Tuesday, busy life

 Not that Friday is so great, as I have early medical appointments. Also have med appointment early Thursday.

Signe' is into 5-hour dance rehearsals every night from 5-10, so I drove up to stay with the kids last night and she stayed down here as she had an early surgery to get to at her office. 

Dinner getting kids to bed, with teeth brushed and lunches packed. Then getting them up, and off after breakfast and hair combed. Reminded myself to get Kelsa's clothes laid out the night before as that was a struggle this morning. Dropped the kids off at 8:15 and then down the hill to start my day. Not sure what tonight brings.

I was able to get my nails done yesterday before I went up to the kids, so that is one thing off the list. I have a bride coming in at 1:00 for a try on, and I have a few things to finish on her dress this morning and then I have another picking up at 2:30 and another client at 3:00.  With others picking up and dropping off it will be a busy day.

Sissie is busy at work, and she is going to do a drop off at the post office for me and pick up some zippers that I need, thus saving me a trip. I love that.

I have beans that I soaked overnight, and I am going to put together a large pot of bean soup. Yum! Sissie took some of the ham and set up her meat slicer and sliced it really thin, so I will divide that in packages and freeze. I see many dishes from this in the future plus sandwiches.

Nate was so sore last night I felt sorry for him. He and two other patrol men rented a sod cutter and a concrete mixer and a machine that does edging.  It took them all day to do his yard.  From early morning until dark, and then they had to clean up and today they are doing another lawn. All three were so tired. Kelsa and I watched for a couple of hours.  It was interesting work and we did some step and fetch for them.  You know a man is tired when they don't want to walk 12 feet to get a tool.  Or crawl 12 feet as Nate was on his hands and knees most of the day. When he got in last night, I told him to go soak in the hot tub and then in a hot bath with salts. He said he did not have the energy for both. Poor darling.

I noticed lunch today was my homemade rolls and ham that he packed up to take to his buddy's house. It is nice when nothing goes to waste. I had rolls and peanut butter for breakfast. 

I can't believe it is almost the end of the month, this month went so fast, not going anywhere.  Well, I guess I did get to Jessies the first of the month, so I did go somewhere I enjoyed. 

I was able to get geraniums for 2.29 at ACE hardware.  They were afraid they were going to freeze so they marked them way down.  I plan on getting my pots out of the greenhouse this weekend.  Plants are so expensive this year.  Anything that weighs a lot has had the price shoot through the roof. 

Drove out to the tribe last night and I was skunked as it was the same price as in town.  They are usually 20 to 30 cents cheaper. I guess I will call next time.

Well, I am off to finish up this wedding dress as much as I can. Also get my soup started.

Have a great and productive day

God is good

Kim

Monday, Back from no where!

 Well guess who is getting a little sister.  Yes, Braunwyn is expecting a girl!!!!! Am I over the moon happy? Well yes but I would have loved a little boy just as much.  Now little boys are just not as fun to shop for, in my opinion.

So, what has Kim been doing the last 10 days. Well, I hate to even tell you. I received a call the Friday before I was to fly out from my brother in law, who had developed a serious infection in his foot with possible amputation.  So, in a nutshell trip cancelled. I was furious. Not at brother-in-law but at life in general.

This is the second nice trip I have paid good money for and am now fighting like Hell to get reimbursed.  I did buy insurance and I am beginning to believe it is not worth buying. I have spent hours on the phone with people who do not speak English to get nowhere. I should be good at going nowhere, as I have had lots of practice.

So, what did I do with my time? I spent many hours with daughters and grand kids.  I did a little sewing, I did a lot of feeling sorry for myself. I am also good at that and getting better. I spent a couple of afternoons at Lil sis's pool as the weather only permitted a couple of days. I spent many hours in the yard and still have days of work ahead of me.

My hands really did need a break and are healing up nicely, so I am ready to hit the ground running or limping.  

My girls were really upset about me not going, as Joel's family can be really flakey with plans. They have over the last 45 years cancelled over and over again for very stupid reasons and the girls were not going to allow them an out this time although I know what was going on with brother-in-law was serious. So, the new rule is if they want me to go, they have to pay for everything and I will reimburse. They can fight with the companies for refunds. I am done. After all they changed the date of this trip three times and then cancelled. I have just wasted so much money, and you know how I feel about wasting money.

Last week I cooked dinner up at my house twice for Kay and Dan. I had ribs frozen that needed to be used and also found a couple of steaks. So, ribs one night and steak bites the next.  Sissie is in an off mood for cooking, and I am trying to help her. I also pulled out a ham that I had found marked down to .99 a pound and I roasted that yesterday. Sissie will take the leftovers home and slice it really thin, so we can freeze for other meals.  I will use the bone to make a large batch of Navy bean soup. Which is Sissie and my favorite. Not so much Dan's.

Signe' is in rehearsal for a new musical so I will drive up to her house at 5 and spend the night as she does not get home until after 10 and Nate is on nights. So, the next two weeks will be back and forth either in the morning or the evening. My life is not boring.

I made homemade rolls with dinner last night and there are several left over for ham sandwiches, yum. Nate also loves ham and bean soup so I will take some to the kids. I think my meals for the week are planned. How easy...

Anyway, I am off to sew and get on with life. Trying to count my blessings.

Still have many doctors' appointments this week, and my mammogram came back a redo, so say a prayer.

God is good

Kim

Friday, just a phone call

 I spent 2.5 hours in the cardiologist's office to be sent home not seeing the cardiologist. He had an emergency and since there is only one in the valley.... that is how it goes. So, I am scheduled to see him after I get back. I am almost positive now that my T-biologic is causing these problems.  I can't be positive without more tests, but I am loathe to go off it and have to go back to drip in infusion.

I have been on this drug for 9 years. It does cause, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart damage. I have been on this the longest of any of my Rheumatologist's other patients. Eventually the side effects add up.

Anyway, home now, and working on the green dress I started and did not finish yesterday. Also, the list of other little jobs I was to have done today, I have put off with a phone call!! I am just really tired.  Have been up every morning more than two hours earlier than usual for all of these medical appointments. I have sewed like a demon, and I just need a break. Will get this dress done and probably take a nap this afternoon.  I know I really need one.

Hey ways Kim has saved money this week.

1. four no spend days

2. one trip to the grocer in 12 days

3. went out to tribe to save .20 cents a gallon on gas. 

4. saved scraps for chickens

5. opened windows before turning on air.  I should be able to do this for a while.

6. listed brick and sheet metal from old chicken coop on Facebook marketplace to bless someone else.

7. saved plastic bags

8. hand washed and dried dry-clean items

9. when I helped daughter clean her closet, I snagged several pieces of workout clothing. No buy!

10. saved soda cans for Sissie to put in her large pots and save on soil

11. picked winter over carrots from garden, so sweet and yummy

12. Used Sissie's air fryer.  We share major appliances like this, one rototiller, one of larger appliances and we send back and forth.

Sometimes I get away from the real purpose of this blog and concentrate on my crazy life. I have to live this, you should not have to, just sayin.

Anyway, off to finish green dress and then a nap!

God is good

Kim

Thursday, Reality?

