I always tell all my nieces and nephews this. I also think it is true. I am home, have been here for a few days. We pulled in on Friday about 3 and I had all three grandkids here at 4. I think I was missed....
Anyway, had a good time at daughter's house. Lots of projects completed. I did a ton of alterations. Daughter has a judge in her office that has lost a ton of weight, and he sent over 10 suit jackets to be altered. I did three, for him to try as I had not pinned them. Two fit well the other a little snug, brought 8 home with me and will do them this week and send them back with Signe' as she takes James home and teaches a dance workshop in Twin Falls.
James is attending a rocket workshop this week with William. Having the kids for 2 days was tiring, but they are really good, other than the messes. Boy, can they make a mess. Especially Kelsa. She has discovered scissors (safety) she wanted glue, and I said NO! Can't imagine what that would lead to.
So, at Eldest's house I also made elastic covers for a new picnic set they bought that was highly shellacked and in the full hot sun. I knew it would really eat the surface. So bought 6 yards of heavy plastic clothe and made shower caps for the table. Turned out great. Then we made 36 pints of strawberry, and strawberry rhubarb jam. That took a day, and I was tired and sore and then realized I had been on my feet for about 10 hours. We also did some remodeling in her laundry room and made it much more efficient for her family. Our last big project was wallpapering a wall in the formal front room. She has 13 foot ceilings, and after moving the baby grand piano so we could get a ladder in, we took turns going up and down. It took a total of about 4 hours with two of us. I was very, very sore after this, escapade, but Jess loved the results, making it worth it. Pulling one's body weight up and down a ladder is different than going up and down stairs. I remember being sore like that when I was dancing. You walk down the stairs backwards to avoid the pain in your thighs. Anyway, it was a good week. Sissie did most of the cooking, and cleaning and things I would normally do, so I could focus on projects. That was a great help.
Yesterday we, (grandkids) and I went over to Sissie's to give gifts to Uncle Dan. We called it Happy Funcles Day. He is both a grandfather and an uncle to my grandkids. He is also a lot of FUN. Kelsa and William always ask if Uncle Dan is coming. He was touched.
I came home to more damage in the garden, and I have to give up on cabbage this year. Found another hole dug by a rabbit or marmot. So frustrating. But I will keep working until the little bounders are kept out. One way or another. They are so determined. Now I know why my grandfather said Varmints WITH such a tone!
I have so much sewing to do in the next week. I had thought about going with Signe' back down to Twin Falls next week but decided against it. I need to stay home for choir and also my clients. I love being at my eldest daughter's place, but my kids here need me also. Eldest doesn't really need me. Just love my time with her.
I have 4 if not 5 wedding dresses I need to get out soon as I plan to be gone the last two weeks of July into August. SO, all dresses due out next month and August must be done. There are piles here I left plus the judge's suit coats that need to go with Signe' this weekend. I have plenty to keep me busy.
Saturday after I got home, I had a full day of yard work. Started at 10 in the morning, I sprayed verge for over and hour, then planted more perennials I had picked up in Twin Falls on a good sale. I weeded the gardens, trimmed the yard, and Dan came up and mowed for me and then I used the blower to clean up grass. I did a deep water and then Miricle growed all the gardens and pots. I wanted to do some major weeding on the hill, but my back gave out. So that is for another day. But I was pleased with the catchup on the yard. I still need to do some major repairs on the fencing and that is coming up soon.
I did not get to tell you guys about my two emergency brides I had just before I left town. On Wednesday, as I was coming home from an errand with James I received a phone call from a bride. It was about 5 p,m. and all I heard at first was crying. James was so confused at the sobbing on the phone. The bride had tried on her dress and was trying to put in some push up bra pads and the dress ripped right down the center. I tried to calm her down by saying, I had never had a dress I could not fix. I told her my address, and I would meet her at the house. She was shocked, Right Now? Yes, you are getting married in three days and I am leaving town, and you will just cry all night so let's get it done.
When she arrived, sure enough the nude lace in the front was ripped right down to her ?????. It had lace straps that held it up and the sheer tulle in the front was just for show. I went to my emergency bride box and found two nice oval lace motifs that matched her dress well and tailor tacked them into the cleavage, which was now way, way too low. However, the dress a little tight in the bust which is why it ripped in the first place. I then cut out all the tulle with tiny scissors and the new motifs gave her about 1.5 inches more room, so her boobs were not smashed, and she did not need the push up pads. Actually, the dress looked better. This took about ten minutes, and she was thrilled. I did not charge her but asked her to send me a picture and write a good revue.
Thursday night just after the kids came, I get a call from another bride who is in Orofino a town 41 miles away. She is getting married on the 14th and I will be home the 13th. She had given her dress to someone's Aunt and this person did not know how to alter the back of the dress or to how to bustle the dress. She sent pictures and it was a mess. Told her she had better drive in right away as I was leaving and I did not want her to have to wait until I got back and worry all the time I was gone. She had obviously cried her way into town. It took about an hour to alter the straps, which had to be brought up only in the back to take out wrinkles. Most of it was hand work. There was also dried blood on the front of the dress, and many dirty spots on the back. She said she would be taking it to the cleaners. I said, Oh know you are not! They will charge you $200 and not get it clean. I have spotting solution, and I went to work and got every stain out, even the blood on the front. Cold water and rubbing alcohol. Did I have time for an extra hour that evening when I was trying to pack? No. But she left so grateful and Happy. Yes, Ann, I did charge her, she was happy to pay. Now I was afraid to leave town due to bridal emergencies.
Anyway, my life if anything is exciting. Now I must go face the shop and see what damage I can get done today. I believe it is Indian regalia and a wedding dress or two. There is a huge Pow Wow on the reservation this coming weekend, so I expect more emergencies. Usually, they are just little rips and tears and do them while they wait. It is an honor to be trusted with these garments that are often two or three generations old.
Have a great and productive day
God is good
Kim