Impatiently Praying for Patience

The Closing

2011-11-16T15:05:00.001-06:00

As we are getting more settled into our little apartment and we are getting closer to Thanksgiving I thought I would use this time to tell you all how our closing went.

Selling our house to downsize I am fully aware is not the norm in our culture. Everyone is pushed to want bigger and better.

Selling our house and moving into an apartment doesn't mean that I do not want bigger and better too! For instance I dream to have a kitchen like this...

Or my own little craft room/office that has every color in the rainbow.

Both picture are from Ede's house from Life in Grace blog.

What it does mean is that I want to have those things when I can pay for them out right.

So many people have left sweet and concerned comments and emails saying are you sure that you should be selling right now? There might be a better way to get our of debt. And other things that I would totally be saying a little over a year ago.

And no this is not the best market to sell in, but I will say that God blessed us by selling our house so fast. We are one of the very few non short sales that sold in our neighborhood or even our area. In Chicago I know is a lot worse then other areas right now with the housing market.

But I will be honest even when we got a contract on our house for almost our asking price and then the inspection when AMAZING. All we had to do was clean the chimney.

Did you read that... ALL we had to do was clean the chimney!

But I also started doubting our decision.

When we drove to the office for our closing I was so sick to my stomach. I was seriously doubting our decision. I didn't want to leave our pretty house with all our great neighbors. I work hard on that house and I had sooooo many more plans of what I could do with it. But alas, we were now stuck with selling the house.

So I told myself...fine then I don't have to like the people taking my house from me.

I even told Mr. Genius that if they say one bad thing about my house I am calling the whole thing off.

I am sure I said it with my bottom lip sticking out and my arms crossed and my feet stomping the floor...just like a mature Christ-loving woman should be acting.

So we sat down at closing and the couple buying our house walked in. And of course to my dismay, they were nice people.

Drat!

And the wife was holding an adorable 4 week of little girl.

Double Drat!

They walked in shook both our hands telling us how excited they are to be buying our house and how much they love all the things we have done to it. Talked in detail about how the colors were perfect and the trim work we did.

Then I thought well they must be pretty ok if they compliment all the work I have done.

So I reluctantly talked to the wife in between signing all the papers.

We found out that there were moving here from the a suburb of Washington DC. They have a 3 year old that has the same birthday as my Romeo.

By the end of it I felt like we were friends. I was ok with handing over my house to them. Not happy about it, but ok with it.

But my friends it gets better...this next part showed me that God's hand was in every detail of this sale.

While we were waiting for the HUD. Apparently that is the last thing you need to show that the sale is final.

I turned to the husband and asked what he did for a living, he said that he sold telecommunication systems.

I half smiled and solemnly said "Aw, that is what my dad sold."

Then Mr. Genius asked, "Did you happen to know Ted Spottswood (my dad)?"

The guys face turned white and his mouth dropped open.

He said, "Uh yeah, I worked very closely with him the last 5 years he was with us. I knew him very well."

I was in shock.

"You know my dad?" in a small almost little girl voice, is all I could get out cuz I just broke down and cried.

The husband stood up and said the most wonderful things about my dad. Things I already knew about him, but it is just refreshing to hear them from other people.

He then too started to cry and came over and gave me a hug.

His wife knew my dad's name due to the fact her husband was very upset when he found out my dad died.

My realtor had left the room for a second and then saw I was upset and well pretty much everyone in the room but the 4 week old baby was crying.

When she came in we told her about the new buyers knowing my dad. She of course was amazed but she grabbed my arm and starting shaking it saying over and over. "Katie, this is AMAZING! Katie, This is just a God thing!"

Which I totally agree with.

I mean just thing about it. A couple that is originally from TN and another couple that is from DC move and meet up in a far suburb of Chicago over one house! Then what we have in common is my dad!

This was the confirmation I needed to absolutely know with every fiber in my being that we are doing the right thing by selling our house right now.

Although it really made me miss my dad even more. I wanted to call him so bad to tell him what happened.

So friends, if you are rolling around in your head about making hard decisions to get completely out of debt. Do it! And then come here and tell me what blessing that God gave you and revealed to you in the process.

Christmas Pictures

2011-11-12T22:12:00.000-06:00

Today was a pretty day here in Chicago.

The sun was out!

It maybe the last day we see the sun this year, so I took advantage of it.

We got the boys out to take their pictures for our yearly Christmas cards.

Can I say that those of you that are photographers...I tip my hat to you.

It was a job and a half to get these boys to look in the same directions.

Here are some outtakes from today.

Really big tree, two little boys...

This is when I remembered that Wild Man had been smacking on gum.

Here they are debating over who has the biggest belly.

Then they just started getting loopy.

So I asked then to stand still...

Sigh...

Then they were just over it and we called it a day.

Out of the almost one hundred pictures we took, we have one that is Christmas card worthy.

Thank goodness we have one good picture, so it wasn't a lost cause.

Have you all taken your Christmas pictures yet?

Repairpal Mobile app

2011-11-11T13:22:00.001-06:00

Last week I was asked it I wanted to review an iPhone app called RepairPal 2.0 Mobile.

This is how it was described to me:

RepairPal 2.0 Mobile is a new app that tries to make car maintenance and repairs as simple and painless as possible. Also, It could save you money! The new app helps you:

Make sure you get a fair price on auto repair

Know the fair price for your auto repair

Find shops and dealerships near you

Get expert advice from real professionals

Well I have been having some funky stuff going on with my minivan and in our family I do the house stuff and Mr. Genius does all of the car stuff. Seriously if any light on my car turns on I call him in a panic. And for the past 2 months I have had two lights on that won't go away.

Plus two maintenance phrases that keep coming up.

The low brake fluid light is still on even after the Mr. Genius filled the brake fluid up to almost overflowing, and it isn't leaking.

So I got the RepairPal App and started working it.

You set it up and put in what kind of car you have what year your car is.

Once you set that up you can put in reminders. Which would have been wonderful to have when we lived in the house cuz Mr. Genius did all the oil changes and brake pads and routers. This would have helped up to keep up with how long ago we did those things.

Then I went to my local car repair shop...BY MYSELF!

This was very scary for me cuz I know these guys are going to talk about things I do not know about and I feel like they are going to take advantage of my ignorance and tell me I have to get things done that I do not need.

So I went and asked for a diagnosis which only costs $12.

As I sat out there they came out and said that they think it is the Master Cylinders. I smiled and pretended I knew what they are talking about, then when he went back to put my car back together I looked up on the RepairPal app what a Master Cylinder is.

Not only does it go into detail what the Master Cylinder is, it also gives you and estimate of how much it would be.

The estimate my local Firestone gave me was on the high end of what RepairApp said it would be. But it was within the range.

They also recommended a bunch of other things to do that ended up equaling out to be over $1100!! Yeah right!

So I circled the two that needed to be done with the replacement of the Master Cylinders and when you do that you have to get your Brake system flushed. RepairApp did mention that too!

I took this quote home and then looked at what places around me that where recommended.

When I called the recommended places then were $100-200 cheaper!

I ended up going with the Ollie's Garage and made an appointment for next Friday!

The only thing I let my husband know about was what I decided to do!

This app definitely did give me the confidence boost I needed to feel like I can do "car stuff" on my own. So now when he is out of town I won't be as worried about car repairs.

If you and your husband do not know a lot about cars or your husband is gone A LOT and it makes you sick to your stomach when you have to take your car in for repairs. I definitely recommend this app!

The RepairPal 2.0 Mobile app sells for US$4.99. Click here to purchase the RepairPal 2.0 Mobile App or to learn more about it.

On a side note: We are settling into our apartment. It is a little adjustment moving from a 3600 sq ft house to an 1100 sq ft apartment. But it hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be.

Have a good weekend everyone!

The Room Place

2011-10-28T16:32:00.000-05:00

Today we sold our house!

Also as of today we are COMPLETELY....

That is until we buy another house. Whenever that may be. But how awesome would it be to pay cash for our next house?! I don't know if I can wait that long to be a home owner and paint walls and just make a house my own.

We will be moving next weekend, so we are literally over our heads with boxes. We couldn't find our perfect place that met all our needs at the moment so we are temporarily moving into a two bedroom apartment. Yep, this is going to be a drastic change, but in this process I am getting to get rid of A LOT of our items.

Can I tell you how good it feels to purge? I LOVE it! I have sold sooooo much stuff (Craigslist, how I love you) and thrown away a gazillion little papers and broken plastic toys.

We are also getting a storage unit so I am not getting rid of everything...just the stuff that I don't love anymore.

Eventhough I am not getting rid of the things that have sentimental value, Mr. Genius won't let me get rid of our couches.

You remember my green couch?

It also comes with this chair.

I am ready for a change...big time. Almost 8 years with the same furniture is a long time in my terms. So I can't help but make my eyes a wander to the pretties that I see on the internet.

Up here in Chicago there is a furniture called the room place. I think it is similar to Rooms to Go that we had in TN.

I first ran across the room places bedroom furniture when I was looking for a big boy bed for my little Romeo.

Then my eyes wondered onto these couches. In so looking at these couches. I feel like each couch has its own personality. It is hard looking for couches. The couch really has to fit your personality, your style, your decor.

Totally different syle then my current couches. I am just so ready for a change. Couldn't you see stark white pillows and steel blue curtains? I feel like I need to move to a swanky loft in downtown Chicago with this sectional.

This one looks comfy enough to take a nap on...

I like the color...not so much the style. I think my grandmother used to have this couch.

I feel like this one should be at a psychiatrist office. Which makes me think of the Veggie Tales video of "I love my lips". Now that song is stuck in my head.

This one makes me feel like I need to put on a petticoat under my Sunday best and drink some sweet tea.

So my eyes may continue to wonder for our perfect new couch.

*Mr. Genius sighs a big sigh of relief*

But maybe one of those fit your style.

Keep this Handy...

2011-10-24T21:44:00.001-05:00

Packing, packing, packing. Phew, this is a job. Even though we have had two garages sales and sold countless things on Craigslist...we still have a lot of stuff.

Anyways, I ran across this list a couple of months ago and I keep it on my fridge as a reminder and I think you all would find it very informative so I thought I would share.

A study was conducted by the The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.

The study was called "The Importance of Family Dinners"

Children Who Have Regular Sit-Down Family Dinners Are:

1. At half the risk for substance abuse compared to teens who dine infrequently with their families.

2. Less likely to have friends or classmates who use drugs.

3. have lowers levels of tension and stress at home.

4. Are more likely to say that their parents are proud of them.

5. Are likelier to say they can confide in their parents.

6. Are likelier to get better grades in school.

7. Are more likely to be emotionally content and have positive peer relationships.

8. Have healthier eating habits.

9. Are at lower risk for thoughts of suicide.

10. Are less likely to try marijuana or have friends who use marijuana.

Kind of puts things in perspective, huh?

I know later on in life it will get harder for us to have a sit down dinner with our boys. When they get in all the sports, and have more freedom to hang out with their friends. Mr. Genius and I are hoping that us starting the tradition so early in the boys lives that it will be harder for us to break this habit. At least that is the hope.

Guest Post from Hometalk

2011-10-23T19:39:00.000-05:00

Today I have a guest blogger. Jakob from Hometalk.com who wants to talk about some neat new ways to make your own gift wrapping. With the holiday's coming up I think you will enjoy!

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DIY Holiday Gift Wrap

True, there’s still a good amount of time before the holidays but if you are interested in making gift wrap from scratch there’s no better time than now to start keeping an eye out for materials.

First of all, understand that wrapping gifts going to friends and loved ones with self made coverings isn’t just about saving a few dollars on those rolls of paper which can often be very generic looking, too loud, or to blah.

When someone takes the time to uniquely wrap a gift the extra effort shines through enhancing the experience of the one receiving it.

In essence, presentation says a lot; even when the focus is giving!

That said, here are a few ideas for the DIYer who wants to go the extra mile and make their own wrap:

Fall leaves: Yes, believe it or not this is an amazing way to cover smaller gifts. Ideally, try and collect leaves that have already changed color but are not so crisp they’ll disintegrate when bent. Then, take some large swaths of news print or other paper and start gluing them on. After you have a nice layer and they are dried place in a safe place until gifts have been purchased and are ready to be wrapped.

Newspaper/magazines: Certain gifts may be related to popular culture or current events. Wrapping them in images from newspapers or magazines sometimes makes the anticipation all the more exciting.

Wood scraps: Very often lumber businesses will allow others to search through their waste and take what they want. This is a perfect opportunity to find pieces to make boxes for gifts that can then be painted. Occasionally you may find some scraps from trim carpentry that can also be used as decorations around the sides. When all is said and done going this route is like giving two gifts in one!

