Friday, Check the list and get it done.

     I completed chart 20 yesterday and I am onto chart 21 which I hope I can complete in December.  So I was pleased with myself yesterday.I was able to complete a few things on my list yesterday that were extra besides getting all the sewing done.  I left one dress to be hemmed today and that will be the extent of the shop.

     Hub's and I went out for a taco last night with a gift card as I needed a break and he was between theater rounds. I then went to the bank and picked  up a few stocking stuffers for Hub's folks as our company this weekend can take them down and the I can Amazon and Talbots mail their other gifts.  So that will be off my plate.  I then found myself at the theater and I helped tape the floor and put together the mother ginger costume.  I was at the theater until 10:20 and then went to the grocery store to get things restocked.  We were out of all things fresh and milk.  I also picked up a few really marked down Thanksgiving things for next year.

     I then stayed up and cut the lace for a wedding veil, which reminds me to call the bride before she becomes frantic.  That is all I need right now is a bride up in arms.

     So I came home from the theater with a list of todo's which I will try to complete soon.  I need to run to Joanns again and to the beauty supply.  I also need to do some repair on the Mother Ginger costume and steam the darn things which will take at least an hour.  So I have been trying to complete as much of the house work as I can this morning.

     I am up and dressed and hair and makeup which is always a chore for me.  As being a slob becomes me.  So I have stripped the bed, picked up and arranged a few things in the downstairs guest room.  I am waiting for the dryer to be done and I will then put the dry linens on the bed and vacuum and dust the downstairs.  Now the kitchen needs a real wipe down and many things put away as hubs cannot remember where any thing goes.  ????? Does any one else have this Husband Dum dum  problem?

     So I am going to skip putting away the Thanksgiving things and getting out any Christmas.  Just not time for it and it is not that important.  See less stress. Kim a year ago would have driven her self crazy with this.  I also would have made homemade cookies and tried to have dinner ready for company.  Well guess what?  You are coming into a very stressful day and you will feed yourselves or eat out.  I actually found myself thinking last night at about midnight that I should start a batch of cookies and that this morning I could whip up 4 loaves of bread and make cookies.  But then I shook myself and said no.  I am trying.  But my over do part still thinks over do!

     So today this is what has to be done.

1. finish cleaning kitchen and put away all pots and pans
2. get hubs to clean up back hallway
3. hem last dress for client
4. dust and vacuum downstairs ( This will take about 10 minutes)
5. finish guest bed
6. go to Joanns and Sallys
7. pack steamer and sewing kit in car and glue gun
8. don't forget all three bathrooms

     So I am going to go upstairs and  get the kitchen done, by the time I do that I can come down and hem dress and then the dryer will ding and I can get the bed made and the dusting and vacuuming done and then I am off to get my needed supplies.

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

Kim
7. get to theater

Thursday, Finishing up things

     I was surprised at how much I got done yesterday in spite of my constant interruptions by the littles.  Of course they made the usual messes, but I can let those things slide until they go home.  The little Robi baby shoes I picked up ad Good will fit the baby perfectly and he wore them all day.  So that was a good find.

     I completed the baby doll costume and the studio owner came and picked it up and dropped off a few more costumes that either need love or alterations. (Dang I was going to take a picture)  I was also able to get 3 sets of uniforms done and a couple of piles of things.

     Things I did not do so I did not stress myself overly, 1. did not cook dinner.  The babies mom brought burgers and blizzards for our lunch.  As hubs was at the high school, I put the burgers and a blizzard away in the fridge freezer and gave them to him for his dinner break!  Hooray no cooking.  I had cheese and rye crisp. 2. I did not go into rehearsal at 4:00.  Why break up my busy day and add the stress.

     Today I have to complete one more uniform, then a few more piles and get to a Wedding veil that needs to be created.  Also will finish up costume alterations. Still haven't run to Joanns for a zipper.  I feel like when I leave the house I lose steam and come home and just mess around.

     Things I would like to get done if I have the time and the where with all.

1. clean out fridge and wipe out (Thanksgiving needs to be gone)
2. make grocery list and get things that are needed
3. put away all Thanksgiving decor.  I have very little out as I have been downsizing things I don't need.
4. Really deep clean the kitchen and dining area
5. Scrub all the bathrooms
6. change sheets on downstairs bed.
7. Vacuum and dust family room
8. go to the bank
9. Find box of holiday linens so I can put something in the dining room.  That will the extent of Christmas here.

     Well that sewing is not going to get done by itself so I had better get busy.

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

Kim

Wednesday, Using small moments

     Happy birthday to daughter #3 she is 26 today.  I can't believe my baby is that old.  What happened to the time?

   Things are heating up here and there is nothing I can do but plug along. I had a good time in Spokane with my crazy sister.  I think my shopping is done and now I have to get boxes out to Sissie and my brothers girls.  Also Hub's mom and dad and one to D#1.  But that is a goal for next month.

     I just completed my add an extra  $1000.00 to the house by the skin of my teeth.   I have the work, I just have taken more time off to relax and veg.  Those days are over for at least the next few days.  The Military ball is this weekend in Spokane and here and Boise so I am inundated with uniforms.  Because why wouldn't you wait until two days before to get things done?  Blah!  There are piles in the shop again and things that have to be out by Friday.  As Friday is dress rehearsal I am burning the candle at both ends. So rather than letting myself get all stirred up I decided to not waste time.  I am great at staring off into space doing nothing for long periods of time.  Well not for the next few days. 

     The littles are here today and I have the baby down for a morning nap.  Hub's is at the High School over 60 hours this week so I am alone with the kids. Instead of sitting in front of the TV watching Baby Bum I decided I could get things done.  After all I raised the last two kids with a shop.  Not that they didn't create really horrible messes. But I can use small moments of peace to get things done.  These moments can be snatched when the babies are underfoot or within sight.

