Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Wednesday, Health developments

     My appointment yesterday with my specialist again revealed rising liver enzymes, as this is the second visit with those results we are cutting back on one of my meds by 1/2.  This is just the booster med to the Xzeljanz, which is the best medication I have ever been on.  So if I have to reduce to no booster med the Xzeljanz may just be taken by itself.  Chances are that it will not work alone as I was out of remission on it alone about 18 months ago.  However there is a new drug on the horizon that is pill form and I am a candidate for that.  Just trying to stay ahead of my T-cells ability to work around these drugs.  Smart little buggers they are.  But I feel good other than my back, which by the way after three visits to my primary care people nothing was done.  My specialist (and this is not his job) has me on a muscle relaxant and physical therapy starting next week.  Thank goodness for good doctors who care and do their job and other peoples jobs.

Now for Hubs:

We met with his doctor/Urologist/oncologist. I really like him and he has been a client of mine for the last several years.  He was a great comfort to me when  my mom was living with me.  He was always caring and with good advice when he came into the shop.

Hubs is a candidate for surgery, and isotope treatment, however he is just on the border line and it is likely something else will cause his death.  The doctors concern is the fact that his parents are both in their 90's which means with no treatment Hubs would likely suffer and die from this cancer as he ages and Prostate cancer is one of the most painful cancers to die from.  IT is more Hubs longevity that concerns the doctor as far as treatment is concerned.

With Hubs hearing loss even with hearing aids his comprehension can be low, also his tremors (although medically treated) cause a slow down in the brain.  These two conditions together almost always lead to early dementia issues and balance issues.   Now we are talking a surgery that will put him under and anyone with dementia issues like Hubs can really take a set back from this.  Also his chance of becoming incontinent although smaller than in the past is an issue. Combine the tremors and the memory issues and his chance of that side affect is higher.

It was obvious to me as we talked that the doctor was making eye contact with me that Hubs could not interpret. I made it clear to doctor without alarming hubs that his memory is an issue.  As is his balance.  He has a hard time getting up and started out of a chair and has fallen or has almost fallen.  This is the reason for selling the house.  Our yard is huge and very steep.  Hubs is struggling on the slopes with balance and falling.  Falling under a lawn mower is not an option here.  We must sell.

I do not want one more thing that ages my husband or takes away even more of his quality of life.  He is struggling with so many issues which make him edgy and disgruntled at times, is it fair to possibly add more memory loss or incontinence?   So now we have to weigh the risks.  Do we avoid surgery and its side affects and go for a less invasive treatment or no treatment?  At this point because hubs numbers are low we are going to wait 6 months, read tests and blood work again and then go from there.  This is a slow growing cancer, it is likely something else will take hubs out. Putting him through surgery at this point does not seem like the best option. There are also hormone treatments that can slow this down which are also an option for hubs to avoid side affects.

So here we are, a 6 month wait for action which is fine with me.  By that time we will hopefully have sold the house and will be mission ready, after the mission we can determine where we go. I want to travel more and have more adventures as long as our health holds.  I do feel that we need to complete the house and mission goals in the next year so we are free to travel. I know Hubs will not get better in some areas, so getting things done that are important for him ( his desire to serve a mission) and his well being (the house) are a must.

We got word that daughter #2 will get to know the sex of her baby on St Patrick's day. Drumm Roll please brbrbrbrbrrbrbrb!

Now I have to get meals started for a couple of families and set some sewing done and get packed to leave tomorrow!

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

Kim

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Tuesday, Back in the saddle for a few days

     It was an eventful weekend.  Daughter is so sick.  I tried to take her shopping for some maternity pants and we had to go home as she was too sick.  Now this is a kid who would shop while bleeding out of both eyes so I knew she was sick. Our youngest also joined us for the weekend.  She is 18 weeks pregnant and has always been very, very thin. She looks like a spider with long arms and legs.  She was complaining about her pants getting to tight in the waist.We were able to get her three pairs of maternity leggings and D#2 a couple of pair.  Both came home  and put on new pants immediately and felt so much better.  As this is the youngest's first she was not quite sure when she should go into maternity clothes, but it was time. Even though she is so thin she has a little tummy and it is so cute.

     Daughter #2 seems to rally about 5 p.m. and we were able to get her huge under stair storage organized, all the Christmas down and the studio cleaned out with everything put away in about 3 hours.  Her husband and myself and daughter all worked and soon it was pristine.  Her husbands office was cleaned out and everything looks so good now.  We were not able to really get to the upstairs, but she can handle that on room at a time. I can also go back up for another weekend later in March. I also threw my back out again while helping her so I am in pain and stiff again.

     Hub's and I are on a diet together.  He wants to lose 40 lbs and needs to, I would like to lose 15 and need to.  I can't handle when my clothes get too tight. He suffers from hunger much more than I do, I think I got used to it in my dancing days.  My problem is that I love to eat and especially sugar and sweets.  They are my downfall.

     There are now 5 wedding dresses in the shop and I was bombed yesterday as soon as I arrived home.  This morning has been equally busy.  The problem being that we are leaving for Eldest daughters house on Thursday and will be gone until the middle of next week.  So I cannot get many things out before I go.  This means when I return I will be very busy.

