Sorry, not today!

You will not see the 3 infamous paintings today. Why? Well, because it is 10:27 at night and I just completed them. It is too late to get a "great" picture - and we all know how my picture taking skills are - so I will only show you a couple of "sneaky peekies" {I know that peeky is not a word anywhere but my world - but in it's plural form how would I spell it - peekys or peekies??}
Do you have a clue??? What in the heck could it be? Maybe this next one will help . . .
Okay, maybe not!! Hint - look at yesterday's post, read the top 3 - you'll figure it out. I promise to post them tomorrow - with the bedding!

Alright, my goal was to finish them today - I did. Now, I can mark off the first 3 on my ever-growing list! My main goal this month is to stay on track! That is a very hard thing for me to do - but I'm determined to do it this month.

I have 3 more to do, then I start on my sweet and sinister partner's gift! I'm going to do something "super-cool" {I hope!} Last year, I did this - not my usual stuff - but I had a great time making it! I loved the 3-D effect it had going on {obviously - look at the above pictures!} This year will be seasonal too - BUT I think some of you are going to be surprised! Or you might not - it might look like crap - or it might just look "okay" - that would be bad!! I really have been thinking about this thing since last year's swap! Not just what I was going to do, but all the details - ***eXciTeD*** - I've said before that I got an awesome swapping partner! And I think I might just have to throw in some, small extra something to suck up - I want to be her favorite "swapping partner" EVAH!!!

Man, I love getting ready for the fall! My favorite thing - the smells. Especially the cool, crisp, afternoon air - that is a smell that takes me back to some great memories! If they only made a candle with that scent!? But my decorations are a close second! Last year, I got these and I found this! I think I'm actually going to plant mums in the urns this year - no more pumpkin topiaries. I've had them for several years - they got old {and funky.} So, in the next couple of weeks, I'll be dragging this stuff out - I can't wait!!

I hope everyone has a great Labor Day!!

September is going to be one BUSY month!

That is about 1 full month of painting! I actually have several others that I'm waiting for some specifics {they don't make it on the board until the order is (mostly) finalized.} But I have mapped them out on my dry-erase calendar and I will {hopefully} be able to check them off in a timely fashion! Uhmmmm, yeah . . . . we'll see.

By tomorrow - the top 3 will be complete {hooray for me!} And I will then post some pictures!!

One is complete!!!!

Remember the brain freeze from last post?? Well, I must have thawed because I completed one!! And just to prove it, here is a picture . . .
I was going to show the whole thing, but thought, "Nahh, I'll jut make you wait and show you all of them - since they match and all." Now that I figured where to go with these, the other two should be completed by tonight {you know, round 2 of painting - remember I can only paint when my kids are asleep - so naptime is almost over and now I have to wait for bedtime.}

That is probably the hardest part of painting. I'll get on a roll - then it's over, because someone is ready to get up. I wouldn't blame 'em - they do take 3 hour naps. And somehow, baby Em is scheduled with them?! Beat that. Don't be fooled - I have the days when somebody fights the urge to sleep - but I usually win and sleepiness over comes them - {AND no, I don't but a pillow over their face!!}

Have you ever done something that you know you're really "suppose" to be doing???? Well, that is painting for me - it all just falls into place perfectly. The fact that it is a newly discovered talent, it works great for an at home business, the time factor has not been an issue because it does work fabulous with naptime and I just freakin' enjoy the creativity part!!! I feel like God led me down this road for some reason - maybe one of my kids is going to be a famous artist and I'm here to nurture that and see to it that it will happen {hehe - okay, I can dream - and so far all my boys L-O-V-E to paint!} Maybe I'm to help someone out there that is reading this right now - {that is why I desperately answer all your emails!} There are so many "what ifs" - I just don't want to miss what I'm suppose to be doing with this talent!

By the way, don't forget that I have gift certificates available! I'm invited to a baby shower this weekend for one LONG-TIME friend! She grew up 3 doors down from my grand parents {which I was there at least every other weekend!} I guess we have probably known each other since we were 4? {WoW!} Anyhoodle - she is having her 1st baby!! A baby girl!! With NO name!!! A no name baby girl?? NOW, APRIL - you know what kind of gifts I give - you should have come up with a name for that baby before this shower {at least for me}!!!! But she didn't - so thank goodness I have some super-cute-over-the-top-gift-certificates!! And I do mean it!!! They have the UV coating, are somewhat a tri-fold, tied off with a ribbon & my business card is "stuck" to it in a 3-D style! Because I'm cool like that - so my GC are cool, too!
Seriously - I had to have something great. If someone was giving this as a gift, I really wanted it to look "pretty" - if that sounds right{?} - you know, like a gift! Again, Brandi - you out did your self when you designed these!! I gave her the "musts" and she did it!! Now, I do change up the color of the ribbon and actually I like it better tied into a knot {it ships better if mailed!} So, for your next "no-name-baby-shower" OR your "BIRL" baby shower {you know, when you don't know the sex of the baby - that is not an original from me, my friend Trever called his baby "Birl" b/c they didn't find out the sex - how funny is that?!} - PA-LEEZ, think of me!!!