 Kim is learning a life lesson today. I will complete wedding dress #3 and then go onto the other things that are due out tomorrow afternoon. I will not even start wedding dress #4 until all other things are done. If I did start #4, I would be super nervous and crazy about the other 5 or 6 items that need to be out. The wedding dresses are all slated for June. The odds and ends for this Friday. It is I who made the 4 dresses out rule. Just because I set a goal does not mean I have to complete it, especially when I have too much to do. Isn't it amazing it took me 68 years to learn this? You guys help me so much. Keep it up!

I have two wedding dresses getting picked up today. I had my mammogram not nearly as bad as the last one, so I was grateful. 

House is pretty set, I need to vacuum and mop, which I will do after I complete my sewing. I did manage to get into the nail salon last nice for a very necessary pedicure, also hit the tanning stall. So, I don't have to see them again until Friday. I just like to go three or 4 times before I hit the beach to keep from getting sunburned. I do use sunscreen but also tan up fast and it fades fast.  It is weird.  My Dad was the same way.  He would get so dark and then turn into a ghost in a month.

I just went out and told Sissie about my new epiphany and she said (yelled),"I have been telling you that for a long time, you set too high a bar for yourself!!!!!!" I tried to poke her with a pin (accidently:))

Anyway, my list for today:

1. finish wedding dress

2. hem a prom dress

3. take up shoulders and hem mother of the bride dress

4. take a dart in one shoulder of a dress

5. take in under arms on a dress

6. take in lined dress at bottom and hem also take in armpits

7. rest!!!!

I feel good about getting this done. Even if I have, I complete tomorrow, they can pick up from Sissie next week.

I am off! (Anne, I saw the smirk on your face)

God is good

Kim

Wednesday, Kim is making do.

 Too many demands on my time this week, barring doctor visits and sewing. So, I am cutting my cloth to fit the time.  No homemade treats for book club, I bought them, something I would never normally do.

I am using the few minutes in between normal waiting times to get things done. So far it is working. Just have to continue using the small moments.

Finally, the cardiologist called and I am scheduled for Friday morning. It will be my 5th trip to the doctor in a week. But maybe get some answers before I leave.

I was able to get a really hard wedding dress done yesterday and I have another being picked up today. Then the one I have been working on will be picked up tomorrow. I started another wedding dress yesterday and I will finish that today and then start the next one.  My goal was to get 4 done before I leave.  That might not happen as I have several other prom-like dresses to get out by Friday. If I don't finish the 4th wedding dress, I ca always call and tell her it is 1/2 way done that way they worry less. Also, no new work in until I get back. If Sissie wants to take in work, she can do that is fine, but I am at my limit for now.

Tomorrow, I have a mammogram in the morning which is always a treat as I have no boobs (not talking about late spouse) and the stretching of my skin is horrid. 

I am trying to get the house cleaned up and keep it clean so I am not running around like a mad fool tomorrow, which will be a busy day. Sissie is with me all day today and that helps with the stress level as she mows through the easy stuff.

We took Dan out to dinner last night for his birthday and Sissie and I split a sandwich. It was very good and we had a nice time.

Well, I am off to set the world on fire or my sewing machine whichever comes first.

What technique do you use when you have too much to do?

God is good

Kim

Tuesday, Another doctor visit!

 Doctor visits are my life now and I will endure, but not in great humor. 

Worked all day on a wedding dress mostly hand work. Dress is now too tight in shoulders so I will have to undo!!!! Crappity crap. Oh well when you are redoing a vintage dress by hand these are the things you run into and I will also endure but with a lot of grouchy words. 

Started another wedding dress and I hope to have both of these done tonight.

It is Dan's birthday today, so we are going out to dinner. I need to get into a tanning bed a few times before this weekend, but I am so booked with doctors and other tasks I wonder when this will be.  Maybe tonight after dinner?

I am hosting book club this week, which means, cleaning and finding treats. Will think about that. Put it on the list. 

Also, several harder dress items have come in that I have to do by the end of the week. Crazy! Three more wedding dresses in, also crazy.

See how Kim is reducing her stress.... At least Sissie is here to help!

Just took a peek at the next wedding dress todo and it does not look too bad, so I am going to say I might survive this week.

Little engine that could, moments here,

God is good

Kim 

Monday, Health problems...

 My goal for the week is to survive! Back from Jethelyn's, where I had a very nice time. I redid the 5 windows in her family room with roman shades.  We tried to make a cornice box, but it was too heavy and I have to rethink my plans for later. I also took two antique chairs that had beautiful needle point on them and redid the seats.  The seats were badly stained, and I took off the needle point and washed it several times then cut out the flower design and put it on top of velvet and put gimp around the raw edges.  They turned out beautifully. Jess (Jethelyn) needed more chairs for her antique dining table, and these are just perfect. I love the fact that she uses Facebook marketplace to redo her house.

I also rested a lot. It was nice and quiet.  Good weather, good rest. 

So let me tell you about my night before leaving.  Sissie and I had taken Rebecca my neighbor out for her birthday dinner.  We were at a Mexican restaurant. I had a headache and took some Aleve, but I noticed that my heartbeat was very elevated.  So, I tried sitting really still for a few minutes and there was a squeezing, twisting pain in my chest above my heart and on the other side of my chest. My heart rate was all over the place jumping 20-30 points. 

Sissie had, drank two glasses of wine, so when we got back to my place, I called Lil sis to take me to ER as something was up. 

I was in ER for about 6 hours. My blood pressure which is abnormally low was high and my heart had a mind of its own. Both blood pressure and heart were ping ponging like crazy. Lots of tests run, and it was not a heart attack, but something is not right. They discovered a growth on my thyroid (which could cause this) also gall stones (they do not bother me), I have a fatty pancreas that needs a scan, also an echo cardiogram, and a stress test. I need to see my regular doctor. SO now I am going to make a 9 hour drive by myself on very little sleep.

Of course, my girls are all extremely upset and they decide I am not driving but they flew me to Boise where Jethelyn the eldest picked me up. I flew home last Thursday.  I saw my primary doctor Friday morning, and she does not think it is the Thyroid, but ran a thyroid panel.  I have not heard the results yet.  My Rheumatologist called me at my daughters, and I am scheduled to see her tomorrow.  I have to take a baby aspirin every day and blood pressure meds until I can get into a cardiologist which should be sometime this week.  I have scans of my pancreas and my thyroid on the 30th as they don't think these are the most important things that need to be addressed. I really feel fine.  My mother suffered from A-fib, but this was not A-fib. We will just have to wait and see.  I feel fine, I really do.

I am not to overexert myself until after cardiology tests. I don't think these doctors know me well.  My middle name is overexert. It is frustrating for me as I am a go,go,go person. I came home with all these ideas for yard work and they are shelved. It is raining very hard here and my lawn is above my ankles, and it will stay that way.  I may have to get sheep.  Or I guess I could steal a cow from the neighbors to come mow it down.

I have 4 wedding dresses to get out this week, and I am working on one right now and hope to fit it tomorrow and start another. Sissie has been here and is doing the easier stuff.  What a blessing she is (not) 😀😁.

Anyway, this is my life now... I am leaving Sunday for the Florida Keys with Joels' brothers and sisters. I will again fly to Boise and then with them to Florida and fly home. This trip is for Kim to get some sun as she missed Hawaii. Then I will be staying home until June. 

So, I really want to get all the June dresses done before I leave.

Has anything happened in blog land while I was gone? I don't have time to go back and read everyone. I hope all is well. 

