Another week begins!

I wrapped up last week last night with TOO much vodka! I guess I'm too old to drink like that anymore as I'm hurting this morning! OH WELL! I needed the indulgence as I rarely drink and needed the release last night. I'll survive but will try to remember moderation next time. OUCH!

I was sitting here thinking about the little cottage and I came to the realization that we will need to decrease our belongings by 2/3 to fit into a smaller dwelling. I believe that we could very well do this but it may take a little time. I'm reluctant to get rid of much of my sewing/ crafting supplies as I can visualize those as a way to make money and stay home. We may very well have to build workshops for both of our hobbies. Perhaps a two story barn with me upstairs and Scott down or shared space in one building but divided in half. I'm always thinking! Perhaps opening a small store front at the road to sell my handiwork and Scott's wood working. He has also spoke about going to Tech to get his journeyman's license so that he could do electrical work. I'm sure we would make things happen for ourselves.

We also plan to grow a lot of our own food so we can be sure of it's content. It seems everyday we are hearing about another Ebola or salmonella occurrence. When we loose touch on how things are grown and prepared we are putting our health at risk.

Quilting fun

I'm working on some rail fence blocks using "noodles" - 2 1/2" strips. I'm in a swap with 7 other ladies and I will get 6 noodles from each lady which will make 2 rail fence blocks and leave some for some 2 1/2" sections that I hope to use in the border. I'll have 16 blocks which would make a 4x4 block quilt. I will add some sashing ( I think I'll use black) and then make a colorful border to go around the whole thing. I love how black makes blocks pop out of quilts. The picture above is of the blocks I made last night using the "noodle" fabrics that I will be sending to the other 7 ladies. I think they turned out lovely.

So SLEEPY!

I'm exhausted! I would so love to crawl back into bed right now! But I've got to grab a bath or shower and get over to the store by 8 as the truck is coming earlier than I had scheduled for and the stock room is NOT ready for the delivery. Just when I think things can't move any slower a pregnancy enters my world as well as a ruptured disc in another's back. I fear I will be severely reprimanded this next week and feel pretty much like I'm in it all alone now. If ONLY Icould get some motivated people!

Torn

Because I am the Manager I will be held responsible for how the store looks but do I really have to spend 12 to 14 hours a day 6 to 7 days per week in there to get it looking like it's supposed to? I get to feeling quite put upon at times and it makes me want to march in and fire nearly EVERYONE! UGH! I keep hoping and praying that I will get the right people inside my door and working for me but so far that has not happened. I feel I am getting better at choosing the people but getting them and keeping them motivated has been difficult.

Always thinking...

I am always finding little bits to think about and critique. Even spending time critiquing myself and my thoughts and wondering what ever made me think that way in the first place. It's one of those things I wish would come into play BEFORE I open my mouth and say something that I would not have said if I'd had time to think about it a bit first. I think thats why at business related team gatherings I don't answer as quickly as they would like as I want to mull it over in my mind first before I throw an answer out to the group. It's not that I don't know the answer but I want to be sure of it in my mind before I say it. AH contemplation~!

AH HOME AT LAST!

I went into work and completed two weeks worth of schedules and thought about working on the rest but decided I needed to come home and work on my house and laundry instead. It would be nice to have dinner waiting for Scott as well.

So nice to be home! Greg is getting moving at the stroke of 3... AGH! He is never going to get a job!

Trash Day!

Tuesday is trash day here at the house and I have gotten the main stuff out to the street. The lady that walks around the neighborhood with her empty stroller and goes through peoples trash has all ready been by our house. I didn't have anything she found worthy of taking home and adding to her next yard sale in which she will let you buy very little. Scott and I went to one yard sale and saw some of our old junk and when we ask how much someone else's junk was she'd say, "Oh thats not for sale". It was kinda of hilarious and sad. I'd hate to be her family when she passes away and have to get rid of all that JUNK.

I'm going over to the store in awhile to work in the office and get it cleaned back up... hopefully it'll take just an hour or two as I don't want to spend ALL day in there on my day off.

I bought a new book on fitting clothes patterns and want to sit and read in it some today. It's called FAST FIT Easy Pattern Alterations for Every Figure by: Sandra Betzina. The clothes they sell at the stores are just not made for a 43 year old woman. I keep getting told I don't look THAT old and when I tell people I have a 21 year old son they about fall on the floor. I just don't want to dress like a teenager and I'm NOT ready for granny clothes just yet. There has to be a happy medium between comfort clothes and hot mama!

