Friday, Happy day!

 

My day off!  I get to have lunch with my sisters! I am also going to Lil sis's pool for the afternoon. I will be in the sun and so happy! Lil sis has officially retired, and we can have more fun together. I don't know who is more excited.

Went to my piano lesson got and new song I am going to hate.  I am not a jazz lover. I don't like playing jazz but I will try.  I love my piano teacher; she is younger than all my daughters, but such a good friend.

Now I am getting ready to plan my trip to see the Slugster. So excited. Can't imagine the trouble we will get into, but I am ready. 

Joel's mom is struggling with her heart some and I may end up down there for a while. I promised her if things got bad enough, she would never go into a home.  I would come down and stay with her. I will keep that promise.  I just don't want her fussing about that. One less thing for her to worry about.

I think my green house is going to go up, next week.  As Lil sis also put up one of these kits, I am going to pick the brain of her man for info on what to get for a foundation. I am really excited about this adventure. It will save me so much money in the spring. I have always wanted one. 

 In fact, Joel went out and surveyed and leveled a spot at our old house for a greenhouse.  We had the stone floor placed and then I got sick with RA.  I mean really sick.  That was almost 25 years ago.

 The medical bills wiped us out the first few years, getting the dang disease under control.  So green house plans were culled. Hard to believe looking back that it was that long ago. I was very sick for a very long time.  I remember Jethelyn was in law school, Signe' was in high school and Braunwyn was grade schooler.  They would all be huddled in or around my bed doing homework.  Like if they were touching me, I would get better. They were not used to a mom that was not getting out of bed. Good and bad memory all at once.

I need to go pick up Kay for lunch.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

God is good.

Kim

Thursday, I did it!

 I take meds for this, but I swear they don't always work.

Picked up daughter this morning as she is having the oil changed in her car.  She is now lounging on my bed. I told her I had work to do and to feel free to make herself useful.  This is how she is doing it. Lucky girl.

I have 4 pairs of pants to hem today and 6 pair of men's dress pants to let out.  I was able to get to hobby lobby and get supplies to finish another alteration.  I also picked up two yards of Christmas apron fabric, so I could make more aprons, when I find the time. *Snort*

I have now saved enough money to pay the taxes in December.  All of my major goals for the year are done.  Not that I don't have more goals, like save for Christmas and other projects around the yard.  But the bills for the year are paid and I am relieved of that burden. I am very proud of myself.  This has been hard for me. Staying home and not traveling like I want to.  Concentrating on paying bills and paying for projects that needed to be done. I would much rather travel.

It was 92 yesterday afternoon and it shocked me as it was so cold in the morning. I have to remind myself that the weather does not really turn until the middle to end of October around here. I can still go over to Lil sis's and swim and sunbathe tomorrow afternoon if I want to.  Now watch it will be cold all day and rainy.

I have a bridesmaid dress to steam that I finished yesterday. Then I am going to get my quota done and call it a week.  In fact, a very good week.

Now I have to come up with a game plan for the weekend. I want it to include some fun!

Have a great and productive day 

God is good

Kim 

Wednesday, Sometimes I wonder...

 Yesterday was weird.  I was busy, the shop was busy.  Sissie was here, we made a large stew together and it was so good.  I made a big old pan of corn bread. We will eat at her place tonight and finish up the stew.

Every time I think I am at the end of my workload A whole batch of work comes in and that was yesterday. Enough work for another week at least.

I have a bride picking up at noon and a new one coming in at 12:30. Then plenty to do here, which I have to say is nice. I might not feel like that in a week.

Okay just had the new bridal come in and it will be a challenge.  But Kim loves a challenge. Just plain old alterations can get so boring, but a challenge fitting opens up a whole horizon of creativity.

Signe' just dropped Kelsa off. There is a dental hygiene school here that only takes 6 students a year. It is attached to the Nursing school. Signe' goes in and teaches part time when she can.  The students need so many hours of children's dentistry and Kelsa is the victim. Then Kelsa has been raised around dentistry from the womb, so she has no fear. She also has really clean teeth.  I think they are cleaned once a month.

Signe' went to the gym and I get the kid.  Grandma is thrilled. It means she can play and not work.

Okay, I will work, I guess.  I do need to run to Hobby Lobby as I had a Dirndl come in the does not fit for October fest and I have to get some supplies to make the thing fit.  Then there are 5 pairs of pants to hem and a coat to take in under the arms.  I would also like to hem the last bridesmaid dress I have in the shop.  That will surely bring in more, right?

Went to the local high school last night to see if I could help with the Christmas season concerts.  I was begged and nagged. Anyway, it is a new high school not the old one I worked at for years. Everything is electronic which is fine, it is just a learning curve. But the stage is set up on flyers.  I went to raise the main curtain and the counterweight system about pulled me into the air. Then the electronic ropes did pull me off the floor.  I swear the weight system was as tall as me. When I started on the pulley system it pulled me about 6 feet in the air.  So, the gentleman helping me said, "If they ask you to lower or raise the electronics tell them to do it themselves.  I am used to climbing onto a catwalk to fix or aim lights. THIS SOULD BE EXCITING.  Imagine me flying across the stage accidentally during a concert.  Like Carol Burnett only not as talented.

Okay the white wedding suit is taunting me, and Kelsa is calling.  Who will win?

May you have a great and productive day

God is good

Kim

  

Tuesday, Let's do something!

