Last Minute Painting Project

Happy Friday

Loving that it is Friday! Today I am finding myself looking around the house for a project to do this weekend as I will be inside most of it with Mitchell still recovering from his surgery. I don't decorate for Christmas yet so that's out!  The last project I did was painting my coat/bench rack in the laundry room. It was a super last minute project inspired by a picture I saw in a magazine of almost the exact piece in a color I loved. So as I was inspired at the moment, I went to the paint store and got the stuff and began. 

I am a firm believer in Sherwin Williams paints. I also worked there for three years.  They have a line that is great for painting furniture so thats what I used. 

First, the part I hate the most, taping and removing hardware. This was hard because of the glass in the top. 

Second, Priming the entire thing. I used Sherwin Williams All Purpose Primer. 

Third using the right paint for furniture is KEY! I like either All Surface Enamel or Proclassic. I choose to use semi-gloss as it was already glossy and it holds up better that way.

I carefully painted the entire piece paying special attention to the edges and bottom. I used a foam brush so there would be no brush marks. I had to do two coats besides the primer because it was such a light color going over the black. This was a very, very,  light green.

After I was done I carefully removed the tape and put the hardware back.

Here's the finished piece! I love the color in my laundry room. It matches better with my decor and it brightens it up quite a bit.

Now to find a NEW project to do this weekend! Watch out Sherwin Williams here I come Again!

Have a great weekend!!!

Talkin Trash Thursday

Things I absolutely despise

Well we all have things we hate or can't stand. Many of mine I have had all of my life. In high school we had a last will and testament. I came across it the other day and I was shocked to see that I really haven't changed to much that way.

Two faced people

We all know many fake people unfortunately. You know, the ones who will be super sweet to your face then behind your back talk trash. In my life I am very selective with the friends I choose. I don't need a lot of people surrounding me to keep me happy. I can see through people fairly easy plus my plate is so full with REAL stuff that I don't need to sit around and hear people talking bad about others!

Being Late

Another one of my pet peeves is being late. I just can't understand how people can not manage their time enough to be on time. Ok, so there are thinks that aren't a big deal to be late to, but church, weddings, appointments, funerals, for GOD sake be considerate people! This is the #1 thing that my husband and I fight about because he tends to run late a lot and I don't! 

Lie's

Ok, so I know we all tell white lies once in a while, I get it. What I am talking about is flat out to your face lies! My kids know this and still they have tried to do it to me which is NOT a good idea.  I am a sleuth and  if you are caught you may as well clear your calendar for months because you will not be going anywhere with anyone anytime soon! The truth will set you free!

People who think they better than you!

Now I know we all have encountered people like this. The kind that will brag all about their so called perfect life and never ask a thing about you or your life!

Just recently we were at a wedding. As soon as we arrived I saw this individual and knew we were in for a treat! We haven't seen them for years so I knew it was coming...In the first five minutes of the conversation before the ceremony we knew...

They had gotten a beautiful, very expensive new garage door.

Their child in college is doing outstanding and loves it so much he never wants to come home.

Their 13 year old, is like a genius, and just got a brand new horse.

He just got a very substantial raise at work.

The old neighborhood is going to pot, and they are really thinking of moving into a more pretentious area because they can!

And, of course, she only asked about the one child we have that I know, she has heard, that he has made some bad choices over the last years. Don't ask about the others you know are doing well!

People are people, I know, but lord can't we all be perfect like me and my gang!!! LOL

Hope you have A

Happy Thursday!

A Little Piece of Mitchell

After a wonderful fun weekend the start of the week was not so great. 

It actually started on Friday night after the football game. Mitchell, who is the one who just turned 12, had bad stomach pains all night. We thought it was something he ate and by morning he was feeling better. Sunday morning when he woke up he was complaining again but this time the pain had moved to his lower right side and was annoying but not horrible. By the time we got home from the wedding he was still in pain and had more stabbing in between the constant pain. I put some hot compresses on his tummy and he managed to sleep fairly well.  As soon as he woke up I knew things were not good as he could not stand up straight because of the pain and wasn't hungry, which is unheard of with Mitchell. I called our doctor who didn't have an appointment till 11 which at that point seemed so far away. 

At eleven we headed to the doctor who did an exam and said what I had suspected, an appendicitis! He called the surgeon, who happens to be our neighbor, and we went directly to his office from there.