Old posters: Let’s face it. There comes a time when certain things just don’t mean as much as they once did, a prime example being old posters. If you feel it’s appropriate try using them as wrapping paper. They are fun and can bring back a lot of memories.

Photographs: This is one of my favorite ways to wrap gifts. First, take pictures of the intended recipient of the gift, of the two of you together or simply random shots. Then, just like with the leaves stick them firmly to swaths of paper, let them dry and place in a safe place until the gift is in your possession and ready to be wrapped. When the present is received I promise it will take a while before your loved one opens it up, as they will be so curious to check out all the images –and effort, you put in just for them.

Jakob Barry is a Hometalk writer. Read more articles like this one or get help with your home projects on Hometalk.com.

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Great ideas Jakob!

Google Analytics

2011-10-13T16:47:00.000-05:00

So today in between calling chimney cleaners, pricing storage units, and looking for a place for us to move to...I took a break and looked at my google analytics page.

I haven't looked at it much lately.

Guess I have been a little busy. ;)

But I have noticed that I was getting A LOT of traffic from pinterest. Like over 70k hits this month!

Which is really exciting for me.

Anyways, I thought I would look at the key word search for a sec and get a good laugh at what people search for.

At first it was just going through a lot of misspelled words and how to questions.

Then I have to say it just got weird.

Here is some of the highlights of what was on my list:

-my mom teaches me about testicles
-man hair
-little boys in the bedroom naked
-dominican crazy
-reborn dimples
-adults who look like little boys

Seriously how would the first one and last one get directed to my site?

Have you checked your google analytics page lately?

Take a look and tell me what you find.

Sponsor post- Wallums

2011-10-11T20:22:00.000-05:00

Wall Decals is the way to go for adding personality to a wall without a huge commitment.

Now that we are looking at getting a rentals, Wall Decals are looking awesome to me right now.

Wallums has great wall decals.

Right now they are having a special of free shipping when you spend over $50.

Go and check it out, I think you will be inspired.

A little bit of me

2011-10-03T21:36:00.000-05:00

Do you have a friend that you just love to be around because they make you feel like you a fun person to be around and they laugh at your stupid jokes...eventhough you know they are just plain stupid.

Or someone who feels pain when you feel pain and joy when you feel joy?

That is my friend Sheli at a little bit of me.

I met Sheli a couple of months ago and I am so glad I have.

Sheli has an amazing heart and she is so encouraging.

Right now she is currently trying to adopt and decided to homeschool 3 of her 4 kids! Whoa.

She also has been asked by incourage to be one of their writers!

Today I am guest posting over at her site and on Wednesday she will be posting her first article on incourage!

So proud of you Sheli!

Go and check out Sheli's blog to give this girl some encouragement that she has given me so much of.

Do you have a friend that makes you walk away and feel good about yourself?

A dresser and a chest

2011-10-02T19:13:00.001-05:00

Well another week has past and we still haven't found a place to move to... we have 26 days!!!!

But who is counting?

Excuse me as I go hyper ventilate.

On an update, I have decided that in order to keep my sanity I will not be painting any more furniture until we get settled into our new house.

I just can't handle the stress.

But no worries there are a few projects that I have done that have not been put on this blog yet.

I got a lot of questions about the colors I used from last weeks pop of color side tables.

The top was painted Lagoon but rustoleum and then the white is blossom white also by rustoleum.

Both pieces I will show you today were painted with the blossom white.

Today I have a dresser with a matching mirror and a chest to show you guys.

Here is the after!

This item is sold.

Now I have a chest. But it looks like a small dresser.

See you can't tell that it is a chest on top with a drawer on the bottom.

Here is the after.

This item is for sale for $200!

Let me know if you are interested!

I am linking to these parties.

Monday: The DIY Showoff, Skip to my Lou, Between Naps on the Porch Tuesday: Tip Junkie, Today's creative Blog ,

House of Grace , Just a Girl Wednesday: Blue Cricket Designs, Domestically Speaking, Someday Crafts Thursday: House of Hepworths, Shabby Chic Cottage Friday: Miss Mustard Seeds, My Romantic Home, Funky Junk Interiors, Shabby Nest, Finger Prints on the Fridge Saturday: Tatortots and Jello, Be Different act normal Sunday: Under the table and dreaming, I heart naptime

Shaklee's Defend and Resist

2011-09-28T14:48:00.000-05:00

Now that cold and flu season is quickly approaching us I thought this would be a good time to tell you about my experience with Shaklee's Defend and Resist complex.

The description says this:

When you first feel that tickle, get the protection you need with Defend & Resist Complex. It gives you not one, but four clinically proven immune-supporting ingredients: echinacea, black elderberry, larch tree, and zinc. Each supports, enhances, and promotes a healthy immune response.

When I read, "feel the first tickle". I thought how will I know when I feel a tickle in the back of my throat. I honestly didn't think I would know. But then I woke up one morning and I actually felt the tickle in the back of my throat!

It is the feeling when you wake up in the morning and just know that sickness is coming. You don't know when, but you know it is coming fairly soon.

That morning I took 6 tablets and did the same thing for 6 days after and you know what?!

I didn't get sick. I didn't get a runny nose, or a cough.

And you want to know what else?

Mr. Genius also woke up a couple of days later with the tickle in his throat. I mentioned the Defend and Resist and his response was taking herbal pills were well...stupid. He took his regular cold and flu over the counter medicine...and he got sick!

This happened a couple more times. Of me not getting sick, and he getting sick.

Yet he still doesn't really believe in the "herbal pills".

Some people are a little more stubborn then others. ;)

One this I can tell you is that both Mr. Genius and I didn't get the flu vaccine last year. Just because we couldn't find the time. Mr. Genius got the flu and I didn't.

So I think it is safe to say that the Defend and Resist complex works!

If you have any questions about the Defend and Resist or other Shaklee items please feel free to contact my Shaklee rep, Debbie Clinton. She is a wealth of knowledge who has used Shaklee products for over 14 years!

PS: This review was out of the my true opinion and I in NO way get any incentive for anyone else buying products from Debbie.

Pop of color tables

2011-09-25T20:59:00.003-05:00

First of all let me start off by saying that we have a contract on the house!!

via

Phew!

And now do not have to have a perfectly clean house! Which makes for a much happier mom. ;)

I truly believe that either you can be a happy person or you can have a perfectly clean house. You can't have both.

Now comes the part where we have to figure out where we are going to call home.

Sometimes I am jealous of my kids and the fact that their biggest decisions are if they should use crayons or markers.

Being an adult is way over rated.

In part of the negotiation we are having to leave our washer and dryer. Which we are too upset out. The washer is not a favorite of ours.

So we are having to buy a new washer and dryer. The first question I have for all of you out there. Front loading or top loading?!!! I need your opinions please! Don't hold back. I have heard about mildew with the front loading ones. Have any of you experienced that?

Also, I hope to work on our house tour video this week.

But first I wanted to show you some side tables I just refinished.

I first got this idea from Eddie Ross.

I just loved the table. I love the white and then the pop of color on top. It is subtle.

I got these side tables.

And here is my Eddie Ross knockoff version.

Aren't they fun?!

Also we have come into the time in our lives where we decided to get rid of the changing table.

After all Romeo has been potty trained for 7 months and he has been too big to use this table for over a year.

Anyone in Chicagoland interested? I am selling it for $140. Baskets, changing pad, and cover included.

Have a good week everyone!

I am linking to these parties.

Monday: The DIY Showoff, Skip to my Lou, Between Naps on the Porch Tuesday: Tip Junkie, Today's creative Blog ,
House of Grace , Just a Girl Wednesday: Blue Cricket Designs, Domestically Speaking, Someday Crafts Thursday: House of Hepworths, Shabby Chic Cottage Friday: Miss Mustard Seeds, My Romantic Home, Funky Junk Interiors, Shabby Nest, Finger Prints on the Fridge Saturday: Tatortots and Jello, Be Different act normal Sunday: Under the table and dreaming, I heart naptime

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Dear Wild Man

2011-08-23T19:59:00.000-05:00

Today is the day you and I have been counting down to all summer.

Today is your first day of Kindergarten.

I will admit the beginning of this summer I was just as excited about this day as you were, but as the day drew closer I grew sadder.

For even though you looked like such a big boy today.

And you were lucky enough to get in the same room with 2 of your buddies/neighbors!

But I still look at you as my sweet baby boy,

who smiled and waved at everyone who passed us,

and would giggle with delight when LaLa (Elmo) would come on tv.

I am so proud of you and how much you have grown.

But now the true tests begins. Did you really listen to me all summer about keeping your hands to yourself....Only time will tell.

I love you Bud.

Have a great day at school and I will be waiting for you with open arms at the bus stop.

Some new furnishings

2011-08-14T21:50:00.000-05:00

Thank you all for so many sweet comments and emails about our decisions to sell our house.

I know that this is not the norm for people to sell their house and downsize and live below their means nowadays. Along with selling our house to start renting again? But when have I ever done something normal?

We got the house officially on the market Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. Our realtor said that it takes a week for all the websites to load up the pictures and the info about our house so we hope to start getting calls about showings then. Hopefully.

I made a video with the boys giving a tour of our house, I haven't had the time to load up the video yet.

I will.

I pinky promise.

Until then, here are some items I have been working on. Most of these were done before we went on our little vacation.

First I got this bed.

It was from an old house that my neighbor is helping to restore. I got a few pieces of furniture from this house.

The color was really neat. It was painted blue then a blue-green over it. Here you can see the blue underneath when I sanded it down a little bit.

I decided to go a little funky with this one.

Bright pink with a little black glaze, then sanded a little for the blue to show through.

Next I got this cedar chest/bench.

When this picture was taken I had already taken the hardware off.

I haven't done anything in a purple. I am actually not a purple person. You know some of you have told me you are red people. Well purple just doesn't do it for me.

I have seen a lot of cute items on pinterest that are purple. So I thought I would try it out.

So...

These pictures show the color that well.

I thought it turned out cute, but I am still not a purple person. Hey, I tried.

Next one of my sweet friends saw one of thier neighbors put this small dresser/small buffet at the end of the driveway and grabbed it for me!

Thanks Linda!!

Here is the before.

And the after.

I also just got finished with a dresser for a client of mine. Sorry no before pictures with this one.

This is our last week of summer in this house!

Next week, I will officially have a kindergartener and the the week after that I will have a preschooler and two mornings a week to myself!!!

I think first on the list with my free time will be to take a nap...but who am I kidding. You all know I won't actually do that. ;)

I am linking to these parties.

Monday: The DIY Showoff, Skip to my Lou, Between Naps on the Porch Tuesday: Tip Junkie, Today's creative Blog ,
House of Grace , Just a Girl Wednesday: Blue Cricket Designs, Domestically Speaking, Someday Crafts Thursday: House of Hepworths, Shabby Chic Cottage Friday: Miss Mustard Seeds, My Romantic Home, Funky Junk Interiors, Shabby Nest, Finger Prints on the Fridge Saturday: Tatortots and Jello, Be Different act normal Sunday: Under the table and dreaming, I heart naptime

On the move

2011-07-31T22:33:00.000-05:00

We got back from vacation...and I am still alive!

So I CAN live with out air conditioning and an indoor shower.

Who knew?!

Although we were all very excited to come home though.

On Friday morning I told the boys that it was time to go home. At first they were sad and then the electricity went out.

Which meant no fans...we had 5 going.

They immediately jumped in the car and sat in there for over an hour waiting for Mr. Genius and I cleaned up the house.

It is safe to say that we are spoiled by modern conveniences.

Later on I plan on showing you some picture of our little vacation. It was much needed time away together.

But today I want to tell you about our big news....

We are selling our house!

via

I am having major, crazy emotions about this decision.

I think I mentioned before that we took the Dave Ramsey class at our church last year.

via

Taking that class is the best decision Mr. Genius and I have made in our married life. It has truly blessed us.

We rarely fight about money now. And friends let me tell you about how much of a miracle that is.

I have been trying for YEARS to get us on a budget. YEARS people!!!!

This class is what got Mr. Genius motivated to get on a budget and to actually stick to it!

It has been so helpful for us.

We payed off Mr. Genius' student loan so then our only debt is our house!

Which is great! But the problem is taxes went up and with Mr. Genius' home office taken away, expenses went way up.

Also Dave Ramsey recommends that your mortgage be a certain percentage...which right now I can't remember what that percentage is. Whatever it is...ours is more. Much more.

Mr. Genius has been wanting to put the house on the market as soon as he heard what Dave Ramsey recommended for the mortgage percentage. I fought him on it. I was not ready to move. After all we just moved here from TN.

But more and more things have happened to help me realize that not only does Mr. Genius want us to sell, but God does too. I am still working on my attitude about it.

