Christmas 2011 will sure be one to remember. Lots of great gifts, time with family, purchasing a new professional embroidery machine...and then there was the tree roots that grew through our pipe from the house to the septic. Leading to all the dish, laundry, shower water backing up into our storage room, and dirty water coming up the basement bathroom shower. Which was the "crappy" part of Christmas. JOY to the world. We left for a hotel with the kiddos, and the family headed back to St. Louis.
There are lots of little blessings in this. We cleaned out the storage room, threw out the wet stuff, caught up with the filing, and whittled down boxes for Goodwill. We had the plumbing repaired. We are getting the carpets cleaned, so we went through the playroom for more donations and cleaning. I had JUST rearranged my office and cleaned out in there, so at least that room was a little easier to move out for the cleaners. We are having drainage work done outside, so hopefully this carpet cleaning will remove the stains from those leaks, as well as the recent damage. Although we have LOVED working on the upstairs, we aren't quite ready to start a basement renovation so we'd like the carpet to last a bit longer.
Plus, what kids don't love swimming and sleeping in a tent in a hotel on Christmas? They were unfazed by the whole deal.
So after a few days of pouting, a lot of heavy lifting, I am finally looking at the bright side of this situation. A cleaner basement, reorganized rooms, and hopefully a fully repaired plumbing system. We built off the ground storage to prevent wet boxes in case of a future emergency. We're getting the septic checked/pumped for good measure. Also, the plus side of repairing so many issues in the first few years of owning this house, hopefully we'll have smooth sailing for awhile (knock on wood)...
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
THIRTY
I'm not the best writer, or blogger. But here it is, my 30th birthday eve. I am still feeling okay with being 30. But ask me again tomorrow. I honestly still feel like the shy, gangly, 15 year old. I often wonder who is going to show up to my house and "catch me" faking grown up life. 30 seems so real. Like for sure, I am a grown up adult. Because all those parents of the kids I used to babysit for were probably 30. And they were OLD. Even now when I call a babysitter, I still feel like I'm the one that is supposed to be the sitter.
But here I am. Finished with schooling. Got a husband, a house, 2 kids. It's me. I'm the grown up. I've accomplished all the goals I have wanted to thus far. And let's face it, birth to 10 (while fun and important) are really, really vague memories. And 11-20 is pretty much awkward and you don't really know who you are, what you believe, or want out of time. Then I (and most people) spend 21-29 finding spouses, buying houses, starting families. So now, at 30, I feel like I can really LIVE. I have my house. I have my family. We have our hobbies, jobs, etc. And since my kids *mostly* can participate in family activities, we can do stuff together.
So I'm excited. Here I am. 30. And Tim Mc Graw and Phil Vassar can sum it up much better than I ever could.
I think I’ll take a moment, celebrate my age
The ending of an era and the turning of a page
Now it’s time to focus in on where I go from here
Lord have mercy on my next thirty years
Hey my next thirty years I’m gonna have some fun
Try to forget about all the crazy things I’ve done
Maybe now I’ve conquered all my adolescent fears
And I’ll do it better in my next thirty years
My next thirty years I’m gonna settle all the scores
Cry a little less, laugh a little more
Find a world of happiness without the hate and fear
Figure out just what I’m doing here
In my next thirty years
Oh my next thirty years, I’m gonna watch my weight
Eat a few more salads and not stay up so late
Drink a little lemonade and not so many beers
Maybe I’ll remember my next thirty years
My next thirty years will be the best years of my life
Raise a little family and hang out with my wife
Spend precious moments with the ones that I hold dear
Make up for lost time here, in my next thirty years
In my next thirty years
But here I am. Finished with schooling. Got a husband, a house, 2 kids. It's me. I'm the grown up. I've accomplished all the goals I have wanted to thus far. And let's face it, birth to 10 (while fun and important) are really, really vague memories. And 11-20 is pretty much awkward and you don't really know who you are, what you believe, or want out of time. Then I (and most people) spend 21-29 finding spouses, buying houses, starting families. So now, at 30, I feel like I can really LIVE. I have my house. I have my family. We have our hobbies, jobs, etc. And since my kids *mostly* can participate in family activities, we can do stuff together.
So I'm excited. Here I am. 30. And Tim Mc Graw and Phil Vassar can sum it up much better than I ever could.
