Monday, New week!

 

I had a nice weekend.  Uncle Dan and I went up to Kelsa's party Saturday afternoon. She was so excited and so cute. She stayed with me Thursday and Friday night, so she was out of the way, and she was actually shaking with excitement when we drove her up to her house.

I frosted her cake and Uncle Dan helped with the setup of the water slide and a balloon pool.

Sunday I was up early as the choir was singing, and we had practice before church. It went well and that song can be stowed away for later. Received one of the songs we will do for Christmas as we will start practicing. We were not supposed to have choir practice after church but the Bishop called a meeting and I had not brought treats. This was not a bad thing for the adults but the kids we shoo into the nursery were devastated and the meeting lasted almost as long as practice.  Thank goodness, I had purchased 6 cookies from a bake sale that were delivered to me at church. They were large and I pulled those out and split them in two.  Crisis in the nursery averted. I however did not get a cookie.

Then I came home and spent the entire afternoon resting. I did have to water and tend chickens, plus watering the property and I did a weekly spraying.  I was a sweaty mess.  So much for not working hard on the Sabbath.  But when it is in the low 100's you have to water. Dan came over for a piece of that pie I made. He also brought me some shrimp salad from Sissie, and I had that for breakfast yum! Ate the last piece of pie this morning.

I already had two brides in here this morning. One was just a consult, so she did not leave the dress. But I have plenty to dresses to get out. Hopefully I will get two out this week, bridal dresses that is.... Not counting the mother of the bride and just general alterations.

I have several little bills that need to be expunged and that is my goal for this week.  I also have to save for the last half of the house taxes which are due in Dec.  Those are 1600.00 plus Christmas. So, this week I need to just try and get all these little bills paid. Hopefully in the next two weeks, if possible.

I need to put 350.00 into my checking account to pay for airplane ticket that daughter bought.  Then I owe Sissie 300, don't' ask.  I swear we throw money back and forth at each other all the time.  It is really kind of funny. My two sister's and I had what we called the traveling thousand, that floated between us for years when times were tight. We really don't know how it ended up.  I am sure I was the winner on the receiving end. Then I owe Home depot 70.00, have a balance on my Talbots card, that I need to pay before interest.  Just little bills that need to be addressed before I go for the taxes. Also, I used my major CC for things this month and will have to pay those balances. Money in money out.  The whole goal is not to add new debt. Oh, and the dog needs a groom $50.00

I have a wedding dress ripped and ready for me to work on today. Plus, I have grooms' suit to alter. I will try and get those done today. Still have pants to fix for a buddy, so should get to those. It is always something.

What plans do you have for the week? Are you trying to save for anything?

Life is just plain old expensive.

God is good

Kim.

Thursday, I completed a Goal!

 I have no control, but I keep trying. And I completed a goal!  I had to save $3000 to pay a bill before the end of the year and I did it.  I am going to the bank and getting it done this morning before I go to the Temple.

Now I need to save for the house taxes which are due in December.  That savings goal is 1600. I hope to complete that next month. 

Even though the shop slows down this time of year, I feel that I have more work coming in to help reach this goal. Plus, I am back to my austerity measures until my next trip which is who knows?

I am feeling pretty darn good about myself right now.

Had a wedding dress picked up last night.  Also started on another one.  I will probably have two go out next week, I think.

I am going to run to the bank and then going to pick up my buddy and take a trip up to the Spokane Temple. Going home I will pick up Kelsa for the next two nights.  They are getting ready for her birthday party on Saturday and don't want her help.  I can't imagine why.

Sissie came up last night and cooked fried shrimp and potato croquettes. So yummy.  We had my neighbor over and it was fun.  Dan mowed and trimmed my lawn bless his little heart. We also had yellow squash from the garden so good.

I froze another gallon of tomatoes and put all of my cured off potatoes in a crate.  I still have the onions curing in the garage.  I go out and stir through them twice a day to make sure air is getting to them. Then when they are good a dry, I will peel off the outer layer and store them in a crate.

Slept badly last night so I slept in a little today and I feel great.  I think just completing that huge savings goal has helped my attitude.  I can do hard things.

I have no plans for tomorrow, as I will have Kelsa, but will probably get a little sewing done. Surely, we will spend time at the park. Probably make cookies or something else fun.

I also made a beautiful peach and blackberry pie last night.  I used the blackberries I picked from the yard and peaches I froze last year. Sissie made the crusts, bless her.  All I had to do is roll them out.

