Fireplace

How do you use your fireplace? Mine seems to be a catch all. It's flat, it's big and it calls out for stuff all the time.

Oh Christmas Tree

I'm posting from my phone, let's see how it goes. Crazy day yesterday my mom came over and we put up three trees and she did my laundry (don't you love moms doing your laundry). Here's my kitchen, the HMIC's marine tree (and the monster guarding the tree from the little diva), and the kids tree. I used to put a tree in each of the kids bedroom. This year I decided to do one for all of them. On their tree they put all their ornaments that they've made oro received and anything else they want.
All that's left to do is outside and the mantel. That will be this weekend. Two of the kids are coming out in the Christmas parade tonight. Busy day today.

my tv nook...

The whole house is taken over by the kids. I had to come up with a space for me. This is my TV nook. To tell you the truth I don't have much time for TV watching. Although this Sunday I did nothing but watch lifetime (you know how that goes). Every now and then I do watch Nate. This space is a weird space in the house. I'm not sure what this room is really intended for. For a while it was just empty then I claimed it.

There's only two chairs in there: one for my sister and one for me. It's a spot to sit and chat while the kids are in the playroom. A spot to have a drink after a long day. A spot to read a magazine.  Or a spot to watch useless TV like jersey shore. It would be nice to say it's just my spot but the kids are always there too. Behind the blinds my washer and dryer wait for me. Told you the room was weird. It's right off the living room and kitchen. Eventually I think the room will turn into a mudroom.

What do you think the room should be? If you have any let me know.

kids bath

Back to the house tour. The kids bath is small and even like that they take forever. Here is the before pics:

The only things we did in here was change out the toilet, add towel bar and mirror. There was nothing wrong with the toilet it was brand new. The only problem was my older boys big a** didn't fit. We bought a new fancy one to save water. Should of bought a regular one in my opinion. I hate the toilet I've had nothing but problems with it. The mirror was a HD mirror for around fiftyish.

Just added the kids stuff from the last house and it was done. The cabinets are stained a dark color and the walls were already painted. Have no clue what colors they are. Yes the towel bar is a little high. There was a misunderstanding between my dad and I. But after the towels were put on it looked fine {I think he knew what he was doing}. In the after picture you can see the toilet NOT to get. So there you have it the kids tiny bathroom. {Not even with it being so small do they do a good job cleaning it, I'm just saying.}

is it???

The other day I made a cake. Not just any cake but a Better Than Sex cake. The cake was good, a little on the sweet side. Don't get me wrong I still ate it and some thought it was gooood. Still I'm not sure if it's better than sex{I guess it depends on the day}. I tried the Paula Dean recipe, I love Ms Paula Dean. She reminds me of my auntie, she just makes you want to give her a hug.

Next I'm going to try the chocolate version of the cake. I'll let you know how it is.

crazy and a room....

Crazy, crazy, crazy is all I can say. Yesterday was on of those days. You know the ones you wish would hurry up and end but they just keep going. I'm exhausted all I want to do is sleep but the forecast doesn't call for any. This past weekend we had a yardsale and I had family over. But finally I can say I'm officially decluttered. It's a nice feeling. Although I still look around and it looks pretty packed to me. On another note I started working out it's be three weeks now. I've only lost two pounds so far but I'm feeling good. Now when I hit the pillow I fall asleep within seconds and I don't wake up till morning. Last night my sister was over and it was the longest day in a long time. I told her I'd be back I was going to put the Little Diva to bed and I fell asleep. It didn't help that it was almost one. Don't know when she left??  There you have it I've caught you up on some of the craziness around here.

Earlier I was taking you on a little tour of the house then I stopped (of course). So today I'll show you another room. It's not done like most of the rooms in this house but it's where it's at. These are the views as you come in the front door and stand in the entry way.

Remember the pictures aren't great. I took them with my phone. Here's a closer picture of the fireplace. It's pretty big in scale. I'm looking for a mantel still. The one on there I had bought at a yardsale years ago. It was suppose to be a headboard. I'm glad I didn't do anything with it. For now that's what we're using. On the mantel I have a drawing I picked up at the Goodwill five years ago that I love. And of course a shutter I really love my shutters there versatile and some colorful candlesticks I pick up from Craigslist. Remember I only have things I love here.

My organ was my grandfather's. They say if your holding on to things you should display them. His organ holds lots of memories for me and I'm happy to see it everyday. No I don't play it. The prints above it are lovely. There's four one for each state we've lived in. I'm still missing Arizona. The red leather chair I picked up from Craigslist for fifty bucks, it's super comfy.

