Thursday, Kiki and the academy

 See how many charts Kim can fill when she works hard and is not out spending money in town.  No groceries, no gas.  Just stay home and work.

Now let me tell you about the most gifted cat in the world.  When Kiki was found she was not moving.  She was dirty and limp.  Not bleeding but obviously had what we thought as a spinal injury.  Not moving her back legs at all.  So, she sat in a carrier with food and water she did not touch for a couple of hours. I was taking her to the vet at 4:30.

I did bring her into the house where it was cool and checked on her frequently.  My neighbor who found her came over and decided to hold her for a while and we talked, while she stroked Kiki and I finished up the Indian regalia.  All of a sudden, I noticed Kiki pushed with her back foot.  Did I just see that?

But again, no movement with her back feet. We decided to put her on the floor to see if she would react.  She gets up and ambles under the chair. She is fine.  Now she has always been a dirty scruffy cat.  We constantly go out and wash her off with clothes.  Which she loves by the way. So, what really is going on? We have no idea.  But we do know she is a good actress. I called the VET and they have a term for it.  

Magic Door syndrome. The minute you walk through the VET doors the animal miraculously recovers. But you still get a bill and some embarrassment to go with it. Kik's is back outside in her garage domain.  She had an afternoon of love.  She does get a lot of attention, as she demands it. But what an actress. The academy has been contacted. She is ready for her close-up Mr. D'Mille.

One more worry off my plate and I also completed all the shop things by 3 in the afternoon!!!!!  I am done until I get back from vacation.  I feel so free.  Made porkchops, squash from the garden and red potatoes for dinner. Dan and I went a got a dairy queen last night, we were watching Rooster Gogburn and the lady, and I fell asleep on the couch. Wen to bed early. I think yesterday really tired me out.

Now I need to think about packing and what I am going to take on this trip. The ironing basket needs love as most of what I want to take with is in there. But I have time to think and plan.

Sissie and our friend are due in this afternoon.  I am excited to spend some time with them before I leave.  Now I can.  Rather than being hooked to the shop until the last minute.

I still need to go out and do a little more spraying and I need to thin the beet and the radishes that have come up and have not been eaten.  I am not holding my breath.

Have a great and productive day

God is good

Kim

Wednesday, when it rains!

 I know a little sacrilegious, but I feel this way at times.

So that wedding dress from hell is gone.  Thank goodness as I wanted to light a match under it.  Took me 4 hours to complete.  Most of it is hand sewing....

Needless to say, my neck is a little sore.

But onto more important stuff.

Kay was leaving yesterday morning, and before she got far out of town, Dan called her to say his heart was acting up.  She returned and he was in A-fib.  So, I got to babysit Dan as she left town again.  Made him stay up here in the spare room so I was close if he needed to go back to hospital.  Kay has the car.

It was a long day yesterday, and I made a new sewing rule.  I no longer line bodices on corset gowns.  If you buy a sheer corset gown, find someone else or don't buy it.   It takes hours of hand sewing and I clearly underbid the dress.  I just don't want to do it at any price. There I have spoken.

My neighbor just came over with KiKi or garage cat who has clearly been attacked by a coyote.  I believe she is paralyzed on her back half, and I will have to put her down. Just what I need right now. I have her in a kennel in the house with water, but she is not eating or drinking.  She does not appear to be in pain. Poor darling.

Called Vet going in at 4:20. If she was in pain, I would have paid for an emergency visit. Oh my, life just throws things at you left and right.

I have three sister missionaries weeding my garden bed right now!  Isn't that great! I can so use the outside help.  I don't want Dan out in the heat, until we get an all clear on him.  Kay should be back tomorrow afternoon.

SO now that my day has been blown up what am I going to do next? Well, the piles. I have been waiting to do these all week. Let's list them just so we know where we are....

1. hem pants, and take in top

2. enlarge waste on pants

3. fix pockets in three pairs of shorts

4. hem a skirt and alter a neckline

5. shorten sleeves on three dress shirts and hem a pair of pants

6. hem 4 pairs of pants

7. put zippers in Indian leggings 

8. Alter a pile of tops 5 and fix waist on pants.

Okay can I get this done today?  I hope so.

On your mark get set go!

I feel terrible about my cat.

Kim

Tuesday, I don't want to!!!!

