I'm Still Stumbling!

As soon as I finish typing, I am heading off to my beddy-bye to watch tv and make the never ending list for tomorrow.
I am still exhausted. I am getting used to it I guess. I am less grouchy and frustrated that I am not feeling more exuberant over all that is going on. However, I am clumsy and dropping things. That is total exhaustion. No riding for me until I get a good night's sleep.
Matt is totally sacked out on the couch. It has been a long couple of days. The garage is looking wonderful and I think we can go ahead and move the dancers in there this summer. It is soooooo beautiful and everyone is very excited for us. The builder said we have only spent an extra $2500 by doing things this way and yet we will get so much more than $2500 worth of use out of it.
The paddle boat took it's maiden voyage this morning. It was pretty cool. I love paddle boating almost as much as riding. Lots of pond cleaning to do though.
Tomorrow AM we ride. It is supposed to get hot, rain and then cool off so if we want to get riding in in the next couple of days, we have to get moving early.
I'll be doing my first mowing at the property this weekend. Lots of great stuff, but man, I am beat!

Exaustion Setting In

Life is good. Very, very good actually. But I am just about dead on my feet. I am also grouchy and teary. Tonight I am putting myself to bed early, making a manageable list for tomorrow and watching NCIS. Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to tackle everything with zest and not the melancholy that comes with being overwhelmed.
Tomorrow I will try to post a few pics of the garage/barn/studio. It is pretty awesome. I also promise a more intelligent update.

African Servitude

Today Rakieta and I talked about the sewing machines again. It turns out that the electricity needed to run a sewing business is not all that expensive. Rakieta'a mentor for sewing explained to her that it was not expensive to have electricity for a sewing machine. So it turns out that Marie C. was fibbing to Rakieta. I asked if she was just having a bad day and over reacting. Rakieta assured me no, that Marie was just keeping Rakieta in her place as a a "little person." This is not the first time this has happened.
Marie has provided Rakieta with a safe, sanitary environment which we are very grateful for and I am sure that she cares deeply for Rakieta, but I just think jealousy gets the better of her some times. The women over there can get so vicious.
Anyway, we will persevere and Marie will get over this hump, just as she has all the others, but I really get irritated and weary of this whole African attitude of needing to make some of the people servants of others. They are their own worst enemies and as long as they continue this practice, they will never really modernize.

Everything Done but Costumes

Well, a productive day if I do say so, myself! Grass is 90% cut. I am not one to speed cut, BUT a girl has to do what a girl has to do. So I sped around the yard and finished all but by the trampoline. That can be done tomorrow or Monday.
Rakieta got called, her letter got written, Stephanie and Grandma got e-mails, plus several others that were long overdue. Animal costumes all reined in, clown costumes still all over living room but decisions on Tiger Rag hats made.
Now I am finishing up my night while watching NCIS with Matt.
While I do NOT enjoy being so overwhelmed, I feel pretty confident we will make it with time to spare this year.
Night all!

Update 5/15/10

So much to do, so little time! The house is completely out of control again. But that is normal for this time of year. I have cleaned us back up twice already, but when you are making costumes, it is easy for things to spread into every room. It is very fun, but I always am glad when it is over because it literally consumes us for at least a couple of months and I miss the other parts of my life.
The grass is also completely out of control. I love mowing, but oh the time....or lack of it. I can't let Matt touch it because he mows over everything. One disadvantage to our "park like setting". Merry may be helping since she isn't too busy today.
The garage is still....NOT. We got so much rain the last two weeks that nothing can move forward. The plan is they will start Monday. We shall see.
Meanwhile all the rain is wreaking havoc on our tubs of costumes. I am very weary of drying things out.
Well, off to call Rakieta, sort eggs, cut grass and work on costumes.

Sewing Machine News

Well it looks like the sewing machine is FINALLY a go. It will be a white one which is both electric and manual and has more than straight stitch. Rakieta is absolutely ecstatic. And impatient. "When is my mom coming to Africa"?
Soon kid, soon.

Much Needed Update

A dolphin jumping at Marineland in St. Augustine. This is a worthwhile activity. Just go early or late I think for the best view and seating.

I should not be writing this update right now. I do not have the time. But, I am just in need of some "me" time so I write.
Our trip to Florida was awesome and very refreshing. I came home very rested which is a good thing because I hit the ground running within hours of getting home. The garage has not been started yet but I think the permit will be granted this week. I will not get excited until we have permit in hand.
Jeni started a new job, one that is absolutely perfect for her. Merry graduated from college yesterday. It was wonderful. Patriotic, which surprised me since colleges tend to be so liberal, but it was great. Rakieta is absolutely ecstatic about getting her new sewing machine. Our first long ride of the season was FANTASTIC. The girls are so settled and calm compared to last year. In a couple weeks we'll all start switching out horses so all the horses are used to all of us. So life, while moving very fast, is going very well. Of course I am eyeball deep into sewing season so I am not stopping to smell the roses a whole lot right now. I love the job. I hate it when the pace gets too frantic though. But this too shall pass.
Have a great day everyone.