 

I am sure I have used this before, but I just feel like giving bad advice today.  I am full of bad advice, feel free to ask for some.

Must sew today after doing nothing yesterday.  I have a bride picking up.  Just a few tweaks on a dress I have already done.  So, nothing too hard. Then I have another dress to finish that I worked started last week.

I think I am making stew today and Sissie and Dan are eating here. 

Went out to the garden and started thinning the fall carrots, but I need to spend more time out there to get them all done.

Maybe after I finish my sewing for the day, I can get out there.

Stopped by the store last night for bread and milk. Picked up some tortilla chips, and some coffee creamer for Sissie, so it is here if she spends the night. Also, a candy bar so if I have a craving (I always have a craving) I can indulge.  That might be in a few minutes.

Sissie is coming up to sew with me today.  Actually, she is coming up to see that I do something today. Such a slave driver.

I really want to start putting my greenhouse together, but I need help.  Now to convincing the help they want to put the greenhouse together.  Therein lies the rub.

Any exciting plans your way?  My life is very dull right now.  I need to live vicariously through you for a while.

Have a great and productive day

God is good

kim

Monday, Fall is here!

 Well, we all know Billie Jo is a happy Camper! Her favorite season is here.  Cold in the mornings and 90 by 2 p.m.  Not sure how to dress season has arrived. But the sky is blue, and Kim is Happy.

I was blogging this morning, and the power went out right when I was typing my title. So, I had two hours of not being able to sew. Dang! Upset me so much, not! But neighbor came over to see if I had lost power and Sissie showed up with my car, so we all had a good gab fest. Now the power is back on, and I have no excuse but to work.

Had a very bad night. terrible night sweats, woke in pretty bad pain.  Right shoulder left hip and knee, woke me at three. I got up took a pain pill and finally went back to sleep at 4.  I am fine today.  Just a little groggy. Not moving causes my joints to hurt more than moving and night times can be the worst. Sissie was here last night, and we both spent time trying not to wake the other. 

I had a very busy weekend. I went to the dump with Sissie, as she had plenty to get rid of from her garage clean out.  Then home to make a Dutch crumb pie for Sunday dinner. Had to get a crust from Sissie as I had used all of mine.  Then I whipped up a batch of sourcream sugar cookies.  While those were in the freezer, I detailed my very dirty car.  That was very hard work. Hauling the vacuum and the carpet cleaner out to the driveway.  I scrubbed and scrubbed and wiped and wiped some more.  Took Kelsa's car seat and ripped off the cover and washed it and dried it in the sun and then took a scrub brush to the car seat.  The car looks practically new inside. But I was a sweaty mess when I was done.

Then I came into start making cookies. I was almost done but saved the last little bit of dough for Kelsa to play with for a while.  That dough was grey when she finally baked it, and I quickly threw out her 1/2 dozen grey cookies and exchanged them for mine. That way they could be safely eaten.  Dan came up and we frosted all the cookies.  They were pumpkins and fall leaves.  Kelsa had so much fun putting eyeballs and teeth on them.  The more decorations the better.   Then she announced she would rather eat the cookies unfrosted. Oh really?

Anyway, I was tired Saturday night and after church on Sunday I took a long nap.  Kay and Dan came for dinner, and it was good.  Then joined the book club to finish our movie that was preempted by another power outage. Fun to get together with like-minded fools.

I am $260 away from completing, my tax pay off goal.  Hopefully by the end of the week, I will be able to pay my taxes for the year. Then I have to save for Christmas. Speaking of goals, I finished another chart this morning.

My goal for the week is to have enough to pay my taxes on Friday. 

There is very little to do in the shop, but enough to keep me busy for the week. And more always comes in, although in dribs and drabs. I also know I have another wedding dress coming in before the end of the week. It will be nice to not be so busy, but just steady.  I can take that for a while.

As I have the car cleaned, I now need to tear down the garden and clean the chicken coop. Things that I need to get ready for colder weather. These are both big projects. I have to have the energy to do them.  I will dig all the soil out of the chicken coop and put it in the garden beds and then till in so it can rot over the winter. Good fertilizer and free!

Right now, I am a little groggy from poor sleep and pain killers always make me feel hung over or pukey. I am not in any pain just tired behind my eyes.

Anyway, I need to get something done.  Don't know what but something.  Maybe the power will go out again.... One can only hope.

Have a great and productive day

God is good

Kim 

Friday, Day off?

 I am taking the day off!  Remember Kim's Fridays off. Well, those are back.  I have to realize when you make yourself available to people on Friday then you have to stay home and worry. I am not going to do that right now.  When heavy bridal season comes back into effect we might change our mind. But for now, it is a day off.

Went out to lunch with Sissie and Dan and then perused a few Antique places.  The only antiques we found were ourselves. Home to enjoy the 85-degree weather. Might go out and spray later or just veg on the sofa watching Netflix.

I split a French dip with Kay, and it was so salty I could hardly eat it. Left most of it.  I really have lost my joy in eating out.  It is so expensive, and the food is just not good. Just so salty, over processed. I can make better at home. Kind of a bummer.

I am having Sissie and Dan over for Sunday dinner, need to see what meat I can scare up in freezer. I know I will have Asian green beans and smashed purple potatoes. Plus, will due cucumber and tomato salad, so we are basically eating out of the garden.  I think I will make popovers. Haven't made those for a long time.