     I have a specialists appointment today and Hubs has an appointment with his oncologist tomorrow to discuss what we are going to do as far as treatment. I am going to go to the grocery store after my doctor appointment and get salad fixings. As soon as we are back from Twin Falls we are going to join a exercise place that charges by the month, so hubs can swim. We need to get into shape or at least get stronger to fight against ill health. His cancer and my back it is the pits I tell you. I will not join a gym where I have contract.  I will pay a little more to only use a place for a while and see if it really what we want to do.

     I hope to be able to get quite a bit of sewing done today and tomorrow.  There are piles everywhere I look.  Some things are due out this evening and I need some formal dresses tried on so I can finish them.

     I am looking forward to seeing my other grandsons, but also looking forward to just getting back into a schedule with the shop.  I really need to concentrate on earning money and getting accounts (savings) back up to a comfortable number.

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

Kim

Friday, February 21, 2020

Friday, things are heating up around here.

     Since I have been tracking my business for about 5 years now thanks to Sissie, who insisted I do it and thanks goodness she did. I know that I will be very busy by the end of March.  The lull is about over.  It starts out slowly and then hits full force.

     Usually and yes it did happen at the beginning of this week, I had this panic feeling of not enough work coming into the shop.  Now just a few days later I can see this is never going to happen.

     I was able to really sit down and sew yesterday and it felt good to pump out work.  Many people in and many things out and that always makes one feel productive plus it was nice to have some pocket money for a change.  My money drawer has been really broke since Christmas.  Really it is because every penny that came in went out to help with the remodel costs.

     I do not like feeling broke.  It is scary for me.  Then when there is not much turn around in the shop it is double scary.  But I noticed just yesterday and today, that the phone has rang more.  Also several people dropped off things yesterday almost to the tune of my average daily intake during my busy season.  I have had several phone calls already this morning.  There are three things I am going to get done today for pick up and more coming in.  I also have a bride coming in at 4:30.  That will make three bride dresses in here.  It starts out so slow and then just explodes.

     Daughter #2 is so sick with her pregnancy and I am going to go up to Spokane tonight and stay until Monday morning.  Basically just help her deep clean her house.  She still has some Christmas up the poor thing.  I was terribly sick with my pregnancies so I know how she feels.  I want to go and help her.

     Hubs and I plan on going to see our eldest at the end of next week, so I have to be really organized in the shop and make sure that the things that need to be done are and picked up before we leave.  This leads me into thinking .....Will I ever get the master bedroom done?  I have told myself, not until after we get back from Daughter #1.  It will just have to wait.

     So today I must straighten a couple of bedrooms, do a little house work, get a dress ready for try on, alter a suit, finish a few items in the shop, work on a wedding dress, pack a bag and leave for Spokane.  You will not hear from me until next week. I am going to play with my Schmills, everyone should have a Schmills to play with... just sayin....


     You have any plans for the weekend?

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

Kim

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Thursday, catch up!

     The sheet rock man was here yesterday to fix the master bedroom and you cannot see where he fixed it at all!  I would take a picture but it would tell you nothing.  I will paint this area but it hardly needs it.  I have to look to find where he fixed the walls. Amazing is all I can say.  What was also amazing is that he showed up at 11:00 and was done by 2:00, so 3 hours I should have paid him by the hour. Then it would have been $120.00. Instead of the 150.00 I bid him.  But when he was painting the front room for $40.00 an hour he was slower than hell.  So note to self no more by the hour with this guy.  He obviously can move faster when it behooves him.

     I left Hubs with the littles yesterday and ran to the hospital for my blood work.  I don't know what was up with the phlebotomist but she was having a bad day.  Therefore I got to have a bad day.  I know to be well hydrated, so that was not the issue.  I do have pretty significant scar tissue in the areas that one usually has blood drawn,  but I never had someone mine the way she did.  She stuck me and then missed the vein and proceeded to keep the needle in and just move it different angles and jab and jab.  Luckily I have a high pain tolerance.   Now we are on on our second arm and third attempt and I said," I think I should come back tomorrow, you seem to be very frustrated."  It was not the pain but the thought that there was a needle in my arm and it was fishing around at different angles and jabbing that made me woozy.  Finally she hit a vein.  I cam home irritated, bruised and bandaged.

     Pulled the last of the Swedish meatballs out of the freezer and boiled potatoes for dinner. Also pulled a frozen container of chili, and chicken soup out, so we can use up leftovers.  I really need to clean out the freezers again and make a list of things to use up.  All of them are getting low and that is nice.  I am also running out of several things in my storage, as I have not been replacing things due to us moving.  It is weird to go look for dried beans and find I have none.  That has never happened before. I just used the last 10 lb bag of flour to fill me canister. Obviously I will have to do a major grocery shop soon.

     Hubs concert clothes need to be washed and of course I have put it off, so that is first on the agenda for today.  The eldest little wet through the pad I put under her during her nap, so I have a set of bedding to wash.  I have to box up all Valentines decorations. Get my butt into the master bath and finish. DO some laundry besides hubs concert wear.  Also how about putting some laundry away? There is just lots to do around here and I am thinking of all the ways I can avoid doing anything.  I can't even make myself make a list.