     I was able to turn over two loads of laundry with them in the hall playing.  Then I was able to hang up several of Hub's shirts and my things and put laundry away in our room, while they played with the dog kennel.  They are fascinated by this large kennel.  I was able to get my hair done and put on some makeup.  I gave them a tin of spools to play with and they were content for about 15 minutes, just long enough for me to take in three shirts for the fish and game. With the baby down I completed the shirts for the Fish and game (6 of them).  I also started on three pairs of pants.  I have one done and two cut and ready.

     But the baby is up and I have chased him around and fed him cereal.  Quickly serge around the sleeves of the last costume (baby doll dress) and re thread the machine.  Laundry is dry so run and fold while babies follow me.  The older one will go down for a nap about 1:30 and then I can let the baby play on the floor of the shop with some toys while I sew.  It is just bits and pieces of time here.  Just finished the two pairs of pants and prepped two more for hand hem.  Also sewed a little on the doll costume.

     So using small moments of time I can hopefully get this costume close to finished and the pants done and the three military uniforms done that I have ripped.  I must go to Joanns tonight as I avoided it on the Black Friday days. Also Hub's will get a dinner break and we are going to get a salad or a taco because I am not cooking.  Sorry.  That will be my limit.

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

Kim

Monday, I'm off and money saving madness

     We are off to Spokane this morning to take the niece back to the airport.  She flies out tomorrow so we are taking a painting class tonight and doing a little shopping.  I am almost done with my shopping except for a few men in my life and a couple of things off amazon. 

     I have gifts in piles up in the guest room.  I am really trying to concentrate on things that will be used and needed and not just stuff.  Some of my gifts are actually second hand and repurposed.  I just love that.  The nice thing is so my daughters also appreciate this.  The grandsons get one toy gift as they have too much already and then cloths that they need.  I have all the stocking stuffers and I am just thrilled to be almost done.

     This will be a crazy week with sewing and the Nutcracker.  I plan to come up for air next Sunday eve.  Then I have to bake for our open house.  But I have invited people over to help so that will be fun.  I am grateful the shop is slower this time of year.  I think?  When I get home from Spokane I have a wedding dress and a veil I have to get done asap.  Plus a costume.

Money Saving Madness Nov18th- 24th 2018

1. I used Rite aid points to get stocking stuffers and chocolates either free or at a very reduced rate.
2. I bought clothing for nieces and grandsons at discount stores to save money
3. I took stock of what I had purchased through out the year to keep from buying things that were not necessary.     
4.  Went to second hand stores for zippers for costumes and found all the colors I needed.  Saved over 15.00.
5. Used my clothesline to dry heavy clothing.
6. Took all my sisters left overs home to eat and make freezer meals.
7. Found a pair of expensive carhart lined jeans for daughter marked down because button was missing. I asked for a further reduction.  Came home and put on a button.
8. Found Robees baby leather slippers at good will for 2.00 a pair for baby I take care of.  These are usually 40.00 a pair so I was thrilled and I am sure his mom will be even more excited.
9. Went through my storage to pull all food that might quickly expire or has and I am using it up.
10. Decked and trimmed out costumes with things on hand that I have picked up over the years at second hand places.
11. purchased two yards of beautiful wool for the wool rug I am going to make at a second hand store.  4.00
12. Cooked almost everything we needed for our Thanksgiving dinner with food out of pantry or on hand.
13. Fed all food scraps to the chickens
14.Used left over cold relishes in a stew for a family.  (onions, carrot sticks, celery)
15.  Made rolls, pies, from scratch with fruit I picked and froze and pumpkin I grew.  Also squash we grew for our vegetable dish.




What did you do to save money over the Thanksgiving weekend?


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

Kim

Sunday, Such a nice stressless....

     Well after we came home from Moscow I went and did a little more with my Rite-aid points.  Then stopped at the grocer to get Hubs some little treats for a Sunday school class.  While I was going into the store I got a call from the compassionate service leader that a woman with 7 kids just had emergency appendectomy and was coming home today so could I bring in a meal for 9?  Well okay  I have stew meat fixi'ns and left over rolls and those cake mixes I want to use.  On the way out of store I get a text from Studio owner that she forgot a costume that needs to be made.  We are short one baby doll dress.  I knew I had that extra piece of yellow satin for a reason, but crap!

     I just finished all 6 ball gowns they will be worn with long full tu tu slips under.  We are going with the colonial theme from now on.

See the mess behind everything and the ironing!!!!

Used lace from a shirt of mom's we had to throw away because she melted wax all over it.

Done I am finally done..... But

If you look close you an see that these are made to be made larger.  As in put together with huge finished seams.   All you do is pop costume off its skirt and enlarge and put back on.  Also I lined these with an old repurposed flannel sheet so they would absorb sweat.  The lace and the finishes were all from second hand curtain factory things I picked up years ago.  So this counts toward my sewing goals of  10 things reused.
Now where do we go from here, this post is so messed up and I have to leave foe church to play for choir.  My crock pot has a stew in it.  I baked a cake and I did my roots.  I am off to set the world on fire or myself which ever comes first.

Have a blessed and peaceful Sabbath.

Kim

Saturday, Thanksgiving upside/downside?

This is what our dining room looked like until about 6:00 p.m. Thanksgiving day

     Did you expect a scene with a beautiful Turkey dinner display?  Not at my abode.  Our Thanksgiving was almost not.  It started with a hysterical call from my Lil sis that her daughters plane had been cancelled coming out of St Louis Thanksgiving eve.  So we punted and got her on a 7:30 flight in the morning, which put my kids coming in late with grandson as they were to pick up our niece at the airport saving my Lil sis the 2x2 hour trip to the airport.  So we slid dinner back, no problem; except the second flight got rerouted through Tulsa Oklahoma and had to wait for a new crew.  So again we push dinner back and we finally were able to eat at 7:30 Thanksgiving evening.