I think I’ll take a moment, celebrate my age
The ending of an era and the turning of a page
Now it’s time to focus in on where I go from here
Lord have mercy on my next thirty years
Hey my next thirty years I’m gonna have some fun
Try to forget about all the crazy things I’ve done
Maybe now I’ve conquered all my adolescent fears
And I’ll do it better in my next thirty years
My next thirty years I’m gonna settle all the scores
Cry a little less, laugh a little more
Find a world of happiness without the hate and fear
Figure out just what I’m doing here
In my next thirty years
Oh my next thirty years, I’m gonna watch my weight
Eat a few more salads and not stay up so late
Drink a little lemonade and not so many beers
Maybe I’ll remember my next thirty years
My next thirty years will be the best years of my life
Raise a little family and hang out with my wife
Spend precious moments with the ones that I hold dear
Make up for lost time here, in my next thirty years
In my next thirty years
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
First Day of Pre-K
September 12th was Natalie's first day of pre-k! Well, specifically the first day of 4 year pre-k. Sounds funny since she went last year, but this year she will go MWF from 8:30-11. The extra half hour really does seem a lot longer time to fill. Jacob was so sad to leave her there, he kept saying, "Me too school". Maybe if he stops pooping in his pants...actually with his October birthday he won't be able to start preschool for another 2 years, in 2013 when he will almost be 4 in the three year old class. But, I digress. My friend Meghan's mom always made cute signs for her door for every "first" or special event, so I decided to do that for Natalie and Jacob. Plus, when I'm old and senile I can remember what event the picture I took was for ha ha. She loved it, as expected. I shed a few tears as she marched down the hall (first in line behind the teacher, of course) waving. I didn't think it'd be hard this year. She's becoming quite the little girl - she is so into art and reading. She claims she wants to be a runner when she grows up, and can handle a two mile walk/run with us around the subdivison in the evenings. Love that girl!
To kill some time between the gym and errands, I took Jacob to the park. It's so funny to see him on his own. He's so adventurous and has a lot more to say when she's not filling up all the conversation. He is such a ham, always wanting to cheese for the camera, and then saying "me see picture". You can see how thrilled he was about leaving to go get Miss N from school...love those mean face pictures.
To kill some time between the gym and errands, I took Jacob to the park. It's so funny to see him on his own. He's so adventurous and has a lot more to say when she's not filling up all the conversation. He is such a ham, always wanting to cheese for the camera, and then saying "me see picture". You can see how thrilled he was about leaving to go get Miss N from school...love those mean face pictures.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
I'm Not the Seamstress of Walmart
Ok, so I read this article on Phototgraphy Businesses and it just really hit home with me when I compared it to the small buisness I am trying to run. One of the sites that advertises for me, also does so for other boutiques. Someone posted a skirt for $16 and a rude commenter said, "This is ridiculous. I can get a better quality skirt for $9 at Walmart". Yes, custom made clothing is expensive (even though $16 is not, I usually charge $20-25 for skirts). But you are gettting CUSTOM items. The fabric you want, the design you want, the size you want. If you want a skirt at Walmart, get one. But don't come online to any seamstress wanting a custom item for "free". I'm not in this buisness to make a million dollars. By the time I pay for fabric, thread, shipping, I probably make less than minimum wage on most of my items. Which is fine. I'm not trying to charge a million dollars for my outfits. I want everyone to be able to enjoy handmade items at a reasonable price. I do it because I love doing it, and I can support my hobby with it.
Take for example a pair of ruffled pants that I charge $20. A yard of fabric is $6-10 depending on what kind you want. If you want ruffles in a different print, then that adds more fabric I have to buy (I usually do overbuy yardage because I can use it later for another customer and make more profit than I did on the first go around). Then there is elastic, thread, a labor. Do you see where I am going with this? Not to mention the time away from my family, the hours on the computer keeping my books and doing designs, electricity, cell phone, internet, buisness cards and the list goes on and on.
Now I'm not trying to be crabby or say look at how little I make. It's just hard to see people complain about how pricey handmade items are, when they don't realize all the time, effort, and money that is put into making them. Phew, I feel better getting that off my chest.
Take for example a pair of ruffled pants that I charge $20. A yard of fabric is $6-10 depending on what kind you want. If you want ruffles in a different print, then that adds more fabric I have to buy (I usually do overbuy yardage because I can use it later for another customer and make more profit than I did on the first go around). Then there is elastic, thread, a labor. Do you see where I am going with this? Not to mention the time away from my family, the hours on the computer keeping my books and doing designs, electricity, cell phone, internet, buisness cards and the list goes on and on.