I am also going to start a big batch of sour cream sugar cookies. I will take some to choir and Kelsa can help me frost them.  She will love that. I have been craving sugar cookies lately.

This is a much better Friday than last Friday. Kim just needs some time to wind down and relax. There are now two wedding dresses in the shop, and both should go out next week. One is all hand work. I also have only one bridesmaid dress and one wedding suit left.  Hurrah!

Spent time sweeping and cleaning the floor of the shop this morning and it looks so much better. When the things that are left are picked up it is going to look so empty.  I can handle empty for a while. 

Outside I have so much to do.  I will turn my attentions to the yard and outbuildings. The weather is so nice right now.  Perfect to work outside.

Have a great weekend

God is good

Kim

Thursday, Okay I had better get moving

 

I don't know if I have used this before, but it is a spit kind of day.

Sissie was just over pulling ground cloth from my shed.  The old owner left many rolls of ground cloth which we have put to good use. I also scrubbed the chicken water barrel while I was down at the shed.  How do they get it so dirty? Picked up 6 eggs dropped one on the way up the hill.  My natural grace playing a big part in the dropping.

I was able to get the wedding dress done yesterday and then a huge attack of the lazies came over me and I touched nary a zipper.  So now today I have to do zippers and two bridesmaid dresses and rip a wedding dress.  This is what happens when one gets lazy. One has to work harder the next day.  As in the bridesmaid dress is due out and there is no more time for procrastination. I could write a novel on procrastination.

SO today Kim is going to:

1. replace zipper in pants

2. replace zippers in pants

3. put zippers down the leg of three pairs of pants

4. alter a bridesmaid dress

5. alter a bridesmaid dress

6. rip a wedding dress hem

There now that it is written maybe I can be inspired to do the work. I am hoping this is the solution. One can always hope.

I had the bride with the veil return with a few more tweaks.  All easy stuff that I can do in a few minutes. She wanted to pay me more, but I guarantee my work and putting on a button and moving a hook are not chargeable items. Easy peasy.

Picked a whole slew of green beans and few more tomatoes. I see oriental green beans in the next few days. So yummy.

Sissie is working so hard on her yard.  I am anxious to see how it turns out. I thought the cost was very reasonable.  So, I may do my front yard next spring.

I am also looking for a good quality swing set for my back yard.  Just two swings.  But I want it to be strong, and I will have it sunk into cement. Grandkids love to swing and the view from my yard is incredible.

Plans within plans.  But right now Zippers.

Have a great and productive day

God is good

Kim

Wednesday, Still on the list! What list you ask?

THE NAUGHTY LIST, DUH...
 One of my favorite songs as a child was, All I Want is a Happy Hippopotamus. I need to teach it to the little ones.  Can't believe I haven't done that already.   All my incredible knowledge and not passing it on, I mean what am I thinking.

Go read Cheryl's frugal corner today and if you don't come out better for it, I have a solution.  It is not a pretty solution. Just go read her.

It was such a good day yesterday with my Sissie. 

I was into the 4th hour of sewing and still had not sewn a zipper, but I had them all torn out. Sissie had done a pile of mending and had made a really cute apron. She was done and I was done.

I did discover that I have a wedding dress due out this week, oops!  So that is the first thing I will tackle this morning and then onto zippers.  

I have to pick the kids up in Colton and have to leave here at 2:30. Then will stop at food bank for neighbor who has a doctor appt. and cannot go. So, it will be a short day.

Ran to my specialist this morning as I was out of Drugs.  I thought I had one more bottle.  We are trying to get onto the company's program where I will qualify for free or lower cost meds. This med is $5000 a month and my insurance will not tough it. Lots of paperwork. Say a prayer for me.

SO, on the agenda for today is to hem and bustle a wedding dress.  Not a hard one this one is pretty simple. Then I replace 5 zippers.  I hope I can get them all done before I leave for the day.

That will leave 4 bridesmaids dresses and two wedding dresses in the shop.  There is a dress for next February, but I will not do it until the first of the year. Too many things can happen if you alter a dress early. That is for January. Then it is just the piles that come in and I still have a few.

Things come in every day.  They are not huge, but they keep a steady trickle going.

We are seeing cooler temps in the low 80's.  It is perfect weather.  Not that we won't get another hot spell, but the next one will be in the low 90's. I am sure the 100's are over for this part of Idaho.

I could start to clean up some things in my garden. As in pull plants no longer producing. This is the perfect weather for it.  As soon as all the wedding things that are due out for October are done, I will attack the yard. Plenty to keep me busy.

Have a great Wednesday.

God is good

Kim 

Tuesday, Recovering

 Kelsa is off to her new ballet school. She is also going to start piano with Grandma. I think Grandma is more excited than she is, right now.

I am not recovered but recovering, just want you all to know that.  I also forgot to tell you that as I had forgotten that my cousin was coming to stay for the weekend, I had pulled out 6 large 2-gallon bags of frozen tomatoes, and all the ripe tomatoes, from the garden.  These were melting all over the counter and floor. I canned 7 quarts, 6 of crushed tomatoes and one tomato juice. Adding to the chaos of the weekend. You after all have to have the whole story. Now would I have started this project if I knew company was coming? NO!!!!!! But now they are partially melted, and we are at the point of no return. Most of my life it seems like the point of no return. Brought on by little old me.