Please keep me in your prayers, that nothing is seriously wrong with my heart. 

Miss you guys,

God is good

Kim

Tuesday, Making the list!

 I only have two dresses to finish up, and both can be done in less than an hour. I thought I had three prom dresses, and it turned out I had 5. I do believe things have sex when I am not looking and then they multiply. 

Sewed until 5:30 yesterday and then went with my neighbor to her Parkinson's exercise group. It was fun. She is supposed to go three times a week.  I agreed to go with her on Monday's. She can only do 1/2 the class as she gets too tired. Then we went and had milkshakes on the way home to reward ourselves for our hour of work. Why I never lose weight.

I have made a big, long list of everything that I need to pack and everything I need to take care of before I leave.  It is way too long.  But is must be done.

Had a wedding dress picked up yesterday and of course one came in also. I also have one that is done and ready, but they will probably pick up when I get back. Which is fine. When I get home, there are 4 dresses for June left and I plan on getting those done right away.  It is so nice to be able to get things out in a timely manner. Having Sissie's help makes so much difference.  I am actually ahead of the game savings wise with her helping me, now how does that work out? I have no idea.

If we can get an address for Linda, I would like us to all send cards and perhaps flowers.  We cannot set up a go fund me, as this is a sucking chest wound of a problem.  It is never ending.  But we can let her know we love her and are thinking of her. If Tommy did not put the house in her name or leave her something to help support her, she will have to sell her piece of land where her house was and go into a care facility. That does not mean that we can't be in contact with her and still see how she is doing. I don't mean to sound harsh, but go fund me accounts are for specific needs, not lifetime needs. 

Okay now I will get to my sewing for the day and the never ending trying to get out of town list!

God is good

Kim

Monday, Internet down!

 Well, I know I have clothes in the dryer. 

All I can say is last week was crazy!!!!!

The emergency bride that arrived (crying) at the house as I was blogging last Thursday, just threw the whole rest of the week into chaos.

She had ordered a dress off the internet, of course she would not admit to the size on the chart and ordered what she thought she was in her mind.  By the way an 18 is not a 24, just so you know. Now that dress will not zip at all..... She is getting married on Saturday.

So, all work scheduled for Thursday is put aside and I start to work on this dress.  A corset back has to be placed in by hand before it is sewn in by machine.  My fingers were already so sore and now I have to do another corset back.  I told her to return in 2 hours, and we would do another fitting. In the meantime, our nephew Travis calls with an emergency, which sent me running all over town trying to find a bank to wire $500.  Back to the bride who was still crying but left crying tears of joy. Spent the rest of the day trying to finish this dress.

Friday, I worked on the dresses I was supposed to do Thursday. And guess what, the next wedding dress was a corset back*&^%$#@. Yes, no rest for Kim or her fingers. Remember Fridays?  My day off Fridays? Fat chance.  Friday morning was crazy. I was trying to cut the tulle on the emergency dress.  As in bride is up on the box while I am cutting and I swear I had 10 phone calls that were all important. Now Sissie was manning the phone and I was answering questions. These are the things that had to be handled.

1. Your Xeljanz cannot be delivered without your doctor calling please call your doctor. (note)

2. you need to book a ticket for this flight to Florida asap before all tickets are gone. So, Delta was finally trying to get me on the phone, with a rep that did not speak Englich well.

3.In the meantime, I had a piano lesson I forgot about.

4. I forgot the dog had a grooming appointment she called to reschedule

5. the vet called to schedule an appointment. 

6. accountant called for me to pick up taxes, and I owe $1036.00 to the Feds.

All this while I am trying to cut a dress.  I mean I was ready to go bonkers. Heavy sigh.

Finally emergency bride leaves happily with her dress, and I collapse.

Sissie went home about noon, and I took an hour to recover and then completed two mothers of the bride dresses and was able to baste and cut another corset back dress.

The weekend was hectic, with dog to groomer, finishing Signe's costume, cleaning the disgusting house and going to a BBQ at my kids.  I also made a huge shrimp salad. I was out of peas and cheese, but Sissie provided those. 

I stayed the night at Signe's as Oliver and Kelsa were playing and did not want to be split up. I knew both the girls and the husbands needed a good lie in so, grandma stayed and I woke Nate when I was leaving at 10:30 to get home and change for church. 

I was very happy to lay down Sunday afternoon for a three-hour nap. I woke to a nice clean house and peace and quiet. It was lovely.

Today I have three prom dresses that need to be done, and I need to finish that wedding dress. Then it is all about paying the bills for next month and getting ready to leave town.

I would like to say that my life is exciting, but I would not call it that. What would you call it?? DO I really want to hear your response.... probably not.

I heard that Practical parsimony's partner passed away, does anyone have a way to get ahold of her? Like an address?? Should we as a group do something to help her?

Anyway, I am off to set the world or myself on fire does anyone want to join me?

God is good

 Kim

Thursday, My fingertips, revolt

 I sewed way too long yesterday. So much hand work, and then last night I completed a costume for Kelsa. She is in twelfth night with her mom. It also was mostly hand work. So, the tip of my long finger is raw.  I also poked myself a couple of times really deep and it bled. So, it is sore.  I have a hard time wearing a thimble.  Needs must!

Anyway, I was able to complete one wedding dress and almost complete another.  The shop was very busy with prom dresses coming in and many phone calls about more work. Sissie is back at her machine and I am glad, as there is work due out tomorrow and I would have to stop and do this when I need to be doing other things. She is a God send.

I want to get at least one more dress done and all the prom dresses out before I leave on the 1st. I have a lot to do.

The weather is beautiful here and I am hoping to get out in the yard later today after I finish my quota. I want to get some things planted down by the chicken coop and I just have so much just general cleanup to do. I also need to burn the hill before it gets really hot.

Never mind just had an emergency bride come in and my day is blown.... I have to just love my life.

God is good

Kim 

Wednesday, Thank you for the Birthday wishes.

 

I had such a nice day yesterday.  Did I get anything done that was important? NO!!!! But I did have a wonderful birthday. 

I also was called to be the children's music leader at church and I am thrilled.  That was the job I was doing in my old ward, and I was sad to leave it.  But now I can do it in my new ward. I am excited.

My yard is starting to look good, and I want to be outside so bad, but until I am caught up in the shop I am not going outside. This is very hard for me.

Sissie has not really sewn all week as she has friends visiting and things are starting to pile up.  That is okay she deserves a break. I however do not.  Do you hear that self?  No breaks for you. (self is trying not to listen.)

Woke up today with a pretty bad headache but it is abating and I am grateful for that. I have several things coming in today and my bride this morning cancelled, for which I was also grateful. She was running a fever, and I did not need to be exposed to that.

I am going to my Eldest's house for Easter, and I really need to get a few wedding dresses out before I leave. 

I want to be gone about a week, and then our trip to the Florida Keys is back on and we are to leave around the 20th of April.  I am not holding my breath as Joel's relatives can be really flakey. But I really have to get as many wedding dresses out as possible as more will come in soon. There are 11 in here so far.  Also, Prom dresses are coming in, but those are not as difficult.  I want them out before I leave for Easter. 

No rest for the wicked, and boy have I been wicked (as in lazy).  Try it, it is a lot of fun!

So, I am setting my timer and getting to work!!!!

The list for today:

1. alter a wedding dress

2. alter another wedding dress

If left over time, help Sissie, with the piles.