Now I'm not trying to be crabby or say look at how little I make. It's just hard to see people complain about how pricey handmade items are, when they don't realize all the time, effort, and money that is put into making them. Phew, I feel better getting that off my chest.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Tooting My Own Horn
YAY for me. My buisness, k.maedesigns, just hit over 1,000 fans on Facebook. I'm so excited. It all started about 3 years ago with my friend Sondra Mae and a candy corn dress. For a year or so, it was just a small thing making items for friends. I remember being at a bible study group and we were all asked the question what do you want to do for a job, if you could do anything? I said sew for a living. Well, a move to VA, 3 new embroidery machines later, here I am. A real, actual buisness. With paperwork, Quickbooks, and checks to prove it! I'm a little over halfway through my first year being "official". Thank you to all the friends and family who encourage and support me. Thank you to all the customers who purchase from me. Thank you for being patient with me as I learn and grown. I strive to make each item better than the last. I try to pride myself on customer service - if it's not right I will try, try, again. Where do I go from here? I guess only time (and taxes ha ha) will tell. I hope to keep growing in knowledge and customers though! Ryan is always pointing out buildings where I could set up shop down the road. Could be fun - sell fabrics, sew all day, maybe teach some classes? Who knows! But I'm loving the journey!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
The Way I Am
You may wonder about why I am the way I am. I'm sure my husband does, since I frequently am nagging him to get up and DO something. I'm really not trying to be a SuperMom type person, I'm just this way genetically. We bought a house that needs a lot of updates, which really doesn't help my need to fix, create, and stay busy. Well, my mom came to town Sun-Wed and we...
1. Glazed 2 tables
2. Painted an end table
3. Painted my fireplace door/frame
4. Sanded and stained a door frame the dog clawed up
5. Bought and added some new home decor
6. Sewed her a new tote bag, altered 2 pair of her pants, recovered my hamper, lined a hutch with fabric, made a new throw pillow (and a few k.mae orders)
7. Took down a dead tree and pruned a tree growing out of another tree
8. Organized the garage somewhat and started sanding night stands
Of course, this is in addition to shopping, Zumba, Bodypump, Vacation Bible School. We inspired Ryan, who finished painting and putting our large dresser back together and into the room, as well as hanging the mirror! There are some phone pics on Facebook but I'll try to add some real camera pics the next time I have it out for work!
1. Glazed 2 tables
2. Painted an end table
3. Painted my fireplace door/frame
4. Sanded and stained a door frame the dog clawed up
5. Bought and added some new home decor
6. Sewed her a new tote bag, altered 2 pair of her pants, recovered my hamper, lined a hutch with fabric, made a new throw pillow (and a few k.mae orders)
7. Took down a dead tree and pruned a tree growing out of another tree
8. Organized the garage somewhat and started sanding night stands
Of course, this is in addition to shopping, Zumba, Bodypump, Vacation Bible School. We inspired Ryan, who finished painting and putting our large dresser back together and into the room, as well as hanging the mirror! There are some phone pics on Facebook but I'll try to add some real camera pics the next time I have it out for work!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
It's So Hard, to Say Goodbye...
Ryan and I have made the decision to re-home our dog, Drake. I know it's a good decision for him, and for us, but it doesn't make it easier as his departure date eeks closer (tomorrow). It's been a long, strange trip with this dog. First, his refusal to be crate trained led to the purchase, return, and destruction of 8 types of crates. The only time he didn't get out was when we weaved a chain through and padlocked it shut. Instead then we can home to a bloody faced dog who tried to dig out of a metal cage. Then the constant escaping and running all over creation (raise your hand if you have helped chase and return Drake). How about the carpet torn up in our first rental townhome? Or the mouldings torn up when he has been shut on the inside side of a door? The using the house as a bathroom when he is "mad" at us for leaving him home? But now, I just keep thinking how sad I will be when I see the empty spot in the yard where he was laying. Or how much the kids will cry as his new owner's pull out of the driveway? What will I put on Natalie's chore chart instead of "Drake"? In my heart, I know he wants to run free. I know he will love being part of a "pack" with the other dogs and animals on the farm. I'm just feeling like I gave up on him. We put so much time into trying to keep him and now we're just giving up. I can't give my kids away, so why should I be able to give the dog away? I swear he comes in at night and sits looking mopey like he knows we are getting rid of him. But Ryan was sanding in the garage last night (with the big door closed) and Drake pushed oupen the door from the house to the laundry room and ran full speed into the garage door thinking it was open and he was free. So he does crave the freedom. Say a little prayer for all of us tomorrow - it's going to be a hard day. I guess this is a mini-lesson in learning to let the people (dogs) you love do what's best for them, even if it hurts.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Things I Want To Teach My Kids
This could be a long blog I'm sure. There are so many things I want my kids to know. But a few have come to mind lately.
