Mooloo's little tapestry of life, 2016

ognum

Take enough time to get better.

Savvy_sewing

DGD was much better so she went to school today.
To start with the car wouldn't start, so we had to walk to school but when I came home I did manage to get it started and arranged for the garage to run a diagnostic test this afternoon.
So while it was working I went to the post office to collect a parcel, popped down to work and brought some work home to do. I was disappointed to see that staff had only left a note on the door saying closing at 3pm. That was Monday so anyone going in yesterday would have been disappointed.
I went to collect my shoes from the dry cleaners where they sent them to the cobbler, and they told me they had sent 3 people to me yesterday. So I am rather annoyed that I let staff decide not to open. I should have said that she needed to open up either way. But I didn't really think so it's my own fault.
I need to be more of a leader.
I then took DS food shopping and decided to do some for us as well.
When I got home he had left his tablet iPad thingy in the car so I had to go back again, but it gave me a chance to grab some duvet covers and towels for them. So my surplus was well received as they are short on them.
I still feel rather like I have been stamped on the chest but the lemsip has worked on my sore throat.
I was back in time to collect DGD from school and by then it was wet and dreary.
The builders have been doing all of our paths and some people's drives, (typically after I had paid for mine myself). So it is even more caps up our street then normal.
I have done a spaghetti bolognese for our meal with the last of the Muscle Food mince.
After a rest I plan to see about the alterations that I brought home and try to do them to help me tomorrow.
However it is not imperative. I will see how I feel.

Savvy_sewing

The following post is what I put on the NSD turtle thread.
So some of it have already told you.
But I have decided to copy and paste it here as it says how I feel at the moment.
"Well yesterday I did a foodshop, planned but I also gave a lot. I felt good about spending money on my son. He has a zero hours contract and money is a serious issue for them. I paid for his weekly shop, something I have been doing for about three months now. But while talking it was obvious he needed boots for work so I got him to buy a pair on line, as we don't have shoe shop anywhere near us. I also bought the baby a couple of Christmas presents for him to give to his son. When I helped carry the shopping in I noticed their duvet had no cover and I asked why? They don't have a spare anymore, so I asked what else they were short of, they only have two towels! So I came home and raided my shelves and took them back four or so towels and three duvet covers. But I also ordered them a couple of new duvets from Argos, to be delivered to them today.
So I blue the NSD right out of the water.
But the happiness it gave me, and the relief I see in my Son was worth it.
I will still be mindful of the spending this month but I would willingly pay for what ever I can if it helps someone else.
I have been reading a book I got off the Internet called Life's Golden Ticket by Brendon Burchard. I felt empowered after the first read and was surprised to end up with a second copy in the post yesterday. My new neighbour was walking her dog yesterday and was in tears, sobi got out of the car to offer her help and a hug. She suffers from Bi-Polar, and is having a rough time, so last night I gave her the book.
She text me later to tell me she was reading the book and that it's a good one and was already helping her.
I feel blessed that yesterday I was able to help them all.

Savvy_sewing

So today I start the day with a different intention.
I will look for the positive in the day. I will be grateful for what I have, and for the ability to do what ever I can for others not just myself.
I will do my best at work even though I don't feel very well, I know that many are worse off for me.
I look forward to the challenges that are coming my way, more than I have ever in my life.
Because I know that I am strong and I will get through the ups and downs that come my way. I just need to look at my past to know that.

dktreesea

Hi Mooloo, great to see you are fighting back the blues. I was wondering, with your staff member closing earlier, if perhaps she doesn't really like to be alone in the shop? Older people sometimes don't have as much confidence as people of working age and may not like to be on their own too much, especially if it involves interacting with strangers. It probably feels different when you are upstairs sewing and she is downstairs looking after the shop. Maybe when she took on the work she didn't realise what looking after a shop on her own would feel like or that she might feel vulnerable or lonely? Just a thought....

Savvy_sewing

dktreesea wrote: »

Hi Mooloo, great to see you are fighting back the blues. I was wondering, with your staff member closing earlier, if perhaps she doesn't really like to be alone in the shop? Older people sometimes don't have as much confidence as people of working age and may not like to be on their own too much, especially if it involves interacting with strangers. It probably feels different when you are upstairs sewing and she is downstairs looking after the shop. Maybe when she took on the work she didn't realise what looking after a shop on her own would feel like or that she might feel vulnerable or lonely? Just a thought....