What the dining room should look like.

     Lil sis and I had everything hot and on the table in about 15 minutes.  I came in last with the rolls fresh out of  the oven.  It was a stressful day for all but we tried to take it cool.  I was able to get the last dress done and started to work on the hand trim which I hope to complete today.

     I did get my Rite-aid shop done but I did it by myself and it was not crowded at all.  Everyone was so strung out Thursday night we did not play our usual games but all went to bed.  I was going to go to Rite-aid again on Friday to use free points for my stocking things, my niece really wanted a pair of carhart overalls like mine.  We wear little boys 16-18.  So I agreed to take her to Big 40 which is a large Ranch store here.  Well soon the whole family was with us and we ended up shopping something I said I would never do.  It was not overly crowded as it is rural Idaho and it was a glorified feed store.

     Friday we had friends over to lil sis's for games and left overs, it was  crazy loud and chaotic but fun.  We played cards against humanity and I won. I guess that makes me inhumane. We have way too much food left over we will eat for weeks.

     Today we were up early and went to look at a wedding venue for D#3's wedding.  It is right outside of Moscow and about 40 minutes from our house and 10 minutes from the bride and grooms 2 bedroom apartment. For grandparents)  It has a beautiful prairie, with a pond and gazebo, bathrooms, parking  and camping if wanted.  Then a huge house with enough indoor seating if it rains.  We also have a huge professional kitchen private bridal suite and grooms quarters. It was perfect and we set a date of August 3rd.  So we have a date and a venue.  We are set to roll. Bride wants to keep Wedding local using local cuisine.  So we will likely do salmon smoked and grilled.  We will do all our own food.  Family can come and camp.  We will use wheat from the fields and local flowers for decor.  We will do all that ourselves.We have a small wedding budget and will make and do all that we can ourselves.  This is family experience and we want it to be memorable.  Hub's string quartet will play it will be beautiful.  I am excited. Our niece and nephew are professional wedding photographers, so that will be a great discount.  As usual I am calling in favors.

     Now it is home to relax a little and work on the last parts of the dresses.

     It was a wonderful time with family and friends. I am overfilled with gratitude for my blessings.

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

Kim

Wednesday,I just can't do it

     I know that this is the shopping weekend of the year, but I just can't do it.  Sorry.  I did it once not a good experience, I spent too much , it was hectic, cold, and did not make me happy so will not do the after Thanksgiving shopping thing.  I will run to rite-aid for some stocking stuffers, like hair brushes and ear buds but that is it.  I like to put things in stockings that are useful. 

     I am content to stay home play games, sleep in, then take a nap, eat too much, repeat as many times as I see fit.
     I am grateful we live in a small community that does not have large crowds.  I don't think I could handle it.  I am looking forward to wearing Christmas sweaters that were hand knitted years ago.  I love them they are warm and beautiful. I am looking forward to my family.  Two daughters will be with us and my sister is hosting so I don't have all that to worry about.

     I was able to get a few more piles done in the shop and I have to get to Joanns today for a zipper.  I have started the 5th ball gown costume and will finish it this morning and then onto the last one which I hope to have done by tonight.

     I was able to really clean and organize the back room.  I went through the pantry storage and brought up everything that was close to a past due date so those items can be cooked right away.  The pantry is a little leaner, but we still have plenty.

     At supper time last night I started my pies.  I pulled 4 crusts out of the freezer and my frozen pumpkin puree.  I made 2 pumpkin pies and one cherry and one blueberry. The kitchen was a huge mess after so I cleaned it up but left the floor for hubs.  He was anxious for pie and tore into a pumpkin one like a cave man, so his punishment is the kitchen floor.  I mean he couldn't get out a knife and a pie server?  Not just use a fork and dig out a piece of pie like you are operating a back hoe.  Men!

     I am in charge of sweet potatoes, pies, relish tray, cheese ball/crackers, oyster stuffing (for hubs),home made rolls, squash, green beans.  I have every thing here, that I need.  Hubs can put together the cheese ball and relish tray with instruction, so I have put him in charge of that.  He also smoked some trout so we will add that, yum.  I will do the stuffing and sweet potatoes today and just reheat them and the rolls tomorrow.

     I have to get all those costumes done so I can clean up the dining room.

Right now I am going to clean myself up and go get the things I need and get to work in the shop with costumes and sewing so I can enjoy the Holiday with my family.  I hope you all can have a Happy Holiday with your loved ones.

     I feel so little pressure this year and I don't know why.  I still have many irons in the fire, the Nutcracker is coming up, Christmas shopping, the open house, church Christmas work.  But I feel more in charge.

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

Kim

Tuesday, Plugging along, with new meds

     Actually the title of this post is misleading as nothing is plugged here.  Nuff said.  I have no skin on the roof of my mouth making eating such a pleasure.  But I will persevere.  I am trying to be grateful.

  I was pretty darn proud of myself yesterday as I was able to get through a large pile of things in the shop.  I spent the morning finishing up one of the costumes.  Then I told myself I needed to get some things done that actually made me money.  So I started with a pile of zipper replacements on coats, 4 to be exact.  I knocked those out and then did a couple of other piles of alterations and patched several sets of jeans.  Started on army dress blues and I still have two sets left to do, but I am waiting on stripes to be delivered for one set.

     I was amazed at the amount of work that came in yesterday and also the amount that has come in today.  I just wish someone would pick up so I could have some money in the cash box.  Segue: Someone just picked up a coat. 

