the HARDEST thing to paint!

It's me - seems to have been a long time. I've been so sick! Voice basically gone for a few days {that is hard with 4 kids!} Exceptionally tired. Headache. Just straight funky!

Last weekend, the temp was up into the mid-60's! After nights in the 20's just a few days before. You have got to LOVE Tennessee weather! It gets me every time!

But I'm back! Finally! I didn't even work - that is why the number to the left has NOT moved!

I've had 1 majorly important thing to paint - just ONE that had to be completed!

I used all these paints . . . .

. . . and all these brushes . . .

. . . to paint THIS!!!!

I know you are wondering, "what the heck?" But I'm not going to tell ya' yet. You'll find out soon! But I had to paint 4 dots - perfectly spaced. Even. You know how hard it is to paint "perfect" dots?!? And that is why they are NOT perfect - I.just.can't.do.it! haha! They are spaced out evenly and that's about it! Hopefully they will work - we will all know soon!

And just because I feel so much better today . . .

Nice do!

haha! Have a great Friday!

My turn to be the sickie {excuse for such randomness}

I hate a head cold! I normally get one once a year. And, well, . . . my number is up and it's my turn. It started to hit me on Saturday and I've just felt funky {or "fonkey" as Hudson would say} since. That was the same time it got Lawson as well. His poor nose is just straight gross!!!! Quite confident he needs an antibiotic, but I've got to get to the doctor's office.

And guess what - we are snowed in yet again! And I have NO groceries! AND I have NO IDEA what I'm going to do about lunch? Lonnie got out to go to work and said it isn't bad - BUT this homey doesn't drive with any white stuff on the ground! I've got 4 kids in tow - I don't take chances.

I have a sneaky peeky for you guys! It is cute!

Just wait to see the fabrics this is to match {the zebra is the glider/rocker in the nursery!}

Carson had a slight accident a couple of nights ago. The 3 boys were monkey-ing around when they were suppose to be sleeping. I could hear them but just tried to ignore it as I was waiting for Big Love to come on at the second time for the night {since I missed it the first time.} Normally they play {in the dark} for a few minutes, and then they go to sleep. I knew in a matter of minutes they would be snoozing. Well, then I hear Carson screaming at the top of his lungs - the type of scream that says "I'm really hurt, not crying wolf and I need immediate attention because I could possibly be in my final stages of death" scream. Honestly, even with that scream, I still meandered up the stairs thinking the tone in the scream would die off by the time I got to the room.

Well, it didn't. He told me that the book shelf hit him in the face. Basically he hit his head on the book rack that hangs above Lawson's trundle, beside Carson's bed. I felt his head in the dark and finally came upon the knot. When I pulled my had away to go turn on the lamp, I felt it . . . . the blood.

I remember thinking, "please let this be snot and not blood. Please." It was blood.

After Lonnie came home {minutes later,} we decided against the ER. He was in good spirits AND it had stopped bleeding. But what a black eye! And I'm sure this is going to scar.

{the morning after!}

I think all the kids are feeling "fonkey" because they are all laying here {quietly} watching Sesame Street?

Speaking of Sesame Street - as a kid, I thought Sesame Street was in Nashville! haha - Our city is next door. And alot of people live here in Murfreesboro and commute to Nashville for work. So, it made sense that Sesame Street would be in Nashville! {Apparently, my world was small!} That too, was before the super famous were on Sesame Street {such as Sarah Jessica Parker that is on now!?}

What did that have to do with anything - NOTHING! But I just thought of it and cracked myself up!

Since my kids are being so good, I might try to sneak in a few emails! I need to take advantage of this situation!

Random!

Please don't call the LAW!

**When I was about 5, I stole a pack of gum from Wal-mart. I hid it in the back seat of my mom's Gremlin {seriously} under the floor mat. I would get a piece out each time we would get into the car and she never noticed. I felt guilty. But apparently not guilty enough to 'not' chew it.