There you have it my living room. Nobody ever sits in there only when we have company. Which is nice because it's always clean. If there's ever company they can walk in and see a clean room. The sofa and chair where from Craigslist five years ago for four hundred. The glass coffee table and end table were one hundred from Craigs as well. The rug is from HD. And of course my little spray painted yardsale table was five. As for the cows the big one I found at Ross and the other two at a local shop. Don't know why I bought them but I think they fit in. In a western, country, eclectic, funky sort of way.

I know I was trying really hard to do away with the country. I wanted a more beachy simple look. Like what you see all over blogworld. Then I moved into this house and this house screams country. The walls were already painted, the massive fireplace just calls out. So I'm going to embrace it and just let it be. Hopefully it's not to country and a little eclectic.

yellow for the littles....

Here's the dresser and chest I bought for the littles room. They made it to there destination.  I'm loving the way they look in here.

As for the color, thanks to the Pleated Poppy I found the right yellow. I bought two other samples and they didn't work out. Then I went back to HD and looked at French Pale Gold. In the store it looks green and I was thinking no way maybe another color. But then I remember how fabulous her dresser looks so I gave it a try. Guess what? It was perfect not to buttery, sherbet or big bird yellow. The drawer pulls I picked up at HD. They were four bucks for the small ones and six for the bigger ones. 

The yellow dresser next to the Little Diva's bed looks to cute.

The dresser's between both beds. I'm still not done in here. The window treatment is missing and a new bed for the Little Big Boy. I already found the frame for the bed. It's going to be white like the Little Diva's bed only not girlish. Hopefully by the end of October I'll be able to wrap up this room and be done with it. Now your up to date in this room that's taking me forever to finish.

battling in style.....

Check out my stylin new boots. Aren't they cute?

Since I moved here I kept saying I wanted some. The HMIC thought I was crazy {that's only every other day}. Let me explain the need for my boots besides looking cute. I don't live in the city limits, the houses here aren't right on top of each other in my neck of the woods.  Since I'm a few minutes from town I'm lucky enough to have bugs. Not just all sorts of bugs but snakes, scorpions, vinagrons, ants, mice, black widows, spiders and weird bugs. I hate bugs and you never know what your gonna have to kill see when I'm watering my bushes and trees. I can't really wear flip flops for that. I also have no grass yet just weeds and dirt. Here's my side yard and back yard.

Now do see my need for the rain boots. Which in my case they're armour for my feet. Now my feet are ready to face the elements. You never know when they'll go into battle, here there's many surprise attacks. There's even been a few indoors.

feeder no more....

Found this feeder at a yardsale for five bucks. Immediately I knew it was going to hold books.

My first thought was kid books in the playroom but if you've seen that room it's quickly running out of space. Then I thought in the Littles room but the color didn't go and I didn't want to paint it. I kind of like it all chipped and rusty. So I held on to it for a month or so. In my house I have this one space/room that I don't know what to do with. For the past few months it's been a catch all room empty. Finally I got an idea for the room. It's still a work in progress just like every other room in this house. But that's where the feeder/bookcase is currently calling home. As for the space it has issues but that's another story for another day. What do you think? Now it holds my magazines, the HMIC's magazines and books I want or have read.

{I know the TV wires. The HMIC only had time to put the TV put. Next trip he can make the wires disappear. Yes, I could figure it out and do it myself. But why bother if I can just add it to the Honey Do List. Also I'm not sure if this is what the space is going to be used for I might change my mind.}

wrap up....

Hey ya'll I'm still here just out of sight out of mind. The HMIC paid us a visit. He was nice enough to visit us for a week. Not enough time for the Honey Do list I had for him. Around the same time look who started school.

That's right the Little Big Boy start preschool. He wanted to take the bus I guess it makes him feel like a big kid. So for a few hours a day the Little Diva and I are home alone. To bad she doesn't give me anytime to do crap. She's on my *** all the time. Maybe one day she will find a show that will entertain her for an hour or so.

