A to Z . . .

housekeeping

- Go to Fabulous K's blog - she is having some great give-a-ways!!!!

- Has anybody read the comments from the Chawed post?? Just do it! I'm sorry to call some of you out - but there was a story {or two} that got me tickled!

On with scheduled post

I seriously think I need a "Q" name and "X" name AND I will have officially painted a canvas for every letter in the alphabet! Now, what would be super cool is if I did a post that had pictures of 26 canvases for each letter! I'm going to have to work on that.


This bedroom is decorated with Classic Pooh and I was told the walls are a pale, mint green.




And I'm keeping this one short - I'm sooo tired tonight. I think I might just wash my face, brush my teeth and go to bed . . . . . OR I might just drink some coffee and see what my future holds - ha!

Today was so draining - I'm having some major behavioral issues with Hudson. And I feel the need to nip it in the bud now! I do blame the steroids for most of it - I mean he basically has been on them since November {so not good,} but some of it has to be his age. Yesterday morning, I decided to get rid of the TV! What a difference! Yesterday was awesome. I explained to him why there was no TV and he was very compliant {I was shocked!} Today has been a different story. I swear I think he is going through withdrawals - DTs! He was screaming at me tonight that he needed some TV {like it's a drug!} Seriously, this evening was the worst behavior I've ever seen! Ever!

I'm not watching it either. I was going to watch Days of our Lives yesterday, but didn't due to guilt! So Saturday, I'm really doing away with our TV. Poof - gone. Squash the temptation! Until {of course} we buy the one to hang above our fireplace and mantel - ghetto style! But it's budgeted out for September - so no boob tube till then! This truly is an experiment!

What a horrible name - boob tube?

I think I'm too tired to drink coffee?

Thomas . . .

**edited** I forgot to tell you guys - go to Fabulous K's blog! She is having all kinds of give-a-ways this week AND guess who is giving something away????

How did you ever guess? tee hee!


I really love this name. It is my "Papa's" name. I knew that I was definitely going to use it for one of my boys. Lawson is the chosen child that was named after my mother's father. Lawson Thomas Wheeler. Funny thing is before this post, I had no idea what it meant. It is the one name of all my kids' that I did not look at the meaning. No matter what the meaning, I wanted to use it {but just in case it was a funky meaning, I didn't want to chance not wanting to use it! hahaha} I did just looked it up - it means "a twin" - I just got cold chills. Lawson's name was picked before I was pregnant with Lawson. Funny - he is a twin.


Now, obviously this post is about another Thomas and I normally would not have thrown in all the personal info if it wasn't so "freakin' me out" crazy! It just amazes me when things come together like that!


The bedding came from Target - Trend Lab Baby Yacht Club. I like the blues and chocolate together - a very sophisticated look. I don't think I could ever get tired of this color combination. And it can be used forever with a little boy.
And I love the added nautical theme. What I wouldn't give to be somewhere "nautical" at this very minute!!! ha

Thomas is packaged and ready to go!


I've gotten a ton of emails about my hair products! I've really gotten so many, that I thought I would just tell you all about what I use.

First off - I usually only use products for color treated hair. I don't have color on my hair, but I do have fine/somewhat thick hair. I learned a while back that if I use all the volumizing products out there, my hair starts feeling like straw. But I have incredibly oily hair on a normal basis, so if I use moisturizing hair products - I look greasy! Products for color treated hair gives the perfect balance that I need.

I still like using some type of pomade - but like I said, I have oily hair. so, I stay away from anything that is "waxy." Joico use to have the BEST stuff . . . . then they discontinued it {thanks!} But I've found an awesome product that I don't think I could live without!


Has anyone else tried this stuff?! This is almost like crack for me! It is Rusk being shocked. It is an adhesive and it gives the perfect piece-y look - even better than the Joico stuff I mentioned! It is not heavy or greasy - L.O.V.E it!

I notice they have a ton of other stuff - I need to check it all out! I can waste some dough on hair products!