     So my plan for today is to finish up the costume I started last night then I will have a total of 4 done.  (except for hand sewn trims, which I can do while watching TV)  then I have police and fisheries uniforms along with the army blues and a pile of pants to hem.  When I get those done I am going to get another costume started.

     I just looked at my back room and it is such a mess.  So before I get into the shop I am going to organize and clean a little back there.  It is mostly the laundry room and the food storage.  Things are just strewn all over. It needs a little love.

     I am missing my Sissie this morning.  I don't know why, maybe because I know if she were here the back room would be a pristine sight.  She is so organized, something I am not. There is also an antique wedding suit soaking in the slop sink.  I am trying to get out the nicotine stains. The woman wants to wear it to her 70th wedding anniversary party.  It is raw silk and I did not think it would withstand a dry cleaning.  I will wash and hang it today.

     I want to get all this sewing done so I can concentrate on Thanksgiving.  Segue: police officer needs uniforms today as it is freezing and......  See how fun my life is? 

     I am off to the bathroom again.

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

Kim

Monday, Sleep?, money saving madness

  Steroids always disrupt my sleep.  I am not one who has an easy time sleeping so..... Needless to say I was up until 4:30 on Saturday night and I did not sleep until 6:17 this morning.  I don't feel especially tired, but this can't go on forever.  Or can it?

   I was able to get a few of the things done I needed or wanted to this weekend.  I did get bread made and laundry done. Paid extra on the house and have two ball gowns completed and one almost done, which leaves me three left to do.  The dining room is still covered in chaos, but it will remain until I am done with these dresses.  That is the incentive to get me to finish these up.  I have plenty of military things to do in the shop as well as zippers plus I need to look at a Wedding dress and get a veil done.

     Today I just want to accomplish a few things in the shop and then work on these ball gowns.(costumes)  Wouldn't it be lovely if I could finish them by tomorrow?  What a dream.  Since I am not sleeping, I can day dream right?

     Money saving madness Nov.11-17 2018

1. Used coupons at Joanns for supplies
2. Managed to buy good steaks at 75% off.  Froze for later
3. Between prescriptions and milk, and fresh veggies managed to get to $50.00 to get a turkey for the food bank for .47 a pound.
4. cooked all meals at home no going out this week
5. Made 2.25 on Ibotta app.
6. Pulled all presents bought over the year and put them into spare room. It really saves to buy things on sale and put away.
7. Fed food scrapes to chickens.
8. made 4 large loaves of homemade bread
9. bought butter 1.99 limit 2 went back 4 times, stock up for Christmas baking
10. reused containers and jars
11. hung much of the laundry to save on drier cost.
12. stayed home a couple of days, so no spend
13. started to go through homemade gifts I have done for Christmas presents.
14. using lace pulled from old slips to deck costumes I am working on.
15. cleaned out several drawers in shop as I save everything and it gets over whelming.  No clutter means time saved which is money.
16. received a 10%  off total grocery for getting my flue shot, gave it to a lady with a huge cart of Thanksgiving groceries as I just had a couple of items.  Clerk was so touched she let me have the 10% off also.

What have you done to save money this week?

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

Kim

Saturday, Okay I can do this

     I have had 48 hours to feel sorry for myself and it is now time to go get the meds and figure out how to get myself back into remission.  Mentally when I have a med change I get a little gloomy.  So many questions?  Will it work? What will the side affects be? What will the cost be?  I just wish I could take one things  and it would work forever.  But our fancy immune systems seem to figure out how to destroy the ways these auto immune suppressors eventually work. I am grateful for the drugs but really dislike upsetting the status quote.

     I am up this morning and have started the laundry,  straightened some in the kitchen, and I am going to make some bread today and clean my fridge.  I just want to do some chores I have been avoiding with the excuse that I am too busy or really too lazy.

     I need to go pay a bill.  Also I will be adding about $400.00 more to the house principle.  So some positive s this week. I will do a little sewing on costumes, I almost have #2 done so hope to have #3 done by tonight.  Then I have a lesson to prepare for tomorrow and need to practice the piano for an hour as I missed yesterday completely.  I just sat on the sofa after the littles left and watched crap TV and chewed on my own face feeling glum.  But today I am going to get over it and go on.

So there.

Have a great and productive day staying positive while ti am in the negative.

Kim

Friday, I am active:)

     Well I knew something was up, as I have been feeling like crap a lot.  My disease is active. " Is that like a volcano?"  I asked the doctor?  It does explain many things to me, so I can quit guessing.

     We will be changing local Gp's.  I also have to add a medication and get blood work in a month.  The worst part is I have to be on steroids for 2 months. I try to avoid these at all costs, but they will stop the progression until the other meds can take affect.   Steroids cause weight gain and hunger and so many other wonderful symptoms I don't need.  Will I feel better?  I am hoping.

     Yesterday after going to the doctor I had a pity party for awhile.  I then went into the shop and did a few things that were due out and completed the first costume except for  some hand trim.  I started another and have the bodice ready to trim.

     I just got a cal for another emergency bride dress coming in, so my day will be full.  The little are here today and they always cheer me up.

     Hubs and I ran outlast night and purchased a turkey for the food bank as they were two hundred turkeys short they said on the news.  So Hubs will deliver that today when the kids go down for a nap.

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

Kim 

Thursday, off to the Doctor

     My girlfriend came over yesterday and helped me cut out all the costumes.  I have the pieces stacked in piles.  My dining room is destroyed and covered with fabric scraps.  It looks like a bomb went off up there.  I did my first mock up of one of the dresses as the first one is how you see where you are going to save steps in making them.

