Ahhhh, he is home!!

Can I get a "Woohoo"!! Finally, Lonnie is home. After 2 1/2 weeks! Yes, it was suppose to be 3, but they cut the classes short. Thank goodness!! Now, he has been invited back to teach one of the classes {something like once every other month.} I'm extremely glad it will take a few months before the paperwork gets completed on that one. I kinda felt sorry for the man when he came home, he has a list longer than Route 66 of jobs around here that HAS to be completed. But he knew he would! I had them all wrote down - even in the order they should be completed in. Yeah, he looked like someone sucked all the red off his candy when he saw it!! Oh well, the joys of marriage!

Which brings me to the joys of pregnancy - I'm still stuck on the couch or in the bed. Thank goodness my mother-in-law has been here to help, I really don't know what I'd have done. I did sneak out today and I got some paint for a couple of orders. That literally was the longest walk through Michael's, but I really can't get around very well - for comedy purposes, I was going to actually post a picture of my pregnant self on here, but my stinkin' camera batteries were dead! But they are charging and I will get that picture up tomorrow - again for comedy purposes!! I've never had a pregnancy that looks like a ball is up my shirt!!! First pregnancy I had a MAJOR water retention issue. The second pregnancy . . . well, there was 2 of those jokers in me - I really didn't look human - talking about stomach distention - I looked like a trucker with that belly! This time - I actually still have cheek bones and a collar bone! Don't get me wrong, I've gained a little everywhere - but not like I have in the past. Whewww!! And only a smidge over 3 weeks to go!!

Well, I'm off to work on some more paintings - then we MUST finish our taxes tonight!! It really is a must - that is just a bad monkey on my back!! Am I the only one that dreads this? It just seems like no one else ever complains about doing them!!

Oh MY Good LORD!!

Can I just say that I spoke WAY too soon in a previous post when I said I was feeling wonderful, that I wasn't even waddling!! Foolish words!! I've literally been stuck in the bed for the past 2 days. Two DAYS!!! This equates to NOTHING DONE AROUND HERE! What the freakin' heck!? Seriously, I think my body is shutting down. Since about Saturday afternoon, I've had the worst pain under my humongous stomach - somewhat on the right pelvic/hip area. I have to lay down for about 4 hours just to get about 25 or so minutes on my feet before the pain comes back. And yes, I called the doctor!! You wanna know what they said - they said, "it probably has something to do with the fact that you have had so many kids in such a short period of time . . . ."

NO FREAKIN' KIDDING!!!

NOW, can you please tell me what to do to make the pain go away!?!?! Off the feet and take Tylenol regularly.

FANTABULOUS!!

So, here I am. Working on the blog and trying desperately to get some paintings completed. Did I tell you that I have 9 orders!! First off, I'm not complaining!! But this body is going to have to get over itself and get back to work. Just to prove that I'm doing something, I took a picture of my "new" work space . . .

Yes, that is my BED!!! But after the post of my extremely messy work table, I had to move it somewhere else anyways. Taupe is the choice background color for the week. As you can tell, 5 orders with the same color. As soon as I'm done blogging, I will be crawling back in bed and working on completing these orders. I have every intention of completing them and having them in the mail by the first of the week!! For those who have ordered 12x24's, I'm expecting my shipment of canvases tomorrow. I was bone dry of that size. I sooo didn't realize it or I would have ordered long before I did. I'm pretty sure I explained that to everyone at the time of your order, but just in case I didn't - I'm sooo sorry!!

Anyhoodle - thanks for stopping by. Maybe I'll have something more interesting next time!!

Oh and by the way - I had the sample canvas completed - was about to post it so that we could start the contest to come up with a name for the collection . . . . my 2 year old Picasso found another ink pen and added his touches to it {2nd time this week} - it's totally trashed!! Back to square one!! I thought kids were suppose to draw on walls?? {I'm sure I'm going to eat those words!} Thanks Hudson, Momma loves you!!

Do you want to know what 90 bucks a yard looks like??

Can I just say that I normally would have NEVER paid that ridiculous amount of moolah for a pillow!!! Never!! Everyone must know that their has to be a story behind this or I wouldn't be posting about my massive folly! When we moved in our new home, our furniture looked horrible. Seriously - it just wasn't cutting it!! It was all about 5 years old, but looked 25 years old!! Ragged - I tell ya', just ragged!! Well, we found a sofa and 1 chair we really liked. Sofa was leather and the chair was upholstered in a cutie fabric, but I still wanted to look at my fabric choices for "maybe" something different for the chair.