Also, during the day from hell, I completed another chart so there was some good payback.

Now that I have come up from under ether, I need to assess what there is left to do in the shop.  I will tell you too much!

Sissie is here to spend the day with me and that makes me so happy.  I actually know she is just making sure I stay in the shop and don't nosedive into my rat hole. Dang it is hard to be a depressed and feel sorry for oneself when you have a drill sergeant for a sister.  She just tolerates no excuses.

Sew today here is the list:

1. hem a pair of pants

2. hem two pairs of pants

3. hem 2 jeans

4.3 pair of pants

5. hem and take in one pair of marine uniform pants

6.  Hem and take shoulders up on a bridesmaid dress

7. replace zipper in pants *

8. replace sipper in pants*

9. put 18 inch zippers in left leg of three pairs of pants to cover a leg brace*

That is my lot for today.  It is a major amount of sewing, but Sissie is here with her whip (tongue). I can't believe there are 9 pairs of pants to hem but this is what happens when I bury my head into wedding things. Also 5 pairs of pants just came in to let out, but I told them not to expect them until I am caught up and that might be the end of the month.

Sissie just said I had done remarkably well this summer, and she was not going to let me go down the sh*tter again.  I don't know what she is talking about...

Oh, by the way, I bought treats on Saturday night for choir.  I did not make the cherry scones I had slated.  So, I call that a win in my behavior. I need applause please. Kim is learning very slowly.

It is a beautiful day and somewhat cool.  I can live with that.

I am off to sew. Sew, so happy Sissie is here with me. Hurrah! She knows when I need her close and such a blessing.  Dan just mowed the yard for me. Bless him.

Have a great and productive day

God is good

Kim

* Zippers are ripped out and zippers pined into legs of three pair, but had to run to Hobbie Lobby for other zippers will finish tomorrow

Monday, Kim is tired.

 I abhor smoking, but I am disenchanted with life at this moment.  I feel like something in my brain broke Friday afternoon. My brain has not recovered.  I am in the shop and have done an inventory of what needs to go out in the next 2 weeks, and it is a pile of stuff.  But I am also telling myself not today.  Anything that comes in the next two weeks will not be done until after the 1st of October.  I am full. My brain is full.

Friday afternoon when my veil bride came, I explained the situation. I had her try on veil and had her walk, (I had previously done this with Sissie.) She soon realized the problem.  She was very grateful that I had recognized this and made her walk with the veil.  She kept saying thank you and what a disaster it would have been if she had gotten to her wedding day and discovered the problem.

This would never have happened as I make all brides do a walk down my long hall. They are not allowed to touch the dress and must look straight ahead. Then they must flip and turn.  This solves so many problems. Wedding dresses are hard to walk in and then let's talk about the crazy shoe they choose....

Anyway, she was very happy with how her sleeves turned out. I was relieved. Then I had two more brides in after her and all were happy. I would never have had these many brides at a time, except life has a way of just doing things to you. I had a dress from a firefighter, and she has the three days off to get married in October, but fire season is bad, and it is going late this year. She only had one three day split before her wedding and she had to come get her dress either Friday or the weekend.  So, I had to hurry and get her dress done and it was not an easy one.  I had planned on doing it this week.  

Then another bride called.  I had done her groom's linen suit. She said her dress was custom ordered and would arrive, and she would call if it needed anything.  Well, that day was well past, so I did not worry. She called on Wednesday and her dress had come in late.  Her wedding last Saturday.  The dress fit fine, just needed to be bustled and she hated the sleeves, so I had to squeeze that in and press the dress which of course was a large ball gown dress.  Now normally I would call Sissie, and she would come and assist me with pressing and such, but she was busy trying to the Lil sis's party together. Anyway, all three brides were due in with in an hour of each other and I was just an exhausted mess.

But all this did not make the day the overwhelming mess that it ended up becoming. This little item below did. In the midst of the veil and the other nonsense, I get a phone call from an old dance parent.  I was so overwhelmed at the time I made Kay take the call because I just could not talk at the time.  I was having my mini break down. After I sat outside with Sissie and Dan she told me what the mom wanted. 

The mom was a dance parent of mine for 10 years.  Loved her she was so supportive.  She is a pharmacist, and an avid quilter.  Now quilters are a different beast than a seamstress.  Yes, we both sew, but we look at the skill from a completely different viewpoint. Good quilters are methodical and perfectionists. Seamstresses are not. Get the clothing on the body hide the imperfections with a lining they don't show.  Plus, every (body) is different. We cannot be exact. We can fit accurately but, not like a quilter. So long story said, she has a quilting friend that lives just down the street from me.  Said friend is in a bind (aren't we all) She has agreed to make a dress for her niece for homecoming.  The dance was last Saturday night.  It is not Friday at the witching hour at Miss Kim's. (that would be three o'clock).  Could I possibly run down to her place and help said friend with the dress.

Well, no because well because I have my own crisis right now, however if said friend wants to come to my place and show me her problem I will walk her through it. This was a big mistake on my part as it always is.  The dress was made out of the worse stretchy rubber material.  No needle or thread wants to run through this.  It requires skill and special needles and threads.  No quilter is going to know these things, now her machine is bound up because she was forcing it do was it was not meant to do. The dress was in pieces, many, many pieces.   She had been working on it for 10 days. Her workmanship was beautiful, but 10 days.  This means the perfectionist quilter brain was in operation. 

