Friday, Joel's Birthday

 

Okay small setback here.  All the kids have called about Joel's birthday.  He would have been 75 today!  We all miss him dreadfully.

I have gotten all things Christmas done except loading the car!

All the Nativity costumes are ready.  I still have to run to sissies to borrow a rack for the costumes, and I will do that later today.  I need to take her change jar into the bank to cash it is for her.

Going up to Sign's for dinner just to have a little fun.

I have one more thing to sew that I keep putting off.  But I will get there.  I actually made a list to force myself to do something today as I wanted to wallow on the sofa.  It seems to be working. As I have brushed my teeth.

I will try and blog again before I leave. I hope this finds all of you wrapping up your Christmas plans and not just starting.

God is good.

Kim

Wednesday, Bad Storm here.

 We had a horrible wind and rainstorm last night and the wind is still really bad. Kelsa and Signe' were here as all 4 of them had flu shots yesterday. She usually runs a fever, so they stayed here so she could be watched and not go to school. 

We were woken at about 3:30 suddenly as rain was pelting the window so hard it sounded like a fire hose was hitting us. Then at 5 a weather emergency alert woke us as 100 mile an hour winds were reported on the prairie. Signe' lives on the prairie. Trucks and cars were blown off the road, and the roads were closed.  School has been cancelled.

If Signe' had come from home, she would never have made it to work. The weather guide told us to go to rooms with no windows.  I have large windows in every room.  So, it was bathrooms.  My fence is down in several places. The picture above is now down.  The posts are sheared off, and it is very old.  I will have to be replaced.  I was going to do it this next spring, but it looks like my hand might be forced to do it earlier. I did not need this to deal with. But then again.... it could be worse.

I am still fighting insurance on my medication, and I had two letters that Sissie moved (she is always moving something as she cleans up what she thinks is my mess) I could not find a very important letter, and I was on the phone with the insurance co. again. I went off the deep end as I could not find the one letter, so I called her and raked her up for moving my stuff. So, she comes storming up here and goes through the papers I had already gone through three times, and she turns papers over and there was my letter.  I hate it when she is right and I am an ASS. SO, you should turn papers over? I do have to say that the wind damage here has me a little on edge not to even mention no sleep. Okay I apologized.

Kelsa and I are going to frost sugar cookies and then I have to run errands. Sewed about three hours yesterday and also paid my taxes on the house. Kay and I and made up all the cookie trays, they will be delivered tonight. Then I started on all the Nativity costume parts.  Most are done and I just have to go and get one small piece of cloth I could not provide out of my mess of fabric. Then I have some hand sewing left, and I will bag them and label them for Saturday.

Just a few sewing projects left.  One pair of pants and one jacket and I am done!!!! Until after Christmas.  There will be 4 wedding dresses waiting for me when I get back.

Cheryl asked why I put up tree when I was going to be gone.  I thought that the decorations would make me feel better. I am not sure I did the right thing. I am not good, and I add to my own stress. Need to rethink this next time.   

Anyway, we have not been blown off the hill, but the weather really gave us it's all.

God is good

Kim

Tuesday, Baking Frenzy!

 I am not sure why I want it to be Friday, as my weekend is going to be crazy and I leave for Twin Falls on Monday, so the car has to be cleaned packed and ready.

We spent all day cooking yesterday. Lil sis did lefsa, our good friend Beth did rosettes, I started the day with a flu shot and then made rolled cookies all day.  Sissie ran interference for the three of us and I think she had it the worst.  Dan came at the end of the day to finish up the rosettes. We were all exhausted and then went to dinner at Applebee's.  It was fun but I am still tired.

I spent the weekend running with Kelsa.  Her dance recital was fun and then home to get a batch of cookies done. We had choir and church and gave out all the parts for the Nativity program I am in charge of, and then we ran the program three times. I am sure they are not ready but isn't that part of the charm? Then home to do another batch of cookies.

