One last week before freedom

It's probably going to be a difficult week.  I would normally anticipate full days of training and questions but sadly, I don't think three will be much of that at all.  Part of the reason I am leaving is this weird concept that either I don't do much or that it must not really be that hard.  This has been playing out for years and I've just gotten to a point that I've had enough.  So, as DH says, it's just one week and I never have to go back.

I've spent most of the weekend working on my to do list of goals from last week.  I was able to get most of them done, including getting over half of the driveway pressure washed.  I also got both the kitchen and dining room floors mopped and got the living room cleaned up.  I'm working on the guest room/sewing room and it should be done by tomorrow.

We have overnight guests coming Tuesday night and I'm. Trying to get prepared for that as well.  I have purchased roast for the crockpot for Tuesday night but I really have little planned for the week so we'll just wing it.  Here is a temporary plan:

Sunday - rare dinner out

Monday - take out subs

Tuesday - crockpot Roast, salad

Wednesday - tacos

Thursday - leftover roast

Friday - pizza at home

Goals for the week:

Sewing and crafts

1.  Finish Christmas ornaments (almost there)

2.  Start Maddox's Christmas stocking (pulled out the last one, need Aida cloth)

3.  Piece two large stars for star quilt

4.  Get interfacing for girls' quilts

5.  Mend baby quilt (done)

Housework

1.  Laundry and ironing (working on laundry)

2.  Prep for painting

3.  Vacuum vent in garage

4. 

5.

Yard work

1.  Finish driveway

2.  Pressure wash porch

3.  Wash outside red cushions

Money and budgeting

1.  Expect two drugs by mail (got them, one may need to be returned due to insurance company denying benefits ... Cost may be as much as $1500!)*

2.  Pick up two at Walgreens(done)

2.5. Pick up more at Walgreens (done)

3.  Schedule Michaels drugs for refill before 10/30 (done)

4.  Advise Walgreens not to auto refill for November

5.  Pay remaining October bills (done)

6.  Cancel monthly savings to CapitalOne

7.  Get coupons organized and take to P every time. (Organized need to get into the car)

8.  No food waste

9.  Dr appointments for M and K (k done, drugs picked up)

UpDate:  it's Wednesday evening and sadly, I haven't gotten a whole lot done.  I'm trying to prioritize the time sensitive issues first.

*. I confirmed with the mail order pharmacy that we would not be expected to pay the full price for the drugs.  Effectively, the manufacturer (through coupons to the pharmacy) offers an expensive drug at a reasonable price when insurance does not cover it.

A finished project

It's done.  I have even washed it and now, it's full of wrinkly love.

Fast Craft

I put together a tabletop decoration for the fall today.  I had everything on hand except for the bundle of wheat, which I picked up at Publix for $3.99.

I used a glass container that I already had and put the wheat bundle into it.  It just didn't look right.  I used a shot glass under the bottom of the wheat bundle to force it to spread out.  The around the base of the bundle, I poured some popcorn kernels.  (I had used these before for a fall decoration.)

It still wasn't enough so I added an old bag of dried kidney beans and some whole almonds in the shell that I had also previous used as a decoration.  

I think it came out rather well for a $4 adventure.

A new week

T First, let's address the week's menu:

Sunday - homemade chicken and noodle soup

Monday - Spaghetti and meatsauce

Tuesday - leftover soup

Wednesday - Italian chicken, potatoes and broccoli

Thursday - salad

Friday - tbd

Goals and ideas for the week:

 

Sewing/crafts:

1.  Finish flower quilt with final binding seams (it's done and washed)

2.  Sew patch on DH motorcycle jacket (done)

3.  Mend baby quilt hem (Tuesday)

4.  Organize sewing area

5.  Gather materials for Maddox's Christmas stocking

Housework:

1.  Mop kitchen and dining room floors (done)

2.  Swifter stairs (done)

3.  Vacuum vents and sewing room

4.  Laundry catchup including ironing

5.  Wipe down front window sills (done)

Yard:

1.  Get lawn waste to the curb for Wednesday pickup (done)

2.. Obtain pressure washer and aerator (half done)

3.  Wash red outside chair cushions (done)

4.  Pressure wash front porch

5.  Pressure wash driveway (half done)

Paperwork/Medical:

1.  Get signed up for new health insurance (filled out paperwork and turned in)

2.  See doctor about drug changes and immunization (done)

3.  Refill all eligible drugs (half done)

4.  Overview outstanding medical charges

5.  Expect tag decal for car (got it and put it on)

6.  Organize and update coupons (done)

It's a busy week.  Only 10 more working days and a lot to be done.  I probably won't get everything on this list done but the more the better.  The are additional items from last week that need to be done as well.

We will also be having overnight guests next week so I have some cleaning to do.

Wish me luck!

Oh my stars!

