Looky what I got today . . .

I totally couldn't help myself, I just had to get it, if I didn't I would probably JUST die, I know one day - she is going to have tons of stuff in this baby, WHAT little girl doesn't deserve a JEWELRY BOX?!



Don't you love it!? I sure do!! Seriously, didn't we all have one something like this? Or at least if you were born somewhere between 1975 and 1985 - I'm sure you did!! BUT I'm sure it wasn't as glamorous!!!! Was Pottery Barn Kids even around then - didn't think so!?!? We were so missing out!! BUT hey, we were so "BROKE", I'd have been missing out anyways even if it was around!!! My original "box" had Holly Hobby on it. But it still had a twirling ballerina when the lid popped open!!

What is so cool about this one - it comes with a "blonde" ballerina AND a "brunette" ballerina! We can swap her up!! Either could work around here, since one kid is dark headed and two are blonde - who knows how this kid will turn up!!

By the way - I did find a medallion for the ceiling. It should be arriving soon. Once I see the quality, I will definitely blog about it. I got it for a deal AND it is the "type" of material that my husband prefers to use {instead of the cheap plastic ones!} But again, I don't really want to rave about it toooooo much till I see the quality!!

By the way, did you see the suggestion that Kari and Kijsa left about a medallion on the previous post??? To use a picture frame!! What I cool idea!! I actually think I might be able to work with that above my kitchen table - I will be on the look out for the perfect "frame" or should I say "medallion"??!! Those two are some cool cats - I think if they lived near me, I would soooo be their friend - OR their stalker!! haha - Their creativity goes on forever . . . and they paint. I love folks that paint!! They are having a super cool give-away, so go visit those chickletts!!!


Well, I've got to update the family blog and then I MUST finish THIS PAINTING!!! I know you guys want to see some new work!!!

Emsley's room . . .

Here is a "sneaky peeky" of baby girl's room!!!! Seriously, I've only gotten "stuff" organized and a few things on the walls. But I will show you more of the room as the "togetherness" comes together!!



These were actually mine that I had shadow-boxed. Probably one of my prized possessions. My house burnt down my senior year in high school {1996} and I don't really have a whole lot left of my childhood. {In the top picture, you can actually see burnt holes in the bottom center of the day gown.}But what I do have is in all my kids' rooms. All the last of the "girlie" stuff will go in here - which makes me happy!! Just another way to recycle, reuse & reinvent!!!

So what about this jewel?! Don't you love it!!! {The pendulum is moving so there is a little blurriness with the picture.} I had to get this as soon as I found out I was having a girl!!!


I have started unpacking the chandelier - my ebay find "FOREVAH" ago!!!! I can't wait to get the crystals on it!! I'm still on the search for the perfect medallion to go on the ceiling - that has proven to be a challenge! I've actually got the perfect one over my kitchen table {that happens to be way too small for that chandelier} but I've yet to find a "big daddy" one to replace it!!! So the search continues!!!

Obviously, I'm decorating for a girl's kinda girl's room - I'm so afraid this kid is going to be more boy than my 3 boys!! Oh - well, I can make her wear pink dresses the first year!! After that, I'll let her be . . . I promise {as I'm winking!}

Kevin, my PT man, where are you . . . .

I can't stand not getting things done and I'm hurting sooo bad right now!!! So - this will be another night of "nothing"!!!! I've really become a complainer lately . . . I need to stop!! Seriously!! Where is my new PT man - if he only did house calls - I really could use someone - ANYone - to pull my left leg - I feel like if it could be popped back into place, I could walk again!!! I would ask my husband, but . . . .

. . . . guess who is out of town - Mr. Wheeler!!! A conference in Gatlinburg!! He will be home Sunday morning - thank the heavens!! Doin' all this by myself is causing me GREAT pain I tell ya!! But I am very happy for him - he is a recruiter for the Army National Guard - and he actually has a training class this weekend where he is the "trainer" of all the recruiters for the state of Tennessee. His class is over a program that HE started!! How cool is that?! There has been many nights he has pounded away on his laptop {right here beside me!} till the weeee hours of the morning working on his website and blog!! Everyone has been very excited with the outcome so far. I'm really proud of him and I hope his class goes well!!!

