Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Tuesday, Still trying to ....


 I hemmed 18 pairs of pants yesterday among other things. By the way there are still pants to be hemmed here.  They are lurking unseen in various places in the shop.

It is homecoming weekend, and I am getting calls for dresses.  I took two in from very old clients but turned all others away.  Sorry. I don't need the money or the stress.

I have a short list of things I want to get done before I take off on Thursday.  I will not add to the list, I will not add to the list, I will not add......


I am trying to have a mantra in my head.   I also will need to clean the house and clean the car before I leave.  But those things are a given.

Getting my nails done tomorrow and I have a specialist appt. early on Thursday before I leave. I could cancel, but this is the new specialist and I have not seen an actual person for over a year.  It has all been via zoom.  I will be put off several months if I cancel. 

It is rainy and chilly here, so I turned off the air conditioner but no heat yet. I am actually excited about the rain as it means I do not have to water. 

I purchased several packages of bulbs for the garden that need to be planted, but I will do that next week.  I also have to winter over about 40 geraniums, and I will need to get that done before I leave for Kays. I will get missionaries to help me with the outdoor work. Last year Joel and I left everything in the gardens and pots, thinking we would come home in January and get them cleaned out.  Not what happened.  It is much easier to get it done now, I found this out after it was too late.

So now onto today's list:

1. hem bridesmaid dress

2. hem bridesmaid dress

3. take in brides maid dress

4. hem homecoming dress

5. alter homecoming dress

6. let out three pairs of pants

7. call clients

8. clean house

9. clean and vacuum car, get car cooler ready

10. hem a choir formal

Okay I am off ( Sluggy and Anne I know what you are thinking) to get some work done. But only what is on the list nothing else.

Kim


Monday, September 25, 2023

Monday, Crap weekend


 I have many friends that are in this category, and I am grateful for all of them.

I was exposed to COVID by a doctor client last week and of course had a runny nose and a dull headache, my eyes were burning, but this could be any time for me as I often have headaches, and my eyes burn and constant sinus, so should I really worry? Well yes as COVID is rampant here and many still going into hospital.

So, I had tests at home, but they kept coming out with the faintest positive line.  So, aggravating.  I asked for help from Lil sis as she has had a lot more experience with the tests and has also had COVID twice.  She was less than helpful. So, I finally went to the clinic on Sunday late afternoon.  Doctor said he was glad I came in as people are not taking it seriously and hospitalizations are on the rise again. Anyway, after all the worry the test was negative, so it is just Wheat smut allergy which the whole family suffers from this time of year.

But this ruined my weekend. I did however get some work done!  I am down to one wedding dress in the shop, and it is due out in November.  Still have three bridesmaids to get done today, and OH MY GOODNESS the piles.  Where did they come from?

I am suffering from some pretty major depression related to Joel's death and I am trying so hard to work through it.  I am not a person to feel lonely.  I really don't mind being alone. But I have noticed the longer this period of grief is lasting, I am feeling lost and unfriended.  Which is silly.  But everyone else around me has a life that is moving on and all I have is my loss. Don't really know how to deal with this, but I have to, as no one can do it for me. I notice I don't handle stress or disappointment well. As in a little disruption can send me into a crying jag.  I really hate that and keep telling myself to get a grip.  I mean really?

I think things will be easier when Sissie gets out here. I am looking forward to taking my buddy to a funeral at the end of the week.  Not that a funeral is fun, but it involves getting out of town, with a long drive and good company.  Then when I get home, I only have a couple of weeks before I leave for Sissies. 

Well, I better get busy I swear there are at least 11 black items on the ironing board that all need hems, before I start on the bridesmaid dresses.  I do believe that things have sex in this shop and multiply. 

Onward and upward....

Kim

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Wednesday, Making progress!


 Makes you wonder Huh? 

I was a very busy girl yesterday and was able to get three wedding dress ready for fittings!  Two have already been picked up!!!

The other one will be tried on tomorrow and then I only have two left. The last one is due out for Nov 7th but I will get that done before I leave for my sisters.

I have 6 bridesmaid dresses to get done along with the one wedding dress before I leave next week, but that is all doable.