At this point no bride was here yet so I started to sew parts together and then when a bride came I had her leave the room and took care of the bride (s).  This happened three times.  I had a badly needed nail appointment at 5:30. I did not want to cancel.  In the midst of this my nail technician calls me and says she is an hour behind as it is homecoming weekend. (No Sh*t). Can I come in an hour later?  Now that I can do. Finally, at 6 p.m., the dress is wearable, not a perfect fit by my standards but wearable and the girl was thrilled. Gave the grateful Aunt a hug and grabbed my purse to go to the nail salon.  Open front door and a Winnebago is backing into my driveway.  My cousin is here for Lil sis's party, and I forgot she was coming.  I don't even have a loaf of bread in the house. Plus, it is not company ready. I gave her a hug and left for the salon. Where I sat in a massage chair for another hour with my eyes closed letting salon owner catch up yet again. I needed that hour let me tell you. 

Here is a picture of dress from the back. The theme of the prom was purple rain so many perplex like cartoonesque dresses. This is modeled off some character.  I cannot show you the front as I don't want to show her whole face without permission. I texted my dance mom this morning and told her she was off my Christmas card list.

Anyway, Kim's brain has not recovered. Lil sis's party was great even though it was really rainy all morning it dried up enough during the party hours to enjoy the outside.  After I did the dishes for the party I left and came home to crash   Even though I should sew today I am not. I am going to do a Billie Jo and snuggle on the couch with a blanket and nap.  I just need a day of nothing really. I am going to take it.

And drum roll please:  I was able to put an extra 1000 on my mortgage bringing me one step closer to being in the 30 thousands by the first of the year. So, some good came out of the Friday from Super Hell.

I would like to list goals for the week, but I would have to think, and I just don't want to do that today. Maybe tomorrow, but not today.

You guys have any great plans for the week?

God is good.

Kim

Friday, Tried and frustrated

 I finished the wedding dress yesterday and went to work on the veil only to be shot down at every turn.  

It took me 4 hours to finish the wedding dress. 

As in:

cut, and hem two layers, remove lace from top layer of hem and then sew back on after hemming complete.  Take in sides press seams flat, bustle, remove lower sleeve made of net and lace, recut a narrow sleeve. Make new bottom sleeve and reattach to dress at elbow. Now add buttons and looping to sleeve. Now replace lace by hand all the way around where I resewed the sleeve onto the dress. Now pray it all works.

This bride has a long, long veil and she wants lace added to it.  Sewing heavy lace onto tulle is a disaster, as the lace can pucker.  So, I thought let's spray glue it. Ran to hobby lobby for glue. Did a practice test to make sure it would work. It did not.  Frustrated, so read the instructions on the can (who knew). Oh, I am supposed to let glue dry and then iron on the motif.  But I am using a hot iron on tulle. Okay try with press cloth on another sample.  It works but the motifs still must be sewn on the veil.  The glue is not firm enough to really hold. DAMN!!!!!!!!! Now I am just too tired of the fiddling, and I go to book club with my chocolate pie.

I was too tired after I arrived home and still had music to practice.  More thunder and lighting and rain last night.  I am grateful for rain.

So, planned to not have anything to do in the shop today except greet clients and get stuff out of here.  But no, I still have the veil. The only thing I can say for trying to glue them on is that it stiffens the lace enough to make it easier to sew on the tulle and allows it to lay flat.  But I still have to sew all the little monsters on..... I am tired and I don't want to do it.  Like that is going to stop me from doing it.

Ran to my piano lesson, came home and made myself a bacon, lettuce, tomato and avocado sandwich, hoping it would change my attitude. It is not working. I need a candy bar. I am sure if I had a candy bar, I would be getting chocolate all over that veil by now. As it is the said veil lays on the ironing board spilling onto the floor with one lace motif ironed on, awaiting its beautification.

Pray for me, Kim needs patience and prayers.  She is tired. She wants a candy bar.

this is where I am at.

Will report when veil is done.

God is good

Kim

Thursday, Today is the day!

 

I really believe this is true. It also applies to Sisters. We are not alone friends. We just take turns. Today is my turn.

All I have to do today is get one wedding dress and veil done. Nothing else.  It is a big job with so much hand work. 

Yesterday was hard.  I only hemmed and steamed one dress and then was able to get that other wedding dress done. I started on the dress for today late yesterday and my back just gave up.

Have book club tonight.  We read The Help.  I read tis years ago and loved it.  I am going to pull a pie crust out of the freezer and make a chocolate pie to take.  But not until this dress is ready.  I do have a good part of tomorrow to work on the dress but would love to get it done today.  I am hoping it is one of those jobs where you think it is going to be much harder than it is..... Here is to hope.

Tomorrow I may have three wedding dresses leave the shop and that would be so nice.  Then I can concentrate on what is left.  I have 5 zippers and some pants to hem before I start on yet another round of dresses.

I don't know why I feel so overwhelmed with this week, but I do.  I don't like it at all, will persevere as I always do. I am sure it is because of the three days of nonstop sewing and now a 4th day. Ugh.  I can do this.

I think a trip out to the garden is necessary just to lift my mood. I need to pull all the tomatoes out of my freezer and get to canning. But not today, or this week, nor next week.  The tomatoes keep producing and I have no room so something must give soon. Still a traipse outside never hurt anyone I know.

