Happy New Year's!!

This year has brought about a lot of change for me and our family. The economy has been awful and we have been affected by it in a negative way.... which just stinks!! So, it is with great hope I look forward to this next year.

My main goal will be to try to keep my house a little neater, a little prettier and spend more time with my family. Sure, I would love to lose 20 pounds... or 30... ok!! I get it!! I could stand to lose more... but darn it if I don't like to cook and I tend to do that well. Maybe I should make my new years resolution to burn more food so I eat less. Hmmmm... interesting. Science experiments.... although I think I have enough of those in my fridge right now. Oooooohhhh!!! Another new years resolution!!! I must stop my ongoing study of various molds and how they grow on food. Hmm. That is just gross. TMI, I know. ;0)
Overall, my goal will be to make my home a more joyous place. More comforting. A safe place. Lately it seems to have been a busy place... and I don't dig on that too much. I want to be a more gentle person, but being of Irish decent... that becomes a war with my genetic makeup. LOL! I always loved Miss Melanie from "Gone with the Wind". The character I most admire and the one I am least like. I am soooo a Scarlett.
Anyway, I am rambling on and saying absolutely nothing. Earnest Hemmingway would look with disgust on my writing. Haha!! I can't help it if I am more like Victor Hugo!!
I hope everyone has a wonderful New Year and that you don't drink too much. Seriously, a hangover is not a good way to start the new year. I think it will be Martinelli's for me this year.
Sooooo...... HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!!!

Merry Christmas!!





I haven't posted since October 12th. There have been some very crazy things going on around here, but they should be ironed out pretty soon.
I hope that everyone is having a great Christmas!! I know my kids are!! They got a Wii this year and I am not sure they will be sleeping for the next week...!!!
I promise to start posting again, but have a whole lot of food to finish up here. I can give you all the run down in a few more days...
MERRY CHRISTMAS!! from our family to yours!! ;0)


I have been gone for waaaay too long. But... to be fair... everyone got sick. And then they got sick again. Then something else came through. This past Friday, my daughter Faith had a tonsillectomy and an adenoidectomy. She has had a real hard go of it, but she can breathe again. The Dr. said that her tonsils were the size of golf balls and they were also infected, so I know she will be feeling much better. These next 2 weeks might be a little difficult for her though.

One thing I got done while I was sick, and before my husband got sick, was to re-stage the mantel. I have always had a very hard time making my mantel look nice. I am very good at grabbing a bunch of stuff and throwing it up there and pretending it looks good. Well, it usually doesn't. But I think it looks much better now. Please give me your honest opinions... because I know I can always use ideas and guidance. I seem to have a mental block when it comes to the mantel. I am also having issues with the mantel as far as pictures go. It absorbs all the light when I try to photograph it and looks so dark. It really isn't that dark, but the rocks!! It's the rocks!! Augh!! That is ok, because I love the rocks. Really, they are why we bought this house. We bought it for the stone fireplace. And I am so excited that it is almost cold enough to light a fire. I might even fudge on that a little bit. I am really dreaming of hot chocolate and a roaring fire.
The weather today would work really well with my fireplace dreams. It is cold and rainy. Before Christmas, we are going to add some trim and moulding to make it look nicer. Oh my!! I have my 5 year old and my 3 year old bring in a whole bunch of clothes down the hall. Apparently they are packing to go to Pearl Harbor. Methinks we have watched too many WW2 movies lately... let me know what you think... and show me your beautiful mantels!! Sharing ideas is one of the best parts of blogging!! And I will go figure out how to take pictures of my fireplace without it looking like a dungeon.....

I Will Survive....

Every time I say that, I feel like playing disco music. And maybe dancing like John Travolta. I don't think it's that weird.... do you???

We are all still alive. Mr. Hunny and I got it the worst, and for that I am glad. We can suck it up a lot better than the kids can. I still have an intense cough and sore throat, but I finally got some energy back. You know how it is. You are scared to use the bathroom because every one has been so sick, including you, and you just don't have the energy to clean it. I finally got both bathrooms and the kitchen scrubbed and sanitized yesterday. I am not sure I would have been able to had I not had some good dance music to listen on my iPOD. Turn it up and pretty soon I am the only one here. I am sure my kids all think I am crazy singing Lady Gaga as loud as I was, but they won't complain. I made a real dinner and you are no longer scared to sit in the bathroom. All good things.
Monday Faith goes on her very first field trip. Gabe goes on Tuesday (not his first). Jacob will get to go in October. I can't even begin to describe the excitement for that boy. A bus ride to a pumpkin patch. Surely he must be going to heaven. ;0)
I actually managed moving some furniture around while I was sick. Actually, I managed and my husband moved it. Don't worry, he wasn't sick yet. But he was the next day, so it all worked out. I even managed to take pictures. I have planned for 4 days to post it, but have been trying to get things cleaned up. Kind of a priority when we had... dare I say it.... the SWINE FLU!! Aaaahhhh!!! But, we all lived and now there is one less ailment to worry about. Yeah. With 5 kids, a single cold can last months. Seriously. We haven't been to church in about 2 or 2.5 months. Boy do I miss it. So do the kids, but I can't take them when they are sick just because I want to go. Really. I wanted to, but couldn't be that thoughtless to everyone else there. Plus, they know where we live. Not such a good thing... ;)
So, hopefully I will get the post tomorrow. Although the next 2 weeks we have about 13 appointments. The first time I have needed an organizer. Fun stuff. I don't like being busy. Not like that anyway.
I hope everyone had a great weekend and I hope you can avoid the swine flu. Very much so not fun. Can't say it enough...