I also want to be sure to leave some time for house cleaning today.. it REALLY needs my attention.

I slept so hard last night that I didn't even hear Scott get up this morning and he was about dressed and ready to head out the door when I finally woke up. Yesterday was exhausting!

A movie to make you cry....

Truly Madly Deeply

The story of true everlasting love and the road to recovery after a GREAT loss of a soul mate. I was so touched by this movie and it's closeness to my relationship with Scott. I would be devastated if anything were to happen to him... we've not nearly had enough time together even after 22 years of marriage.

THE PLANS ARRIVED TODAY!!!!

YEAH! The little cottage plans are so sweet! I can hardly wait to build it.

I may work on pulling down some more paneling in the den so Scott can hang another sheet of Sheetrock or two tonight. He stuccoed the ceiling where the built in shelves used to be and you can hardly notice it's new compared to the old except for where the old framing ended and left a dirt strip. We will paint it with Kilz and then white paint. Once we finish the den we will be tearing into our kitchen... should be FUN! LOL! Got to think up a new layout and cabinet arrangement. The cabinets will be white... we know that much for now. I'd like to open up the two rooms to each other more. Scott is talking about putting in recessed lighting above the counter tops and I'm all for that as it's always been too dark in there. I like the concept of some glass fronted upper cabinets but Scott doesn't seem too keen on that idea. And I have to keep in mind we are doing all this to make this house more exciting to a buyer and not for me. We want to get the most "bang for our buck".

Motivation

Why do some people seem so unmotivated... even with deadlines they won't move faster or work more efficiently. It drives me NUTS! I'm so in need of people around me that are as driven and motivated as myself!

Tomorrow is my day off and I am hoping to get it all... I need one day a week at least for ME! I think I will turn my phone off for at least half the day so I can focus on some deeply needed house work.

Fall"ish" Sunday

The air has definitely changed to a more "FALL" feeling. I feel that familiar hibernation feeling coming upon me. I'm so looking forward to homemade soups that simmer all day in a slow cooker and the smell of homemade bread baking. YUMMY!

We are taking Amelia for a walk and then I will need to start getting ready for work. Another long day ahead.

Doctor

I went to the Doctor yesterday afternoon so you know I'm pretty sick as I rarely miss work or go to the doctor. Turns out I have a sinus infection and have been put on an aggressive antibiotic to see if that will clear things up. I have to drive back up to Cary, NC on October 2 to the 3rd as they are having more people in from Corporate and they want a "team effort" to be exhibited while our guests are in. Richard from the Columbia store has made arrangements to ride up with me. I'm just hoping to be over this sinus thing before then. I was pretty miserable yesterday.

Sheldon Designs!

I just ordered the Surfside cottage building plans! And I ordered the reverse option and the detailed list of materials needed. I will be looking forward to their arrival. And we need to get Scott's car in the shop for repairs. It's good I have the job I guess.

Faith

The first 18 years of my life I attended church here every Sunday. I stopped attending Sunday school at about 13 as I was the only student in Miss Florence's class and felt weird. Grandma aloud it as long as I continued attending the service each Sunday morning. It is from this church and my Grandmother I learned the importance of helping people just for the sake of helping not for any gain or praise. The work was always to feel rewarded inside... soul deep not to make yourself prideful either. Pride always comes before the fall she would say.

Tara cat being herself!

We were walking back up the front walk and Tara decided we needed to stop and play with her some first. She LOVES trying to make us bleed by acting sweet and then turning evil and digging. She tries to bite too but she is so old and has lost so many teeth it's quite hilarious when she tries to bite.

Front yard findings

We found this delight in our front yard and had to catch a picture and then look it up. We believe it to be a Lunar Moth Caterpillar.

JAZZED UP!

Scott and I are both ready to get that cabin built now! Of course we have our jobs and the fact that this place needs so much done to it before it's ready to sell in the way of it. Scott was saying last night that he may be going to China soon for quality inspections and he may be traveling for as long as 2 to 3 weeks at a time.... UGH! I will miss him so much.

I'm seriously thinking about going to the Dr to see if I can get some medication to help me handle this stress. I was snappy yesterday at work and I don't like that. I feel I owe Barbara a HUGE apology for being so ugly. I wasn't feeling well and was extremely frustrated in the lack of movement on the freight from the day before and I fear I was showing it too much. Got to find my positive side again! It's just so hard to stay upbeat and positive these days and I'm not feeling the support I had before with the higher ups as we are still without a DTL and I am feeling kinda lost in left field running around looking for the ball. And now Christmas has arrived and we are seeing a big jump in sales and customer load but not in staffing hours. Hopefully the two will even out soon.