There is light at the end of the tunnel!  It is getting brighter and brighter.

There are still so many piles but those will get done as soon as the dresses are done. 

I get Kelsa tonight and tomorrow. 

Working on trying to be a little more joyful.  I seem to go around in a haze of sadness. I don't think people really notice but I just operate on sad.  I want to stop this.

There is joy and happiness everywhere. EVEN IN THE SMALLEST THINGS!

Work in progress here.

Kim

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Tuesday, Up and Attem


 Not that I don't like people from California, but they just seem to be the ones that have lately been gored. 

What is it with people?  Buffalo do not like to be petted.  Did you see Sluggy and out trying to Pet buffalo?  No!  But then we did follow Ty out onto the high prairie in and open vehicle.  So maybe....

I swear every day we have a report of a buffalo accident.  And no, we don't euthanize the buffalo.  Most of the time we euthanize the tourist.  All I can do is shake my head.

I was not good yesterday, but I did get some very needed housework done.


Today I will sew as I have a wedding dress to be picked up this afternoon and I haven't finished it!

My best buddy has a funeral next week about 8 hours away.  I am going to drive her, and we are going to take a little girl trip.  Not for a great reason, but we will make it an adventure. So, I have to finish up 4 dresses before I leave.  That will put some fire under my saddle.  Actually, I need the fire. This has been going on way too long.  I swear I can make a Tolstoy novel out of a few dresses.  Let's get it done and quit stressing and whining.

I am sick of the whining; I can hear myself on auto play.  Just get the darn things done.  Get on with your life. 

Missionaries are coming over to borrow my scale as they are both going home and need to weigh their suitcases. I would think they would want to throw most of their clothes away. You would be so sick of them by now.

So today I will be busy, and I hope to be able to report to you tomorrow how much I accomplished.


Missing my Slug.  Missing carrot cake.  Missing cruising. 

Kim

Friday, September 15, 2023

Friday, Day off, NOT!


 Thought I would post J's bio at her studio.  Most of the time she scares me.  Scared by my own daughter?  Why yes, yes, I am.

I ended up with Kelsa today so not much done but having fun.  She is down for a nap, so I plan on sewing. I slept really late this morning and I so needed to sleep as the last two night were dismal.

Last night about 8:30 the missionaries stopped by with a couple of easy mending projects.  I had eaten Lucky charms for dinner, and they had a bowl.  Then one of them needed feminine hygiene, and yes, I had some even thought I have not used it in 15 years.  But I do have daughters that stop by regularly. (I should add sister missionaries)

They are only allowed to go to the store once a week, although I would think this would count as an emergency, but I ran and got a box of things and dropped them off at their apartment this morning, because that is what a mom's do.

Signe' wanted me to keep the kids Saturday night so her and Nate could sleep-in, but I have to play for choir, so that was out. Those two have awful schedules. I don't think either one of them get enough sleep. Shift work is always hard on people.  Now all the football games have started at the colleges and Nate is overtime all over the place.

I have a baby shower in the morning and then I think I will spend the rest of the day at Lil sis's pool. She will be closing it up in a few weeks and it is supposed to be 93 tomorrow.

What are your plans for the weekend?

Kim

Thursday, September 14, 2023

Thursday, First dance class!


 Grandma and Kelsa going to her first dance class, and I don't know who was more excited. She was 1/2 the size of most of the three-year-olds and one mother came up and asked point blank if she was three yet. Oh, great enemies right off the bat. Because we all know who is the cutest right?  RIGHT?


This is a religious dance studio, and they play Christian music. I am not apposed but it does get redundant. They ended her class by shouting Praise Jesus!  My daughter said the look on my face was priceless.  Not that I don't praise Jesus, I just do it more privately......

Both kids are here today so the house is a wreck, but it will clean up fast when they leave.

Did not get much sewing done yesterday, so will try today. 

I bit the inside of my front lip and now I can't seem to eat anything without biting it again.  So sore and swollen. Aggravating.

Kim

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Wednesday, Bride down

 

Had a bride come in yesterday for her final fitting and pick up.  I had tried the dress on her two weeks before and it fit great I just had to put in or on a net bolero, with lace embossing.  Pian in the A$$.  Anyway, I had a really hard time zipping the dress.  Like she had gained some weight, or something was off.  Like I said I did get her into it.