     Of course the lace I planned to use on the sleeves was in a bin at the bottom of my sewing room closet, so now the sewing room is a disaster.  The only good thing about the closet mess is that I found many squirreled away Christmas gifts which I can take upstairs and go through to see what I need.  Also many cookie tins and caramel boxes.

     So my first order of business today it to organize the shop again and put things away.  What a mess.  This is what happens when you save things for later.  It does save money but it also requires that you store said items and then know where they are.  Of course they are always going to be in the bottom box at the back of the closet.

     I have a specialists appointment today and we have many things to discuss.  Why do I feel like crap a lot.  Right now I have a bad headache AGAIN.  I am generally achy and my night sweats are terrible.  My wrists and fingers are very sore for many hours of the day.  I also need to get a new regular doctor.  So many things will change as far as my medical care is being handled.

     Well I have a rip roaring mess to tackle in the shop so I had better get my butt in there and see what I can do to fix the mess I made.  Then line up my work for the day.

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

Kim

Wednesday, Costumes and thoughts

     Thanks you to those who commented on the funk yesterday.  I love to bake for the holidays. The last three years we have had a huge baking here for mom's Swedish open house and this year I will bake alone.  I have not even made a batch of cookies since her death.  It will be hard.  So I am going to invite a friend or two over when I bake to help me take my mind off my mom.  Also it will help them learn the traditions my mom passed down to me.

     I was able  to get a couple of loads of laundry done yesterday, and also quite a bit of sewing.  Although I have had many  sets of Army uniforms come in for a ball Dec 1st. I have to get a bridesmaids dress hemmed today and a few other things and then I am going to cut out 8 ball gown costumes.  Once they are cut out the sewing is just assembly line.  I have a friend coming to help me I think?

     Groceries can be very expensive in this part of Idaho because we live on a truck route that ends here with not much to take back.  So truckers have to dead head home or to the next load.  We do get potatoes, onions,toilet paper, legumes very cheap here or free but that is it.

    This is why I really shop the loss leaders and keep a well stocked pantry. I make as much from scratch as possible.  Really for a Thanksgiving dinner I would just have to buy  the turkey and some whipping cream.  So I had to laugh when I saw our main stores turkey deal.  FREE turkey with a $150.00 purchase.  Now when have I ever spent $150.00 on groceries for any holiday?

     Let's see......?

Turkey:  I will buy
potatoes:  no have on hand free pick up

stuffing:  Saved my bread ends, have celery, use giblets, free onions, canned milk from storage, butter from freezer, spices from cabinet that I dried, Olives  canned from storage.

Sweet potatoes: Have on hand purchased in bags of 10lbs on sale from farmer

Green beans: Purchased 3/1 last January, plus butter on hand and mushroom soup on hand purchased a case when it was .50 a can, crunchy onions, I have two containers bought after Christmas last year on a mark down.

Squash: grew my own all the trimming with it, I have in storage

Rolls: I will make

Moms cranberry salad:  I have the nuts in the freezer purchased on a close out, I have the jello again purchased on sale and I have a case of cranberries I purchased 2/1 after the holidays last year.

Pies;  I have crusts in freezer home made by my sissie, I have my own pumpkin puree frozen, canned milk in storage, eggs, from chickens,  I also have pie filling purchased on close out for .99 a can.  Also fruit in freezer.

Relish tray: Have olives and pickles in storage, plus all the fresh veggies in fridge.

SO I just don't really buy $150.00 worth of groceries.

How about you?

Kim

Tuesday, After company blues

     I miss my grand kids and all the noise and chaos.  All I am left with is a quiet house and a ton of laundry.  Extra towels, linens, and beds to change, plus our laundry.  It all sits in piles waiting for me to take action.  I think my action-o-meter is on the fritz.  It might not work until tomorrow.

     I have plenty of sewing to do and costumes to make so there are no excuses not to stay busy.  Our weather has finally really turned cold so I guess I can admit is it winter.  I really need to switch my winter and summer wardrobes around but I can't get myself to do this.  So my main closet it a mess of clogs(winter) and sandals (summer).  But I will eventually go through and give away what was not worn last year and pull all the winter things and then give away what I don't think I will wear again. Maybe this week, maybe not.

     I can't believe Thanksgiving is next week, and then it will be the count down for Christmas.  Where has the time gone?  Why have I not been paying attention?  Probably because I just don't want to?    I need to get out of this funk and not be such a sopped cloth.

     I wonder why I am not excited about the holidays this year?

     Any ideas?

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

Kim
    
    

    

Monday, Happy Veterans Day, money saving madness

Happy Veterans day and a special shout out to all the men and women out there who have risked all to give this country and other countries freedom. Hub's and I usually go down to the Veterans parade but Hub's was asked to play for a funeral. So I am going to try and get caught up in the shop. 

We had a wonderful time at the football game.  Our Alma mater won.  It was fun to be there with Mom and Dad's generation who are Vandal alumni and our generation who are Grizzly alums, then all the Grand kids who are back with and Vandals.  We made quite a party.  The great grand kids all rooted with their parents schools.  It was crazy to be in that huge stadium with all those people.  Mom and Dad were able to sit n a special box with really good seats and we sat in the section below.  Dad can't tell you what he had for breakfast but he loved the game.  I am so grateful that my daughter was able to rent a large van and pick them up and bring them for this experience.  Dad is very hard to deal with and mom is getting so frail.

     I cooked huge breakfasts, with fresh laid eggs, and homemade waffles, or pancakes.  Home made jellies and syrups.  I had everything in the freezers or pantry except for the snacks we bought the grand kids.So having company was not expensive.

     We did decide to try and get a venue up near Moscow and the bride is going to look into it.  We also are going to look at another outdoor site and a couple of small churches up by Moscow.  After we find a venue it will help determine the date.