{google picture - but this looks just like ours - we were a classy bunch.}

**At about the age of 6, our local Fred's was going out of business. They had this HUGE bin full of miscellaneous items - mostly costume-like jewelry. I found a single earring in the bottom. It was a purple, clip-on, ball earring. And when I say purple - I mean the kind that they squeezed grapes into. I really thought I was doing no harm and pocketed it. Really I did! haha - I mean, come on! How were they going to sell a single earring!? I took it because I thought I could make something from it. I still remember what I thought I could make {but I'm going to leave that part out of the story - okay?} Oh man, when my mom saw that I stole the earring, I got beat {literally!} Stealing was definitely not going to be the business I got into. Not after that!

**When I was a freshman in high school, I was on a 'date' with a real winner who brought along his best friend. The 2 were pledging for 2 different high school fraternities. The friend {not my date,} had 2 options of getting out of 'hell night' - steal the moose head off the moose lodge or steal the January Street sign {which was in the middle of the projects.} Honestly, it was much safer to steal the moose - but he thought it would be easier to get the street sign since they have a camera on the moose. Now you guys have to know me - the whole time I was preaching how they were going to Hell and taking me with them. And they should feel guilt for what they were doing. I had no choice. Take me home first . . . . I said it all. My 6 year old self was telling me how my mom would beat my 14 year old self - just much harder. I remember praying so hard. When they got out of the truck and got the sign, I locked both doors and wouldn't let them back in. Finally after they swore they would take me home, I let them back in. But Cody, wanted to look at his ticket out of torture and went to the local park to gape and goggle over his new prized possession. This is the same park the cops were patrolling constantly because of some not-so-good-behavior going on at night there - prostitutes, sexual activity and same sex should sum that scenario up for you. Just guess what happened? Yeah, busted. And took to jail. Just know, I got into the worse trouble out of all 3 of us. AND I was the one begging to leave me out of their fun. Another fat lesson learned.

**I've been pulled over 12 times - but have only gotten 2 tickets. I'm not bragging - seriously! I just got the right cop or trooper each time that believed whatever I said. The funniest one was when I was speeding down the highway towards home. When the trooper got me, I jumped out, ran to the other side of the car, opened the door and squatted and peed. Really, I did. It worked. He laughed once he figured out what I was doing on the other side of the car. AND then he tells me that was considered indecent exposure. I asked if he saw anything. Of course he didn't! So, what was indecent about it???? I was so close to home, about to pee on myself. He stopped me - so I had to go somewhere!? Right? Whatever, it worked. Should I have been speeding - NO. Once I had kids, I really started slowing down. Really! But let me say, that every excuse I ever gave was truthful. It pays to tell the truth people. {hehe!}

**But my newest law breaking moment - Several weekends ago, it was bunco night. Bunco was in the middle of Nowhere City! Lucky for me, an awesome friend told me to meet her at work and she would just drive. While waiting for her in the parking lot, I noticed all these spikey, seed pods in the parking lot. Once Jamie got out, I asked her if she had a bag in her car - I wanted these pods! Of course she did. We ran around the few cars left parked picking up the pods. I noticed she was in more of a hurry than me. She slipped it in that we ought to hurry before the guard sees us.

"Uhmm, what? Did you say 'Guard?'"

"Yeah, he patrols the VA parking lot - I think this might be illegal."

haha!! "AHHH - Quick - get all that you can!!!!!!!!"

Jumped in the car as soon as we saw him drive to our area!

Such a lawbreaker.

And I have no real idea what I'm going to do with these. haha!

okay people - tell me what you have done so I don't feel so alone in my jail-bird ways! If you are brave enough to blog about it, I want to see the link in my comments!!!!

*******disclaimer - I don't want to read about deaths or kidnappings or anything that shouldn't be in my comments or in a blog post!?! Got it?!

Me and my best friend . . .

I've got this friend. I've known her since I was 18. Literally. Met her on my 18th birthday. She is actually very old-fashion-like. I had actually befriended her sister several years before and really liked her. So, I was stoked when I actually met the sister. We hit it off immediately! And to be honest, we were inseparable for years.

We really made a perfect team! I knew what buttons to push and she mine. When people found out that we knew each other, request started to come in. It was crazy. And the two of us worked our ba-jeebies off.

But, there came a day that I sorta started pushing her away. Horrible, I know! But I was at the point in my life where I couldn't really fit her in. I was pregnant with the twins and had decided that I was going to focus on my paintings. I really wanted to work on this newly acquired skill and it just left little time for the friendship I so loved for so many years.