I was adjusting a few things and she started to get sweaty and was turning a funny shade of purple red. I asked if she was okay, and she said she had eaten a big lunch.  Soon she was swaying, and I told her I was unzipping her dress, I had just enough time to get the zipper down and I grabbed my computer chair behind me and slid it over with my foot and then practically shoved her ball gown dress, train and all into the chair. Kinda of like shoving a large tulle marshmallow.

She did not speak for about 30 seconds, and I grabbed a trash can just in case she got sick.  She was going down fast and not the first time I have had a bride pass out on me.  I made her sit there for a while and she was so afraid she was going to get sick in the dress. I had her take deep breaths in and out of her nose.  Took her about 30 minutes before I would let her get up and get the dress off. Kept wiping the sweat that was pouring off her with a cool wet cloth. Getting her to sip ice water and just sit.  The dress was just loosely hanging on her upper body. I was more worried about sweat stains, but I managed to keep the dress dry.

It was very hot yesterday and she had driven about 2 hours from out of town ate a big lunch and then came in and put on a very tight dress.  I think she will be fine.  She might have to watch what she eats for the next 2 weeks.  SO much excitement.  NOT!

I did get some mums and bulbs planted yesterday and started on another wedding dress.

 Finished it about midnight last night and today I will do another and then all the September dresses will be out.  Yippee!  Well not out but done as far as I can get them without a body to try them on. 

I have way too many piles, and I really don't want to do them.

Both Kelsa and Oliver will be here this afternoon and they will both stay the night and then all day tomorrow so it will be Grandma time.  But I will still be able to get some things done. I think?

Kim


Monday, September 11, 2023

Monday, Slept terrible

 

I usually don't set an alarm, but I did last night. I slept off and on most of the weekend, and I knew I would not sleep well last night.  So, I forced myself up so I would be able to sleep tonight.


I did get all the fall decos out this weekend, but still have some cleaning to do and some ironing of napkins and things. 

I am trying to live what was normal before but boy is it hard.

Played for choir on Sunday we sing next week. They are asking for people to sing in the stake Christmas choir, and I have not done that for almost 30 years.  Just too busy with kid's performances, and plays and the Nutcracker, etc.  But now maybe?  I do love to sing in choirs.  As I play for our ward choir, I don't get a chance to sing. I will think about it.

Today it is a pile and a few wedding dresses, whatever I can get done.  I have three wedding dresses left for the 30th and I want them done by the end of the week.  Then I will only have 4 more. I really can't wait until there is not a dress left in this dang shop.

Went out early today and paid the rest of the months bills so that is done and out of the way.

Well, I am off to sew.  What are you going to get done today?

Kim

Friday, September 8, 2023

Friday, Playing catch up


 What a screwball, she so takes after me.  I have been trying to poke out my eyes with my toes for years.

No kids today so I am going to finish a wedding dress and a couple of piles. I know it is Friday, but I must make up for lost time that I spent feeling sorry for myself this week.

Thank you so much for all the advice on my post yesterday, you guys are champions and make me feel so much better.  Love you all. 

I have to reattach 12 lace motifs to the hem of a wedding dress and then do some mending. I was pretty proud of myself yesterday considering my mood.

Lots of tears off and on.  But that is okay.  Went to Wally world last night for dog food/treats. Got a few sewing supplies and more weed killer, and I also picked up some bulbs for the garden.  I am excited to plant them.

Eldest daughter had a trip from hell home from Rehoboth beach with her two boys. Stuck in airports for 24 hours, finally just paid out the nose for a hotel and taxis to get there as the airlines did nothing. She was back in Boise when I last talked to her.  On her way back to Twin Falls.  What a trip!

I need to pay a few bills and get a little housework done and clean up my shop some.  So, after my sewing I am going to do those things.  I might even get some ironing done this weekend. Choke!

The sun is shining, and I am feeling pretty chipper today, I can't let this energy go to waste. Must use it to make my life better.

You know what really makes my life better?

YOU!


