Seamstress Saturday - A side job

Every now and then, I get a request to do some repairs or alterations of an item from someone in the neighborhood.  Most of them are quick and easy type of sewing but they are very appreciative of the quick turn around of their item.  And of course they offer to pay whatever is the going rate of my work.  But of course there is always an exception to the rule.  One of them had asked if I can help her fix a dress and what I understood was that I would show her how to do it and she will continue.  It was my mistake maybe, I misunderstood, she just want me to fix it.  In our conversation, there was no offer to pay and I didn't really want to ask in the hopes that she will offer to pay once the job was done.  It took me a few hours to repair the dress as it involves both machine sewing and hand sewing.  When all is said and done, I delivered to their home and I got a thank you.  No offer of payment or maybe a $5 Tim Horton's card. LOL.  Just to compare with other neighbors, they would ask how much and most of the time they would pay more because I am giving them a good rate but they know that the job takes a lot of time.  Or if I didn't mention an amount, they would just get me a Tim Hortons gift card because they know I love Tim's.  A few months later, the same person ask to repair another item of clothing. I was not sure how to respond because again, there was no mention of the offer of payment.  For one reason or another I felt bad refusing but it was uncomfortable situation.  It felt like I was one of her servants and that she needed help again.  So I replied that maybe she should take it to the cleaners as they have seamstress there also.  She said, she already asked and they were going to charge her $60 for the repair, and that is the reason why she is asking for my help.  Truly, I don't mind helping people and don't have to get paid, but for whatever reason it's all about the way you are treated.  I would like to think that I am a generous person when it comes to my time.  What would you do if you were in my position? 

Wallet Wednesday - Insurance dillema

If you reside outside of British Columbia you are in a better position when it comes to vehicle insurance.  When we moved to Vernon we were shocked at how much more expensive are their insurance coverage.  Mainly because it is control by ICBC.  Everyone is required to have their vehicle insured with them first and then you have the option to get a private insurance for additional coverage.  Lately they have announced that their new policy/procedure will be better in 2021.  Although we already have heard that the rates will be ridiculously high.  It really doesn't matter if you have a good record or no claim, it will still go up because they are such a bad financial situation.  They might have change some of their regulations but they will still have the control because you cannot get to choose or shop for your own.  If I am not mistaken, it is the only province that has the monopoly on vehicle insurance.  For example our 2019 insurance increased by almost $500, reason just because they increased the rates and didn't even look at your record for the past couple of years.  As for our RV which we only insure for six months, the rates were almost 3 times as what we had when it was insured in the USA. I feel really bad for student or young drivers who are slapped with such high premiums that they almost need a loan just to be able to drive.  As of May 2021 they are implementing the new no-fault system which includes a one time 20 per cent cut to premiums.  Notice the words ONE TIME.  So does it mean that in 2021 you will get lower premiums and the following year, they will announce an increase in whatever per cent they feel depending on how their financial situation is.  Just venting today, I guess it's what happens when you move, almost anywhere there will be the positives and the negatives. As for this move, of course there are more positives and benefits, but I am sure we are not the only ones venting about this ICBC control.  It's been like this for 47 years so I kinda doubt that it will go away.  So if you are thinking of moving to BC, remember this 4 letters.

Car owners in the province won't be surprised, but British Columbians are still paying the highest auto insurance premiums in Canada. The General Insurance Statistical Agency released numbers Tuesday showing that British Columbians pay an average of $1,832 for car insurance per year.Aug 13, 2019

Fragile Friday - Family Relationship

As the old saying goes, you can choose your friends but you sure as hell can't choose your family.  Friends come and goes but family is always family.  Some families are really close and others are so distant that you are surprised when they mention that they have family.  Through the years, we have lost some because it was their time and others were just unacceptable.  I envy those families that have stayed together in the same area so they can have each other for support.  In the olden days, most families do not have the choice to venture out somewhere far.  They usually have to stay around their parents and help out in the farm or some type of business.  Now a days, it's very seldom you will meet someone who has lived all their lives in the same place they were born.  Most people have move around because of work, relationship, better living conditions or for adventure.  But when you do, this is the part where you have to make some difficult decisions for your family.  Once you make that decision, then you will have to live with it and sometimes others cannot or does not forget nor forgive.  Families who are living so far apart, eventually grow apart.  They don't see each other, they all have busy lives and there's not much you can do, except understand.  The one benefit for now is that technology allows you to communicate and actually get a chance to see them while they tell their stories.  But what happens when you are not on the same page or maybe there's a bit of misunderstanding between families.  As an adult you think that's an easy solution, but at times when family gets older and life changes, the relationship becomes fragile and it causes more friction.  So let's try a variety of saying that might be more applicable. Life is short, forgive and forget, let's just try to get along.  By the way, this post should have been for Monday, February 17, it's Family Day.