Okay friends onward and upward.

Have a great and productive day

God is good

Kim

Wednesday, When it rains.....

 This was truly my yesterday. I had someone coming for dinner yesterday (that is all I am going to share at this time...) So, I had a lot on my mind and plate. My day was planned and of course you know when Kim plans, God laughs. 

There was a wedding dress that could possibly coming in the wedding is not this weekend but next.  It was a custom order and as the date for arrival had passed I assumed it fit perfectly.  Kim, (angel on my soulder) never assume. So in comes said dress.  It is too large in the shoulders and she hates the sleeves. great because I have two other dresses due out on Friday, one which is really hard. 

Anyway took up an hour of my time. But I know what needs to be done so now it is hanging and taunting me. 

Good news:

I completed another chart and if all goes well I will be adding another thousand to my mortgage this Saturday. I am behind on my yearly goal as I paid out for Aunties hearing aids.  I am trying to catch up.  We will see.  I use that phrase way too much.  We will see.

Kelsa is here today with a snot cold, cough.  She ran a fever last night and she is still low grade. But not sick enough to be on the couch. So I have set her up with paper, crayons, a glue stick and safty scissors. She is much less distracting now that she is older. She even uses her kleenex and throws them away!

I need to alter the bridesmaid dress I did not get done yesterday, and then finish up the wedding dress that came in yesterday.  Then onto the hard dress. She would like to pick up Friday, but I told her that might not happen. WE WILL SEE.

 I have always wanted to grow gourds. I think they are so cool.  I always want to buy them in the Fall for decoration but will not spend the money.  SO one .50 packet of seeds from Walmart and look at this harvest! So many kinds and shapes and colors. I get terribly excited about really small things.

Anyway I am very proud to me.

Sissie and I are taking Rebecca to the food bank today, so I need to get busy and get my sewing done. It is just a matter of doing it darling. Like picking up the scisors and cutting the hem shorter, then serging and sewing. I can do this.

Sissie was up here to tell me what it will cost to hydro seed her back yard and I may do my front section this fall.  WE WILL SEE.    I would have to rent a sod lifter, and get Nathan to bring his truck to take sod to the landfill and then buy topsoil and spread it.  These steps will save me money. But right now I need to SEW!

Lots of capitalization today.  I am trying to increase my will to get things done.  I think the capitalization helps.

But before I get started I am going to call Sluggy. We need to talk. 

Have a great and productive day

God is good

Kim

Tuesday, when it rains...

 We had a terrific rainstorm late yesterday.  Scared Roscoe to death. He sat next to me for over an hour shaking so hard. Breathing very fast.  I have never seen him like this.  But there were two thunder strikes that were the loudest I have ever heard and much lightening.  Then heavy rain, which I was grateful for, as it cleared the smoke out of the valley, for a while at least. I also did not have to water the flowers which was a great win.

It was only 88 yesterday so we are getting cooler, and I think the over 100 temps are done for the year.  Going outside when it is 104 or 107 is oppressive in a very short time. Even Kelsa will take an indoor play place over the heat. That is telling you something.

The dress I had altered for a bride's reception fit perfectly and now I can finish it up.  It is just hand work left. I was able to get her new sleeves cut out with her here and I am going to try and have everything done by Friday. But this one is a lot of work. I also have a bride picking up today. I hope.

I was able to get those three pairs of pants done in less than an hour.  Again, a job that took very little time that I made a huge deal in my mind. Why do we do that? I also was able to hem and alter 4 bridesmaid dresses, I still have to steam one and make phone calls. So today I am going to alter another bridesmaid dress and get another wedding dress ready for a fitting on Friday. That still leaves 5 bridesmaids left as another came in yesterday.  It is never ending.

Sissie just rescued me again; by bringing me some chicken breasts I needed to make a meal today. We share freezers and that is so nice. I need to get a little housework done, as in vacuum and then wipe down the kitchen appliances. Those stainless-steel appliances are my nemesis. They are never clean.  They were here when we moved in, but I will replace with something else when they wear out!

So, what is Kim going to try and get done today?

1. call clients for pickup

2.steam green bridesmaid dress

3. finish underarms of reception dress and store away

4. shorten a wedding dress due out Friday and remove lace trim and replace

5. shorten a bridesmaid dress

6. start work on arms of wedding dress. This has to be done by hand. Yikes

That is enough and I might not get to everything. But it is a start. So much to do and some of it very hard and scary.

I have to use my Little engine that could mantra. 

Do you ever talk yourself into things that you know are going to be hard? I have to all the time.

Have a great and productive day

God is good

Kim

Monday, Another hot week?

 

Does this ever happen to you? Now I am mistaken for a grandma.  How could that be? Maybe the grandchild in tow that calls me grandma? 

Had a nice busy weekend.  Went shopping with Sissie and Dan. Had them over for Sunday dinner. Baked breakfast cookies for choir. Taught music.  Spent time watching Netflix.  Just a nice easy weekend.  Kelsa was here Saturday night for baking and crafts with grandma.

Sissie spent the night and has my car today so I cannot escape not that I would try. I have plenty of sewing to do today.  I swear these three pairs of pants I am doing for my buddy will get done today if it kills me. 

I have not really looked at my week, but I do have a bride coming over this afternoon for a fitting and to try and make a pattern to fix the sleeves of her dress.  I hope to have all of her stuff out by Thursday or Friday.