At the surgeons office he did an exam and said he was 90 percent sure it was his appendix and said he wanted to admit him to the hospital and get a CT scan. So several hours later we were at the hospital and after some labs they decided to skip the CT scan and took him directly to surgery! Thankfully we knew the surgeon very well and trusted his judgement.

After about 90 minutes, the doctor came out and said Mitchell did great and that the appendix looked pretty bad and it was a good thing we took it out when we did! Talk about pure relief...

This is the face he had when we first saw him, he said it was his pained look! Poor little guy!

Two hours post OP. Looking good!

The night of the surgery went pretty good with good pain control and by the morning he was ready to eat. 

By noon we were headed home! Its amazing how easy and fast they can do an appendectomy now and how fast the recovery is!

This morning we are resting comfortably at home and thanking God for modern medicine and the knowledge of great doctors and motherly instincts.

Most of all I am thanking God for this sweet little boy of ours!!!

Football, Soccer and Weddings

Happy Monday Everyone!

I hope everyone had a great weekend! Ours was super busy and fun! Now to recoup before another busy weekend comes!

Friday night we all went to the local high school football game. Our team has been undefeated this year and this was senior night and they were playing the biggest rival. I am not a football fan so this was a Out Of My Comfort Zone thing.  My daughter is dating a player on the team which did help me get there. In this town, high school football is HUGE. The entire school goes including the middle school kids and intermediate school kids go as well, its NUTS but its great! It reminds me of the way it use to be when my parents grew up, clean innocent fun supporting your town and keeping the kids out of trouble!  Anyway, they ended up losing by a LOT but they are still in the play offs!

Saturday was a SUPER FUN DAY for us as well as Mitchell. We had his 12th Birthday Party here at the house with eight friends,  a FC Barcelona soccer theme and an amazing Race soccer themed game, it was a BLAST! I found all the themed things online and after a lot of searching, cutting, money and setup, here is the end result.  Turned out great and the kids loved it! Mitchell has thanked us like 20 times which makes any parent feel good! He is a super thankful and appreciative kid!!!

Sunday we had a wedding of a friend of ours daughter who we have known for 29 years. There is just something magical about a wedding. It was like a blast from the past seeing old neighbors and friends we haven't seen for years. All the kids are now older than we were when we all first met! What a beautiful day with beautiful weather and people! 

   

Hope everyone day a great weekend and has a great start to the week! 

One of the best days of my life

Today is my little mans 12th Birthday.

 Mitchell was and still is a miracle in more than one way. See I was only 26 weeks pregnant when on a hot summer afternoon I got up from a nap and felt a gush of fluid. I knew what is was and I knew it wasn't good! So began a long 2 1/2 month hospital stay on complete bed rest and lots of close calls!

My due date was December 5th but with the risk of infection growing with every day my Dr decided once the lungs were developed we were inducing! That day happened to be Nov. 5th, 2003!!!   With any  pregnancy there is such anticipation but with these two and a half  months of what I would consider a semi - nightmare, our anticipation was through the roof!

During labor I had an epidural that went out of control and made even swallowing tough. That was discontinued as his heart rate plummeted several times! Finally it was time to deliver and as I was pushing his heart rate was crashing fast. Luckily I am an awesome pusher and he was out in NO time. The doctor held him up and said,  "this kid is one miracle after another, he has a DOUBLE knot in his umbilical cord"! This is usually only seen in devastating circumstances!!!!

Our little miracle was here weighing in at 6lbs 6ozs and 19 inches long one month early!

Mitchell's first Christmas 2003

Mitchell this morning with his new Barcelona sweatshirt

Mitchell excited about his new soccer rebounder

Sometimes life sends you curve balls and this was one of those times. Through our faith, patience and awesome doctors we now celebrate Mitchell's 12th Birthday! Trying never to forget the gift of LIFE!!!

Let Me Introduce You To...

Happy Wednesday!

So you know now we have had six kids ranging in age quite a bit. Let me tell you a little bit about them...

Jessica, the first born

Jessica is 27 and definitely has a Type A personality. She follows rules to the T, injustices are absolutely unacceptable, perfection is a must, she is organized beyond imagination, AND she is one of those people who has her Christmas shopping done already! Meanwhile, I am opposite of most of these traits although the other kids say Jessica and I are the most alike! Jessica has put her great traits to good use as she is a terrific attorney here in PA.