Thriving Thursday - Plants sitting

At the beginning of December my golf buddy decided to spend the cold winter months in a place that is sunny and warm.  His wife had a few plants and the person taking care of their home was not interested in caring for them.  So I offered to do it except they had to bring all the plants to our home.  There were only four pots so it was not a big deal.  My only concern is that I am not really good with plants and was afraid to kill them.  Except my hubby is very good at watering our indoor plants so I knew it was safe.  Anyway, I found a good spot for all four plants and I am happy to report that they are thriving.  In a month and a half, my buddy and his wife will return and we are hoping that their plants will remain as they are now.  In fact two of the cactus type of plants were flowering.  One with white flower and the other red.  I made sure I took photos of them while they are in bloom to show how well they are doing.  Check out how the plants are loving it in our surroundings.

Family and Friends Friday - In Memoriam

Today I would like to do a special In Memoriam to remember those who have gone in the last decade or more.  This special post is honoring all of them, both family members and friends. If you are reading this and had the chance of meeting or knowing them, maybe you can pause for a moment and think of the good times.  It's not about being sad but being grateful of the time we had with them.  When I got up this morning and looked at the date, it has been a year since by brother passed away.  So I guess this what prompted this post. Although this list does not cover others who I cannot remember, I am hoping that you will still take the time to think of your own list of family and friends who you have lost through the years.  

• Romy boy - 2019
• Gino - 2008
• Star - 2007
• George - 2008
• Grace - 2008
• Becky - 2016
• Laura - 2016
• Romeo - 1996
• Del - 2017
• Sylvana - 2008
• Tanya - 2008
• Michelin - 2017
• Wendy - 2018
• Danny - 2020
• Nonong - 2020

Wheat Wednesday - Does it matter?

Do you remember when you last went to a breakfast place and you are ask what type of bread you want?  White, whole wheat, rye, sourdough, multi-grain, English muffin and bagel.  But sometimes the choice are only white or brown or in the some places, it's white or

wheat.  It's funny but most bread comes from Wheat, right.  Anyway, this week I decided to make another artisan bread since it was snowing and we didn't want to go to the store to buy bread.  While browsing through my Pinterest, I noticed one with a slightly different version of the artisan bread.  Still 4 ingredients, same process with a slightly different measurements.  If you want to try it, it starts with 3 1/4 cups all purpose flour, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp instant yeast, and 1 1/2 cup of warm water.  Mix together in a bowl, cover with plastic, place is a warm area of the house for proofing or rising for 15 to 18 hours.  Then bake in a dutch oven at 450  with cover for 30 minutes.  After remove cover and bake for an additional 8 minutes.  And that's it, you have a light and fluffy bread that's amazing with butter and honey and consumed warm.

I use all purpose flour instead of bread flour.

Chocolate swiss roll with dark chocolate ganache.

with whipped vanilla cream and fluffy marshmallow filling.

Banana, oatmeal, coconut muffin with dark chocolate shavings on top.

Stitching Saturday - Buy one get three free

When my friend called to check out if I have the time to help her with some re-upholstery of chairs, I said sure.  We decided to meet at the fabric store and since there was a big sale, it was the perfect time to get the fabric she needed.  After a few minutes we stumble upon the perfect color, patter and type of fabric.  The deal was you buy one meter for $20 and you three meters free.  So she did and we went home.  The next day she brought her chairs and we started working.  My hubby took out the tools needed and we started working away.  Each one had their own job and it worked perfectly.  After a few hours, everything was complete.  The next day she brought a couple of bench pillows that needed new covers.  Of course there was so much fabric to do both.  On the third day, I started my set of placemats. By the way, since the sale was still on, I bought 1.5 meter of another fabric for $3.50 for the reverse part of my placemats.  There was still more fabric so I made a table runner and a hot plate holder (for table protection). It's too bad we forgot to take photos of the before. 

  

Bench in the entry way for lacing up your boots.

Foot stool for the living room.

We covered 4 of her dining room chairs.

Only one of this accent chair.

I was able to make a set of 6 placemats.

Reverse side of the placemat.

Hot plate for hot dishes, except I think I have to use the reverse side.

Reversible table runner.