Now, I use to use Amplify's root lifter, but my face and head started breaking out like crazy! I've used that stuff for years and it use to not do that. It was about the time they changed their packaging. I wonder if they changed up their juice as well?! It was not good around here till I found this next stuff . . .

Now, the only thing I can find wrong with this stuff is the smell. It's not bad. But it's not good either. It is alcohol free, so it doesn't have that smell - but something like it. You know when a product is suppose to be "odorless" or "perfume-free" but it still has that certain smell??? Okay, that's it with this line! But really who cares, the results rock -so I can get past it!

Their hairspray is just as good. I don't know about you all, but I like "touchable" hair. My days of aqua net and rave are so behind me! They promote this product as "humidity resistant." Hahaha - uhmm, yeah right - don't fool yourself! I live in Tennessee with fine hair that has some body. I haven't met a product yet that can keep my fro from fro-ing in the summertime! One of the main reasons it stays short!

The other good thing about using products for color treated hair is the type of sunblock it has. Now, I'm not saying it is real sunblock as we know it, but it has some type of ju-ju to prevent color fade. I L.O.V.E this! Even as dark as my hair is, if I get in the sun it still lightens up - I hate that!!!! Sun-kissed hair is cute on a young child. Go back and look at my pictures and you will definitely see the "it's-not-so-cute-anymore" age! {Gag me!} I haven't had that problem since I started using color-fade products.

Hope that helps those who had questions!

So, I'm ready to talk . . .

About what {?} you ask? About one of the most embarrassing moments of my adult life - which is saying a lot, because I have a bunch of them! It is definitely one of those incredibly chawed moments that I'm trying so hard to forget. And though the details are hazy, I still know it happened and I cringe every time I think about it! I know that we all have had something happen to us that we will continually relive in our minds - but this time . . . oh Lord, this time . . . I want to forget so bad I can't stand myself!

I guess you want me to tell you the story now that I've set it up like that, don't ya'? Ahhhh, here goes . . .

Blissdom of 09 was in February. I went. Met a lot of folks in person. I've said before how I really hate social situations and this was one of them that I didn't do very well with. There were so many people. I bit my fingernails down past the quicks because I was so nervous about attending. I don't bite my nails - haven't in years! I was that tore up. Thankfully I knew Nester and Emily. And I say I know them . . . we ate breakfast one time before on their way out of Tennessee - I guess that means I know them?! Right?

Anyhoodle, the last night we were there, we all decided to go out to eat. Since I was the only one that technically lives in the Nashville area, I threw out some suggestions that were original to our area - Such as the Aquarium. {Everybody remembers that story of the kids - right?} Well, that is where we went. Nester, Emily, Jen, Kimba, Rhoda, Melissa and Sandy. Oh and me! Since there were so many, we split up in vehicles. Emily drove and I drove.

This is where the embarrassment starts -

Kimba, Jen and Rhoda started walking to my van - aka: the "Grocery Getter" - and I was telling them how we are going to have to remove the car seats and throw them in the back. No problem - we can do it?! First off, it took several minutes to "figure out" how to remove them. You know you don't strap them in with the seat belt anymore. Guys, I'm married - that's his job . . . to tend to the carseats. To put his manly grasp on them. You know - make them completely impossible to remove grasp. The same grasp he screws the lids on to the kids cups that I have to leave in the sink for him to open when he gets home before I can put the jokers in the dishwasher grasp?! But that wasn't the "chawed" moment.

The chawed moment was when we finally did get them out and the $892 worth of food that came spilling out of them! That's right . . . I'm one of those moms! I was mortified! If I could have turned back time, I would have!

Seriously people, there had to be 6 large order of fries. A box or 2 of Cheeze-its. Chunks of chicken nuggets. Raindbow goldfish - oh, the goldfish! I probably could have fed a family in China for a year! And that was only 2 car seats! I have 2 more that we didn't have to remove praise Jesus! It was soooo bad, that Rhoda used a cloth diaper to sit on! Yeah, that bad! Trust me when I say that it was some nasty looking trail mix!