Now I have to eat the pie but can't do that alone. Or can I?

Anything fun at your place?

God is good

Kim

Wednesday, First day of school here.

 When I was growing up school started after Labor Day and ended before Memorial Day. We had three whole months.  Now kids have two months. But they rarely go to school for 5 straight days. Usually, it is 3-to-4-day weeks.  It is a parent's nightmare. 

My grandkid's school had every other Friday last year a 1/2 day. So, kids went to school for two hours.  Daughters' solution and many of the other parents was to just not send them to school. This year to avoid that the district has late start every other Wednesday, making it really hard for the parents that have to be to work. The reason was to avoid parents taking kids out of school for the day and losing government money. How about just going back to the old way and quit with the 3 and 4 day school week. I am so happy my kids are out of school, as I would be telling the admin they were now on my time.

I was able to get the wedding dress done yesterday.  It was a bugger to press.  Full ball gown and so wrinkled. Bride will pick this evening. I will start on another wedding dress today. It has to go out next week and I have two more sets of wedding gear that have to be done in the next two weeks.  I have plenty to do along with a few more formal dresses.

I am wiped out from sewing so hard the last 2 days, but I did get a lot done and most of it was nerve racking and hard. But I tell myself just take it one seam at a time. 

I really need to take one of my sergers in for a tune up and new blades.  I like to have two going at once.  One white and one black. I could get by with one and change the thread accordingly.  We will see. Changing serger thread is no joke.

We are in the dog days of summer here and it is very hot and will continue for another couple of weeks and then cool down to the 90's.  Yes, that is cool here.

What fun and excitement do you have to do today? Hopefully it is a little better than my excitement.

God is good

Kim

Tuesday, Up early and busy...

 I think I have been chalanting way too much! What thinks you?

Spent the morning pulling all the potatoes, and onions from the garden. Now I have them curing in the garage.  After I rotate them and air them for a couple weeks, I will store them away. I did not plant many potatoes probably grew 40 lbs at the most. Potatoes are still really cheap here.  On sale they are 1.28 for 10 pounds. I will go pick onions off the road this fall.

The shop has been crazy busy with at least 8 clients so far today.  Two wedding dresses came in actually 3 as one had 2 dresses. I also have two wedding dresses booked to come in next week making a total of 8 in the shop.  My June was not as busy as usual, and I think I am going to make up for it in September. Which is great, I have another savings goal I have not been able to touch that I thought I would have to give up on this year. But maybe it is still in the works. I hope.

Sissie ran up 4 piecrusts for me bless her. I pulled out peaches and I have the three cups of blackberries and I will make a pie and then freeze two crusts.  Ate at Sissie's last night, chili and I brought down the corn bread I had made.  Yum! Tonight, she is doing pork chops so I will eat there again. I am so blessed to not have to cook.  I will take down my frozen applesauce.

I still have a mother of the bride to finish and a wedding dress I did not get to yesterday.  These dresses that are coming in have cheaper and cheaper linings and satins. Like costume satin which is throw away quality.  I have just noticed the really good bridal sites are really dumbing down their fabrics.  They are hard to work with, and don't hang well. I was so frustrated yesterday with two dresses I just gave up after 3 hours and my back was angry.

But I will get these done and call it a day!

God is good

Kim

Monday, Another chart!

 Completed another chart on Friday, I brought home almost all the money I took with for our trip to Canada.  So, I added that to the savings. 

I spent the weekend trying to fight off a serious case of depression.  Don't know why it hits like it does. I had Kelsa Friday night hoping that would help. 

Saturday morning started with pancakes and me deciding to take a swipe at my house.  I hadn't done a thorough deep clean since spring cleaning.  So, I set a timer and what I thought would take me an hour took three. But I dusted the ceiling fans on down.

Living next to a feed lot brings in flies, I am always fighting them. I swear they die in the window wells.  Having been gone 3 days left me with the carcasses I clean up several times a day.  It is just that time of the year. Still, I love the cows, so I am really not complaining.  Rather flies than mosquitos. 

Saturday afternoon to ward off the blues Kelsa and I went shopping.  I have not taken her shopping all year as I am trying to save money. But I went to Costco for laundry soap, plastic freezer bags, and plastic wrap. We found some school clothes for her, and we just had a good time.  Then her mom came to take her away as they were going to a theme park the next day.  I could have gone with but said no and stayed home to wallow.