Do you always have to smile when you are obeying God?

Don't answer that.

I can not promise that there wasn't a temper tantrum or two...or ten. Tears may or may not have been shed over the fact that we will be renting. And pity parties could have been in full force.

There is a lot of pride in me that I didn't realize about being a home owner. I like having a house that I could paint the kitchen cabinets pink and put in green carpet. Not that I would do that, but it is my house and I can if I want to.

I seriously can't believe that I found a picture that matched my description!

Going back to renting...means I won't be able to have that freedom.

But the fact that we will be doing what we need to do, does out weight all the bad.

So people I have less then one week to get the house ready to be on the market!!!!!

I am freaking out over here.

Yesterday we started getting the ball rolling. I cleaned out closets. Then organized those closets. Sold furniture. Move around boxes in our basement in order for it to feel bigger. Touched up paint. Fixed blinds.

Over the next couple of days I plan on making curtains, make a frame for the boys bathroom mirror. Sell more items in the basement. (Anyone need a 46" projector TV?). And last but more certainly not least, clean up the garage. Thinking of cleaning that place out gives me hives. OH and we are having another garage sale...in two weeks! Did I mention that Mr. Genius will be out of town during most of this?

via

Yeah, more hives keep breaking out as the minutes pass.

Once the house is all done. I plan on doing a big house tour so you can see what I have done around here and what I had planned to do.

My hope is to find a rental house that has a garage so I can still redo furniture. I love doing it so much.

Starting next week, I will be painting dressers and bed and chairs and whatever else I have out there in full force in order to clean out that garage.

Now my break is over and our winter shoes, gloves and scarves are looking at me wondering what in the world I will do with them.

Up to the attic I will be.

My Tuesday Ten

2011-07-19T20:41:00.000-05:00

Stephanie Lynn at Under the Table and Dreaming is doing a party when you tell ten things you have done over the past week.

Since it was such a long time from my last post I thought I would tell you ten things I have been doing over the past month.

{1} First of all I am sure all of you have heard of Pinterest. Well it is my new obsession. Whenever Mr. Genius catching me on the computer now he says, "Are you Pinteresting again?" or sings "Ad-dic-ted".

I LOVE this site! You can find so many ideas on it!

Here is the link to my Pinterest account.

Look at some of the things I have found on there!

Baked Parmesan Tomatoes!! This is my new favorite food. This is coming from a woman that is not a big tomato fan. My mom is so proud.

This is my new favorite saying that will be put up somewhere in my house. Just need to find the time to do that.

{2} I have read this BEST book. Seriously, I read it in my 2 hour nap/quiet time. If you have lost someone dear to you whether it be a friend, family member or child. I highly recommend this book.

Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo. This book is a true story about a little boy just under 4 years old that dies and goes to heaven for what he says was 3 minutes then came back and he slowly tells his parents about what he saw while he was there. I have read books about heaven before. Especially after dad died, like 90 minutes in heaven and Heaven by Randy Alcorn. But this one is by far my favorite. This book has made me so excited about going to heaven. I can't wait to see my dad my grandparents...all without glasses, (because there are no glasses in heaven) and most of all Jesus and the angels and our baby that we miscarried over 6 years ago.

{3} The next thing I have gotten into is Heartsy.com.
I am sure you all have heard about etsy.com well Heartsy.com is the groupon equilavant for etsy. It is a way to get some items in etsy for 50% off of more! I signed up a while back ago from another's blog (can't remember who) and she mentioned that if you sign up with her both I can her will get $5 off our first purchase. It was free to sign up so I thought I would give it a try.

One day Kiss a Prince was having a special for $15 for $30 in her shop. So I bought it and got 2 sugar scrubs and one solid lotion.

With the voucher for signing up under that blogger I got $30 worth of product for just $10! WooHoo.

I love the stuff too.

{4} Next week we are going on a vacation!!! Although I do need to say that where we are staying has NO air conditioning, NO TV, and NO indoor shower. Yes you read that right NO INDOOR shower. I will be either taking a shower at night or in my bathing suit. Honestly I think it will be a combination of the two. But what I am excited about is this will be our first vacation as a family with just the 4 of us. But I am praying that the 110 degree heat we are experiencing this week will be long gone. I may have to keep chanting to myself..we are creating memories, we are creating memories, to keep me going.

{5} There are 35 days left until Wild Man goes to Kindergarten!!! My life will not be the same after that day.

{6} I am working on make my own fabric for Wild Man's room with Spoonflower. His room needs some personality....bad. Wild Man put in a request for a Super Hero room with green and orange. This will be interesting.

{7} I have the urge to purge...I have this overwhelming feeling that we have too much stuff. When the boys aren't looking I am throwing away so many toys or putting them in the garage sale pile.

{8} Cuz I am crazy we are having another garage sale...because of point number 7.

{9} Sometimes after bath time and we tell Romeo to get his pajamas on and Mr. Genius and I are talking about the day in our bedroom we look down and see this...

We have our own naked cowboy who is stratigic where he places his guitar.

{10} I am now going to get a lot of crazies on my site because I just typed naked.

Have a good day everyone and do your best to stay cool.

A Dining table and Coat Rack

2011-07-17T19:55:00.000-05:00

One Month!

It is been over one month since I have last posted!

Thank you to the sweet people who have emailed me to make sure I was still around.

I think it is safe to say that this summer is kicking my tail. The main thing that has changed is that Mr. Genius no longer has a home office. Which means he has to catch a train before the boys even wake up and if we are lucky he gets home just before they go to bed....at 8 pm. *Sigh*

We are trying to stay positive during this time. Especially since the reason we moved away from TN, away from all of our family, friends, and everyone we know was so Mr. Genius could get away from a schedule like this and actually spend time and be a part of this family.

Today I read the Bible verse from James 1:3-4
"Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

So watch out people. I will be perfect after all of this. Just kidding, I will leave the perfection to Jesus.

I know that having a husband working long hours is small compared to other things going on in the world. It is just the frustration of changed plans, but we are giving it to God...daily...well actually hourly. Especially when the boys are extra crazy and I am just wanting to help to get dinner done, wanting to work on some furniture to pay for preschool, or just have a break.

Ok, ok enough about that. I have some furniture before and afters for you.

I know that is why all of you are here anyways.

So here we go. One day as I was taking the boys to our weekly library visit. For some crazy reason I decided to take a difference route out of our neighborhood. It was trash day. This day one of my neighbors decided to throw away this dining room table.

It obviously needs some work, but nothing that can't be done!

The obvious is of course the broken off leg.

I just got my gorilla glue out and let it sit for a day to get a good bond.

All done. It still has a crack in it, but I like it that way. It will give it personality when painted.

The top of the table had a lot of scratches on it, but that is expected.

Oh I also found a desk that same day, but I haven't done anything to that yet.

I used that desk as my legs for the table while I was waiting for the leg to get glued on.

With the three leaves the table came with it gets 96" long.

So I stripped and sanded the table and painted the legs.

And here is the after.

Now because it has been a month since I last posted. I will now show you another before and after.

My neighbor is a handy man that is helping a friend redo and 100 year old house in a nearby city. Some furniture was left in the house and he brought some of it to me!

One item was this antique foot board which I DID take a before picture.

Cross my heart, hope to die kind of promise I took the picture.

And I can't for the life of me find it...GRRRRR

So, Mr. Genius cut the legs off for me.

And this is what it looked like after that.

So that is an almost before picture.

Then I found a Rustoleum spray paint color called Lagoon. Added some chalkboard paint in the middle. Added some hooks and TADA!

It's a coat rack! It's a message board!

So there ya go. Some of the things I have been working on lately. Hope you enjoyed!

I am linking to these parties:

Monday: The DIY Showoff, Skip to my Lou, Between Naps on the Porch Tuesday: Tip Junkie, Today's creative Blog ,

Wildflower blue dresser and french side tables

2011-06-13T13:04:00.000-05:00

I just did two different styles on these pieces cuz I like to change things up a bit.

Don't you?

That is how I make my life a little more interesting. Cuz the rest of my life is pretty boring.

Well one exciting thing for our little family is that Mr. Genius has been saving his pennies for a while and finally bought the camera he has been drooling over for a while.

Yay! So no more pictures taken by my iPhone! Well at least the after pictures.

So I good news for you guys! Better pictures!

So lets get right to it. I got this dresser. Let me tell you. This dresser is HEAVY!! But it isn't wood...so sad. :( Just particle board.

Oh and these were taken with my phone, this is pre awesome camera purchase day.

And I also got these round french side tables.

For the dresser I used Wildflower blue spray paint. I long for the day when I can get a real paint sprayer. So until then I will use spray paint on some of my projects.

Here is the after with the awesome camera, but we did not take it inside due to the weight of it. I was not in the mood carrying this insanely heavy dresser inside just to take it right back out again.

I used the same white knobs that I used on the green dresser.

I love the simpleness of the knobs.

The doors each have a shelf inside for storage of bigger things.

Then for the french style round side tables.

I stained the top, painted the bottom white and then glazed it.

But what the picture doesn't show but you can completely see in person, is that inside the tables I painted them with the wildflower blue.

Just a little hint of a surprise.

I really like them. But alas there is no where to put them in my house.

There are available to anyone in the Chicago land area.

Now back to the fancy shmancy camera Mr. Genius got, let's compaire a picture that I took with my phone and what a picture looked like the real camera looks like. Cuz I know there are some people out there that can't tell a different...*cough*cough* mom *cough*cough*

Here is a picture taken with my phone.

Now this is the one taken by Mr. Genius.

Can see you how much clearer the picture is?

For a phone the iPhone takes incredible pictures, but I think that the canon camera is just amazing.

It is great to have a built in photographer in the family now!

He only requires payment in Dr. Pepper!

I am linking to these parties.

Monday: The DIY Showoff, Skip to my Lou, Between Naps on the Porch Tuesday: Tip Junkie, Today's creative Blog ,

Antique dresser and an ornate mirror

2011-06-05T21:02:00.000-05:00

Today I want to show you a piece that I worked on a while back ago and it is already sold. But I thought it might help some of you that might find a dresser that is in bad shape to show you that it still has some potential.

In the beginning of our never ending winter I got this antique dresser.

Is that not the worse picture ever?!

I do believe that this day that I took it, the tempurature was waaaaaayyyyy in the negatives. So far in the negatives we forgot what the positives felt like. So that is why the picture was so bad because there was no way I was going to open that garage door to get some resemblance of natural light. Plus I am just a wimp in the winter.

Remember when I made my huge picture frames?

Well, this dresser was the cutting board for the project. I live on the edge that way. ;)

Notice the dresser on the left and you can kind of see how the bottom drawer is all wonky.

So sorry for the bad pictures, but you can see that it is brown and the bones of the piece were good.

So when it warmed up to at least in the 30s (which is what these people here call spring) I started working on this piece.

I took out the bottom two drawers and made shelves.

Then I added trim.

I stained the top and painted the rest white and added some big crystal knobs.

I love how the top is curvy.

Here is something else that I just got done. I got this mirror with a dresser, but the two didn't really look good together. Being the ever demanding person that I am, I declared them divorced and seperated them.

Here is the before (it is leaning against the dresser it came with). I will be showing you the dresser next week, I am still working on it.

And here is the after.

Isn't the power of paint just crazy?

Ok Chicagolanders let me know if you are interested in the mirror.

I am linking to these parties:

Monday: The DIY Showoff, Skip to my Lou, Between Naps on the Porch Tuesday: Tip Junkie, Today's creative Blog ,

Striped Dresser, new chair, and side table

2011-05-30T22:09:00.000-05:00

Ok, ladies (assuming that it is mostly ladies that read this).

I have got 3 transformations for you!

Let's get right to it, shall we?

First up is this dresser that I got off of freecycle!

It was in great shape! Always a plus.

Then I also have this little table to show you.

Is that not a pitiful looking table?

Then here is the chair also got off of freecycle.

I actually got two of these chairs. One is being picked up tomorrow. Yeah!

So here are the afters!

I will start with the chair and the pitiful side table.

For the chair, I spray painted it heirloom white, glazed it, distressed it, and then found this fun paisley fabric!

Then for the pitiful side table I painted it Sherwin Williams Cloudburst.

Here ya go!

When I put this picture on craigslist I got multiple offers for my lamp.

Sorry, not for sale! Got this baby and its twin at the local Habitat for humanity restore! Love that place!

Here are some close ups to the chair.

I just love this fabric!

And now for a close up for the table.

Now the dresser.

First I striped the top which had the thickest coat of poly I have ever seen! It took forever to get that top ready to stain.

Then I used my scotch blue painters tape and went to town.

Then I painted it a taupe/tan color called puppy paws.