BUDGETING - Natalie wanted to get Mc Donald's the other day. I explained to her that I already spent all the money we had set aside for eating out, so if she wanted to eat out she could use some of her spending money (remember she has a save, spend, and God jar that she divides her allowance into). I told her she had $5 left and she could use that. She decided on a double cheeseburger and fries (gotta love the dollar menu). She asked about a drink, but I said we are eating at home so you have drinks there. I explained her items would be $2 so she would get $3 back. I added that we had Cheetos, her fave, at home, so if she wanted to have those and a drink with the burger she'd get $4 back. My lovely daughter said I'll just get the burger so I don't use as much of my money! Yay!
NOT BEING INSTANTLY GRATIFIED
Man, this is going to be a hard one. But as I was setting aside "junk" for the garage sale at church...man we have a lot of stuff. And I think I have a fairly uncluttered home too. But we just got a "new" tv stand from my parents and I needed a basket to put all our controllers in to "hide" them. I added it to the Walmart list, but then thought I'm SURE there is something in this house I can use. So I repurposed a few things. This then made me think about shopping with Natalie. She never has her spending money on her (unless we plan to go out and use it) so she's always asking me to buy her something. She hasn't really figured out she could ask me to buy it for her and then she can pay me back at home. BUT when she does, I'm going to say NO. She can go home and think about if she REALLY wants it. And what a great way to introduce the idea of not putting things on "credit". If you don't have the money on you, don't buy it! Hopefully I can get these concepts in at an early age and keep expanding on them.
MANAGING MOODS
So maybe I am moodier than I like to think I am. Now that I have a mini-me running around grunting, sighing, screaming...sigh...I'm really trying especially hard to tell her it's okay to be mad, but it's not okay to scream, hit, throw (yes, sometimes sewing gets the best of me). It's okay to be excited but it's not okay to be crazy and run screaming around (her, NOT me).
FOCUSING ON WHAT IS IMPORTANT
Right now I'm thinking about being on the phone/computer so much. It's hard when I'm trying to run a small buisness from home. I want to be able to be in touch immediately with customers. But, I also need to spend time with my kids and husband. I do NOT want to be one of those families walking around the store with both kids wrapped up in the phone. Really, it's not that important. Right? I grew up just fine without one. So I'm going to work on cutting back (hey Ryan's out and the kids are in bed so who cares if I'm on the computer now...)
BUDGETING - Natalie wanted to get Mc Donald's the other day. I explained to her that I already spent all the money we had set aside for eating out, so if she wanted to eat out she could use some of her spending money (remember she has a save, spend, and God jar that she divides her allowance into). I told her she had $5 left and she could use that. She decided on a double cheeseburger and fries (gotta love the dollar menu). She asked about a drink, but I said we are eating at home so you have drinks there. I explained her items would be $2 so she would get $3 back. I added that we had Cheetos, her fave, at home, so if she wanted to have those and a drink with the burger she'd get $4 back. My lovely daughter said I'll just get the burger so I don't use as much of my money! Yay!
NOT BEING INSTANTLY GRATIFIED
Man, this is going to be a hard one. But as I was setting aside "junk" for the garage sale at church...man we have a lot of stuff. And I think I have a fairly uncluttered home too. But we just got a "new" tv stand from my parents and I needed a basket to put all our controllers in to "hide" them. I added it to the Walmart list, but then thought I'm SURE there is something in this house I can use. So I repurposed a few things. This then made me think about shopping with Natalie. She never has her spending money on her (unless we plan to go out and use it) so she's always asking me to buy her something. She hasn't really figured out she could ask me to buy it for her and then she can pay me back at home. BUT when she does, I'm going to say NO. She can go home and think about if she REALLY wants it. And what a great way to introduce the idea of not putting things on "credit". If you don't have the money on you, don't buy it! Hopefully I can get these concepts in at an early age and keep expanding on them.
MANAGING MOODS
So maybe I am moodier than I like to think I am. Now that I have a mini-me running around grunting, sighing, screaming...sigh...I'm really trying especially hard to tell her it's okay to be mad, but it's not okay to scream, hit, throw (yes, sometimes sewing gets the best of me). It's okay to be excited but it's not okay to be crazy and run screaming around (her, NOT me).
FOCUSING ON WHAT IS IMPORTANT
Right now I'm thinking about being on the phone/computer so much. It's hard when I'm trying to run a small buisness from home. I want to be able to be in touch immediately with customers. But, I also need to spend time with my kids and husband. I do NOT want to be one of those families walking around the store with both kids wrapped up in the phone. Really, it's not that important. Right? I grew up just fine without one. So I'm going to work on cutting back (hey Ryan's out and the kids are in bed so who cares if I'm on the computer now...)