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

Kim

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Wednesday, Aunty is gone and the littles

Aunty and I messing around at the the dollar store, don't remember what I bought but it was a a dollar and I needed it. Dig Aunties glasses, she is such a goober. We dropped her off at the airport yesterday and I miss her.  Hopefully she will come back next year.  Of course we will be in a different place but she is still welcome.

  

Here is the last quilt we worked on, it is my favorite and I made it for Lil sis. Don't have any idea when I will have time to quilt it.   But it is ready.

We have the littles here today and we have not had them for a month. They were excited, we were excited.  I have to get my blood work done today so I will run out and do that.  Also need to make something for dinner for us and friends. Need to take little girl to dance at 5:00.

Stopped by D#2 yesterday on our way out of Spokane.  She is so sick with this pregnancy.  I want to drive up and stay for a few days just to help her clean up her house.  We also want to drive to Twin Falls next week and see our eldest and the two boys.  We also need to check on Hubs folks.

I need to get the shop organized to be gone for a while.  The shop will start to get busier and now is the time to go if we are going to go.

I love having company, but now I feel like I have to get back into a schedule, as I have neglected so many things.

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

Kim 

Monday, February 17, 2020

Monday, requests

     I feel like I have been letting people down on this blog as I have not been keeping up posting about money saving and my general saving things mindset.  I have just been so busy with remodel (expensive) and quilting (also expensive) that I have not posted things I normally post.  I would like to blame my Aunt.  She is very distracting.  Actually she is a dream,  She is napping on the sofa while I post and I can hear her gentle snore.  We live well together her and I.

     Sam asked for my Popover recipe.  Popovers are so basic and easy but do require at least 45 minutes to bake.

Set oven for 450
prepare pans or dishes with crisco or bacon grease (I use saved bacon grease as it has a higher burn rate and a 450 oven is high)
Now
beat 2 eggs till frothy (I use a hand held mixer)
Add all the remaining ingredients

add one cup of flour
one cup of milk
1tblspoon oil
1/2 tsp salt 
Beat until smooth fill cups or pans 2/3 full put in hot oven for 15 minutes and then reduce oven to 350 for 1/2 hour.  Remove. I do not prick to allow steam to escape as I love the full crispness of the popover.  Always make a double batch as one will only make 6 and they are great warmed up later.

Also more research on the Lone start quilt.  It is a religious symbol of several American Indian tribes.  It is called the morning star quilt.  It is a symbol of  friendship, giving,a link between the former life and the next life.  Given as  gift of bravery to service men when they leave for war. Often used to wrap the bodies of the dead symbolic of going in the afterlife to the Savior. My aunt has worked closely with the tribe in her area for years.  She is an adopted member in a way she has given so much to them.

Today I have to finish a wedding dress, run to Joanns, get some milk, stop at the dollar store, take down all the Valentine and replace with St. Patrick's Day.  Aunty and I are also going to finish our third quilt top and start on our 4th one.  She goes home tomorrow. I will miss her so much.  I really hope she comes again.  It is so cold where she lives this time of year.  I think she should come a stay here for a couple months during the winter. 

Aunties flight leave at 1:20 p.m. from Spokane  so we have to leave here at 9 a.m.  I think Lil sis is going to drive so that will be nice.

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

Kim


    

Sunday, February 16, 2020

Sunday, Aunty and I

     We are having so much fun Aunty and I.  We started in on a third quilt top and it is just lovely.  I am making it for my Lil sis.  Hubs is starting to worry as he says we will have no place to put all the quilts when we are done.  Silly man.  I don't plan on keeping them. Aunty sells hers.  She lives on a reservation and most of her quilts are bright colors. This star quilt is prized by the Indian tribe she lives by.  They buy them to wrap the dead in.  I know that is kind of morbid.  But it is their culture. She just provides the service.  In fact she had a call yesterday from a woman who needed one for a funeral.

     I don't plan on using mine for that.  But I sure love designing  and putting the colors together. As the shop is heating up I wont have much time for this once she leaves.  I have two wedding dresses and three pageant dresses due out this week and several zippers.  So Monday I must sew for the shop.

     Today after church, I am going to make two large meat loaves and freeze one. Hubs has to play in the pit this afternoon. I will have a nice dinner later today and Aunty and I will finish another quilt top.  I want to get one more cut out so I can remember all the details.

Have a restful and peaceful Sabbath.

Kim

Saturday, February 15, 2020

Saturday, New quilt top!

     Here is my second quilt top.  I am not putting backs on any right now.  I can do that after Aunty leaves.  I just want to really learn how to get the star made.  I really like this one as the colors are bright. I am a stickler for how colors blend.

     Yesterday I quilted until it was time for Aunty and I to go to the show Hub's is playing in right now.  It was the musical "She loves me."  It was darling and well done.  We really had some good laughs.  Aunty loved it.  Then we were able to meet the cast after and she loved that also.  I don't know what was more fun watching her or the show.

     I made a quick potato and bacon soup for dinner, with pop overs.  My kids were always eager to eat simple cheap meals if there was a homemade bread involved.  Biscuits, popovers, rolls or just warm homemade bread are all cheap to make and are like a dessert or treat.