That is enough.

Can I do it? You bet!

God is good

What plans do you have for the day?

Kim

Tuesday, Happy birthday to my Sissie!

 

Sissie and I are a year older today. I don't feel any older than I did yesterday. Sissie has friends coming in from out of town, so she did not sew today, but came up to check the inventory and wish me happy birthday. My neighbor brought over flowers, my son in law brought flowers, candy and a diet coke from Mcd's.  He knows me well. So, I have two lovely bouquets. 

Lil sis is having dinner for us tonight.  Nate mowed and trimmed my lawn and tore down the old chicken coop. He has worked so hard here, and I am ever so grateful for him. All my sons in law are the best and I am so blessed.

Had another dress (wedding) come in today and another tomorrow.  I really must start pumping them out soon as in this week.

I have three dresses set out to complete. Now I just have to do it. That is always the hard part.

Talked to delta today about reimbursing my points for flights and it looks like they will do it.  I think that is very kind of them.

There is so much yard work to so outside, and I am itching to get out there. Thank goodness for the rain that keeps me inside and on track. 

The third day I was home after my nightmare no trip, I made a long list of things that I could accomplish now that I was home and refusing to sew. Things like weed the 100 foot flower bed, cut the grape vine back, trim the converted pussy willow tree, spray all the rockery, clean the fridge, go through the food pantry and the food cupboard and use up what was about to go over date, clean the two corner lazy Susan cupboards that hold all the baking supplies. You know things that I have been putting off. I told myself if I was going to be sad and miserable I might as well do miserable jobs.  And you know what?  I did them.  Of course, scrubbing is a no, no for me and I paid a price, with my right-hand flaring and not working, so I had to wear a brace for two days. Funny how scrubbing does that to me. I just have to be careful not to overuse my joints.  So, aggravating.

Anyway, I found several cans of tomato products that had to be used and Sissie and I pulled burger and sausage out of the freezers and Sissie made up a huge batch of sauce. We had 12 quarts to freeze.  I took six up to B's and made 2 lasagnas, two manicottis, and left enough sauce for 4 spaghetti meals. I also made two pans of chicken enchiladas, and two pans of tater tot casserole. So that left her 12 meals in the freezer. She is so sick with this pregnancy, and I just remember how sick I was, so I am trying to do everything I can to help. I did some cleaning, but nothing that would aggravate my wrist. Luckily, she has a great husband who is doing most of the housework. I still want to go up and clean one more closet and the washer dryer area. But that is for another week. I am just trying to give them more options for the new baby.

They have lived in a handicapped apartment for the last 8 years. It has huge rooms to turn a wheelchair around.  Also, the closets are big for wheelchair access. The laundry room and bath are twice the normal size.  The only thing that is odd is that the sinks are lower.  But it has the square footage of all of the three-bedroom two bath units. It is only a two bed one bath unit. However, because it is handicapped it is rent controlled. Their rent is only 900 and will go to 920. All other people are paying 1700.  If they move to a three bed, two bath unit and gain no square footage, they will pay 2200. The baby will be in their room for at least two years, and one of the closets is now Olivers playroom, it could easily be a small nursery. If they stay here, they can save at least 1000 a month toward a house. So, I think they will try and stay, we just have to figure out space for baby things. Plus, moving is a nightmare even if you are not pregnant.

Anyway, I am off to sew and have a fun birthday with my sisters. I will celebrate with kids this Saturday.  I am a very spoiled mom.

God is good

Kim

Monday, Kim's very sad non vacation

 Well, I don't know where to begin. I did not get to go to Hawaii. We spent almost 3 days in airports getting delayed due to weather.  Half our group made it. After hours and hours in lines and airport food and nights in hotels and uber rides we all had to foot the bill for, we opted to have the airlines fly us home to avoid another hotel stay and more meals out Nd an air flight to Maui from Honolulu. The airlines just wore us down. Then we would not get our luggage until the day before we had to leave.  It was just one disappointment and nightmare after another. I am going to try and get points reimbursed as the airlines did do a screw up, but they told me to wait a couple of weeks as phone lines are terrible. 

So, what did I do besides grieve? I stayed the first three days with Sissie.  I curled up in her basement in the dark watching crap TV.  Then I went home during the daylight hours and worked on the yard and did things besides sewing.  I went up to B's and made freezer meals and did some deep cleaning and decluttering. She is quite sick with this pregnancy. I refuse to sleep at my house, so I wasn't alone. I know not a very mature reaction.  But part of going on a trip is to be with people.  I am alone most of the time. I am back in the shop and sewing again for the first time in 10 days.

I am still crushed but I must say the weather in Maui was crap, so I didn't miss mush there.  I would have had fun with my friends. Just a huge disappointment.

My new chicken coop is almost done and I love it. Signe' and Nate have worked so hard. My birthday is tomorrow and they are trying to finish it for my birthday. 

Sissie and Dan were so funny.  They tried to do a hula for me. Then Dan took a bunch of dead daffodil blossoms and pinecones and made me a makeshift lei. My best buddy brought me over a Hawaiian pig sandwich, which was very good.

Sissie and I deep cleaned the shop this morning and moved her machine into the shop and did some rearranging, so I have my dining room back.

Anyway, I am home and working and that is what is important.  Anything happen important out there?

God is good, even if her sends bad weather.

Kim

Wednesday, Time to think and get things done!

 Rainy here and may be rainy in Hawaii.  But as I recall last time it rained almost every day.  It was still beautiful so I am not going to spend time worrying about it, as I can't change it at all.

I have two silk dresses to alter and I am done, with sewing until I get back. Then I will have to pack. I need to mail three bills before I go, and I have the chickens taken care of, with my daughter. Sissie will mind the shop in the mornings. I do need to go buy a much larger watering pan for the chickens, as the one they had was broken by the cold. Will do that when I go to mail bills late this afternoon.

My neighbor down the street called this morning and she is traveling and forgot to ask someone to pull in her trash cans.  So, I ran down there and did that. It is very cold and windy here.  I also brought in my cans and the neighbors cans. So, three sets of trash cans.

On my way down the block, the city sewer was working down a manhole.  I just never realized how really small a manhole is, and now I know why Braunwyn always has to do this job.  The protective gear alone is bulky.  Braunwyn's had to be special ordered. After they are outfitted, they are lowered by a harness and a winch.  B is tall with about a size 4-6 butt.  Very tiny around, so she just fits better. Now she cannot go down until after the baby is born, one of the few good things about being pregnant, besides getting a baby at the end. Her boss knows but not the men she works with, they usually figure it out after the boss says, "Not Braunwyn for the third time." Okay something is up; she is the natural alternative.

I picked a dozen and a half Daffodils at the neighbors and then realized I was leaving so I would not enjoy them. So, I wrapped the stems in wet paper towel and sent them home with sissy. Sissy hemmed 9 pairs of jeans this morning.  She is a peach. She really keeps up on the little stuff. I had another wedding dress come in yesterday, and two more booked in when I get back. It is that time of year.

I will have to rethink my packing if the weather is a little colder, have to throw in a few leggings and a raincoat and maybe a sweatshirt.  There is laundry there so we can wash things. I want to keep my suitcase smaller if possible.

