MOOLOO'S Muddling on into 2013

Savvy_sewing

Sorry, I am rather busy at the moment.
I had sewing work to do, but also then it was my hairdressers appointment. I still cannot keep my arm up long enough to wash, dry and straighten my hair!. I also have to pace myself with the sewing when its heavy things, like the curtains, or I cannot cope.
I have now drawn up, with Biggest of Mooloo's help, a time sheet, so that I can log what I am doing, on which job, and see how long it actually is taking me to make something. It will also show proof that I am working, and how long is going into the sewing, or sourcing of materials etc etc. (Well thats the theory anyway).
Yesterday I went to help Biggest of Mooloo take her old clothes to the cash for clothes place in Northampton. While I was there, I was using my handbag that is made from my Dad's old ties. The girl was so impressed with it, that she called over her sister, and she lead me off into the back and started to discuss the possibilities of a job for me!.
The idea is to transform the evening/wedding/bridesmaid type dresses into more fashionable dresses, outfits etc, and she wanted to know if I would be interested in doing it?
I have left my card with her, and have her card, and I will make a follow up call to her next week, and see about finding out more, becuase we had to leave to go and collect my other DGD from school.
But its quite exciting to think that I may have enough work, to keep me going much sooner then I was expecting.
It will be interesting to see if it comes off, but if it doesnt, I may have got myself a contact to be able to access recycled fabrics to carry on creating with my "Mooloo's", made out of lots of odd/old stuff! anyway!.
So fingers crossed something comes up from it.

I havent heard anything from twin2.
Infact its been quiet from twin1 as well as she was off on Tuesday to see her "boyfriend" in Kent.
DS was rather dispondent this week, and I am not sure if he is just rundown, or sickening for something? I will have to keep my eye on him.
DGD had yet another accident at school where she headbutted the Books box, apparantly. She had a nose bleed as a result, and now has a small cut in her nose, under her nose. So I hope that she doesnt get a cold for a few days or it will be really awful for her. So what with having to take her to the doctors for a waterworks problem, and last Saturday when we were out for a walk, she was flat on her face twice, I really do think that she has probably inherited her Mothers dyspraxia!. Not that there is much you can do for it, as such, but it would explain the many bumped head letters we get from school!.

Savvy_sewing

Well I am exhausted!
I went to the jobcentre to dance through the hoops, and he dropped another form on me, that is needed to be signed off by a business advisor. Which of course I do not have. So I have been frantically trying to sort things out this afternoon.
I have contacted a Enterprise company in Bodicot? and they have sent me things to do with a business plan, and ideas etc and information on Dressmaking/alterations etc. Which I have waded through.
I am also via another company going on a start up course next week, on Thursday. So before then I have also got an interview this week, with the business advisor, for which I will need that business plan worked on!. EEK.
I am very sore from driving today, and then an induction at the gym, where I had been booked in to try and work on my strength etc etc.
Having not exercised in mmmmm well not really since in Oxford when I went for back exercises, around the time the babies were born!. 2007.
So I am aching everywhere now.
No sewing tonight, it will be a bath after DGD has had hers, and is in bed.
Twin2 rang me yesterday to tell me she had broken into her own house. That she didn't have any food etc.
I am afrtaind that I told her that I was not helping her. That I remembered that she had Porridge in the cupboard, and if push came to shove she would have to have that mixed up with water if she didn't have any milk. Felt really cruel, but that's all that I can think of at the moment.
She then said that she did at least have a tin of baked beans. So she will not starve then!.
Twin1 is back from her little holiday, and the boyfriend has come back with her.
The Social worker wants to meet with me at her place tomorrow morning, to go through her Family Safety agreement, however she left the message on my phone too late for me to change my plans.
I sometimes think that people around me think I can just drop everything to suit them. Well not anymore.
I have a set of curtains, actually two sets of curtains that need my attention, and they are going to be done tomorrow. Then I have three lots of bunting to do this week/start of next week. I also hope that I will be getting the word out that I will be working and get more in, although the plan is to carry on making things in the allotted time for the stall I booked in June.