I've said before that when we were looking for a van to buy, we actually were looking for used. But they all looked used - so we went new! I remember thinking how I never would let me kids eat in my van! HA - well, they didn't till January of this year - it was when all the therapies started and we just didn't have a choice.

Now, reread that last paragraph . . . . I said January! Blissdom was in February. That's right - in one months time my kids created the biggest mess ever! Did I learn a lesson - YES! I vacuum that joker out monthly now! Remove the carseats and everything! It was horrible! And I have been scarred for life as I'm sure Kimba, Rhoda and Jen have as well! Next time I will so be prepared if someone wants to ride in my van. If I'm not, we will HAVE to ride in someone else's vehicle!

Thanks Kimba for the help I needed last night! You rock! I'm shocked you even responded after riding in my dumpster on wheels! haha!!! And honestly, I wasn't going to link to any of these fabulous women because I was hoping they have forgotten about the ride and me for that matter!!! Maybe they won't see any clicks on their stat counter from my address to even come visit to read this post to even be reminded of my chawed moment! Please, please, please - I pray!

So, in honor of my chawed moment, I would like to repost this video. Because I'm determined for it to never get this bad again!

The day I woke up with a hole in my sock . . .

I know you guys are wondering about that title . . . don't worry, I'll get to that! But I need to preface this post with "I hope you like pictures! Because you're gonna get 'em!!"

I've been so determined to be one of those mom's who doesn't let herself "go." Oh, you know the ones. I'm not even going to describe WHAT I'm talking about - because just in case you are one of those . . . well, I really don't want to hurt feelings here - I promise! But here is the thing, it is hard enough when you have 4 kids {ages 4 and under} - there is no way I'm adding to the mix "an unhappy me." I shower and fix my hair AND put on make-up almost everyday of the week. I try to keep a trendy do and I try to wear somewhat trendy clothes. Yes, I have about 10 pounds to go before I'm where I want to be . . . . but I honestly care for my {vain} self. That is all there is to it.

So, if you are one of those moms who puts your needs last, . . . . do yourself the favor and love you! Seriously!

I could do a whole post on that alone - but I'm going somewhere else with all this today {maybe another day!}

Back on track here - anyhoodle, yes - trying to keep me alive in the thick of it all and I realize I've been neglecting my house!? As I said in a post last week, I really hated this house . . . and it was driving me crazy! So, I've made a deal with myself to focus on her at least 1 day out of the week! Every week - I have to take a day to focus on the needs of my home! I'm not talking about cleaning either. I'm talking about finishing projects! Because I'm sure you can image how many I have! I'm not exaggerating when I tell you that all of my free time {which is not much} is spent painting. All.the.time. But one day {a week,} I will be working on my house/my home that I'm slowly learning to really love.

Anybody remember this post???? I just read it for the first time since then and I cracked myself up! So, if you haven't read it - go do it . . . . it's worth it! I also just realized that it was a year ago today that I bought that joker?!?

Okay - for visuals . . . here is the budget buster herself on July 26, 2008 . . .


And here she is today, July 26, 2009 . . .

I'm only half way through - so don't get too excited.

Now let me explain the hole in the sock title. Friday night I went to bed with socks on. I don't sleep in socks usually, but I was that tired. {Not only did I fall asleep with the day's socks on, but make-up too! Yuck, I hate that feeling!} I can go through some socks - doesn't matter the brand, I walk/run holes in the heels of my socks. I'm flat-footed and I know that has to do something with it. When I woke up on Saturday morning, I came downstairs and when my right foot hit the tile floor in the kitchen . . . I knew there was a hole in my sock!!! That ice cold floor touched my foot through that hole. I thought to myself, "today is a good day to paint!" Why you ask? You see, I don't use tape or drop clothes or plastic . . . I just wipe up drips with my socked feet. I always have. But only with socks that have holes in them!