My friends, have a great weekend - I {hopefully} will post pictures of this painting and the other 2 paintings with the bedding tomorrow {or Sunday!}

FYI - that ad space was $86,000 for a full year - the ad size is about 3 times bigger than the $600 monthly one! But come-on ------ who has that kinda dough lying around!!! Truthfully, I would love to have that lying around, but I don't think I would buy ad space! Thanks for the funny comments!

Brain freeze and a chance of a lifetime . . .

I've been working on the same 3 paintings for weeks - the same 3 - they all 3 are to match - I'm actually on my 7th run with them! Seven times people! That means 4 times I've literally scrapped 4 canvases! Currently, I have the background & sides painted of all 3 - that's it - I refuse to trash another canvas so, I'm staring at these - waiting for the mojo to flow - I've been working on others that have come after them, but now have left before them! I feel bad - but my mind is frozen! I know what I want to do - but the colors don't look right - it's killing me! Since I have had them for so long - I'm going to have to stop working on any others till I finish these! Once I get going, it shouldn't take me {at the most} 3 days to finish them. That's it! No more than 3 stinkin' days! Uhhh!

But on to some funny business. I got an email yesterday - it was an "advertising offer" - you know, one of those gigs where you can put your logo down the side of some well known blogs - their viewers can click on the logo and come see "me"?! Great idea - I actually almost bought into it with another blog - but the more I thought about it - the more it just didn't sound like a good idea. The total cost for that one was 120 bucks a month. I thought I might do it for 1 month just to see how it would pay off - BUT like I said, decided against it!

Back to this email last night - it stated that my logo button would be on 4 blogs - ladies, you look at least 3 of these on a daily basis! I'll give you a hint - I've had the honor of being featured on 2 of them! But that is all the hints I'm going to give you - you will have to figure it out on your own! Let's just get down to the business of it - for 1 month = $600 bucks!!! You read that right 600 stinkin' dollars!!! It went up to a 12 month package = $86,000 for the year. Is that a bargain!! Would someone REALLY pay that? For real?! It took everything in my power to not email this person back - let me admit something - I did type out this incredibly, hysterical email to respond to her offer - but then I thought she wouldn't find it so funny - actually, she would probably get offended, so I didn't send it.

But I did save it- hehe

Hello -----,

I'm so glad you contacted me with your media invitation. But at this time, I'm going to have to say no. As much as I would love to be linked on all of these wonderful blogs, I'm just not quite rich enough. Apparently, my good looks will only get me so far and I hate that you wasted your time sending me your eloquently written email.

You obviously don't read my blog, or you would have realized that I am drowning in orders and I do not really think any kind of advertising would be a wise choice for me at the moment. Not only that, but I have 4 small children - a 3 year old, 2 22 month olds and a 5 month old - and they are all in diapers. Do to inflation, this recession {that everyone seems to blame on President Bush & the Republicans}, the cost of gas as well as the cost of these diapers - I'm actually in the hole every month when I set down and do my budget. Nor did you look at my site or you would have seen that I'm priced for regular people to buy my art - not the rich and famous! I do this small business to help generate money to feed my children, since the government doesn't go out of their way to pay their soldiers a fat monthly check - don't get me wrong, the pay isn't bad mind you - but it's not quite the 86,000 bucks that you see per {yearly} ad/per person.

Now, I'm sure the full amount doesn't see the inside of your pockets - but I'm sure I chunk does. And actually, if you only make a small percentage of one yearly add sell of 86,000 smacks, {only after someone actually thought this was a good idea and did it} - YOU just made more than I did during one good, year of painting. That is Amazing! And if you are really good at this, you could probably be in Forbes top 100 highest paid women - right up there with Oprah! Man, I'm beginning to think I'm in the wrong business!!

Again, as I stated above - I appreciate the opportunity. But it just isn't right of me to go in that direction. I wish you the best of luck with your campaign and hope that you can actually get some folks to buy into this {I believe you already have, as I've seen several {many} ads on these blogs you are referring to} - It really would be great if you could generate more money through our hurting economy. But as for me, I'm too busy buying diapers, stride-rite shoes and saving for college educations.