Sissie spent the night Sunday, and I dipped things in chocolate for what seemed like hours. We both fell into bed, and she got up early as usual and cleaned that disaster of a kitchen bless her little heart. We then proceeded to destroy that clean kitchen and she had to clean it again this morning. We have most of our trays done.  I still need to frost the sugar cookies and make a couple of batches of caramels and I am done.  I have plenty of cookies to take with me for my kids. 

I have 11 pairs of pants to hem and one dress to alter and I would like to get all that done today. Then I have to get busy on things for the nativity costumes.  Mostly just shawls and head dresses. I will not be taking any more sewing in after tomorrow.

Our eldest daughter called, and James has influenza A. Even with Tama flue he will run a fever for several days.  I hurried to get my shot, even though last time it had me running ever for a couple of days.  So far, I am just very tired, and my arm is sore.  But you have read what I have done in the last few days, so I deserve to be tired.

Signe' came down Sunday afternoon and helped me get the tree decorated and moved the right spot which was not nearly as easy as I thought it would be. Lots of laughs and flying candles. But it is done.

Every room in my house is a disaster excepts the spare bath.  The only thing I can say is underneath all the Christmas crap it is clean.  So, it is just a matter of organizing and getting everything cooking and cookie wise put and out where it belongs.  We have extra tables set up in the dining room and family room for cookies boxes and all the accruements. Someone asked how they got on my cookie list and I said someone has to die that is already on it before I add another.

Well, I need to talk myself into sewing and it is going to be hard.

I am off!  (To do something Sluggy, I know what you are thinking....)

God is good

Kim

Friday, Baking

 Yesterday was a flurry of baking at the old homestead. Lil Sis and Sissie were here making my one butt kitchen a three-butt kitchen. We whipped out 8 different cookie batters and Sissie made two batches of caramels. Lots of laughs and mis haps. I have four batches of dough in my fridge to bake up and don't have any idea when that will happen.

I have to finish a wedding dress today and tonight I am going up to Signe's as Kelsa has a recital tomorrow and Nate and William are out of town at a hockey tournament. I hope to get back into town in the afternoon Saturday to get some baking done.

I had a bridal dress come in this morning, and I also went to my piano lesson. I have to play for the choir that is singing Sunday and then we have our last practice after church on Sunday. I am so happy I have cookies made to take to choir at least I don't have that to worry about.

The kids, Signe', Nathan, William, Kelsa came last night after the hockey game to help me put up the tree. It is not decorated yet but hopefully will find some time Sunday afternoon. It will be a crazy weekend.

We really cut back our baking this year, with only the favorite cookies getting done. But the favorite cookies are often the hardest ones.  Monday we will be doing the traditional Lefsa, krumkakke, rosettes which all are things cooked on griddles, or irons. They can be tricky, and you have to have special cooking items to make them.

Kay (sissie) has been knocking out most of the candy, thank goodness. Kelly (Lil sis) will do the fudge and the almond cakes. Then we all share.  I have at least 10 plates to make for others. Then will take a load with me to southern Idaho.

There is so much to get done in the next week, but I am going to enjoy the time with family, plus I can eat cookies for breakfast.  Win, win.

Now I am determined to get that wedding dress done!

What kind of cookies are you making? If any?

God is good

Kim

Wednesday, Getting better!

 Okay, I think the old blues are lifting and may they stay away a long, long time!!!!

I am just setting a timer for 15-minute intervals and doing something.  Anything, just do something. 

I really was able to get almost all my sewing done yesterday, still have a couple of pairs of pants to do and will get to them right after this post. 

Late yesterday afternoon Sissie called me to come down and play with Dan.  She had hurt her back and was going to bed.  HE was preparing for a colonoscopy today. Don't I just want to be around that?  No not really, but we started a new puzzle and made so many crude jokes.

Sissie just went to pick him up from the procedure, many crude jokes to follow.

I am almost done with my list I made TWO WEEKS ago.  Yes, I found it, (the list I mean). I only have to mop the floors and I am done!!!! The mop is out and sitting in the kitchen ready for me to get busy. Then I can make a new list.