I did manage to do a little painting. With the Little Diva's help of course. I finished the chest and dresser for the Littles room. I should of took before pics but I forgot. The chest and dresser I bought at an estate sale. Well actually we went to one and they showed us some of the furniture they were selling. In the corner of my eye I spotted them. They weren't for sale but I left my number in case they changed their mind. And as you can tell they did. They look cute in the room. I'm almost done in there so I can show you all.
Well that's it for now I managed to get the Little Diva off my *** for a bit. Thanks to the HMIC whose been on the phone with her for the past 1/2 hour.

ugly rooster no more

Thanks to the Nester I got the idea to do a little spray painting. The rooster was on it's way out when I read the Nester's blog and wallah. Here's the rooster before all colorful and country. {Once upon a time I had a rooster theme kitchen. I'm so over it.}

Here's the after amazing what a little spray paint can do.

Now the rooster can hang out in my kitchen a little while longer. Here's the before of the rooster's new home.

I know ya'll have a catch all area as well. I was tired of looking at mine and hopefully it won't catch more of anything.

Much better... don't you think? In time I want to fill the wall with trays. Better make sure to hit those yard sales. I know what you're thinking...those slots are looking empty. The liquor's in the pantry.

My personal assistant {aka.. best friend, wing man, second hip, little diva, terrible, shadow} likes to pull them out. Can't have her break one that would be alcohol abuse. Time to get back to work. I'm actually working on a few other projects.

back to school

Today was the first day back. This summer flew by. I'm glad the teenagers went back. All they did this summer was sleep. Nice to have them go do something different.

8th grader

Jesse had to trim his hair again. He wasn't very happy. She cut a little to much off.  He has curly hair so when it dries it comes way up. He won't need a haircut for a while. The school district here has a no hair below your collar rule {this town is into image}. So much for letting his hair grow out. Maybe he can rock long hair someday.

Junior

Michael's almost out of here done with school. This year he'll be driving, not sure how I feel about that. Hope we have a good school year!

pop!

After the paint was all said and done. I felt like the room was missing something. Taped up a wall, bought paint and got to work.

I didn't do any fancy measuring or anything like that. I just took a ruler and marked it every foot all the way up. Then I taped it (this took two people). Looking around blogsphere I learned you have to seal the tape with the base coat. That turned out to work pretty good and kept my line straight with no color seeping through.

What do you think? It gives the room a POP now. I'm sssooooo LOVING it.

littles bedding

The bedding issue has been solved. I finally decided on bedding. It only took five tries. Simple white sheets for the little diva, white/gray sheets for the little big boy and bright yellow comforters. Take a look what do you think?

The room still has a long way to go, at least I'm finally happy with the bedding. The little big boy's bed has to go or get a paint job. We'll see what happens. I'm so happy I FINALLY have a picture in my head of the Littles room. The HMIC is coming for a visit soon. I'm hoping the room is done by then. I better get moving.

Did you guys notice one of the zebra rugs from my Lowe's trip? I think I'm digging it.

littles room

Remember I was ranting about the littles room being painted. Well I did it myself in one afternoon. After I was done I realized my bedroom, the teenagers and play room are all gray as well. At least the room is painted now time to the decorate. I'll show you all the progress as it goes by. It might take me a while because I have no idea what I want to do in there. Here's the painted room and yes the room is a disaster.

no more slips and a rash....

The little diva got herself a pair of princess shoes. Poor thing she kept sliding all over the place. So how do you help a princess stay on her feet?

You get your handy dandy glue gun of course. I just put some on the bottom of her shoes and problem solved. {All though depending on the color of your floors and your princess there might be skid marks all over the place. Good thing the queen doesn't mind cleaning up after her princess.} Now she can continue to be the pretty little princess up to no good.

On another note. This past weekend I went to a passion party. This was my first one.They had me try some stuff on my lips. To my surprise it burned instead of tingle. Well it wasn't suppose to do that. I ended up with a rash on my lips. My lips felt extremely chapped and dry. The rash went away but my lips are now peeling, very irritated and itchy. Never again will I put something on my lips that was meant for another place.                 

kitchen...

Here's what my kitchen currently looks like.

It still needs lots of work. The cabinets might or might not stay the same color {more like a might not}. Right now there's a temporary island. Later I want one built with cabinets and a butcher block top.

I HATE the paint color in there. Who would paint it an avocado/bugger color? Well that's the color of it now. I'm trying really hard to live with it for a while. Nothing seems to go in there in terms of decor. I'm not feeling the kitchen. It's just not me. For the next year I'm going to try to live with the house as is. That way I'm sure of what I want and my handyman will be here. There's no dining room here so the kitchen works as both.

Nothing exciting in the kitchen it's just a kitchen. It gets the job done. Here's a few more angles.

It's looking to country. I need to change it up to be more eclectic. Maybe a modern country?