A Small Change

I know I promised chickens, but I worked a 5-day stretch so haven't had time to finish it up.  Tomorrow maybe.  Anyway, I wanted to share my news.  A couple of weeks ago, our church secretary announced she was quitting to go full-time at her other job.  When I saw the announcement, I decided to give it to God for a week or so to see if I should apply.  A little background-I had that job before this gal did.  I was always sorry I had left.  The job I went to was way too stressful and even though it was a ministry as well, I never felt like I was really making a difference.

I am a deacon in the church and was a bit uncomfortable with the idea of being secretary also, but my three-year term is up in December.  I finally shot off a resume to the Council president, sharing my misgivings about what people would think.  Last night we had a special Council meeting to select a new secretary.  There were three applicants.  I announced that I wouldn't be a part in the selection process and left the room.  As I left, I told them not to worry about my feelings, just do what God wanted them to do.  I went into the office and prayed over the proceedings.  I didn't pray that I would get the job, only that God would put the right name in their hearts, whoever that may be.  Stan, who is also on the Council, told them he also wouldn't be voting-too close for comfort.  We did everything we could to keep it ethical and above board.

Long story short, they voted to hire me.  I am very happy about it, and the pastor has told me to be sure to do what I need to the office.  Actually I had been thinking of some things for a while-a lot of groups use that small office and it could be refitted to accommodate more things, such as when the deacons count their money.  Right now we count it standing up, around a tiny desk.  We could get rid of two desks and put in a small table that would work much better.  It will be fun doing that, and the pastor suggested a paint job would be a good idea, too.  Nice!

I will be staying on at Macy's but on a flex status.  I will log into the database on Sunday mornings and pick up a couple of shifts for the next week that will work around the 12 hours at the church.  Things fell into place so well I can't help but think God is in this.

There is a sad part.  One of the women that was not hired is now causing an uproar on Facebook because she and her family think it's unethical for me to have the job.  Most of her children have said things that Christians shouldn't say.  Makes me really sad-we were friends.  And Stan and I both worked really hard to keep things above reproach.

I'm just giving it to God and hoping that they will see what they are doing.  I know I have the backing of the Council and feel that I am not wrong at all.  I am going to work very hard to not get into any kind of row with them and only be discreet and loving.  Say a little prayer for me that this can be healed.

It's Curtains!

Got a call from a desperate lady last week.  Her daughter bought some drapes but they didn't fit in her new house.  She got my name from a local fabric store and called me.  I picked them up on my way home and Monday I got to work.  The first one was easy.  It was a big panel that she wanted split into two, shortened and a rod pocket on the bottom.  The second one not so much!  Actually the second two.  She had two valances the same width, but wanted me to cut some off each end of one and sew those ends to the other valance.  It wouldn't have been too bad, but they were pleated and lined, and the hem was scalloped and had cording!  So today I tackled them.

Which meant that I had to take the two side pieces off, open both edges and switch them to opposite sides of the "big" swag so the curve would match up.

After joining and refinishing the pieces I had to press like crazy to make it look professional again.

I don't think I could have gotten a closer fit on the cording without ripping the whole works out and putting in new cording-not really an option.  There was a bit of fabric that I had cut off the big curtain, but not enough for cording especially since cording should be cut on the bias.

The other curtain took a little over an hour, but the job today took three.  When I called the lady she was very relieved I had them finished before her daughter arrived and said she hadn't told her yet that she farmed the work out to someone else.

Next time I hope to show you the chicken table runner.  I've been working on it for some time and I'm ready for the owner to take it home.  She dropped off some last-minute fabric a few weeks back and I have made her a little surprise.  Hope she likes it!

Now That Was Work!

I just spent the last 2 hours on the computer looking for and booking flights to Mazatlan.  That was a job!  First I found the itinerary I wanted on Priceline, and when I went to book they doubled the price.  Forget that!  Then I went to Hotwire and got the times and price I wanted, but of course you can only book 6 at a time, so I had to do 2 installments, actually 3 because while 11 of us fly from Bozeman, Dave and Laura will fly from Austin, and Hotwire was no help with that, so their tickets come from Expedia.

I think my credit card is a bit warm from use right now, but I got it done.  Dave and Laura will be there a couple hours sooner than us, but I'll get them on an earlier shuttle and inform the resort of the earlier arrival.  They can walk the beach til we get there.

Just 2 1/2 months and we'll be back in that great place!

Millie walking the beach on Stone Island

Going Again!

Just booked our timeshare for October.  This is going to be a hoot!  We have our entire family-kids, grandkids, in-laws and an auntie, basking in the Mazatlan sunshine.  Gonna be so much fun!

Now if I can find decent flights for everybody-one comes from Billings (not a problem-she can drive over and stay with us) and two are coming from Austin, TX.

A Purse

I just listed a purse in my shop.  I bought one of those designer handbags from work, one of the ones that was supposed to be so handy.  I just don't like it-if you put all your stuff in it, it bounces off your body just like a basketball.  So I made a new one for myself and a spare for my shop.

I can't wait to use my bag to carry my "work stuff."  My old designer bag didn't even have space to tuck your water bottle, or a snack.  This one is extremely roomy.  Check it out!

Happy Fourth!

 

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

Niiiice!

Had my physical a couple of weeks ago.  I asked my doc about my knee, it has been hurting a lot since I moved to the linens department and have to climb a lot of stairs to the stockroom.  She ordered x-rays and I find out that I have severe arthritis in the knee and will most likely have to have it replaced soon.  Rats!!  I just thought that when I fell last year I had a chunk of cartilage or bone that was getting in the way and a simple arthroscopic surgery would fix me right up.  I guess that's what I get for thinking........

They are going to move me to a different department at work, but that might take time for an opening to show up, so the supervisor told me to keep my trips upstairs to a minimum.  That's easier said than done, only one or two people know the stock as well as I do and it would be a worse pain to try to give someone directions to find something up there.  I'll try to be a good girl anyway!

The rest of me is in good shape-mammogram, blood workup, etc.  I have a bone density test on Tuesday-probably won't get off Scot free on that one-a person is bound to lose a bit of bone as one ages.  I don't like this aging thing, not one bit!