you mix 5 sick kids and 1 sick Mommy? NO FUN!! I now have 4 out of my 5 kids on antibiotics. I am sure the 5th one will be on them soon, too. I just haven't taken her yet. (Sometimes I think our pediatrician would make a ton of money if we were his only clients.) So, needless to say... I am now sick AND frustrated. Frustrated because I am not a good sick person. Also because I have projects that I want to complete. Did I mention I am not a good sick person?

Two finally got to go back to school today, but only because they are on antibiotics. The baby has the croup for the 10th time in his first year. His birthday is tomorrow... poor guy. ;( Three are home with me. One that went to school today will have to have her tonsils removed October 9th. The nurse said she will probably stay in bed for a week sleeping because of the pain meds and the Phinergin(sp?) she will be on. So now I want to make her bed super pretty and very cozy. I won't have time to get the room painted, but her bed should get extra pillows and lots of pretty things to look at. I think she will also need a steady supply of fresh flowers. thank heavens Aldi's has bouquets of flowers for $3.99. And they are beautiful and last quite a while!! (Hint hint, Mr. Hunny!!)

So now I just need to put my big girl panties on and fix up her room. Thank goodness we live less than a mile from a JCPenney outlet. I should be able to get her a pretty quilt or comforter complete with pillows for less than $50. We will also be making sign for the front room requiring the admission price of 1 milkshake before they are allowed to pass to visit the patient. She LOVES that part!! Of course, we will have backups on hand for people just in case they forget!! So just in case I am not here for the next few days, you know where I am. I hope to be back really soon. There is always so much inspiration to be had visiting all of these wonderful blogs!! Two children requesting I feed them now. Gosh they can be so demanding!! ;0) Now if I could just stop sneezing...!!!

mother and sick child with crafts - perlinger.jpg



Looking at the beautiful organized houses on here have got me thinking. If they can have a neat looking house... then I can,too!! Mine isn't really awful or anything, but there is room for some definite improvement. Before I had kids, EVERYTHING was organized. Something happens when you pop out 5 kids... but that is not an excuse. And I don't plan on using it for an excuse either. I talked it over with my husband. Our kitchen will be fully organized and painted before thanksgiving. Period. I will not rest until it is done. It is so easy to push everything off, but I spend so much time in there, it can get depressing to try to cook in there.
We started off by organizing the pantry and the cabinets. Can you believe I had to pack up four sets of china? I just LOOOOVE dishes. I need to find a china cabinet, cheap. I can't pay a lot of money for something and then paint it. It makes my tummy hurt to think about it. Seriously. So, I have to find a decent one that I can paint and do lots of stuff to. Then I won't feel bad if I mess it up. It will more than likely go in our front room. My kitchen is really tiny, so it can be very difficult to decorate. The table is actually a little too small for us, but I haven't found what I want yet. I want a harvest table, or something similar. And definitely benches for the kids. We can smoosh them all together if we have company. Hehe. Again, it must be cheap. Antiqued or "pre-chipped" is preferable. That way I can't get upset if my kids mess it up.... which is going to happen. I just want a sturdy table. Nothing formal. I want mis-matchy chairs. You know, kinda cottage-eclectic. That way, if a chair gets broken... which it will... my hair will not end up getting ripped out. Now you know why I have short hair...haha!! ;0)
So, I am feeling pretty good right now. I know what I want to do to my kitchen and I have organized the cabinets and pantry. Now I need to clean off the counters and still somehow make it look welcoming, somewhat decorated, but not in the way of my cooking. Or baking. I am thinking I might be begging for ideas in the future, but that will be in another month or so. Now if I could just decide what color to paint my cabinets. I wonder if schizophrenia runs in my family.....


It's a cloche party over at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/ !! And who wouldn't want to go?!? Cloche is such a fun word, I just couldn't stay away. I don't have a lot of them, but it is more of how you use them than it is how many you have. So, in that spirit I am qualified. My pictures are a little bit blurry. My camera was throwing a fit this morning. I can handle that better than when my kids do it, so I am ok with that!! ;0)

This first one is just a simple cloche over a pretty plate with a pumpkin on leaves. I tied a raffia bow around it and that is good for me. The second one is a wire cloche that I won in a contest from Bunny's Bungalow. I tell you, this is just the best little thing!! I use it in everything. It is just the most perfect cloche I could ever ask for!!
So, this is all I have. But there are so may other gorgeous displays out there!! Check out http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/. There are so many other ideas out there that I myself would never be able to come up with!! Really!! What are you still doing here?!? Go get inspired!!