Frankly, I've not really thought much about her. I knew she was safe and that's all that matter. I knew if I needed her, she would be there. That is just the facts.

Years have passed. Approximately 4.

Then it happened. You know what I'm talking about. When a situation occurs and you're like, "Crap! I so could have done this if me and my homey were still tight!"

So, I did the right thing. I went looking for her and I knew exactly where she was. She was in hiding. Afraid of being sold. Which, let me say, would have NEVER happened.

I opened the door that leads to another door. I pulled the monster of a case out that she was stored in. Opened the lid. And there she was. She looked exactly the same. The same girl I remembered.

Miss Sue "Singer."

Man, how I've missed her! And we were back - the team! The team that could do anything with the right measurements!

I instantly changed the needle. Plugged her up. flipped the switch. Threaded the bobbin. And put the pedal to the metal. And wow - the smell I remembered. The excitement started to flow!

All 4 of my kids watched with wonder and Hudson had to ask, "What the heck is that?"

I said, "Sue." {Because everyone names their sewing machines!?}

I immediately ran my fabric through.

And - "oh, yeah . . . we still got it! Straightest seem EVAH!" Best thing to compare that to is doing the splits at my age without stretching and it's been about 12 years since the last time I did them! Yeah, that good!

But then {'cause you knew their had to be a "but" in this story somewhere,} I realized almost immediately after the "we still got it" thought - that the tension was off. Way off.

I flipped the fabric over {knowing exactly what I was about to see.}

And it was definitely another one of those "crap!" moments.

Yeah, 4 years and no use . . . . Sue needed to be serviced! The instant high went flat. Only because I couldn't blow threw these 7 incredibly easy seems and show you guys our {mine and Sue's} incredible masterpiece!

I really just needed a quick change in my creativity outlet. I'm talking about 1 hour and this window treatment would have been up! Then back to painting.

I loaded her up and dropped her off this morning. Hopefully we can hook back up in the next day or two and work this out!

And by the way - these are for Em's room! And the pink furniture is now off. I know you guys are wondering. I'm just going to make you wait for the reveal!

I've had some questions about Craigs List. I will try to do a post about that soon. I do normally get great items at some really great prices! Such as this new guy below!

This is a coffee table - Broyhill Fontana Collection! Everybody has to remember this set! Anyhoodle, we really wanted a table for the kids to play on {not literally, but as I type this - someone is dancing on it!} I wanted a big drawer for the toys. NOT that toys are suppose to be down here. But at night, when I pick up to do my daily vacuum - I want a place I can throw all the kids stuff that they didn't manage to take back up the stairs before bed time.

I have big plans for him. I've already bought the paint. Sooooo, maybe you will see this transformation soon. It probably won't be until the spring, but I'm sure I'll post it!

Excited . . .

I finally did it - picked out paint colors for the walls in my house! With help of course! I just can't do it on my own you know!? I know - I paint, but I can't pick out my own wall colors. Pitiful! I'm shocked at the direction that Em's bedroom walls will be . . . very shocked! But I'm certain it will look good. I just need to get started. For those wondering, her furniture is definitely going to be the muted pink as is her crib. And just in case you don't remember - the furniture I'm referring to is her dresser, mirror and night stand. But it will be a few more weeks before we really get started! I still have to work on the rest of her bedding {I still don't have anything other than fabric!} Such a tedious job . . . that I LOVE!

Last night with a friend, I was discussing what direction I wanted to take small words. I got so excited and pumped during our conversation. For the first time, I really felt what I did with halting new orders was definitely the right thing to do! And I realized that the "stress" I've been feeling is not the typical stress - but stress from excitement. You have to know what I'm talking about - when you have soooo much running through your head and you are thinking of it all at one time. And you can't really get your thoughts organized on paper, much less in your head. And then you get that really crazy feeling that is close to overwhelming. And as you have the overwhelming feeling wash over you, you realize you really can't do anything you are thinking about, because you have all the immediate issues at hand?! Yeah - that's where I've been.