Made pancakes this morning for Sissie and I.  I can freeze 6 of them for later.  I am sorry homemade pancakes are just better than a mix. Flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, mix, add milk, oil, and a well beaten egg. Just plain old ingredients. The mixes although convenient are really not that much of a savings in time.

Okay, I cannot avoid the silk dresses any longer, must put a silk needle on the machine! 

God is good

Kim

 

Monday, New week!

 Not Kim's favorite time of year as she is a night owl and does not like to rise early. Sissie woke me at nine and let me sleep another hour as she knew how I would be... 

I was grateful for more sunlight last night, that is the upside.

Kelsa and I had such a great time on Saturday.  She came early as her parents had a wedding in Spokane. We went to the park and spent 3 hours playing.  It was so warm. We met some other little girls from church and next time I will make sure we are in clothes that can get wet.  They went down to a small creek and had so much fun, but we had to keep them from ruining their clothes. We need to go in muck shoes next time.  I remember how much fun I had playing in the creek when I was young.

Then late in the afternoon, I took her Sissie and Dan's so I could go get a pedicure and my nails done. She watched cartoons and talked her Uncle Dan's ear off.  She is so funny.

After Kelsa was picked up, I took a nap and woke to a very messy house.  I needed to vacuum and sweep.  Dishes needed done up.  Just a general clean up and put away. Kelsa is into arts stuff and all the little pieces of paper, and such often get overlooked in clean up. You need to vacuum. I even removed the sofa cushions and vacuumed there. It looks so nice.

I have a wedding dress to finish today for pick up tomorrow and I have two other silk dresses that need alterations.

Sissie keeps asking (nagging) me about how many dresses are in the shop.  Well one or two go out and two or three come in, so don't expect a drop any time soon. One came in this morning that was a cut down and redesign.  Which I love to do. Just different than the same old hem and take in all the time. I get to use my imagination.

THE kids have ordered me a new chicken coop, and I am excited to get the old one down and the new one up. 

Well, I am off to get to work!

God is good

Kim

Thursday, Yikes! Too much to do!

 A teeny, tiny picture of my buddy and I in Hawaii.  If I make it larger it gets all fuzzy.  This is in front of the Hawaiian Temple. It was a great trip about this time two years ago.

Just found out I can go again.  Last minute.  Ticket bought with points; lodging paid for just spending money.  I am so excited. More on this later. I am squeezing in with some friends.

Sissie was here and got her work done, but I have some things to do that she would normally do.  It is just that we have been that busy.  I am proud of her.  Even though she still has the POX.

So today I need to finish a wedding dress and put in a zipper and hem some motorcycle pants and put new Velcro on motorcycle pants. Then I want to cut and hem all the under skirt of another wedding dress and rip the braid out.  Plenty to keep me busy. 

My girlfriend above is a quilter and there are quilting Cruises!!!!  Doesn't that sound like fun? Looking into this, for a later date. We have so much fun together.  I am a terrible quilter, but I could learn and she is the best.  But she might have to beat me about the head and shoulders, as she is so exact and I am so.... well, we won't go there.

I try and pay Sissie every Thursday or Friday for the work she has done that week.  She is so cute when she gets paid.  Like it is her first job, and she gets to go buy all the candy she can eat. She can't eat much right now as I don't know if I have told you, but she has the POX.

Slugs and Dan are supposed to go on a cruise to Hawaii in September if she gets well, maybe I should crash that one?  It is an idea.

All right I am ready to get my work done, I ran and paid three bills this morning now all I have is the power bill and it has not come yet. As soon as the home equity loan is paid off and I have no more debt I am going to have all bills just pulled from my account.  Won't that be lovely?

But then I will have to pay attention, oh dear there is always a drawback. "Every form of refuge has a price."

THERE ARE ACTUAL Daffodils UP IN THE NEIGHBORS YARD!!! The marmots ate all my daffodil bulbs.  But that are not much for tulips so I should have some of those left. So excited for spring even though I don't feel like we even had a winter.  Still waiting for winter and you never know here we might get a snowstorm in April.  It has happened before.

Okay off to work, as no one will do it for me. If I had not put a POX on Sissie,,,

God is good

Kim

Wednesday, Sissie makes cookies

 Here she is her bossy self. I woke up this morning to banging and banging.  What is she up to now?  Well, she is baking cookies. While she is finishing a dress she is baking date oatmeal cookies.  I am on a low to no carb diet and she is baking cookies!!!!!

A Pox on her I say!

At least she took all the cookies when she left. I am not sure who she was delivering them to, but they sure smelled good.

The shop was so busy yesterday.  So much stuff dropped off.  I have a bride coming in at 3 today and I have another bridal dress that I am starting on, it is a bugger, with inside horsehair braid.  My favorite. NOT!

Dinner was good last night, fun to get together with my friend. The missionaries are cute; they are so young. I could never have done what they are doing at their age. I am not sure if I should admire them or think they are nuts?

Chickens are laying like crazy and going through food and water like crazy. Sissie brings over leftovers for them and they love that, much more than the grain I feed them.  But My coop is falling apart so badly.  I think the kids are going to get me a new one for my birthday. That will be easier than trying to put this one back together.  It has been out in the weather for 6 years and is not holding its own at all.

Yesterday was beautiful, it smelled like spring.  Today it is nonstop raining and as we have had no snow, we will take the rain. The farmers here are all dry land with no irrigation, so we have to have moisture in some form.

Keep Sluggy and Hawaiian planners' family in your prayers. So scary right now in the world.

God is good

Kim

Tuesday, Happy Birthday William!

 William at mom's funeral when I told him to change his socks. No white socks with a formal suit unless the suit is white. Tacky, tacky. This is his oh grandma face. I can't believe he is 10. Soon James will be 10.  Grandkids just keep growing up too fast.

His parents had lunch with him at school and then whisked him off on a surprise trip to a Kraken game for his birthday. I bought him a new jersey to wear to the game. He called me to tell me thank you and he was so excited. They kept making him think he was too old for a big birthday celebration. 

My mother's birthday is today, and I remember she was so happy that William was born on her birthday.

Sissie is in sewing long sleeves on a formal with sequins and she is breaking needles.  I hate breaking a needle, it is just scary. Poor darling. I just went into check on her, after the loud bang!

I am taking the missionaries out to dinner tonight. Have no idea where, as I let them choose. Plus, I get to see my bestie who is in another ward at church, so I don't get to see her every week. We can have a few laughs. Then onto the gym, if possible, like if I don't eat too much.

Plenty to do today which is the way I like it. Sissie would like it if I did more, but I don't think I can make myself do this. I am so happy just living the good life. Ha ha!

I made a big batch of egg roll in a bowl last night and it was so good. Having that for lunch.

Now onto sewing,

Have a great and productive day

God is good

Kim

Monday, It's March!

 Oh, my it is March already! That happened so fast! It is a beautiful day out, Oliver and Braunwyn are here and we have been down to the chickens. Oliver fed them and we collected some eggs. Then I pulled the electrical cord for the heated water dish and also pulled up the hose and watered what was saved in the green house. 

There is a ton of yard work to do, and the flower beds need tending. I have tulips and other bulbs coming up all over, but also a lot of weeds.

Saturday when I was giving Kelsa a bath, I torqued my back a little.  Not as bad as last time but enough that I will be careful. I wish I knew what caused it to spring.  So, aggravating.

So, what goals do I have for March? Well, when I think of it way too many. Maybe just a goal for today, then the week and then March.

