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