It has been an expensive week. I tried to by my first Christmas gift last night and I called daughter and she already bought the book. That day in fact. See I cannot get my kids anything because they already have it! Well not really but that is how I feel.

Out My Window: I can hear the chickens clucking really loud, so it must be egg laying time. We need to rake leaves really bad.

     I had a dance mom come to the shop yesterday and cut out two cow costumes we are short. The eight maids a milking have cows. So cute. She is coming back today to cut out two dresses for the 9 ladies dancing. I have a little sewing to do in the shop, but I do beleive that I am catching up. Which is good and bad! Because the shop is our spending money, gas, food, etc. We have no paycheck money for these things.   But I have been blogging for months and have you ever seen me run out of work? Okay so that answers my question and calms my nerves. Well I had better get busy, I want to get some things done today besides the usual.

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Thursday, Can I have a punch card for this?

2011-11-10T11:17:00.000-08:00

     Husband went to follow up with the surgeon yesterday. The condition he has is very treatable, and every 3 months to a year it will have to be repeated. You mean every three months you will have to under go general anesthetics at the cost of about $2000.00?    I have so much sympathy for what Mrs. M and her husband are going through right now , she is crushed and he feels worse, but I had the gall to ask my husband and the surgeon, DO YOU OFFER A PUNCH CARD FOR THIS? Like if I buy 11 latte's I get the 12th one free? I am not very sympathetic, I could only think of the cost. I guess I had just come from paying a $620.00 emergency room bill (after insurance) and I know that there are more to come. I have to do this again when? Do you notice I said I. Not, oh, my poor husband who is choking on a regular basis and then has to undergo this procedure, poor baby. No I have to pay for this again, when? Bad wife, bad person

.   Anyway on a better note, we do not have to pay any insurance premiums in November or December this year. It appears that the State of Idaho over planned the amount that the insurance premiums would go up and have been over charging so now we get the rest back. By the way this is a poor State, but very conservative, (which I hate) except we do balance the budget every month and my husbands portfolio for retirement has never lost any money. I can't say the same for my IRA. So yippee more money for Christmas and to save for future choking episodes.

     I went and paid the $719.00 to US Bank, paid Hubbies first doctor bill, $620.00 put only $1000.00 on CC instead of $3500.00, did not touch emergency fund. I will do snow tires this weekend. Any more money that comes into the studio will go directly to CC. We still have about $1000.00 out to apply to the Card but I am scared right now, so I will wait until later in the month. I do not want to incur any new debt. I am disappointed but there is not much else I can do about it. I will get over this sooner than I ought (I love Jane Austin don't you?) This means that I will get no U-RAHH! this month and I am blue..... sad....okay on with life.

     This is just going to put me behind if I don't get the CC paid off by the end of December. I hate it when I make plans and they don't work out. Tantrum, spit, anger!@#$%^&

     Out My Window: I just went out to the chicken coop and found 5 eggs. My mom is getting me a little basket that hangs on my back door for Christmas. It is flat, with a handle and she is making different liners that can be washed and changed out. (chicken eggs are umm.. dirty) Yes we do wash the eggs in soap and water. I can pick it up as I go out the back and never drop an egg. Isn't that a thoughtful cute idea. My mommy is so clever.

   Well enough complaining, I need to get to work. Sew, sew, sew, and finish the laundry. I also need to get a few groceries it is scary upstairs. Where did all the fruit and cereal, yogurt, lunch meat, crackers, and meat go? One cannot live on eggs and ww bread alone. Well actually you could but it is boring.