That may be the case for some but Staff was a shop keeper for 26 years so I don't think it was that. I think that probably she was still not very well herself but did not want to admit it. She was off last week with a kidney infection and I think she came back to early.
Anyway, what is done is done and can not be helped.
I will be opening up in 10 minutes and hopefully those we may have missed will be back.
I have written on FB and announced that I am back at work so maybe word will spread.
I have work enough for today anyway.
I think I will just have to consider options for business when I am unable to open the shop. Get some contingency planning sorted

Rose_Wood

Hi,

I always read your thread but this is the first time I have commented. Have you ever thought of taking on an apprentice? There are a lot of government incentives for doing so and it can be a cost effective way of getting an extra member of staff whilst also training someone up in your ways. Some young person might be really glad to take on an apprenticeship with you and learn a lot of new skills in addition to the retail side.

Rose

Savvy_sewing

Rose_Wood wrote: »

Hi,

I always read your thread but this is the first time I have commented. Have you ever thought of taking on an apprentice? There are a lot of government incentives for doing so and it can be a cost effective way of getting an extra member of staff whilst also training someone up in your ways. Some young person might be really glad to take on an apprenticeship with you and learn a lot of new skills in addition to the retail side.

Rose

Thanks Rose,
I have an apprentice lined up for next year. the girl who works with me on Saturday is going to be joining us when she leaves school in July.
I did think about taking one on now but that may mean I would not be able to take her on and I have offered her an apprenticeship.

Savvy_sewing

I was right about Staff, she was still unwell and sitting on her own in the shop when it was quite she struggled. She has since gone back to the doctors and they changed her medication and she came in yesterday. Although I believe she is like me still not very well.
We did have a few new jobs in, and there was work for both of us, but we did have to laugh at ourselves at times.
I had shortened two pairs of trousers that didn't have a normal work ticket on, so I presume that they were family or friend's.
When staff went to call everyone about finished jobs she became all confused about the trousers. No name or phone number on them etc.
She asked me who's they were and I said I didn't know. Then suddenly she said "Oh they are mine!!!" Her daughter had given her them and so she needed them shortened but she hadn't really looked at them properly so she didn't recognise them!!
I found the last hour more of a struggle but we got through the day.
I did sausage and chips in the oven because it was easy, and banana and custard for pudding.
My neighbour did the school run for the disco so I didn't have to go out again.
I have started coughing and my voice is coming and going a bit now. I shall just take each job one at a time and do what I can.
I will probably be curled up in bed quite early tonight.
I am hoping that DS's boots arrive today so he can have dry feet at work tomorrow.
My next goal is to get him a better waterproof jacket, but that may mean scouring the charity shops etc as I doubt I can get a new one cheaply.

I had a letter from the school when DGD returned about her absence being below 95% and iwas rather annoyed so I wrote them a rather long letter back thanking them for their concern, that her education was of paramount importance to me, and that I assured them that I would not keep her off lightly due to my being a single self employed person and that the financial impact on us was too great. I did say that I thought the threat of a meeting with DGD in the office was rather over the top, and intimidating for a 9!year old, and that unless they had medical knowledge I believe such a meeting would be rather futile.
I know that the letters are numbers related for the education authorities etc but sometimes I just think they waste resources and time. It would be a different matter if she was being taken out for other reasons or bunking off. But at this time of year children do get ill!
Anyway that may be interesting as I have a meeting with them next week about her pupil premium and what they can do for her.

I have curtains to do today, yesterday I did a huge one for a local school, it was 350cm x 3 panels all joined together and boy it was heavy! My left arm really struggles with such jobs, and I try to spread them out rather than do one after the other, but missing three days sewing means that I can not rest today and have three sets of curtains and three coat zips to do today, amongst other things.
I have looked at my bank accounts and moved my money about. I have managed to move £70 into various savings accounts this week. So I am slowly rebuilding them.

Savvy_sewing

I don't feel well and I'm already in bed!
I have to work tomorrow until 2pm so I hope after an early night I will feel better.
I worked at a steady plod today but only managed two sets of curtains and 2 coat zips. the shop was busy with enquiries and some habadashery sales.
Dgd is still up so I have her promise she will be on her best behaviour and go to bed at her usual time.
( I will set the alarm on my phone just in case)