Rain, Rain, Go Away

They say this has been one of the rainiest and most overcast Aprils in the Chicago area. I believe it. I have not been able to do any biking outside, every time I think maybe today, it rains some more or it is cold and windy.
I have been spending time trying to get the basement back together. Monday night after our exercise classes, John and I moved the essentials back into the sewing studio. Because it is so much smaller, I am going to have to rethink where everything is going to fit. I plan on doing a lot of purging to hopefully reduce what all needs to fit in there. I have chosen a split complimentary color scheme for the room based on the floor color. I used the Color with No Regrets system which made it very easy. Now to get the painter in and find fabric for a faux Roman shade for the window.
Lauren continues to work on her purse. She is making good progress. Katie finished her sewing bag and will do her belt next week plus start on her first project, she is thinking about doing a blouse. Meaghan had to miss because she had an orchestra concert and Julia finished her belt and started pinning her nightshirt.
The Christening gown is coming along nicely. I met with a local realtor yesterday for coffee and we talked about our respective businesses. Have a client dropping off fabric this morning for some bathroom curtains she wants made. Signed up to have a table at a women's event coming up on May 14th. Need to get together a door prize and figure out a pleasing table arrangement.
One last speed workout this afternoon and then off to Nashville for the race. I am excited and very nervous. I have been working really hard to get this under two hours and I'm worried that something will happen. I have also been really watching my diet this week, no candy (I miss my chocolate), no veggies or whole grains (to prevent GI issues) and extra water and salt plus good carb, fat and protein ratios.
We had a lovely Easter. Our son came in from Iowa for the weekend and our daughter and her new hubby came for Easter breakfast.

Afterwards we took an hour long walk through the neighborhood to work off the meal before heading out to my sister-in-law's house for Easter dinner.

Will Spring Ever be Here?

Is this really the end of April? This photo is from Monday morning. I so need some sunshine and warmth.
The basement remodel saga continues. Yesterday they finished up the trim work according to my standards. The door frame corners were sub-standard, there was no quarter round at the base of the molding and there was a large chip in the bottom of a door frame. That all looks good now but while I was sweeping and then my hubbie was washing the floor we noticed several chips in the overlay concrete we had down there. They were definitely not there before so now we need to talk to them about that. I almost wish I had never started this project.
Still had to teach in the crowded front area of the basement yesterday afternoon. Lauren fixed the mistakes on her purse and is now making good progress on it. Katie pinned and stitched the outer edges of her sewing bag, Julia finished her sewing bag but forgot to bring the needed items to start her next projects. Meaghan is working on her purse.
The embroidery is all finished and picked up. Working on a Christening gown from a wedding dress. Had a couple of clients stop my in the last two days with some small projects they want done.
Did a webinar as a participant this morning as a final follow-up to the Color with No Regrets class I took in Charlotte, NC. I have practiced some with the family and now need to get out there and do some real live clients. Anyone want help choosing colors for a room or whole house?
This week is a recovery week in my training plan so no run on Monday, easy bike on Tuesday and just a 4 mile run in zone 2 today. Tomorrow we have a speed workout scheduled with our trainer. Nashville will be here before we know it. I am excited and very nervous.
Had a great MeetUp meeting last evening with Eddie Soto. There were just four of us talking about Social Media but I learned more again. He really asked some good questions for us to consider regarding our business and the use of social media.

Basement Remodel

The basement remodel is coming along a lot slower than I anticipated. Last week after sewing class and the LPC Annual Meeting, John and I cleared out the room where I teach. Up until now it has had the white plastic walls (insulation), track lights and an etched floor in a cool turquoise color. I decided to finish off the walls and separate it from the furnace area with more than the shelves that were there. The salesman told us they could install the wall under the I-beam (can't do that because of the supporting pole so I lost 3-4 inches from the room which will make it almost impossible to place everything back in there) and also that it would be done in a week. Well that hasn't happened either. Monday and Tuesday there was no work done because they had to get the electrical inspection done before proceeding further. I had to teach in the main part of the basement which is a big mess because everything from that back room was put in there to get the room worked on. The girls were very understanding and actually enjoyed it I think. Too messy for me.

Lauren is working on her purse. She made a major mistake, some of it my fault because I hadn't read the directions thoroughly. She decided to fix it rather than work around it so she is further behind than she had hoped. Poor Katie forgot her book so had to wait while mom went home to get it. She was very happy to get it and do some more sewing. She will start on cutting out her sewing bag next week. Meaghan started the sewing on her purse and Julia just needs to add the cord to her sewing bag and will be able to make her belt next week.
Spent last week going through all my notes from classes and trying to figure out my next steps, Ordered the book I need for taking my test and just waiting for it so I can start studying. Hopefully this week I will get to the Sherwin-Williams store and get my paint palettes made. The Color with No Regrets class was very helpful in getting colors chosen for the stairway/ hallways.
Ran the Reach Out and Run 5K on Saturday morning and achieved a personal best. The weather was just cool enough to be able to run fast but not so cold that it was uncomfortable waiting for the race to start. Sunday was much warmer, upper 70's, when Jennifer and I had to do our 14 mile run. It was bad. Besides the heat it was very windy which made it difficult to run. It took us almost three hours. I'm hoping that Nashville is not this hot otherwise it will be difficult to do the race in under 2 hours. Did some speed work on the treadmill this morning in long pants and top to try to get used to running in the warmer temps.
Some of my daffodils are blooming as well as the hyacinths just starting.

Getting Down to Work

Well I am back from Custom Home Furnishings Academy. I had two classes, Professional Window Treatment Consultant with Michele Williams and Color with No Regrets with JoAnne Lenart-Weary. Both were intense two day classes filled with lots of information but also fun. Now I have to study and then take an exam to become a Professional Window Treatment Consultant. I also have to practice my technique for doing color consultations. Time to get to work and put all the classroom theory to work. I am looking forward to being able to offer these services to my clients.
Sewing classes are back in session. Lauren is working on her purse, Grace needed to take time off for soccer but Katie has joined us. She has started sewing her practice stitches. Meaghan finished her sport top and started cutting out a purse. She was so excited to find flip-flop fabric like that on the pattern envelope. Julia is working diligently on her sewing bag. It was a fast paced hour of lessons on Tuesday. Matrix Basement Systems started work on finishing off the space where I teach this morning. I am hoping they will be finished before class next week.
I did an EMR (exercise metabolic rate) on the treadmill this morning. My fuel burning is much better than it was three months ago. That is good news. Now I need to work on my speed and we will come up with a fueling plan for the race on the 30th.
Spring is trying to arrive here in the Chicago area. I have a few crocuses blooming but mostly they have been eaten by the rabbits. Where is that coyote when I need him? The daffodils and tulips are starting to pop up.
I finished the quilt for my niece's high school graduation. I have posted a photo of the label but won't post any more pictures until after she receives it, I don't want to spoil the surprise!