     Today I am going to do a load of laundry to take to lil sis's as she is gone and I am watching her cats,  That way I can kill two birds with one stone.  The rest of the day will be spent quilting with Aunty.  I need to go scare up something for a nice Sunday dinner.  Any Ideas?

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

Kim

Friday, February 14, 2020

Friday,Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines day, I have already eaten three chocolates for breakfast and I am a little  queasy.  But boy were they good.  Will have to go a have some toast to offset the sugar.

Hub's had a box of chocolates for each of us this morning, both Aunty and I.


    The shower is in. I still have to paint the gold tiles,( are you not sick about hearing about these tiles, because I am)but once that is done, I will be almost ready to call the master bathroom done.  What a relief.
 
     We still have a crack running down the wall that has been there since we bought the house.  It is over in the corner above the jetted tub. That will be fixed next.



     Here is an attempt by hub's to fix a large hole.  Did He try and push in the sheet rock so he could smooth it out? NO.  Now it is a big hump of mess.  This is why he does not do home repairs.  Because we have to go back and undo his good work.  I would like to say at least he tries, but really I wish he would not.

     I was able to get to a pile of sewing yesterday and I will continue today.  Even as slow as the shop had been it is hard for me to get to quilting because  there is so many other things pulling at me.

     Yesterday after we got home from Spokane at about 12:30 I realized I had not washed hub's concert wear.  So I had to hurry and get that done and then make two trips to Lil sis's to dry it and pick it up. All the while trying to get some things done in the shop.

     I need to hang a load of wash and clean out the fridge this morning.  Also what are we going to eat for lunch and dinner?  I would not worry about lunch but with Aunty I have to feed her.  I had visions of hours spent at my sewing machine just quilting and that is not happening.  It is not going to happen.  Well maybe tomorrow if I get my butt in gear today in the shop.

Kim plans, God laughs.

Have a wonderful Valentines Day, eat a lot of chocolate. Aunty and I are going to Hub's show tonight.

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

Kim

Thursday, February 13, 2020

Thursday, Home again, Blogger?

     Well I made it up and back with no problems.  I miss my cousin already, but I have Aunty here until next Tuesday.  I have plenty to do here, and I just have to get myself to get things done.  Just ran a load of wash to Lil sis's to dry as it has Hub's concert clothes in it and he plays tonight.  I have to get some sewing done for the shop today before I get to quilting.

     The star part of my second quilt is done, but with everything I had to do yesterday I did not get anymore done on it.  I have to get several pairs of pants altered and  some shirts altered and a wedding dress before I can quilt today.

     The handyman is up putting the final parts on the shower, then I will call the dry waller in to seal up a crack and a couple of holes in the sheet rock where we had a heavy coat rack detached.   Then everything is up to me to finish.  I can't think of anything else in the house I will have done except maybe some grouting around the tubs.  I will try and do that myself but if it is too much I will get the handy man to do it. I am anxious to get to this finish work and once my Aunt leaves I will do a lot of touch up in the front room and hall.  It seemed like such a huge daunting task, and it is hard to believe that all that is really left is touch up work in several rooms and then the exterior.  I think we will be able to put the house on the market sometime in April.

    Yesterday I mad ea triple batch of baked ziti, 3 loaves of homemade bread and a bundt cake.  I was able to take a meal in feed all of us and have leftovers for today, so that was my plan and it worked.  Funny thing is SAM suggested a triple batch of pasta, and I did just that.

     I need some advice with blogger.  My revenue is way down and they keep threatening this with a message and then when I answer the message they ask me to download something which I do and then put in my own URL I don't get  what they are talking about.  I think I am doing the right thing but obviously not because I keep getting the same threat and it is now not a threat as the revenue is down.  What do you make of this? I wish I could just call and ask someone to walk me through it. So frustrating. If you can help please let me know.

     Got a call that our taxes are done so I will try to pick those up tomorrow.

Well I am off to get to work.

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

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Wednesday, Lots to do today

      We took Aunty to our favorite steak house for a birthday dinner.  It was delicious. Lots of laughs and fun.  I think she looks great for 85.  She actually ran up the steps of the restaurant. She amazes me with her agility.  I hope I can be just like her when I am 85, if I make it that far.


     I got a call that the shower will be put back together in the master bedroom today.  So that just leave, dry wall fixing,paint and replacing a few more fixtures and the Master bedroom is done. I am very happy about this.  I still have to paint the individual tiles, and I will paint the two walls that we are having work done on.  I just have to pay a contractor to replace the shower fixtures. One more major thing off the list.

     I had 4 dresses come in between 3 and 5 yesterday afternoon so the season is once again heating up.  I will be busy by March.  I have to get as much quilting done as I can because once the sluice gate is opened,quilting will not happen.


     Here is a picture off the quilt top we are working on now, which I like much better.
I am excited to see how it turns out.  It is fun to see different fabrics.  But boy is there waste.  I will have to do several crazy quilt blocks to get rid of all the excess fabric.  Because I cannot stand to waste.