Tonight, I'm going to do my best to put my number of orders at the top of the blog. And then knock down the number with each painting I finish. Which could be obvious - but it's really not. Only because I don't post pictures of every piece I finish. Sometimes they are gifts, sometimes Classic collection or sometimes surprises - so sometimes you never see a picture of those. This way, you all can see where I'm at during my Operation 'Catch-Me-Up.' Embarrassing as it is, you will really see the weeks I'm able to work . . . and those that I'm not.

I still have not emailed quite a few folks {actually it is a lot, I'm only pretending it is a few for sanity purposes,} to see if they want their orders. So, my numbers will really drop {I'm sure} as soon as I do that and hear back from them {or not hear from them - I can take a hint!} I don't know why I'm still putting that off - except for the fact that I earned the title Queen of Procrastination years ago! Seriously, look up procrastination in the dictionary and you should see my picture.

"Nannie's" table {and I'm officially dead meat!}

As promised the how-to on my lil' table {as I watch my life flash before my eyes.}

Here is the thing - not all people like painted furniture - especially the "beat-up" kind! Now I, on the other hand, adore painted furniture and the more beat-up the better. With 4 kids, I look like I really have nice stuff - thanks to the trends these days. And frankly, before the worn and shabby look was so big - I was a huge fan. I've loved vintage my whole life! And the chippier the better.

Here she is. Brown paint and all. Now, let us get something straight . . . . this is brown paint - not stain. There is a huge difference. I might eat these words {I hope not, but I might} but I have to confess and come clean about a pet peeve of mine.

I hate furniture painted brown.

There, I said it! Finally - it is off my chest!

Why, you ask? I really don't know. I just don't like it. I guess, maybe, if you wanted it brown - just stain it?? I don't know. I just don't like painted brown furniture. Ughh - just gives me the shivers. {As I slightly turn my head, my eyes start to roll in the back of my head, my tongue sorta hangs out and my hands draw up and do something weird!} Oh. yeah. it's that bad.

Case in point -

I think this table proves my point.

The story goes like this - my Nannie gave me the table AND I had every intention of having it refinished BECAUSE most all the family heirlooms I've acquired are in the best condition of their life at this point. For obvious reasons, I normally don't paint them and spend the boo coo bucks to have them redone to beat their former glory. My grandmother has flat out told me on numerous occasions about another piece of furniture {cedar closet that is no longer in my possession} to never paint it. And I should capitalize the word "never" because that is the way she stressed it. My assumption is that same ruled applied to the table - but she never said I couldn't paint the brown table. Only the cedar closet. Ignore the fact that she has always been under the impression that I was going to have the table refinished - so why reiterate the fact that furniture should not be painted. Although she, and everyone else in my family, knows I loved painted furniture and might possible choose my fate by painting whatever I deem necessary to paint. To include this ugly, yet adorable, brown table.

Are you following me?

Now, the story goes this table belonged to my grandmother's parents and was originally a "radio." At further inspection, you can tell that they did remove something from the center and re-attach the top of the "something" back on the base {with nails that had huge heads(?).} Therefore, making this table. As far as the brown paint and the why - I'm quite certain it has to do with the original finish the table had. The brown paint was painted over a lot of "chips" and "drips." One can only imagine what this table looked like before the brown paint. {I'm sure awesome in her chippy state - but like I said, not all people agree with my "4-kids-living" style!}

I did save up the boo coo bucks and was prepared to have her done up the "right" way. But my guy said it would cost way more than the table was worth. Way more. Because it was just that Ewwgly! Do you know that word?? When Ewww and ugly meet. I've never heard it either - I think I just made up a new word!!!! That is fantastic!

Anyhoodle, so after all this time - I finally found her a home in my house and figured out what to do.

Blue. I wanted her blue. With a stained top.

My choice of color was Sherwin Williams Quietude - SW6212. I think it is the same color that Nester used on her armoire. I think. I was going to link up, but her format has changed and it would take me forever to find it. I had this color picked out for my bedroom for a long time, but just never knew how I would like it all over - so the table was a "try on color" to see how I felt about it!