Goal for today: Pay the bills! Just get it done and put it behind me for the month!

Also get a wedding dress done and call bride to set up a fitting. Go to the gym and do exercises for my lower back. Also practice the piano!  That is, it for today.

That is enough.

Now for the week:

1. go to gyn 3-4 times

2. get all bills paid not just the online ones 

3. get 2 other wedding dresses done.

4. get some deep cleaning done in the kitchen

  a. clean out fridge

  b. clean corner lazy Suzan cupboards

Goals for the month

1. weed long flower bed

2. weed all the rockery around the back yard

3. spray the rockery after weeding.

4. get spray paint and redo all the yard tools and get then hung

5. start seedlings in green house

That is enough.  I a sure I could add a lot more to that list for outside, but just thinking about it makes my back hurt. 

Do you have any fun plans for March?

I have a trip I am excited about!

God is good

Kim

Goals for the month

Thursday, Taxes are in!!!!

 

The taxes are in and I am over the moon about this little (big) event! I sat down this morning after my early doctor appointment and did them.  Then between bridal fittings I took them to the accountant. Now I wait.

Mom's estate has so much paperwork.  She had many small investments, and stocks, and insurance policies besides the sale of the home. Every different policy has paperwork to fill out and return and a lot of it is buggy and hard to understand.  All of us are not signing at least one thing wrong on every account. I feel sorry for her estate planner. 

We all live so far apart also. One in Florida, one in Ohio, one in southern Idaho, one in the estate planner's city and then me up here in the pan handle. It is not like he can sit us all down and just get it all done. Every day I am pulling forms off the internet, signing and returning. So happy I am not the executor.

I sewed almost all day on a ball gown wedding dress.  The one I was complaining about taking three hours to rip the horsehair braid. Well, it was about 3 hours to get it all put back on, I thought I would never finish.

After that I started on another dress, and I need to do some alterations on it and call bride to come in so I can mark the hem. I have that dress ripped and ready to go.

Sissie is really keeping up with all the little stuff.  Hurrah!

Had a wedding dress picked up this morning and another will be picked up tomorrow. But another will be dropped off today so there is no real catch up this time of year. But I feel so far ahead of the game right now and it is a lovely feeling.

I cannot believe March will be here this weekend. So, the two longest months of the year to me are almost over. March will bring spring, and I can get outside more. Yeah!

Now ya'll pray I don't owe a fortune in taxes.  We were always so poor we never owed.  But after Joel died, I started to owe.  That does not even make sense to me.

God is good

Kim

Wednedsay, Get to work!

 For some reason this is how I feel today. Like my forehead is full and I want to go back to bed. I have an 11:00 bride, and a 12:00 bride so going back to bed is not an option. Plus, Sissie would just drag me back out.

I did finish a wedding dress yesterday and got a good start on another. I spent three hours yesterday pulling horsehair braid off of one dress that had 2 layers.  Yes two, as if one wasn't enough to make me crazy.

SO today I will replace the braid and get that dress done and then start on another.  If things go as planned that will be the three dresses for the week, but as more come in it doesn't feel like I am making progress. 

My 11:00 bride did not like the price I quoted for the alteration and is going to try and find a different dress.  Fine with me, one less thing to do. 

I have a big pile of tax stuff laying on the counter in the kitchen.  It says rude things under its breath to goad me into looking at it.  So far that I have been winning.  Not good for the goal I set, but... there is always a but, right?

It is beautiful and sunny here and I want to go outside and run around. Nothing is preventing me, except this wedding dress laying here all torn apart.  I do believe the wedding dress will win. Dang!

I have decided to go to my eldest daughter's house for Easter.  I will probably leave a week early and stay for a week.  I might be going on a trip with Joel's sister, after Easter and I would have to fly out of Boise, might as well be down there. This would put me out of the shop for a good two weeks in April, so I really need to get everything well organized and all dresses out that would be close to these dates. So, anything due out before June.  Who knows how many dresses will be in here by then, one can only guess. Isn't my life exciting? Please don't answer that question.

I am determined to make it to the gym tonight.  I slept great last night no excuses.

Anything fun happening around your places? What do you have to get done today?

God is good

Kim

Tuesday, So HAppy!!!!!!

 What could make me happier than anything? Besides the face of that grandson?  Well..... the face of perhaps another grandson or granddaughter!!!!!!

Yes, Braunwyn came down yesterday to tell me she was pregnant!!!!! It was so cute as she had Oliver with her and they went into my bathroom and he came out in a different shirt.  I did not think too much about it, until I read it and it said, "I am a BIG Brother!" Signe' and Nate were also here and it was kind of a set up. I had just been talking to Lil sis on the phone, and they were all in the living room listening to me on speaker phone.  After the call I noticed Oliver.  Needless to say, the rest of the day was just a party of joy. So not much work done.

Now B had Toxic shock as a teenager from a root canal procedure, and she came very close to death. They estimated another 20 minutes she would not have made it. So sick she could not even be life flighted. Took her months to recover in some ways and in other ways years. Every major organ was shutting down. We were told her eggs would not be viable and to not count on children.

She was very up front with Dan about this before they married. But as I was zipping her into her wedding dress, I told her not to use any birth control, as her chances of getting pregnant were the best they would ever be the younger she was.  Low and behold Oliver came 10 months later..... Hmmm mom advice.  But now Oliver is going on 6 and she has tried very hard to get pregnant.  She was just short of going on fertility drugs and Walla!!! She is 12 weeks and I ask for prayers that all goes well.  Her older sister Jethelyn lost a set of twins at 12 weeks, so I am a little gun shy.  But I am so happy.

This is the reason I stayed in this part of Idaho, after Joel's death. My instinct was to move out of the valley closer to my eldest daughter. But she did not need me like the younger two did. Now my babies are almost 6 and this grandma could very well move on to greener pastures. 

However, the greenest pasture of all awaits. The baby is due in August. I would like another granddaughter, but I will take whatever with JOY. We won't know the sex for another couple of months.

With childcare for infants nonexistent, it will be up to Signe', me, in laws and shift work to care for this little bean until it is at least 4. They already put the baby down for a childcare slot at the University for when it turns 4. Dan works there and they will hold a space that year.  Can you believe people have to do that? Seems incredible and infant childcare is now $125.00 a day in most places. Crazy!

I slept terrible again last night, mostly from excitement and I don't know so I am dragging today. Although the shop will be very busy today and tomorrow.  No lagging here.  I also did not get to the gym last night and tonight isn't looking too hot.  But did I tell you I am going to be a grandma again?  I just really don't care about much right now but being very happy.

B said no social media on the announcement, so please don't tell anyone, *snort*.  Nathan asked if skywriting was okay and B says yeah that is okay.  Jethelyn, pops up,, "Goggling skywriters in your area." This is our family in a nutshell, always giving people a hard time. If we are not dipping out of your bucket, we are looking for a way to maneuver our way into whatever will irritate you the most. It is our way of showing love.

Now I am going to work on a wedding dress. I mean it! I am!

God is so extra good!

Kim

Monday, Goals for the week!

 Now If I can just get them done! I am great at making plans and then not following through.  SO, this week I am going to make it simple with just a few goals.

The kids are on the mend and back in school and let's hope this is for a long while. I am not sick and that is always a great thing. I will take both of those blessings.