Wow!! I actually did it!! Actually, I did it about a week ago and haven't had any time to post, but I am finally getting it posted. Yes, I know this is a very simple thing. But it sure makes me happy!! ;0) After painting this red, my 3 year old went up to my husband and informed him that he needs to paint our coffee table red. And soon because,"I don't think it looks pretty right now!!". LOL! A girl after my own heart. Maybe she will get him motivated to do it. I just thought it was precious. Then she started telling us we need to paint everything red, "Cause I really like that color so we should paint everything red!!". I can't really disagree with her since I looove red, too!! We will see. So, I can actually accomplish things I set out to do, they just sometimes take waaaay longer than they should. That's ok. I now have a motivational speaker living with me!! ;0)




I got these maple branches from Pier 1 this past spring. Normally, they are $5 each but I bought them on clearance for $0.49. I put 6 branches together and made this lovely foliage display. Well, almost. I tied twine at the top and bottom to keep it together, then spun the twine all the way down from the top and then back up. Such talent... yes I know. Who knew?!? When I was finished with that, I tied it off (the twine) and then tied a raffia bow on top. Pretty simple, huh? Well, I think it looks great. I still have to make my second one later today, but I really like how it turned out. Considering it would have cost $60 at full price and I, frugal Mama that I am, did it for $6. Yippee!! Plus, I can't stand waiting for fall anymore. I am sure you are right. I need counseling, for sure. But sometimes it is fun to be a little crazy!! ;0) What sort of projects are you planning for your fall decor this year?



















Finally!! Blogger hates me!! There is no other explanation. It won't let me move my photos and likes to spontaneously delete them on me. Aurgh!! Anyways....
Ok!! I can't take it anymore!! I know it isn't fall yet.... but they have Halloween decorations at the Dollar Tree already (Christmas, too) and I couldn't pass them up. We were in heaven... everything $1 or less. Here (somewhere on this page wherever Blogger put them) are a few lovelies we picked up: scarecrow wreath (13"), the little skulls swag and my favorite... the Insane Asylum sign. It sure can feel like that around here, but I wouldn't change it for anything!! :) They also had some really cute tinsel spiders, but they don't photograph really well. I admit, it was a little fun chasing the kids around the house with them!! :) Yes, that was terrible of me... but a Mom's gotta do what a Mom's gotta do. Besides, I owed them one (actually a lot more than that!!). I would try to move this, but I have a strange feeling that my post would either be deleted or more pictures would go missing. Hmmm... methinks I may find someone other than blogger soon if this doesn't work out!! :) I love my photos!!
I have been away from blogging for about a week, but I managed to take a lot of pictures and then promptly forget that I took them, so I will be able to post more of those later this week. I hope to see lots of Halloween and Harvest decor soon. I know there are some very talented and creative ladies on here. I must admit to being a bit giddy about it!! ;0)

ps- Blogger just deleted my skull swag pic. Ahhhh!!!!


Ok, I am too confused. I can't make my mortgage payment because the Feds closed down Taylor Bean. I also can't get any info because the lines set up to answer questions has nobody answering them. Where is the news media? It seems to me they would be rather helpful in helping customers with this. And where has all of our bailout money for the banks gone? Yes, I know. They say there will be no late charge. But, don't they always say that? I am so frustrated, I can't get a hold of anyone. My BIL is in the mortgage industry and he has been able to answer some questions but, by and large, no one knows what is going on. Aurgh!!

Anyway... back to something more interesting. Today my 3 year old will be painting the chalkboard. She has determined that I may have the honored position of assisting her. If I play my cards right, I may even be able to make her meals today... but only if I am well behaved!! BTW- she insisted on my using this picture. ;0)





Fall is my favorite time of year! I am so excited about being able to decorate soon. I only wish it was sooner. I am ready for fall now. The kids are riding the big, yellow bus to school. I remember when I was little, it was starting to get chilly and we would wear sweaters and sweatshirts. Here in the south, it is still in the low to mid 90's. What I would give to be able to start up the fireplace right now!! Which reminds me.... I need to make my order of wood. Seeing a neatly stacked woodpile just makes me so very happy. This will be the first year I plan on having a woodpile. Last year we just bought it as we needed it... which cost more than it should have. I am not too sure on how to do it or what is truly required (there are lots of things that would be nice but are not really necessary...). If anyone out there has any great info on that, I would be ever so grateful. I know I haven't been around much lately, but that is mostly because I have 5 kids, went to California for a week and had three to get ready for school (started this past Monday.). With only two at home now, it should be a little easier. Of course, the two remaining are three and 11 months, so maybe I am just wishfully thinking... but it has been more relaxed and quiet so I think it should be just fine. Are any of you out there excited about the coming fall season? Is anyone else as nutty as me for beginning the plans for all the plantings and indoor/outdoor decor for the season? I can't wait!! Oh for a chilly night where I could make hot chocolate and sit in front of the fire. Soon... I can't wait!! :)













We had the most fun trip to California. We surprised my father in law and showed up for his 75th birthday. He and Mom have not had very good health lately, so we wanted to make sure they got to see Mikey, the only grandchild they had not yet seen. Boy did we have fun. Everyone there kept apologizing for the "heatwave". Haha!! 105* there is like nothing!! Dry heat is not a big deal. I could have gone without air conditioning...!! When you are used to the humidity of the south, California's dry heat is pretty easy to take.