Lonnie and I have painted so much over the years - walls and furniture. And I always have socks with holes - that I refuse to wear but hate throwing them out. They are good for dust rags! {Or wiping up paint!}


So, as random as it was - before the kids woke up - I brushed my teeth, poured a gigantic glass of OJ and started painting. {I didn't even wash off last night's make-up!} I thought while I was in the mood - it's Saturday - I HAVE to show love to my house some how today - let me get started!

The red is only the base coat. I had gotten it mixed several months ago - Poinsettia SW 6594 - but it is a Behr paint. I don't like Sherwin-Williams - actually I'd say that I hate Sherwin-Williams paint. Awesome colors to choose from, just crappy paint. {Just thought I'd get that out there.} I don't know how "distressed" this one is going to end up looking like - my table is REALLY beat up! So, I'll probably only do a glaze of some sort on it {next week on my day of house love!}


I'm not kidding when I tell you that this room just started unfolding the past few months. I found this fabric and had to have window treatments made! I love the colors - and that peacock fringe was a steal!


Now actually, the paintings that I got from Kijsa started it all! The minute I saw them, I had to have them! BUT I had no idea where I was going to hang them! After I got the fabric, the ball started rolling!


I also was in love with some of the dishes that Southern Living has - and what do you know, the long teal ones are on sale as we speak!? I found these frames at Hobby Lobby {1/2 off custom.} AND they worked GREAT with my table {that I have not finished either!}

I swear the only thing left is some satin poly! But we use the table 5 times a day for meals and snacks . . . . not to mention the daily laundry that gets folded on it! Just kinda hard to find some time we aren't using it to coat it, ya' know?!


I have to show you how beat up it looks now. Lawson likes to "push" his chair up to the table. Never mind that he usually moves the table and the chair is only on 2 legs by the time he thinks it is far enough!


I have to say that I love the distressed/vintage/antique/beat up look! Fits right in here. With 4 kids, it's gonna look like that - intentional or not! haha - That Nester was on to something with her motto of "it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful."


I did run out of paint! I only had a quart because I just knew that would do! Uhmmmm, almost. When I saw how low I was getting, I started choosing what I would paint with the current quart. Since I am using Behr paint {Home Depot's brand,} I'm not too concern of a new quart not matching perfectly - but the fact that I've had it for about 6 months and I had opened it, made me be a little choosy.


The only major spot that needs paint - under the shelves!

And the only spot that needs paint removed . . .


For the record, that was whoever painted it before me!!! I'm not saying I don't get paint in spots it isn't suppose to be, but I have sense enough to wipe it off!

I do have to spackle this hole since I did put drawer pulls on the top drawers. And yes, I bought these about 9 months ago - Hobby Lobby half off of $3.99 each. That's right folks - $2.00 for each knob!!! Wasn't it just 3 years ago when you couldn't find a cute knob {especially glass} or drawer pull for under 10 smacks?? They are everywhere now!


I also finally gave some love to my mantel . . .


Now, somebody out there has me linked on their side bar that did this - who are you that gave me this idea?? Your pictures burned an image in my head, but I forgot to bookmark you!!! Speak up! I'll tag you!



GOT TO LOVE SOME moose moss! I totally forgot about this stuff - and these hurricanes sit empty most of the time!


Of course I have no idea why I'm concerned with the mantel . . . in a couple of months there will be a ghetto TV hanging above it?! And for laughs, because we all know how vain I can be - here are some pictures of myself!


I was actually taking pictures of the hurricanes, when the frame of the gitisimo mirror got in one of the pictures. Once I saw it, I was trying to get a better picture with the hurricanes and the frame of the mirror! Somehow I kept getting me, too?!?