But, since he is gone - - - I actually got some stuff done in Emsley's room!!! You heard me right - got some pictures hung up AND got the room "some-what" organized!! We have "some-what" ran out of time to paint, but who cares. I will get to that in a couple of years when she is moving to a "big girl" bed!! The current wall color is actually in the fabrics, so it will work!! I will get some pictures posted soon so you guys can see the direction it is taking.

Well, as much as I'm hurting . . . . I must, I must, I must get a coat of paint on this blank canvas that is staring ME down! I've been such a slacker of late and I've got to get going and get these few orders out!! This is one for my simpatico collection - meaning it matches the bedding {I hope} perfectly!!!! Believe it or not - these are always soooo scary for me, because what if they don't match!!! And to match bedding over the internet - oh-good googly-moogly!!!! Yeah, I'm normally a nervous wreck till I get the official announcement of a "perfect match" - wish me luck!!!

The countdown is on . . . .

Begging and Pleading works!!! I just wanted to schedule the c-section so that I could start planning!!! My doctor Rocks! This girl will be having a girl on Monday, March 24th around 7:30 am!!! That is the day after Easter!! I'm so excited - just to know when it is to happen!!! Woohoo!!!! But while I was there {at the dr's appointment,} I was scheduled for physical therapy!!! Yes, you read right . . . . physical therapy!!!

See, only a few know about my mishaps around the house. Mishaps being falling down the stairs {3 times!!} And that would be in a 4 day period!! My legs have just given out on me. Or I like when I bend down to pick up stuff {normally toys} and I can't get up! Then I'm down on the floor for 15 to 30 minutes with my kids chanting and screaming as they circle around me!! It makes me feel like a dead animal and they are the vultures. Matter-of-fact, I feel like some kind of dead animal when this happens. I'm sure most of you have had the same problem - SCIATICA NERVE. For several weeks, I've had to sleep sitting up {on the couch} because I can't lay down without being in excruciating pain. I had a mild touch of it with the other pregnancies {just didn't know sciatica was the problem - thought it was just normal aches with pregnancy} , but this time it is little more like severe!!!

I already had my first PT today - and man it felt awesome!!! It was a little odd having another man rub on my hips and legs - but I really didn't care after the pain started to diminish! I think I might need this type of therapy after the birth of this kid!! haha

So let the countdown begin -We will meet Emsley Grace in 8 weeks and 5 days!! Oh - have I told you guys that I haven't even done the first thing to get ready for this kid!!! Yeah - I know - pathetic!!

Big fat thanks . . . .

Thank you to all that commented on my cards!!! I actually received them today and they look fantabulous!!! For all those wondering - I did NOT design those!!!! I'm sooo not that talented - wish I were, but I'm not!!! I've got to find out my new friend's website and will have to post it on the blog - she was a dream to work with!!

Well, tomorrow is another doctor day - I have negative blood - so guess what that means - OH YEAH, I get freakin' poked with a needle!!! I've lucked out and so far, all 3 of my kids too have the RH factor thing going on. That meant that I didn't have to get the second half of that shot after their birth. Whewww!! I'd call that "lucky!!" That is one of the first questions {"what type of blood does that kid have?"} I ask the doctors after the births - this of course after the, "All the toes?, All the fingers, We do have a belly button? . . . ", ya' know - all the pertinent questions!

I'm going to beg and plead that we really need to go ahead and schedule that C-section - I mean she did say she didn't want me to pass the 38th week - so what's the prob bob - let's get that joker on the books. That way I can start counting down the days and watch my anxiety kick in overdrive as the date looms closer!!! Hey, for those who have kids, don't you think the best way to describe pregnancy is as the longest blind date that you ever had to look forward to?? The only thing is you know, no matter what - this is going to be the MOST Gorgeous person, with a great personality and a good match for you??!! That is what I always thought and it always ends up being the CUTEST baby I'VE ever seen in my LIFE!!!