We had so very much fun!! We stayed with my sister in
law and her family. She has 3 kids and a very funny husband. Spending a week with them was one of the most fun things I think I have done. Her husband can crack you up without trying... her kids are so sweet and totally adorable... and Jenn and I are so similar that we laugh over almost everything. Needless to say, I had a blast... ate some very yummy food... played with some wonderful kids (that I already miss terribly) and am already starting to plan a trip there for all 7 of us after school ends next year. Here are a few pictures I took. I will have to post my fil and mil later. ;0)










I can cook really well. And I certainly enjoy eating the fruits of my labor. So much that I might be on a diet pretty soon... after I am done nursing Mr. Chunk. Yet, this little guy has something pretty big over me... the chubbier he gets, the cuter he is. The chubbier I get... well... not so cute. Why is it that he can look so cute with chocolate all over his face and everyone gags when I do it? I don't know.... so I will just enjoy watching him in all of my green glory. Besides, these pictures will come in REALLY handy when he starts to date!! ;0)







I will never forget what our forefather's fought, bled and died for. I will never forget what our soldiers are doing right now. I will never forget September 11th. Yet, our government is forgetting. We need to remind them. We need to remember that freedom is never free, apathy breeds stupidity and if "a man hasn't discovered something he will die for, he isn't fit to live."

Happy Fourth of July!!!!

I am now!! Seriously!! How out of touch can these people be?!? They want to double our power bills. How many elderly people will freeze to death, die of heat stroke, or starve with the passage of the cap and tax? How about people on one income? Could they have picked a better time to pass this? No. Why? If this passes, then we will NEED the government just to survive. Who could afford food, electricity and medical bills? Not me and my husband with our 5 kids. How is this not an attack on middle income, single parent, lower income, fixed income or large families? Maybe if we were all "environmentally responsible", we would have known that we should get abortions after our first child... or we couldn't afford it. Can you see a limit on children coming? If they even try that, I would be more than happy to die for my beliefs. How is our government not becoming more like China.... you know... the ones that "own", I mean let us borrow money. Our government is getting so into our business, I don't see much hope for our country. Seriously, it will either come down to the death of our country or a revolution. Why doesn't anyone else seem to care? Why are we so transfixed with the death of a pop start and not interested in what will happen to our children's futures? Who could begin to afford all of these taxes? Oh wait!! Members of congress could. They make insane amount of money off of our backs already.... and can't pass a state budget. When was the last time you went out and spent $50,000 more than you had and then demanded that other people pay for your idiocy? That being said, why should Alabama pay for the dippity-doo-dahs in California that didn't notice that they are spending $25 billion over what they have. WHAT? Aren't they a state that legalized medical marijuana? Ok. Now I get it. They are all high. That is the only conclusion I could come to. Can you come up with a better one?

And why, if California is such an incompetent state, would we take all their laws for housing (you know, the ones they can't afford) and impose them on people that don't make near as much money? Do you trust our government to run our medical, housing, etc.... and has anyone noticed how buddy-buddy Obama is with Hugo Chavez? Our President friends with a socialist.... coincidence of freudian slip? You decide.
Anyway, I am fed up with the Fed. They are messing everything up, Obama has proved to me a major idiot and no one else is acting like they have a lick of sense. If they want the UN to run our country... let me just ay it would be OVER MY DEAD BODY!!
OK. Now I will go breathe into a bag and use relaxation breathing techniques. Maybe a bubble bath...
BTW... here is a great site to get a better hold in the cap and tax:
http://activerain.com/blogsview/1134522/how-will-cap-and-trade-effect-your-real-estate-business-





I never remember to do these, but I must really be on the ball today!! Thank you "A Southern Daydreamer"!! If you have no discovered Susan's incredibly inspiring blog, do yourself a favor and check it out!!

Here is my favorite crape myrtle. Well, really, they are all my favorite!! This one is right by my back patio. We planted this one for shade and I think that by next year it will be very hard at work. It is almost big enough now. I reminds me of fireworks. It seems to be exploding. I LOVE this tree!!!

Here are some roses, a spirea and a weigela. I can't wait until they grow in. This fall, this bed will be expanded. I plan on making this bed pretty big. The more I can plant in the front lawn, the less I have to mow. I really don't like much grass in the front yard. I like it in the back, where we play. I would prefer a cottage garden in the front.

This willow tree is one of the kids' favorites. I plan on planting one in the back. They have made it into a fort. I remember doing that when I was little. Willows have always been my favorite tree. Everyone always warns how messy they can be, but I think their beauty is worth it. Watching my children enjoy this tree, I know I made the right choice!! Thanks for stopping by!! I hope you enjoyed yourself as much as I enjoyed your visit!! Next time I will make sure I set out some lemonade and some of the missile popsicles. Always yummy!!