Sincerely,

Kim Tate Wheeler

86,000 - good lawd - that is just nutso! Or is it just me? Some of you out there might think it is worth it - But I couldn't paint enough paintings to pay the 600 monthly fee! This is one crazy world we are living in . . .

. . . hello - starving kids in China!

As tacky as this sounds - I should come up with a label that says, "bend over" - this post would definitely fit!

I love to blog . . .

Is it just me or has blogging really turned into this major sensation over night? Really - think about it! Before I started blogging, I really only knew one person {personally} that had a blog. A little over a year ago, I started the family blog {for all my out of state friends - 'cause you know I have so many!} and then a few short weeks later I started this one. And have been addicted ever since.

Is it just me or do you also feel guilty when you don't check daily, everybody's blog on your ever growing list of "friends"? Man, I hate it when I miss a day - I actually pray that I didn't miss out on anything when I let a day escape me without checking everybody's blogs! I mean, that would be devastating if I missed out on some major accomplishment in your life! Though you don't know me, I would be an emotional basket-case if I thought I let something special - special enough for you to blog about - pass without me reading about it the minute you blogged about it!

Is it just me or is this the way you can be nosy AND it's okay? Now how cool is that - I can read all about you and you don't know, but it's okay - because you put it out there for us all to read! It's like I'm being sneaky in a not-so-sneaky way. I secretly hope that all my evil nemeses read my blog. They will see how "great" I have it! Okay, maybe it's not great all the time, but it's fun most of the time. And I want them to see how "fun" I got it! If that makes any kind of sense.

And for some reason, since I started this blog - my sales have soared - - let me add a big thank you in this spot - - to heights I never expected. Is it because you feel you know me now that you can read about me? Do you feel some kind of friendship that normally wouldn't exist if you just saw my website and that is all you met of me? You would place an order and a few short weeks you would get it and that was it. No nothing else? I'm a personal person - I want to know you. Those who have done business with me, know that I like to email back and forth - to meet you if you will. If you have a blog - I will obsessively check it - because in my mind, in my little world - we are now friends. We might not be best friends, but friends none the less and I will stalk your blog until you feel the same of me. I swear I'm not trying to scare anyone -I'm not really a stalker - I just think that this blogging thing is great. And I'm so happy to be a part of it.
I know you're all feeling me - I know! And for some reason, I don't mind putting me out there for you all to read {or see!} It's like I'm the star of my own show - my own reality series. And I've got a few fans! I live one of the most mundane lives ever - and you don't care! My day usually is broadcasted here on this blog or the fam blog - but you still come - day after day. Even the friends that I talk to on the phone - that know exactly what happened today - you will still come and read about it again. Cracks me up - 'cause I read yours too! That, is a good friend. One who listens to you during the day and then at night - when all our babies are in bed - pulls up your blog and reads it - and laughs - as if they have never heard the stories before!

Yeah, I love blogging . . . .

Just can't go wa-rong with this color combination!

Blue & Red = great combination!! I don't care how you use it, boy or girl, this way or that - it's gonna work - ya' know!?
And of course - one of my favorite designs! For all those wondering - we did change the font. The font I normally do on this design is so close to my handwriting {that is probably the reason I use it all the time!} But my dear friend who ordered this one for her baby boy {ok, he's not really a "baby" anymore - but when you have only one kid, he is considered a baby for a very long time!} really L-O-V-E-D this font! So, we went with it! {Yes, it is the one I use mostly in my "funny bones" collection.}
Back in the day - you know, when I just started painting - I was using canvases that had the staples showing on the side. Then a great friend of mine, Wendy, suggested that I glue grosgrain ribbon around the edges. And you know, 5/8 inch ribbon fit perfectly!! But then I started running into the problem of not finding the ribbon colors I needed to match - but hey, then I found these mamma-jamma canvases {gallery-style . . . . who knew?} and you could paint on the edges because there were NO staples!

Oh, yeah - I've come a long way! tee hee

Another satisfied customer!!!

I could totally eat this baby up - apparently, she knows what to do when the camera is out! I love a smiling baby!!!

I have a feeling this is not the last time we'll see this sweet baby!!

I just realized . . . .

that my husband just started his own blog!!! Now, for some fat laughs and I do mean fat laughs, please visit him - actually, you men out there {I know there are a couple 'cause you have posted comments here!} go visit his blog and comment! He informed me it is a real blog that he intends to update and keep it going - so I apologize now!! I need alot of prayer in my life!!

http://mymacho.blogspot.com

I've never in all my life!!

Talking about keeping some folks waiting?!