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Cleaning Schedule
So with my plan to spend more time with the kids, inbetween housework and sewing, I investigated several cleaning schedules. I found one in Better Homes and Gardens and adapted it to fit our house the best. It's been about 3-4 weeks and I've stuck to it. I feel like it has made cleaning take up less of my day, while still keeping the house neat and tidy. By the way...if there is company or something I may do EVERYTHING in the house, but at least this schedule ensures everything is cleaned well at least once a week!
Shortly after we had a spring cleaning "lesson" at our Girlfriends mom's group. The lady showed us her cleaning apron as well as her tricks of the trade. Most of the ideas I already used. Of course, as k. mae designs, I thought I better try to make one of these aprons. I'm not sure that I'll really use it, but I know others that will. There are 2 loops to hook cleaner bottles on. The 2 rows of pockets have specific purposes. The top row is clean rags for the cleaner on the left, and the other top outside pocket is for the cleaner on the right. Then the pockets below those are for dirty rags. The middle upper and lower pockets are for trash and for things you pick up as you are walking around (toy cars in our house). This apron keeps your tools at your finger tips and helps cut down searching for things as you clean.
And if you are so inclined, here's my schedule!
Daily - 15 min
Make beds
Dirty clothes in hampers and loose items returned to their place
Wipe counters in bathroom/kitchen
Put away dishes
Sweep Kitchen floor
Weekly in a 2-3 hour block or 15 min increments
(I am putting my days and floors I assigned myself to)
Monday Upstairs, Thursday Basement
Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms
Empty trash, then starting with the farthest aways room dust cowbwebs, fans, door frames, pictures, lampts. Then dust furniture with spray/cloth. Clean mirrors. Vacuum from furthest corner to the door.
Tuesday Upstairs, Friday Basement
Bathrooms
Spray cleaner on shower doors, walls, tubs, sink, and toilet.
Then start cleaning top to bottom, left to right.
Clean toilet in, out and behind.
Vacuum, then mop
Wednesday Upstairs, Friday Basement
Wipe cabinet fronts from top to bottom
Empty toaster crumbs and clean microwave
Get behind things on the counters
Clean the sink
Vacuum and mop, then don't forget fridge vent
Monthly - all 8 on a Saturday or 2 a week
Clean sliding doors/shower door tracks
Run vinegar through coffee pot
Wash shelves and bins in the fridge
Clean stove hood
Vacuum under couch cushions
Clean artificial plants
Clean top of fridge
Wash trash cans
Yearly
January - clean out medicine cabinets
February - clean behind stove, fridge, washer, dryer, sofas, beds, dressers
March - clean carpets
April - windows and screens
May - organize pantry and cabinets
June - wash duvets, blankets, comforters, pillows
July - Clean and organize garage
August - clean out drawers and closets
September - clean out linen closet
October - defrost and clean fridge, stove, oven, freezer
November - Polish silver, clean china, dust in hutches
December - turn mattress, vacuum furnitures and drapes
Shortly after we had a spring cleaning "lesson" at our Girlfriends mom's group. The lady showed us her cleaning apron as well as her tricks of the trade. Most of the ideas I already used. Of course, as k. mae designs, I thought I better try to make one of these aprons. I'm not sure that I'll really use it, but I know others that will. There are 2 loops to hook cleaner bottles on. The 2 rows of pockets have specific purposes. The top row is clean rags for the cleaner on the left, and the other top outside pocket is for the cleaner on the right. Then the pockets below those are for dirty rags. The middle upper and lower pockets are for trash and for things you pick up as you are walking around (toy cars in our house). This apron keeps your tools at your finger tips and helps cut down searching for things as you clean.
And if you are so inclined, here's my schedule!
Daily - 15 min
Make beds
Dirty clothes in hampers and loose items returned to their place
Wipe counters in bathroom/kitchen
Put away dishes
Sweep Kitchen floor
Weekly in a 2-3 hour block or 15 min increments
(I am putting my days and floors I assigned myself to)
Monday Upstairs, Thursday Basement
Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms
Empty trash, then starting with the farthest aways room dust cowbwebs, fans, door frames, pictures, lampts. Then dust furniture with spray/cloth. Clean mirrors. Vacuum from furthest corner to the door.
Tuesday Upstairs, Friday Basement
Bathrooms
Spray cleaner on shower doors, walls, tubs, sink, and toilet.
Then start cleaning top to bottom, left to right.
Clean toilet in, out and behind.