Quite well, thank you!! It has grown quite a lot!! I must say that I am really excited. Both my husband and I both thought that it would look nice for a while, but that the veggies wouldn't actually grow. I figured it was worth a try anyway. Well guess what?!?!?!? That's right!! Everything is growing!!! Yeah me!! Admittedly, I wasn't sure how it would go so I planted a bunch of herbs, flowers, squash and tomatoes. I think I might be eating my very own organic tomato sandwiches soon. I only have a little bit of weeding to do. Had I done the mulch like I was supposed to, I wouldn't even have to do that. I think I will write "An Ode to Mulch" later today. How are all of your gardens doing? What have you found to be really helpful in your gardening? I hope that next year I will be able to plant even more!! Have a wonderful third day of summer!!! :)




OK. I admit it. I watch Jon and Kate plus 8 every week. Even though she comes across as a huge egomaniac, I doubt I would look much better. You end up looking however they cut the tape. It isn't all reality. I won't go into who is wrong... I don't know them. I am just feeling so very bad for the kids right now. Regardless of how amiable they are (or say they will be), they can't get along for an hour. They admit that. I doubt that will get better. If she is anything like me, I would spend the time apart coming up with great zingers. Funny thing about that is that I can ever think of them when I am in the situation. Kinda like Meg Ryan's character in "You've Got Mail".

Anyway, I know it is probably terrible I watch the show anyway... but I have always loved to watch the kids. I loved how they felt, as a couple and a family,that this was their ministry. Now I am just deeply sad that they ever said that. I am sad another large family has gone down the tubes. This is just going to be another jab to contend with when people find out I have 5 kids. I can deal. So can my kids. I just feel so very sad for those Gosselin kids.
They filed for divorce today. Our 12th wedding anniversary was yesterday. Maybe that is another reason it bothers me so much.
Off the soap box now. I should have something much less serious and pretty tomorrow!! :)
I hope that everyone has had a wonderful second day of summer. I am off to watch "The Dark Knight"... again...!! :0)


We are having a ginormous garage sale next weekend. In fact, three streets around us are getting in on it. This will be heaven next week!! In preparation, I found this picnic table on CraigsList for $45... and it came with an umbrella. It doesn't have a base, but that is no big deal. I take mine down whenever it gets windy and at night anyway. It works perfect!! The umbrella gives awesome coverage. I think we will keep it in the front yard. The kids love sitting at it for their lunch or ice cream. We also have a wooden one in the back yard, but it doesn't have an umbrella. So now we are ready for next weekend. My kids know that if I find anything on the floor this week that isn't supposed to be there, I will toss it in the garage sale box. Lucky for me, they are keeping most of their toys put away!! :)

I should be back Monday with some pictures of my garden. Yeah me!! They are all growing!! :)
Have a wonderful weekend and a Happy Father's Day!!!

I have had such a huge thing for Coldplay lately. As I was cutting down a tree today, this one came on my iPOD. Now it won't go away and I am glad about that. Everyone is asleep right now and I know I should be in bed, but sometimes it is nice to listen to music loudly and surf the net. Gee, I don't think I have done this in years. Dear me. I may be too giddy to sleep tonight!! :) Anyway, you may think me nuts (I would agree with you), but I wanted to make sure everyone has heard this less often played Coldplay song. It makes me smile. What else can I ask a song to do??



"Swallowed In The Sea"

You cut me down a tree
And brought it back to me
And that's what made me see
Where I was going wrong
You put me on a shelf
And kept me for yourself
I can only blame myself
You can only blame me

And I could write a song
A hundred miles long
Well, that's where I belong
And you belong with me

And I could write it down
Or spread it all around
Get lost and then get found
Or swallowed in the sea

You put me on a line
And hung me out to dry
And darling that's when I
Decided to go to see you

You cut me down to size
And opened up my eyes
Made me realize
What I could not see

And I could write a book
The one they'll say that shook
The world, and then it took
It took it back from me

And I could write it down
Or spread it all around
Get lost and then get found
And you'll come back to me
Not swallowed in the sea

Ooh...

And I could write a song
A hundred miles long
Well, that's where I belong
And you belong with me

The streets you're walking on
A thousand houses long
Well, that's where I belong
And you belong with me

Oh what good is it to live
With nothing left to give
Forget but not forgive
Not loving all you see

Oh the streets you're walking on
A thousand houses long
Well that's where I belong
And you belong with me
Not swallowed in the sea

You belong with me
Not swallowed in the sea
Yeah, you belong with me
Not swallowed in the sea


It seems like it took forever!! The pictures' color is off. I can't seem to figure out why, but after having a behemoth amount of "issues" with my camera.... I will take what I can get. There are still things I want to do in there... like the floor and change out the vanity top, but I am not in any major hurry for that. I would much prefer to work on our bedroom and, of course, the kitchen. Here are some of the pictures we took. It is a miniscule bathroom, so the pictures were a little hard to take, but here they are!! Now if only I could get the almost youngest boy to stop "missing" the toilet.....