Love that painters tape!

Once that paint dried, I sanded it and then glazed it.

Tada!

Love the curves on the front.

The drawers were in great shape!

The problem with this dresser is that I wanted to put cute turquoise knobs on it, but since the drawers were so big all the knobs I got just looked so dinky. So no knobs was the way it ended up.

But it sold, so I guess they didn't mind the no knob look.

Fellow Chicagoans. The chair is still available for $75.

I am linking to these parties.

Monday: The DIY Showoff, Skip to my Lou, Between Naps on the Porch Tuesday: Tip Junkie, Today's creative Blog ,

Sunday: Under the table and dreaming, I heart naptime

A hutch reborn

2011-05-22T21:02:00.000-05:00

A while back ago I got a pine hutch that was in great shape. But it was boring, just plain boring.

I spruced it up a bit!

I found some Oops paint that I thought would be a fun color for the back. It is a mint green color.

I also got these knobs at Hobby Lobby.

I LOVE these knobs.

I am linking to these parties.

Monday: The DIY Showoff, Skip to my Lou, Between Naps on the Porch Tuesday: Tip Junkie, Today's creative Blog ,

Winner of NYR and my new hobby this summer

2011-05-20T18:33:00.000-05:00

Time to announce the winner of NYR Organics Rose Polish!

To find out the winner to this giveaway go and look at my giveaway page. Here

The May Silhouette Sale

2011-05-17T15:54:00.000-05:00

It is Silhouette Sale time and this time you can get a deal with Heat transfer paper.

Which is great to whip up some shirts or for some quick teacher gifts.

*which I really need to get on the ball and make Wild man's teacher some gifts*

Anyways, here is what on sale this month.

1 Silhouette SD machine

1 package of white flocked heat transfer material

1 package of teal smooth heat transfer material

1 package of dark pink smooth heat transfer

All for $219!

Just use the code “PATIENCE” at check out to receive the discount.

(valid May 17-25)

For those of you scoring at home, that is a savings of over 125 bucks.

Not bad—not bad at all.

Also if you already have a Silhouette then machine then you can get 25% off the heat transfer paper with my code.

Silhouette sent me some of the heat transfer paper to try out.

EASIEST baby gift I have ever made.

You see one of my brothers family is having twins.

Boy, girl twins.

So when I got the pink and teal heat transfer paper, well I needed to do something with that.

Right?!

So Jenny if you want a surprise then do not look but if you are like me and are too curious for surprises. Then by all means you can scroll on down.

I couldn't decide what to put on the onsies and then inspiration hit when my boys where fighting over...who knows...probably one was looking at the other's toy. There is no telling with them.

So when they were fighting, it hit me. You just know all sibling do.

So...

In less then 30 minutes a baby gift was born!

Updated Giveaway and a happy mistake

2011-05-15T20:54:00.000-05:00

Enter my giveaway here!

First of all I am sure that most of you have heard some buzz about blogger being all messed up over the last week.

In that little mess up a lot but not all of the comments that were left on my giveaway were lost and never to be found again.

What to do, what to do.

The only thing I can come up with is for everyone to go back to the giveaway here leave another comment (but check to see if your comment was one of the few that was left) and then I will announce the winner this friday...that is unless blogger decides to go crazy again.

So go on back to the old post and leave up to 3 comments to win your own tube of Rose Polish to get your beautiful radiant skin back, organically.

Now onto showing you what my happy mistake was.

I got this beauty a little while back.

Well actually the whole thing was oak but I started priming and then realized I needed to take a before picture.

I had this vision of making this a bold yellow. The lines are kind of modern and I thought a bold color would be fun.

Kind of like the feel of these.

photos via

Unfortunately the color wasn't a bold modern yellow but more like a country light yellow. Very sad.

So I decided to just paint over the yellow with my new fav cloudburst.

Then a great thing happened when I went to distressed the edges just a tiny bit the yellow showed through and I just love it!

Sometimes mistakes can be turn out to be ok.

Who knew?!

I am linking to these parties.

Monday: The DIY Showoff, Skip to my Lou, Between Naps on the Porch Tuesday: Tip Junkie, Today's creative Blog ,

Don't forget to enter the giveaway!

NYR Organics and Giveaway

2011-05-10T22:39:00.002-05:00

The giveaway has been extended another week due to the blogger problems.

I have mentioned before of my love for Shaklee products and how the natural cleaning products have helped my Romeo with his persistent cough.

The cleaning supplies are items that we breathe and that can have effects like asthma along with other health problems.

But I got to thinking about if breathing in cleaners can hurt you what about the stuff we actually put on our skin?

To find out more about this giveaway, please go to my giveaway page. Here.

It's a dresser, now it is a tv stand

2011-05-08T21:24:00.004-05:00

The garage sale is OVER! 3 days for the garage sale is a LOOOOONG time!

Phew, it has been a crazy, long weekend.

As life would have it on wednesday night as we were setting up for the garage sale, Wild Man was bringing over a decorative jar to help set up and he fell. The glass cut right into his thumb, VERY deep. The Dr's were scared he cut his tendon.

Here he is trying to be so brave.

Thankfully he didn't cut his tendon, he just needed stitches. But a trip to the ER is never a welcoming thing.

Now the drugs have kicked in and we are good.

Now that we have moved on from that drama I thought I would show you one of my furniture transformations.

But I do not get the credit for this one. I copied this idea from Sausha at show and tell.

She turned a dresser into a TV console.

I LOVED this idea and just had to try it.

So remember this dresser?

And the headache of stripping this thing to find out it was just plywood?

First I took the top shelves out and put a shelf in.

Then I added a L shaped trim on the bottom on the shelf.

Nailed that baby on.

Painted the whole thing black and then distressed the edges a tiny bit and change out the hardware.

And here she is now.

You can't tell from the picture but we cut a whole in the back in order to pull the cords through.

Mr. Genius and I brought it in the house today to stage for Craigslist and it didn't work out. We put our tv on top and then I decided I wasn't going to go through the whole ordeal of unplugging all of our electronics to put all those on the shelf so I was going to use baskets.

Once we put it in I noticed that all my baskets were too big to slip into the shelf.

*Sigh*

So I tried. But the staging didn't go so well.

The pictures are so plain. OH well I am just a little too tired to care.

**UPDATE***

Here are some better pictures that we took when the light was better outside.

And as always, this item is still for sale. So Chicagolanders if interested contact me!

I am linking to these parties.

Monday: The DIY Showoff, Skip to my Lou, Between Naps on the Porch Tuesday: Tip Junkie, Today's creative Blog ,
House of Grace , Just a Girl Wednesday: Blue Cricket Designs, Domestically Speaking, Someday Crafts Thursday: House of Hepworths, Shabby Chic Cottage Friday: Miss Mustard Seeds, My Romantic Home, Funky Junk Interiors, Shabby Nest, Finger Prints on the Fridge Saturday: Tatortots and Jello, Be Different act normal
Sunday: Under the table and dreaming, I heart naptime

What my mom has taught me...

2011-05-07T22:48:00.000-05:00

In the different stages of my life my mom has taught me many things that still stick with me.

circa 1980 or '81, yep that is me

When I was little she taught me that saying words like "crap" and "butt" were boys words and nice little girls do not say such things.

As she would drop me off to go to a slumber party or a play date. Mom would sing a song that I now sing to Wild Man as he goes to preschool. Now I will not be torturing you with the song but the words were just to remind us to be polite. As I was about to be dropped off she would say, " Now don't forget...Yes Ma'am, No ma'am, thank you ma'am, please."

circa 1986 or '87

We would walk through houses that were being built and would talk and dream on where we would place certain pieces of furniture and the color the walls should be. I still love to do that.

I learned very quickly that decorating was my mom's passion. My brothers and I would make fun of the things she would rig up as curtains. One we called the giant Q-tip. It was simply a cardboard tube and on the ends Styrofoam balls all wrapped in fabric, then another fabric draped over. For about 3 or 4 houses we lived in she kept remaking them since the people buying the previous houses made sure all of her curtains stayed with the house. One time I went back to drive by a house we lived in around Memphis, TN and the Q-tip curtains were still hanging up! Mind you, this was over 15 years after we moved out of the house!

Then later on when I was a teenager she tried ever so hard to teach me to not touch my face so that my face wouldn't break out. This is also a way my brother's and I would drive mom crazy, by wiping our hands all over our face when she was trying to have a serious conversation with us.

Because the only job of teenagers is to drive their parents crazy.

Then while I was in college she helped me through a really hard time. I had some trouble with 2 friends and she cried with me, got mad with me. Then when I wasn't mad or crying. She still would. At the time, I thought she was just overreacting. But now that I am a mom...I totally get it.

When Mr. Genius and I first got married and we got our first apartment. She would drive from Knoxville to Nashville to go to the flea market with me to help me make that completely dirty and nasty apartment somewhat cute.

Then when I first became a mom... well she helped me become a mom.

Mom with Wild man

I can honestly say that my mom is one of my closest friends. When I aced a presentation in college, she is the first person I called, when I sold my first item on craigslist and I thought the lady was totally crazy for actually buying something that all I did was paint, I called mom. When I have a hard day with my boys, I call mom. When Romeo first used the big boy potty, I called mom.

Mom, Wild Man, and me.

I thought I knew my mom so well.

I thought she was a strong and godly woman.

But I was wrong.

When dad suddenly died a year and a half ago, I got to see my mom in a whole new light.

I can honestly say that my mom is the bravest, most Godly, wise, and strong women I know.

I have learned so much from her and I hope I can grow up to be half the woman that she is today.

Thank you mom for being my mom.

I love you.

Happy Mother's Day!

Become.com

2011-04-29T15:00:00.000-05:00

On my search for the perfect wallpaper for the back of a hutch that I will share with you later. What I so what to share with you is a site I found.

Have you heard of become.com?

It is a place that does the comparison shopping for you. Oh yes, one less thing to do on my own.

While looking through the wallpaper I got a little distracted when I saw plug in chandeliers.

Oh my word! I am in love!!

I have a thing for drum shades right now.

Then I saw this baby.

It is an OUTDOOR plug in chandelier. I want it soooo bad.

But I also then would want and outdoor covered patio to go with it.

I got a little lost in shopping on the site.

Here are some things I saw that I thought you guys might like.

Dining Chair cushions

Kitchen chair pads

Pot racks

Enjoy!

It's almost garage sale time

2011-04-28T21:13:00.000-05:00

Next weekend it will be time for our neighborhood garage sale.

Oh my word! I forgot how much of a headache a garage sale is!

Part of me just wants to sell everything in the house and start all over. But that wouldn't be reasonable...right?

This is what I have so far.

Explain to me why I still have vhs tapes when we haven't had a vcr for a couple of years? Plus some random dvds we got as white elephant gifts during Christmas time.

I have also decided to get rid of all my blue and white pottery.

Trust me that container is full of blue and white stuff. A platter, candlesticks, bowls. Whatever.

Then I decided that it is time to update Wild Man's room and the boys bathroom.

So no more trains in the bedroom and firetrucks in the bathroom.

I am also working on 8 projects at one time!!!

What is wrong with me?!

My goal is to have some of my pieces in the garage sale...although not at garage sale prices.

Sorry to disappoint.

My goal is to get the word out about what I do in my local area so we can start to cut down on our delivery miles.

I am not completely done with...well...any of the 8 pieces. But I really, really hope to be.

So if you are in the Chicagoland area and wanna come to my garage sale.

Let me know!

I will tell you when and where.

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T19:27:00.000-05:00

Living He loved me,

dying He saved me,

And buried He carried my sins far away

Rising He justified freely forever

One day He is coming, Oh Glorious Day!

except from Living He loved me from Casting Crowns

There’s a reason why the Resurrection of Jesus is the single-most attacked tenet of the Christian faith…because if it’s false, then everything we believe falls apart. But, if it’s true, then it changes everything!

I hope you all are enjoying this time with your family.

I wanted to share a video from one of my very talented college friends. His name is Jeremy Cowart and this video is called "Portrait of Christ"

A Portrait of Christ from Jeremy Cowart on Vimeo.

Happy Easter everyone!

What I did today...

2011-04-21T19:52:00.000-05:00

WAS A TOTAL WASTE OF TIME!!!

So I am going to use this time to complain and whine I little bit.

I guess my children are rubbing off on me.

Today during precious nap time/ mommy time. I started working on this dresser.

Yep, that is a bad picture. But it was cold outside and was too chicken to open the garage door.

I decided to strip the top and was going to stain it, since I am on a roll of doing that lately.

Then I realized I should get the mail and get the bills and all, so I opened up the garage.

Here is a better picture without the top drawers.