Well, I found the above fabric. But after careful consideration, I thought it might look better as a couple of throw pillows. I really didn't think it would wear all that well {uhmmm, especially with 4 extremely small kidlets, that really don't give a rat's crap if we have "nice" furniture or "trailer-trash" furniture!} As the dear sales lady was looking up the price of the fabric {which matched the original fabric on the chair super fabulous,} she started cracking up laughing. Because this fabric was 90 flippin' dollars a yard!! A yard = 90 bucks!! Well, by now I'm totally in love with this fabric - I mean IN LOVE!! Was I really going to back away now!? NOWAY!! I will just have to sell some of these fertile eggs I carry around with me or something - anybody need a kidney? Needless to say - I got 2 pillows which somehow equaled to 2 yards {I'm sure you can do the math!} I feel like I saved a lot of money by not covering the chair in the fabric - I'm sure you will all agree!


This is not necessarily a good picture of the chair {actually it's just not a good picture} but you can see the cuteness of it! Above the chair, you can see a painting that I "inherited" from my grandparents. That is probably the main reason I changed my decor so drastically. Check out my old decor here. I also got myself the new rug you see {now that time I did find a bargain!}

This room is S-L-O-W-L-Y coming together. And I do mean slowly. It has been very aggravating to tell you the truth.


Check out the stinkin' cute lamp I found!! It is a table lamp, but it is soooo tall. It comes to my waste when it is on the floor {which is not saying much since I'm only 5 foot tall!} But I only got 1 because I didn't know where I was going to put it. I still don't know where I'm going to put it, but I think I might need another one - haha. Once I get some more of this room completed, I promise to post more pictures - I've got to do something with those "beige" walls! Yuck!

This, my friends, is pathetic . . . .

This is my desk . . .



. . . yes, I hear you!! How do I get any type of work done, you ask?! Well, apparently I don't!!! Look at that!! That would be 6 paint orders you see in the dead middle, I'm working on a stationery, business card & sticker re-order for a customer {those who don't know - I was in the stationery business several years back and I only still do re-orders for all the doctors that did business with me before!!}, I've got a wall paper sample I'm matching up for a painting, a few bills that need to be entered into my online bill pay, there is also a small tax pile adding up on the right side, Lonnie's paper work for his "lil' snippy-snip", 100 tablets of Rolaids - OHHH and you got to love the box of Krispy Kremes {thanks Rachel!!} Check out the finger prints on the monitor {those belong to Hudson} and I've obviously got a massive stack of paper growing under the table that needs to be shredded!! {See, that is where I throw it until I HAVE to do something with it - Yeah, I can be lazy!! What's it to ya??}

The bad part - that is one side. Let me spin my stool around and let you check out the other side . . .



. . . I'm suppose to actually paint on this one!! HA!!! I think I might have to go back to the kitchen table!!! The main problem is that I'm in the process of organizing this mess, which in return, made a bigger mess!! Do you know what I mean?? If I could afford it, I think I would throw it all a way, hire someone to come in and organize all the "new" stuff that I buy!!

But apparently I can't afford it . . . because yesterday I received a collection notice from "Parenting" magazine!!! I had not paid my subscription renewal of 12 bucks and they turned me over to a collection agency!! Now, the retarded thing is there has yet to be a break in my subscription!! These big dummies are still sending me this magazine, but I've yet to pay for it!! How absurd! Am I the only one that sees the stupidity in this??? I really don't remember receiving a bill - but it might be on the above desk - who knows!! This is new to me, so I quickly got on the phone and paid my HUGE 12 dollars to some automated something that in return charged me an additional 2 dollars for using the automated something and not sending a check!! Here I was, hoping I was getting them by making them pay the 4% {or whatever} they have to pay when using a debit/credit card and they get me instead -WANKERS!! I swear I'm not trying to whine, I just wanted to share my "keeping it real" moment that I had around here!!

I really do have several paintings that I have to complete - so on to painting!! This mess can hold out for another couple of days!!

Where the heck did the week go??