I found ideas in almost every blog I read. Rhoda's gave me the idea of hanging something above the shower. Obvious? Yes. However, sometimes the most obvious thing are the ones that I miss.... I know these are almost sad compared to some of the others I have found on here. However, I would just like to point out that... this is my house! As much as I would love to have some of the houses others live in, I am happy with my tiny little house and enjoy making it look far better than when we moved here. Seriously, when we first moved here, the carpet was black and had some sort of goo that would make your shoes stick. Ewww. So, anytime I get something else done, I am completely exhilarated. Especially when you consider that I have 5 kids, I am amazed that I get anything done... EVER!! Yeah for me!! So remember, even if what you are working on isn't totally fancy or expensive or even totally creative or original, if it makes you happy... that is what matters!! Someday I may be as good as some of these women... maybe not. But I know I will always love my house, because it is our home. No matter what, my kids will look back on our house and remember how much time I spent trying to make it more colorful and pretty for them. They may even ask me for advice on decorating some day... hahaha!!! :)



It seems like forever since I posted. I think it has been a month. Wow!! What has kept me so busy? Let's see...

It is the end of the school year. There was all that paperwork!! Family issues... my SIL visited for about a week a couple weeks ago. That was so much fun I am going to to return the favor in July!! Of my 5 children, 4 have been sick. When Michael, the baby, got sick.... he was pretty much attached to me. I couldn't put him down or he would cry. He got that nasty cough going around... then his turned into croup. The fourth croup incident since his birth (he is 8 months old) that really concerned the doctors. Too much drama for this Mama!! However, I am pleased to report that I am caught up on all of my laundry. I admit.... I am thinking small. But after the month that I have had, I am totally ok with that.
I haven't gotten to snoop blogs nearly as much as I would like. In fact, I hadn't slept a whole night in 2 weeks. Finally, last night I did!! Oh heaven!! I now feel like doing a project. I will start small and get gutsier. I think I will paint a chalkboard today. Red!! Oooh fun!! And the kids can help, too!! 
The camera hasn't been working for me lately, but I am trying to figure out what it's attitude issues are. Then I can photograph the bathroom.  There are still a couple small things to do that I haven't gotten to with all the sickness, but I will take what I can get!! 
I told my oldest to go take a shower the other night and use the master bath. He walked in there, turned around and said," This one isn't pretty like the other one. I don't want to shower in here!!".  A boy after my own heart!!!  That was just too funny!! He waited until the other bathroom was open just so he could shower in the decorated one. Anyone who says design doesn't matter, well, I think my son would disagree!! :) Now the pressure is on for my husband to paint the other one. ;)
I hope that everyone has had a less exciting time lately than I have. If not, I can totally understand. Sometimes life is a little too exciting. I guess that also serves a purpose. Without chaos, we would not appreciate the mellow things in life. And I am really searching out the mellow things now. After a whole nights sleep (the first in 2 weeks), I think I might even be able to take a little chaos!!! Or, maybe not....

A Sneak Peek...



This picture here is a little hint of what the bathroom will look like.  I know, I know. This is supposed to be a masculine boys bathroom.... oops!! My oldest son actually liked the idea of birds since we enjoy watching them, so I am not being overly evil.... muahahahahahaha!!!  We painted the walls a periwinkle color and the wainscoting is an antique white. Most of the accessories are spray painted in an antique white. We found the towel racks at Hobby Lobby for 50% off in black wrought iron, and since they are beautiful... we bought them and spray painted them. I will still need to get the towels and we need to second coat a couple spots and finish the vanity, but I can't get that done until this Saturday. 7 people (with only one diapered!!) and one bathroom is not a pretty sight. I need a few days of two bathrooms before I take one away again. I think this Saturday I will paint it after the kids go to bed. There really isn't a whole lot left, so I don't think it would take too long. Yes, I know... famous last words. It is hard to get a good picture in this bathroom as there is no natural light. Still, I think it looks pretty good. I am surprised the boys are so excited about the color. I thought they would think it was too girly, but they like it. 

It is amazing how a decent paint job can make a bathroom look so much cleaner.
Mr. Hunny is taking pictures of the kids and I keep hearing things like, "Mickey, don't chew a hole through the sofa!!", so I had better get to it. I have lost enough seating areas to small, teething children and they are getting to be quite expensive. :0)
Have a super spiffy day!!! 

Weekend Work...



Boy was this weekend tiring!! Even little Michael got all tuckered out. Just before he collapsed from exhaustion (it is so tiring being adorable and good natured all the time...) he was eating. Yep, he was eating and bouncing happily in his exersaucer and singing away. Then he rubbed his eye for a brief moment, and down he went. Right next to his favorite toy. He loves to chew on that cow!! :) Right before he fell asleep, he was telling me how much he is liking the new color scheme in the bathroom. He was happy that the walls, wainscoting, doors and part of the cabinet got painted. Some area still need another coat, but boy does he like how it looks. He suggests yellow for an accent color. He said a nice sunny yellow towel would make him smile whenever he goes in there. In fact, he started demanding that his baths be taken in that bathroom instead of the other one... it is too ugly to be acceptable to him any longer. I can't disagree with him. The painting in the guest bath makes it look so much better that the master bath is just depressing now. That is OK, though. We will be working on that one in the next month or so. After our visitor has left. 