I made the mistake of trying to strip the paint off the top - remember, I wanted the top stained. The stripper was probably the dumbest mistake I made that week. I should have put on a mask and got out my sander! The paint on top was sooo thin and barely there that the sander would have bumped it off in a matter of seconds. I really wanted to stain all the lips going down the sides, too. But the sander would not have been good for that!. Hence, the reason I thought the stripper was the best idea. Well, the stripper made the top really gummy and basically smeared all the paint around - one, nasty, hot mess! So, after 24 hours {to insure it was dry,} I sent my husband outside to sand the top. I would have done it, but it was only 22 degrees - he did it really fast {haha!}

After I wiped it down with a tack cloth, I went to painting the base and legs. Only 1 coat of interior latex, flat paint is all it took. And about 27 minutes {I seriously timed myself just for this post!}

The next night. I took a foam sanding block and just started sanding. This took about 2 hours. It was late and I watched 2 episodes of Criminal Minds while I did it. I basically sanded down the areas that would be worn the most if it was truly "worn" over time and not in a 120 minutes.

I normally do not do the sanding thing - only because it takes a lot of arm work. I do like the Vaseline trick - or wax - but where this one did have brown paint underneath the blue, I wanted to try to remove a little of the brown with the worn look and reveal the chips and cracks and drips.

After all the sanding, I cleaned it up with a wet rag! I know - horrible isn't it! But I wanted all the dust to be gone! As I then took my fav-o-rite color of stain . . . Minwax Special Walnut . . . and a sponge brush and I laid it on thick! I stained the top. Then I did the blue parts. I would brush it on an entire leg and then with the same wet rag I had used earlier {rinsed} I would wipe off the stain. One coat of stain. That's it. Just 1!

As you can tell, I ended up painting some of the lip/edge area that I wanted to stain - originally that is the top of the base {where the blue starts} and it was easier to paint it blue than to remove the brown paint in that area. And as much as the nails resemble shingle nails {the biggest nail head you can find,} I really do like how they are exposed!

I love how this leg looks! The dips you see are actually from the original finish - the finish before the brown paint.

I tried hard in all these pictures to really show the true color. I messed with every setting on my camera - which is now out of whack {Krista come over and fix my camera since I've now jacked it up!!!}

I still need to poly it. But it has been so wet or cold or both! I have a lot of poly jobs for the spring!

Any questions, let me know!

And here is a peek of the lamp that sits on top!

Dang, that was a long post - thanks for sticking with me!

Hannah Holstein . . .

I did it! I finally did it! I ordered the clock!!!! The clock that I've talked about for 2 years. The clock that will look fantastic in Hudson, Carson and Lawson's room!

The moocoo!

The silly part - I ordered it for ME for Christmas for the boys' room! haha! Because I'm just that kinda momma!

Wacky and Tacky has always been the theme!

. . . when it comes to my Christmas decorating! I feel like time ran out and due to the fact that have a whole-lot-a work left to do - this is IT! Too bad really, I have still so much stuff! Including a village!! Oh, well . . . . on to the tour of Christmas homes!!

I must link up to my friend first - who, did you see, has a NEW blog! Obviously, I was trying to be number 1000 - BUT I'm tired of waiting for everyone to link up! hah! Just kidding - I sorta forgot . . . and then remembered. And I had most of it typed up . . . but now I had to add a few things {such as these lines!} It just takes me fo-evah to do anything these days!

I know I gave you guys this little number a few weeks ago - and it looked so good all decorated for the boys' room - ALL 27 TIMES I DECORATED IT! So, I said forget! I think they like them better plain!

But I will admit - they looked very arthritic after my kids played with them! I did have to smooth out the branches for this picture {let's see how long it last!}

Do you have an elf on the shelf?? OMword! This is the best thing ever! I linked to it, so you just go right ahead and read what it is all about on the site! Our little guy doesn't have a name - we just kinda call him Elfie.

I have always used real ribbon with my packaging - especially with items such as these. But with kids . . . .

. . . they love this mess! Kills me - but they really do prefer these bows. And yes, I do put atleast 2 on every package {normally 3!} Did anyone else buy this paper from Hobby Lobby last year!? Yeah, looks like it will be used through Christmas 2013! These rolls have NO end! Craziest thing ever! My Grandmamma Tate would have loved some paper like this!