Yikes!! Seriously, where did it go?? Is it really Friday?? I find myself on a role with regular posts and then all of sudden, . . . nothing!? Not that I don't have a bunch to say - I can always find something to post about, it's just have been busy doing, well . . . nothing - haha!! REALLY, I've been doing nothing!!

I guess have been a very attentive momma this week. We only have 6 more days till Lonnie is home!! "Hallelujah" - let the choir sing! Can I just say - you single moms out there are amazing people, I totally look up to you and you deserve so much recognition for the outstanding and hard work that you do!! That is one thing I just couldn't be - single with all these kids!! I would be crazy - nevermind, I'm already crazy - I don't know what I'd be, I just know that their is NO way I could handle it!

I'm exactly in this pregnacy {34 weeks} where I was when my water broke with the twins!! That is a funny story!! On the phone, talking about the massive possibility of having a c-section and "pop" {4 seconds later} the warmest water flooding out!! And it was laundry day - I had NO CLEAN UNDERWEAR!!! That figures - I had to start laundry before I went to the hospital!! But about 2 and a half hours later, Carson and Lawson were here! So, needless to say - this has been in the back of my head allllll day. I never want to have kids in the NICU ever, ever again!! I've had a good day though, the whole sciatica thing is COMPLETELY gone and I walk normal {with NO waddle - I know, impressive,} but I'm still just alittle concerned about early labor.

I'm down to about 31 days till Emsley makes her big debut!! I really need to focus on her room. Soooo, many projects that I can post from that "big, hot mess" that will eventually be called "hers"!! Maybe, I will focus on that these upcoming days. Stay tuned!!

Ok, not only am I old, I'm dumb as well??

Courtney {one of my newest friends} pointed out that it would be my 1st anniversary, not my second!! Especially since I turned 29 last year for the first time. Dang, I made myself older than what I really am with the last post!! Guys, I really did get an education, it was just years ago!! HA!! I obviously don't use it and you know what they say - "use it or lose it" - well, it's gone!!

I've been tired lately and figured out why . . . I didn't take any of the iron supplements all week!! But I wasn't suppose to. On for 3 weeks, off for 1. You know, like birth control pills - of course that's been years since I took those!! So, today was one of those days that I decided to get some stuff done. And I did!!!

So, check this out -

* 4 loads of laundry!! And I even folded them!!
* Emptied the dishwasher {not once, but twice!}
* Did online bill pay {meaning I also had to redo the budget!! teehee}
* Answered emails, as well as deleted a few
* Started over on a painting that I've been working on - the first one one just wasn't doing it for me!!
* Almost completed the painting I need for my little contest here on the blog!
* Finally, started sorting through this office/studio space!! Kinda made a bigger mess!
* Folded an additional 5 loads of laundry {that would be 5 different loads of towels!! I always let those build up!! I mean, I don't care if my towels have wrinkles!!}
* Cleaned 3 toilets! I know gross - but I can't get my kids to do it!!
* Changed 2 explosive diapers - 2 different kids at the same time!! One nasty, hot mess!!
* Added water, added some good bacteria and wiped down the inside walls of my fish tank . . . I'm alittle obsessed with that thing!
* And I read a total of 37 different books to my kids through out the day - that is a normal daily average. It's still mind blowing the stats on how many kids have never had a book read to them at the time they start kindergarten!! It is about the only time that all my kids will sit still and listen to me!! I'm desperate for more of that time!

I know I did more, but who cares - the list above looks like I accomplished alot!! During this, I also realized that I have {now this is no exaggeration!!} 39 projects started AND yet to complete!! For those who thought I had it together - Proof is in the pudding, baby!!! So, I went through and piled all these "projects" up and will tackle them one at a time - that truly is ridiculous!! No wonder Lonnie groans and rolls his eyes when I mention something new that I "need" to do! Can you believe that - 39!! At first the number started low, but it just kept climbing through out the day as I came upon more stuff. And do you know how many things that I have going through my head that I need to start!?!?

Maybe that iron supplement will kick in tomorrow!!

The 2nd anniversary of my 29th birthday!!!

What a day to celebrate!! As a kid I always thought 29 +1 was old – I was soooo right!! haha – Funny part is that I can’t even bring myself to say it!! You know, that I'm thirr-rr-r - Really, I can’t!! How pathetic!! So, it’s official – I will only have anniversaries from this day forward!!