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Wednesday, why a $1000 emergency fund is not enough

2011-11-09T08:49:00.000-08:00

     Well I have enough to pay the other $3500.00 to the final Credit card, but...... I also had to charge about $1800.00 worth of costumes for the next show that will be paid off in December, so I don't feel like it is paid off. If I have to wait until the 15th of next month for a 0 balance it is not paid off. I also have a $700.00 bill left at US Bank that I just found out about. I would go into the details on this but they are too confusing and are due to their screw up the end of August, but also my over excitement to get away from them. I do owe this money. I then have the overdraft protection at my personal bank that is in use right now due to Hubbies medical bills. (no interest for 30 days) We have not received the finals yet but they will have to be paid. The whole lot of unexpected expenses is well over $1000.00. I have $400.00 in my tire savings and I need new tires on the truck. I am $400.00 short. I could use the emergency fund but for which emergency? I have 4 right now.

     The stubborn part of me says, send the $3500.00 to the card and call it paid off, see I really want a U-RAHH!!!! from a special person. But that is not realistic when I have a $700.00 bill a tire account that is $400.00 short and medical expenses that are at $500.00 and climbing.   Almost half of my $3500.00 is gone! What happened.? Life happened. My well laid plans are dashed. I will have to make a smaller payment to my debt, and pay it off next month. But my payroll will go way up and it is Christmas. Oh my aching head. No matter how many times I go over the figures, I still owe the money. Damn, debt it so sticky, you just can't shake it off.

     I do not want to totally use my emergency fund down to 0 because something always happens when I do. But I have been thinking for a long time that $1000.00 is not enough. I really need about $3000.00. Right this minute I could use $2000.00 and still leave $1000.00 in the fund. The problem is it is not there. Debt payoff has been such a priority that I have ignored the obvious. I am paying down the debt too fast. I love the gazelle intense philosophy it keeps me focused but, I still have to face reality.

     Little Lamb, has been posting about people giving her a hard time about saving money and not giving herself a break. People do the same thing to me. But I truly will do almost anything and deny myself much to get out of debt. Alas I cannot avoid snow tires, and I cannot deny my husband's medical emergency, I can kick my butt for the $700.00 at US BANK, but it was hidden from me during the check fiasco. In reality I thought my payoff was a little low, I was just so glad to be out. Remember how I left that bank in about 1.5 hours. Well I/we(the bank) did not do our house keeping very well. Summer bills were coming in and I did use borrowed money in August to keep the studio afloat. I knew that.

     Okay I have beaten myself up enough over this. I must go on and do something productive. Once again I will go back to the Mundis approach. I have a roof over my head, food to eat, clothes to wear, (and my own adage, a good job I continue to draw from, and some MAD skills). I will be survive.

   Out My Window: Husband cannot seem to get the timer light to work correctly in the chicken coop. I think my chickens are confused. Actually, I don't think you can confuse a chicken, they are just not that bright. (kind of like their owner with her finances)

   I was still not able to finish any of my dances last night, I can see the light but it is just hard with 28 kids in 4 numbers that are long and difficult. My dancers are much younger than they were three years ago when much of this choreography was set, so trying to bring them up to an old standard is slow going. But I know they can do this. I have one more week before we go into Thanksgiving vacation and then only two lessons and a 2 rehearsals before the show. Just cutting it too close for comfort. This can be done.

     Do you ever feel like my life is a version of the little engine that could? I feel like all I do is try to convince myself I will make it. We did take in another large group of checks last night. I beleive we only have $595.00 worth of tuition outstanding and it was the 8th when I figured this out. My late charges are disappearing before my eyes. Isn't that great!

     I have to get dressed and get some sewing done, I have a Jr High rehearsal today and then I have to teach until 8 tonight.   Lots of stuff going on. (lots and stuff, two words never allowed in a high school level paper) My life has lots of lots, and stuffs, How about yours?

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Tuesday, I made it one whole day without my daughter!

2011-11-08T09:30:00.000-08:00

     It was busy here yesterday and we were able to get through at the studio just fine with daughter gone.   Monday's are hectic as we have so many classes going and kids going from one studio to another. Teachers running back and forth. Tonight will be easier as we don't teach at the college in the evening. I also will not have a Junior High play rehearsal.