Enough on work! I am thinking about driving up to see my Mom on Friday. I also want to see Christina again. Mom says she is crawling all over the place now. And Doug is growing fast too; I miss seeing my nieces and nephews. Kandice has been writing to me and I've been sending her fun stuff I've found at my store. Just quick little fun craft projects to fill up some of her free time. Her birthday is next month got to think of something really fun for her! I don't hear from Kayla, Gwen or Drake much but they are all busy with their extracurricular activities. And Michael and Jason are grown with lives of their own. Jason has a little boy named, Drake as well and Michael drives truck and recently bought his own house in TN. I'm proud of them all.

CRAFTS!

AH so many crafts so little time. I have bought so many supplies for so many really neat crafts/projects; now I just need to find the time to work on them. I'm hoping that next week may be a little quieter at work so that I can actually have my days off as I am scheduled. And hopefully everyone will be healthy and more energized so that we can get more done in less time.

Chilly morning

I'm all wrapped up in an afghan this morning as it's a bit nippy. I should have slept a bit longer but my mind started working and wouldn't allow anymore rest. SO I'M UP!

Tara cat has decided that she may need to return to the indoors since cooler weather has arrived. I wish I could just stay at home and sew and hibernate for the winter. The daily feeling of dread is wearing me down.

Thats pretty bad !

Two people in one night thought I had just up and disappeared as I am NEVER home anymore.My neighbor across the street said that she misses seeing me in the yard and talking about the latest sewing project... what is THAT? AND then my Mother-in-law says that she wished that "we'd see more of ya'!" If things keep going the way they are at work they may not have that worry as I may be home again once more. I just can't seem to motivate my employees these days. My rear end is REALLY on the line in one week! Not sure I like this much stress in my life. Will see which way the wind blows.

On a brighter note FALL is showing sign's of it's arrival the air is a bit crisp tonight. THANK GOODNESS! I LOVE Fall colors and the wonderful soul warming foods of this time of year. Home made soups, corn bread, homemade pumpkin pies, stewed apples and apple pies. The beautiful quilts that are entered into the state fair and children's happy smiles in pumpkin patches.

Link to cottage plans

http://www.sheldondesigns.com/yrsmho/fhb/surfside2.htm

Peter Rabbit Coloring pages

http://www.coloring-book.info/coloring/coloring_page.php?id=50

I'm thinking of turning these coloring pages into redwork designs on fabric for the centers on some quilt squares. They are so cute!

Illness has struck!

Scott and I both have developed some nice head colds. We got up this morning and raided the medicine cabinet before we started coffee and cleaning up a bit. Scott has all ready unloaded the dishwasher and started reloading it with the dirty dishes we created just before bed last night. I went around and gathered up laundry and put a load of towels over to wash. I wanted to clear off our dining room table again so that I can use it for the scrapbook project I mentioned in an earlier post. And tonight on my day off I'm going in to work from 7 to 11 to push freight. Hopefully between Lenora, Sonya, Faith and I we will get the majority out to the sales floor. SO much Christmas! And we HAVE to clean clean clean as we go as a week from tomorrow I am to expect a visit from the RVP and VP... YIKES! I'm just hoping that I don't get my A _ _ handed to me on a platter! This is NOT a good time for me to become ill!

Southern Pig

Southern Pig is located just off I-77 and it's YUMMY!

Deer and the old shack

Hoof prints in the mud of the dirt road that cuts through by this old shack. We were amazed at the size and wondered if this buck knows hunting season isn't too far off now. We have plans to reclaim some of this old house by resurfacing the planks in a planer and reusing the foundation rocks in some way... perhaps an awesome outdoor fireplace.

Deltec home here...

I like this spot for our main dwelling as it's centered on this open area and I could have a nice garden to the right just behind my car. The cabin site is behind the tree shadow you see in the foreground of this picture. This way guests can have some privacy from our dwelling but easily walk over if they needed to. Our main windows would face the opposite direction and toward the woods which are to the right in this picture.

Cabin and Deltec homes

The little cabin would fit nicely here....

Property trip/ time out

We made it up to the property! And we looked at possible sites to put up the little cottage as well as a Deltec Home. First picture was of my dear husband, Scott; he always looks so relaxed up there.

Saturday OH SATURDAY!