But it was this day {so long ago} at 1:30 in the afternoon that I came into this world. Strange fact, but I have a cousin {Eric}, he was born the exact same day, same hospital, same doctor - only he was a little less than 30 minutes older than me. How crazy is that!? What a surprise my grandparents had when they went to the hospital to meet up with my dad and see their daughter {dad's sister} being wheeled in!! What a bigger surprise when you saw my wormy 6 lb. butt beside his whopping 10 lb. butt!! Needless to say, the birthday was the only thing we had in common!!

So, Happy 2^nd Anniversary to me!!!

tomorrow is the day of "love" . . .

I hope your day is full of it!! Love that is!! A day full of love - that sounds sooo cheezy! haha



Lonnie started a great tradition on Valentine's Day - he gives me chocolate covered strawberries. A dozen of them - and ahhhh - they are always the BEST strawberries that I've ever eaten!! He tried desperately to find me some before he left on his trip but with no success. But like any good man - he got me a half dozen of chocolate glazed donuts instead!! hahaha - are you guys not just laughing hysterically at that!! I'm tellin' ya - the man ain't right!!

ahhhh - and they were the best dang donuts this girl has ever ate!!! And yes - I ate all 6 of them - over the lips and to the hips!!!! Woohoo. That is my kind of romance! teehee

Everybody needs a Lonnie!!

The post that sooo many have been waiting for!!!!

No - not the contest, but how I paint furniture!!! I've had sooo many emails of late wanting to know how to do it!!! Ya' know, do it - how I paint my furniture!!! Well, after the post I did forever ago about secrets - I thought I would let one out of the bag. So, get ready here we go!!!

First off, I have a few pictures {only a couple actually!} By the time I decided to do this post the lighting was some what crappy and I as we all know, I can't take a flippin' picture to save my life - so I really need as much natural light as I can get!!! But I really think you will know what the heck I'm talking about!!

Okay, I rarely use the crackle stuff - rarely I say!! An "authentic" piece of vintage furniture rarely is completely covered in a crackle finish - so to me ------ it looks totally FAKE!! I mean think about it!! The main secret to all of this is to make it look "real old" not "I-bought-it-new-but-I-want-it-to-look-old"!!! You need to think of the look you want to go with. Do you know how many distressed looks there are?! To many to name. Think back on a piece you saw {whether it was truly old or made to look that way.} Got it pictured - okay so let's replicate it!

There are so many ways to get the "rubbed" look. You must know what I'm talking about - the worn places. Oh Lord . . . . here goes one of my biggest secrets of all time . . . . I can't believe I'm about to tell everybody {all 6 people who read my blog} . . . . But folks - the best thing to use is freakin' VASELINE!!!! You read right - vaseline!!!! Here's how it works:

Let's pretend it's this bookshelf - {I would show the whole thing, but it was covered up in sooo much stuff that you wouldn't be able to see the paint job!! At some point I will let you see its entirety, but not in this post!}

This was a newly constructed piece - it had no stain, poly, paint - nothing - just raw wood. We made this piece originally to go in Hudson's room before he was born, so I new that I wanted something "really beat up". I used a heavy hand and smeared vaseline in so many places - literally where you see "no" red paint! After I was through, I painted it with just regular latex paint - 1 coat - that's it. I started at the top and worked my way down. As soon as I was finished, I took a rag with paint thinner and wiped it down!! Obviously the more you rub, the more the paint is going to come off. I knew that I wanted alot of paint "off" so I kept rubbing till I was happy with the effect I was getting! That simple . . .

Now, after that step was complete, I let the piece dry for a full 48 hours. To my husband's dismay - I then beat the crap out of it!! I nicked it, beat it, whipped it - you know just trashed the thing out with all kinds of dents and holes {my husband worked for hours filling the nail holes - I don't know why, they look better unfilled, but he just can't stand it! And here I am beating this thing up!! ha!!} Once that is complete, I take my fav-O-rite stain color {I do believe it is called dark walnut} and wipe down the piece. I think I did 2 coats of stain on this one. And I just used a cut up t-shirt and "wiped" it down. That simple . . .

After it dries, you can apply some polyurethane - that is completely your choice. The red shelf doesn't have it - but only because most truly old pieces do not!