This is the new quilt project that I've started.  I have a lot of the bits and pieces made and I'm starting by assembling the 12 large stars.  (so far, I have three done.). By doing this, I can quickly determine if I

need more of the blue fabrics.  Once the large stars are complete, I will move back to creating more of the red pinwheels.  These are very labor and time intensive.  If I run short of the red fabrics, it would be easy to find more of the solid red fabric and/or find a close match.

I'm not sure I really like the idea of following a pattern so closely.  None of the pinwheels are coming out the correct size.  I think on my next batch, I will use a slightly narrower seam allowance.

As soon as I complete the flower garden quilt, I need to start working on two quilts for the Christmas list.

Menu for the week of October 11th and Goals

I UTSunday - turkey breast, stovetop, green beans - spice cupcakes with divinity frosting

Monday - leftover chili over noodles

Tuesday - leftover turkey breast and fixing

Wednesday - spaghetti with sausage and salad

Thursday - dinner on my own (pizza?)

Friday - dinner on my own (leftover spaghetti)

Saturday - dinner out

DH has an odd schedule this week so I have one night with the kids and two nights for dinner on my own.  As a result of this, I also have not made a trip to the grocery store yet.  I picked up some things at Walmart Saturday that are not available in the Publix: low fat cheese, Borden cheese, promise spread, etc.  Since DD and kids will not be over for dinner tomorrow since I'm sick, I'll stop by the P Monday to pick up the few things I need from there.

A few things I want to get done this week are as follows: 

1).  finish quilting flower quilt and start binding (binding now, should finish by mid-week)

2).  Spend a little time on the star quilt (assembled three large stars)

3).  Determine which stabilizer to use on the girls' quilts and find the best deal (move to next week)

4).  Start some preliminary trimming on the oak leaf hydrangea (completely down to a 2" stump)

5).  Get bathroom paint next weekend during sale (got paint and roller, done)

6).  Consider paint for Lr/Dr (move til next week)

7).  Mop kitchen floor (Sunday)

8).  Put out Halloween decorations (done)

9).  Start Christmas Stocking for Maddox

10).  Locate and/or start Christmas cards and ornaments (next week ?)

Whew!

New goals and an update

YThe last time I posted about goals, I had one four.  I did manage to get three of the four done.  Whoopee!  I had one fail - cooking dried kidney beans.  I gave it a shot and they were severely undercooked and tasteless.  Two things may have influenced the result.  One, the beans were at least two years old and, two, I did a quick soak method, not the overnight soak.  Next time,k I'll try new beans and use the overnight soak.

The only one I did not accomplish was moping the kitchen and dining room floors.  There's always this weekend to get that done.  It's not a glamorous job but it does need to be done.

So, in looking at goals for this week and weekend, here's what I've come up with:

1.  Mop kitchen floor and clean dining room floor

2.  Try beans one more time

3.  Pressure wash half of driveway (weather permitting)

4.  Start cutting back hydrangea

5.  Pick a paint color for the bathroom and buy paint

6.  Write resignation letter and deliver (Friday)

So, as an update, I only got one of these things done this week.  #6 was done and delivered Friday.  I am officially out of a job as of the end of the month.

Menu

A little more planning went into this week's menu compared to last week's.

Sunday - Spicy Chicken Vegetable Soup

Monday - Stir Fry Chicken and Egg Rolls

Tuesday - leftover Soup

Wednesday - Tacos!

Thursday - Cubed Steak and Potatoes

Friday - TBD - pizza

30 Days of Chicken - #9 Spicy chicken vegetable soup

I adapted this recipe last year and we really like it.  It is very low fat and can be made low sodium depending on your choice of ingredients.  Fresh vegetables (carrots, celery, onions, garlic) along with canned tomatoes, cooked chicken and chicken broth spiced with chili powder, cumin, and oregano.

Just the right thing for a cool and rainy night.

October Second

Sometimes it's the little pleasures that bring joy to your life.  I've tried to remember to turn the lights on in my china cabinet the last few days.  For some strange reason, I find the lighted cabinet so pretty with my Christmas China setting inside.  

I looked for this china cabinet for a very long time before I found one that I liked.  I found this one on Craigslist at a good price.  It's not an exact match to my table and chairs but it's close enough.

                                                                      Sitting next to my China cabinet is a quilt ladder my son made.  I keep two quilts folded and displayed here.  You can also see the quilted runner I made on the table for Fall.

October

October will be a transformational time for me.  I am transitioning from full time employee to a stay at home lady of leisure.

Haha!  I will be unemployed at the end of this month and will be focusing my energy on different things during the months of November and December.

After 10 years with my employer, it is time to leave, focus some time on family and personal responsibilities and re-evaluate how I want my work life to proceed.

I anticipate October being difficult so I am trying to add joyful ness and gratitude to my October posts.  During November, I will be focusing on getting some home and creative projects completed.  During November and December, I will be caretaker for the new grandson. 

Today, I am thankful to have a husband who understands the struggles I face at work and who supports this transition.