Kim

Thursday, September 7, 2023

Thursday, I will get something done

Will I ever get my mojo back? The question I ask myself every day. Still trying though.  I just will not give up.

Yesterday was a bust for many reasons, but mostly grief, I think. But today I am determined to rectify yesterday's situation as in I will get some work done.

Maybe if I make a list.  Will that help?

1. mend hunting and work pants pile ($ pair)

2. hem two jeans

3. hem jeans

4. hem dress

5. take up straps in dress and press

6. hem a dress

7. hem a dress

8.get wedding dress ready for fitting

9. adjust waist on 6 pairs of pants

This all in no particular order just get it done.  Something, anything.

I did finish a book club book and not reading it the hour before the meeting is something knew.  It was dumb and less than inspiring.  So far, I have read 4 books and only one was any good.  But I do love the club and the get together so I will continue.  I am sorry I just read much deeper stuff.  Yeah, that is a deep word (STUFF).

All I want to do is be left alone to sleep. I think that might be depression.  But I will fight it.

How do you fight depression? Any ideas?

Kim

Wednesday, September 6, 2023

Wednesday, Not quite the roaring adventure


 My brother-in-law Ty's tractor trailer, during grain harvest. Ty's grandson was driving and had just put 100 gallons of diesel fuel into tank, and somehow when driving tank got punctured, so as the flames were starting, he pulled over too quickly resulting in a spill over into the creek. This happened Sept. 1st.



So, upside down in a creek bed with a fire going the grandson calls Ty and says what do I do? Ty tells him there is a fire extinguisher under the seat and to bust out a window and get out. It took three tries before he could literally fall into the creek that was now covered in a film of diesel oil.  He swam under water to avoid flames. This is what was left of the truck cab. Other than very singed hair and a little sick from fumes and choking on diesel water the emergency room let him go home that day. It was a miracle he got out, so I do believe he is taking after his grandfather.

I know I have written about my brother in law's adventures before, he is well known in the family for his stupidity (or just raw luck).

So, Joel and I take Slug and Dan to the ranch in southern Idaho.  It is about 14 miles from Yellowstone. Ty is the fourth-generation farmer on this ranch. You always have to be careful with Ty because he loves to take people on his kind of adventure.  I don't know where Joel and were, but we were just pulling into the yard, when I saw 3 razors (4 wheelers with bed) lined up and Ty was showing Dan how to operate one of them.  I immediately told Joel this is a bad idea. 

First of all, Ty will drive like a maniac way too fast and expect us to keep up.  He will go over terrain that is dangerous and the more dangerous the better. He loves to take Rubes (city folk) out and show them just how tough (or stupid) he is and just how inexperienced they are. He has been doing this for years.  I was mad because all I was thinking is that poor Dan (Ivy league, white collar) spent all his years in an office and in no way could compete with Ty out in the high desert.

Now realize the weather was of no concern to me.  It was warm and beautiful, not a cloud in the sky. I was chipping and bitching at Joel the whole way out to the prairie.  This was a bad idea, Dan was going to be angry or hurt or....  But on we continued to off road.  You have to hold on as we were climbing very rough terrain and Slug and Dan were in the rear. 

I saw Ty and Cindy disappear over a berm and when we got to the top Ty was crossing a creek after a very steep decent and then he flipped his rig around in a sand dune to face us.  I was furious and we were just getting started.  I took a quick look back at Dan and Joel motioned for them to go around us.  Well Dan had the biggest grin on his face.  I was shocked he was actually having fun????!!!!!

I wanted to take up the rear just in case something happened to Slug and Dan.  We continued to tool around on the upper prairie looking at the watering sights created by Ty's great grandfather.  Ty made the comment that we should head back as it looked like a storm could be coming in and I totally forgot how fast bad storms could come up on the prairie. 

So, we start heading back and too late, that storm hit, and it poured rain, and then hailed and lightening was striking all around us. Joel instructed me not to touch anything metal and to stay inside the cage of the razor.  (The whole flipping thing is metal ya BOZO) You really could not see the rain and hail were so bad, plus you are soaking wet and freezing. 