I'm sooo sorry for such the delay!! I swear I did the random number generator this morning!!! My kids have just acted normal {that means "crazy"} all day, which just didn't give me a chance to post who won my 250th painting!!! So, now that all is asleep for nap {wish that included me} I can finally post on the blog . . . .

. . . . but I think I'm going to keep you all hanging for a few moments - tee hee - I know, mean - but I just can't HELP myself!! First off - everyone was incredibly sweet. I ended up with 101 comments - WoW!!! I had many more hits on the stat counter - so apparently there are more people who like my writing than my paintings - Odd, I would have thought it to be the other way around!! haha - OR maybe they want to remain anonymous!!

Now, some of you people are killing me - Do you know how many of you have your blog set for "private"? I so want to meet you all! And I would click on your name . . . and I was denied! Denied, me?! I'm so crushed - but I can understand trying to avoid all the weird-Os, I really can!! I'm just not one of them {a weirdo I mean!}!! So, for all those who have their blogs public - I commented!! I did miss a few - so I will be revisiting and making my presence known - ok?


Okay, I think you have waited long enough - onto the good stuff - the magic number was 80!! And it belonged to HEATHER!! My friend - you won my 250th painting - congratulations!!! Just email me and we can figure out what you want. I'm excited - especially since I've gotten 5 more orders since my last post!! So, technically - I'm up to my 255th painting!!

Who's that baby AND a give-away!!!!!

Check out the "faux Stella" - uhmmm, yeah - that would be Emsley proudly sitting in for the real Stella {just in case Stella (the real one) doesn't get her picture taken with it!} hehehe - okay, so I'm totally in love with that painting !!! Madly in love !!! I knew I should have gotten that bedding!

Okay - on with the good stuff!!!! A give-away!!! Here is the deal - I just spent the past 2 hours tallying up my total number of paintings!! Over the past 3 1/2 years I've officially done . . . .

. . . . Do you see that??? 237!!! Is that not just the CraZieSt thing you've heard?! And that is the total number of the ones that I've got a record for! I know there are some more that I never wrote down, didn't take pictures of, gave as gifts, donated to auctions, blah-blah, . . . Anyhoodle - here's how I see it {as luck so happens OR if you don't believe in luck ('cause I don't - I just like throwing that word around,) God's Mighty Intervention would see it} that I just so happen to have {at this very moment} 12 paintings ordered! Do the math - that would be 237 + 12 = 249!! So, I'm going to give away No. 250!!!

Did you hear me? I'm going to give away my 250th painting!!!!! And it is of your choice!! 'Cause we need to celebrate!! Whether it be a classic - funny bones - fancy pants - simpatico - essential - - - - you get to choose - BUT it must be in a size I offer - I'm not going to do a 24x48 for anybody {for free} tee-hee!!

Now, all you have to do is leave a comment - I don't even care what you say {as long as your nice!}!! Just a stinkin' comment people - how easy is that??? Even if you have won in the past, your family or a friend - anybody can enter!

So, you've got till Friday morning {7:30 central time,} August 22! Please, only one entry!!!

Now, leave a comment!

New Obsession . . .

. . . little girl hair bows!!! Thank you ETSY!! Not only have I been buying them for lil' Em - but as Christmas gifts for other friends' girls!

the above bows came from here!

What is cracking me up, is how I refused to wear these things when I was little!! Hated them - despise them - there was no WAY {even for pictures} were you going to catch me dead with one of those "things" in my hair!! Now I wasn't a tomboy by no means - just didn't like bows, but I don't remember any of them looking like this . . .
Yes, my dear friends - that is a bow and I bought that joker!!! How stinkin' cute can it get? And how about her packaging?? I'm sure you all know that "packaging" is a HUGE deal to me {and if you didn't know that, you must never have gotten one of my paintings! Trust me - packaging sells!}

Check out the back! It says "chirp!" - it is the little things that make me happy! I will definitely be doing business with them again!! You should too - Go here!! They have a way-too-cute-for-words cupcake one that I will probably be getting as well!

On to other stuff - I made my husband go to the grocery yesterday - I was not in the mood! I really have to pump myself up for it, and, . . well, . . . I just didn't do enough pumping! Anyhoodle, the man brings me home some grapes {they were on the list!} These jokers had to have been grown in a lab somewhere!! The were HUGE - Gitisimo - Gargantuous!!! Never before have I ever seen anything like it in my life {okay except for those lemons my friend's father-in-law grew - those things were the size of my head!}

The above picture is really not a very good visual - so I thought I would give you another one - okay, get ready 'cause this is funny - Or at least I thought so!

"aaaahhh - come here little grapey - I'm going to eat you up!!!"