     I have to  take one of the littles to dance today, and take a meal onto my friend, on top of feed people here.  Then we have to leave for Spokane this evening as cousins flight goes out early in the morning and then home again tomorrow.

     Right now I am trying to figure out what to cook for everyone.  I am in a dilemma, my mind is on quilting and not cooking.  I will need to go and figure out what to make.  Then I am going to finish this quilt top.


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

Kim

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Tuesday, Birthdays & Quilting

     Here is my first finished quilt.  It is not perfect, but it is done.  I think it will make a nice gift for some teenager that goes to the local high school as it is the school colors.

     I am onto my next creation.  I am hoping to have at lest 4 quilt tops done by the time Aunty leaves so I really know how this is done.  I don't think I will back them while she is here, but just get the tops done.

         Just so you know the cat gives his approval. This is very important.   Shim likes the colors and was very happy to nap away on the almost finished project.

       Today is my Aunt's 85 birthday and my daughter Franka who passed as a baby was also born on this day. She would have been 35 today.  We are going to celebrate with a girls night out to dinner.  I am so happy to have my Aunt here for this milestone and also my cousin.  We are making good memories.

     Last night I ran to Mc'd's and purchased 2 gift cards and then to the dollar store to get Valentine cards.  When I got home I showed Hub's and told him to write to our eldest's two boys. He asked about our third grandson, Schmills.  I could not believe I had forgotten Schmills! Our eldest grandson has a birthday this week on the 15th, Our eldest daughter on the 13th, and then Franka on the 11th and Valentines day on the 14th.  I think I was just overwhelmed and kept thinking of Danny's birthday and forgot about our Schmills.  So we stopped by Mc d's again on the way to the post office and got a card out to him also.  Kids love to get mail.  I could have taken Schmills up  to him as I have to take my cousin back to the airport tomorrow, but I thought about how excited he would be to actually get mail.

     So today I am going to make a nice bowl of chicken salad and then work on a little sewing, get some laundry done, and continue quilting.

     We have had such a mild winter that there are crocuses blooming in yards and forsythia is popping out. I hate to say anything as I don't want to curse it.

     Thanks to all of you for your encouraging words with Hubs,  I know he will be okay, I just like to feel sorry for myself once in a while.

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

Kim

    

Monday, February 10, 2020

Monday, Staying positive

     I am trying hard to stay positive, with all that is going on here.   Hubs diagnosis was a shock although it should not have been. My biggest worry is that he will become even more dependent on me. He has a tendency to be a baby and I just don't need that.  41 years of doing everything, paying every bill, taking care of all the business of life while he rides along, has made me a little bitter.

    I guess I want to be taken care of.  I want someone to swoop in and take care of me.  I have never had that and this is one more thing that will allow Hubs to be less dependent.  I do not want him to have to deal with incontinence, as then I will have to deal with it.  I know that is selfish, but when is it my turn?  SO that is my rant.  Forgive me but that is truly how I feel.  Now you know.  I can go on.

     I am having a great time with my aunt and cousin.  Hoping to finish the quilt today. The handy man who was putting in our shower  decided it was too complicated so I had to call the company and ask them to send someone out and now I am wondering how much that is going to be?

     We are getting really low on funds to do any more fixing up.  I am worried. Can't say that I can try to calm myself down about it.  I guess I just have to earn more money.

     I am going in to finish this quilt!

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

Km

Sunday, February 9, 2020

Sunday, Good news, bad news

     Auntie and I have been working on my first Lone Star quilt.  The top is done, but I made some mistakes. I am fine with that as it is my first try and I will get better. It is fun working with her as she has taught many workshops and classes in quilting.  I am anxious to get this one done, as my mind cannot remember how to do the star well.  I have never used a rotary cutter before, as they always scared me.  I move fast and have a tendency to cut and hurt myself so a razor cutter is not something I want to mess with.  But I am learning and it is fun.

     I can already see ways I would speed up the process, especially the backing.  But right now I am following orders, because well I really don't know what I am doing.

     I let Aunty pick out the fabric. I am not a fan of purple and gold, but they are the High school colors here so someone will be happy. Aunty lives on a reservation in Minnesota, so all her quilts are bright colors as those sell well.  This is a twin size.  It is turning out nice but I really hate the colors.  That is okay someone else will love it. This is a learning experience. Not everything I do has to be worthy of a Good housekeeping award. Sissie shut up I know what you are thinking. I am anxious to get this one done so I can go onto the next one.

     The basement is drying out nicely with no smell so I am grateful.  Of course when I was in Spokane we had two babies born in our ward and of course I am in charge of meals.  So that added to my stress.  I am sure the ward will take care of these needs and I will send around a clip board in class today.  But I went ahead and cooked up two whole chickens.  We ate on one last night and I can use the other one for soup or enchiladas if I don't have to cook up a meal for someone else.

     As the post title says I have some good news and some bad news. Bad news first.

     Hubby has prostate cancer.  His  grandfather,dad and brother and only Uncle also had this.  His brother had it very bad and we almost lost him.  Hub's is contained and caught early, but with the family history there were cells in one biopsy that showed the fast moving cancer. So now we are in the waiting game to see what treatments we will use. This does affect our mission plans, but we are not totally derailed, just delayed.  We are still moving forward on selling the house this spring.