Vacuum, then mop
Wednesday Upstairs, Friday Basement
Wipe cabinet fronts from top to bottom
Empty toaster crumbs and clean microwave
Get behind things on the counters
Clean the sink
Vacuum and mop, then don't forget fridge vent
Monthly - all 8 on a Saturday or 2 a week
Clean sliding doors/shower door tracks
Run vinegar through coffee pot
Wash shelves and bins in the fridge
Clean stove hood
Vacuum under couch cushions
Clean artificial plants
Clean top of fridge
Wash trash cans
Yearly
January - clean out medicine cabinets
February - clean behind stove, fridge, washer, dryer, sofas, beds, dressers
March - clean carpets
April - windows and screens
May - organize pantry and cabinets
June - wash duvets, blankets, comforters, pillows
July - Clean and organize garage
August - clean out drawers and closets
September - clean out linen closet
October - defrost and clean fridge, stove, oven, freezer
November - Polish silver, clean china, dust in hutches
December - turn mattress, vacuum furnitures and drapes
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Prayer and Church
Man, I can't wait for the kids to behave a little better at church. It's so trying on us as parents. We aren't able to get much out of the service by trying to get them to behave. I think I'm going to have to rally some people to work in the nursery! If you can pray for our family and for our church we could use some help in this area :)
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
Balance
Today is a little slower. I really need to work on finding balance in my life. I'm very driven, and when I have a list of ''to-do's" I have a hard time waiting. I want them all done RIGHTNOW. This drives my husband crazy for sure...as I keep nagging about all the furniture that is waiting to be sanded and painted. You can also see this in my post of my crazy day yesterday. Could some of the things I did wait another day? Probably. Do I like to let them? No. I have orders that are not needed until a September vacation and they will probably be done in the next week or so.
The cleaning schedule has kind of slowed me down there, and given me a few tasks at a time instead of the WHOLE house. Today I tried to make a list of which projects I was going to tackle in the sewing room and then LEAVE. Not do just one more thing, or cut one more fabric, or blah blah blah. You get the point.
It just seems that I can never fit anything in, and I need to be okay with that. If I make time to go to the gym, clean, and sew, then I don't have time for friends that day. If I make time for friends, something else has to give. I guess it will always be a work in progress.
This also may be why I have very little patience. It has to be related some how. I've ordered a lot of fabric, bedding, printer cords, etc online and I am constantly checking the tracking numbers to try to find out why nothing is here yet. I want the whole world to operate on Kim-speed.
But for today, it's a sucess. Gym done, visit/play with a friend, lunch and cleaning, 2 hours of sewing, and I'm up here blogging while waiting for Jacob to get up from nap. I may even have my shower done before long so I can leave for bunco tonight (subbing for another group) without rushing around like yesterday. Kids are thrilled because they get a babysitter since Ryan has his Board of Education meeting tonight. Everyone is happy, most especially Ryan as he can play video games while I'm gone and the kids are asleep. Win, win, win!
The cleaning schedule has kind of slowed me down there, and given me a few tasks at a time instead of the WHOLE house. Today I tried to make a list of which projects I was going to tackle in the sewing room and then LEAVE. Not do just one more thing, or cut one more fabric, or blah blah blah. You get the point.
It just seems that I can never fit anything in, and I need to be okay with that. If I make time to go to the gym, clean, and sew, then I don't have time for friends that day. If I make time for friends, something else has to give. I guess it will always be a work in progress.
This also may be why I have very little patience. It has to be related some how. I've ordered a lot of fabric, bedding, printer cords, etc online and I am constantly checking the tracking numbers to try to find out why nothing is here yet. I want the whole world to operate on Kim-speed.
But for today, it's a sucess. Gym done, visit/play with a friend, lunch and cleaning, 2 hours of sewing, and I'm up here blogging while waiting for Jacob to get up from nap. I may even have my shower done before long so I can leave for bunco tonight (subbing for another group) without rushing around like yesterday. Kids are thrilled because they get a babysitter since Ryan has his Board of Education meeting tonight. Everyone is happy, most especially Ryan as he can play video games while I'm gone and the kids are asleep. Win, win, win!
Monday, April 04, 2011
Squeezing a blog into the day
Like I have time for blogging. Here's a run down of today.
6:30 - wake up, get breakfast, do computer 'tasks'
7:00 - Natalie comes out dressed and ready to eat. Super compliant today, yay.
7:30 - Jacob is up. At this point I strip the sheets on all 3 bed, dress him, get him food and start laundry. Remake beds with clean sheets. Put laundry in dryer and start washing diapers (cuz I only have one more left...oops).
8:15 - Let dog out and get kids moving towards shoes and the door to get N to preschool. Pull out at 8:30, drop N off and successfully pay the last tuition payment for the year!!!
9:00 - Start hour long body pump class. After a week off I did less weight and still am sore tonight.