For some reason, I keep buying stockings every year. Not my intentions - but these were classic and totally fit my "wacky and tacky" theme that goes strong throughout my holiday decor! But then again - all the stockings fit that theme or I wouldn't have bought them?! So, I'm starting a new tradition and letting my kids pick each year which ones they want to use! I mean, they all do coordinate - so we are doing it!

Em's tree - I forgot to get a bigger pic of the whole thing! I'll do that before Christmas {someone just remind me!} By the way - I think I'm keeping everything as is in her room . . . . pink trumped the blue and that will be the color I repaint the dresser, mirror and night stand - because I know so many inquiring minds wanted to know!

My Kringle! I love him so much! I really want to replace the plastic snow ball with a glass ornament filled with some kinda fake snow! I'm working on that - just don't be surprised if it is next year before it happens!

Got a few new ornaments this year.

Just a few - I thought I took a picture of the pirate one {apparently I didn't!}

And my tree - what can I say!?

I do like the bright ribbons I'm seeing everyone add to their trees. The type that just hang from the top! I'm copying that idea next year!

I heard that tomorrow there is a Christmas card linky! And yes, I have one this year! I'll tell you all about it then!

Of all times . . .

for my kids to get sick! Three of them started puking at the same time on Monday morning. It was one of those days I knew I could not have done it by myself. The chaos was so crazy that Lonnie had to stay home from work. Once everybody got it out of their systems, everything seemed okay . . . . then it started . . . . the pooping! Way messier than the puke! I've washed sheets on each bed 4 times in the past 2 days! Needless to say, I was wiped out last night - and unfortunately fell asleep when the kids did. Normally I automatically wake up at 4 {if not earlier,} but not this time . . . . I just got up at 6:30! Talking about late! And the ONLY reason I woke up is because a little person came down stairs asking me to do what??? To change his stinky! And to beat that - it looks like we have a horrible diaper rash - so bad that he is screaming when I put on the Happy Hiney prescription and Aquaphor! I feel so bad for this little guy - you know he is in some pain.

But I'm trudging on - trying desperately to get more orders filled. I'm already exhausted. and it is on December 2nd. I have to really roll out some canvases the next 2 weeks to hit my personal deadline! I really don't have a ton left that want them before Christmas . . . . but I still have quite a few. At the same time, I really want to be better with the blog. I also need to finish up my shopping {which is not much!} And I also have to wrap gifts, attend 4 Christmas parties and I have a Christmas play to go to.

There is no real balance between a home business and family. Something gets neglected. I promise it is not my kids! But I'm trying to keep my fuse long so that I don't snap. I have so many of you that ask how I do it. I just do. I really don't keep a social calendar and I hope people are not offended when I turn them down when asked to do things. My husband and I don't go on real dates and we'll take quite time {just the two of us} in the living room any day over a night out.

I've said it a thousand times - I just really didn't expect small words to boom like it did. I was "hoping" this would happen about the time Em was in school - then I would have the day to "work." But it busted out much sooner than expected. I'm not complaining! I love it. And I still get excited each time I start a new order for someone. BUT wow! Who knew. I still can't believe it. And all because I picked up a paint brush to see what I could make for Hudson's room {almost} 5 years ago.

I can't thank you guys enough for the support, love and prayers. This has been one fun and crazy ride. And I hope to continue it for a very long time.

But enough about me . . . let's talk art!

Cocalo Ellie crib bedding

Cute bedding! Elephants are a big thing right now. I'm seeing them in alot of children's bedding - because you know, I see alot of bedding! haha!

Cocalo Ellie crib bedding

Pink and green - can't go wrong with this color combination in a girl's room.

Cocalo Ellie crib bedding

My favorite letter {because you know I always have one when I paint a name} is the "n" - this font is just awesome anyways - but that "n" just has a look about it I love!

Cocalo Ellie crib bedding

As most of you know - I normally don't match up the designs perfectly {normally not the stripes.}

Cocalo Ellie crib bedding

And I love it when {by design or accident - you be the judge} the ribbon matches this well!

Sorry for such a short description . . . my kids are calling me this morning. And I have to see what kinda damage was done throughout the night!!

And if you have emailed me - I will be getting to those today! Have a fantastic day - you deserve it!

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!