Good news:

     Both of our younger daughters are pregnant.  Our youngest (who was not supposed to be able to have children) turned up pregnant and has a baby due on August 3rd, the date she was married on 6 months ago. It was a shock to them but they are over the moon.  Our middle daughter had been trying to have another, as Schmills is going to be 4 in less than 2 weeks.  So her baby is due Sept. 3rd.  To say we are excited is beyond true.

     We will have two new babies in our lives, how can anyone not be excited about that? As we have all grandsons it would be nice to get a girl, but we really don't care.  I just want healthy babies.

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

Kim
     

  

   

Saturday, February 8, 2020

Saturday, I came home to flooding.....

     I rained here the entire 27 hours I was gone.  I left Lewiston at 10 a.m. to get to the Spokane airport and it was rainy and terrible foggy all the way.  Then My cousins flight was delayed out of Seattle so I was not able to get out of the airport  the second time and home to my daughters until after 2 in the morning.  My aunts flight came in fine.  We left Spokane about 10:00 in the morning, but the drive was slow due to heavy fog.  When I got home I was carrying my cousins suitcase into her room.  I had not turned on the light but I thought a piece of paper or something was stuck to my foot, because it was making a funny sound.  Well it was water!!!!!  The entire room was soaked.

     We just put over $2000.00 into the room with new Sheetrock, molding, paint, carpets, doors.  So hubs (mostly hubs) spent the rest of the afternoon sucking water out of the carpet and putting out fans.  I was so upset.  Then I found out that the whole valley was flooding and everywhere around us.  Our fire department had over 40 calls in one hour because of flooding and  electrical problems that morning.  I had a police officer come over with a mending job and he said it was chaos.  We are not the only ones.  But still, really this brand new room?  I swear I will never buy a house with a basement again.  Our son in law Paul will not own a home with a basement he said too many flooding issues and there is no way to make them water tight in a flooding situation. Anyway hoping this was anomaly and I can't wait to sell this dang house.

     While I was gone the contractor started on the shower in the master bath.  We should have that installed by the end of the day.  Then there will just be painting and a little sheet rock work on a crack running up one wall, that has been there since we bought the house.  Progress is being made.

     Now my poor cousin who is a trooper slept in Noah's ark.  It was drying out, but a little damp.  Aunty and I got right to work on a quilt top which I will take a picture of when I finish it.  I am excited.  It is very confusing and I will need to make a few to really get the idea of how it is done, but my Aunt is a great teacher.  She look so much like my dad and it brings back memories of him.  They are bitter sweet.

     My cousin was the oldest of all of us by a couple of years and I just worshiped the ground she walks on when I was young,  Actually I still do.  She is wise beyond her years and a real comfort to our family. I am so happy to have her here.

     So other than drying out carpeting I will spend my day learning to quilt with my Aunty.  Quilting is hard for me because it is so exacting and I am not an exact person.  These will be good lessons for me.

     I will keep you posted on the drama here.

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

Kim

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Thursday, On my way

     My Aunt's flight comes in at 1:10 p.m. in Spokane, so I am leaving here in about an hour or so.  My back had me up earlier than usual this morning which is an aggravation.  Just how long will this go on?

     I have a little straightening to do around the house before I leave.  Mostly in the kitchen.  As Hub's will use it, not much use getting too carried away.  I was able to get a few more things off my list yesterday, not as many as I would have liked.  Just took it easy with my back.

     I did get hub's help with the floors in the hall and the front room and they are polished.  We had to stay downstairs for 2 hours while it all dried. This is the first time I have waxed out hard wood.  I am careful with it,and we had it redone about 10 years ago and it is just starting to show wear in a few spots. My mother was always having her housekeeper wax her floors, and the build up on the edges was awful, so I just won't do it. I'm not working that hard for shiny.  I am more, is it clean?

     I will be coming home tomorrow morning as my cousins flight comes in late tonight and I am not driving on the roads in the dark and perhaps ice and snow. So no post tomorrow.

     It will be interesting to see how my back does driving.  Although the drive is only two hours.

     Well I am off, to get dresses do a few chores and hit the road.  Wish me luck.

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

Kim

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

Wednesday, Lil sis to the rescue!

     Well I did it.  I know you all warned me, but did I listen?  No and now I am paying for it. I did try to keep myself going on things that had to be done.  I was a little behind on my sewing.  I spent until 3:30 in the afternoon sewing.  So about 4 hours at the machine.  There was more to do than I thought.  I was a little frustrated as I really wanted to leave for Spokane late today and the hours to get things done were ticking away.  As usual when I have been sewing for the past maybe year, My upper back started to tighten up and become uncomfortable.  So I decided to go and lay down for an hour or so.  I wanted to not have any problems with my lower back.

     Of course the minute I laid down all hell broke loose in the shop and it was none stop clients, and I was up/down 4 times in a 1/2 an hour.  I am blessed with work, so I should not complain.  Anyway I gave up and started to vacuum the floors, downstairs.  I don't know what I did, but I turned just right (or just wrong) in the hall and about went to my knees.  My lower back had a spasm that was much, much worse than anything I have had before.  I have no idea what is wrong. I was flat on my back in bed as soon as I could crawl up the stairs and down the hall to the bedroom.