So, I couldn't help myself - I started smiling and clicking. After all, I'm a vain mommy of 4 kids {who is trying to show some love to this home!!}

Hey, Homey where you at??

haha - okay you will only know what that means if we are friends on Facebook! You know all the cheezy, McCheeze-Cheeze quizzes you can take?? Well, I took the one that would tell you how long you would make it in the ghetto - it said I lived there!! hahaha - RIOT! And I will blog eventually about my neighborhood and you too might agree!

Okay - I'm actually going to start off this post with Kelly's "Show Us Your Life - Wedding Dresses." I've posted these pictures before on my anniversary, but I thought I would show them again and maybe tell you the background story!


Here we are - November 23, 2002. The weather was perfect - high 60's and perfect blue sky! I really could not have asked for a better day!

My dress - what a tale! I, like Kelly, got my dress at Low's in Arkansas. What an interesting place! One of my best friends {Rachel} and her Mom {Brenda} took me! Rachel had gotten her dress there the year before, so we knew the drill and how this joint worked! If I remember right - you had 1 hour and 30 minutes to find the "dress of your dreams" - I'm not lying! BUT the "dress of your dreams" will be at a great price!!! Thank the good Lord I'm not modest, because when you found a dress you stripped down and tried it on - right there. It didn't matter who was in the room. I remember that we kept joking around we hoped everyone wore underwear! I also remember I was incredibly distracted with the architectural elements of this place. I was {and still am} obsessed with old architecture! The girl that helped me was a total idiot {which is sooo mean - forgive me Lord for saying that} - I don't even necessarily remember the details why she was an idiot - I just remember that she was! She kept bringing me dresses that looked HORRIFIC on me! I'm so short wasted and I remember that we {me, Rachel and Brenda} kept telling her what style is best and she kept bringing the "just all wrong" ones! But idiot girl kept saying "try this one on" . . . "you think you know what looks good on you . . . . wedding dresses are completely different than any dress you will ever try on" . . . blah, blah. I remember thinking {or I might have said it or something like it} "honey, this is my body, I know EXACTLY what looks good and what looks bad on it. I also have taste and a very specific style that we apparently don't share." Finally Brenda brought me the dress, my dress. She said "Kimmie, this is it. You don't have to waste your time trying it on," as she handed it to me. I knew I wanted strapless - fitted under the bust, but not necessarily empire waste, a color other than white and not a satin material.


My dress was a perfect Christmas/pearlish white, solid organza with minimal beading, strapless and the exact cut/fit I needed! Brenda was right {I miss that woman - Cancer sucks.}

I remember I had to have the length altered - of course - I'm 5 foot, that is always an issue! Every time I tried on my dress, I was on a hardwood floor. The day of the wedding we go to take pictures in the sanctuary {before the wedding} and my dress was about 2 inches too long! It was carpeted and and my dress kept getting hung up!! Thank God for Brenda - she brought me Rachel's crinoline from her dress the year before! It raised my length up perfectly!

I wish I was that skinny again!


My absolute favorite picture from my entire wedding! Lonnie was bustling up my dress while everyone was getting outside of the church with birdseed in hand - we did this as we left for the reception which was at a different location.

Next week - if I can, I will show you my wedding party and flowers!

On tooooo art!


The color is off in the pictures of the "dylan" painting! Remember - I'm trying to learn how to use this mam-ma jamma camera! I have a big daddy flash - I'm going to have to start using it! The sides are actually a dark taupe with chocolate brown dots.


The front is a navy blue with a light taupe background. The red actually has a slight rust tint to it and not the fire engine red I'm known for using!

Here is the bedding the "dylan" matches. Unfortunately, I've taken forever to blog about this painting and it has been shipped AND received already!!!

Just as this one has . . . .


This was for someone local. AND I got to see the room! Purple tone on tone stripes on the WALLS! It was gorgeous! The room so cutesy and all little girl!


Here are the fabric swatches! LOVE the fabric and all the colors in the room with the striped walls!