Yes, I know you can see those fillings - I eat way too much sweets! Okay, hard candy to be exact!! I'm chiseling away my teeth!!! I really hate to hear people say they "eat too many sweets" - it doesn't matter how many you eat as long as you brush that grill, fool!!! That {of course} is what I want to say! It won't be long now, that amalgam you see back there will be a crown - I feel it!

Well, on to wake up a kid for his haircut - only 1 kid - I'm going to try something new - take only 1 at a time and see if we can all act better when we really don't have an audience to entertain! I'll let you know how it goes!

I've got this friend . . .

. . . . that drove 300 miles to pick up this . . . .





. . . to save money on shipping it!


hahaha - okay, that is kinda the truth - she did drive the 300 miles but it was to spend some time with us today! Jennifer had not seen Emsley yet, so she decided to come up {with 2 kids in tow} to visit.


She use to live here - but after her husband decided to take a new position with his company - they moved {*boo-hoo*} to Atlanta. Which was good for them - because they were originally from there - just really bad for me!


Sydney - I hope you loved your painting!! Because I soooo love your new bedding . . . . remember this -
Well, that is what I matched it to - The cub print soooo fits Syd's personality {uhmmm, the toile sooo fits her mom's (that would be Jennifer)!!!} That is why I did the animal print on the canvas - and the pearls around the name are for Jennifer. I can't wait to see the room all together AND I know she will send some pictures!

Now Jennifer - get that fabric to yo' momma!!! So she can get that sewing machine going!!

I didn't forget . . .

I promised to show you pictures of Em's painting - but we went swimming this morning and I just didn't have it all together to get pictures posted! But first let me show you a new picture of baby Em . . .How stinkin' cute is that hat!? Okay, how stinkin' cute is that baby!? I love how you can see some hair sticking out. hehe - sorry, just wanted to give you visual of the baby girl!!
Here is some of the room! This is really the only place where I could set the painting and get a picture of it with some of the fabric and the pink furniture! If you haven't seen the room before - go check this link out or here or even here! You'll get the picture - soon I will give you guys a tour of the room - but I want to do one more painting for her room!
Check out the "worn" look! The background has that vintage carnival look. Love it!! The above picture is not a very good representation of the colors {the first picture is!} but you can really see the aged look it has in this picture. Alot of things in her room are old - true, authentic vintage - not replicated! I think it fits nicely - now, to get it on the wall!

And guess what else - I was profiled today at pve design! Have you guys ever seen any of her stuff?? Well, you will soon - I just ordered a piece!! But go check out her site . . . she is very talented and has a great style about her work! She does these amazing sketches of your house! I want one of our house but, I'll need her to add trees - a porch swing - flowers - and a bunch other stuff that isn't there! {But give me some time - it will be! It only took me 6 years at the last place!}

Again, go check pve design out - you will love what you see!

so, what is it??

Can you guess - I'll give you a hint - it belongs in Emsley's room! Yes, my baby finally got a painting for her room! Amazing - huh? I still have another one in my head, but being I have several more ahead of her - it's going to be awhile! I literally wrote her name on my schedule a month ago and am just now getting to her name. I've gotten to where I have to schedule every painting! It is only fair - first come, first serve - even for the Wheeler kids! Sorry - for only the sneaky peeky - but I forgot to take a picture earlier today. And heaven help us if I take one now - we all know about my camera skills {or the lack of!} If I took a picture at night time - oh man, it would probably look something like the aurora borealis! {Okay, maybe not - those lights are pretty - my picture would not be - but you get the picture!} I promise to get one on here tomorrow morning! Actually, I'm hoping to get another painting completed tomorrow as well - so maybe, just maybe - you will get to see it too! You know what - I've got a lil' peeky at it too - oh the owner of this one is going to die!!
See it - the "cub print" as this client lovingly refers to it! Oh, just wait my dear friend - you are going to L-O-V-E it!! tee hee - I love the control I have with this "mean" factor that I've got going on!!!

go look what I did . . .

I've added more pictures to the site today - as well as a new collection - "Fancy Pants"!! You all will have to let me know what you think! And check out the home page - there are a few new photos on that as well!!

I've learned a big, fat lesson . . .

{not that I didn't know it already} - Don't paint when children are awake . . . it must be during naptime OR bedtime. No matter how little time I need, no matter how many quick strokes it will take, no matter if it is to only rinse out the brush - I CANNOT PAINT WHEN MY CHILDREN ARE AROUND!!!