So I started stripping the top and could see the previous owner had primed the dresser before painting it brown. Then underneath the paint I could see the wood grain.

Yay!

Then after supper I ran out in the garage again while Mr. Genius was playing with the boys. I had put another layer of citristriper on and was going to clean it off real quick.

That is when I noticed this dresser has leprosy.

The wood grain was stripping off with the paint!

The dresser isn't real wood!

Grrr!

If I knew that, I wouldn't have stripped the top. I would have just sanded.

I am trying not to think about the fact that I would be halfway done by now.

Sigh.

So is there a way to tell if a dresser or any furniture for that matter is real wood or not when there is paint on top of it?

That would save me some time.

Rhinestone Mustache

2011-04-20T21:22:00.000-05:00

Silhouette sent me the new Rhinestone Kit!

But I was a little worried, since I do have boys and all.

I haven't seen too many boys with rhinestones on their shirts.

I did see some Major League Baseball players who had some bedazzled tshirts on the airplane on our way to the Dominican.

But I am not ready for my boys to wear big gold chains around their neck yet.

My wheels started turning.

Then the one day that is was above freezing here my boys ran outside to play with their friends.

Then quickly ran back in because they said that they forgot to put on their costumes.

My boys ALWAYS wear costumes!

I don't think our neighbors think my boys wear real clothes.

So then I got an idea costumes with regular clothes....and mustaches.

Just bear with me for a sec.

So I found some mustaches on the Silhouette online store.

The Silhouette did its thang.

Wild Man was totally mesmerized with how it worked.

When you get your kit it comes with a page of detailed directions as to what to do.

Brushed those little rhinestones in the holes.

For some reason I didn't get a picture of the pick me up tool. You NEED the pick me up tool! Seriously! It makes a world of difference.

Then after transfer paper and ironing it on the boys shirts in a inconspicuous way.

Wait where are the staches?

There they are.

it is a costume in regular clothes!

So the neighbors will see one shirt the boys wear.

So here’s the sale this month!

The sale runs April 21st-26th

Use code PATIENCE at checkout and get…

The Silhouette SD

2 sheets of rhinestone template material

2 sheets of rhinestone transfer tape

2 rhinestone backing boards

1 rhinestone placement brush

1 CD of rhinestone images

1 pack of clear 10ss rhinestones

1 pack of clear 16ss rhinestones

1 pack of clear 20ss rhinestones

1 pack of pink 10ss rhinestones

and

1 Pick-Me-Up tool

ALL FOR $229!

And for those of you that have a Silhouette and want the great rhinestones…

Use code PATIENCE at checkout and get 30% off the rhinestone starter kit!!

Actually I just got an email and they are doing a site wide rhinestone sale for 30% off with my code.

Hello Mother's Day gift!

To go directly to the bundle click HERE!

Make sure you use the code PATIENCE at checkout to get the great discount!!

Oh wait, I really do need a logo

2011-04-14T21:43:00.000-05:00

So my ADD took over my blogging brain again.

Sorry you had to witness that...

Today I posted about all my projects and also in the title I wrote how I need a logo.

Then the post got insanely long and my small attention span went on to other endeavors and I forgot to tell you about the logo I need.

So here I am now...telling you about the logo I need.

So I am calling all people who can make logos or if you know someone who can make logos.

I NEED YOU!

Here is the dealio.

I have been selling all my furniture on Craigslist. I would love to get my name out in my little local area.

My neighborhood has a HUGE garage sale every year the weekend before mother's day.

So I thought that along with getting rid of all the extra crapola that I have accumulated, I could also have some of my furniture out to show what I do. I don't expect to sell too much since I will not have then at garage sale prices. But I can get people interested.

I thought that I could hand out business cards.

But this is when I realized a problem. Impatiently praying for patience is not exactly the right name for a painted furniture business. Don't ya think?

So the brain storm for a name began.

I wanted a name that gave a nod to my dad since he is the reason I got started in all this anyways. So I came up with SPOTTED WOOD INTERIORS or just SPOTTED WOOD.

Some may think that is a strange name, but some of you that know me in real life will know that the name is a warped version of my maiden name.

So here's where the logo comes in.

Anyone got any ideas for a logo with that name? I am just blank when it comes to that.

So my plea is... please help me my faithful friends.

My latest projects and I am in need of a logo

2011-04-14T10:00:00.017-05:00

As promised, here are my latest endeavors.

I got this cute little child's bedside table, and I was almost a really bad blogger and almost forgot to take a before picture.

See how I was mid taking off the knobs and begin sanding when I realized...OH crud a before picture.

Notice the heater too. It was freezing that day.

Here is the after.

I found these cute knobs at Hobby Lobby. They are polka dots!

In a house full of boys, we do not see too many polka dots. So it was fun to have them here for a little while.

Next I found this sofa table on the side of the road coming home from church.

Thank you Lord!

Mr. Genius was so embarrissed that we were picking up furniture on the side of the road in our Sunday clothes. My response was...that is $150 just sitting on the side of the road!

And this is when I was not an almost bad blogger...I was a bad blogger. No before pictures.

Sorry guys.

I used cloudburst...oh how I love it right now.

Anyways, while I was painting the piece I saw a paper stapled underneath that said it was inspected in 1984! This is in great shape considering it was popular in the time I was wearing side pony tails, air brush t-shirts, and tight rolled pants.

Then the really crazy thing is that is was made in Gordon's which is in Johnson City, TN.

For those of you that are new here. I moved from TN to Chicago a little less then 2 years ago.

I thought that was interesting.

Here are some detail shots of the piece.

I distressed it and then glazed it.

Then I thought it was time for a little change. I have been doing a lot of pieces with color and I thought my next pieces would look good with a stained top and white bottom.

So I thought I would show you how different three pieces can look with the same colors just by changing the finishes.

First we have another sofa table.

I bet this one was around the '84 era too.

I stripped the top and then stained it with minwax dark walnut.

Here is the finish.

I also used the dark walnut stain to glaze the piece, rather then my usual ralph lauren tea stain glaze.

I also used the wax that Miss Mustard seed talked about on her blog. The Fiddes & Sons clear wax. I have to say I really like it!

Now for my next piece. It is a dresser. When I went to pick it up the guy selling it was like, um ma'am you are the only person who even acted interested in this. Are you sure you want it? It is really ugly.

I love me some ugly furniture! ;)

Let me just show you the detail of this piece.

There I go again jump started on a project before taking pictures.

But look at these doors!

And these drawers!

The details were a bugger to get the dust out of. I had to get my air compresser out to blow the dust out of the little cracks.

Oh and I wanted to tell you all what kind of stripper I use, before I get emails asking that very thing. I use citristripper.

I just brush it on and let it sit for a while. I usually work on something else while the stripper is doing its thang. Then I use a putty knife to scrap it all up.

Here is the finish product!

Oh those drawers. I love them. I even kept the original hardware. There were too perfect for the piece. Nothing else would have worked as well.

Then I painted the inside of the doors and the drawers Misty mourn. A blue/grey color.

Now for one more piece. This one is totally different from anything else I have done...It is mid century modern.

Again no real before pictures. But I can show you what bad shape it was in.

This dresser has been around the block... if you know what I mean. ;)

It has been painted ALL sorts of colors. Just look at the side of the drawers.

Then when I got it, it was painted a crazy golden brown color with finger nail polish all over the top of it.

So I used the same colors as the other dresser and sofa table but went a different route with it.

I painted the outside white and stained the drawers the dark walnut.

I got these handles from ikea. They are called Bastig and they are $5.99 for a pack of two.

Isn't it a fun modern piece?

I again used the wax on this piece and no glaze. So that is the true color.

I didn't get to stage those dressers cuz Mr. Genius has been really busy and I can't pick these babies up by myself. Oh well. They still look pretty good though, don't you think?

So here you go. Three pieces, same colors, three different finishes, make three different styles.

This one with stain over the white paint.

This one with ralph lauren tea stain glaze over the white.

And this one just naked white.

For those in the Chicagoland area. All items are sold except the big ornate dresser. The Cloudburst sofa table and the modern mid century dresser sales are pending.

If you have any questions, just email me.

My secret weapon and I am already thinking of winter

2011-04-13T14:40:00.000-05:00

First of all I came on to check my blog yesterday since I got emails from photobucket that there are some issues (which they still are). But I didn't notice them for too long because what stuck out for me was the fact that I have 1000 followers! WhooHoo!

Welcome new followers! This blog started four years ago just simply to share stories about my boys because I am not a scrap booking type of mom. Then when my dad very unexpectedly passed away on December 2 of 09. I needed an outlet. I wasn't really able to mourn...the way I wanted to...because I have two little guys to care for that didn't want me to lay around in bed all day.

So to get rid of some stress and to have an outlet I started doing projects around my house.

Here is the first one and then the second one. After a lot of projects in the house I started doing furniture and from there I got the where I am now, which is to sell furniture....along with projects in the house when I have the time.

I mean really does projects around the house ever really end? ;)

One question I get asked a lot is how do I find the energy to do all this work when I am keeping up with the boys? Mostly people I know in real life ask me that since well they see my boys and how crazy active they are.

To do my projects I work during nap/quiet time and then after the boys go to bed for the night. This is also the time I blog...which is why it is hard for me to blog everyday. Especially when I am working on projects.

But the middle of day is my drowsy time of day. A lot of time I am ready to lay down and take a nap when my boys do. I needed to find a way to get some more energy but I do not drink cokes.

Now remember I am from the south, so every carbonated drink is a coke ;) Pepsi=Coke, Dr. Pepper=coke and of course Coke= Coke.

I can see why people get a little confused when talking to me...

So I guess it is time to show you my secret weapon.

A while back I noticed that Shaklee had this pomegranate flavored tea mix that helps to give you energy.

It is a natural way to give me a little pick me up. I have been using it when I needed it for the past 3 months. It totally works! Love this stuff! It tastes good too.

The tea is $29.95 but I see if you are a member it is $25.45.

On a side note... Debbie told me that this month Shaklee is running a earth day special where with a $30 order you can become a member for free! Meaning you can get the discounted prices and other special promotions.

If you have questions Debbie is a wealth of knowledge!

So that is what I use to give me that extra energy to sand, strip, and paint my furniture while still keeping up with my boys.

I have been working on quite and few pieces that I plan on showing you soon!

I am really enjoying the warmer weather so I can redo all this furniture. I get such a high when the piece is finished! I feel so much happier when I have this outlet.

Even though it is FINALLY warming up around here...still jacket weather, but warmer. I am already thinking about a way to work in my garage over the winter.

Am I sad or what?

I keep thinking is there a way I can still do this in the winter?

I ran across this website called earthwhile that sells high quality products that help save energy.

When I hear save energy, I hear...holds heat in your house! So I went searching along the site and saw that they have garage door insulation!!!

Oh earthwhile garage door insulation, you had me at hello.

For some reason it wouldn't let me copy a picture from their site. So you will have to check it out for yourself.

OH and they also have this chimney balloon...has anyone else heard of this? It keeps your chimney from being drafty. Um, yes please. Is it getting obvious that I am not a fan of Chicago winters?

Hope everyone is having a beautiful day like we are.

DirectBuild

2011-03-31T14:40:00.001-05:00

For someone who loves to decorate, being content is really hard.

Don't you feel that when your work on a project is complete and you stand back to marvel your work the items around your new project stands out like a sore thumb?

Like they are screaming, make me over too!

I really struggle with that.

After reupholstering the dining chairs/benchs/settees. What ever you call them.

I can't help but dream about what else I can do to the room.

Like get new flooring!!!

Seriously why did they put carpet in the dining room?! I need to ask the previous owners that.

Then Sandra from Sawdust and Paper scraps mentioned that she got all of her hardwood from BuildDirect.

That is a bad thing about blogging and reading blogs when you love to decorate. When you are not feeling content then you have all these beautiful homes and projects you see that other people do, and think...I want to do that!

So I have been dreaming and looking and longing through BuildDirect for about the past hour...it is naptime/quiet time in the house right now. :) The best time of the day.

Can I just say that if you are looking for flooring...you need to check out this site!

I found my hardwood flooring for an AWESOME price!

$4.89/sq ft!

Since I am not a person that can't just browse around...well I had to look at other items on the site that I just had to share with you guys...since I do not want to be the only person is having trouble with contentment. I am going to drag you guys in too. :)

I have heard of cork flooring and I loved that thought of it. Being easy to clean up, yet softer. So when a certain 5 year old who insists on using a big boy glass cup like mom and dad, drops it...it has a much better chance of not turning into a thousand little pieces.

But the samples that I have seen haven't been the best looking.

But BuildDirect has cork flooring that has a wood grain design on it!

Ummm, yes please.