Admittedly, this canvas was made to hold hair bows. I actually attached coordinating ribbons from the bottom. Since I don't "really" make bow holders, I didn't take a picture of the finished piece! Sorry - but know it was cute!

I actually have several more I could show you, but I'll wait till tomorrow! Besides I don't have any pictures and I don't think I can get any good ones at 3 am! tee hee!

This post doesn't have very good transition sentences - but I'm falling asleep as I type this! If you notice misspellings, I'll try to fix those in the morning!!

If you have emailed me in the past few days and I've not responded - I will! It will probably be later today! I had an exhausting day at the ER with Em {nursemaid's elbow?} that I will try to blog about tomorrow and I just couldn't get around to all my emails today! I'm soooo sorry!

Good night!

My home . . .

When we first started the building process on our house, I was really excited. I think just the idea of being able to start fresh in a new house was the real thrill. The whole idea of everything being new - what a dream! We had spent the past 6 years completely renovating our "mature" tiny house. I house that started out 925 square feet - that grew an additional 400 square feet when we were expecting the twins. To be quite honest, the house was sooo freakin' ugly when I bought it that I still don't know what the heck I was thinking!! Bars were on the front windows, which were hidden by the massive plastic awnings that covered every window on the house but one {because it was covered by the patio roof.} Pink carpet throughout the house to match the kitchen's pink and gray linoleum that in no way coordinated with the avocado green and harvest gold foliage print counter tops {I'm serious - I can't make that mess up!} The knotty pine kitchen cabinets that shared the same look as the knotty pine kitchen walls that also matched the knotty pine bar in the middle of the living room that I think was intended to section off the living area with the eating area{?} The bathroom had some type of pressed wood that covered up plastic tiles that went half way up the walls that was also present in the shower. Talking about a mess - try showering in a tub with particle board walls?! Interesting to say the least. And my biggest concern when I moved in was a concrete driveway! haha!!

But hey, what else can a single, college student afford?? I actually have before pictures that I so need to post - let me find those. Trust me, your toes will curl! Just know that we slaved on that house. We had so much sweat equity in it that it was ridiculous. I loved my home so much . . . BUT a cat, marriage, 2 dogs, 5 fish, 3 kids and 1 on the way . . . . it was so time to move.

{after photo}

And yes, I did get my concrete drive - haha - Like that tiny circle drive? It matched my tiny house!!

We did a pre-sale in our current neighborhood. We got a great lot, liked our floor plan and was ready! But I'm going to add here that once we moved in, I hated this house. Really I did!

{the day we closed on our new house}

The first reason is I hate change - and this place was a big change! I think with the combination of being in town to now being out of town. My furniture didn't fit or look right in this house - since every single piece was bought for my last house. AND my husband "thought" there was absolutely nothing left to do! After all, this house was new and complete! {Silly man - I would have thought he's been married to me long enough to know there is always things to be done!!} A culmination of so much caused quite a bit of tension every time I thought about my "new" home.

There were some things we learned that we really didn't like about this house and that we would never do again . . . . such as a SLAB HOME!! That was the stupidest thing we have ever done! And every day my feet will tell you how stupid it really was. Live and learn.

But there are things here, especially lately, that I'm really liking/loving about this place. After {almost} 2 years, I have a plan! Furniture is finally coming together. I'm getting closer to paint colors {mostly for the ceilings.} Final decisions have been made on window treatments. And the moulding - finally some moulding!!! And I'm not talking about crown - we got that, I'm talking about more! And of course an addition {on a crawl space, let me add!} This is a couple of years down the road, but another 400 square feet will keep us in here longer! I can finally see what this house is "suppose" to look like and I'm excited!

But you will never know my excitement when I received a little something-something in the mail a few days ago! Let me say - PVE, you ROCK!!


I'm in love with this watercolor of my home!! It made me love my house so much more - slab and all! I see myself in that house for a long time, with the porch swing and the window boxes! And we actually have a tree planted in the front almost in the exact spot she planted the one in watercolor!