     I have a rehearsal tonight for the Nutcracker.  I skipped the one on Saturday.  This is the first Nutcracker rehearsal I have ever missed.  But I think they have things under control. I just did not want to try and squeeze a rehearsal into my day with my family.

     This is however going to be a busy week and I am not feeling my best.  My head hurts and my joints are achy  I would really just like to crawl into bed and I might after I get this suit alteration done.

Money saving madness 11/4-11/10 2018

1. Ate all meals at home except one
2. Cooked large meals for family and friends out of pantry and freezer with foods all bought at lowest cost possible.
3. Used my clothesline to dry heavy shirts and outdoor clothing
4. Used ibotta app to save $8.25 on snacks and cereal for grand kids I don't usually buy
5. Found special coupons on Crisco oil(Also on sale) at Winco to allow me to buy crisco sticks for baking at a cost less than a large tub of crisco.
6. Used coupons for Joanns to buy I don't know how many zippers
7. Took family out to dinner after game to a college hangout, saving at least 1/2 what it would have cost at a regular restaurant.
8.Brought home  s leftover sandwiches to eat later.
9. fed all food scraps to chickens
10.saved several  denim scraps from jeans I shortened to use in outdoor quilts.
11. As always used recycled containers and jars, wax wraps, and cloth napkins to save on paper and plastic.

What did you do to save money this last week?

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

Kim

Saturday, Game day and kids say the darndest things.

     Remember that show with Art Linkletter.  Well life in a house with my grandsons and you are sure to here a few zingers.

 Actually it is the oldest grandsons comments on the youngest two that bring us to our knees.  Now it is not Snip's fault he is only 7 with a vocabulary of a college student, he has lawyers for parents, doctorates for grandparents, compounding pharmacists and NASA engineers for great grandparents, and from our side Smart A$$'s for grandparents. Kid does not stand a chance.

Snurr is 2 and his favorite breakfast foods are Yucky Charms and strawberry Awffles. He especially loves my overnight awffles with strawberries and whip cream.

Snap who is also 2 loves to eat Yucky Charms but he only eats the marshmallows.  Then Snip comes by and observes the said bowl and his comment is,"I would call those Unlucky Charms".  However the puppy loves unlucky charms and was very impressed.

The last bits of cereal in the box are called"sawdust "by Snip. As in, "Gosh , why do I always get the sawdust?"

I gave Snap a small bowl of snack mix and of course he ate all the M&M's and then wanted more.  Snip comes by and says,  " Well grandma, Snap thinks snack mix is called "M & M's with obstacles."

We are all decked out in our Montana Griz and Idaho Vandals gear.  The game starts at 3:30 and there will be 12 of us in the party.  After the game we plan on going to Mikey's Jyro's for dinner after the game.  It is a college dive and the kids can run a round if they want to at this place, it is more then very casual.

We will also be working on Wedding plans so I am excited.

Go Grizzlies!

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

Kim

Friday, Getting a head cold, great!

     I was pretty proud of myself yesterday as I made my lists and started to try and do what I could.  I got a call from my specialists office to come in for blood work, great add that to the list.  So I started on a few things around the house and I had four coats come in that needed zippers.  I knew I needed one zipper so I just added three more to the list and I took off for Joanns, planning on also stopping at Wal-mart for scrubbing stones.  I could swing by the hospital for the blood work. Also wanted to stop at bank. On my way to Joanns I received two pone calls for hunting clothes.  They wanted to pick up later today.  I thought to myself, okay now I am stressed.  It is almost one o'clock and I have to get zippers, try and peruse Wal-mart, get to bank and I have no idea how long I will have to wait for the lab, then get home and replace a zipper and add chaps to hunting pants.  Ugh!

     Well normal Kim would  have done all the things I had planned all the while stressing about time, then gotten home hit the machines, stressing the entire time.  Trying to fit everything into a time crunch.  I just told myself NO. I picked up my zippers, ran by the bank and added $380.00 to our house principle and I  then went back home and did the required work.  I did a few more things around the house and also sewed everything that was possible due out.  After my clients picked up I went to the lab as it is open until 6 p.m. and then I went to Wal-mart.  I was home by 5 p.m.  No stress.

     Now did I get everything done on list? No but the world did not end.

     We started out the morning by taking the puppy into get tutored as we have been calling it.  He will also get all shots/boosters and be micro chipped.  We pick him up tomorrow.  I am getting a serious head cold and nose is drip, drip, dripping and is already starting to get sore.  But I will persevere. I just need to strip bed in the upstairs guest room, and start a large stew in my crock pot for dinner.  I have a little bit of straightening and cleaning left to do.  Then if I have time I will get some ironing done.  No stress, no have to.

     I hope have a good weekend with family and football.  I hope that this cold does not sap my strength, with all this company.  Oh well what will be, will be........ sing it with me......

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

Kim

Thursday, behind the 8 ball

     I completed chart 19 yesterday.  I did very little sewing but many people picked up product and I had monies left over in my last weeks budget.  So I am onto chart 20.  I am making progress.

     My headache lasted most of the day and I was very sick to my stomach. I spent most of the day on the couch, which drives hubs crazy.  When I go down he just gets frantic.  Usually because I never go down.  Now I am behind and I will have to push to get things done.  But I will try and prioritize what has to be done.

     I think I have had 6 clients in today so far and they all have dropped off coats with zippers that need to be replaced.  So I will have to make a run to Jo anns.