Sissie's washer is broken so she is bringing things up here.  In order to bring in a new washer they have to remove a window in her basement.  What a pain.  I think she should wait until warmer weather.

I am taking care of the mini farm down the road for the next 5 days.  Chickens, ducks, dogs, pigs, cats, a parrot, (the parrot loves me) and don't forget the tortoise. I go down twice a day once to feed and twice to love on the dogs, so they don't go nutty.

After I get the floors mopped and the pants hemmed, I am going to start the hand work on a wedding dress. 

The only thing left to do for Christmas besides a ton of baking is get the Christmas tree up.  I think Signe', Nate and the kids are coming to help me with that tomorrow night.

Have you got all your Christmas up yet?

I am so happy my blues are lifting; you have no idea. It is so hard to climb out once you get into that hole. At least it is for me.  Just too much death around the holidays.  Not that death is good at other times of the year. It is the concentration of emotions that gets me.

Ring out wild bells!!!!

God is good

Kim

Tuesday, Coin bank was dismal...

 This year's coin bank was dismal. There are several reasons for that, most of them on purpose. I went into a real savings mode this year. I did not travel nearly as much.  When I travel, I take cash for spending, and all change is saved. When you are going somewhere at least once a month sometime twice that change really adds up. 

I also would go to McD's about 5 days a week for a $1 dollar soda. Since there is a .6 cent tax, I would always give them $2.  Then save the .94 cents.  You do that a lot, and it adds up quickly. Mcd's soda is now $2 and I won't spend that for a soda. Hence not going there much at all or rarely. If I do go, I use the app which is on a CC.  I can get a 1$ soda if I use the app and it is too much nonsense plus it up's the CC balance for the month.  I would rather pay cash for my bad habits.

I also just quit spending money of any kind, most of the time. I tried to concentrate on staying home and working. I tried hard to have as many no spend days as possible and let me tell you that works. So, the piggy almost starved this year. My usual take of several hundred was down to $67.37.  But I will take it and be happy.  I did very well this year as far as saving for important things and paying off some rather large bills. I am proud of me.  I can't see this changing next year. So maybe the days of having a huge coin savings are over.  But I will still do this as it is fun. 

By the way I found .56 cents on my last trip down to the Boise area. Three dimes and one quarter and one penny.  It was a lucrative money finding trip.  My kids always laugh at me, but I will always do this and think of Slugs. It brings me joy.  You take joy where you can find it. 

I really was able to get many things marked off the cleaning list yesterday and all that is left is to dust the front room and sweep and mop all the floors. Then I will switch out the Christmas China and put up the tree, and I am done decorating for Christmas.

Today it is all about sewing. I have 4 pairs of p.j. pants to put new elastic in and two formal dresses to finish altering.  I would also like to get 6 pairs of pants hemmed if possible. I just have to set my timer and get to work. It is the get to work part that is hard.

I need to make sugar cookie dough for Lil sis sometime. She takes it and rolls it out and brings back the cookies so I can frost them.

I had better get busy.  Hey, what is on your lists of to do's today?

Have a great and productive day

God is good

Kim

Monday, Christmas anyone?

 My Christmas bed! Still working on Christmas around here, but it is getting closer to being done.  Maybe 1/2 done?

The funeral for Heidi was beautiful. She looked so beautiful. Much better than when I last saw her.  But then again, she has always been a beautiful woman.  There were a lot of tears. To die at 67 is just not fair. But then life isn't fair. 

It was good for the girls to get with their cousins. They lost their dad suddenly and did not have time to say goodbye. The cousins were very empathetic to my daughters about that.  Where before there was no mention of Joel's death. Like it never happened. Now they had these three people show up that knew exactly how they were feeling and they finally understood. It was good for them, and it was good for my girls. I think a lot of anger and hurt was washed away. A new understanding took place.

We had as many laughs as tears.  Went out to a nice dinner.  Our waiter kept coming over to council my girls who were disagreeing about something stupid.  We had to tip extra for counseling services. He was so funny. 