It was a nice quite weekend without Kelsa.  I usually have her Saturday and some of Sunday. I napped and just had a down and catch-up weekend, and it was nice.

Sissie and I did some errands together on Saturday and Dan went with me to get chicken feed, which is too heavy for me to load and unload. I had dinner at Sissie's last night.  Beef stew so nummie and the then home for an early bedtime.

So, this week I am concentrating on three goals!

1. get three wedding dresses done!

2. get taxes done and into accountant

3. get to the gym three times

If anything, else gets added that is a bonus.

I have one wedding dress here waiting for me to finish. I will start on another as soon as that is done and then see what time it is today and perhaps get all the tax stuff out and waiting for me.

Just get things done and out and off my mind and my plate. That in itself will be so nice.

Sissie is busy replacing zippers in jeans. It is a learning curve, but she is doing great.

I talked to Sluggy, this weekend and she really needs our prayers.  She is struggling to recover from back-to-back surgery and illness. I am really worried about her.  I just want my friend back so badly.

Well, I am off to set the world on fire, or something on fire.  I will start with a smelly candle.

God is good

Kim

Friday, Staying well

 My oh this valley is so full of sickness. I had a blood draw today and the phlebotomist said that 1/2 the staff was out.  I know William and Kelsa'a school actually combined some classes as so many students and teachers were out sick. It is a fever/cold. or a stomach bug. 

Kelsa has been out of school all week and William only went one day.  Signe' missed two days of work, and Nate one. But Signe' had an expensive training seminar today that was paid for and nonrefundable and Nate is down three patrolmen in his district.  So, they brought the kids here last night.

William is a trooper and he seems fine, just tired and weak. Kelsa was so miserable last night just begging for her cough to go away. I dosed her with a draught that I was told how to make by a pediatrician years ago. I am sure they would not do it now.  But we were all in bed by 10 and She was quiet until about 3 when the meds wore off.  Then up every hour, for a drink and keeping the vomit bag close.  It is just the lose phlegm in the throat that brings on the sickness. Needless to say, it was a rotten night's sleep. But we all slept late and Sissie woke us up at ten.  William is well as far as I can tell, and Kelsa although still coughing is not near as bad as she was yesterday.  That sick look they get in their eyes is gone. But both are very quiet and subdued, so easy to care for😃😃 I will take the blessings where I can get them.

Kay said she knew how sick the kids must be if they were sleeping soundly that late.  Plus, the house was not destroyed by Kelsa's pursuit of the Arts. Signe just called on her lunch break to thank me for taking them.  She and Nate were not sure they could do another night.  I was supposed to sleep up at their house last night, but then all three of us would have been up.

I cannot believe how much better my anxiety is now that Sissie is helping me. I have to teach myself that not having something to do every minute of the day is okay.  I can simply do nothing and that is okay.  It is not in my nature, and I need to learn to relax a little. It is such an odd feeling to go into the shop and say I am only responsible for these wedding dresses. Sissie is still scared to do some alterations, but she is getting better every day. I am so grateful. I have my work lined up for next week and I am not behind.

I am washing my hands so much they are so dry, just trying to keep germs at bay. I made William sleep next to Kelsa last night so I could be away from her, which made the night more difficult as I had to get up and walk to the bed every time she woke, up but kept me from breathing in her crud.

I just got word that my medical co pay is approved. Meaning my XZeljanz T biologic will be free for the year.  I had it all set up last December and then found out you must reapply every year. What a nuisance, for both me and the doctor, but it is done. That med is now running about $7000.00 a month.  With the new Medicare policy on out-of-pocket prescriptions, you only pay $2100.00 per year and then the company picks up the rest.  So, a drug that would cost me 2,036.42 a month is now getting paid for by the drug company.  This allows them to at least make some money.  They pay the $2.100 at the beginning and then wave the co-pay allowing the company to at least make about 5 grand a month on their drug. This is such a blessing.

.I need to go out and check on the chickens and figure out what I am going to sew today.

Anything interesting happening this weekend? Please share.

God is good

Kim

Wednesday, Ash Wednesday

 So, the season of Lent begins. Sissie left early so Dan could have the car to go to service. I always remember my Irish dance troupe, where most of the kids were Catholic. They always came to rehearsal with ashes on their foreheads, and by the end of the three-hour rehearsal, their faces were really dirty, but they would not wipe anything off.  Good memories.

Dan and Kay and I went out to dinner last night and had such a good time.  I really do not like to eat out, but it is fun once in a while. We had a lot of laughs over Sissie's sewing mistakes. But then I make some real blunders also!!!!

I was busy yesterday and finished that wedding dress and it is already picked up. Just many clients in and out. Went to the gym after dinner and had a workout. I have a bride coming in tonight and one tomorrow.  So, my goal today is to get two dresses altered and another wedding dress done.

I just have to stay on top of these, and I haven't done a really good job of it at all. Must do better and I have no excuse.  This is the time of year where you can get two dresses out and three can come in... I just want to stay ahead and not have the stress.

Signe' called and both Kelsa and William are sick. She had to take the day off work, as she did not want me to deal with William throwing up right and left.  Thank you, sweet daughter. I guess Kelsa ran a fever off and on yesterday but did not really act sick. Chef Owens suggested teeth coming in and I had not thought of that.  Her 6-year-old molars might be coming in and causing the fever. But whatever William has, I do not want.

I need to go and scare me up some breakfast. Maybe bacon and eggs.  I pulled 11 eggs out of the coop this morning, so I am getting 4 eggs a day.  Way too many for me to use and I will be giving them away to family and friends.

Tomorrow will be busy as I have a piano lesson (it was moved) and a bride at 11:30, then I am attending a luncheon for cancer. Sissie will join me. I have to go to Signe's late in the afternoon (if the kids are not still sick) and spend the night as Signe' has a raining in Spokane and has to leave very early in the morning and Nathan will be working.  I will get the kids off to school and then come home and sew. Whew did you get all that because now I am confused.

Well, I am off! For those of you that celebrate the Lenten season, may it bring you peace and joy.

God is good

Kim

Tuesday, The 17th already?

 Things were going great yesterday, and I was actively working on a wedding dress. Kelsa started fussing which is unusual for her, finally she was crying and I went over to pick her up and she was burning up. 102.4 fever!  No symptoms just the fever.  Gave her some Tylenol and held her till she fell asleep.

That was the rest of my day. Her fever came down and her folks picked her up and she was fine last night.  It was just weird. I had slept so poorly the night before I just went to bed early and slept well last night.

So today I will continue on the wedding dress and a couple of other things. Sissie is here sewing away. I had to run to my specialist's office to redo paperwork on my meds.  It is such a mess I don't even want to think about it. I am just praying that we will get it all worked out!

I cannot believe that it is the 17th already and we only have 10 more days of February.  I need to get busy; I want all the wedding dresses that are scheduled before June done. I also have one dress that is going to be a redo of an older dress, and I need to start thinking about how that will be done. Tricky... But I love tricky.

I am almost done with my 4th savings chart, so I feel like I am right on schedule with what I have done in previous years. I need to go and get my nails done sometime this week.  I swear I will go to the gym tonight and get there early and get a good walk under my belt.

All these plans and now I have to do them. Ugh! 