Here is a perfect example why? I painted this lovely "B" - actually I painted the one in the upper right hand corner first. The painting was complete - all that was left was to antique it a little bit. I thought to myself, "I can do that right now . . . downstairs with the kids . . . they will never know what I'm up to. Then I will have the rest of the day for it to dry and then I can seal it and Boom{!} it will be ready to ship!" Seriously - what could go wrong? Well, I brushed on the finish {I normally wipe it off immediately!} But one of my kids did something and I had to walk away for a brief 17 seconds! Came back and tried to rub it down. I rubbed so hard paint started coming off the canvas! Original "B" canvas = trashed!! I had to start over! For that 17 second walk-away! The re-do is the lower left "B" {obviously!}

Yes - I do freehand these. And you can really see in this one the difference! I try to make these look alike - but that's hard! I hope to acquire that talent one day!

I must tell you - the challenge to painting is shaking off perfectionism! I have a bad case of it. I would say about 2/3's of all my paintings get a practice run on a small canvas - or get re-done for some reason to do with "it doesn't fit in my standards" - and "my standards" are high! I'm thinking I will show you some before's with the afters from now on. I'm not ashamed!! I think you all would like to see my thinking process on these things! And how I arrive at some of the designs!

Claire . . .

**edited to add picture of bedding - thanks Chesley!**

Alright, my friends - I have finished another one. And I love it! I'm kinda mad at myself - when I got the order for this one, there was a link to Pottery Barn's website. It was to the most precious bedding. The duvet had a sage green border with tiny lavender dragonflies embroidered on the white center. I normally save the picture on my computer as soon as I get an order - but this time . . . I didn't!! And now it gone - apparently forever!! That is the one thing about PBKs - if you see something you just L-O-V-E, you better buy it now because they really get rid it of after the season!

Back to what I wanted to show you! This stinkin' cute painting!! The walls in the room are a soft lavender color AND we didn't want all matchy-matchy with the bedding AND we wanted to pull a little more color in the room AND we wanted the painting to be in the room for a while!

So, what do you guys think?? AND there is a little sparkly on each of the flowers!!

I actually completed several paintings this past weekend - I'm just going to stretch them out over the next few days - so come back and look at them!

**WARNING**

This is going to be gross!! Just one of the many reasons that we canceled our vacation this week . . .
Tiddles got attacked by another dog! Doesn't she look pitiful? She got a portion of her neck/back shaved!!
I actually wasn't at home {I took a chance I had and ran free - okay, I did have a kid with me - but only 1!} Lonnie was pulling the boys in the wagon - as he was walking Tiddles. Well he was almost home and our neighbor's {1 empty lot and 5 doors down} dog took a bite out of her neck!

So, picture this - Lonnie dives on his knees and grabs the other dog's collar while throwing his arm up around the dog's nuzzle. This causes craze dog to release as Lonnie is screaming to Tiddles, "GO HOME - NOW, GO HOME!!" If anyone has a clue about shelties, you know they are extremely intelligent. Now, don't get me wrong - I'm sure any dog being attacked only yards from their home would be high tailing it back to their house ----- BUT would that dog open the door and close it behind them?? Seriously? Keep following me . . . So, Tiddles runs towards the house, then craze dog rips his own collar off and tears after my dog! Thank goodness Tiddles had just enough space between them! She ran in the garage, wedged the door in the house open {it was shut, but had not "clicked" - if that makes sense?} and then freakin' shut the door behind her!! Honestly, I'm guessing she slammed it open and then it slammed shut behind her - but makes for a good story!

The craze dog ran in the garage and couldn't find Miss Smarty Pants anywhere! To cut the long of the story out. The owner was very apologetic - she came to the house several times to check on our dog! She is a very good dog owner - she walks her dog daily and you can tell its loved! She is only guilty of the same thing we are - letting her dog outside {in the front yard} when she is out there - no leash or any restraints.

Crazy thing - Tiddles had one large puncture wound - we could stick a Q-tip in it over half-way! Yeah, I know - gross - I just threw-up in my mouth telling you guys! It didn't even bleed. We took her to the vet the next morning. They shaved it and noticed an infection had already set up. She is bruised and the hole is oozing quite a bit {and yes, it's now bleeding.} To tell you the truth - I can't stand to look at it! Makes me break out in a cold sweat when Lonnie asked for my help to doctor on it! I'm not going to go into the details - but he has to stick this mamma-jamma syringe in the hole and flush it out - Ewwww - makes me squirm uncontrollably! I had a great picture of the hole - but it is just too nasty - so I'll save you that visual - the other two pictures are nowhere near as bad!

Glad to get you squirming on this Monday morning! hehe

08-08-08

It's one of those freaky number days - you know, when the month, day and year are all the same!? Hudson was due on 05-05-05, but decided to debut a week early. A shame too - that would have been a cool birth date!