 

This is how I feel about the dress I am working on.  Bride came last night, and I pinned on lace, and it took forever.  All the pieces would not line up. I will get that done first thing even though I don't want to. Then I have to line the bodice by hand another thing I don't want to do.  I have to fix one of the darts again!!!! But she did like the fit so that is good. Beat head against wall.

Went out this morning and watered chickens and did more picking up in yard.  Then cleaned up and hosed off a mess the grandkids had made of the porch.

Now the back yard and deck are returned to normal.  I was able to freeze over a gallon of apricot puree last night. But too worn out or lazy to do dishes.  So, I did those this morning. I am trying to find chores to avoid this dress, but I think I clear ran out.

Okay Kim, set a timer and get to work.  Also need to slide in a piano lesson this evening as my teacher is leaving and so am I. Boy these paragraphs would not pass inspection in an English class.  I am jumping from one thought to another.

Sissie left for Missoula to pick up a friend. Dan is without a car.  I will run and pick him up this evening to go get a sandwich.

It is going to get to 104 today.  Love the heat, but I seem to spend most of my time in the airconditioned house. So maybe?

Say a prayer for me on this dress it is a real stressor. There are 7 piles to complete 2 are rather hard and wouldn't it be lovely if I could get to a few of these today?  A girl can dream.

Have a great and productive day

God is good

Kim

Monday, One dress left!

 

I am too tired to figure out how to get rid of the above chart, so you get a bonus picture. I am just not going to rack my memory right now.

I just had a wedding dress leave and I have one more to go.  That bride is coming in after 5 tonight. Then it is just piles.  Which believe it or not I am excited to get to. I have 4 days to get things done and I am a working fool.

Had a nice weekend.  I woke up on the 4th not feeling great.  But I persevered and made it to Kelly's with the family.  It was hot and noisy, and I do not mind either usually, but I also had everyone coming over later for a sundae bar and I was not my best.  I excused myself and went home and had a nap.  I am so happy I did.  When everyone arrived, I was feeling somewhat better. Signe' knowing I was not on top of my health stayed the night with me and the kids.

Boy did those kids have fun!  Poor Sissie was not her best either, but I made her a homemade vanilla shake her favorite and she collapsed on the sofa during the late-night fireworks.

The next morning Oliver had me up at 7:30 and started breakfast for the crew of 16.  Had the bacon and sausage done and warming and then at 10 started the overnight waffles.  We had cut up fruit and whip cream, syrup and eggs. Everyone left full and happy.  I did not get the dishes done and put away until noon.  SO, from 7:30 until noon I never sat.  Now I was tired.  I was due to have both Kelsa and Oliver the rest of the day into the next, but Signe' recognized I needed a rest, so she took the kids up to her place and I took another nap. Then I went and picked up Kelsa and Oliver at about 8o'clock and brought them home to stay the night and give Signe' a break.

We made individual lemon pound cakes with a really neat pan Sissie bought for me.  It makes 24 little loaves of bread and takes up the whole oven. They were very good, and the kids insisted on putting chocolate chips in the left-over batter and we made some muffins. We took the little loaves to choir practice. Where I overheard one of the men say, "I hope Sister Haverfield brought treats today."

Then home with the kids, for lunch and I took them to Sissie's pool for 1.5 hours and then home to rest.  Braunwyn picked them up about 5 and I laid down and slept until 10:15. I was up for about an hour and back down to bed.  I think last week really tanked my energy reserve and I just had to sleep and build it back up.

 

I am feeling great now. I had the kids go with me to pick a bucket of apricots. I don't have time to do jam this week, but I do have a nice batch pureed and cooked up which I will freeze to do jam later. I also made 6 large containers of turkey/chicken broth over the weekend and froze that along with two packages of turkey. I will pick a couple more buckets this week and puree and cook and freeze then when I get back, I can make jam.  I think this shows you I am getting a little smarter, because old Kim would have been trying to make jam now. Know your limits.  Something I struggle to learn.

They delivered the green house in boxes today.  Kelly's will go up first and when all the mistakes have been made, they can tell me how to do mine. I am such a good sister. I am letting her go first. 

My poor flower boxes need water so bad I have not either been awake or home the last two evening to water and they need to be watered every day. I have to wait to water until evening so as not to burn the plants. Dan is coming up later to help me, I hope they can gasp until then.  Poor darlings.

I cannot hardly wait until this bride comes to get this last dress done.   That will leave three waiting for me when I get back.