On a crappy note, I have the biggest, honkin' fever blister EVAH!!!! This thing is sooo big, I'm surprise my lip isn't reaching through my monitor and waving at you!!! I mean it is HUGE!!!! I got my "lovely cream" just a little too late and I'm afraid tomorrow is going to be much worse!!! This would be after my dentist {former boss before kidlets} called in the pills - you know the kind they give you if you have the other kind of herpes virus!!! I would normally have been embarrassed, but due to the fact that my swollen lip was jumping off my face, I'm pretty sure the guy at the Walgreen's window KNEW exactly "why " I was there!!! Being pregnant and just not enough lab rat testing, I can't justify taking the valtrex - so I had to get the cream instead!! Normally this thing wouldn't be so bad. I mean come on, I've got 3 small kids, I'm 82 weeks pregnant and it's flippin' cold outside - I just wouldn't leave the house!!! But I have the dr's appointment tomorrow and I was hoping to maybe run a few errands! I think it is suppose to be cloudy tomorrow, so I can't even wear a giant pair of sunglasses to hide behind{ya' know, like the stars do} without looking even more sillier!! What is a girl to do???

Well, at 2 am, this girl is needin' some sleep {after I load the dishwasher, start it, swap out the laundry and doctor on my lip!} Why is it that the woman's job is NEVER done - okay, better question - Why is that I always have laundry?!?!?! I swear, I think someone comes into my house, while I'm gone mind you, and wears my clothes {this would include my kids clothes and my husband clothes!} Seriously - about every 3 days - I have 4 - 5 full loads!! I need to hire a maid . . . . this is getting ridiculous!

tell me whatcha think . . . . {PA-Leeze!}

So - this would be my "NEW" business cards . . . . .

. . . . . feel free to click the image to enlarge it so that you can see it better!!!! Do you like - love it - hate it - detest it??? Really - I want to know!!! So, comment and tell me!!

With the whole new web design, I kinda needed to revamp some things {actually I redid everything!} These cards give you a little "sneaky peeky" as to what direction the "NEW" look will be! I'm really excited for everybody to see the new site - I still have about a month before the "big reveal" - and of course I'm still working on new stuff for it!!

Now, I say that - let me clarify . . . . I "should" be working on my new stuff!!! And I'm desperately trying!! But, I've had a few orders come through, so currently -I'm working on that!! But who cares, I'm creating something - right?? I'll be posting those pictures soon - so stay tuned!! Well - the heartburn has officially kicked in - I've got to go find my mamma-jamma bottle of Rolaids!!!! {Like you all wanted to know that!!}

Hope everyone is having a FAB-u-lous weekend!! And I really want to know what you guys think of the "NEW" look!?

Flour - someone actually buys REGULAR flour??

Sorry Misty!!! I guess I should have clarified which flour to use with that cobbler!!! You actually buy something other than self-rising?? See, I don't cook very often - so I only buy the one type of flour that I know I can use in "most" everything - plus then I don't have to add baking soda, baking powder and everything else you got to add to it!! hehehe - again, I'm soooo sorry!!!

About this cobbler . . .

***updated***

So - I had a request for the recipe . . . . I really think this is the recipe that everyBODY uses 'cause it's so dang easy!!!!

What you need -
1 stick of butter
1 cup of flour {that would be self-rising flour!! hehe}
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of milk
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
{some} fruit - however much you like!!! I love alot!!

Here's what you do -
-Preheat oven 350 degrees.
-Melt your stick of butter in the oven as it is preheating {in the dish you are planning on using!!}
-In separate bowl, mix the flour & sugar. Then add the milk and vanilla.
-Pour it in the melted butter - DO NOT MIX THE BUTTER INTO THE MIXTURE!!!!
-Drop your drained fruit into the mixture and cook {uncovered} for about 35 to 40 minutes. Sometimes it takes longer - I think the weather has something to do with it! It's ready when you start getting that golden look. I really like using a glass dish so that I can look at the bottom - then I know when it is ready!!

Every year a grandfather of a friend, sends me several gallon Ziploc bags full of fresh blackberries. {I think he wants to adopt me - hehehe - I wish he would!!} I always freeze 'em & save 'em for this cobbler!! Okay, after talking about it, I think I need to make another one - gotta go!!!

Time to CELEBRATE . . . .

Oh yeah - I passed!!!! By one point - but who cares - I PASSED!!! Woohoo!!!! Can't get any happier!!! BUT - my iron is low . . . . don't mind taking iron supplements - did that last time too!!! I just don't want to donate all the blood in my body for another glucose test!!

I totally "sugared" myself all weekend - knowing I was going to fail. See what is left of my 2nd blackberry cobbler {that's right - you heard me - my second one in 3 days!!!}
I ate the whole thing BY - MYself!!! And it was Delish!!! Could probably eat another one, but can't do it - I want to look pregnant, not FAT!!! And I really don't want to go into any kind of metabolic shock since I did only barely pass it!!