Check me out - that is what I call normalcy! For those who know me well - know that I only wear slacks! It was my entire wardrobe before having kids - some kind of dress pants with a t-shirt. And I do mean just a plain, t-shirt! And of course, some really cool shoes! Well, since I'm so close to normal weight {far from normal body} - I pulled out my pants - and guess what{?} - they fit!!! Okay only what I consider my "fat-girl-pants" - What{?} - I know you all have some "fat-girl-clothes" - I'm not happy that I can't fit in the other 100 pair of "pre-baby" pants hanging in the closet - but hey, at least these are in the single digits AND I do have like 50 pair of these since I had 50 something kids! Each time I would get back in my old clothes, I was pregnant again! So, don't think that as soon as I get into my small clothes {'cause I know I will} - I will be taking a pregnancy test just for good measure! Of course by next month, that should be totally impossible {with the "little procedure" scheduled} - I say totally impossible, Yes - I've heard of people getting pregnant after having the vasectomy. But if this ol' girl gets pregnant again - I will be naming that baby Jesus - 'cause there is noway that it's happening to me unless God forces me to!

I've been sick all week - NO, not morning sickness {never had that with any of my pregnancies anyways!} - some kind of summer cold! Actually, all the kids have got it, too! I'm hoping tomorrow it will go away - I did feel a little better Thursday {so I'm thinking the worse is over - I hope!} But I have been painting away . . .
Got a new, little design that I'm trying to complete - that's it on my "redneck" drying rack - I only use that for my paintings. I don't hang my clothes on it! It's nowhere near completion - so don't look to hard! Ohhh - and look, there is that sweet Stella painting underneath! She will be getting her professional shots on Monday!
I got these fabric samples today! I can't wait to start on this painting - I've got some big ideas in my head! This is actually for Sydney - she is getting a "big-girl-room-make-over!" Her dot painting is the original dot painting! That's right people - the first dot one that I ever did! And, I think it was the 5th painting that I ever did!! Mannn, I've come a long way!!

Out of curiosity - I wonder how many paintings I've done so far since this business started 3 and a half years ago? I think I will go through all my receipts and count it up! I really have no idea how many! I'll let you know when I come up with a number!

And if you want to read something funny - go to the family blog and look what my husband posted about?! I hate to admit - I'm guilty of almost all of those on his list! What a goober!

meet my kids . . .

So, check this out! I went to do errands the other day with all my kids with just me to help {I'm such good helper when I need somebody to help push the stroller - tee hee!} Okay, so seriously - it is easier when I have no other adult with me - believe me - now, there are times when another person is handy - but this day was just not one of them.

Picture this - Me with Em in a sling {with her head popped out - looked funny}, Carson and Lawson in the double stroller with Hudson "helping" push it. We went to several places - it was a "tax free weekend" afterall - we had to save that 9.75% tax {I know ridiculous - but hey we don't pay a state tax!}

Then I took us all to the grocery store {Hudson's fav-O-rite place to be - obviously we have never been to Disney World!} I got one of those buggies that has a car attached - it has a double seat at the front of it {or would that be the back(?)} - well, whatever - Just know that Hudson was in the mini car, Carson and Laws were in the seats in the buggy and of course Em was in the sling! Do you know how many people stopped us!! They obviously stopped us because I had so many kids with me - but don't stop a girl when they are all happy!! That was a ticking bomb about to explode! And of course - I got the question, "Are those twins?" And you all know how I answered, "nope!" Is it because I don't dress them alike? Maybe they won't have a twin complex after all - because there just doesn't seem to be many people that can tell they are twins! {I hope you can all read that sarcasm!}

Anyway - we left with no upsets - nothing extra than what was on the list - I actually used coupons - and I still spent about 80 bucks!! Now, who thought I could even fit 80 bucks worth in my buggy with 4 kids?! Well, I did!

And here we all are in the big "grocery-getter" when we left the house!

The above baby has to get the good baby award - she is normally so sweet no matter where we go!
Carson was ready to get this show on the road! This baby wants to ride all the time!
Now, Lawson ALWAYS has a cup! Check out that "Mr Happy" shirt - seems to match that facial expression that he's got going on!

Oh look - if it isn't the King of the monkeys! Funny thing - you can't tell that Hudson is even related to Carson and Lawson?! They really don't look a thing alike in these pictures! Don't get me wrong - they've never looked like triplets, but I always thought they shared some similarities! Apparently I was wrong!

and there she is - the Queen of the Crazies!