Lots, as in at least 8 dresses to hem, along with wedding dresses. I have 5 wedding dresses for October. I want to get started on.  At least two a week, but the 8 dresses will come first to clear my mind some. Get things out of the shop as that always helps my mood.

I was able to put all Patriotic things away this weekend and put out fall things. That always makes for a nice change.  I like Billie Jo am always tempted to buy more, so I told myself no, to more decorations. Sometimes I am tempted to get rid of everything except Christmas, but then I think I would just be tempted to buy more.  I don't need the temptation and what I have is fine.

I can honestly say I am ready for a little cooler weather.  Can you believe that? This heat loving girl is just tired of the watering and the poor half dead looking plants.  I know they will perk back up when cooler weather hits. Right now, they just make me feel sad.

So, this week my goal is to have enough money to pay an extra 1000 to the mortgage. I paid many smaller bills so that goal was not met, but I promised myself I would do that with my savings and earning.  I have about 300 already saved for this, so now it is up to me.

Here I go to finish those pants that have been haunting me.

Do you ever let stuff haunt you?  Anne? Anne? This is the Christmas room Anne? Are you listening...

Have a great and productive day

God is good

Kim

Friday, it just doesn't stop...

 I try I really do.  I say this as Sissie is finishing my ironing😏😏😏😏😏 She left me 12 pieces to do last night and well.... I watched Netflix after I watered.  She was up here at 9:30 to see if I had done it and....

This has been the weirdest wedding season.  I have dresses coming in that are due out in 2 weeks or less than a month. Most brides come months in advance. But two weeks? Luckily, I can fit them in, as I was caught up in July and have tried to stay on top since I got back.  

Yesterday I had a wedding dress come in and this morning another one.  Last Friday I worked to get all the bridesmaid and mothers of the bride out and right now there are 7 more in the shop.  Yes, Anne I raised my prices and no, one bats an eye. It is just crazy.  I am grateful for the work until I have to do it.

Losing a day this week did not help my schedule. I will blame it on that, not my lack of getting things done.

As it is Friday I am trying to decide if I will sew or not. I did clean and sweep the shop, and I do have a few things I would like to get done. We will see what the day brings.  I know I have clients that are picking up today. I also know that I really should get something done.  Even if it is a couple of dresses.

Right now, there are 5 wedding dresses in here all due out before the end of October. Part of me just wants to vege, but then I think about next week and say do some work you fool.

Right now, I am going to check on the garden and the chicken coop.  I only have one egg up here and I know I will bake something for choir. Better go gather some eggs.

Sissie and I are going to go run some errands tomorrow, as in go to Costco. I don't need anything, but I want to get out of the house.

The meal I took into the family last night was anything but nutritious. I just wanted to take comfort food to kids.  So, I delivered 2 pizzas, a large bag of Doritos, a 12 pack of root beer and a 1/2 gallon of ice-cream.  They took a picture of it and posted it on the church's face book. They were so happy.  I am anonymous, they don't know me well enough to identify me and that is fine.  But do I know what preteens and teenagers want when they are grieving?  Well, it isn't meat loaf.

Okay I am now going to see what I can stir up at the chicken coop.

You guys have a fabulous weekend.

Have a great and productive day 

God is good

Kim

Thursday, not up for this.

 

Yes, I could use a good dose of tropical right now.

I was really struggling yesterday, headachy, joint pain, general malaise. It just would not stop and then I realized I might be having a flare.

Took my temp and I was right 100.4. Definitely a flare no wonder I felt like crap. Here I was blaming it on my mood and not wanting to work. I can do that you know...find a reason not to get things done.  I am very good at finding reasons.

Anyway, I took some aspirin and laid on the sofa, yes, the sofa won and after an hour I was up and moving.

I am deep into the next 3 dress wedding project, with one dress done and another well on the way.  Have not started the main dress, but hopefully today I might see it.

I have several pairs of pants to get done for two people.  One set is due out tomorrow so that is a must. Still feeling a little groggy which I do not like, but it is a doable groggy. 

Many people picked up yesterday, and that always boosts my day.

Sissie might come over later and attack some of my ironing, okay I am hoping she comes over and attacks some of the ironing. Wishful thinking is a must in my book.

Okay I am a little chilly right now, yesterday was feverish today it is about chills. Love my immune system and its ability to just do whatever it wants at any time. This was probably triggered by going berry picking and getting way too hot and causing inflammation in my intestines. That is a nice way to put it. Dang Arthritis.

I have to take a meal into a family today, that had a death due to a helicopter accident.  I am taking pizza, chips, ice-cream and soda. I am not attempting to make anything. It is a family of preteenagers, they will love that, and I am just not up to becoming gourmet today.

Right now, it is warm blanket time, take some aspirin time, lay on the sofa time, until these chills abate and then I am going to get to work. I promise.  The world does go on even when I am punk.

Have a great and productive day

God is good

Kim

Wednesday, Keep going

 I actually don't think this lady is ugly, she kind of looks like me with glasses and short hair. But isn't it true? You get to the point that you just don't really care.  It is a wonderful point in life. The days of not going into a convenience store unless full made up are over, my friend.  It is a true freedom.

I was able to get a wedding dress and two very difficult bridesmaid dresses done yesterday, only to find out bride can't be here until next Monday. Which is why she was nagging me last week..... I would have worked on other things, just sayin.