I have never seen so many beautiful bouquets of flowers at a funeral. She was truly loved. I was able to talk to Clint her husband and give him some advice. I did tell him that he would have many moments of guilt. But to remember that he provided Heidi with a wonderful life.  She wanted horses growing up, she wanted a farm. She loved animals and the outdoors. She had a beautiful home.  She never had to work, Things were not perfect, but he provided all that.  He gave her a very good life.  A life most women would dream of and never have.  I told him to remember that when he was beating himself up in the next few months. 

We went out to the house after the funeral and graveside service, and it was full of family.  Lots of laughter and games. It was just so good for all of us. Then back to the hotel with just the 4 of us for more laughter.

I have cried a couple of times this morning, but I am determined to get things done.  Set my timer for 15-minute intervals and actually worked for 1 hour and 15 minutes getting things crossed off the list. I dusted the master bedroom; I unpacked and put everything away from the weekend. I dusted and vacuumed the family room. I still have cleaning to do but I plan on setting the timer again after this post and knocking out a few more things.

There is plenty of sewing to do this week and I will start sewing tomorrow. I just needed today to get my ducks in a row.  I have emptied my coin bank and plan on going to the bank to cash it in this afternoon.

We also will start Christmas baking this week.  Sissie has already started. 

Have any of you started your Christmas baking? 

Have a great and productive day

God is good

Kim

Thursday, Getting ready

 Christmas is up in the Master bath and Bedroom.  Kim is up to no good. I have no sewing that has to be done today and no excuse not to finish getting things done, but don't you worry I will find an excuse. I am good at that.

Dan and I are getting Kelsa at about 4 and we are going to Msd"s and then down to Williams's hockey match. 

We are still waiting to find out if Braunwyn will be joining us tomorrow to drive the 5 hours to Nampa for the funeral Saturday. Last minute is okay.

Had my nails done last night and it is so nice not to see the wreck they have been for the last two weeks.

I do clean up once in a while. 

Signe' was over for a while as she had a cancelation at the office and that girl can make me laugh. I am so hoping this weekend will be cathartic. The funeral will be very hard, but my girls will be very good for me.

Now I have to concentrate on getting ready to go. It won't be too hard as we are only going to be gone two nights.  Funeral suit, p.j.'s and a couple of outfits and I am ready to go. It isn't going to take major planning or thinking. That is a good thing not into major thinking at this time.

All of you have a great weekend, and I will be back with thoughts next week.

God is good

Kim

Wednesday, keep moving forward

 I was able to get that wedding dress I ripped all basted and ready for try-on.  She should be here about 1 today. Also hemmed some pants.

Dan came over and helped me hang a Christmas quilt I put behind the bed in the guest room. I know that was on the top of the elusive list, so I did get something done.  Yeah! me!

Today is all about hemming. I need to shorten the sleeves on a military jacket. Then I think I am done until I get back.

Made a nail appointment for this evening. Finally got the insurance company to send me paperwork for the drug company. We will not be holding our breath, as this has been an ongoing battle since September, but I will persevere. Still need to call about a prescription I ordered last week, which I am sure is not done as they always fail on this one prescription. Yet again perseverance.  I get really tired of all the medical I have to deal with. The alternative is also not a good scenario, so I will persevere.  Are we beginning to see a theme in this port.

Rolled over in bed last night and felt a rip in my left shoulder joint.  Just got the right one to settle down about two weeks ago after bothering me for about 10 months, so why not get the other side to revolt. Let's make sure Kim does not get a good night's sleep. I was up after the incident for about an hour and took a couple of ALEVE. It is an exact repeat of the injury on the right side. Had a hard time putting a sweatshirt over my head this morning. All I can do is roll my eyes and complain. I can find no humor for this situation; I even tried really hard....

We plan on starting our Christmas baking and I have to start working on some nativity costumes for the 20th.  I have so much material stored I am just going to wrap people in fabric. But I still have to think about what I am doing. Therein lies the problem. 