I am so happy to be off from work today. Scott and I are planning to drive up to our ten acres in awhile and walk around if it's not raining. And we may go to this seafood restaurant that we pass and that seems to always be busy.... must be good to draw that many people. Just a nice quiet chill out day!

I would also like to "play" some in my craft room... mainly clean up in there and organize some more. I have some scrap book pages that I have to get done for a family project thats in the works for next month. And I have got to work on the 1000 triangle quilt some more as we will NEED it shortly with Fall's arrival.

Scott discovered a building plan for an adorable cottage on line and I printed it off and have it hung over my desk. We still want the Deltec home built but an interim dwelling would be this small (less than 800 square foot) cabin that we could later use for a guest house. It's really quite adorable with a wrap around porch to enjoy at different times of the day. And we could build it quickly and move up there sooner. We still have to finish working on this house first and have it ready to sell come Spring. I'm so ready for a HUGE change... where we live and work!

Doors of Life

That saying that "when one door closes another one opens" has been on my mind a good bit today.
I'm just hoping that the next door that opens is to something more wonderful and fulfilling.

It's been drizzling a bit this afternoon. We REALLY need a good steady rain for a couple weeks as it's so dry here. But is nice to see any rain and the birds are singing happily about it out in the yard.

When IS ENOUGH .... enough?

That is what I am struggling with in my mind these days. How much longer can I truly hang on at my job before I'm burned out or "let go". I work so very hard everyday and hit the ground running but it never seems to be quite enough. I keep thinking about the Moral Issues course I took awhile back and wonder if staying on there is what will bring me true happiness and a sense of well being. I can say in all honesty that I am feeling a bit overwhelmed and uneasy these days. Like I'm waiting for the other shoe to hit the fan. I'll hang in awhile longer.

ONE MORE DAY!

Just one more day and I will be OFF!!!!!! I plan to S-L-E-E-P late tomorrow! I'm starting to get a sore throat and my sinuses are feeling yucky! Perhaps the Fall weeds are starting to do their thing.

AH COFFEE! Sounds like it's ready!

Isn't she lovely ?

This is my beautiful and talented niece, Gwen. She is a Senior this year and looking forward to graduating. She is my sister, Robin's daughter. She and her brother, Drake are both gifted and talented!

Ever muscle aches!

I truly believe that every muscle in my body is aching and on fire. I took a Back-aide tablet in the hopes it will at least stop the pain in my lower back. Getting the store back in order after I was gone last week has REALLY taken a lot out of me! And the fun is just beginning. We are all ready getting CHRISTMAS! UGH!

I so wish that I could have one day 100% off~! I'm hoping to spend Wednesday in my sewing room creating something new for me to wear. Time will tell as Greg's cat Little Nickie needs to see the vet he had got in a fight awhile back and the wound is not healing with all the care we've been giving him; I think he needs an antibiotic.

Good night!

I'm SO JEALOUS!

Scott got to go up to the property yesterday~! He took the tractor up and mowed our "yard". We have a clearing between the woods and the large field where we are planning to put our Deltec home. I wish I didn't have to work today and we could go up there together. I need the peacefulness that the country property brings to me. The stress level has been turned back up and I'm wondering if something else would "fit" me better. Six months sounds like a good plan to me... 6 months to get this house ready to sell and six months to see if I'm really valued for all I do at work.

Just HOW MUCH can I do in ONE DAY?!

Yesterday I helped push about half of last weeks delivery to the floor - when I'm away nothing seems to move... THATS GOTTA CHANGE! I did 2 plan-o-grams and filled them up with the new products. Shifted several fixtures to make the new 8 sections of vinyl work and then set that plan-o-gram. AND I helped take delivery of this weeks truck of 179 cartons... all of which has to be to the sales floor by the end of the day tomorrow. My office looks like a tornado hit... AGAIN@! And they have everything mixed together and disorganized so who knows what we've missed but I'll see what I can do to "fix it". AND tonight is the new sale set! UGH!!!!!! Some days I wonder if all this stress and work is worth what I am getting paid. OH well! I guess I'll grow with the Company or I'll move on in the New Year. I keep thinking about how much further I would be if I had gone to Business school at 18. I lacked the confidence then that I have now. I wonder if I could handle going back to school now. Perhaps if we can get this place ready to sell by Spring we could move up to our property and build our smaller Deltec home and then return to school for a couple years. I'd love to own my own Quilt Shop with beautiful high quality quilt fabrics and unique quilting tools. AH DREAMS! Everyone should have one or two that speaks to them SOUL DEEP!