Now, on this next piece {my bed} I did pretty much the same thing but instead of using vaseline - I used a candle!! Now, as you can see, I didn't really want as much wear as the above look, but since it was down at the "feet area" I needed "some" wear!!

Again, this was also a new piece that Lonnie built - but I wanted it to look like old shutters. I rubbed a candle where I thought would get the most wear - especially the corners. This time he didn't take the time to fill the holes!! haha

I also put a couple of coats of satin polyurethane on the bed. That was because I knew it was going to get kicked and beat a little more than the average piece of furniture. This bed looked awesome at my old house {in our original master bedroom.} We had hardwood floors and I like all my furniture to go low to the floor - to prevent massive dust-bunnies!!

If you have a piece that is already painted or stained or whatever - just sand it a little. FYI - a palm sander is not expensive and a lot easier to use than a piece of sand paper!! I still rub stain after the piece is painted just to give it that "dingy" look. Even if it has stain under the paint and it comes through during the "rubbed" process. I have several pieces that I will post soon that I've completed and some I am currently working on. All of them have been done differently. With each post, I will break it down and tell you how it's done.

Just in case you missed this post, check out this table that I did over the summer. It will give you a good visual with before and afters. I used vaseline on this one!!

If you have any questions, please post a comment or email me - I will answer the best that I can!!

Second day & I made it!!!

I found out today that Lonnie can come home on the 27th!! Who knows what happened to the 29th AND who cares!! That is 2 days sooner AND that is all that matters! I've actually got quite a bit conquered around here . . . almost complete with another painting . . . I will surely post it tomorrow {or maybe the next day!} That is really the only thing that I've done, but hey - I just started on it today!! I thought that was a good way to use my time. You know, focus on ONLY one thing at a time. That is way out of the box for me!! ha

I got an email that was inquiring about the smoothness of my paintings. AND on the monitor they do look "smooth" - but they aren't. Just the sealer alone shows so many brush strokes and then of course you got all the paint layered under that. I could possibly make them look a little smoother. Is that something you guys would prefer in a painting?? Seriously, I need to know - I want to make you guys happy! So, leave a comment on that one please!!!

Check out the lamp shades that I found for Emsley's room! Target sale - yeah me!!! It wasn't "that" cheap, but none the less on sale!! I love these lamp bases - they too came from Target and were teal!! Not like a tiffany's blue, but a screaming teal. I got them as a gift when I was pregnant with Hudson. I know everyone was wondering what the heck I wanted screaming teal lamp bases for especially when I was sooo excited about getting them, but I think everyone stopped asking those questions along time ago. I'm sure they knew I had some "Kim Tate plan" for them!!


The box you see will eventually have some kind of live plant in it. I'm still waiting for a better selection in the spring!!

As you can somewhat see, her furniture is a maple like color. Actually it is the Pottery Barn "honey" color. Head my warning - do not buy furniture from the Pottery Barn. I sooo love their stuff, but it is way over priced for the quality!! I'm really disappointed in the craftsmanship of it. I know that it has went through 3 of my kids so far, but it still is under 3 years old and we don't normally play in the room with that furniture. So, the wear and tear is just from casual use!!

Knowing all this, we know that this kidlet will get to use the furniture indefinitely {'cause I sure ain't stupid to leave it in a bedroom with 3 boys!! - If you know what I mean?!} All I have is a crib {actually 2} a dresser and a night stand. Well a girl = more clothes!! So, I needed another set of drawers somewhere else in the room. I found a chest of drawers at the unfinished furniture store we use {alot} for half off!! You heard me - half off!! What a steal!!! I plan on painting it PINK!! Distressed "rosy outlook" pink to be exact!!!



Now, those who have seen my furniture painting skills before - I know are jonesin' for this one. Don't worry - when this all comes together, you will be the first to see!! Another friend gave me an antique headboard, so when she goes to the "big girl bed" - I too will paint it the same color!! I also have a few other pieces that will fall victim under my paintbrush!! I sooo can't wait to get started!!

Please guys - let me know the smoothness thing. I can't get the paintings completely smooth, but I could probably do a little better. I personally, like the built up look with all the "seen" strokes - but I know that my taste doesn't normally reflect that of everyone else's. So, just comment so I know what direction to take from now on!!

Thanks!!

It's official . . .