Tell me, would these not make awesome Christmas gifts?? Not of my house - You know what I mean! I'm just throwing that out there, because Christmas is around the corner!!

I already have her framed! And hanging! I wasted no time! Seriously, you guys need to go to her site and blog. She has so many wonderful pieces! OR she makes custom! AND she blogs daily so you will continually see new things!!

Okay, go check her out - I promise you will be soooo glad you did!

Patricia - thank you! You will never know how much this made my day!!

Good morning on this Saturday morning . . .

This weekend is drill weekend. For those who don't know, my husband is in the Tennessee Army National Guard. That is also his full time job as well. I think he secretly looks forward to these weekends because he can get caught up with work. Especially the paperwork part. But unfortunately, it is more time away from the family. I forgot about his monthly plans until about 6 this morning when I asked him what he had planned for the day?! I was hoping to get some stuff done myself, which as you all should know is almost impossible with 4 kids in tow. There is no such thing as "real quick" anymore.

Let me run to Hobby Lobby "real quick" . . . . that's not going to happen.

Let me run to the grocery store "real quick" . . . . uhmmm, yea - you got to be kidding.

I could keep going, but you all get the picture! And most of you have kids - it only takes 1 for the not "real quick" rule to apply! Not that I'm complaining - it's just life now and I'm completely cool with that. But there are times it would help IF I didn't have kids with me. Such as the grocery store!

With yesterday's sneak peek, I'm sure you noticed some paw prints. Or at least I hope you recognized them as that. Fortunately, my son did {remember, I always ask him what things are on a painting - if he "sees it" then that's it!}


I actually painted them going in the same direction all the way around. So the other side shows them going "up" - I thought it was cute!


I'm showing you this picture because Hudson said he thought the front looked like a cow! Not quite what I was going for! A cow pattern is much larger than a dalmatian. BUT, I paint my patterns large so I can see 'his confusion!' AND there are smaller dots on the canvas that would not be on a cow!!!


The sad part is I did look up both patterns and specifically painted an area on a dalmatian and compared it to a cow so that it wouldn't look so mooie! Lonnie said it looked like a dalmatian, but he cheated and saw the sides first! Since this was a local one, I got to hand it over. She seemed pleased as punch so I'm sure she saw ONLY dalmatian spots!

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***RECIPE ALERT!!!***

This is one of my favorite recipes for the summer! And I had a hankering the other day, so I had to make it. I took a picture because I thought it would be a good one to share!!!


I've heard of this being made several ways - but so far, mine has been the easiest!

Texas Caviar

1 can of black beans {rinsed and drained}
1 can of black eyed peas {rinsed and drained}
2 cans of shoepeg corn {rinsed and drained}
1 green pepper {diced}
half of a medium red onion {diced}
2 small packs of cherry tomatoes {cut in halves or quarters}
1 container of zesty italian dressing
"some" dried parsley {I usually dump in a little more than a teaspoon?}

Mix all ingredients together. Chill over night. Eat with chips!

Love this stuff. BUT I'm the only joker in my house that will eat it so I don't make it often. If you don't like one of the ingredients - DON'T leave it out! I promise it doesn't taste like you think it will!!! TRUST ME!! Looking at that picture makes my mouth water!!!

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If you haven't been to my site in a while, you should go! Just to check out the home page! I added a new picture! Tell me, how cute is this baby?? Shannon, we need to talk - where did you get that outfit!? That owl is cracking me up!! {I'm about to paint a couple of those for someone!!}

If you have professional shots of your child and it also showcases their painting and would like to share them on the site, I would love to have them!! I will credit your photographer on the credit page. So - PLEASE send them my way!!!

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I had a sneaky peeky to show - but I have to blog about someone else's stuff tomorrow so I don't want to show my piece! Trust me, mine will not compare! So, I'll do a sneaky peek tomorrow - promise.

I'm off to the grocery store {with all 4 kids!} Pray for me! haha

Computer woes {again} . . .