Brighton_belle

Mooloo wrote: »

The Social worker wants to meet with me at her place tomorrow morning, to go through her Family Safety agreement, however she left the message on my phone too late for me to change my plans.
I sometimes think that people around me think I can just drop everything to suit them. Well not anymore.

I think it really important you try and stick to this mooloo - it is quite ridiculous that you seem to be expected to drop everything. You are entitled to have plans and make other commitments (and that includes the commitment to have time to rest and recuperate) - ditto that phone call in the charity shop the other week: it is completely legitimate to either not answer or tell them it is inappropriate to have a personal conversation in a public space.
Though to be fair of course, maybe because you have always jumped (understandable in the past) they assume you can. They may be fine with you putting in a few boundaries.

Savvy_sewing

I suppose that having put everyone first for so long I am beginning to feel pretty selfish. I have no real choice but to stand firm and to grab back my time if I am going to earn a living for DGD and myself. Time supported is running out and I have a deadline from when I need to be established. It will take time for work to come in on a regular basis, and I need to be building up a reputation for good work and a quick result. Playing at it is one thing, but successful business means being able to turn the work around in line with the competition. My friends and family will have to accept that and adjust as well as the professional people that work with the twins. etc.
Miracles take longer to accomplish when your trying to do them yourself!
My first problem is to get the. jobs I have lurking done. Then to make stock for the craft stall in June while studying the paper work and establishing a system that will work for my situation. As well as get the word out locally that I will do some alterations. Keeping my eyes on the clock and making sure that I am not undercharging and doing myself an injustice in the first place. There is no point in working hard and not seeing any rewards from it.
time to get up and get DGD ready for school.

Savvy_sewing

Well I have jumped around and done all the bits I could this week.
After the jobcentre on Monday, and Monday night working on Business plans. Then again last night.
This morning I went to the Business Advisor, got it all sorted out, and he was impressed thank goodness. So that's all printed off again now, and its now in the envelope to be posted back to the DWP.
The council have already suspended my benefits, so the letter for that is now done, with the Cashflow forecast paperwork for the business and what it is etc all ready to be taken into the council tomorrow.
I have had a phone call from the Police to ask me o attend an interview with Twin2 tomorrow. Apparantly she was in some sort of furory at the bus station with someone yesterday and has reported an assault. So I have to go and sit in on her Statement.
What next?
I am tired.
I had some work to sew this afternoon, but it will have to wait until a bit later. I need to calm down, have my lunch and then regroup myself.

minimoneysaver

Would it be better if a social worker sat in with Twin2?

Savvy_sewing

she won't engage with them.
I sat in and witnessed the signatures etc. What a waste of everyone's time.
Got to go out. Catch up later.

Savvy_sewing

Eager_Elephant wrote: »

Sorry forgot to say I can be your first 'official' customer - will send the shopping bags this week!!

They have been packed for over a week!

officially still not arrived! Did you post?

just bought another pretty duvet set to use the fabric! as if I don't have enough in my stash as it is!
But at £5.99 the amount of fabric is so worth it.

Brighton_belle

Mooloo wrote: »

But at £5.99 the amount of fabric is so worth it.

Only if you actually use it Mooloo!

Savvy_sewing

Oh yes it's ear marked for dresses for the DGD's amongst other things.
DGD had a successful 2 night stop at her Mum's Fri and Sat.
Yesterday Biggest came over with DGD2 and they played in the paddling pool in the garden. We had chops and salad for tea outside. In the morning I caught the sun on my shoulders while gardening. ache all over today.
Off out to do a wedding dress and bridesmaids measuring up for last minute alterations before the big day in 2 weeks.
Decided to cancel the business seminar this week as plenty of work to finish off. Need to get the cash in while I can.
Expect another meeting at end of week with the recycling company.
Fingers crossed that will lead to regular work.