I will die . . .

. . . a slow and painful death after I show you all the final outcome of this table!



For now I only have a sneaky peeky {because I'm not quite done!}

But my Nannie is going to have my hide because I painted it! Although it was painted brown in the first place!! After I had saved my pennies, I talked to the guy who has refinished some things for me in the past. He told me it wasn't worth refinishing!?

I'll explain the details when I post the final picture! But let's face it - this is my style anyways! {And my budget!!}

You stole my heart little blue room!

Dilemma!!! {or Di-alemma - yes, that is about the way I say it!}

This has absolutely NOTHING to do with Paintings OR Christmas . . . which are super high on my current priority list. But it is one of those things floating around in the back of my head {all the time!} Why? I don't KNOW! I'm just weird like this!

But as you know, Em is 20 months. Won't be long - baby girl will be moving into a big girl bed! It seems like only a couple of months ago, I was tediously planning out her nursery while running around with only 3 boys! Those were the days I was oblivious to therapies, aspergers and minimal change disease! THOSE were the days - the clueless, wonderful, worry-free days! haha! {I sure wouldn't have taken them for granted if I had that crystal ball I've always wanted!!!}

Sorry - back on track . . . remember her room?? I love that room. Still love that room! I've hinted around how I found french provincial furniture! And my intentions are to paint it pink - the exact pink of her crib!

{not my house - Craigs list picture. Just wanted to clear that up!}

NOW - hear me, only the dresser, mirror and 1 nightstand is pink! BECAUSE they are not the "good" kinda furniture and they HAVE to be painted - does that make sense?? That is/was my intentions - paint them pink. {I'll tell you about the bed{s} in a minute.} Well, we had a little mishap with the pink. They don't make it anymore! Yes, it was a spray paint. I tried using another color pink - revolting! I wish I was kidding, but I'm not. But once I got over the HORRIBLE re-do. My brain quickly starting digging deep til it remembered the name, brand and even type of paint that it was . . . . and I did find many cases online! I'm about to buy it . . . then, I see this post {completely accidentally!}

My heart stopped for about 7 seconds. My keyboard was covered in drool - it was bad! I want that wall color and red furniture!!! But I love the pink and red together!!!! Em loves pink - and red is throughout my entire house. What is a girl to do!?!?!

Can you picture a red french, provincial dresser???

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have red beds - but I can't this time. This 1 time, {I can't believe I'm about to admit this,} this 1 time - I can't paint the beds. Not because I was "told" not too {which has always been the past reasons I wasn't "allowed"} but because the bed{s} I've already purchased {with my own money}{that are not family heirlooms}{that are hanging out in MY bedroom} {because they are way too nice for the garage!} NEED to stay the pecan/maple color they are. They just look that good!

You want to see them, you ask?? Well, ok . . .


Whatcha think?? Yeah, they are the real deal!


For me, they were love at first site - hence the reason I bought them long before baby girl needed them!

So, now I'm torn - only because I love Em's current fabrics {which have absolutely no blue} but I had every intention of using as much of them for as long as I could. And I really love Edie's little girl's room.

I've never kept a tight color palette - so I can always work with blue, red and pink?? Somehow - tastefully. BUT what the heck color do I paint the dresser!?!?!?!? Because pink would be too much for the blue walls - should I dare go red??

Somebody help me - I'm cracking under all the pressure!!!!!

She is finally complete {for now!}

I know - it is amazing! This project was literally stretched over a year - haha! I have no problems with committing myself to time consuming assignments . . . my 4 kids do though!


I was too excited to put things back on the shelves before I took the picture . . . okay, actually - the poly was still wet! And I still put the drawers back in. And added the knobs and drawer pulls. I just couldn't help myself!! I had to know what she was going to look like!

BEFORE

AFTER

See the difference {besides the drawer pulls - I put them on the rightside up this time!} I bet you want to know how I did it?!?!

I'll tell you tomorrow! Just kidding!

For now - check out {some} more of the story at (in)courage . . . because I did a guest post!!!

I know, I know! I'm going back and forth with "I can't believe I was asked to guest post" and "What were they thinking, asking me to do a guest post!?" So one can only imagine what you guys are thinking!