Wallowed all day yesterday.  Did not change out of my p.j.s until after noon. Finally went out to feed and check on the chickens.  Found out they are laying eggs under the coup and came out with 16 pullet eggs. Little buggers.

I have plenty to do today as I continue to wallow. Lil sis was over her and she cheered me up some. Now I have to kick my own butt to get something done. I hope I can kick hard enough.

I have 4 mothers of the bride dresses to get done today and 3 pairs of pants to hem, 2 by 5: o'clock tonight. I also ripped a wedding dress on Friday afternoon, and it is ready for me to sew, if I can just get on to it.  It has two layers of horsehair braid, which I hate. But I can do it with enough gumption, which I am sorely lacking at this moment.

I went out and took a look at the garden this morning and I need to pick all the onions and get them curing.  Also, tomorrow I think there will be enough ripe tomatoes to freeze another gallon bag. That will make 4 gallons so far.  I really want to can at least 24 to 30 quarts this fall if possible.

Well, this sewing is not going to do itself, so I had better get on with it.  I will set a timer and get busy.

I want to be able to get my savings goal done by the end of the month and that means work more and spend less.

What are your goals for the week?

Have a great and productive day

God is good

Kim

Friday, Glad to be home!!!!!!

 I have been asking myself this for the last three days, while I sat in the back seat of a car getting thrown around.  Note to self, this is why your grandkids get sick in the car.

Sissie insisted on driving, so I let her.  Our neighbor had the other front seat as she is very tall, and I could not imagine her trying to cram her long legs in the back seat. 

It was a long trip. Over 20 hours in a car, but we accomplished the mission.  She was able to get her banking done and get her money out. But I am telling you never again. You guys just witnessed this, right? So, remind me when I go to do some crazy A$$ thing for someone else.  Like break their husband out of a rest home or take their cat to be put down or take a three-day trip across the border. I will never receive any blessings for these kind acts of stupidity as I complain about them afterwards. You need to do things with a kind heart and mind and mouth.  The mind and mouth I need to work on. But it is done!

I am home and working hard on saving money so I can pay a $3000 bill I have before the end of the year.  after this I just have, and couple of small goals and then the house taxes and one other larger savings plan which I don't see happening this year.  It will probably go into next. 

I went out this morning and picked a large bowl of produce from the garden.  I checked the chickens and only found one egg. It has been so hot that they have slowed down on laying. It will pick back up when the weather gets a little cooler.

I need to go out and pick all the blackberries before they fall off the vines.  I think I will have enough for a pie.  The vines come from the neighbor's place. I don't want them to go to waste. After I pick, I am going to seriously cut those dang vines back. They are lethal.

I have no idea if I am going to have Kelsa this weekend, I need to call and find out. Looking forward to a weekend of peace and yard work, maybe pie baking.  I need to use up some peaches I froze last year.  I will make a quadruple batch of crusts so I can freeze them for later.  Think I will call Sissie to come and help. It is so nice to have crusts in the freezer and takes all the stress out of making a pie.

The dryer just signaled so I had better get over there and get the clothes out before they wrinkle.

Have a great and productive day

God is good

Kim

Monday, Hell week!

 The weekend was too busy!!! Between birthday party and getting up really early 3 days in a row, this grandma needs a nap.  Is she going to get one? NO!

I have Kelsa and Will here as Signe' and Nate had their flight cancelled out of Miami yesterday.  They finally got out this morning and are In Seattle awaiting flight to Spokane.  I should see them after 3 today.

So yesterday I got a call from Brittany to meet her in Colfax which is halfway between here and Spokane. Both kids were teary and upset as they were missing their folks and William was sick. Having the flight delayed was more than they wanted to handle.

We stopped at their house and Will was sick again and I just cancelled all my plans and stayed up in Colton overnight, then up early to meet Kay at the car repair place.  Now I am home with both kids.  Just heard from Sig and Nate. Anyway, best laid plans out the window.

I have so much sewing to do today, as I was not good last week.  So of course, I am under pressure now and will get things done. 

Tomorrow Kay and I are driving my next-door neighbor to Victoria.  She has Parkinson's and needs to get some banking done that she can't get done over the phone.  I hope this is not a wasted trip and I am not at all excited about doing this, but we agreed we would. I just don't feel like being out of town for the next three days.  Oh well, it is an adventure.

So, let's make a list and see if I can get all this done today, Yikes!