I'm home alone for the rest of the month. Just my pregnant self, 3 crazy kids and my psycho dog - Tiddles. Alone . . . . . . . just me and allllll these kidlets. One of the many things that never came to mind when I use to dream of my "large" family. That would also go with the "what kind of vehicle I would have to drive" if I had so many kids = grocery getter = minivan!! The sacrifices us mothers must make for our children!!

But on a good note {because I'm refusing to whine,} Lonnie hung up the chandelier!!!! Drum roll please . . . .


I soooo love it!! You can also see the curtains hanging in the background. They started off as simple panels - of course I couldn't leave that alone!! With about 20 minutes, needle, thread and some giant plastic rings, I made the pinch pleats at the top. I still need to press it out and OF COURSE do the other panel!! I just need to find another 20 minutes!!

This is the first time I didn't make all the bedding {time & lifestyle just doesn't permit anymore!} So, the bedding was bought {and obviously the panels!} But I still had to find some fabric that coordinated to reupholster my great-grandmother's rocker. Currently it is in a green/white plaid with light blue piping - not quite working with new baby girl's decor!!! I really didn't know what I would find to match - but guess what - I did find some fabric that matched!! Woohoo . . . .


The stripe is a dead on match - un-BElievable!! The other matches very well and compliments both fabrics, but I'm not really planning on using much of it - only on the chair {and ottoman.} I've put a call in with the guy who does all my upholstery - actually, he has redone this chair about 4 times now!!! I'm sure he is getting sick of looking at it! Hopefully that means it won't take him long and I can get a picture of it soon!!

Well, since Lonnie is gone to Little Rock for the next 3 weeks, I probably {hopefully} can get some stuff done around here. I've ONLY got 6 weeks to go before my last puzzle piece arrives.

Has to be my fav-O-rite design!!!!

I love this design - Love it I tell ya'!!!! I don't know if it is because the first one I did was for Hudson or what, but I LOVE IT!!!!!! The colors appeal to me also!!! Even though my house is not decorated in these colors {okay, so the boys' room is,} they just make me feel good!! You know - feel good colors!? I'm sure you all have feel good colors! Well, these are mine!!

So, these too cute things are going to twin baby boys. I actually used the exact same colors on both canvases - I just flopped them around!! I still have to add my little red crystals to the side, but I just couldn't wait to get the pictures posted on the blog . . . it seems it has been about 14 weeks since I did a post. I thought I better do one ASAP!!


Just a little FYI - this is one of the designs that is in a collection that I'm needing a "name" for. I'm currently working on another design that will go along with this one. As soon as I'm completely finished with it, I will post pictures - then let the contest begin!!!

If anyone can come up with a "fan-tab-u-lous" name for this collection - THAT I use on my new website - I will give you a painting of your choice. Now, the contest HAS NOT started - so don't start posting names YET!! But definitely start letting the juices flow!! When I post the pictures, I will also post all the "rules" for this game. I'm excited - I can't wait to see what you guys come up with!!!

Okay, I got to go eat another handful of rolaids - heartburn is REALLY acting up!!! Again - start Thinking!!!

I'm an official "Wriskey Girl" . . . .

What is a wriskey girl?? I thought you might ask!! Well go visit my friend Tara and you are going to want to be a wriskey girl too!!!



How cute can it get?! Basically the concept is for ladies to stylishly slip their keys around their wrist instead of dropping them down into the bottomless abyss of a purse that I know we all have!!! {or diaper bag - yikes!!} There's a caution label on the back that reads - "Upon opening you become a Wriskey Girl." How stinkin' cute!!! And I've so been called worse!! ha - I love the dangly tag that she attached to it, too! And she had sooo many choices!! Go check the site out - I'm sure you'll find one for you!!!

On another note - I got my medallion today. Exactly what I was expecting!!!! Love - Love - Love it!!! Again - it was a steal!!!! So, check out this site!!! You will be amazed at some of the prices - especially for the quality!!