     I also have several suits to alter.  A lot of hand work.  As I got nothing done on my list yesterday except what was absolutely necessary I am going to have to do these things today.  Blah



     So I feel a list coming on bare with me:

1. laundry 2 loads
2. ironing
3. clean fridge
4. plan menu
5. clean all three bathrooms
6. straighten down stairs bed room from grandson
7. go to bank
8. go to Joanns
9. get groceries
10.clean back deck up
11.  Sew what I can
12. change sheets in upstairs guest room.  ( I have slept in there)
13.vacuum and clean family room
14. generally pick up house
15. clean and vacuum car

Now I have two days to do all this as company is not coming until late tomorrow afternoon.  I also will assign some things to Hub's and then supervise him :)

 Well I am off to get things done the best I can.  But even if I do nothing but sew my family will still love me.

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

Kim.

Wednesday, woke with a headache

     Woke with a real bad headache this morning and a bloody nose.  It is getting cold here, or I may be getting a cold, or my Sjogren's is acting up.  My eyes were on fire last night.  But I am hoping it is just a fluke.

     Our house is almost below $33,000.  I will pay an additional $1000.00 and try to add an additional $85.00 just to see it go into the $31,000's  We will definitely get below $30,000 if I keep this up before the new year.   So exciting.

     I need to sew today, and start doing some house work for the weekend.  Definitely will get the downstairs bedroom and bath perfect that will not take long.  I also want to clean my refrigerator today and get hubs to help me with the back deck.  I will also get the ironing done as there are only about 15 pieces.

     Company is due in Friday late afternoon.  I don't want to have to do any sewing on Friday.  I want that day to be last minute cleaning.

     I have yet to make any kind of lists for the holidays and I am hoping to do that sometime today.

Well I had better get my butt in gear as it seems to be stuck to this chair.

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

Kim

    

Tuesday,Why plan?

     Sometimes I wonder why I plan anything, as my day gets blown out of the water.  But in trying to turn over a new leaf (not be so busy) I decided when things go awry I just need to prioritize and  not get everything done I had planned.

     Yesterday, I had planned to get all the ironing done, also the laundry, and then sew and work in the yard for a couple of hours and I also needed to get at least and hour into piano practice  I wanted to make a nice dinner of chicken and veggies and salad.  SO my day begins and I am happy about my plan.  I get the laundry done and the ironing started, I get a phone call and the new studio owner has a very sick baby.  So I need to go down and take care of 4 classes.  This interrupts my day and takes away 3 hours of my time.  Now Kim before would have gone into overdrive and completed all her tasks.  Or at least done a smattering of all of them.

     I just told myself no.  Prioritize. Do what has to be done.  So I completed ironing the pile of pillow cases and napkins and put Hubs and my shirts back in the basket.  I checked the fridge and we still had pizza from Saturday and some rice and red beans left so there was dinner for Hubs.  I started sewing my quota for the day and stopped at a certain time and put in a good practice. I skipped the yard work. The yard will be there, it will always be there.  I taught dance, ran to Joanns for zippers and came home and completed my sewing list.  I was not rushing, I was not frantic.  I just was.  The shop was very busy yesterday with many customers dropping off.

     Today we have the littles and I am so happy to have the sewing in hand so I don't have to worry about it.  I can just enjoy the babies and I might even get in a nap. Right now I am going to trust Hubby for a few minutes and go vote.

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

Kim

Monday, Engagement! Money saving Madness.

     Our youngest daughter became engaged yesterday.  Her fiance proposed at the edge on a beautiful waterfall on a hike they were taking.  We are all so excited.  Have no idea when the wedding will be, but we are all getting together for the Idaho Vandal and Montana Grizzly game this weekend.  In-laws, Outlaws, grandparents, sisters, Aunt,so we should get some idea. Now I just have to figure out how to keep the costs down.  This will be my third wedding so I think I know the ins and outs.

     I love our new soon to be son-in-law and his family.  I am so lucky to really love the families and the boys my girls have chosen to marry.  It is easy to love them and I can't wait to add this new one.

     I have a lot to do this week as company is coming this weekend.  So I need to really clean the house and continue to work on the yard with Hub's.

     Today I plan on getting the laundry done and all the ironing.  Plus sewing is backing up a little and I also want to get in a few hours of yard work before it gets dark at 5:00 now.  Yikes!

     I already have the laundry started and the ironing piles sorted.  I am also going to get a clip board and make a list of all the things I want to clean and organize in the next month.  I think this will work better for me.  I have a tendency to procrastinate and then have to do it all at once.  This makes me crazy. I slide between crazy and lunatic most days.  But I am trying to slow down and just not be so frantic all the time.

     Monday Money saving Madness: October 28-November 3rd 2018

1. Ate all meals at home with pantry and freezer supplies
2. Purchased meat markdowns at Albertsons with 50% off stickers
3. found .6 cents for pig bank
4. dried heavy overalls and flannel work clothes on line with a touch up in the dryer to soften.
5. Made homemade dessert for church party
6. Used Joann coupons for purchases of sewing things.
7. Earned $6.80 from Ibotta on cereal stock up as grand kids are coming and we were out.
8. fed all food scraps to the chickens.
9. Used rite-aid points to purchase a few needed items and earned back $6.00 so no money spent.
10. Used empty containers and wax wraps in kitchen to save on plastic
11. Decided not to make new sweatshirts for the upcoming game as the cost is just too high for a one time gig.
12. Made hubs fix kitchen sink that was dripping.  MADE is the word here.
13. Reused large heavy duty leaf bags for trips to the dump.
14. scraped the last of my lotion out of the bottle with a cue-tip (this lotion is expensive)  I have an expensive face.



What did you do to save money this week?

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

Kim

Sunday, I gained an hour

     I love the hour of sleep I gain in the fall.  I know it is silly but I love to sleep.  Sleeping in is a special treat for me.  Love it!