But I am glad to know that my iron is low . . . that really answers alot of questions!! I've been slowly sliding in a funk and it is because I can't get anything accomplished around here! I'm so exhausted all the time and you can only blame so much on chasing 3 other kids while pregnant. Folks - I knew that was NOT why I was tired!! So, maybe I can get back on the stick and get it all done around here!! I'm not Super Woman, but I aim to be and I've got alot of catching up to do!!!

I still want to have the contest that I mentioned in an earlier post about naming one of my collections, so stay tuned so that I can get it all together - I might do that for my 100th post - which is just around the corner!! Now that I know my sluggish problem, I promise to be a better blogger. So, PA-Leezzz come back and check in on me!!

28 weeks . . .

As of tomorrow, that is how far along I am with this "final" pregnancy. Here lately, I have questioned if I really am through having children?! After this week, there is no doubt - I'M DONE!! Did you hear me? Finished!! Write it in stone!! This family is complete - once Emsley arrives!

You know, it's not because there will now be 4 kids {and that is a big family!} It isn't because 4 was always my magic number when it came to how many I wanted. It isn't because the other kiddos around here are driving me nuts - actually it is the complete opposite. Don't get me wrong, they drive me nuts, but only in small snippets!! But, I'm already having anxiety about leaving them here - without me, with only Lonnie and the "whatever army" that helps - when I go to the hospital!!!

Actually, the anxiety is why I don't want anymore children! See, tomorrow morning is the big, dreaded, glucose test. The 1 hour one. The one I always fail. Every time. Why is tomorrow going to be any different?! 'Cause it's NOT!! I'm going to fail and then be tortured through the HUGE, half a day test - you know the one where they basically cut your wrist and drain 18 pints of blood every hour for 4 hours!?! That would probably be less painful if they did do it that way!! People, it's the beginning of the end!! All the mean stuff they do to a pregnant gal starts tomorrow!! Oh, how I dread this!!!

I normally enjoy being pregnant - so much that it wouldn't bother me to wait till this kid drives out in a Honda in about 16 years. Okay - maybe not that long - BUT then again I am dreading this c-section, maybe I could wait that long!! I've yet {with any of my pregnancies} to beg the doctor to "please take this baby . . . I'm miserable!!" I mean - come on - like you ain't going to be up and down all night long the first several weeks that kid comes home from the hospital!! I get more sleep the last week of pregnancy than I do the first 3 weeks of life!! To me - that is miserable! I know you all are guilty, checking to see if your newborn is breathing every 30 minutes or so!! So, even when the baby sleeps, I can't because I'm too busy stressing over if my baby is sleeping soundly or is in some kind of coma!!!

But my anxiety lies mostly with this stupid C-SECTION!! I'm scared to death!!! I knew with the twins that it was probably inevitable - I mean, a transverse baby is only coming out one way!! I'm so much better with the "unknown" - but this time it is "known" - I know what to expect and it scares the crap out of me!! I think I need a nerve pill just thinking about it! Yeah, I don't think I can do this again . . . there is just no way!!

It's a good thing - Lonnie has his consultation scheduled - snip, snip - hehehe!! Thanks for listening to these ramblings of a crazy woman!! I'll let you all know the results of this test in a few days!

Is "bad-blogger" in the dictionary???

I've become a very bad blogger lately! I don't want to make excuses for myself, but after the "funky sickness" that I had, I've been trying to paint like a mad woman!! I've got to get these new samples done so that I can get PRO-fessional pictures taken and get the new site up and going!!!

I'm having a bit of a problem naming a few of the new collections!! I was thinking about doing a contest?! When I finish a few more samples of this one particular line of paintings - I think I might post a couple of pictures and see what you guys can come up with. I'm actually thinking of giving the winner a painting - OF THEIR CHOICE!! Now, some of you might not like my paintings and that is okay, but I just don't know what I could give you if you won!?!? So, only if you like my stuff should you participate - haha!! Or was that a given?! hehe

So, give me a week or so to get these paintings finished - and I will post some pictures and see what the results lead to - hopefully it will lead to a name to call this collection because it is driving me bananas trying to come up with something clever!!