     I scared Hubs to death and he even offered to stay home from rehearsal (no way).  Having him gone is the best part of my day. So I called my daughter and cried and then my Lil sis and cried and Lil sis came over about 6:30 after working a 10 hours day herself and helped me get all the things that were done on the list from yesterday.  I was up and about, but not bending over and moving very slowly. She worked until about 9 o'clock and we (her) got a lot done. I am so grateful for her.
A sparkling guest bath
Aunties room is dusted, swept, sheets changed and gifts, sent by my Twin out and ready.




So Lil sis was able to get the things that really matter done.  The bedrooms and the bathrooms that guests will use.  Plus the main living areas.  She is such a sweet heart.  I am so blessed with good sisters.  We will do anything for each other and that is something many paople do not have.
New curtains up in Mom's room.

Here are her results.

Sparkling bath!  This room was covered in paint crap.






















Shelves restored to former glory 



Fireplace, scrubbed and things put back where they belonged
Nice clean family room!




Art work is up, and Lil sis even arranged the flowers.


But the most important thing is Hub's has been returned to his beloved spot.  I think he would be found dead here if we were not selling and moving.


I have taken some Excedrin, and I am going to take it very slow today.  It is snowing outside so trying to clean up porches is a moot point.

I do have two formal dresses that have to be hemmed  and I will get to those after this post, but that is all the sewing I will do today. Any efforts I make to clean will be in the kitchen.  Which is a pig sty.

As the roads are getting sketchy I will be leaving for the Spokane airport tomorrow morning. This does give me more time to try and get a few things done.  Just moving with caution at this point.

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

Kim

Tuesday, February 4, 2020

Tuesday, Spraying....

     This is a term coined by my Twin Sister and that is exactly what I feel like I am doing.  You know how a cat goes around and marks its territory. Well that is what I am doing. I had almost 15,000 steps on my fit bit yesterday and I still have so much to do.  If I could just finish one room it would be nice.

Mom's room is done except for the curtains.  I do not know what happened to the cream sheers I had in there?  I think the last renter must have done something with them.  I did find these really long white sheers that will do.  If I was staying in this house I would go a get new sheers, but I will cut these to fit and then hang them. (I wonder if I can find someone to hem them:) I am not going to spend money on something I might not use again and these are available. So when I get this done the room will be done. One room out of only 8 more to go not counting the back porch and front porch which are a mess.  I just keep telling my self everything I do is one less thing needed to get this house on the market.

The new shower parts are in and the handyman dropped them off and I have them in mom's room waiting the install.  Which could be then end of the week or next week we will see. So that is something that is almost ready to go.  This is the next room we will try and finish up.




 
I was able to get the Dining room cleaned out yesterday, which means I moved all the crap to other rooms;).  Like that is going to help the situation.  So I can say one room is done. I guess I could say progress is being made just much slower than I want it.  So many little details to put things back together the way they need to be.  So many things 1/2 done.


You must add a musical score and an instrument to all photos that are upstairs.  Hubs rehearsal last night went until after 11:00 p.pm.  He was tried when he got home.  I am sure tonight will be worse.  He says the singers are really rushing the music because of breath support which makes his transitions from viola to cello hard, so I am sure he will spend the day practicing. Which is fine as long as he helps me hang up all the large oil paintings.

I made a large pot of split pea  and lentil soup with ham last night and it is delicious.  There is enough to take dinner into my friend tomorrow.  That is one less thing on my plate.

My mind is a big long list of to do's.  I need to quit jumping from room to room and just finish something.

So here for your reading enjoyment is a list by room of what needs to be done.  I am sure you are as  thrilled with this as I am.  But is does help me to keep my rattle brain straight when I use a list, like this.

Mom's room;
1. hem curtains
2. vacuum

Mom's bath
1.clean!!!

Family room
1. clean
2. vacuum
3. vacuum stairs

Back hall
1.sweep
2. organize paint and paint supplies (relatives can just deal we are under construction)
3. new candle and table cover
4. put all molding we are not going to use back in garage.

Spare bath:
1. clean (I bathed the dog last night so it is a furry mess)

Spare room:
1. change sheets
2. sweep and dust

Hall
1. get up tape residue and polish hard wood floor where tape marked it up
2. put rugs back and vacuum

Front room:
1. get light switch plates  put on
2. hang art work
3. take up tape residue
4. scrub fireplace tiles from paint residue
5. dust and clean fireplace tools
6. put things back on shelves
7.clean and wipe/polish all end tables
8. put back books
9. replace knobs on coat closet( have to go buy these)
10. vacuum rug
11.polish floors

Our room:
1. straighten
2. sweep and dust

Master bath:
1.clean
2. sweep ( Since this is under construction, I will do the best I can)

Kitchen:
1. Kim clean
2. finish scrubbing grout in one half
3. clean fridge
4. straighten food cupboards


Front Porch:
1. remove old rugs
2. sweep and put things away
3. get Hubs to take paper and garbage to dump

back porch:
1. put away all canning jars
2. clean off table
3. sweep and generally straighten the mess

But first I am going to go into the shop and hem 10 pairs of pants and get it organized.