I have ironing strewn all over the family room, in piles.  The board is set up. I am hoping this is an inspiration. SO far it is not working. I was pulling the dry bedding off the line last night at dusk and it is on the floor of the bedroom.  I slept on the sofa.  Yes, that is my life right now. 

Just made myself a good breakfast of bacon, eggs, and toast.  Could not finish it.  Hoping this would give me some oomph to do something today. That is not working either.

I did get three more bills paid late yesterday afternoon.  So now it is just a couple that have not come in yet and those will go out the day they come in, hurrah!

I need to hem two burgundy bridesmaid dresses today and start on the three wedding dresses for the one bride.  Not looking forward to that. Also have a couple of piles I need done by Friday.

I have 5 items that need zippers and will get to those after I get the brides stuff done. Then just one other dress for October, plus a few odds and ends. 

I would like to get a few things sewn for Christmas, but so far have not worked out that schedule. May never work out that schedule.

I found a jar of jam had overturned in the back of the fridge and had seeped out all the way to the front.  I had to pull everything out and clean stuck jam off of everything on the shelf. The whole process soured my attitude for the day, and I need to shake that off. I mean really. This is not a crisis Kim, it is an annoyance, kind of like Sissie when she is harping on you to clean your fridge.  Oh yeah, she was harping at me to clean my fridge.

My list for the day:

1. avoid the sofa

2. clean up kitchen (I am a slob)

3. put sheets on bed and put laundry away that was on the line

4. hem a dress

5. hem a dress

6. fix the lining of a dress for a bride (grooms dinner dress)

7. alter a reception dress for bride (same one as above)

8. rip sleeves and make a pattern for a redo of a wedding dress, plus take in and hem (pain in the A$$)

9. shorten wedding cape and hem

I will be lucky to avoid the sofa.

Have a great and productive day

God is good

Kim

Tuesday, Get her done!

 Oh, onto chart #18.  Don't know what I was aiming at when I took this, but hey here we are.

Sissie came home and I am happy. She had a wonderful time and that also made me happy.

Friday, I sewed like a demon and got a lot done but after 4 hours I was done and I still had a few things on the list.  That is okay I felt productive and that is what counts.

I wish binging Netflix while eating candy and chips was productive. I am so good at those skills.

Dan and I ate dinner Friday evening, we had left over from Thursday, birthday meal.  Then watched a few epoxides of Fisk, so funny.

Saturday, I had Kelsa and Uncle Dan came up and grilled steaks, we had corn on the cob and baked potatoes. So full. Kelsa and I made an activity for the Primary music time out of construction paper. We made 24 blue butterflies and put them on clothespins. She had so much fun and made such a mess.

Sunday I was asked to continue to teach the children's music section at church.  I have been subbing, but the old teacher is not coming back.  The only problem is that they have a yearly program that is in October, and I have no idea where these kids are on the assigned songs.  This is something that is worked on the entire year. So, I have to get my ducks in a row along with 60 children's, ducks. I have 6 weeks, oh goody. But is can be done.  I just have to be way more prepared.

Sunday, I went up to Signe's and spent the night with Kelsa.  We had a BBQ. And Monday morning, Uncle Dan, Nathan and I went up to see if we could find any more huckleberries. It was a beautiful drive, but we found very few.  Still enjoyed the scenery. It was so hot.  I love the heat, but this was unbearable. I was soaking wet, on the side of a steep mountain with no shade. We were only out a little over an hour and I started getting sick. Lightheaded, sick to my stomach, I could not believe it. Only got about 1.5 cups of berries.  Enough to cover a cheesecake but then headed home. Spent the rest of the day in the bathroom and on the couch. It was 108 in Lewiston yesterday and 98 in the mountains.

We have another 4-5 days of these temperatures. Not good as school has started and the schools do not have air conditioners adequate to cool the buildings. Now everyone has to watch for dehydration, and heat sickness. No outside play, as they come in pukey. I think everyone just sits with a water bottle and stares off into space. Many kids do not drink enough water, and it is a constant struggle for the admin. Parents are dropping off cases of Gatorade hoping to inspire fluid intake. Usually here it is in the low 90's, high 80's.  That is tolerable.  

I was able to pay most of my bills this morning still have a few places that I have to go later this afternoon. Then that will be done for the month. I am making headway on my goals. I am pretty proud of myself.

Goals for the month of Sept.

1. pay an extra 1000 to mortgage

2. save 1600.00 for house taxes that are due in Dec.

3. Get greenhouse up and running (this depends on my manpower)

4. clean out the chicken coop (so looking forward to this. (not really)

Today I stripped the bed and washed 3 loads of bedding and have it out on the line.  I have one more load of laundry to do. I also spread the ironing out all over the family room and put up the ironing board hoping to inspire myself. I hope it works.

I need Dan to help me get down the Fall decos and get all the red, white, and blue put away. Will probably wait until next weekend and get Kelsa's help to put out holiday stuff. She just loves to do that.

I need to alter and wedding dress today and two bridesmaid dresses that go along with dress. Then still have the three dresses from last Friday to do, but I doubt those get done today.

I have another group of three wedding dresses that need to go out this week. One bride three dresses... yes don't get me started.

Anyway, I am blessed with work.

Any goals for the month?

How about the week?

Have a great and productive day

God is good

Kim