10:15 - Leave the gym for quick Walmart trip to get snack stuff for Bunco, Wednesday pre-K, Thursday playdate and sewing supplies.
10:45 - Pick up Natalie and mail 2 packages at the post office
11:00 - Stop at Whitney's house and go over her 'vision' for her twins room. Look at paints, fabrics, etc online.
11:45 - Take whiny kids home for lunch. While feeding them lunch I switch laundry again. Do more computer tasks, start the dishwasher, dust and vacuum bedroom end of the house so I can put him down for a nap.
12:15 - Jacob is asleep. Natalie and I finish the upstairs chores. She loves dusting the keys on the piano and the baseboards. I vacuum the rest of the upstairs and put Solid Gold on all my wood furniture (not the living room...going to sand and paint it may as well leave it dry and old).
1:15 - cram in a bagel and coffee while designing embroidery designs and ordering more fabric and managing Quickbooks.
1:30 - make a coupon binder. Go to get the mail around 3 (thankfully Jacob is still napping) and get a shirt to embroidery. Knock that out before he gets up.
4:00 - Kids eat a snack, put more orders and checks into Quickbooks, sort mail, post pics of customer orders on Facebook, open/sort mail, order new bedding with great discount (YAY, thanks MOM). Sometime during the chaos Ryan comes in and I beg him to take the kids to dance so I can finish up, shower and go to bunco.
5:00 - finally get in the shower after setting the oven to cook nuggets and fries to be ready when Ryan gets home at 6 with the kids. Showered, dressed, and hair dryed (and lip gloss/mascara too!!) by 5:15. While checking e-mail and making a Walmart list.
5:20 - grab 3 deliveres of k. mae to take to Bunco, 2 pacakges to mail, checks to deposit, 2 tupperware full of chocolate chip cookies filled with frosting (did I forget to mention I made those sometime during the lunch area of the day - cooked 48 cookies in 10 minutes with my convection oven and convection microwave). Manage to make it to the post office, the bank, Starbucks and Walmart before getting to bunco at 6:25, 5 minutes early! I won the prize for biggest loser too!
8:30 - got home, enter checks and orders into Quickbooks, order more fabric, balance checkbooks, talk to Ryan, file recipts, add a gift card to my Starbucks account...and BLOG.
Can't wait to see what tomorrow has in store. HA HA!
6:30 - wake up, get breakfast, do computer 'tasks'
7:00 - Natalie comes out dressed and ready to eat. Super compliant today, yay.
7:30 - Jacob is up. At this point I strip the sheets on all 3 bed, dress him, get him food and start laundry. Remake beds with clean sheets. Put laundry in dryer and start washing diapers (cuz I only have one more left...oops).
8:15 - Let dog out and get kids moving towards shoes and the door to get N to preschool. Pull out at 8:30, drop N off and successfully pay the last tuition payment for the year!!!
9:00 - Start hour long body pump class. After a week off I did less weight and still am sore tonight.
10:15 - Leave the gym for quick Walmart trip to get snack stuff for Bunco, Wednesday pre-K, Thursday playdate and sewing supplies.
10:45 - Pick up Natalie and mail 2 packages at the post office
11:00 - Stop at Whitney's house and go over her 'vision' for her twins room. Look at paints, fabrics, etc online.
11:45 - Take whiny kids home for lunch. While feeding them lunch I switch laundry again. Do more computer tasks, start the dishwasher, dust and vacuum bedroom end of the house so I can put him down for a nap.
12:15 - Jacob is asleep. Natalie and I finish the upstairs chores. She loves dusting the keys on the piano and the baseboards. I vacuum the rest of the upstairs and put Solid Gold on all my wood furniture (not the living room...going to sand and paint it may as well leave it dry and old).
1:15 - cram in a bagel and coffee while designing embroidery designs and ordering more fabric and managing Quickbooks.
1:30 - make a coupon binder. Go to get the mail around 3 (thankfully Jacob is still napping) and get a shirt to embroidery. Knock that out before he gets up.
4:00 - Kids eat a snack, put more orders and checks into Quickbooks, sort mail, post pics of customer orders on Facebook, open/sort mail, order new bedding with great discount (YAY, thanks MOM). Sometime during the chaos Ryan comes in and I beg him to take the kids to dance so I can finish up, shower and go to bunco.
5:00 - finally get in the shower after setting the oven to cook nuggets and fries to be ready when Ryan gets home at 6 with the kids. Showered, dressed, and hair dryed (and lip gloss/mascara too!!) by 5:15. While checking e-mail and making a Walmart list.