YEE GADZ!@

Scott Gardner caught me at the Banquet! Not a bad picture either.

Lots to do!

We have a lot to do to get cleaned back up from the Labor Day sale at the store. And I've got some issues with some employees that are not cleaning up after themselves. Today is going to be a long day for me as I want to get a list of "must get done immediately" tasks. The store is not 100% Guest Ready and this is not acceptable! We want the shoppers first impression to be their BEST IMPRESSION of us. Plus Charlie Black is supposed to be visiting us soon or another representative of Corporate - like Colleen. I've got to get the girls to understand that they HAVE TO complete all tasks assigned and clean up after themselves before they leave. Well I better get this day started... it's gonna be a LONG ONE!

DEN PROGRESS!

Before Scott had his surgery last month he got a little further along on our den project and it sure makes the room look a lot larger. I thought I should post some pictures of the progress now and then this weekend I am hoping we can get a bit more done on it.

Hometown pictures

I decided to go ahead and post some pictures that I took along the main street of my hometown of Greene, New York. I've always enjoyed old buildings and the decorative embellishments that they used to add to every building. The Sherwood is the only motel in Greene and they were full of the members of the class of 1950. Thats why I ended up driving into Norwich and staying at the Super 8. Greene does have several Bed & Breakfast's but they are a bit more than I wanted to spend for 2 days stay. The little Variety Store has ALWAYS been there. I used to go there with my Grandparents and they would buy me a quarters worth of candy... remember each piece was just 2 or 3 cents at that time. When I got to be about 12 they went to being the 5 and Dime candy store. They STILL have the original candy jars by the counter even though it is laid out differently now. They have a parrot named George as a mascot in the store and they sell items with his likeness on it with GEORGE OF GREENE printed on them as well. I bought some yarn there for just $1 to $1.50 a skein that anywhere else would cost 5 or 6 dollars each. It's that fun and funky yarns that everyone down here loves! The other two photos are of buildings that have always intrigued me even as a child.

Back to work today!

I return to my job today at 2 PM and am looking forward to it. I've missed the girls and the work. Don't get me wrong I've enjoyed the time off too! Yesterday I took down one of the train tables and vacuumed real well in that corner of the bonus room. I'm taking the corner over for my fabric and yarn storage. I want to thin things out in my actual sewing room so that I can get some sewing done in there. Time to get serious about Christmas gifts. It's just 3 1/2 months away now... or slightly less.

Reflections

I had the entire ride home from NY to think about the past, the reunion and my position in it all. There was a lot of talk about field hockey games, home coming, football and loads of parties in high school... none of which I took part in so had little to add to the conversations. It was nice to see the friendly familiar faces of my past and catching up with some of my family was enjoyable but it felt like I was just a phantom at times. I guess I've always been that square peg among round ones that fit in where ever they go. My interest and experiences are so different than most people; it's hard to find those "kindred spirits" that are spoken of in books and movies. I do not regret my trip to NY but wish that I had felt some kind of true connection while there instead of the superficial feeling that I left with.

Perhaps revisiting ones past only serves to give you a reference for just how far you've come and how much you have grown, changed and advanced. I'm ready to return to my job and am glad to be home with those that love me now.

Aching Back

I've sat around long enough on this "vacation"... got to do something physical today as my back is SCREAMING! I stopped at the store yesterday to pick up my quarterly bonus check YEAH! Each time it goes up and I want to max it out this final quarter! Gotta do something to reward my team as well. I've been thinking about buying them each a Jo-Ann shirt so that there would be no reason for them to be out of dress code. Perhaps I will order in some lunch for them today.

Gotta get all that traveling laundry done today and the house cleaned up so I better get started. Scott goes back to work today.

Alumni Banquet

The Alumni Banquet was held at the Baron's Inn in Greene NY. We had our own little corner and Mary did a good job talking about us and our accomplishments at GCS. I didn't stay for dancing as I wanted to head home. But it was good to see everyone again.

My High School

I took some photos of my high school.

Memories

Between the ice breaker and the banquet I visited some of my personal memories... the Grange Hall where I was a member and as a child attended Halloween parties. I also stopped at the little country church where I was a member. The outhouse is still standing behind it where I used to have to go when I was little before indoor plumbing arrived. The church was also heated by wood when I was a child. I remember the men gathering by the wood stove and the coat racks while the women worked in the kitchen during socials.

ICEBREAKER!

The reunion started with an ice breaker in the new firehouse. Everyone had a good time catching up and sharing photos.