Cory, the first boy

Cory is 25 and is the guy who worries about nothing. Everything is "don't worry, I got it". Well lets just say we have learned not to believe that! Cory has a natural talent for any and I mean any sport. He has a gentle spirit and big heart. Cory just graduated from a state college here in Pa in business and works locally. We say many prayers for him as he has made some bad choices in the past. We hope its only up from here with him because that's what he deserves!

Kaylee, one of the middle kids

Kaylee is almost 24, and is a spitfire. She will speak her mind and will take up for anyone she believes in. She will go to bat for all underdogs or whoever is being picked on no matter who's around. She is incredibly organized and lives by LISTS. She loves animals and has been known to buy them in parking lots for BIG money...That's Another story!!! Kaylee became a mom this past November 22 to A little boy, Jaxson Landon. She is an awesome dedicated mother of which we are so proud!

Savanna, the faithful steed 

Savanna is 21 and is one of those friends everyone should have. She is a faithful  family member. She's a  traditionalist...just try to change a tradition! She's an utmost perfectionist, and will try her best at anything she does! She will stand up for what she believes in and do it in a very polite way. She is finishing up college to be a social worker. She will be a great one with her empathy and caring so much for people without being judgmental!

Taylor, the actress

Taylor is 17 and the youngest of the 4 girls. She has a love for acting, music and animals. She has been in many plays and musicals at a theater here in Pa. She is very honest and also says whats on her mind. She has a super entertaining personality that most people are drawn to and love. Unfortunately, she has had a tough several years with some major health issues that have prevented her from finishing school these last two years. She was on homebound which is NOT good for a super social teenage girl but was necessary. So far this school year she has missed about 11 days but is trying to finish the year in school...

Mitchell, the baby

Mitchell is almost 12 and though he isn't a baby anymore, he's our baby. He is a very sweet, gentle, caring and sensitive boy.  He will tell on himself if he does something wrong and will ask for forgiveness. He is totally obsessed with soccer and loves anything to do with it. His wardrobe consists of  mainly soccer jerseys. I pray he grows up as caring and loving as he is today!

Jim, the name maker-upper

So Jim is my husband of almost 29 years. He is a great husband, dad, worker, etc. He is very faithful and has a heart of gold and would help anyone at anytime with anything and could talk to anyone. (Great trait to have only it makes me look mean, LOL) He feels he has a mission to help the less fortunate and is always looking for ways to do so. He has a great gift for making up many nicknames for people or things. He does tend to run late, thus why I gave him the nickname "Mr. Late-ke". I am super blessed to have him as a husband!

Brian, the friendliest son in law 

Brian is Jessica's husband and boy is he a gem. I can honestly say that I could not have picked a better man for my daughter. He is the least selfish person I have ever met and smiles ALL the time! He has a genuine love for life and em-brasses it. He never acts put out no matter what you ask him to do. He loves ice hockey and  plays at our local rink.  I am overjoyed to have him part of our nutty family!

Jaxson, the happy baby

Jaxson was born November 22, 2014.  He is our first grand child and such a joy. He is happy all the time and is super active and very smart. He walked at not quite 10 months. I was lucky enough to be in the delivery room when Kaylee had him. It was such a touching experience seeing my baby see her baby for the first time. Kaylee is planning quite a shindig for his 1st Birthday!

Costumes, Candy, Candy and More Candy

I hope everyone had a wonderful and fun Halloween. Having it on Saturday this year was extra special because it gave us all day to carve pumpkins, make food, and enjoy the day. We have a tradition was have been doing for about 8 years with our local friends who have four kids and another who has one. We always have Halloween dinner together, then get the kids ready to go out and trick or treat and go all together. By the time all of  us get together its around 20 people! This year was a bit different as the 11 year old boys, which there were four of, wanted to go by themselves. Plus now that I have a grandchild I want to go with them as well. We split up a bit this year but then ended up together for dessert, coffee, wine and OF COURSE counting candy!

Jaxson the adorable turtle

Mitchell as an Evil Gnome

The menu of the night consisted of crab dip and artichoke spinach dip, fresh fruit with a cream cheese dip, toss salad, pulled pork barbecue, homemade mac & cheese, graveyard dirt, and tandy cakes.

Some of the kids Last year because this year was an absolute zoo and we couldn't manage to get everyone together!

The kids carving their pumpkins
We had another awesome Halloween together of which we all feel very thankful and blessed! 


Bring It on Halloween 2016!!!