You'll see the skinny of what I did for this look on (in)courage. If there are anymore questions, leave them in the comments and I'll do a post of "how to do it" and answer them all then!

thanks!

Because I'm just that dang cool!

Soooo, . . . I asked about your timing of Christmas decorating. I normally don't go out this early for mine . . . but I have 4 kids who have been obsessed with the Christmas decor at Hobby Lobby since they came out with it 2 months ago! In honor of my babies - I let them each have a choice in trees - lucky for me, they all went with the same kind, but different colors!!


They even picked out their own decorations {which I limited to only "strings" of something.} This is Carson's - he went on the wild side of "blue on blue" which is more like aquamarine on aquamarine . . . . but you can't tell a 3 year old that and he understand {unless it was Hudson - he could give you the recipe on how to come up with this color at 3 - I'm not kidding.}


Okay - I actually bought Em's tree last year - and good thing, they don't have anything like it this year at the HobLob! And yes, I picked out her beads, too! Don't worry, she was pleased as punch with my choice!

I swear that is all I did - these 4 trees! No lights. No busting out the big tree. Or the stockings. Nativity. Nothing like that!! I've got a few more weeks before that! And I'm not going to show anymore with the hopes that I might join the Nester's Tour of Homes this year! I said might! That takes some planning!

And don't hate me . . .

Check out this oil painting I got for the kids' bathroom! haha - unfortunately, it wasn't packaged correctly! Boo-hoo!! The creases are too deep and no amount of stretching will fix it. Now some poor soul has to paint me up another! But I love it so much - has got to be the funniest thing ever!!

Yesterday, I got the worst headache of all time! About 10 minutes before Lonnie came home, I was face down in the sofa. He had to complete supper, bathe the kids and put them in bed - without me! I slept for over 13 hours!!! That is about how much I sleep in a week! I'm sooo behind - I had big plans for finishing up things - emails - clean my studio/office - put away the last of the Halloween crap! Nothing - nada - not a single thing got done! Horrible feeling to start my Wednesday morning . . . BUT I have NO headache praise Jesus! So, I'm very thankful - I really thought my brain was going to explode. It was just that bad. I don't think it was sinus related {or flu for that matter.} I think I just had a migraine.

It's 6:15 and my day has to start . . . I just wanted to get this post up {since I had every intention of doing it last night!!!} Wishing you all a very productive day!

I have a confession to make . . .

I've just been in a funk lately! You know what I mean? Just feeling plain funky! {If funky can be plain?!} That is why you haven't seen me this week. I hate blogging when I feel this way because it's like I try to bring you down with me. And I really don't want to do that . . really, I don't! So, I stayed away hoping the funk would go away.

Why the funk {?,} you ask?? I don't know - mainly personal stuff going on in my head. Which could be really scary! haha! But I've really had a battle lately about my Christian walk and I'm just not satisfied. I don't like where I'm at or where I'm headed . . . so I've been working on a lot of change the past several days. I've made some decisions that should better not just me, but my family. My husband is ready for the changes and agreed we both need it - so here we go! Big changes ahead for the Wheelers!

I've shown my house tons of home love this week! We moved tons of furniture around. And we added some new stuff! And guess what I finally got?? My last etching framed! Ahhh. . . and I love them so! I couldn't wait to hang them up. So as soon as I got home, I made Lonnie hang them all! And then lucky for me, my upholstery guy showed up the next day with a big treat . . .

Remember this chair???

It was the one I bought at my grandparents' estate auction last summer. Well, check it out now!


Uhmm, yeah . . . it took me over a year to make up my mind on fabric! And yes, I'm in love!

And you all have to remember this post - just scroll through it and look at the pictures especially of the chairs {I'm not asking you to read it again!} Oh, the madness - those horrible chairs! Well, look at them today!


Why, yes - those are those incredibly, expensive pillow {I only pull them out for pictures - even guests don't get to see them in person!} I have to tell you that I love these green chairs so much, but it makes me want color on my walls NOW! I think that is the next big project. And I think I'm going to have someone else decide what color for me - if not, it will probably be about 4 years before I make up my mind!

