Excuse me, you have some hair out of place . . .

Emme! This hair is awful. Everyday, you wake up from nap looking like a hot, mess. Unfortunately, we don't stay home during the day, so I have to fix this! Daily!!!!


Concerns me because every time you have this crazy hair, I always picture Russell Brand! {Ewww!}


In other news {completely unrelated,} I have a sneaky peeky for you guys!


This painting is soooo-oooo long and this is only a tiny, smidge of it!!!

And that is brown {not black!}

I still have no sunshine! {boo hoo!} And my pictures still look funky {or Fonkey as Hudson would say.}

Short post - my dryer is getting fixed. I have to go back down stairs and entertain the repair guy. Who is also my brother! Full picture of the painting tomorrow with another sneaky peek!

Christmas Crack revisited . .

Did anyone catch the comment I made about my Dad in my Merry Christmas post? Well, let me explain - after I made the "Crazy" Cookies - now referred to as "Christmas Crack" {hahaha!!!!!} - I tried to convince my Dad to try them. He politely said "no thank you" about 5 times. BUT then when someone would come into the kitchen, the man would offer them to everybody else!!!! As in he was saying, "Try these, let's see if you throw up or go into some kind of convulsions or possible die." You have to know him - we would crack up every time he would offer them up! No matter who ate them and said they were the best thing ever, he still didn't believe us!!

The only reason I'm bringing this up is because Allyson {my sister} just posted Christmas pictures on facebook.


This about sums it up. I was trying to convince him AGAIN to try a small bite AND I'm sure he is turning me down. But the look on his face in the picture has that "I think I'm going to ralph if she ask me one more time to try one of these" look. haha!

His birthday is in January - I'm totally making them for him then.

A New Wheeler in Town . . .

I can't believe I'm even typing this . . . really, I can't.

This is when I feel like we should be labeled as "Suckers" while my husband swears it should be considered "Good Will."

Do you remember forever ago when I made some funny comment about thinking of getting my dog a dog?? Some of you won't because you are new to me and my blog, but I know some of you will. Especially several who know me in real life.

And for those who know me in real life, these is going to come as a shock because I was embarrassed to tell anyone this . . . .

but we got a new dog.


Meet Dusty. Who really sat and cocked his head into this pose when I pulled out the camera!

Lonnie just got home from Kentucky where Dusty was currently living.

His real name is Paytons Bragger. But he is called Dusty for short.

Do I like the name Dusty? No. But we'll worry with that later.

Let me explain. This little guy needed a home. That is why I say we are suckers and my husband says it is good will. As most of my real life friends know, every dog {except for our sheltie, Tiddles} have all been strays. I swear, it is as if we have a neon sign hanging above our house. All strays show up on our door step! Now, since we moved into this neighborhood, we haven't quite had the problem. {This area is a "step up" if you know what I mean.} Now, I say quite, because a shih tzu did stay here over night one time, but we found the owners the next day.

This dog, "Dusty," was born out of a line of champions in hopes of being a champion. Well, as of his first birthday {November 29th,} he is well over the champion height. The breeder knew that we had shelties in the past and asked if that was still our breed of choice {which, YES, it is!} She said she wasn't in the "business of raising" dogs - she was in the business of "champions." She really just wanted to find him a good home . . . . for FREE!!!

Since she was positive this was going to be her next champion, he has been training this whole year for it. And let me tell you - this joker is well behaved!!! Tiddles is a good dog - but this one is way better in the behavior department {just not quite as cute as Tiddles if you want to know the truth - haha!}

Dusty

He does have a little issue with his eye - an infection that has cleared up, but has caused a little haze. We have been told that it too will clear up over time. But if it doesn't - really who cares! He can see out of it and we are not into glam shots around here {unless your name was Frenchie . . . .}

Frenchie

Okay - so I had a really sick obsession with this dog. She was before kids and we all know how we treat our dogs before the babies start coming along. {And for the record, I miss this dog so much. I swear if I believed in reincarnation, she was once the nicest little old lady that everyone would have wanted for a grandma!} For those who know her, tell me that isn't so!!! I should probably start a facebook page for her or something {just kidding!!!!!}

Tiddles

So, Tiddles has a new brother - currently named "Dusty" {have I said that I don't like that name??} Suggestions would be fantastic! Do leave me some in the comments!

Too bad Tiddles hasn't met him yet! Lonnie has went to pick her up from getting her do done. She will be elated, I'm sure! That is one dog loving dog!! I'll let you know how their first meeting turns out!