5:20 - grab 3 deliveres of k. mae to take to Bunco, 2 pacakges to mail, checks to deposit, 2 tupperware full of chocolate chip cookies filled with frosting (did I forget to mention I made those sometime during the lunch area of the day - cooked 48 cookies in 10 minutes with my convection oven and convection microwave). Manage to make it to the post office, the bank, Starbucks and Walmart before getting to bunco at 6:25, 5 minutes early! I won the prize for biggest loser too!
8:30 - got home, enter checks and orders into Quickbooks, order more fabric, balance checkbooks, talk to Ryan, file recipts, add a gift card to my Starbucks account...and BLOG.
Can't wait to see what tomorrow has in store. HA HA!
Sunday, April 03, 2011
Bedroom Makeover In Progress
So after 7 years of wedded bliss, our Target put-it-together-yourself furniture is finally reaching the end of its lifespan. Pretty darn good for particle board furniture that moved to 3 houses in 2 states! I think 3 feet are held on with wood glue, there are water rings on the night stands from glasses, and Ryan pulled a drawer front right off.
After scouring furniture stores for something we like (plus I was determined to get something new that I didn't have to do work on) we never agreed on anything. We also didn't feel like dropping $3000 on something we just didn't love. So then we turned to our good friends, Craigslist and Google.
My mom found us a set that we passed over a few times, but the price kept dropping and our interest went up. We have an odd shaped room - it's big, but has not many wall spaces between sliding closet and patio doors, a regular closet door and a bathroom door. This set was modern, plain lines, and low profile. It looked like a a light wood, but I thought we could paint/stain and add handles. For $290 for a solid wood set it was fine! We got it and the good news was it is Lane furniture so a great brand. Bad news, the finish was "Make It Stone" by Krylon. Just in case you want to make anything look this fabulous...check this out...It looks like it's made of concrete! Here's the Craigslist post.
We've decided to sand and paint with a high gloss white for a super contemporary look. Ryan already built the frame for the bed, and the headboard too! The headboard only cost about 50 before paint (primed MDF). We found directions on the Ana White site and this DIY site. We combined both of them to come up with this look!
Of course, since I didn't get to do the woodworking, I decided that a new tailored bedskirt and valances will be needed, as well as new bedding. We found bedding we liked at Target and I found coordinating fabric on fabric.com! I'm going to do box pleat valances and a pleated bedskirt to hide the platform. I'm trying to mix modern with some traiditional elements which seem to be our style. I'm going to still use my red shade lamps and red sheets as accents. Here's what it will look like! Bedding Fabric Valance Style
Check back for updates on the progess. I've been busy redoing the living room too. I added new throw pillows to our "new" denim couches (they were my parents). I also recovered the piano bench. We're going to sand the tables/hutch for some distressing, paint the inside of the hutch an accent color, and glaze all the wood pieces with ivory. Man, are we going to be busy...
After scouring furniture stores for something we like (plus I was determined to get something new that I didn't have to do work on) we never agreed on anything. We also didn't feel like dropping $3000 on something we just didn't love. So then we turned to our good friends, Craigslist and Google.
My mom found us a set that we passed over a few times, but the price kept dropping and our interest went up. We have an odd shaped room - it's big, but has not many wall spaces between sliding closet and patio doors, a regular closet door and a bathroom door. This set was modern, plain lines, and low profile. It looked like a a light wood, but I thought we could paint/stain and add handles. For $290 for a solid wood set it was fine! We got it and the good news was it is Lane furniture so a great brand. Bad news, the finish was "Make It Stone" by Krylon. Just in case you want to make anything look this fabulous...check this out...It looks like it's made of concrete! Here's the Craigslist post.
We've decided to sand and paint with a high gloss white for a super contemporary look. Ryan already built the frame for the bed, and the headboard too! The headboard only cost about 50 before paint (primed MDF). We found directions on the Ana White site and this DIY site. We combined both of them to come up with this look!
Of course, since I didn't get to do the woodworking, I decided that a new tailored bedskirt and valances will be needed, as well as new bedding. We found bedding we liked at Target and I found coordinating fabric on fabric.com! I'm going to do box pleat valances and a pleated bedskirt to hide the platform. I'm trying to mix modern with some traiditional elements which seem to be our style. I'm going to still use my red shade lamps and red sheets as accents. Here's what it will look like! Bedding Fabric Valance Style
Check back for updates on the progess. I've been busy redoing the living room too. I added new throw pillows to our "new" denim couches (they were my parents). I also recovered the piano bench. We're going to sand the tables/hutch for some distressing, paint the inside of the hutch an accent color, and glaze all the wood pieces with ivory. Man, are we going to be busy...
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
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