 I have until tomorrow at about 5 p.m. before I leave for Spokane to get as much of this done as possible. Realize that it will not be perfect, this is a big house and with all the remodeling this last 6 weeks it is a mess.  Our house is also very dusty and fury with the dog and the cat.  I just have to get done what I can and be happy with it.  But we are getting closer, every time we complete something. There is still a lot of touch up to do with paint in the hall and front room but that can be done by me after company leaves.  It is nothing too glaring.

I have to get busy.  Dang, it would be nice if I could just site and make lists.  So much easier.

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

Kim.


Monday, February 3, 2020

Monday, Running with scissors...

     I swear sometimes I get so confused and behind that I feel like I spin circles and today is one of those days. I still have so much to do in this house,and people are calling in the shop and Hub's starts into hell week this week for the show that opens this weekend.  It is almost a comedy to watch me get something done.  Every room in the house needs love and there has been a load in the washer for two days that needs hung up, I just can't seem to get to the myriad of things that I need done.  Aghhhhh!

     How does it get to this point?  I mean really?  It is not like I sit around eating bons bons, although that does sound really good right now. I would like to post about last month and my goals for next month, you know be efficient like many of you are, but that ain't happening.  This is a seat of your pants post and will likely be for a few days.

     I have my great Aunt and cousin coming this Thursday and I will leave for Spokane to pick them up Wednesday evening. Then one of them does not come in until midnight Thursday so I will spend the night at my daughters and come back here on Friday.  As they are coming I really need to get my house in order and it is anything but order.  Paint cans, and tools all over in almost every room.  Yes actually every room in the house is in a state of some kind of mess.  I don't know how I can get all this cleaning done and cook dinners and sew.  But I am going to have to. Dang.

     I did get the taxes done yesterday, which is a holy miracle. They were taken to the accountant today at 11:30, after I went to the chiropractor at 10:00.  I also was able to get all the bills paid for the month and finally got those mailed and distributed.  It was total chaos this morning with me leaving my wallet and the bills and the taxes at home as I went to run errands, and then I had to make a trip home to get what I had forgot.  I am such an airhead.

     What can I get done today? I know I can do something to move forward. Let's see.

1. go to doctor
2. drop off bills
3. go to post office
4. go to accountant
5. take in missionary pants
6. hem two pairs of pants
7. hang up clothes in washer
8. make split pea soup
9. hem two other pants
10. call clients
11. help hub's take a load to the storage
12. clean out the hall closet ,remove several items that need to go to storage.
13. hang large art work back up in front room
14. clean up at least one room, any room.  Just pick one.
15. forward cousins flight info via email

     This remodeling is not for sissies I tell you.  It is crazy, dirty, disorganized work.  I have the crazy, disorganized part done to a science, but the dirty part really gets to me.

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

Kim
    

Saturday, February 1, 2020

Saturday, crap now it is up to me!

     Well the painter will be here for less than an hour today to finish some caulking and then I will pay him and he is gone.  There is still a lot of touch up to do, but little Sis and I are going  to finish it up.  I think we can do it in a couple of hours and I don't have to pay her or myself.  There is some drywall work that has to be done in the Master bedroom and I will have this man back but I made him give me a bid.  His dry wall it great and actually his painting not bad just too slow.  I think he was eking it out to the last amount he could get.  But his inability to control his spending and life are not my problem. I tried to give him work and he just took advantage.

     I will need to pay bills late tonight and  the accountants office called and my appointment to have my taxes done is Monday at 11:30.  I have not even opened the packet and all the receipts and things are in a laundry basket in one of the bathroom.  I knew it was coming up, as I come in early to save money.  The closer you get to April 15th the higher the rates go.  So I will have to get taxes done tomorrow after church.  Yikes!

     Hubs and I are due at a candidate dinner tonight as we will serve on his committee as long as we are here. It will be nice to go out to a nice dinner, but that means I will have to clean up before 6 p.m. Just how much can I get done today?

     Hubs actually got all the doors put back up  in the hallway and I was disappointed in the tape I put around all the hardware.  I felt it bled a little too much and now I will have to do a lot of cleaning with a razor blade and  paint thinner.  No joke when you have 8 doors and two handles on each.  No rest for the wicked. Also there is touch up on a few doors, which is to be expected.

     I think I will start with mom's room and get that touched up a final time, as the carpet layers damaged the paint a little and the man that put in the molding left a few dings.The Lil sis and I can get it set up and the furniture put back.

     We will go upstairs and access what needs to be done and each of us will start on touch up.  Lil sis is a much better painter than I. We can start putting things back and tear the paper off the floor.  I wanted to get the bathroom taped and all the tile trim in there done, but I think I am biting off more than I can chew in a day.  All I can say is it is up to me now.  I can't complain about other people.  If I am living in a mess it is my fault.  Dang it was so easy to blame someone else for this chaos.  Now it is my fault.

     I am off, to get my paint clothes on and set the world on fire. Hopefully tonight I can take some pictures of our progress!  Tomorrows blog will have some results, I hope....

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

Kim