     I am going to call my landlord and turn on the heat at the studio. But I will pay a furnace man to come in and set it. Last year landlord did it and I was getting 4-500.00 power bills. I told him get it fixed or I am moving. Low and behold we can heat the place for about $250.00 if we keep it at 68 M-F from 2:30 to 8:00 and 50 the rest of the time.

     I also have a dancer that comes from a very poor family that was sold the wrong style of point shoe. I made her try on another dancer's shoe and she was able to pop right up in them. I am a little irritated because I always have my new dancers get fitted by a professional and this shoe is WRONG for her. Point shoes run about $80.00 a pair. So I will call and complain and I know they will send me a new pair. I don't complain, ever and I give this shop a great deal of business. There are hundreds of different styles of shoes to fit different shaped feet, I don't know what they were thinking.

    We are still getting checks every night. It is the 8th, it will be interesting to see who will get a late charge. I went through registration last night and it is the same old bunch that has not paid, but many of them have the next three days so we will see. I am actually looking forward to sending out the late charges. Before I was always apologetic or scared. Now I don't care. It is my money. I have worked hard for it. Go, Kim, go!

     Out My Window: We have to get the chickens water warmer fixed or buy a new one. It was frozen this morning. 32 here last night. Brrrrrrr...

     I have a Wedding dress fitting at 10 and many people to call to pick up. I also need to hem at least 10 pairs of pants.   So here I go off to another fun filled eventful day! (heavy sarcasm)

     Can someone please tell me how to get into the Christmas spirit? Judy's post a while back got me there for a minute, but I am lagging....... I was thinking each or us should write a post about our most memorable Christmas and share it. What do you think? Different stories, maybe a little inspiration. Just a thought. But not until after Thanksgiving, I think we need to concentrate on this important Holiday. I love Thanksgiving, lots of good food and family and no gifts or unmet expectations.

     Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Monday, it will different now

2011-11-07T08:42:00.000-08:00

     I had to laugh at daughter as she left town yesterday. She packed for the week and plans to come home on Friday's to teach and rehearse the classes. But I have not paid her any salary this fall. She is cleaning two buildings, and picks up extra hours with me and with another business she has worked before. So she is going to get in her car, she has no gas and $10 in her wallet, she also wants to take classes up there from the best ballet teacher in the Northwest. So I have to go fill her car with gas, and give her a studio check for her tuition. (I do see the classes as a write off for the studio) She gets paid on the 10th and will be fine. But her Dad and I laughed as we had about the same experience with the oldest one when she started working as an attorney. Kids are just broke when they get out of school at least mine are.

    Daughter cleaned a big older bank downtown and hated going into the basement so she would always pick me up at my bank and I would go do her basement with her. Well this last couple of months it has been both the bank and her other county building and then she would help me cover whatever extra work was required. I spent much of this weekend training others to do three buildings. Now tonight it will be just my building. Weird, but I am used to going with her. I will miss the talks but not the work. I will get home earlier. Yippee!

   It will be interesting to see how this affects my debt pay off. But I don't think it will change any of my goals before Christmas. It might affect my payoff next year but we will see. It is hard to let go of plans that you have in your head and written down, but things change. I always knew that my daughter would graduate and leave someday and I wanted her to, but it will affect me and I will have to adjust.
   I baked 4 loaves of bread yesterday, yum. Husband already ate 1/2 a loaf. I also cooked a roast. I took this roast out of the freezer and looked at it and I though 2 people? So I cut it in 1/3's and used 1/3 with potatoes and carrots and onions out of the garden bins. I also made a chocolate bundt cake. We still had left over roast. It is hard for me to cut down when I am used to cooking for a crew. Well that will save money.

