Thursday, September 27, 2007

Updates

I must be one of those moms that thrive on doing multiple things at the same time. I swear I don't like doing a bunch of projects at the same time, but it seems I have become one of those multi-tasking mommies. I am working for the consignment shop (which is really a temporary full time job) while taking care of the girls while staying on top of laundry while sorting through the toys and too-small clothing to sell while picking wild grapes while keeping up with this blog. I am off tomorrow and really have to finish working on the toys and other items that we are getting rid of, because the store opens next week! You would think I would cancel everything and concentrate on only sorting and pricing items, but no. I am also thinking of picking more wild grapes and extracting the juice, I am thinking of art projects we can do with the girls outside. I am thinking of making some fresh bread to go with dinner tomorrow. Who is this person I have become? I need to keep it simple and stop to smell the daisies (or fallen leaves)!

It's crazy at the store. We have over 25,000 items to sort and put away. We have gotten so many clothes that Boss Lady had to order more racks. We couldn't keep up with the clothing from the consignors so we had to stack clothing on the floor to empty the rolling racks for more clothing. We are done receiving (whew!) and are now playing catch up, trying to finish tagging the tags to the clothing and then cutting the strings off and then organizing by size and gender, Halloween costumes, formal wear, winter coats, holiday outfits and maternity. This doesn't include the huge piles of books, movies, games, toys, bedding, furniture, shoes and more! Boss Lady is starting to panic a little bit and we keep telling her we can get it done before we open next week. I hope we can get it done, because even I have doubts. Lots of volunteers have been no-shows and it has been mostly staff doing all the grunt work.

In between the work, though, we are all constantly "shopping". Taking mental notes of cute outfits and hoping you remember where it was put so you can buy it later on. Scanning toys for something special, or there! The toy you've been looking for but didn't want to pay the $100 it cost new at the toy store and now you can get for a mere $25. Oldest running up to me with a model duck painting kit, begging me to let her buy it. Middle lugging around a Dora doll with magically growing hair. Youngest having fun playing, not understanding the shopping concept, just yet. I am on a budget this time, limiting the spending to $100. In the past, the total bill usually hovers around $400, spending about $300 on staff shopping night, and then additional things picked up here and there before the end of the sale. This time, I need to be strict with myself and only buy what is really needed: All the girls need new shoes, there is a small trampoline that will be perfect for the basement and hopefully will draw attention away from the poor couch, and I also saw a home schooling kit that I need to inspect closer and see if it is worth getting. A few new outfits for each child and if there is any money left, some books and games.

I picked grapes and extracted the juice, but will save the jelly-making for another day when I am not so busy. I have the juice in the freezer and will probably make the jelly after the store opens and I am not needed for that. Thank you all for coming back to read and being patient with my fewer postings. I love reading your comments and try to reply to all of them.

By the way: Hubby looked up the snake I caught in the basement and it looks like it was a black rat snake. Harmless, but does excrete a smell when disturbed and becomes quite tame in captivity. I didn't smell anything when I caught it, so maybe I was gentle with it. The markings were identical to the picture in our reptile field guidebook, so I hope it wasn't a Boa Constrictor like Lindy suggested it was. Yikes!

8 comments:

DJ Kirkby said...

A rat snake hmmm? Might have been handy to have around unless your kitties are good ratters? Most cats arent as rats have to be killed with a bite to the neck...gawd, even I am wondering how I knew that...must have read it somewhere!

wakeupandsmellthecoffee said...

Yeah, DJ, where did that come from? Jenny, you need a rest. I'm tired just from reading this.

Sparx said...

Wow! Careful you don't burn out. And, I am STILL envious about your work at the shop, I do so love thrift shopping!

LaRonda said...

We could be sisters, honestly! We are women who do too much. We get project-itis and it just keeps on going. We do amazing things and many things at once. there is an incredible feeling of satisfaction when you accomplish so much all at once, but our weakness is that we are at risk for burn-out, both personally and professionally. We need to develop the art of balance and feeding our spirit with time off now and then. I know exactly where you are coming from. It's wonderful and it's overwhelming what we do...

~ LaRonda

Krissie said...

How's home schooling going?
Do you even have the time for that?

lady macleod said...

One more task for you, there is a little something for you over at my place, but you have to come and get it;-)

Unknown said...

Yes, that's a black rat snake all right.

When I worked at a residential camp, I was responsible to take care of the snake. Mind you, I don't like snakes, but I had to handle the snake in order to clean the cage and to feed it. One time, the snake bit me, because I think I touched it in the wrong way and I was also nervous. The snake can sense fear. So if you're calm, the snake is calm. There wasn't any smell when the snake bit me.

Have a great weekend, and don't work too hard, Jenny!

jenny said...

Moxiemocha-- The snake BIT you??? Agh!! I don't know what I would have done had it bit me!! Peed my pants probably. :o)

You're braver than me, I don't care if it was a pet or not, you still get points for handling it!