Then I also noticed that some of their composite decking is on sale for $1.75/ lineal foot!

Can I have the backyard that goes with this decking...and the warm weather too?

Anyways, I just thought I would share.

Don't forget...if your blog needs a makeover go and check out Kassie from Kassie by Designs.

A new Color!

2011-03-30T21:37:00.001-05:00

I have exciting news!

I have found a new color that I really like!

It is another blue, maybe more accurately called a teal.

It is a Sherwin Williams color called Cloudburst.

If Halycon Green isn't blue enough for you then Cloudburst is a good substitute.

I painted two tables in this color.

Here is the first one.

This is the before.

And the after.

Isn't it a fun color?!

Then I did this table.

Now with Cloudburst.

Got another white knob from Hobby Lobby.

Let's see the difference to Halycon Green.

The finials are Halycon green.

I always thought that HG looked so blue until I compaired it with Cloudburst.

Still wouldn't necessarily call it green.

But that is just my opinion.

*********************************************

Your blog need a makeover?

Go to Designs by Kassie

How to make chunky picture frames

2011-03-27T21:19:00.001-05:00

If you are a lover of chunky frames, but don't want to sell your first born to have one of those in your house. Then this is the tutorial for you.

I will say that this is NOT the professional way to do this. I will share with you what I did and what I wish I changed.

Are you ready?

Ok first go to Hobby Lobby when they have the half price off of their picture frames.

I got 8x10 frames, now I kind off wish I went with the 11x14.

Don't hang them on your wall unless you want some extra motivation to quickly change those dinky skinny frames into nice big chunky ones.

And don't leave your hammer one your steps...trust me it will keep you from having a near panic attack.

Then go and buy some boards. I went with 1x8 boards.

Now I only have a 10" miter saw...apparently 8" boards are too big for a 10" miter saw.

Now you see how clueless I am. Are you sure you wanna hear the rest of what I have to say?

So I got my circular saw out, and made a mess.

Then I recruited some little helpers to paint.

I painted it my fav Halycon Green. The can is almost out so I will move on to another color.

Ok stop cheering.

Now this is where I would say do what I say and NOT what I did.

Once all the paint is dry, turn the boards over and glue them with wood glue.

After you put the glue on and before it dries get out your staple gun and staple it together from the back.

It still won't be perfect. But no worries.

Once the glue dries carefully flip the frame back over and get your caulk gun out.

Then I used my little caulk wand...atleast that is what I call it. To remove the excess caulk.

Once that dries paint over the caulk, then I went on and glazed the frame too.

Then next part is attaching the Hobby Lobby frame to the frame you have just made.

At first I wanted to nail it to together, but Mr. Genius thought that since the Hobby Lobby frame was thin that it would crack. So I went the super glue route.

I got my Gorilla Super glue and put a thin line around the edge of the inside of the frame.

Then place your Hobby Lobby frame on top and do NOT be impatient and pick it up too soon.

Trust me.

I had to super glue three times on one frame.

Once they are dry and ready to be hung up then go for it!

Now enjoy your frames!

Posting to:

You need a blog redesign? Go and check out Kassie!

I made big chunky frames!

2011-03-25T14:00:00.047-05:00

I loves pictures frames, but I love then big and chunky.

Ok, isn't that in the movie, Madagascar 2 with the big hippo guy?

Yeah, I watch too many kids movies.

Anywho, so it started with me wanting something up our staircase, but because we have this two story wall to deal with it can't be dinky.

So I bought these 8x10 frames at Hobby Lobby when they were half off.

How pitiful and dinky do they look?

They are totally lost in the wall of yellow. You look more at the wall then the pictures.

I added some 1x8 and some paint and glaze to the frames, to get this.

Makes much more of a statement, doesn't it?

But lets take a trip down memory lane, shall we?

We started with a plain ol' bland staircase.

We then added the trim, which you couldn't really see due to the bland wall color.

Then we painted the walls and added more trim.

And now we have humongous frames.

Next week I will show you how to make these bad boys.

Designs by Kassie

2011-03-24T15:56:00.001-05:00

I would like to introduce you all to a great blog designer that I have been very impressed with.

Her name is Kassie Garlock.

She does great web designs.

via

She also did my blog design and button design!

She's good isn't she?

So I can say from experience that Kassie is VERY easy to work with. She also listened to me and my many changing of plans and just knew exactly what I wanted each time. She worked with me until I was 100% satisfied.

No matter what your style is she has probably already done it.

Plus her pricing is VERY reasonable. They are the most reasonable prices I have found. For a basic blog makeover it is just $30!

If you just want a new header- $20!

Now in the light of the season of Spring cleaning why don't you all get a new fresh look to your blog. You will feel so much better afterwards.

Now to tell you a little bit of personal stuff about Kassie. I completely got her permission to share this with you.

The blog world is a funny thing. Most of the people in the blog world you won't actually ever meet in person, yet you feel connected with them. It is a crazy, strange, yet fun thing.

Kassie is a sweet girl and you can just tell through the conversations that we have had via email.

In the light of our economy today alot of people are losing their jobs. Hard working people that are experts in their field are having a hard time finding jobs in their field. Kassie's husband is one of those people.

I know that a lot of you out there have lost your job or your spouse has lost their job. It is a very stressful time isn't it? No amount of savings make you feel secure in that time when you have kids and a spouse counting on you to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table.

So I am asking you all if have thought about getting a blog redesign...do it know! Help a family out! They will truly appreciate it!

Oh...Hi there!

2011-03-24T14:31:00.001-05:00

Is it already the end of March?

Good golly!

We have had a eventful month this past month.

It started with Wild Man going to Kindergarten orientation.

He is the one of the right and yes he is wearing an Apple jacket. Mr. Genius starts them young over here.

Wild Man is VERY ready for Kindergarten...and momma is too. :)

We also found out that Wild Man has trouble hearing in his right ear. Nothing serious it is really just one octive out of the right ear that isn't audible. I do believe that is the same octive as my voice.

But as a precaution they wanted to do a CT scan just to make sure there wasn't a reason that the nerve was being blocked.

Being that I am not familiar with the medical field at all I wasn't sure if the CT scan was the one where you go into the tunnel or not. So to be on the safe side I told Wild Man that he is going to get to go into a tunnel all by himself! How cool is that! It worked, he was stoked! Then he was greatly disappointed that it ended up being just a doughnut (his words) he was going into, not a tunnel.

The results came out clear. No tumors or anything blocking the nerve!

Thank you Lord!

No matter how routine a test is, there is always a big sigh of relief when you get good results.

Once that was behind me I felt that I could work on the other settee!

Phew..all done. It will be awhile til I recover something that big.

But I got the dining room done just in time to have a Dinner and a Diaper Dump at my house.

Alright I realize that the name of the get together may need some explaining.

You all know what a dinner is, so I will move on to the diaper dump. A Diaper Dump is usually where someone gathers diapers from a bunch of people like a Sunday school class, then that person takes the diapers over to the person who just had or about to have a baby and then drops them off (or dumps them).

I have a sweet friend here who is having her 3rd child, she already has two boys and decided not to find out what she is having for this child.

Not knowing what they are having makes it a little challenging to plan a little party. I figured that no matter if it is a boy or girl they will need diapers, and since a group of us never get to talk without a gazillion interuptions from our kids I thought we would have a nice relaxing dinner and everyone bring diapers.

Hence, the Dinner and a Diaper Dump.

I didn't do much for the party as far as decorating...cuz I was working on that settee.

But I did make a diaper cake!

*Post is their last name*

I got to bring out my glitter letters!

I didn't get anymore pictures of that night cuz it was just so fun to celebrate my sweet friend and to talk without having to worry about my boys climbing up the walls.

A couple of weeks ago, the boys also had thier first sleepover in Wild Man's room.

Then miracle of all miracles, it got warm enough for the first time this year to not have to wear a coat or even a jacket! So the boys thought it fitting to be Spiderman.

Now today is a different story. It started snowing and one child started crying and the other just got mad. When you children have to be consoled because it is snowing, you know it has been a long winter.

I started a little spring cleaning. Starting with the back of my oven...Yuck!

Ok so I lied I didn't clean under the oven for Spring cleaning. A toy got lost under there and when I looked underneath, the shear dirtiness grossed me out.

So by just cleaning behind my oven does that count as my Spring Cleaning? I hope so. I am in the mood to redo furniture not deep clean. It isn't nearly as fun.

Last week was my birthday and Mr. Genius took me to downtown Chicago for a night away. It was so nice to have a break from the boys and it just be the two of us.

Thanks mom!

At the bottom of the train station is a french market. It is the cutest place. So may little shops with the most beautiful food.

I found this place called R.A.W., Raising Awareness Worldwide. Oh My Word. It is now my favorite place!

I would NEVER consider eating raw food but especially vegan food. Although now, if I could eat this companies food everyday I would turn vegan. Seriously it was that good. And I am a girl that has meat and/or cheese at EVERY meal.

This is what I ate.

That is Spaghetti (made from shreaded zucchini), ravioli (made from thinly sliced turnips, and nuts crushed into what looked like ricatta cheese), a little garden burger and a meatball (not sure exactly what they are made up of).

This was their sampler and I was STUFFED until the late the next day from this food.

I seriously could go on and on about this food, but lets move on...shall we?

I saw my first anti war protest in person.

I don't know how these people understood what the guy in front was saying cuz all I could here was "wawawawa, Put down your guns!" *people cheering* "wawawawa, Put down your guns!" *more cheering*

I do know what ever he was saying he felt VERY strongly about it.

Oh and one more thing I realized I left you guys hanging on my great rug hunt.

I found a rug!

After returning the first rug and getting another rug. I kept dreaming about the first rug.

I am a sad person when I dream and long for rugs.

So I took back the second rug and got the first rug again..all this happened in 3 days.

The Home Goods rug guy knew my boys names on the last day we walked in.

If that isn't a sign you are in there too much I don't know what is.

But I am so happy I went back and got the rug, it may be 4 inches too short on the length. But I am happy with it.

Don't mind the Superman cape in the background

So there you have it folks, my life the past 3 weeks.

I do have a project I can't wait to show you guys tomorrow. It is about making big chunky frames on the cheap!

Spring Green entry table

2011-03-01T15:19:00.001-06:00

I am dying for spring around here.

If it snows one more time I will find some one to blame and hang them upside down from their toenails!

Please, please no more snow!

I made another piece of furniture to sale. This time I brought out the spray paint.

No it isn't warm enough to be spray painting. I opened the garage door just for ventilation (although I go to use my mask that I got for Christmas! Thanks mom!) as soon as I was done spraying I closed the door and put the heater on high right in front of it.

It worked! But I am so ready for warmer weather.

Since I have been longing for spring I only saw this table in a spring green color.

I just couldn't resist.

Here is what the cabinet looked like before.

The previous owners spray painted it a flat brown color. They had primed it too...yeah less work for me.

I just sanded it down and used leafy green rustoleum spray paint right one top of the brown.

There was no way I was going to stripe all that paint!

Here is the finished product!

Doesn't this just scream Spring?!

I distressed the piece just a little bit on the edges.

I love how you can see all the layers where it was distressed. You can see the wood and the primer and the brown from the previous owners.

Makes the piece feel so much older then it really is.

Then of course the white knobs! Love you Hobby Lobby and your half off knobs!

Apparently there is another fellow Chicagoan that is screaming for spring too because within an hour of putting this girl on Craigslist, she was sold!

Yay! now I can finish the second settee!

Posting to:

Shaklee Review of Naturebrite, Basic H, and Scour off

2011-02-27T21:12:00.000-06:00

I have been postponing blogging about the Shaklee products cuz I wanted to make sure I came across as sincere as possible.

I have done a giveaway for Shaklee before and I mentioned then how good their products were.

Since then I have been using the products consistently for well over 8 months. I liked the products then and now...I LOVE them!

Like BIG heart LOVE them!

I knew the products were organic and knew that it would be healthier for our family, but all I heard was blah, blah, blah.

Not that I didn't want what is best for my family, I just didn't really get it. You know?

I did always think as I was cleaning my shower and the fumes felt like they were burning my nose hairs, lungs, and eyes, that this can't be healthy for me. But just came to the conclusion that it was just the way it was and that was the end of that thought.

So my sweet friend Debbie Clinton, who sells Shaklee, and who advertises on my site. Since I know her personally she asked if she could advertise on my site by paying me in products each month.

To me I thought, free cleaning products...SURE!

So I started using the basic H cleaner. I used this for a month, and then I realized that I haven't heard Romeo cough in quite a while.

Now let me back up a little bit. Romeo had a consistent bad cough. It was actually a croup cough.

And I KNOW a croup cough when I hear one. WildMan had croup no less then 20 times the first year Romeo was on this earth. We have been through the ringer with croup.