I was having an issue with lighting in this room. Lamps in particular. None of my lamps "matched?" Does that make sense? I wanted all different lamps, but I wanted them to "work" together! Well, truth be told - mine looked like they were fighting a war against each other! They just look all kinds of ugly in my living room! But I changed that with a couple new ones this week!


This shade matches the blue in the antique rocker. But it looks awesome with this oil, too! I really wanted to move this piece of art upstairs and have only etchings downstairs. And I actually just painted black and distressed an antique mirror for this spot. But I just can't seem to move this painting to my bedroom yet! I love it so much and really like to look at it. I just plan on waiting a week or 2 before I move it!

Speaking of move . . . a friend of mine bought a great table {from the same going-out-of-business-store that I got my fantastic hutch!} I've been trying to talk her out of that joker since I first saw it in her house! I had no idea where I would use it - BUT this girl wanted. it. bad!!

I finally called her and told her I was willing to put our friendship on the line. I would will, deal or steal the joker - take her pick!?! I offered up one of my antique dressers - she could choose which ever one she wanted . . . well, it worked! She said she was thinking she wanted a piece that had drawers {not the doors} so she was willing to give in and trade! My persuasion skills are getting better and better!


We moved my red shelf that was in my studio/office to the boys' room {which actually belonged to them originally!} Which, can I say - that once we got that huge thing in their room it was absolutely PERFECT?! This whole time, I thought it was going to be way too big. So, it never was moved in there! But with birthdays in a few days and Christmas in a few months - we needed something to house more toys! Now, obviously, I haven't gotten this shelf anywhere like I want it. BUT I really like it. And I needed the doors! One day I might actually do something with this room!


And I finally got the boys' birthday invites out! Of course no one will get them till Tuesday and the party is Saturday! Less than one week's notice - shocker! I'm soo bad with invitations {birthday cards, graduation cards, Christmas cards, etc!}

It's that time of year again . . .

***edited - - - I'm up. Now, go make me proud! And chant to yourself, "I'm open to receiving, I'm open to receiving, I'm open . . . . . "


You know, when the Nester does her fantastic give-A-ways!! So far there are some fantastic ones! {Not that she doesn't ever have fantastic ones!} But guess who is back in for the give away? Yep - that's me! I almost didn't since I took myself off the market till January 1st, but I thought this would be a good chance for someone to get a piece of art {for free!} So, go on over there . . . . EVERY HOUR {a new give away is posted} . . . . and COMMENT! There is absolutely NO WAY you can win if you don't get in! Open yourself up for some receiving and go win yourself something!!

And btw - I'm giving a 12x24 canvas {of your choice!} When my post is up . . . I'll let you guys know!

Since the Nester is doing the give away, I thought it best I wait a day or two before I start pointing out my mistakes . . . meaning you are going to have to wait for that post I promised! haha

BUT I do have some more art to show!


One of my favorite things about this one is the grass? Just gives that whimsical look I was going after!


Okay - I love the clouds, too! They give that same feel!


Are you guessing what it is yet!?


If you guessed TRACTOR, you win the prize! Alright, I really don't have a prize! But the thought of knowing you guessed right should make you feel warm and fuzzy on the inside!

This joker was 3 feet tall and 4 feet long! I would NOT ship a canvas this size! It was for a local friend and was very easily deliverable!

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And speaking of this local friend . . . . her name is Jamie and she is the god of craigs list and lsn! This girl can seriously find whatever I'm looking for! Because you know I'm always in the market for furniture! I'm hoping today I can get pictures of all my great finds and post about them! You guys are going to be jealous!! Because of what I got AND because of Jamie's skills! haha!

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Talking of great finds reminds me that I had to go different than the original plan with my chairs! How can you forget this chawwing post! Well, I must have carried my little frayed swatches around for way too long because they didn't have my chartreuse green for the "ugly chairs." They will still be green but a different green! Something that matches better. Remember how I was concerned about coordinating with my rug? Well this one really does!? I didn't see this fabric before, so I'm glad I found it this time! {But I really liked the pop that the chartreuse would have provided!} Really who cares . . . just get those jokers recovered - right?! Lonnie got those babies dropped off yesterday to my reupholster! Whoo-hoo! No more embarrassing ugly chairs!