   Out My Window: Very frosty and cold here. Youngest daughter came home on Saturday and I sent her back with gloves and scarves, hats. I also had rec'd a beautiful pair of Sherpa lined leather UGG boots for Christmas 2 years ago.   We get no snow here and I have winter snow packs for the woods, these are pretty boots. I know that these boot were close to $200.00 I pulled them out and got some wool ski socks out of the trunk. They fit daughter perfectly and so comfortable and in style! She was thrilled and I am equally thrilled that they are being worn. It is at least 30 degrees colder where she lives. I actually unpacked the Swedish Sweaters this weekend, but still too warm for me to wear them.

     I have a ton of laundry that I have let go by unnoticed and you already know how many pairs of pants came into hem Friday. Plus that pile grew over the weekend by a few pair. So I need to get down there and sew. If I stay busy I won't be lonely. I have a Jr. High rehearsal at 3 and then onto the studio.



Everyone needs to go give Mysti a big hug, she is struggling with life right now. Hug Mysti, Hug!

Have a great and productive day.

Kim

Sunday, Daylight savings time, I llove thee

2011-11-06T08:22:00.000-08:00

     An extra hour of sleep. It is great. I am a night owl, so getting an hour more in the morning for me is so wonderful. Don't like it so much in the spring.
     We had a lunch meeting with our two teachers that have professional status, yesterday and they will be taking over Daughters classes. This means my payroll will go up at least $750.00, so debt payoff will slow, but I am still excited for my daughter to have a job. I have been paying daughters parent plus loan of $270.00 a month and I will no longer have to pay that, she will also have to quit our cell company and that will free up another $50.00 a month. So it looks like we will have about $475.00 more outgo. But both teachers were excited, so I feel confidant that this will work. I have actually been preparing for this for a long time, I just can't really beleive it is happening.

     Youngest came home from college yesterday to pick up her snow tires. We have them switched out for $25.00, and then she took the dog to Petco for a bath. It is $10.00 to bathe your own or $27.00 and they clip their nails and do a bunch of other gross stuff, (great description). We went with the $27.00. Well worth the money. I would have spent at least two hours of my time yesterday cleaning the bathroom and then trying to keep her in the house until she dried. But anyway, I am broke again. See where my money goes!
     I did get a 1/2 gallon of milk yesterday, but I will make bread today, I think I am stupid sometimes. I will pinch and save on bread but spend almost $30.00 to bathe a dog. I guess for me it priorities and time spent doing the chore.
     I was really surprised to hear all the news reports about people leaving the banks in droves this week. It was a National drive and I was part of it and I did not even know it. I finally received my October statement yesterday so I can balance and close up the remaining accounts. So nice to be able to just run down the street to the credit union. It is about two blocks away from our house. My financial life it getting easier and easier.
     Yesterday hubby went to get the mail and it was a huge stack. In the stack were 7 studio checks! I have never rec'd that many checks. In one day also. Either people don't want a late charge or they are embarrassed by previous behavior. Good!

Yikes, here I have been given an extra hour and I am going to be late for Church!

Have a peaceful and restful Sabbath.

Kim I am not even going to reread for typos!

Saturday, My daughter got the job!

2011-11-05T10:21:00.000-07:00

     We are on cloud 9 right now, (have you ever wondered how much better cloud 10 is?) She has a job. Full time, forty hours a week. Over $30.00 an hour. She is so blessed. Work is so hard to get right now. She is the first one in her class to get a job. We are having the younger one come down to the valley to have her snow tires put on today. It is not snowing here, but it is up on the prairie.

     We are meeting with two of our teachers one who had been out professionally and one who is professional status to help take over daughters classes. This will mean more payroll out as daughter was taking no money from studio this year so I could pay off debt. But we will be okay and I will just have to go a little slower. But I will still be able to pay off the last card by the middle of December. I would rather have daughter have a career started. I can get this debt paid off and I will be fine. We are not letting parents know right away, we want people to learn to trust the other teachers. When the Christmas show comes off well they will see that others can do the job well. Daughter will still come down for Friday classes and Saturday rehearsals. I will have to take over at least two of her hardest classes, but that is okay.

