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