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And while we are on the topic of furniture . . . . Em's nightstand and mirror are COMPLETE! I took a day off from painting and painted instead! {That sounds rhetorical?} I'm so excited! Lonnie took this week off from work - so I'm hoping to finish the dresser today and actually get some paintings completed! Uhmm, yeah - I'll let you know how it all works out for me!

I've got that feeling it won't go quite as planned.

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Since we are on the subject of completed paintings . . . . I've got to get to FedEx at some point to day! I'm hoping with the Mister here, he can get these boxes shipped for me if I get stuck with the kids! So, if you KNOW your order is complete, today should be the day it goes out!

I honestly think if all I had to do was "paint" - I could really get them done! But even the simple things such as writing down all the colors before I put the paints away really slows a gal down! But just in case anyone has the same bedding or wants the same painting they saw, it makes it so much easier to have the info ready!

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Time to start this day! I have alot to accomplish. Remember to go see the Nester! Comment on everything! And good luck!

The rain actually held off for the . . .

. . . . wedding! I was wrong . . . it wasn't close to a river?! Could have been with all the rain - but it wasn't! People let me tell you - if this was the place I chose to get married, I would have done the same thing! This yard was sooo gorgeous, that I would have married my husband in the rain no matter how hard it was coming down! It was just that gorgeous!

And I took pictures! Forgive me, I meant to bring my big-daddy camera . . . but forgot! These are all by my phone {which has been the biggest pain in the rump to get from there to here!} Anyone else have an EnV touch??? I know hate is such a strong word, but since my phone is an object and not a breathing/living creature I think it is safe to use it here . . . . I HATE THIS STUPID PHONE!

Well, I feel better since getting that off my chest! And as soon as I can get to the Verizon store, I hope to have a new phone . . . preferable one that likes me and will work when I use it.

Okay - back on track here . . . pictures . . .

let me just say this was the groom's mother's backyard. And it was over the top perfection. It is what I had pictured when I was little reading the "Secret Garden" -

walls of 9 foot hedges.

spindly trees.

fountains.

iron gates.

shade lovin' plants.

vine covered arbors.

rock covered paths.

And when the wind blew just right . . . a wind chime. And not one that sounded like silverware clanking on an aluminum pie plate, but one that sounded like church bells on a clear, crisp Sunday morning.

I got chills.

It was perfect.

I only wish I had a real camera with me to take real pictures! I'll go back and get some because I want my yard to look like this. And the hubs has to go to see it so "we" can make that happen!


This final picture is the back of the yard. It bumps up to a church which gave them permission to use their parking lot for the guest's parking. How perfect it is that they had a gate from the lot to the yard?? And it had a meandering path that led through all the gardens into the open spot where you saw all the chairs {that were anticipating rain as they were covered in plastic - hah!


Too bad we didn't see any of the wedding . . . we were too busy at the reception site preparing to feed everybody!

And because I know you all love a sneak peek . . .


!!!!

Guess what . . .

okay, yeah - 2 post in one day? From the one who hasn't posted in forever?? But this is important!

I'm about to buy something else for Em's room . . . .


Oh yeah, baby! Another Craig's List find {thank you Jamie!} I mean seriously - do you think I could find 'only' a chest for sale again?? And it matches my dresser and night stand? Did I say "my dresser and nightstand" . . . I meant EM'S! That is what I meant. For her, NOT me! Let's just get that straight! As a child, I would have hated something like this. I'm being for REAL! And I would have really hated it EVEN MORE with the finished look I'm going for! haha! Something happens to you after you have 3 boys and finally that girl comes along!

I will not deny . . . .

I get teary eyed when I think of the ballet class she WILL be going to. I hope she doesn't have other plans because I hate to ruin them.

The doll house we will build together is going to be magnificent. {You guys should see the one my aunt has/had . . . Debra do you still have that lil' Victorian Jewel??}

I'm determined to make pink her fav-O-rite color . . . O - well goodness me, it is! {without my help!}

. . . man, I hope her free will isn't too strong - OR we're gonna have a problem {okay, so I'm totally just kidding!}

But she will have the best doll house ever {with some working lights IF I CAN HELP IT!}

Yes, I'm still painting . . .