I think I need to go to my specialist's office every day just so I can feel happy about my health and life. Everyone there is so sick, and crippled. I move like a teenager compared to most of these people and it is so sad. I am so blessed with the health that I do have even though it is technically not that great.  But I will take it!

So now I am going to go try and get it together. Won't that be fun?

God is good

Kim

Monday, Whirlwind weekend

 How can someone so little and cute make such big messes over and over again?  It is really amazing how quickly she can do this. She does help with the clean-up, but Grandma does the final touches.

Friday, I picked her up and we went grocery shopping as I was out of milk and things. Then we went to Wal mart and I was so shocked at the prices they wanted to chocolate and not even good chocolate! Luckily, I did not have to buy any Valentine chocolate.  Then we came home and made up the rest of the sugar cookie dough, and we frosted the cookies and Kelsa did the sprinkles! Grandma cleaned the kitchen.

Saturday, we made up cookie trays with frosted sugar cookies, chocolate dipped shortbread hearts, and Aunty Kays chocolates. We delivered to 6 different people.  Kelsa was so excited to do this she was shaking.  It was so cute! We came home to a mess, so we cleaned up and then Kelsa painted and played the rest of the afternoon.  About 5 we hopped in the car and went and got Panda Express. Both of us enjoyed that and we had enough left over for Sunday dinner. Again, we cleaned up before bed.

Sunday, we went to our new ward, which I thought was quite large. It was nice to see old and new faces. It felt good to be there.  Then home for a nap(me) and more color and play and paint. After Kelsa fell asleep, I spent a good hour really cleaning and vacuuming the family room.  Folded a couple loads of laundry and started reading a book.

Had an awful night's sleep.  Just could not get to sleep. Morning came way too early.  Sissie is here and I just had another bride dress come into the shop. I have two formal dresses to get done today and a few other things.  I want to get at least 3 wedding dresses out before the end of the week. So many dresses with horsehair braid and it really makes things scary and difficult!!!!! But alas it is my job.

I think Kelsa is staring to miss her parents as she is clingy today.  They are due home late this afternoon. So included in today's work will be more Kelsa snuggles.

I also have a zipper I need to replace, and I think I will do that first thing, so I quit putting it off.

I am also a little chilled today which is weird after running hot all last week.

Let's all have a great productive week this week!

God is good

Kim

 

Thursday, Repeat please

 So even though my day(yesterday) was blown up I still managed to get two wedding dresses and two bridesmaid dresses done. I did no baking.  I was very lazy last night and just watched TV stayed up way too late, and I am paying for it this morning.

Sissie was here and spurred me on with the baking.  I did three large pans of short bread and three small heart pans of individual short bread.  Now all the is left is to roll out the cookie (the dough is in the fridge) and get those baked and frosted. I should do that today so I can clean everything up only once.

Roscoe has a vet appointment this afternoon.  HE needs shots and a nail trim.  I am going to try and get to a widow's dinner invite, but as it is early I might not be out of the Vets.  We will see.

I was able to get a few things done on the internet that I needed done, and now I just need to see what I can do in the shop. Actually, see what I want to do in the shop. With Sissie taking on the majority of the little work, I have developed a real habit of getting less and less done in all areas of my life.  I am sure it is a phase and I definitely need to break it before it becomes a really bad habit.

I keep telling myself I work better under pressure and I do, but that is not any way to live on a regular basis and I have no excuse, but to call it procrastination and a little laziness.  But boy is it fun!  Changes will be made; changes should be made. Changes must be made Sissie sees all dang it anyway. Can't even blame it on depression.

This house needs a lot of love, and I keep planning on doing some things and they just don't get done.  But I will figure it out. I have to or face the rath of the SISSIE!!!!

I talked to Auntie yesterday and she was happy.  Someone was coming to get her for her birthday. She is a little weaker and has more being done for her on a regular basis.  I think she moved into the care center just in time when she really started to need help. She does not like being dependent on others but at 91 most people are a little dependent. She still seemed bright.  I miss her.

Well, I am off to find something to do. I think...

Have a great and productive day

God is good

Kim

Wednesday, Brides, brides, brides

 I am determined to have three wedding dresses ready to go out by tonight.  I also have a dental appt. I want to go to the gym. I had a phone call from my eldest last night and I talked her off a cliff taking over an hour, so I did not go to the gym. Or at least I used that as an excuse. I am full of wonderful excuses.

Sissie brought over the turtles (as in candy) she made and they are so good. But they were not breakfast food and now I feel a little off.  Okay I know I am a lot off, but thanks for allowing me to continue.

How did I get 10 wedding dresses in here? I mean when did they come in? Where was I?  Boy, can I live in my own dream world. More on that later.

It is Aunties birthday today, she is 91. I will call her after this post and wish her Happy Birthday.  Today is also our late daughters' birthday she would be 40 today, hard to believe. Time goes by so quickly.

I am making short bread today in addition to sewing.  Oh segue: Signe' just called she had a cancellation and can I come in right now...

Update: Emergency patient surgery scheduled for this afternoon (not on me) Also Nate got called into work on a bad accident, can I go get Kelsa from school and take her to gymnastics? 

So now where does that leave me? Well, I did get a clean bill of health from the dentist who said I have beautiful teeth. I also have a lot of work to get done in the next three plus hours.  Go team Kim.  

Life can be so exciting, NOT.

have a great and productive day

God is good

Kim

Tuesday, Still at it.

 I have been trying to get ahold of myself my entire life. However, I am very slippery and keep escaping. 

I rec'd the first two checks from Joel's mom's estate and I was able to apply them to the house loan and now only owe a little under $13,000. With the payments I have been making this should be gone in a year, but as more money comes in, I will pay this off and have no debt again. What a blessing. Thank you, mom!

I think my life will really change when I no longer have to worry about trying to pay off the house. With Sissie helping in the shop I don't have nearly the stress to keep things up.  There are 10 wedding dresses in the shop right now, but I can get one or two out a day and more will come in, so it is never ending.

But there are other projects I would like to do as in making a quilt for Kelsa bedroom. It would be nice to just sew for me and my pleasure. I have a girlfriend that is a fabulous quilter, and I would love to own a quilting machine.  I don't have room for one, but I think it could be a great business and would pay for itself in a short while.  Just another idea.

Sissie was here this morning, and we always have something to laugh about. Yes, we laugh at our own jokes.

I went to the gym with Signe' last night and was able to get my lower back into alignment. It was so nice to hear the pop of that vertebra. Now to keep it in, which means being up and moving, not siting for long periods of time. You have to sit to sew, but I get up a lot and that helps.

Sissie is going to bring over her mixer tomorrow that has a shredding attachment, and we are going to make pans of shortbread while we sew. It takes about 40 minutes to make a pan, and we can work while we are sewing. I also have to run into have my teeth cleaned tomorrow at 11.

I am so blessed, as Signe' pays for all my dental, and she and Nate also pay for my cell phone and my apple watch.  They keep the electronics going here and that is such a blessing. Of course I am their drop of the hat babysitter, but I love my grandkids, so I think I am getting a real deal. 

Ran to the post office this morning and sent my aunt a coat I replaced the zipper in and also sent Danny my eldest grandson and card with gift cards to Subway as it is his birthday on the 15th. Jethelyn's birthday is on the 13th, I already sent her package.  February is a busy birthday month.

Well, I have wedding dresses waiting and I am going to get to work.

God is good

Kim