Did you guys have fun on the 4th?

Have a great and productive day

God is good

Kim

Friday, Happy 4th of July!

 Happy 4th of July my friends. Do you ever look back and realize how much you have compared to your earlier life?  Whenever I start to feel anxious about the world, I remember how hard I prayed for a beautiful home, a financially solvent life.  The blessings of a loving family and friends. A country that allows me freedoms not experienced in other parts of the world.  We are all so blessed. It is easy to soak up social media and think we are on fire, but are you on fire right now, I mean personally?  Probably not, so live with joy this day, pick up the woe tomorrow if you must.

I woke today with a bad headache, still not feeling my best.  Sissie not feeling well either.  Great! Two old sickies.  But we are both up and moving.   It was weird getting up today and not having a mental list of sewing. I have two more wedding dresses started that will be tried on Monday.  One is a nightmare. I worked on that sucker until after 10 p.m. last night.  Redid one of the hand darts 4 times. Might be why I woke with a headache.  Way too much stress on my neck for way too long. I will be happy to see this dress gone!!!!

Completed another chart, onto # 14 which should be done before the end of next week. Then I am off! I am so excited to get to go on a real vacation. 

I have many little bills to pay before I leave and then will face the music when I get back. I still have 3 major things to save for before the end of the year.  Actually 4 if you count Christmas.

I hope all of you have wonderful 4th. I am excited to get everyone together just wish I felt better.  Might be coming down with a sinus cold, hence the headache.  I will ignore it as much as possible.

Now time to break out the sparklers!!

Have a great and productive day

God is good

Kim

Thursday, let's get her done!

 

This was me this morning. I spent most of the day yesterday with Dan and daughter Signe'. She came by after I picked Roscoe up from groomers, and we decided to go and get groceries for the 4th.  Mine was mostly loss leaders as I base my bringing's around those. Also, we had Dan and decided to go pick up two greenhouse kits at Costco, because the truck was in town and we had Dan's back.  Poor Dan.

Anyway, just as I suspected they were sold out as the greenhouses, had been marked down $500. But we were able to order online and had them shipped free to my address which is in Idaho and has 3% lower sales tax.  Win! One of the houses is for Lil sis. I gave daughter $1000 in cash I had been saving for the green house as she ordered with her CC.  So, it is paid for. I am sure there will be more expenses concerning this as it will have to be put on a foundation of some kind, although I might have those here. I am excited as I am hoping this will really help with expenses in the spring. I spend a great deal on flowers and plants, and I know how to do my own.  Plus, I can share with others.

All the running around really cut into my day, but I managed to get done what I wanted to get done.  Signe' wanted me to come up to her place and help her purge her closet.  I enjoy spending time with my daughters and helping them.  As we had no kids or husband to distract, I said yes and went up about 7 last night after I had watered and taken care of things here.

We pooped around for a couple of hours and finally at 10:30 at night.  Yes 10:30 I said," Well I want to be in bed by midnight so let's get crackin."  I piled as much on the bed as possible and then grabbed item after item.  KEEP? DONATE?  If she took too long, I said DONATE!  We completely cleaned that closet, sorted, and hung by style all the clothing.  She had three large bags of donate. Then I vacuumed and we were in bed by midnight.  Lots of laughs. I even found a few things of mine... Those lulu lemon sweatpants I was missing, a pair of Dansko sandals, a swimsuit cover up, and a summer dress.  I also helped myself to a really nice coach pocketbook she never uses.  Go me! Left there this morning about 9:30.

I had a piano lesson at noon today, and I have two wedding dresses getting picked up today.  I hope!

Sissie and Dan are coming up to cook dinner on my grill and I put the whole chicken in the oven that I had pulled out yesterday.  It is done and cooling and I just put a small turkey in the oven to roast this afternoon. Had to get some things out of the freezer.  I will make a chicken salad for the weekend and then slice up the turkey for sandwiches and freeze the rest.  Plus make a pot of broth.

I have everything for my Sunday bar for the 4th.  Saturday morning the 5th we will do big breakfast at my house.  Could be as many as 20 people.  Will do bacon and sausage, overnight yeasted waffles and eggs. I will get Kay and Dan to come help.  Then I plan on making a triple batch of rolls for turkey sandwiches and leftovers from the 4th. Between the bar, the dining table and the outdoor deck seating I can do 20.  Who am I kidding, will I get to sit down? 