Before I sign off, I wanted to let you see how truly offensive our guest bath was, and then later I will post the after (at least most of it). We still have stuff to hang up an I haven't found those sunny yellow towels that Michael has demanded, but I will soon. Definitely this week. Try not to be to shocked, and I am sorry if it causes you to cry. I labeled it as offensive as it can cause nausea... you have been warned....


Happy Mother's Day!! I am hoping to have a wonderful and warm Mother's Day with my kids.... but I will just be happy to make it through. :) It is still raining and will be raining even more today. Let's just say that there is A LOT of energy that is being expelled in less than constructive ways. Whew!! I can just pretend that it is opposite day, then when they roll around on the floor punching each other, they are really expressing their love for each other. I think that will be the secret to a good day today. ;)

We have ben working on the bathroom. Yesterday the top part got painted. I still need to paint the wainscoting and the vanity, but it is looking a lot nicer. Mr. Hunny got the lighting changed out and we replaced the outlet covers. It looks so much better. And cleaner. When the paint is all messed up, it just makes the bathroom look dirty. I want to redo the flooring too, probably with those sticky tiles, but can't decide which pattern. Maybe y'all can help me decide when it is all done. It is a very small room, so either way it won't cost much. 

I hope that everyone has a wonderful Mother's Day!! And remember.... if they are acting up, you can just pretend it is opposite day. That's what I will be doing!! ;)

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!!!!

Oh my!! My lawn is a mess!! But it really isn't my fault!! Really!! No, I am not making excuses. It really isn't!! You can't mow the lawn right now because it has rained SO MUCH lately that the mower would sink into the mud. Aurgh!! It isn't supposed to rain this morning, so I am hoping it dries out a little bit so it can be mowed either this afternoon or tomorrow morning. I am not positive how much rain we have gotten lately, but I know it is over 6 inches, probably 7. That is not for the month, that is for the last few days. Truly God has a sense of humor. Last year we were in a drought and this year we need to buy a boat to get anywhere. 

I have been trying to plant my beans for the last week and it won't stop raining. I hope it is not too late. Anyone know about that? At least the squash and tomatoes and herbs are in. 
Anyone have any ideas for amusing 5 energetic children on a rainy week? I am out of stuff to do with them and I think when I go to the hairdresser this weekend she will wonder where all my hair has gone. She will already be amused that I tried to dye my hair blonde for my three year old and, well, it isn't blonde. It is a coppery color. Not bad and thankfully it is an even color. Still...
We had a tornado roll through not far from here yesterday. The weather has been so yucky lately. I love the thunder and the lightning, but wish we could get a few days break so the kids could burn off energy outside.... and boy do they have a lot to burn off....
We plan on painting the guest bath this Saturday, so I should be posting pictures this weekend. I am really excited. Both our bathrooms have looked like war zones since we moved into this house. Finally one will be lookin' better. It is supposed to be the "boys' bathroom", but I plan on painting it periwinkle. Hey!! Periwinkle is a shade of blue, right? I love the oops paint at Lowe's. Why pay $30 when you can pay $5???
I hope that everyone is having a great week!! At least less eventful than mine so far....!!! :) 


One of my favorite things to do when I was a child was to run through the sprinkler. I thought it was more fun than swimming in a pool. Here in the south, when I was little, we would go down to the nearest lake and go swimming. You know, the local swimming hole. I never really got into that. I was always afraid fish would nibble on my toes. Yes, it is a strange fear to have, but it is one of my many quirks. I still don't like swimming in lakes or swimming holes around here. When you add in the water moccasins, I won't get off the shore or out of the boat. Yep, I am a scaredy pants. Just think about it, if there weren't so many people like me, there would be no therapists. Just doing what I can to keep another section of our economy going. ;)

This was last week. It has mostly rained here this week. Imagine 5 kids stuck in the house for days on end... yep you can see how my week has been. I am now officially praying for the sun to come out. The kids had a blast. It also reminded me it is time to buy the girls' swimsuits. And we need more towels. And few more fun styled sprinklers. And a slip n slide. No pools, though. My kids like to dunk each other and if I didn't drain it every time it was used, I might be down a few kids. So, I am officially the mean mom that say no to a pool... at least until the kids are older. When the kids tell me I am horribly mean, I tell them, "Thanks!! Now I know I am doing my job!!". I try really hard not to follow it with  the cackle of the Wicked Witch of the West, but sometimes it just slips out. :)
I hope everyone has been having a great week!! I am looking forward to some good weather. I have some painting to do to our shed before our surprise visitor comes on the 19th. 



Here are some pictures of my new garden. I have flowers, herbs and veggies.  We planted 6 tomato plants, crookneck squash, rosemary, parsley, lavander, dianthus, and a few others. I still want to plant sage, cucumbers, and beans. Oh! And I think some basil. It should be really good. I still need to mulch, but that is all that I have left. I will do a little of that today, but I am still trying to stay out of the sun so it won't be until this evening. I will let you know how it turns out. I hope it works really good, but we shall see. Have a great Tuesday!!  

Yeah!! It only took... FOREVER!!!! I have been wanting to use this for quite a while. After a frantic search for the missing laundry rope, and my triumphant discovery, our first load is up. Yes, you have my permission to think me a strange cookie, but if we all tasted the same... where would the variety be? I want to plant something near the laundry line and against the house, but have no idea what. I have thought of lavender, but wonder about the bees. Anyone have any ideas?? 