Romeo's cough was only once or twice a day, but everyday. He didn't have a fever, he wasn't losing sleep. He just had this random yet consistent cough.

Then with a month of using basic H as my cleaner...it was gone!

Crazy right?!

So I started thinking...is this what they were talking about with the whole organic better for you thing?

hey I am a slow learner people.

So I started adding more Shaklee products.

Now I can't say that we have had any other ailments that have gone away. But I can tell you that we didn't get the flu...so far...knock on wood. And Mr. Genius and I didn't get the flu shot!

So we know that the disinfectant works well!

All my married life I have been buying products with what ever was on sale and if it didn't work I just thought that it just couldn't be cleaned. There was nothing that could be done.

Then I used Shaklee, and I realized that I have just been using inferior products. Because let me tell you, Shaklee works people!

Now let me show you an example of how good it works.

You have all seen my painting projects I have been working on...what you haven't seen is the laundry room sink where I clean all of my paint brushes, rollers, paint pan, and any other tools that I needed cleaned.

After I cleaned the tools...I didn't clean the sink. Because doing the projects are much more fun then cleaning up.

So here was my sink...and the picture totally doesn't do it justice.

The rust, paint, and just plain nastiness greeted me every time I walked into the laundry room.

But the sheer grossness of this sink required more then one cleaning product.

First I used Nature bright which works great on your laundry too.

Filled the sink up with hot water then put a scoop of Nature Bright in.

I let it sit for about 30 minutes, then when I drained it...

Much better, but not the best it could be.

still some rust stains and there are some deep scratch marks. I think the previous owners were needing to get out some frustrations and had a sharp knife handy and had at it in this sink.

This is when I called Debbie, who has been using Shaklee for 14 years and knows her stuff. She told me to make a paste with with a little bit of nature bright and then pour a tsp of Basic H concentrate.

This paste also got nail polish off of Debbie's carpet!

Then I got an scrubby sponge (atleast that is what I call it) and scour off. First I put the sponge in the scour off.

Then dip the sponge into the mixture of nature bright and basic H.

The I scrubbed the sink and this was the result!

Isn't that crazy!

Remember we started with this.

To this.

So people needless to say I HIGHLY recommend Shaklee! If you have a question please contact Debbie she is a wealth of knowledge!

PS: I did get paid by products to advertise on my blog, and now because we are buying more and more products each month I am compensated in other ways, But I in NO way get any incentive for anyone else buying products from Debbie. This review was out of the my true opinion and that is it.

Thanks you guys, now go and get some Shaklee!

It's a zebra settee!

2011-02-26T16:08:00.000-06:00

IT IS FINISHED!!!!

OK well just one of them is finished, but lets not dwell on that.

Let me start of my saying I have NEVER recovered anything before! Not even a simple seat cushion.

Nada!

Nothing!

Zilch!

I would not recommend for your first recovering project to be a settee, I would definitely go easier.

But like I have said before...I am a gluten for punishment.

First thing is that I learned A LOT!

Now I love trim and it ability to cover a multitude of sins.

I would love to get a pneumatic stapler before I start the next chair.

That would make things a little more easier.

I do hope that my grandmother and great grandmother and any other great and grand mother in my family that had this chair once aren't rolling over in their graves due to what I have done to our family heirloom. But in my defense it was falling apart, the wood was chipping and there were some medallions on it and they fell off years ago and don't forget the fabric...that had definitely seen better days.

So enough talking lets show you what we've got.

Let me first remind you about what the chair looked like before.

And now with out further ado...TADA!

I painted the wood with my all time favorite color SW Halycon Green.

Then I added black glaze to show the detail better.

And when rubbing the glaze off some of the paint came off too...I liked it!

Then after some real debate I finally decided on a fabric that was nothing that I had picked out at JoAnn's. I decided to go a little more bold since I thought everything else in the room is going to be pretty plain.

I would say that black and white stripes are pretty bold. Wouldn't you?

Then for the trim, I went as thick of trim as I could get yet not look too awkward.

The trim saved me. Some places I cut the fabric too short or my staple gun wouldn't staple all the way down and you would never know with the trim covering it up!

For you really observant people, you have already noticed that I painted the mirror.

My goal is to make this room brighter...I think I am accomplishing it!

Let's review, here is the before again.

And the after!

Yippee!

Staging furniture

2011-02-23T16:09:00.000-06:00

We have heard a million times that when you are putting your house on the market to stage it!

In other words make your home look like noone actually lives in it...while living in it.

I have to say it totally works considering we sold our house in 19 days and had 18 showings in the worst housing market a year and a half ago.

Although I would be totally lying if I didn't say there were not a few tears shed and a threat or two of living in a hotel until it was sold. I was after all potty training Wild Man and had a 18 month old that loved to pull every toy out and did I mention that Mr. Genius was out of town Monday-Friday? Yeah, not the fondest memory of my life.

Despite the bad memories, I am using the same mentality to sell my furniture.

Today I thought I would show you through today's process of selling a coffee table.

I guess I should first mention that after a winter break I am slowing starting to paint and redo furniture again!

Yes I am still working on my settees and going to finish my dining room.

But you see I ran into a problem...I ran out of money. :(

Until I find that money tree I pack away in the move I will be redoing furniture in order to get some more money.

Now back to staging.

First you of course need to pick your piece...

Here is the table before.

This was another craigslist find.

I immediately fell in love her legs... I have a thing for thick chucky legs.

Unfortunately I do not feel that same about my own legs. But I digress.

Yes, I sanded, painted, distressed, and glazed in my kitchen.

Why? You ask....cuz I am a gluten for punishment, that is why. But thanks for asking.

Then the night before I plan on taking picture I cleaned up the den...

And just 2 hours after the boys were up this morning, it looked like this.

Seriously, why do I bother.

So I enlisted in the boys to divide and conquer the two decks of cards all over the floor.

One picked up the Superhero cards.

And the other picked up the bug cards.

while being a pirate, I think it helps in the picking up process

Once the cards are all up, we compaired our muscle to move the current coffee table.

Then find all the treasures under the table that was just moved.

So that is where batman's cave door went!

Once that is all cleaned up, move over the newly painted coffee table.

And since you haven't polyed it yet...NO TOUCHING!

Decorated it a little and Shazam! You have a staged photo.

Now I have to ignore the open cabinets in the back and balloon string just sitting to the left of the lights and the random blue chair that I forgot to move on the left of the couch. But other then that it shows the table well!

You also should show some details shots to get the people thinking they can not live another day without this table in front of their couch.

So there you have it folks...the Katie way of staging your selling items.

If you were blessed with non messy kids it would be a much easier process for you.

But one thing is for sure it makes things sell faster if it is staged!

Now if anyone is in the Chicago area I am selling this for $150. You can email me at impatientlypraying (at) gmail (dot) com.

The point of no return

2011-02-20T12:37:00.000-06:00

Last night I just got brave enough and I started ripping apart one of the settee's.

Today it looks like this.

I am scared people.

If I do not like it, I am stuck with it.

I have been taking pictures of the folds and stuff so that I can hopefully put it back on decently and I purposely didn't take apart the other settee so I can refer back to that one.

But I am still scared.

The amount of dirt and dust that I have breathed in when ripping out all the batting and fabric is giving me the hebbe jebbes.

Plus there are no less then 5,695,342 staples in this chair and some are so embedded in there I am having a bugger of a time getting them out. I hope you are not suppose to get all the staples out before you staple on the new fabric, cuz for some of them. It just ain't gonna happen.

Oh I hope this turns out good...only time will tell.

My newly painted dining room

2011-02-16T14:58:00.001-06:00

First let me start you off with what our room looked like before.

Just a bland room.

The sad thing is this is the first room you see in the house from the front door.

Plus our foyer is really just a skinny hallway.

Remember...a table doesn't even fit in it.

With our foyer being so skinny I thought I would make it feel bigger by painting the dining room the same as the foyer.

So to Sherwin Williams I went and got my Blonde color and was ready to get my painting on. I also decided that I wanted to continue the board and batten that I have in the foyer too.

Unfortunately I looked in my wallet and noticed that I didn't have enough money to buy all the 1x4s to do the job.

Insert an adult woman having a big 2 year old temper tantrum right here.

Image from here

Then I remember how the Nester did board and batten by getting her local hardware store to cut some mdf boards for her.

Image from here

Insert an adult woman doing the happy dance here.

That is what we did!

Mr. Genius went to the Home Depot here and got two Mdf board and got them to cut it down and it cost 25 cents a cut. The total cost was $79! If I got the 1x4's it would have been $140!

Score!!

And up they went...

And here it is all done with that painting.

Ahhhh, much better.

Please note the toys that were quietly moved right back under the table before a bite of breakfast was made.

But I would love to say that this is the after picture. But this would be more accurately portrayed as the during picture.

Today I went to Joann's and checked out a slew of fabrics.

I have been dying to recover my settees that were my great grandmother's on my dad's side.

Cuz let me tell you...these chairs have definitely seen better days.

But they have great bones.

I also want to paint the mirror white.

Well I actually already started...cuz I have a sickness.

I am also trying to figure out what I want to do with the corner cabinet.

The picture makes it looks all pretty and shiny. But let me tell you, in person it is in rough shape.

I can't decide on the color...white?... pale blue?... light green?...black? I just can't decide.

Also you may have noticed the new light fixture.

It was a craigslist find...I know...big surprise.

I love this light, not so sure about the color of the lamp shade. So we will see what I will do with that.

So there is it folks, my dining room in the during phase.

Before

During

Apple Subway Art Gift

2011-02-15T21:59:00.000-06:00

Well I got a picture of Mr. Genius' gift....but I do not have a good picture of it.

I had it all planned to hang it up today and wait til the sunlight was just right so I could take a picture to you all you guys, so you could all be amazed by my craftiness.

Ok not really. But I did want to get a good picture for ya.

Then I remembered about my valentine's gift.

We are finally painting the dining room.

As a result of painting and putting wainscotting up in the dining room Mr. Genius' office looks like this...

And our foyer looks like this...

I don't know if it is good or bad that my boys do not even bat an eye when I rearrange the furniture like this.

They played under the dining room table before. To them it is like a cave or a tunnel depending of what they are playing. When we moved it into the foyer, they carried on like it was always there.

At least my decorating sickness has a plus side...it has caused my boys to be more flexible and to thrive in chaos.

So I do have two pictures of my gift. Neither are very good.

But they are pictures none the less.

First is the finished gift right before I gave it to Mr. Genius...on my guest room bed...that isn't made up... and has an ugly orangey memory foam topper due to the 40 year old mattress we make our guests sleep on.

Please forgive me.

And the other picture is on the floor of Mr. Genius office...I have no excuse for that room, cuz it is not my room...it is Mr. Genius' office/man cave.

The good news is that Mr. Genius likes it other then the fact that I made the p's in both iPod and iPhone lower case.

I am not the Apple fanatic, I just married one. So...Oops.

Tomorrow the plan is to show you our newly painted dining room! *fingers crossed*

A little story about us

2011-02-13T22:07:00.001-06:00

Happy Valentine's Everyone!

I hope everyone is having a great day telling the people that you love how much they mean to you.

Wild Man informed me that for Valentine's Day he is to get Valentine Cards and no candy!

Score! Totally working with that one!

Tomorrow I will show you what I made Mr. Genius for Valentine's. I can't yet due to the fact I haven't given it to him yet.

Fingers crossed that he likes it.

In the light of this loving holiday I thought I would share a little story about how I got Mr. Genius to fall madly in love with me.

Well maybe not madly in love with me but definitely amazed by me. :)

Unfortunately it was all a lie.

(Insert evil laugh here)

Back a LOOOONG time ago when we were in college and Mr. Genius and I first started dating I was in the great habit of going to the gym every morning to work out.

Oh the days when I got a full night of sleep, how I miss those days.

One morning I was on the treadmill... or the elliptical...whichever it doesn't matter. But what does matter is that it was back in the day when "Who wants to be a millionaire" was a HUGE show. That morning the guys at the gym had ALL the tvs on Sports Center.

Image from here

This day in particular, the hosts were playing a game called " Who wants to be a Sports center host or millionaire"

I can't remember.

It really doesn't matter.

What does matter is that I watched the freakin' show twice. So I learned a bunch of worthless information about sports.

Have I mentioned that I am not a sports person.

I know that there are sports, like football, baseball, soccer, and tennis. But who plays them, how you play them mean nothing to me.

(All the more reason that me having boys is kind of humorous)

But since I had nothing better to do while running or pretend I was running up a million stairs I listened and apparently absorbed this info.