I will also have Oliver and Kelsa this weekend this should be interesting.  Therefore, help from sister and Dan necessary. 

Today I have two mothers of the bride dresses to hem, one is a nightmare and then I want to start on that last monster wedding dress if possible.  The more I get done the easier next week will be.  Even though I have 5 days, I know how my schedule can change in a minute, and I just want to be ready.

So, I am going to force myself to get to work, even though I really do not want to. I have to say I am thoroughly tired of sewing. However, that is not an excuse to slack. I wish it was.

Are you ready for the 4th celebrations?

Have a great and productive day

God is good

Kim

Wednesday, I am Smoking!

 Isn't it nice to have friends that understand you...

I was one busy beaver yesterday along with my foul mood, but I have quickly brought myself back to cheerful.  Just can't abide foul for too long.

I was able to actually get three wedding dresses done yesterday.  I still have to sew up the inside of one dress and that is the first thing I will do today.

I started to pick the lace off the bottom of the fourth wedding dress last night and I have to hem the under skirts and call the bride to come in so I can place the lace. That leaves one bridal dress left before I go.  It is also a really, really hard alteration, and I am dreading it.

So, in actuality I have two more wedding dresses left, one I have a good start on, which I am happy about.  Then I have two mothers of the bride dresses and of course the piles.  I will try and get all the bridal stuff done except the one hard dress before the fourth.

I need to run out and do errands today, as in pay a bill, cash some checks, and go to a couple of grocery stores. 

Sissie and I looked through my freezer and I pulled out a turkey and whole chicken that need to be cooked.  I can do this and pull the meat off the bone. Will probably make some homemade rolls for turkey sandwiches and then will freeze the rest and make broth for later.  I just need the room in the freezer.

Took the dog to the groomer this morning and she has a huge apricot tree that is loaded, so I will pick some apricots while I am down there when I pick Roscoe up.

So next week all I will have are the piles which I can get done in one day and the zippers on some Indian Regalia. I can handle a week of that.  Kim needs some down time. I might go ahead and pick all the apricots from my baby tree, as they fall off and the marmots eat them.  I think I will pick up the culls at me neighbor's house for my chickens. I see myself, making apricot jam next week.

It is so nice to finally feel like I can see light at the end of this tunnel.  Still there is a lot to do and I can't rest on my laurels, or my butt for that matter.

I was able to get all of the weeds picked in the front yard last night after the sun went down, so now I can mow without guilt.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed?

Have a great and productive day

God is good

Kim

Tuesday, I am tired, but can't quit.

 I sewed all day yesterday and now I have two wedding dresses that I can finish today and then start on a third. I finally figured out what my problem is... I am tired of sewing.

I actually really enjoy sewing, but trying to keep up is getting old.  I am not behind like I was last year, so I don't have that stress but trying to keep up from getting behind is also a stress.

I am reaching a point now that I will not be able to take on any new sewing until I get back from vacation.

I had another wedding dress come in yesterday, that someone's grandma was supposed to do and then grandma realized it was too hard.  Wedding in two weeks. So, in reality with the dress I did yesterday for my little sister's stepdaughter and this grandma fiasco added two more to the already tight list.  I am over it.  No more. This girl is done.  I have this week which is short and then next week, and I am out of here.

We are in our hot season.  102 yesterday and 104 today.  I was able to get 1/2 the weeds in the front yard pulled last night after the sun went down and will do the other 1/2 tonight.  The chickens need fresh cool water, and I have been giving them corn cobs every night which they love. I change the water twice a day.  Also, I cannot skip watering as all the flower beds, pots and part of the garden are hand watered.  This takes me almost an hour.  So right now, a minimum of 2 hours of yard duties and I really should spend more time out there. I am in the keep it alive mode for the next month.

I just responded to a txt where a client who wants a fitting on Saturday.  She tried the same thing last week.  I am not open on Saturdays and Sundays. People will just push and push for their convenience, and I am over it!  Is it an emergency? As in a funeral?  Then no come when I am open.  Oh, Kim is developing an attitude. Remember the Fridays off?  Well, that has not happened for a long time, and I knew it would not work during high bridal season, but that is coming back my friends.

Okay enough feeling sorry for myself and complaining.  I need to get to work.  When I have two dresses done and ready to go out, I will feel better and less anxious.   Alos need to quickly pay my bills it is the first!

Have a great and productive day

God is good

Kim