I'm sure you guys are wondering?! I've not shown a painting in forever! Since school has started, my painting time has been so limited. I thought it was before, but now it really is! I only have during the night to catch up. And there are just some nights I have to go to sleep. With the way our schedule works, Hudson only goes to school for 3 hours a day. And it's during naptime. If Carson or Lawson fall asleep during the drive home, they will not stay asleep during the transfer to their beds or go back to sleep once they do get in their room. To them a 3 minute nap is the same as a 3 hour nap - a nap!? So, I spend the whole 2 hours trying to keep one or both quiet, entertained, forced into napped {which takes the entire naptime} only to be woke 10 minutes later to load everyone back up and go get Hudson! Such a struggle. I really hope when the new of it all wears off, we can get into a routine again. Good news is Carson, Laws and Em will be starting mom's day out in the next couple of weeks! It still won't give me a ton of time BUT it will give me some time - and I'll take what I can get thank-you-very-much!

But let me get on with it! I have to tell you this was a first for me. Two names. Not a "two-namer" but 2 names for 2 different people. I question it {you can ask her.} But once I saw how the room was laid out and there are bunk beds, this was the only option.

So, how does Madeline . . . .


and . . .


Alexis . . .


look together????

Like this . . .


Oh, I love how this one turned out! The red dots you see on the pink flower below are red beads! You know if I can I always try to add a 3 dimensional detail somewhere!


I'm keeping this one brief because I'm so tired. My bed really needs me right now. I have to get up early in the morning. It is a long story, but a friend found a bedroom suite for Em and it is waiting for me at 8 am. I promise to blog about it. But just know I got all the pieces I wanted for a steal and it includes this . . .


Don't hate me. I went through 3 boys to get a girl.

{Womble, you'll have to call the cell phone today - I know you want to know the story now. haha!}

Because I can't help but talk about it some more . . .

Hey - it's me, the birth control pills again. Yeah, yeah . . . YOU thought she was going to call her doctor today, didn't ya'? Well, she didn't! I've officially taken over!

haha!

Yeah - I still feel it . . . CRAZY!

No - I didn't call because I was busy and never really at the house to call!

But to explain my 'sitamawation' a little further . . . I'm taking them for other reasons. Incredible mood swings! Some incredible pain that I would equate to the beginning stages of labor! Acne?! To name just a few. I mean, come on! I've had my rounds with pimples during the adolescent years . . . what did I do to deserve ROUND 2?!? The "birth control" part has already been taken care of . . . permanently! So . . . due to zits, I'm willing to give this a full 3 months {maybe?!} I really think if I can temporarily take them, I will go back to normal {somewhat normal.} Then I'll stop! But seriously, I was pregnant, breast feeding OR both from July of 04 to February of 09! There was not a single break during that time. My hormones probably have no idea what is going on!! So a little shock therapy might do them good!

Okay - enough with the bc! Even though I got OVER 1,000 hits since I posted that post less than 24 hours ago?!?

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Random alert . . . {just not as bad as yesterdays!} I'm going to try to separate it all to make it easier to read!

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I had several people ask about what type of plant I had in the black urn. I got it at Home Depot and it is called a Pilea. It is a medium light loving plant which is what makes it perfect for my living room.

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And speaking of that post, guess what I picked up today??? Oh yeah! My frame!

Only I didn't got with a "tiny custom frame" . . . more like a "gitisimo custom frame!" Trust me, when I was picking out the frame - the bigger ones were just really working with it! I'm still giddy when I look at it! But now I have to find some wall space in Em's room!!

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I also picked up number 3 . . . .


I blogged forever ago about some etchings I bought at my grandparents' estate sale. I wanted them desperately {and got 'em!} I knew exactly how I wanted them to look {It helped that I have a huge love of etchings and have a couple prior to this purchase!} Again, custom frames are so not cheap! So, each month that Hobby Lobby runs them half off - I drop off an etching! This easy project will take 5 months! BUT they will be in better shape than they have ever been and be displayed to their full potential! Dude, I'm sooo freakin' excited to see the end result! Only 2 more to go!