Which will be in a few short minutes!

Giving Thanks During my Love/Hate Relationship with the Garbage Disposal!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We went to my Dad's house on Thursday and then they came here on Friday! That means I cooked and thankfully no one died from it . . . . except for my garbage disposal. I don't know if you want to hear this story, but I'm telling it anyways!

There are several stories floating around this blog of mine about my garbage disposal. I hate the thing and I blame almost all of my problems on it. You see, I've never had one. I grew up outside the city limits and garbage disposals and septic tanks don't mix. My only dealings with one is at my Grandmamma Tate's house. And let me tell you - hers ate everything! And when I say everything, I mean everything! Seriously people, she would put the whole dang chicken in hers {bones and all} and chop it up and wash it down the drain. It must have been a real disposal - if you know what I mean!

Well, from the beginning - Lonnie has told me to not put anything in ours that I wouldn't eat myself {uh, yuck!} And yet, I still try cramming most everything down it. It is a freakin' garbage disposal people! It should dispose of garbage!! Now, I'm not trying to stick aluminum cans or anything like that - but green beans . . . . it should dispose {properly} of green beans! Well, mine doesn't! Up till Friday, there has only been 2 times in the past 2 years that I have clogged the disposal. Green beans one time and the second time was bar-b-que {the whole roast . . . I cooked it and it was awful - so the whole thing found it's way down our sink!} And both times the choppers {definitely NOT the technical term} just wouldn't chop. And both times it about killed me to admit that I jacked up the disposal . . . after I had been given strict directions on how to use it. Of course both those times were food that I would eat!!! Which led him to ask each time "why" I didn't eat it . . . but that is another story for another post!

So on Friday . . . . I made mashed potatoes . . . the real kind {I love instant, too!} I peeled the potatoes in the sink and slowly chopped the skins a few potatoes at a time {like I'm suppose to!} Well, after the last potato - the hammers were still hammering - but the water wasn't moving. ??? Some how - I've now clogged the sink! I tried every way in my power unsuccessfully to fix it before admitting what I just did to "you know who!"

Well, had to call him . . . "can you bring home some drain-O, please."

"Why?"

"We've encountered a small problem."

"I don't want to ask what - so just tell me."

"It involves the kitchen sink and food that I would eat." {because I would eat potato skins . . . on a cooked potato!}

"KIM - did YOU clog the disposal AGAIN!!! I'm going to remove it this time! You can go back to using the trash can!"

hehe - Uhmmmm . . . no he won't!

My Dad, on the other hand, was stoked and ready to figure out the problem as soon as he got there! He kept asking to fix it! With a bucket in hand, Lonnie got under the sink with my Dad {so wish I took a picture!} and started taking it all apart. Oh yeah - it was a definitely because of the potato skins!!! It was a hot, nasty mess!

So many great lines {wish I could have remembered them all!} But when the pipe came off, one of them said, "Wow, you're not going to believe what was in it, stopping it up?!" Of course I asked thinking it really was something unexpected. "Potato skins," the choir said!

But I learned my lesson!! And it now works! So, we are going to act like this never happened! But it was a great time!

My kids were exhausted after all the fun!

Lawson

Hudson

Emme

Carson

Can anyone guess what they are doing?!?

That's right people - we got a TV!!!!! We are back to living the life of luxury! To include garbage disposing in the sink and a TV that hangs on the wall! We are living like fancy folks!!! Funny is that we only have been without it since the first part of August this year. I'm not lying when I tell you it feels like it has been August of 2006 since we watched TV! Only 3 months?!? Seriously!? I could have went longer, except of course - LOST {February 2nd} and Big Love {January 10th} will be coming back on soon. Nothing like watching scifi-time traveling lost islanders and a polygamist family on TV!

Bria . . .

The color combinations for the funny bones collection are endless! Here is another one {that is new to me!}


It is to match the ABC bedding you see below. Fantastic bedding for when you do NOT know if you are having a boy or girl!!! That is the story here. They took full advantage of one of natures last true surprises and they waited to find out. {I would have went crazy! Just let me get that out there . . . . again!} The walls are very neutral, so the goal was COLOR on the canvas!

picture credit - Babies "R" Us, My First ABC

You will notice this is not the usual font on a funny bones. The original is just a little too "boyish" and I needed something a little more "girlish!" I'ma thinkin' I like this font for the FB when ordered for a girl!!!!