Ty pulled under the only large bush/tree he could find on the trail to wait for us, and I could just hear Slugs thoughts (are we really supposed to be under a tree in a lightning storm?) I know then that Ty told Joel he was taking off for the house to go get the truck and we needed to limp along the best we could.

When Ty got back to get me off Joel's rig Slug and Dan were ahead of us.  I was peeing my pants from fear.  I mean like peeing and Ty was trying to pull me into the truck and I could not quit peeing I never knew I could hold so much liquid.  Funny but not, as we were pulling in, I could see Cindy helping Sluggy into the house and Slug's cotton dress was dragging the ground, she could hardly move.

They have a large bathroom right off the backdoor, used to bring in baby animals to wash and warm them during calving season.  The whole huge shower is rock lined with heads and also heaters.  It is a beautiful bathroom but also has a purpose.  Cindy just put Slug into the hot showers fully clothed to warm her up. In the meantime, Dan has the upstairs bath, and I am trying to get out of my wet shirt, and I get stuck and can't move. I am hollering for help; Slug is downstairs and can't get her wet dress off as it weighs a ton. 

Consequently, we all got showered and changed. Quite the adventure.  A few days later I was asking Dan what was the worst part of the trip he said the High prairie.  What was the best part of the trip?  The high prairie. All I can say is men...

Now truly if Ty had known a storm was coming in, he never would have taken us up there as they have had two sets of horses killed due to lightening. The last time Ty was on his way up to get them, and they were struck, and Ty was knocked cold.  He woke later to the smell of burnt horse flesh and his watch had quit working.  He said he just laid there and looked at the 4 horses who all had their hooves burnt and curled back.  He waited for an angel to come get him because he knew he was dead. Eventually it started to rain, and he got cold, so he got up and went home. Of course, other than the horse loss we all roared at this story so typically Ty. Only he would think an angel was coming to get him.

Lesson learned avoid high prairie even with escort service.

I got the wedding dress from hell done last night and today it is piles. Lots of piles.

Oliver and Kelsa are here, and they are having fun destroying the family room.

Kim

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

Tuesday, Relax weekend


 I have often been called Pollyanna by my family, but I do enjoy annoying them.

I rested all day Friday or as much as I could between the few clients, I permitted to pick up.  I knew I was going to drive up to Moscow and spend the night at Braunwyn's so I could watch Oliver Saturday morning.  Usually when I do this, I clean and cook up freezer meals, and B and I do some kind of project after she gets off work.  But I just came up and curled on the sofa watched a movie went to bed and sat like a slug and played playdough with Oliver.  Then I drove straight home to sleep again.

I did get the house cleaned up a little ( I mean a little) then Sunday morning went to church played for the children's groups and then played for choir and went home and slept all afternoon and just watched TV and really did nothing but rest the whole day.

Monday, I got up and got a deep chocolate cake in the oven (Lil sis's favorite).  I set a timer for 15 minutes and had 2 minutes left and that scratch cake was in the oven. Then I really cleaned house and changed linens on beds. Rested a while.  Made chocolate buttercream frosting and took cake to Lil sis's.  We played dice had dinner and cake and ice cream and then home to sleep again.

My cold is on the way out and I am so happy about it.  Not the worst I have ever had but I really made myself rest as I know how easy it is for me to not recover. Just praying I don't get my usual sinus infection. Hoping the resting will ward it off.

The sister missionaries wanted to make chocolate chip cookies at my house Saturday morning, and I told them I would be in Moscow, but they were welcome to the kitchen.  I left everything out for them to make cookies, and while they were there the Elders (boy missionaries) rang the bell as they were coming by to put the kayaks back up in the garage.  The shock of having the sister's answer the door and I was not home was quite a laugh. Hey Diet cokes all around and cookies.... Love these kids, so fun and very useful! They bring me joy.

So today it is wedding dresses and then some.  I will have kids the next couple of days but as there will be more than one it is easier to get sewing done as they play together.  Much less interrupting the grandma. 

Please go read Slug's post about our near-death experience on the high prairie in Idaho. Tomorrow I will tell my version and it was scary.  I am still mad at Ty about it. I was mad at him when we took off the the skies were bright blue. I am just shaking my head right now remembering.

Well off to the machines... oh fun!

Kim