**** why didn't anyone email or comment that I said Em's bracelet was on the wrong arm?? Hahahah - and I thought we were such close friends!!! haha - I changed it! Thanks T Lee!!!


This computer is really about over itself. And we have talked about getting a new one - BUT I think that's going to be put on hold because we are contemplating about getting one of those TVs that hang on the wall?! Because you know, we need one. {You can't see me rolling my eyes - but I am.}Better yet, the plan is to hang it above the fireplace?! Because nothing screams "nice piece of art" like a TV. {Now I've rolled my eyes so far, they are stuck in the back of my head!} The only reason I'm going with this idea is because it solves another issue we have in the livingroom with seating. AND it will only be temporary. As soon as I have the dough that fireplace is getting the "ripped out treatment" and a built-in is going in!

Speaking of the livingroom - check out what I got . . . .


Vintage lamps!!! Now, I know this look might not work for everyone - nor is it every one's style. But that room is taking on a gigantic transformation and these jokers will go great in there!


Who doesn't love an estate sale?? Okay, as long as it's not YOUR family that is having the estate sale?!?! Circa late 60's to early 70's would be my guess. And my guess is they were used as inspiration for the padded {crush velvet} headboard in the bedroom I found them in. Uhmmm, let me add the velvet was the same color as the lamps . . . . interesting to say the least. I know exactly what shade will go perfect on these babies {and it sure isn't the ones that came on them that you see in the background!}

I just noticed Em's pink jelly on the table with the lamps? How did that get in there??

Who knows?

On to art {because I know someone has been waiting patiently to see this next one!
I was told the really like the "K" art in this post. She wanted the stripes and definitely the crown. After I got swatches for the bedding, I knew I had to do the 2 tone stripes again!


I've realized in posting these pictures that the green is slightly off, because I worked a little camera magic so the stripes are seen easily. Just know that the green matches perfectly!Here is the bedding - Kate from Serena and Lily. This is actually a more "true" to color picture of the fabric. Most of the pictures you find of the bedding depict a lime {almost neon} green. It is a very soft, spring green. Divine is the best word to describe it! When I received the fabric swatches my mouth hit the floor! If anyone is looking for a truly girly bedding - you HAVE to consider this one! I am in love!


Since this font has 3 or 4 fonts on top of each other, I really had to do some crazy shading. At first, I tried painting the "A" brown with plans of shading it several lighter shades of brown and taupes. It was WAY TOO HARSH! I actually scrapped that whole canvas and started back over - it really was that bad.


Then I painted the "A" white. It just blended in with the background too much! The walls are painted a green shade - so I decided to use green to give it some color!


Like I said - the crown was a must! I try desperately to make every crown I paint different. This one I alternated between painted pearls and actual 3-d ones. I love a good crown {haven't I said that before??}

And a sneaky peeky for the next time . . . .


. . . . couldn't imagine what the overall theme of this one will be?

I also have some pictures of us at Monkey Joe's - fun time was had by all . . . . except Lawson. He hung out at the front of the building watching TV?

Monkey Joe himself . . . and the ONLY picture of Lawson {he would be the one I have my arm around!} He was all about the food and liked Joe! Just don't ask that kid to jump!

Em had the time of her life. Her fav-O-rite part = the blue wrist band {actually it was a "bracelet"} on her LEFT arm. Look how she holds it out?? She kept staring at it as if it was gold and diamonds. Riot!

Hudson has an obsession with tie dye. He wears it all the time!

Carson has an obsession with HATS? Reminds me of someone else in my family!

Lonnie got into the action!

AND me, too! Em loved these slides! She actually would go down them by herself!

And I'll leave you with this image {because we always get the MOST HYSTERICAL PICTURES of this kid} to prove what a fantastic time she had . . . .

That is Alaina Claire in the foreground, but that would be Miss Em, herself, having her "a one girl party" in the background!!!!!