I do have to say I don't lead a boring life and that in itself is a good thing. I think?

Have a great day, I am going to have a good day.

God is good

Kim 

Tuesday, coming out from under

 Excuse me while I ADHA myself around the house. There goes Kim trying to stick to a list.  OOPS what is she doing now?  Is that on the list? Where is the list? Find list.... 

As you can tell progress is slow here. But I can say that I did get a suit altered and it was all hand work, which is time consuming.  I also was able to completely rip a wedding dress that will have a fitting tomorrow.

The shop was very busy yesterday with a lot of hemming coming in, which all needs to be done before we leave for Heidi's funeral which is on Saturday. Another trip down south. I get to be with my girls and Sissie which is always good.

I so hope they can all come, it is iffy for Braunwyn, as her job is not one where you can just pick up and leave. You know sewage is a necessary part of all of our lives and must be maintained.  Poor darling even has to carry an emergency phone at times. But I so hope she can be with us. I seldom get all three of them together and even though this is sad we always have a way of making each other laugh hysterically. We are a group of reprobates. That is the nicest thing I can say.

I also deep cleaned the Master bath; I dusted the spare room and cleaned the spare bath, yesterday! So those things are off the list that has yet to be found. I doubt I get the tree up before I leave, but if the rest of the decorations are done, I will be happy. 

Woke with a throbbing headache and it still is not at bay, hoping it goes soon. 

I did get all my bills paid yesterday, which for me is a plus. Still have to run down and pay the house taxes. Will probably do that next week. Okay thinking of all the things that I need to do for the month and now my brain is in overdrive.  Kim let's concentrate on today, just today. And then Kim solves WORLD PEACE. Welcome to my brain. Over thinking is right next to my humor, the humor part is slightly larger thank goodness. 

Well, I am off to alter a wedding dress and alter a military uniform and rip a couple of formals. Also hem 9 pairs of pants. That should keep me out of the bars. 

Have a great day, don't overthink.

Going to find that list...

God is good

Kim

Monday, Sad news

 This is going to be a hard thing for me this year, This jingling. If jingling is a thing I will be very bad at it.  Thinking of sewing a few bells to my clothes. 

My beloved sister-in-law passed early Friday morning. She woke up on Thanksgiving and sadly said, "I am still here." Thursday night was the first time I prayed that she would go.  Every other night I begged for a miracle. I of course am devastated, for me, for her girls, for her husband and grandkids.

I am trying really hard not to fall into a depression; it is taking everything I can to keep myself up. I know Heidi would not approve of my moping. She was not a person to stay down.

I had a nice Thanksgiving; the food was good. I went with my girlfriend to help her buy shoes on Friday.  They had great black Friday sales. Then I had Kelsa for the weekend, as her brother had a hockey tournament out of town. We had a great time together. She always lifts my mood. 

Started to pull out Christmas and every room in my house is a disaster. I thought this would help my motivation.  Not sure that was the right method. I have made a big, long list hoping that would spur me on, but so far it has been slow going.  I could beg for Sissies help but she is really sick of me, and I don't blame her. I am sick of me.

Then I realized it was the first of the month and I need to pay bills. Don't want to do that either. Dang life is hard sometimes. On a good note, all of my Christmas shopping is done! Most has been sent to my eldest daughter's house, so I don't have to lug it down there. That is a blessing. Count your blessings...

I have sewing to do today, and I am grateful for the work and the distraction. I also have a lot of cleaning and dusting to do around the house.  I have been very lax in taking care of my house in the last few weeks, months, if you came in you would not see it, but I know it is there. I am starting to name some of my dust bunnies.

I hope all of you are having a better holiday season. I know mine is going to get better. I just know it is... Say prayers my people.

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and we will all have a beautiful holiday season. I love Christmas, I love the reason for Christmas, and I am looking forward with a positive heart for this time of year. 

Time to pay bills and sew.

Love to all of you who keep me up.  What can I do for you?

God is good

Kim