Musings and such

We did not have internet over most of the weekend.  Which sucked.  But, we got some things done around house and yard and I got to relax a bit - much needed.

Our menu for the week -

Monday -  Cajun Meatloaf, Steamed broccoli and salad
Tuesday - Chicken & Sausage Skewers, Fire-Roasted corn and sliced tomatoes
Wednesday - Sushi (out to eat for a birthday celebration)
Thursday - Steak, sweet potato fries, salad
Friday - homemade pizza
Saturday - Mexican Grilled Chicken, chunky guacamole, black beans
Sunday - Pork loin, green beans, cabbage stir fry

I am hoping to have leftovers daily for lunch.

So that being done is good - we were not too good over the last couple of weeks.  We did not eat out much, but we certainly did not eat well - which may have contributed to my overall mood.

We also finished off the Half Bath.  I don't think I told you all.  In our upstairs room above the garage, our college boy stays there, but it did not have a bathroom, so he had to come through the garage, walk outside and then in the house to get to a bathroom.  NOT the end of the world, but we have guests A LOT in this house.  They also stay in that room.  In the middle of the night, they would have to make that same trek.

We decided to put in a 1/2 bath upstairs so they could at least use the restroom at night without trying to make their way through total darkness.  We did most of the work, we just hired a plumber to make sure the sewer and pipes were done to code.  Now, we just need to texture and paint where the hole was cut in the wall and add a trash can - all done!

 Other than that, we mowed, swept out the garage and patio, cleaned up inside, did some laundry.  I did work a bit, putting interfacing on 50 tshirts.  Then brainstormed what I wanted to have for the fall markets.

Today is the start of the 6 weeks of homeschool.  Then we will take an 11 week break.  DD will go to a Shakespeare camp with her theater group and then take driving lessons in August.  DS has an intense coding camp in July.

Just to touch base on the homeschool issue.  All teachers, all homeschool parents, all coaches, all everyone has times of burnout.  It just means it is time for a break.  I was homeschooling while building a house, living in temporary places without all our things while 2 close family members died (parents and grandparents), another got cancer (parent) also while living through the biggest flood our area has ever seen.  It was a tough year and I can have a week of crying and burnout or even more! I just needed to vent a little because I was overwhelmed not just from homeschool - that is only a part of the big picture that is going on.

My husband was just forced to take a promotion where he will have to travel a ton!  We are not looking forward to that.  So, there is pressure to get things paid off as quickly as possible, while building a business, so that he can retire and we can work together - yes, in the sewing world - lots of things are going on with that right now.  It is a pipe dream, but when this promotion came up, it got us thinking hard about it.

Anyway, I am just saying, putting the kids in public would cause many issues and solve a couple, but ultimately it is like putting a bandaid on a broken bone.  There is a problem, but homeschool is just 1 part of it.  Our problem will take a little bit of work and time to get it manageable.

I will try to limit my down times then, especially when I have not been around in a while.  Here is hoping I stay healthy for a while!  No more flu!

Woeful Wednesday

Just when I get back to blogging it is a bad week.  Sorry guys!

I think I was so sick and then worked very hard to get ready for the show that I let down, so I have been kind of anxious and low this week.  Very "in my head" thinking and contemplative about the normal crap - business, homeschool, money, kids, husband, life.

Business is mainly about marketing.  Boring stuff unless you are into it.

Homeschool - Oh, I am struggling so badly with this.  I am burnt out.  At the beginning of the week, I had 1 full week of school to grade and then plan the next 6 weeks (and whole summer) while working 16 hours a day and having a show for 2 days! 

Monday morning - I did not want to get out of bed.  I did though, but literally just sat there.  I finally got around to cleaning up our bathroom and bedroom and starting laundry.  I told the kids we were not doing school that day.

Tuesday - It was worse!  Everything was Mt. Everest.  I cried.  I got my office organized, worked on some orders, cooked dinner. No homeschool.

Wednesday (today) - Got up, dreading, but better.  I sat down for coffee and said you know - there is no reason we have to finish all the books this year.  It was a tough year and the fact that we ARE getting done with history, made it through 2 writing books each and on the 3rd, made it through 1 word study book and on the 2nd, made it through 80% of the math books and 1 semester of logic.  We limped through science, but they are getting it through a class next year.  You know what?  When history is done, I am closing the year. 

Saxon is an intense math and 2 years of Algebra includes 1 year of Geometry, so if we do it in 3 years, it is not a problem.  That made me feel SO MUCH BETTER!  I had no idea how heavily that was weighing on me!

So, I go to get in the truck to run to the store for fabric on an order.  Truck doesn't start - typical.  I am pretty sure it is the battery.  DH will replace it tonight - and I will go to the store either tonight late or tomorrow early.   I am putting off homeschool this week so I can take my time in planning the rest of the 2017/2018 school year.

WOW - really, that was bothering me so much!

I am so sorry!

I am so sorry for being gone so long - it is not like me.  Between homeschool, getting our yard to a manageable level, my business and my kids in general, I have not had time to even go to the bathroom when I needed.

I think I had the flu because it kept me down for over 2 weeks.  I am only just now starting to feel myself again.

We have paid bills, but I have not looked at numbers.

My son's car blew up - literally - smoke and flames.  He is fine, but we had to get him a car - he is paying for it this time, just we are the bank.  Not ideal, but DH and I decided that with his mental issues, the fact that he can hold a job, pay his daily bills and rent, that is probably as good as it is going to get. It was a used car that had about 120,000 miles on it, but only 1 owner and it was in very good condition.  If we make sure the oil gets changed and the maintenance is done on it, it will last him about 4 years.  I am glad he is our first, that means we can help longer - I worry about what happens to him when we are gone.  He is very reliant on us emotionally.

I had a show with the business that a friend was at.  It was OK - not super great WOW!  But percentage wise with how many people showed up - I think I did pretty good - I made a little over $300 just from the key fobs, hand sanitizer holders and wallets.  About 10 people were interested in the quilts, so we will see.  It was worthwhile to get out there.

Homeschool is going good.  We are starting to finish up some things.  I want to finish the math book, so it will go through the summer.  History is almost done and when they finish their writing books, that is enough for this year. I will stop word study when I stop writing, then we will do logic at a unit study during one of the 4 week blocks that it is too hot to be outside and there is nothing going on.  I have signed them up for science and foreign language classes in the fall and girlie girl gets to take driving lessons in August! 

Here are a few pictures of what I have been up to.

Card Wallets

Lip Balm Holders

Women's Wallets pattern from Carla!

Wristlets

Project bag with zipper pocket divider inside (8 of these)

Quilt I had at the show

Another Quilt I finished

Trays that no one understands but are so cool!  These are to collect those little things - coins, rings, earrings and best part, you can unsnap them and they lay flat for travel!

Display at my booth - essential oil pouches, card wallets, women's wallets.

Cork Key fobs

Cork wristlets

Star of the show - I sold a ton of these!

Sick - like real sick

Hubs brought it home - I blame him.  My head is so stuffy - my face hurts.  I am doing the neti pot, sitting my a humidifier, and drinking lots of water.  I am so very tired, so this will be short.

I am sick.

We paid taxes.

We had to put it on a credit card.

I am sick to my stomach because of it.

We had no idea we would owe that much - almost $9,000.

However, it is because of no house last year, higher salary and no business deductions.

We are moving on though.

OK, I am about to pass out.