And check out baby girl - you have to know this warms my heart in so many ways! This girl was about to start painting! Check out that tiny smock - home-girl was R-E-A-D-Y! I can't wait till we get our little masterpiece {I'll be sure to post!}

She has done it again . . .

That Krista . . . she rocks!


And finally, for the first time ever . . . .

A family picture!

Thanks Tumas for letting us enjoy your farm for pictures! And yes, that is an outhouse behind us!

Halloween 2009 . . .

Let me preface this with . . . . .

No matter what you do, how you do it, the planning, the coordination, the before thought, the after thought, skills, talent, boy or girl, uptight, laid back, sensory integration disorder, talking about your expectations and, of course, the consequences . . . it just doesn't matter. My kids are crazy and expensive {and I love them for it!}

Let's do this in bullet form - easier for you to see the big picture.

* 4 Pirate costumes = $124.78

* 1 kid loving the pirate costumes.

* 1 kid loving his "bones" shirt.

* 1 kid loving an old costume.

* 1 kid thinking that he "wants to be Hudson for Halloween" - Uhmmm, yeah. Sorry Hudson, it just doesn't quite work that way?!

Ended up with . . . .

* 1 pirate {I guess that means his costume cost $124.78.}

* 1 skeleton {from the neck down to the waste.}

*1 shark {a 6-12 month costume from Hudson's first Halloween that some how fit Em.}

* 1 spider {that Hudson squeezed his steroid taking, 4 1/2 year old self into what was suppose to fit "up to 24 months" costume that was bought for Carson and Lawson's {technically} 2nd Halloween . . . but we never left the house that night so the costumes from that year made it to the 'dress-up box' only and never were worn.} I still can't believe he made it fit and he actually wore it.all.night.long. Utterly amazing!


I really don't have a great picture of the kids that night. It was simply crazy. And to keep 4 kids rounded up and try to take pictures, just didn't work for me!


Hudson was totally into ringing the doorbells. While Lawson would yell {really loud,} "Happy Halloween - ho ho ho!" {Don't ask - because we have no idea!!} Em loved the people that were dressed up - the scarier the better for her! And Pirate Carson refused to wear the boot covers over his shoes.


I don't think I laughed so much in my life. My kids definitely have minds of their own and keep us cracking up constantly!

And let me add that we got more candy than we can eat this year. I hope you had as much fun as we did!

Brrr . . .

It is so cold here! Only 57 degrees and I'm ready to put on a winter coat and watch snow fall! Actually it is drizzly here - which does remind me of a Tennessee Christmas! I really hope I see a white Christmas {at least 1 time in my life!}

And why am I talking about Christmas?? Random!

First we have to get through Halloween! Which we have been getting ready for here at the Wheeler's this weekend. Friday night we made a Haunted Gingerbread House . . . and it was scary! I'm really about my kids using there own creativity and go wild with it, but this about put me over the edge! I'm glad I only bought 1 kit! And let me tell you . . . one.hot.mess!


The worms were an after thought . . . we just started sticking candy on it . . . whatever we had!


I actually had some coconut flakes?! Does look like grass - right?


Carson was too concerned with the green icing!


Lawson kept eating all the candy! After he ate all that was in front of him, he started pulling it off the house! Em, on the other hand, was stoked when she got on the table and started mixing up all the icing.


She kept dumping it on the house!


And the whole time Hudson was upstairs reading?! Didn't want any part of it - although he picked it out?! I have a feeling it was just too messy.

On Saturday night, we made cupcakes. Halloween cupcakes. And the kids loved them!


Hudson has this "no hands" policy when he eats anything messy. Part of that sensory issue.


Em had that "one bite" policy as she tried desperately to cram the whole thing in her mouth! Man, we got a long way to go on these manners - this girl is never going to bring home a suitable husband!


I think this was Carson's 4th cupcake! That he ate with a spoon! ?? I don't know, don't ask! But he ate a really good supper and would actually eat the whole cupcake {not just the icing - some of the others had that small issue.} So we kept giving them to him?! We're such great parents! hehe!


Lawson ate his cupcake, oh wait, did I say "cupcake" . . . I meant icing with a spoon. And when he licked that cupcake slick, the boy found the icing bowl {unbeknownst to us} and ate the majority of the left overs!

I'm shocked that we didn't have upset tummies last night! Apparently we have conditioned them well.

