Things to Accomplish in 2017

I know I'm running late, but you know how it is.  Better late then never, right?

There are 4 things we (hubby and I) want to accomplish in 2017.  Actually more than that, but these 4 main things are important to help achieve the rest.

1.  Put in savings at least 5% of what we pay ourselves to go towards a vacation this fall.

2.  Put at least $20 additional each month towards the building loan payment

3.  Pay off one credit card

4.  Really get away and take a vacation longer than a day here and a day there and coming home each night.

4 Things I personally want to accomplish in 2017

1.  Read a devotion once a day.

2.  Actually get back into the habit of reading/listening the Bible every day.

3.  Complete at least 1 maybe 2 projects in my crochet "time out box" (unfinished projects)

4.  Actually finish one maybe 2 crochet blankets to give to one of my family members for Christmas.  I currently have 2 started (and 1 in the time out box from 26 years ago).

Here are 3 things I NEED to accomplish in February

1.  First and most important finish putting receipts in quickbooks and get everything delivered to our accountant.

2. Finish a crochet dice bag for an MTG tournament prize for the last friday of the month. 

3. I have 2 slouchy hat requests.  I didn't take any money up front for them and I gave no guarantee on when I would have them finished.  

So Far how are We doing for 2017?

1.  We have about $60 in savings towards a vacation

2.  We have put $45 extra towards the loan

How am I doing for 2017?

1.  I have managed to read/stay caught up with a daily devotion, since January 6th, Using the "You Version" app on my phone.  Baby steps, right?

How am I doing for February 2017:

1.  I'm working on a little at a time on getting those receipts taken care of.  I'm Making progress.

2.  Soon as the dice bag is finished (it's about half way finished), since I need it by the end of the month, I will start on the slouchy hats.  I purchased the yarn earlier this week, and I figure I will just make them and put them out for sale.  If the right people come in then I'm good, if someone else buys them I'm still good an can make more.

As I accomplish things I may add new things I want to accomplish.  I know there are more, but the additional accomplishments depend on these before I can continue.

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to leave a comment.

Tunisian Picture Washcloth ~~ Peace Sign

I'm pretty excited about this!  Normally you only see this as a knit project (I'm not a knitter), but I have figured our how to create this with tunisian crochet.  I haven't figured out how to "read" a knit pattern and transpose it to crochet, but if I have a graph I can make them.

A Flabbergasted Customer

So the other day I had a customer come in to the lock shop with a "broken lock", or so he thought.

His key no longer went in all the way. He told me it was a lock on his garage door.

I tried his key. It didn't go in. I got an uncut blank to try. It too wouldn't go in.

I sprayed a little lube min the lock and his key went in just fine.  We was shocked! He tried it a few times still giving me that blank stare look.  I told him what we recommended to use in locks to lube them up, and off he went.  No "Thank You", no "do I owe you anything", no nothing.  Guess I'm aa lock magician, huh? :-)

Mr. Coffee Got His Job Back

This morning Mr. Coffee got his hot water job back. I got several teas last night to drink and to sell at  The Castle.  I've had the Peppermint and Chamomile but the other 4 are new.  The only one I have had before out of the 4 is the Vanilla Caramel.

I used Mr Coffee before I got the "single serve" brewer (it's behind Mr. Coffee).  I got it used off one of the local buy/sell/trade groups.  I think I paid too much for it, but was something I wanted.  I have had problems with it leaking off and on from the start.  Today it wouldn't even try to brew a cup of hot water.  Any suggestions?  It doesn't have very good reviews anyway, so I'm not really surprised.

I liked it because it did it's job and shut off on it's own, not making me wonder if I left it on or not.  Mr Coffee on the other hand.....I have to remember to shut it off by myself.  I'm trying to remember to shut it off after each pot of water it heats for me.
Today I tried the Salted Caramel and the Spiced Chai.  I liked them both.  I tried the Earl Gray last night and liked it.  I've had the Vanilla Caramel before, but our local grocery store doesn't have it anymore.

What are your favorite Teas?  Do you have any suggestions for the one pot brewer?


Thanks for stopping by and please come again soon!

Happy Homemaker Monday ~~ 1/23/17

As I look outside my window:::
When I got up at 7:30 there was frost on the windshield.  It's a bit chilly still. I'm ready for summertime!
 
Right now I am::: 
Hungry and looking forward to lunch. I have been working on some crochet to help distract myself. 

Something funny from this past week:::
I didn't know hubby had just filled the water filter pitcher. I went to pour a glass of water and water went everywhere!  Glad it was water instead of pop or sweet tea.

Currently Reading:::
"A Hidden Truth" by Judith Miller

On my to do list today:::
Not a whole lot really.  The usual thing care of customers, crochet, take library books back, hopefully go out of town tonight. 

Today's Lunch:::

Since yesterday's special at the castle was a flop we are eating the leftovers this week. No complaints at all except we would have rather sold out than eating it ourselves. Roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, and green beans. 

Preparing for Cold weather:::
It has been warm/cold/warm/cold. It can't seem to make up its mind. No real preparing because we have done quite well I think. Even when the temperature was negative wind chill we we warm. We do have an extra can of kerosene, thanks to the spring like weather we have been having off and on.  


What I am crocheting:::
Today I brought my modified Tunisian 10 Stitch Blanket. It's the same principle but I'm doing 30 stitches instead of 10 and I'm using a bigger hook.  It's a scrap yarn project and I'm using the many shades of brown I have. I'm calling it my 50 shades of brown blanket. 😄

From the camera:::

Picture of the above project.

Prayer List:::
My niece.  She is in foster care and supposedly being adopted or being put in the guardianship of a family member.  This still hasn't happened. She is still in foster care.

My grandpa, he is 97 and I've been told he is having a hard time. Ready to "go home".  We seen him a couple weeks ago and he still is doing good considering his age and ailments.

I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for HHM.  Go visit her and the rest of those who have joined in.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting.

Short weekend project video

Sometimes, OK most of the time, it's easier to make a short video and upload it to YouTube than to write a blog post. Here's my latest video. Please watch the others I've uploaded recently too.

Crochet Things to Start 2017

Happy 2017 you all!  How has your new year been so far.  Mine has had ups and downs.  

I finished the scarf for hubby.  It's a tunisian cable pattern.  I didn't follow any particular pattern, I just watched a few YouTube videos on how to do the tunisian cable stitch and went from there.

I started a 10 Stitch Tunisian Blanket

 and a tunisian stitch hat for hubby (to match his scarf, and so he has one to ware so I can wash the other one).  Nothing special again, I am just alternating TSS and TPS.  It kind of looks like basket weave.

That's what I've been working on so far. 

Today I did a lot of cooking/baking.  I baked 2 dozen cookies, made (from scratch) 2 dozen blueberry muffins (for upcoming birthdays this week, instead of cake) and 4 gallons, which is a about 23 pounds, of homemade chili.

I'm ready for a nap.

Thank you for stopping by!