And another "happy" for the day - we finally bought a fridge for the garage!! Yeah - us!!!! FYI - we go through 1 gallon of milk a day - no exaggeration. I open a fresh gallon first thing in the morning and we polish it off right before bed!!! Isn't that crazy - and we don't buy the cheap stuff either - I'm a "Purity" lover!! I think you have to live in our area to know that brand, but I'm talking about $5 something a gallon!!! This stuff ain't cheap!!! We had decided forevah ago to get a refrigerator for our garage and a wonderful friend of mine is changing all her appliances to stainless - so we totally lucked out and got basically a new fridge for nuttin' - woohoo!!! Thanks Kathy!!!! Now we need a freezer - with all these kids - we got to start slaughtering our own animals!!! That sounds gross - but with all the steroids injections and crazy stuff they feed these animals - we got to look at new possible routes for protein instead of the "unknown" at the grocery store!!! We have some groovy friends that slaughter HOME GROWN COWS!!! You know the kind that they raise and feed "good stuff" to!!! Maryann - I will be putting that order in as soon as I get the freezer!!!

Well - I hope everybody is having a great Tuesday - and I sure hope to HECK you voted!!!

What a "whiner" . . .

This is what I've become!! A whiner . . . how pathetic.

I just realized this and I can't stand it!! I got up at 3:30 this morning to get some things completed around here and as I've been sitting at the computer - responding to & cleaning out emails - I got to thinking about the past several months. I really have not gotten much done and I keep coming up with excuses!! Don't get me wrong, I know that I've got a lot going on and I do have "some" obstacles, BUT give me a break!!! I've never let that get in my way before - WHY would I do this now?!?! I've always been a find-a-way make-a-way kind of person!!!

So, people - I'm back!! The tiny tower of power, small in stature only, leading by example, powerful and performing, proud to be me with all my flaws!!! Get out of this girl's way - I've got a lot of catching up to do {with no complaining involved!!}

I really want to know what you guys think . . . .

So, this is the painting I referred about in a recent post. I'm very nervous about the matchy-matchy part!! I'm the "queen of matching" when we are talking about Pottery Barn Kids!!! And I do awesome matching when I have some part of the bedding in front of me to compare! But when it comes to bedding online - oh my - I get really nervous!!! I've yet to have anyone disappointed with any of the simpatico stuff that I do, but I'm no FOOL!!! Eventually - it is going to happen - A NON-MATCHING SIMPATICO PAINTING!!! I will then - probably - just die!! Just die, I tell ya'. Fall over right here - stone cold dead!! Oh - how I will be so embarrassed - my record will be over!!! How disappointing!

So - I really need feedback on this one. It was bought as a gift and the shower is on Tuesday {must be at work??} I told the girl who is giving it that I would change the "blue" {actually it is more like teal} if it doesn't work - BUT I have to have a piece of the bedding to do a perfect match!!

Now, go look at the bedding. For some reason, JCPenny will not allow me to save the picture. So, you are going to gave to go back and forth and look at it. Enlarge, shrink, whatever it takes to give me honest feedback!!!

By the way, this is the second time I did the painting because I just couldn't stand the way the first one came out!! And I'm WAY too much of a perfectionist when it comes to these!!!

Where have I been???

I told myself that I was going to blog better - so where in the heck have I been??? Can I just tell ya that all my kids got some "funky monkey stomach thingy" - each one threw up in their bed. One on Sunday night, one on Tuesday night and another one on Wednesday night!!! How grosssss!!! And of course each episode went into the night and the weeee hours of the morning . . . . I'm sooo tired. Now - Lonnie was really good at helping me, but lets just face it - it's a woman's job and I was the one that stayed up the entire time making sure my babies were okay!!

Then if it couldn't get any worse, Thursday morning {after a night of taking care of the last sick child} I went to physical therapy. I felt somewhat sick at my stomach {thinking now I've got the "funky monkey stomach thingy!"} BUT - then it dawned on me - I'm having freakin' contractions!!! Now, my doctor is upstairs from my PT - so I went up and paid her a visit. I was hoping she would just hook me up to the monitor that she has in her office and check things out - SHE SENT ME TO THE HOSPITAL!!!

Yes, I was having contractions - BUT nothing serious. They explained that since I had so many kids in such a short time span - I'm going to feel more with each pregnancy!! Yeah - thank the good Lord this is the last one!!! So, here I am -taking it easy . . . . with 3 kids, a dirty house, 42 loads of laundry patiently waiting, samples that need to be painted, a website I know needs to be completed ASAP, "sold" paintings needing some IMMEDIATE attention, TAXES {because it is that time of the year!} and a growling belly . . . . yeah - I'm taking it easy!!!

I'll blog some more tomorrow!!!