I finished another chart on Friday, and I also forced myself to get some work done. Thanks for all the suggestions and support even though I was whining.
I must tell you that I am really burnt out. This has been a long hard bridal season and I have pushed myself to the nth degree. I am so hoping next year is not as bad.
I do have some plans in the works to make things a little easier next year. I am going to try and only have a 4 day work week, and I have also raised my prices on hemming, which is my most frequent job. It is hard as you have to make sure and have the right change and then I also will not raise prices on sr. citizens. I know they are on fixed incomes, and many cannot sew anymore due to eyesight and becoming widows. I will be changing my hours next January to Monday through Thursday, 10-5 evenings by appointment. It is just time.
I did take Saturday to get some mums, and pumpkins and redo some of the flower boxes where plants had burned off with the heat. It was a beautiful day with the smoke about clearing in the valley and only 88 degrees. Yes, I say only. Hubs and I also did a little cleaning around the yard and put away plastic flowers pots I saved to use next year to replant seedlings.
It was just lovely to be able to be outside most of the day. We also perused some secondhand stores looking for a corner shelf unit for B. Hubs found a few tools; he could carry on his 4-wheeler for a good price. We had dinner at Lil sis's and then played cards. Good laughs.
Sunday, I had a big dinner of roast and carrots and new potatoes dug from the garden. I had Lil sis and Dean up for dinner. Made a low carb dessert and we had a nice evening on the deck. The weather was perfect.
I don't know about you, but this is how I feel most of the time. Well at least I am trying. Right?
Kelsa and Will are due in late this afternoon as Nate's schedule has changed. They will stay the night and Hubs will run Will up the hill to school tomorrow. Nate needs a good lie in as he has been working so many strange shifts and is dead on his feet. Hubs and I bought pumpkins this weekend for the kids to carve. Also, window clings for Kelsa and I went to the dollar store for candy google eyes for Halloween cookies. You remember that Will is really into eyes when he decorates his cookies. I can't wait to see what he comes up with this year. I know we will be carving a pumpkin tonight. It is a little early, but fun is fun. I also made a large batch of pumpkin pie filling and just baked it like a pudding this weekend. I wanted to get it out of the fridge before I cooked and froze this year's pumpkins.
So, this week I want to catch up on all sewing or as much as possible as I will gone three days next week with Hubs. I have a long list of what I want done by Friday and then of course small things will come in that will need to be done.
Okay blogger is not cooperating, and I just don't want to argue with a program right now. Here is the list of what I want to get done this week and out of the house if possible.
1. finish mother of the bride I started on Friday
2. hem a pair of groom's pants
3. hem two pairs of pants
4. finish a bride dress got a good start
5. alter a homecoming dress
6. Alter a mother of the bride
7. alter a bridesmaid
8. alter a bridesmaid
9. Alter a wedding dress
10. alter a wedding dress started
11. alter a wedding dress
12. get a pair of pants hemmed
13. alter a pile of clothing
14. hem 6 pairs of shirt sleeves
15.alter a pile of clothes
So, this is not too bad a list for a week. But if all this is done, I will feel like I can leave to help Hubs and be gone for a few days. Even if all of it is not picked up at least when people call, I can say when I will return and that the items is done. Of course, I call everyone once I finish an item and then if they don't pick up it won't be my problem. So that is the plan and I need to get busy and see just how much I can knock off this list today before the kids arrive. Let's see what Kim can do now that she has a plan.
Have a great and productive day staying positive while you are in the negative.
Kim (who's spacing if off among other things)
Fantastic idea to drop to four days a week! Yeah! And raise your prices! You will still have more than you can do ;). Good luck with this weeks list! Hilogene in Az.
ReplyDeleteWell I think it is time.
DeleteWay to go, Kim. Decreasing a day and increasing rates is being fair to you.
ReplyDeleteIt is time.
DeleteI think that is a perfect idea to go to 4 days and raise prices some.
ReplyDeleteGood luck - hope the week all goes well.
Thanks Cheryl so far so good. I am anxious to see what I can get done today!
DeleteI think the bridal season was hard because we are starting to return to some sort of normalcy, where Covid restrictions are lessening. And since so many weddings were postponed, and brides are antsy to be married, it's a confluence of different factors.
ReplyDeleteOn your proposed work schedule and price increase, I think it's long overdue.
I agree, I don't see next year being as busy.
DeleteDouble your hemming price. Offer 40% discount for seniors.
ReplyDeleteYEA for the 4 day workweek. I am sooo sooo sooo proud of you for this decision.
I suggest more rules: minimum 30d delivery/initial fitting for bridal gowns, 20d for Mother-bride and bridesmaid gowns. Pickup required within 24h of agreed-upon date. 20% penalty fee for late pickup. Emergencies will cost an additional 50% IF I can fit it in my schedule. Oh and raise ALL your fees by a minimum 20%.
I know you like to serve your community but they are wearing you out. You deserve respect and recognition for your AMAZING skills and services. (I can sew and tailor but girl, I don't hold a candle to you!)
It is time to take myself seriously as I can't and won't keep up this pace.
DeleteThe only thing I would say is don't end up trying to do five days work in four days. Maybe get your alarmingly well organised sister to help plan so this does not happen.Definitely raise your prices, - you got this! J.P. in the U.K.
ReplyDeleteWell my back will determine that as I only have so much I can do in a day.
DeleteTerrific that you are going to cut your hours and raise prices. You need to take care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteI agree!
DeletePerfect idea on the 4 day work week. That will give you an additional day of rest and things you want to do. I have been looking for googly eyes for a week and can't find them. We are slowly putting out fall/halloween decorations. We're picking up pumpkins and mums this weekend at the farm. Burn out is no joke so take care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteI picked up cookie google eyes at the dollar store they also have the regular ones!
DeleteI'll try there. I want the ones for cookies.
DeleteSo happy you're making the hours/day of the week change. I also love the idea of raising prices, and adding a senior discount (keeping their rate the same.) If you could reduce your workload by 10-20%, but keep your income the same, that would be huge. Maybe try out a month with a few different things, and see what works best.
ReplyDeleteThat is my goal reduce work keep income!
DeleteI'm glad to hear you're taking some time for yourself and have a plan to raise prices and reduce your hours, Kim. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteI would also post NO WEEKENDS, that you will be out of the "Office .You know someone will have an emergency because it wasn't important enough do take care of during your work days. Raise prices...YES. Hubby just had to raise his the 3rd time this year.
ReplyDelete