1. hem three jeans

2.hem 2 jeans

3.alter a dress blue

4.hem a mother of the bride dress

5. alter a jacket

6. hem and waist two pairs of pants

7.hem two mothers of the bride dresses

8. alter a bridesmaid dress

9. alter neckline on dress

 I would love to clean my car, but it is supposed to be over 100 again today.  I do have to go pick all the tomatoes that are ready in the garden and also the eggplant  I will freeze the tomatoes and process the eggplant when I get home.  I would also like to make a shrimp salad for a man in our ward who just had a heart attack. He loves my shrimp salad.  I should have made it yesterday, but those plans were blown out of the water. Oh well this list is way too dang long.

Headed out to pick the garden already gathered the eggs.

Have a great and productive day

God is good

Kim

Friday, Kim's brain

 Looking for my brain.... It has gone missing... You get two posts one upon another has I forgot to hit confirm because I was distracted by a client and then I was distracted by weeds, and then I was distracted by running out of weed killer, and then I was distracted at Home Depot getting more weed killer, only to be distracted by some other distraction.

This is my life, this is also the look I have on my face most of the time.

I did get a lot of spraying done yesterday. I went to book club and had a good time. Loved the book this last month. called These is my words.

I would recommend it, for a book club, or just reading on your own.

I have piano lesson this morning after a bridal fitting and then I have to get ready for Oliver's B-day party tomorrow.  Have to make a relish tray and a fruit tray and bring up some water balloons. Uncle Dan will go with me.

Talked to Nate and Signe' who are on a cruise right now and they are having a good time. Kelsa and Will are up at the other grandma's house and I am jealous.

I need to go practice a little as I have been very slack lately. Shame on me need more discipline, or medication not sure which.:)

Forgot I had this post up and just found it 3 hours later.

That is it, Kim needs a keeper.

Havea to make a veggie and frit tray for Olivers party tomorrow.  Plus figure out if water balloons will last in a cooler. I lead such an interesting life.

Have a great and productive day

God is good

Kim

 

Thursday, have to spray

 I am still in recovery. I remember after my first baby was born, you were supposed to be in recovery for an hour or two and I was in recovery for 24 hours, with a grand mall seizure, and basic inability to recover at all. This is back in that 20-year time span where natural childbirth was the norm, and you were not allowed to eat or drink anything when in labor.  So, by the time I got to the hospital I was so dehydrated and weak, I couldn't even begin to have a baby. The good times.

Today I need to sew, and I did get everything sewn yesterday that I wanted to, so I was happy with that. I am going out to spray after this post.  I am sure I am going to run out so will then run to Home Depot. I need to drop some things by a shut ins house and stop at a bank.  Just a few minor errands.  Then home to sew.

Or I might just stay home and sew. Or I might.... I had better stay home and sew. 

But first I am attacking the weeds.  Dang things!!!!!

Have a great and productive day

God is good, weeds are bad

Kim

Wednesday, What more?

 

Okay so I was so proud of getting all the bills paid only to realize there are two more.  One is an advertising bill for the shop, and another is a check I write once a month to help support a missionary.  You see if I follow the spread sheet Sissie worked so hard on to help me, I will know these things.  But why do that when I can lolly-gag my way through life? This was written for Sissie's benefit. I can hear her silent screams from miles away.

Yesterday was restful, today will not be. I was able to get all the flowers dead headed last evening while I was watering. I also soaked all the peaches off my little tree in boiling water and peeled them and then smashed them into a gallon bag for jam later.  The tree is not very big, and the deer seem to get the peaches on the lower branches. But a little is better than none.  I also picked and froze two gallons of tomatoes, that I will can up later on this fall. So, the day was not a complete waste.  Realize just watering and taking care of the chickens takes about an hour.  Dan helped me by watering the garden area. But today I really must sew, as I need the money to pay the two bills I forgot about..... That is life.

Thank goodness I enjoy sewing or life would be a lot more challenging. I am blessed to do what I love, and I know this and certainly appreciate it. Now if I can just motivate myself a little more.

Here is a picture of me in Philly, this temple is right across the street from the first church Joel served his mission in over 50 years ago. It was a wonderful trip. I think getting to be with my daughter and two grandsons was the best part. We had so much fun and many laughs.  The kids mostly laughed at us, but I am okay with that.

Looking forward to many more years with them. I am letting my hair go grey not sure if I like it. Right now, it is just like a raccoon nest, and I am okay with that. I surely love not having to keep it up.  Never have been a worried about how I look most of the time.  Give me a pair of overalls and a pitchfork. The horns are optional...