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I will also be getting some new silhouettes of the children for my living room shortly! NOW - somebody tell me who doesn't love a silhouette??


This is of Hudson when he was 13 months old. Lonnie told me on our 7th anniversary {in November} he was going to get me all 4 of the kids' silhouettes. My goal is to keep the living room "art" blacks and creams.These will fit in GREAT! This man is fantastic to work with. AND my personal opinion is he is incredibly reasonable! So many times a year he comes to different Dillard's in my area and makes these by appointment only. In 4 seconds! I swear! It took him seriously 4 {okay, maybe 5 seconds} to cut this out! It was CRAZY! {Crazier than I am on these birth control pills - sorry, had to throw that in! haha} But check out his site - you can send in profile shots and he will whip you up one! {Great Christmas gifts!}

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So speaking of my living room, I have finally figured out my fabrics!


Window treatments {got to love a buffalo check in chartreuse!}


Here are a few more swatches! Remember the rockin' lamps I blogged about??? I was trying desperately to make them work . . . which in my kitchen they would! Butttttt, not so much for the living room {Although the rooms should flow well?} I'm happy to say they have found a new {and very loving} home! {*sniff*} As you can see, I really wanted some blues. So, instead of turquoise I'm going robin's egg blue! Love that color so much.

The paisley/blue will go on the rocker that I purchased at the estate sale.

The chenille green {definitely on the chartreuse side!} will be going on 2 chairs and matching ottomans. I can't believe I'm about to show you all these next pictures. So embarrassing . . . let me just say that the Nester doesn't have anything on me!

We have dubbed these the ugly chairs! They were not ugly when I first bought them. I love them! All $1,800 of them {hence the reason I can't bring myself to get rid of them!} See the slight wear? I think I've had these for almost 8 years {?} The piping has so seen it's better days {the ones before kids!} Well why stop there . . .


Uhmmm, yeah - sadly 2 arms look like this! I know - atrocious! I hate inviting people over! "Please don't pay attention to the arms of my chairs. My kids were having an 'off' day that day." haaaa - just kidding! Truly this is nothing but the wrong kind of fabric on everyday chairs. It wore thin because we really use them daily! Kids had nothing to do with it - NOW the gold fish under the seat cushions is completely different issue!

I'm obviously trying to avoid the next picture but I guess I might as well show you! I mean, you have made it this far!


And I was chawed about my van?!? Actually this picture makes me speechless.

So - I've ordered the fabric. My upholstery guy has been warned. And this little problem will be taken care of shortly. Enough said.

Honestly, I have no idea how well this will be pulled off - but I love the fabrics and well, . . I'm sure I can make it work! My biggest issue is my rug . . .


. . . which I love. BUT the green is very muted and sage"y" - I will somehow have to bring this color out somewhere?!?


My incredible, money saving pillows have several shades of green in them so that should help pull it together {kinda?!}

Okay - well, maybe it will look good enough to make in on the blog - I said maybe!

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And a funny to end this incredibly long {and boring post!}


This was the last cookie. Lawson made the claim. And honestly, my kids don't care who gets the last cookie - most of them prefer white cheddar cheeze-its or goldfish. BUT Lawson had it and as you can tell had eaten over half of it. Then like a magnet to a refrigerator, Em appears from nowhere and just snatches it from his mouth - NO JOKE! Of course Lawson is looking like someone had just sucked all the red off his candy, so I grabbed the cookie from Em and gave it back. He is still screaming - uncontrollably! Now, remember - he doesn't really talk {okay - he doesn't talk at all!} But he obviously is screaming because of Em. So I took her to him to show him she had nothing left in her hands . . . . well - she did. See that tiny little piece? Yeah, that one on the right. That one a mouse would turn his nose on because it's too small. Okay - THAT was in her hand. Do you know that joker stopped crying when I handed it to him?!?

And he very precisely sat it and the larger piece on the table.

And didn't touch it {nor miss it when I threw it away 2 hours later.}

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!!}