Off to dig out all the Halloween decor! And we have accumulated quite a bit since having children. Carson keeps saying {in his lingo,} "Haa-ween skaws me," (Halloween scares me. Just in case you didn' t speak "carson") with an incredibly hysterical facial expression. Because he is dead.serious. The boy would not wear a skeleton shirt yesterday {I guess Lawson gets that one!}

I hope you all have had a great weekend!

I'm sure TMI and I hope you can follow this post . . .

. . . if not - I swear I'm not crazy, it's just the birth control pills talking.

You think I'm joking? Well, I'm not. I spent 24 minutes throughout the day explaining to a bestie how I'm feeling weird! Almost . . . well, crazy?! {Even though I can't possibly be crazy, because crazy people don't admit they are crazy. They think they are totally normal. But by me saying that could have cancelled it out and I AM CRAZY! Oh.Good.Lord!}

Seriously, here is the extent of our phone convos {and texts!} . . .

• I think I might turn into a hermit.
• Maybe "so.and.so" is mad at me.
• Ewww, I just found mildew on my wall where it meets our tub.
• I might only blog of paintings and not my personal self {because I'm turning into a hermit - remember?}
• I just can't give my kid steroids anymore {but I will because I have no choice.}
• Hudson has 2+ protein in his urine again {due to a head cold - I'm sure.}
• I don't remember birth control making me feel this way before kids?!
• Okay, so after 4 kids, YOU really know your body and how you feel!
• Don't talk about menopause - I'm not there yet!
• Did you order that Clinique pore minimizer for me? {Got to get the free gift with purchase - although I have NO IDEA what the freebie is?}
• Michael Jackson's death was ruled a homicide!! {Don't know how - when you did it yourSELF??}
• I have nothing to wear for Mendy's wedding this weekend.
• Wicked - I need to see it when it is town these next few weeks!
• Romantic - I know she {being Mendy} didn't want to know my idea of romantic??
• Maybe I should stop putting Hudson in pull-ups at night?!
  

blah, blah . . . .

I could so keep going! And I seriously said it all just like you read it! Rachel, did you say anything back? Or did I just keep talking without shutting up?

Uhmm, yeah - coocoo for coco puffs!

She just laughed at me. And I laughed back. And I think I will call my doctor and find out if I should give these bc pills another month? You know, before I turn into a hermit.

And obviously, I'm not blogging only about paintings?! Because I knew you all wanted to read about my birth control pills THAT I'm taking for reasons other than birth control!?!?!

So yeah, all the above would probably be considered too much info . . . sorry you had to endure that!

I really don't have a lot to say that has any importance to it . . .

except - somebody has been waiting on peek for awhile now!


I'm finishing up this one and 2 others for twin boys! Yah me!

Speaking of twins - Hudson just figured out that Carson and Lawson were "twins" a few days ago. And he gave me a look like only I can give because he was in disbelief that "we have twins?"

He is still talking about it.

Hudson, where have you been? That's old news, man!

Em's second tooth {top right} has finally popped through but you can barely see it in this picture {as of today - she is 17 months!}


Please ignore the snack that she's wearing!

I have a funny "tooth" story from the other day - Hudson came running downstairs with a fake cry. I asked him what was the problem and he said, "I toothed my tongue!"

He was serious.

I laughed till I cried.

Okay, this next picture was taken the same day the above picture was taken. After nap obviously . . .


I think this girl inherited my hair! And those who have seen me personally in the morning will totally agree! It was perfect from the front - laying all nice. Almost as if she combed it. Then you have the back.

This next picture is of Lawson. Who, the other day, picked out his own clothes {to include the hat.}

I actually buy the "twins" different clothes. A few things we swap, but for the most part Lawson has his clothes and Carson has his. And "NO" I do not dress them alike, nor coordinating. I actually bought this shirt with Carson in mind. Lawson liked it much better.

AND his 70's style hat matches. Please take note.

AND no, he didn't have on shorts - I just changed a stinky {I'm sure you wanted to know that!}

And one of my fav-O-rite scenes of the day . . . Lonnie coming home!


I absolutely love how they run to greet him {probably begging him to never leave them alone with me again!} haha - That's what I say to him when he hugs me!


But that's family.

That's my family.


now THAT was a random post!

Holy Cow . . . it's really been over a week?????