Sew So today Kim must be good and get some sewing done.  Plenty of work has come in the last few days and more is coming. Sissie and I are running an errand later this afternoon and then she is making pizza so I will eat with her. It is so nice not to have to cook.  Who am I kidding I wouldn't cook, I would just have a bowl of cereal. I will think of something I can cook for the three of us tomorrow.

I really love having her so close, it gives me someone to irritate on a regular basis. 😇

I have three denim skirts to alter and a couple of pairs of pants, then a few more pants to hem.  I can do this in a short while.  Then there are 5 mothers of the bride dresses that have come in in the last 2 days. Fun, Fun. Loves me some organza. (Not really)

A girl must work to be fed and I am more than well fed.  Look at picture.

Have a great and productive day

Any plans? Anything fun? Do tell!

God is good.

Kim 

Tuesday, PAID!!!

 I came across this and had to post, 6 nincompoops on Christmas eve.  The good times.

I think it took all my energy and sanity to get my bills paid yesterday.  I think paying online is so frustrating as our internet (two tin cans and a string) kicks me out at least every other time I log on.

I do think old fashioned mail and stamps might be faster and less aggravation.

I did get some sewing done and got a wedding dress done, also was able to deliver some of the sewing to a home bound lady.  Got the visiting done and a little genealogy. I will not allow genealogy to take over my life.

Ate dinner with Sissie, she made too much so we have to have leftovers.  Neither Dan nor I are excited about that. We are trying to learn to cook smaller portions, but Sissie and I are threshing crew cooks, and it is hard for us.

I have to go out and pick tomatoes today, and I did not get the dead heading done yesterday. It rained in the afternoon, so I did not have to water yippee!

Not feeling my best today, a little headachy. But I would interpret it as an advanced case of laziness. I seem to be a strong carrier of that gene. It strikes out of nowhere and there I am on the sofa watching TV and napping. I always recover when I realize it is late in the day, and I might as well hang up my hat. Because? Why not? Tomorrow is another day.  I am positive that way.

I need to go get my nails done this week. Might call and get that set. Hate to spend the money but they look horrid.

The garden is calling, and I had better get out there before it gets too hot.

Have a great and productive day

God is good

Is that a sofa?

Kim

 

Monday, Okay so what am I doing now?

 This is me and several people I know along with my Sissie. So may that I can have fun with and get in trouble with and laugh with, so important.

I had a nice lazy weekend, trying to keep up with the yard and garden, but I think I lost. SO many weeds.  So much produce.  I am giving it away.  I am blessed.

All the onions need to be picked, and I need to go out and get mor tomatoes.  I am freezing them so I can them later when it is cooler. 

The chickens are laying little pullet eggs; I am going to take a dozen to a girl friend who makes cakes with fillings. Pullet eggs are supposed to be creamier than regular eggs. I thought she should try them and see.

I need to dead head all the flower boxes, and we have reached that time in the year where all the boxes look sad and burnt a little, but they will come back when it starts to cool down in a month.

There is a wedding dress to get done right away and several piles to keep me busy. Plus, the garden and yard work. No rest here.

Kay and I are talking about visiting Slug this fall, because I so need a Sluggy fix. I have a free ticket that must be used before the end of November.  We will see.

Now I am on a no spend challenge again trying to recover from my trip. Little pile of bills to pay this month. My goal is to get through the month and add to a $3000.00 savings challenge.  I already have 1500.00 saved for this challenge, and I hope to have it all by the end of the month. Then all I have left to worry about as far as large bills go, are the property taxes, that are due in December they are 1600.00.

But I have home depot and Talbots, which have small balances, and I don't want any interest charges! 

The only way to do this is to not spend money and save, save, save.

Sissie just came in and had me help her get French bread started.  She has never used my Bosch mixer, so I gave her a training. We have two loaves of French bread kneading right now and after I will show her how to do pizza dough.

This is today's schedule:

1. alter pile of clothes, 4 pants (one pant), one robe, two skirts (One skirt)

2. deliver clothes to shut in

3. alter wedding dress

4.alter some things for a girl friend

5. practice piano

6. go visit a church member for her birthday

7. get help with genealogy from a friend

8. dead head all flower boxes

9. water flower boxes

10. pay a few bills, home depot, Talbots, internet, and power. That will take care of the month also have the house and my major CC to call and pay.  Then that can be put to bed. Yeah!

Just got done helping Sis with her dough. I am off to get something done, anything done.

Have a great and productive day

God is Good

Kim