***WoW***

Can I just give a big, fat shout out to Laurie at Tip Junkie!! She helped my stat counter hit the 1000 mark today!!! Over a thousand people visited my site!!! You wouldn't believe the orders that I got!! Oh my - I can't believe it! Thanks to everyone out there - it's amazing to know that when I started this blog - I only had about 3 readers. Of course one of those were me because I didn't know how to hide my own IP address - tee hee! It really amazes me how many people actually come to read this thing!

Guys, I know that you all come to read the fun me, but after Sunday's post you now know it's just not like that all the time. It's not easy with 4 kids and trying desperately to work a business {notice I didn't say successful - that one is still up for debate!} I really appreciate all the comments {even the ugly ones} - because of them all, it all work out. Hudson had most of his screaming under control today {Vikki - I will so use that vinegar tip - HYSTERICAL!}, a few other issues got worked out {of course, wouldn't you know it - nothing but a big misunderstanding on both sides!} and well, the other stuff is just that "other stuff".

But for some fat laughs you must go here! You must I tell ya'!! One of the many perks of knowing "people"!! Talking about a redneck - Chad you are a big dork!! But I'm soooo voting for you! You all have got to know this crazy joker - he's not right! When I worked at the dental office, he would call me up in the most "hick" voice he could conjure up and tell me to "get him in to see the doctor - he had a crunked up tooth!" Literally that was what he would say! Sad part - I fell for it! Chad - Natalie I miss you guys sooo much - the comedy is always there!

Hopefully I can post some pictures tomorrow of some art - I've been busting my gut to get some completed today - so close ...... so maybe it will happen tomorrow! And speaking of gut - 5 pounds to go to be back to pre-baby weight! Go me! Of course I look like I got about 20 more to go - but I'm working on it. I'm actually thinking I don't look that bad to have had all these kiddos in such a short amount of time!

You know, I need to also say a little thank you to my husband, Lonnie - talking about a team! For the most part, we work sooo good together. He really is a great husband and awesome father! It's funny to think about when we met - I totally tried to blow him off. And 3 months later - we were engaged! Here lately he has been going through some stuff - for the next 2 days, he will spend most of his mornings with several doctors at Vanderbilt as they finally give him some answers from some tests. Lonnie had an anthrax shot several years ago and has since battled some things - who knows if that was the cause or maybe something else. The doctors {this time} think they have some answers. I guess we will soon see.

{this picture has absolutely nothing to do with nothing . . . but I had to put a picture
with the post! I did this one for-evah ago!}

On a lighter note, I've won several awards for my blog in the past week -I swear I've not forgotten about you all - I just haven't had the time. {Sorry!} I've literally got 8 pages of emails and comments in my inbox to reply to - does this mean I have "arrived"? hehe - to be this important - to have so many people to "correspond" to!? I need to hire "some people" - okay, just kidding - I'm not quite that busy nor am I that important. I just need to find about 6 more hours in the day! I have gotten only about 3 hours of sleep for each of the past 5 days. Tomorrow I will crash - I feel it coming. I know, I can hear some of you saying I need to "be careful" - but this is how I work. I chose to be this busy - therefor I must work it out. So, don't be concerned - I'm good, but extremely tired at that moment - so with that, good night!

Guess what - I'm being featured today!!!!



For all you new readers - sorry for such a personal post with yesterday's blog post - I probably just ran you off! It's long and boring - Go to the post before that - it's much better and has one fan-tab-U-lous painting!!

For those who did read yesterday's post - OBVIOUSLY, today has started off much better!!

thanks Laurie!!

Stella . . . .

First off - don't you love that name!? Stella . . . I know that baby has got to be cute with a name like that! Alright, like most tales you read here on the blog, this painting was bought as a gift! The giver called the soon-to-be-new-mommy and asked her to take pictures of the bedding. Good thing she did - as with most Pottery Barn Kids bedding, the colors are more vivid in person than what you see online or even in the catalog. Below is one of the pictures that I received . . .


Now you can see what the online picture look like . . .

Now, I must tell you all that after I finally found {and purchased} my bedding for Emsley - this PBK bedding came out in the Spring catalog. I was in love with it and torn!! Should I send my stuff back and buy this or just keep what I got?? Obviously I kept what I got just because I had so much that already worked well with the bedding - I would be starting from scratch if I bought the PBK stuff. But I sooo loved this bedding and thrilled to no end that I was going to paint a piece to match it!!!
So, whatcha think?? Love it or what? I did have some "guidelines" for this one - it needed the flowers from the sheets - some pearlized paints - the pink dots are a must - maybe bring in the color black {the furniture is black in the room} - just to name a few! I hope I was successful!!

I absolutely adore it! I can't wait to hear your comment Andrea!