     I have officially picked up everything I will need for Thanksgiving.  I purchased the fake crab I use in my cheese ball so, I am set.  I am doing the pies, sweet potatoes, rolls, cheese tray, cranberry salad, green beans.  I have everything so no buying.  Great for me.

     Today we are having a potluck and I made a sheet cake and it looks awful.  So I added cherry pie filling and frosting and it will pass.  I will cut up cheese and take crackers for an additional dish.

     I basically messed around all day yesterday.  Slept in and got my nails done,watched garbage TV.  I did make a really nice pizza for dinner and we have 1/2 leftover for tomorrow.  Then I really cleaned our kitchen.  The floor still needs love but perhaps I can convince Hubs to do that.

     It is much easier to play the piano with short nails.  Got in a good practice yesterday.

      Now I am going to go upstairs and get into a nice hot tub and soak for awhile before church.

Have a restful and peaceful Sabbath.

Kim

Saturday, Yard work Yeah!

     It was so windy yesterday, I thought my car was going to be blown off the road.  So I spent the day putzing, paying bills doing a little grocery shopping for a few items we needed. 

     Today I want to do some yard work and then go get my nails redone as they are way too long.  I am getting them stuck in the piano and it hurts.  I am a little frustrated because I cannot get them to cut them short enough.  I will be very specific as I hate wasting the time and the money.

    I made a really good dish of red beans and rice yesterday enough for left overs today.  But I am also going to make a homemade pizza later.  tomorrow we have a potluck at the church so I will be making something. Probably a cake and something chicken.  That was easy.

     Well I am in my clean overall and I need to go makes them dirty.

Have a great and productive day.

Kim
 
    

Friday, Duplication!

     I got a call from the studio owner that one of our dancers did not have a costume that would fit.  This little girl is extremely round.  The lycra spandex costume would not go on and was not attractive. Now in this small town it is hard to find any kind of dance fabric, but I was able to duplicate the dress with a stretch knit.  I think I came pretty closed.  This is an exact fit and will look much nicer, plus the little girl does not have to feel singled out.  I really dislike it when a child has to be made to feel different, even when they are. This can have lasting bad affects on their self esteem.  Now she can be just like the others and even a little special.  This looks so much better on her then lycra. Picture day for the nutcracker is tomorrow so I whipped this up last night. Costume sewing is so fast, I wish it was all like that.

     I got a call form Hub's cousin to watch the 2 year old this morning so she could attend a field trip with one of the older boys.  He is playing at my feet.

     Yesterday I did quite a bit of sewing, then my Sissie called and we talked about how much more I was going to get done.  She asked if the work was due out and I said no.  She said, "Then Stop!" I was chasing money again.  So I stopped and went outside and worked in the yard again for two hours.  It was very rainy and I looked like a mad woman when I came inside. Hubs and I took a big truck load to the dump again.  So that is number 2 this fall of the many that we will do before winter.

     The wind is blowing at about 40 miles an hour so we will have a major leaf pick-up this weekend.  I am so happy to be getting time in the yard.  the garden is completely clean now so hubs can put all the leaves on it and till them in along with the chicken droppings. We do not have to buy fertilizer for our flower beds or garden.

     After this little rug rat leaves, I plan on doing a little sewing and then more yard work if possible. Yard work sure messes up the clothes and adds to the laundry pile.  I have three pairs of bib overalls and they are all caked with mud so they are in the washer.  What a pile of dirty flannel and denim.  I can't keep up with my outdoor clothes.

     I am going to pay bills today and print out my list of November goals.  See the side bar.

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

Kim

 

Thursday, blog love

 
     Here are a few tidbits of inspiration I have read in blogs recently.  These are things that have stuck with me.  I love getting new ideas and thoughts to ponder.  It helps me to stay on course and appreciate what I am doing.  trying to get out of debt is hard.  It takes a long time.  It is like losing weight.  Even when you take it off you have to keep it off.  It is a struggle.


   I love what Dime at a time said about her Husband out chasing money for debt payments.  that is such a great analogy.  I feel like I have been chasing money for years.  I still feel the need to chase money.  I don't really like it.  Now I would not mind chasing money for something I really wanted, but for debt Ugh, what a gloomy idea.

     Then Teri at her Blue house Journal, wrote about her rinse and repeat blog posts.  Well we all do those.  Money saving madness is a lot of the same things week after week.  These are the things I do to save a little money and eventually it adds up to big money.  Yes it is repetitive , and that is how life it in my neck of the woods.  I do the same things and I am always searching for ways to save more.

    Now onto Sluggy's post about me jumping into a wishing well fountain to scoop up change.  Well if she would just be my look out........

     New goals for November will be posted tomorrow, and yes some of them will be about chasing money, and rinse and repeat.


     I really have to sew today as I have taken the last three days off.  I have done about 1/5 of my weekly quota so I will have to put in the work today.  That is okay as I feel like I have had some time to myself and I am not stressed about the sewing.  It is there and it will get done. I have many items ripped and ready to go so that always speeds things up.  I also had many easy sewing things come in this week, like hems and waists.  These are little work little money items, but they add up fast.  I also have had some tricky things like a complete suit overhaul for a little person.  Big job, big money, but stressful. I am always grateful for any work that comes in, some I am just a wee bit more happy about.

     Hubs and I sing in the choir for our church.  Our director has had to play the piano for the last 4 months.  We have no pianist.  Well we have one but she refuses to come.  I dislike singing without direction.  So I took the music and I am learning it.  The hymns are easy, but the sheet music takes work.  I played for choirs all through high school so I know I can do this, it just involves practice. As I love to play and I just do not make the time, I have been setting aside and hour of my day to play choir music and I am loving it.  It is so sad to see that lovely piano of my mothers that rarely gets touched.

     Well I am off to the shop.  What are you going to do today?

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

Kim