I am just glad that is one more thing I can cross off my list!! :) Now I only have 3 or 4 more loads to do..... and that is just for today....




I finally got everything in the garden, now I just need to figure out what all I want in there. I know I want climbers that can climb on the chain link fence and I want it to be organic, so I will be researching companion planting a lot this week. I put in 3 marigolds already, and I know I want tomatoes, pole beans, bush beans, nasturtium, cabbage, lettuce, chives, basil, squash and egg plant (if I can manage them) but I make no absolute promises. I just know this will be a lot of fun. Really it depends on what started plants I can find around here. I waited too long to start a lot of it from seed. Next year it should all be from seed. Anyway, here is how it look planted with only 3 marigolds. Next weekend it should be fully planted. Now if I could just stop getting sunburns on top of my sunburns.... ;)

I get to string the clothesline today. I am really excited about this. Very Betty Homemaker of me, I know. That's ok cause I am a Betty Homemaker.... except I am a Kelly Homemaker. Why is it always a put down to refer to someone as a homemaker? Aren't our fondest memories frequently of someone who made a lovely home? Anyway.... lots of stuff to get done today. All this gardening and you now have to wade through my house. Oh well.... ;) Have a great weekend!!!


It was supposed to be so easy. And it is, really. The hardest part was digging in the wood border. Unfortunately, I thought I had enough dirt and compost. Haha!! Not quite. So today I have to go and get about another 12 bags of top soil and 6 bags of compost. At least I have enough peat moss. :) Here she lies so far. She is 18x6. Much bigger than in my mind. I am really bad about size. Still, it should be a lot of fun. I had better be going. I hafta get to Lowe's to buy more dirt and poop (my kids think that is crazy!!). Have a great day!! :)




This week has been crazy busy. I have not officially gotten over my first sunburn, but added to it yesterday by working on a lasagna garden. Yup, you guessed it. I was peeling last night. I have to chase my kids away from my neck... they won't leave me alone!! :) A lasagna garden is where you don't have to dig out the turf or rototill, you layer on right over the grass... newspaper, top soil, compost, sphagnum moss, other soil amendments. I haven't built a bed around here is a while because the old way is just too laborious for me. I can't throw my back out, I have the kids to take care of. I have heard nothing but good things about lasagna gardening, so we are setting one up for our vegetable garden. I will wait to plant until next weekend, or next week depending on rain. Frankly, I am tired and burnt. But we got the poles for the clothesline installed and most of the garden done. I only have about 12 more bags of top soil and 9 bags of compost to add. Plus the moss. Not bad though. It should go pretty fast. Certainly faster than the old school method. If this works, I will be doing beds all around my house this fall. So exciting....

Big news!! Michael sat in the wooden high chair for the first time this week!! Part of me is very sad and the other is very proud. He is the happiest baby ever. He smiles like the sun unless he is sick. Chloe is potty training. It started out REALLY rocky, but she has been in only panties the last two days with no accidents. She has only worn diapers at night and this morning she woke up dry, removed her diaper, put on her panties and went to the bathroom and went potty. I am one super proud Momma today. :) She sweetly requested a surprise for all her hard work. In a hushed whisper, she informed me she would like to be surprised with Burger KIng for lunch. It is the first time she has specified what she wants for her surprise. Kinda funny, me thinks!! :0 )
So, I will post pictures later today or tomorrow morning with the finished bed. Some pretty good Earth Day projects I think. I hope everyone is doing really well and had a wonderful last week!! I will try not to be gone so long this week.... 

One bed down!!!!
















I finally got to one of the beds!! I didn't dig it up like I originally planned. I don't think it really needed it. I removed the gardenias. They never really bloomed. I would only get maybe 5 or 6 blooms. This spring they turned brown and yellow. I gave up. It was a beast to pull the out of the ground. For dead plants, they sure had a great root system. I was, however, the triumphant party.The boxwood by the japanese maple will be trimmed down into a small ball. I put a bird bath where one of the gardenias was and the other gardenia was replaced with a plant of unknown origin. Actually, I had the plant tag, but it has mysteriously disappeared and nobody knows anything about it. It is a form of ligustrum (maybe I spelled it right...) that should grow 7 feet tall and 4 feet wide. I also planted a little princess spirea (spiraea japonica 'Little Princess') and a variegated weigela (weigela florida 'variegata'). I will have to post pictures for those later. 
I had several helpers. Faith and Gabe have decided they want an allowance, so I told them we would pay them for doing things that are helpful to other people. I won't pay them to keep their rooms clean, they are required to do that. They are really excited and are very motivated and helpful kids right now. Of course, I keep hearing the question "How much do I get for that?".  They definitely earned their money today. I am very sunburnt right now, and my neck is very hot. It is a good thing I am used to sunburns or this would be pretty awful. 
Anyway, I hope that everyone is having a great Friday and have a wonderful weekend!! I will post more garden pictures tomorrow. We have a bbq to do now!! :)