I think this is the longest I've ever stepped away from blogging. Totally unintentional - I promise! If truth be known, last week was such a long, hard week. Nothing worthy of the blog, but know that I've just got alot on my mind, my heart and {I'm sure none of you are surprised}my plate. The balancing act isn't so bad . . . until something knew is thrown in. I'm sure you all know what I mean. And as vague as this all sounds, for once I probably will not be airing out all my dirty laundry till I can work it out myself.

I love to tell you guys I got so much done this past week - but not so much! Actually, I didn't get much of anything accomplished! Hudson started back to school. I was shocked at such a smooth transition! That is one of his biggest hang-ups. He can't stand change! The best example is if I go to town, I have to come home the same way or he freaks OUT! So, if simple things are difficult, you know big things are so much harder!!!!


But not this time. We talked about school starting back up for days! The school we are zoned for does not have a preschool. So I drive to another school that is fairly close {about 12 minutes away.} This year they have built a new school that offers a pre-K that is even closer {still not as close as our zoned school,} but due to the "hate of change," we will stay where we are at!! BUT Lawson should be going to the newer one once he turns 3! {Yes, that will be 4 kids at 3 different schools - how am I gonna do it, you ask?? I have NO clue! But I'll tell you when I figure that one out!}


Hudson ate lunch very quickly and then put on his backpack. He asked me about 76 times "ready to go yet?" in a 22 minute time frame. HAHA - it was hys-Terical!!! And yes, we wore his fav-O-rite kind of shirt . . . . tie dye!!! For the past 4 years, we always wear something tie dye for the first day of school! See, check it out for some proof!


Carson was whin-Y when Hudson got out of the van. You can kinda see in this picture.


Lawson was really upset when Hudson got out of the van! You can really see in this picture!


And Em was . . . well, I have no idea what she was {or was doing!?} but she has a new look that she does for the camera! It is like a no-denture-wearing-old-man! This girl cracks me up!! I swear her lips do NOT cover her nose - it is the way she has her head tilted! haha This picture is a combination of funny AND scary!

I also showed my house very little "home love" this week! I focused on my plants!


I'm a real stickler with house plants. I think a room is cozy with 3 things - Window treatments, Wall art and live plants! For those who can't keep a plant alive, I feel sorry for you. I love my plants and I have some that I've had since I was a kid!!!! I do way much better with house plants than yard plants - I need to get that out there! So, if you come by my house, don't expect some elaborate scene in my yard . . . it's not there! But I did replaced a few {such as the one above.} And I did a little repotting for some root-bound plants. I love the way the one above looks in that urn!

I also found a little piece of art for Em's room. I was checking my statcounter one day and I saw a link that I'd never been to - it was yapping cat studio. I read several of her posts and saw a painting that she did that I just had to have!!!!


I could tell it would look perfect in baby girl's room! AND it DOES!!!!


I mean it looks absolutely perfect in her room! I tried to get some of the fabrics in the background so all could see the sheer perfection! I swear, I get giddy every time I look at this piece!! I do plan on framing it, but keeping it where it is at {on her chest of drawers.} I think a tiny custom frame will complete it! I love it - have I said that yet??

I've got some other art from others that I have to blog about!!!! Christmas is around the corner and we need to utilize people like this for some great gifts!!!!

Speaking of gifts, I went to a baby shower yesterday! And I gave a painting. I feel really funny giving my art as a gift. Like I'm being super cheap. I've gotten to where I give gift certificates alot since my onetime fiasco when the name got spelled wrong. And that looks/sounds even cheaper!!! But I seriously think I might stop giving my art away. It's like I push it down their throat! What if they don't like my style OR they had other plans for their baby's wall art!?!? Guys, I need some honest opinions about this. I feel really weird-ed out by this situation. And I hate asking someone "would you want me to paint something for you?" Talking about Johnny on the spot!

Yesterday, I was pretty sure she wanted a piece - it had gotten back to me that she was going to talk about commissioning one. So, I thought it was a safe bet that she would like to have one as a gift!

The bedding was super cute. And lucky for me, it came from a local store. So, I easily picked up a piece of it so I could color match!


For those wondering, it is called Moo Cow. When I googled it, I saw you could get it at Target as well.


The cow applique is precious!!

And the chick that is on it, cracks me up every time I look at him!


Baby Mason will be here soon!

Abby, I hope you love his art!

That about sums up the past 7 days! I've got several paintings started! But none completed. I really didn't have the time to focus on anything this past week. I'm sure this week will be better. And I feel an all niter coming on {either tonight or tomorrow!} I promise to be back sooner this time!!