Now fastforward to later that night when Mr. Genius came over and he turned on the tv to Sport Center....and lo and behold guess what was on...yep the EXACT same show I had already watch twice this morning.

I thought I would have a little fun since Mr. Genius was still getting to know me and didn't realize I wasn't a sports fanatic yet. Well I think he did know, but I thought I would have a little fun with the not knowing me very well yet.

So we watch the Sports Center millionaire game and I answered EVERYONE of those questions right!

Way to go memory...wish that memory worked in my history class.

After the show was over I planned on telling Mr. Genius the truth that I didn't really know that answers to those quesions.

But then my roommate came home and her boyfriend came over... and I forgot all about it.

Oopsy.

Fast forward six months later.

Yep, 6 months. That is how my memory works, which makes it that much more astonoshing that I remembered the answers to those questions.

Mr. Genius and I were hanging out with some friends and the guys were giving me a hard time about not being much of an athlete and Mr. Genius quickly stood up for me recalling the Sports Center show that we watched.

As much as I love to prove people wrong I told him the truth.

He laughed and forgave me.

Luckily, I already had him hooked.

Everything still ended with a happily ever after even it did start with a few lies. ;)

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

It's a rug hunt

2011-02-08T21:47:00.000-06:00

A decision has been made that it is high time we get a rug under our kitchen table.

We have tried every kind of rubber and felt stoppers on the bottom of our chairs and we keep adding to the collection of scratches on our hardwood floors. Grrrr.

The good news is I found a rug that I so love at Home Goods. It was only $200!!

Oh paisley rug, how I love thee!

But the bad news is, IT'S TOO SMALL!!!

I didn't take a picture from the other side, but there was pretty much only 3 inches of rug behind the chair with it pulled in to the table.

Curses!!

Unfortunately there isn't another rug like this one that is an 8x10. I have searched the internet world over and over and I cannot find it.

Double Curses!!

So the rug hunt continues.

Where do you go to find quality rugs for dirt cheap prices?

I do see the Crate and Barrel outlet in my future. Though I do see that the prices will be out of our budget in this vision too.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

2011-02-02T15:44:00.000-06:00

I worked on a project to day!!

Can you believe it, cuz I have been totally slacking in that area.

But I warn you...it isn't very pretty.

Although Mr. Genius and I think it is glorious.

It took us over 3 hours to do it and now with it done, I do believe we can crown ourselves true Chicagoans.

Wanna see it?

Here you go.

That is our driveway all snowblown and shoveled.

Yes, we have survived the Blizzard of 2011!

I can guarantee no one was at the gym today, due to all the shoveling of snow. THAT, my friends is a GREAT workout.

You wanna see what I think the best part of this is?

Take a look at my front door.

Or rather the walkway to my front door, and our feeble attempt to making a tunnel until we ran into ice.

But this no passage to our front door mean NO Door to door salesmen!!

Whoo Hoo! You know I try to be nice to those people cuz I know they are just trying to make a living, but seriously if I am really not thinking about fertilizing my yard when I haven't seen my grass since 2010.

Although I seriously just realized that now I can't get my milk delivered. Crud, I guess I will be going back out there after I put icy hot on my arms.

Here are a few more pictures of our little blizzard.

This is our neighbors house that is directly behind us. Notice the grill by their back doot.

This is part of our back patio.

My boys made those snow blocks and they were on top of their picnic table. No picnic table in sight today.

One fun things about the wind in Chicago is that it makes these great big snow drifts! Which are so much fun for the boys!

You can make some fun tunnels and it makes a slide if you can make it to the top.

Today has been a great day to not have to rush to preschool and to Romeo's tumbling class and to sit around and make some snow cream. Yum!

Now I better get back out there and make a path for the milk man.

The joys of a newly potty trained son continues...

2011-01-29T15:21:00.000-06:00

Yesterday Romeo and I went to Old Navy while Wild Man was at school.

This trip to Old Navy will be the most memorable trip we will ever have, I am just sure of it.

After we were done with the shopping, Romeo decided he needed to go potty.

He walked right in and I sat him on the potty and then turned around to hang my purse on the door.

Then I heard a noise you do NOT want to hear in a restroom ESPECIALLY a public one.

I heard a Splash...

Romeo fell bottom first into the potty, and when I say into the potty...I mean really in that potty. His head and feet where the only thing sticking out of it.

It was a big potty in this restroom and Romeo is a little 3 year old boy... a bad combination.

As much as I would love to show you a picture of this, I thought my time was better spend getting him out.

So of course I ran over (we were in the handicap one and it was quite large) to get him out and in my actions the automatic flush came on before I could get him all the way out.

You can say my son got his first swirly...or even an enema.

I got him out and of course he was just dripping wet and shaking and crying. I felt so bad for him and was so completely grossed out and yet I was trying so hard not to laugh hysterically all at the same time.

I think it is safe to be said that there has been some psychological damage done here and it may be a while til we will be able to use a public restroom.

Although this does make a great story to share later on in his life...like when he brings girls over or even his wedding.

Is it bad that I wish I had a picture of this? I think I have laughed about this for 24 hours straight though.

In the winter...I become a hoarder

2011-01-26T14:23:00.000-06:00

As soon as the winter hit here in Chicago, I closed my little shop. Partly because the paint is frozen and my fingers will fall off if I am out there for too long.

I did get a little heater but the cold here just laughs at it. Even if I am standing right in front of the heater I can't even feel it.

Although I have really enjoyed this little break. I have gotten back into a routine with cleaning and laundry and now I am actually cooking things! Before I would just through whatever meat in the oven or crock pot and then heat up whatever vegetables we had on hand. What ever seasoning that first fell into my hand when I opened up that door was the most creative I got.

I am now able to really look on the inside of my house and see what needs to be done with it and have the time to think about what I want to do in each room.

So the cold here has been a good thing.

But it hasn't stopped me from still shopping around for furniture!

It is starting to be a problem...but I will hang them from the ceiling if I have to, in order make room.

Here is what I have waiting in my garage for me to paint at this point.

I have two of these chairs.

I love the little detail on the bottom shelf. I am thinking maybe a turquoise on this one.

antique mirror.

It doesn't have as much detail as I would like, but it came with the table I just showed you. So I will figure something out with it. Maybe a chalkboard.

This used to be a sewing table.

The sewing machine was already taken out.

I am really thinking about copying Sausha @ Show and tell with this one by making it into a TV console. You think she will get mad? Copying is the highest form of flattery right?

This one I am MOST excited about redoing. I am thinking a combination of Yellow, black, and gray. Although I will miss the shelving it provides right now.

Sorry bad picture, but I am sure you can tell it is an antique dresser.

Gotta decide on a fun color on this one to.

Even more chairs!

Phew! Looking at all this furniture makes me wanna start sanding and painting right now....that is until I walk outside.

Are there some projects you guys are waiting on til it warms up? Or am I the only wussy that can't deal with the weather right now?

Scotch Blue 3m Winners

2011-01-25T22:41:00.002-06:00

To find out the winners.

Go to my Giveaway page...Here.

The Score is...

2011-01-19T21:29:00.000-06:00

Floor - 4

Potty- 1 (and by 1 I mean one little drop)

The potty training officially started today.

I threw a small potty party to start this momentous occasion.

Complete with balloons, streamers, and a toy to encourage good potty behavior.

I even went out and bought Kool-aid. Kool-aid has never darken the door of my house til this day. I was proud to say we were a Kool-aid free zone. But when it comes to potty training I am willing to throw my healthy ways just to be able to stop paying for those stinkin' diapers.

But alas the Kool-aid didn't work. Since Romeo has never even seen it before I didn't want anything to do with it. Sigh. So the part of the potty party to fill him up with as much liquids as humanly possible didn't work.

After dinner this was the scene in the most used room in our house at the moment.

Romeo on his Mobi go (so he would stay on the potty), a cup of juice that was constantly being offered to him, a bowl of m&m's to reward anything exciting would hopefully happen, and Ipod touch and a puzzle as back up toys to help with the entertainment.

Wild Man even came in to offer some sage advice.

I am proud to say that after an hour of sitting, there was a small trinkle of success. Although less the 15 minutes later the floor was the better option...twice.

But the last time he did run to the potty and peed right in front of it so...a smidge of progress.

But I wanted to show you what the half bath looks like at the moment. You can call this the during phase. Since I still have more plans for it.

I painted the vanity black and put hardware on it.

Then I framed out the mirror.

Don't you like my streamer job? ;)

I was in a hurry and Romeo really doesn't care what it looks like anyways.

Here is a close up of the frame.

I am really pleased with how the mirror turned out.

Now onto another announcment.

Silhouette is having another sale!

If you use my code

PATIENCE

You can get the Silhouette machine, 2 rolls of premium vinyl, a roll of transfer paper and the Home Decor CD for only $225!!

Plus...

You can also use the code

PATIENCE

to get 25% off all premium vinyl!

That is the new vinyl that is more heavy duty and durable. I just got mine in yesterday and I am working on some crafts in between cleaning up and sanitizing the floors.

I have really enjoyed my silhouette machine, I know you would enjoy yours!

Scotch Blue 3m Painters Tape Giveaway

2011-01-18T21:43:00.001-06:00

I have had kind of a love/hate relationship with painters tape ever since we owned our first home and I picked up my first paint brush.

When it worked great I love that it helped me keep a straight line about the trim, but most of the time it was more work then what it was worth.

To find out more about the giveaway...go to my giveaway page.

Here

Fantsy Fancade Winner and some great posts

2011-01-12T22:57:00.001-06:00

To find out the winners please go to my giveaway page. Here.

The difference a little glaze can make

2011-01-04T21:31:00.000-06:00

One of my most favorite things to do to furniture is to glaze it. The glaze covers so many imperfections and also highlights the details to a piece.

I thought I would show you the difference that can be made to a piece with just a little glaze.

I got this piece from a client, that they found for free.

Here is a close up of one of the doors.

SO MUCH DETAIL! I just LOVE it!

She wanted me to paint it a Behr color called Water Sprout. The color reminds me of green sorbet.

To get into all those little crevices I had to use one of the boys cheap little paint brushes. You know the ones used for water coloring. They were the only things small enough I could find to fit into those little knicks and crannies.

Here is what she looked like painted and one of the doors glazed.

Here is a closer look.

See how the glaze really makes the details show up?

There is really not a wrong way to glaze.

I use Ralph Lauren's fauz technique glaze that has the color tea stain added to it. Sometimes I just use wood stain to glaze. It is just what ever tickles your fancy at the moment.

I brush the glaze on all over the piece.

Does your husband have a shirt that he still wears and it drives you batty that he thinks that it is still a good looking shirt?

This is the time to go and grab it and use it for something useful.

When I glaze I do the wipe on, wipe off method. (Thank you Karate kid)

I wipe on the glaze with a brush and then I wipe off with whatever shirt or cloth I decided we do not need anymore.

Due to the flash the door closest to us looks a little lighter, but they are the same.

See how easy that is?

Unfortunately I didn't get a full picture of the finished side board. So sorry.

But here is a recap of the door.

The before

The after

This is before I glazed the whole side board. I was just so anxious to do the doors. I did them first.

Fantsy Fancade Giveaway and Review

2011-01-03T21:23:00.001-06:00

To find out about the review and the giveaway.

Go to my giveaway page. Here.

Project DeChristmasification is underway

2011-01-01T21:27:00.000-06:00

I really wanted to start this yesterday but we didn't get home til 3am and of course the boys were up and awake at 5:30! I couldn't think straight enough to try and organize ribbon and little do dads.

DeChristmasification is the not fun part of decorating for Christmas.

Impatiently Praying for Patience

The Closing

Christmas Pictures

Repairpal Mobile app

The Room Place

Keep this Handy...

Guest Post from Hometalk

Google Analytics

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Seriously how would the first one and last one get directed to my site?

Have you checked your google analytics page lately?

Take a look and tell me what you find.

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Happy Easter!

Living He loved me,

dying He saved me,

And buried He carried my sins far away

Rising He justified freely forever

One day He is coming, Oh Glorious Day!

There’s a reason why the Resurrection of Jesus is the single-most attacked tenet of the Christian faith…because if it’s false, then everything we believe falls apart. But, if it’s true, then it changes everything!

I hope you all are enjoying this time with your family.

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It's a rug hunt

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

The joys of a newly potty trained son continues...

In the winter...I become a hoarder

Scotch Blue 3m Winners

The Score is...

Scotch Blue 3m Painters Tape Giveaway

Fantsy Fancade Winner and some great posts

The difference a little glaze can make

Fantsy Fancade Giveaway and Review

Project DeChristmasification is underway

-my mom teaches me about testicles
-man hair
-little boys in the bedroom naked
-dominican crazy
-reborn dimples
-adults who look like little boys