     I was able to almost catch up is the shop yesterday and then poof, 14 pairs of pants show up to hem!   I am blessed with work. I now have 1/2 the money saved for our new tires on the truck. I really need to get busy and get this done. If hubby hits bad snow I will have to do it anyway. I am wondering if I should just take the money out of savings. I hate to do that.

     Out My Window: Chickens are all huddled up in the coop they are so cute! A big Red, black and white ball. But 6 eggs a day!

     Lots of little to do's today. I am going over to surprise one of my sewing customers that has a 90th birthday today. I am taking him a bag of frozen shrimp! What do you get a 90 year old they have everything and don't want anything, but he loves shrimp. The meeting with our staff is after 3 p.m. So I guess I will get dressed and try to make something out of this day. Hubby let me sleep in!

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

Friday, I got offered a job!

2011-11-04T08:49:00.000-07:00

     I have been having trouble with one of my sergers and I have had it in the car for two weeks. So during hubbies surgery yesterday (he is fine) I took it to the only sewing machine place we have in town. I had purchased the serger there about 6 years ago. Salesman/owner tells me it is all bound up and he cannot even look at it for three weeks and doubts that it can be fixed as I have really abused it. I do use my machines commercially so I lose my warranty immediately, but I also clean and service my own equipment so I rarely have problems. But this is a big old problem. I said can I do this myself? He said well you do have to strip it down and oil anything that moves. I purchased a $586.00 new serger because I do have to have this piece of equipment. I have at least 12 pairs of pants to hem this morning. Time is money and serger is time.

    I went a picked hubby up from hospital and he had a prescription that had to be picked up immediately. One large pumpkin milkshake. I looked at him, it was obviously the doctors writing. He had a smile on his face. He loves pumpkin milkshakes. He asked me about the new serger. I told him the story and he said well you are not out any thing if you can't fix it you can at least try. I thought yes I am out $586.00. So when we got home I started to strip it down, it had over 37 different sized screws, yikes! I kept them in a magnetic dish. It took over an hour to get all the plastic off and the computer boards detached. Then I started to oil, it did not seem to do much. Husband brought me a can of penetrating oil, so I sprayed that all over, still not much moving. Hubby said put it back together and run it for a while. I could see that he had doubts about my ability to put this wreck back together. But I did although I will admit I have one extra screw (always knew ....) I plugged it in and ran it in about 30 seconds it unbound and runs like new!!!!   It took me three hours. I called back the salesman and told him what I had done. He offered me a job. I mean he was serious. He can only get three done a day and he has 5-7 machines come in a day. But I did not take him up on his offer. Alas I have enough to do. Husband insists that I keep new serger, I am always cussing and re-threading the serger, this way I can save time, and when people come over to help with costumes I have extra machines, no one stands around waiting. But I feel like a mechanical genius!

     I went to the studio last night and I had over $1200.00 in checks waiting for me. We have taken in over 2/3's of our tuition and it is only the 3rd. Almost all of these checks were from people who always and I mean always pay two or three weeks late! It will be interesting to see what happens tonight. This is working. To be able to pay the bills and still not hound people. Wonderful, wonderful.

     Well I messed around yesterday with husband (don't go there) and machines, and groceries so I did not sew much and now I am BEHIND. I must get into the shop and get to work. Bad Kim. I am getting dressed and going to the bank and then hitting the machines. Got to love to work, but love to pay off debt more.

   Remember the $300.00 I had spent on teaching clothes last week? Well they came, I sent $200.00 back. Just did not like the fit and if I am going to spend that much I am going to like it. I actually bought a sweat suit at Old Navy for $35.00 I liked much better. So I am happy about that.

Out My Window: Frosty, crunchy with blue skies. Just gorgeous!

     I need to call in extra hours to boss, I keep forgetting.

Have a great and productive day!

Kim