Bathroom Makeover

I think I've been watching a little too much HGTV...

As a Christmas present to my Mom I've agreed to undertake the painting of her bathroom. After several hours of painting primer around the trim I am still a long way from completion of this project...but I am hoping that it will turn out nicely before we have to leave on Saturday.

The bathroom is a mess right now so I will try to post after photos when it is done. The color is "Spanish Sage"

On the road again...

In just a few hours the kiddos and I will head south (16hours/1058 miles south) to my Mom's house for a week in the woods. She lives out in the middle of the Ozark mountains on a hill, surrounded by trees and wildlife...chiggers, bear....

Please pray traveling mercies upon us "Yankee folk" as we make our way down south....I don't know if its the fact that the south is a bit "restless" right now or the fact that guns have been flying off the shelves that has gotten me on edge. I do not plan on making any extra stops along the way though...gas, 2 min potty break and then we roll. I grew up in the south and know how "outsiders" are looked upon. I never thought I would fit into that category but I guess living in the bubble this past couple years has really made me more aware of the dangers on the outside.

Anyway, its been a bit stressful getting prepared for this trip back. I'd really appreciate all your prayers during our journey. Have a great week! (My Mom has dial up modem so not sure how much updating I will be able to do for the next week and since I already stink at updating photos I will just leave with the hope and intention to load a slideshow upon our return to the bubble.

Racking up the sick days...

Today is yet another sick day at home. Got lots done at work yesterday to catch up but the daycare called at around 3:50 to tell me that Jaiden's fever was back up to 103 again so we are hanging out at home today fighting off the germies. I ache all over so I think I will spend some time in bed myself to try to ward it off...that and a steady diet of alkaselzer cold medicine should help. If I do not blog again before Turkey day I want to wish you all a very special holiday with all the ones that you love.

In honor of sick days and the prevention thereof I am including todays list of 7 winter foods rich in antitoxidants

1. Artichoke Hearts (I've never had these; what do they taste like and how do you eat them?)
2. Beans (Beans, beans good for your heart...)
3. Cranberries (craisins are a household fave and I LOVE cranberry sause)
4. Pecans (does Pe-can pie count?)
5. Prunes (Love em or hate em so I've heard...I love them, they are yummy!)
6. Apples (Sweet and not too crisp is my favorite...I hate biting into and apple and having it feel like I just bit into a sweet rock)
7. Cloves (aaah simmering on the stovetop, brings the memory of sweet traditions)

What is YOUR favorite tradition for the holidays? I am so looking forward to my Mamma's home cooking; sweet potatoe pie, cornbread dressing, fried deer steak, home grown corn on the cob...so much to be Thankful for :)

Under the weather

Jaiden came home with running nose and weepy eyes yesterday from her weekend adventure at Gramma's. Last night she woke several times in the night and her raspy breathing and croaky sounding cough was just awful. I stayed home with her and most of the day she was acting her normal bouncy self but this afternoon she is back to coughing, stuffed nose and buggery eyes. Ugh. Not looking forward to her having a nasty cold all week since the kids and I will leave on Friday to go to Arkansas for Thanksgiving with my Mom.

How to Cat Proof A Christmas Tree

That darn cat keeps getting into the tree; there are no presents under it yet but he has a thing for bags so I need to find a solution before we start accumulating any "new toys" for him to test. There are some lower hanging ornaments that jingle and rattle when he touches the tree so I can hear him from another room and give him a shout out to get out of the tree. I did a search and found some handy tips:

Make sure that your cat or cats, are locked in a safe room large enough to hold it/them when everyone is either asleep or out of the house. This will keep your kitties from knocking the tree on the floor. (but I hate keeping him locked up all the time)


Use a piece of high test fishing line to connect the top of the tree to the ceiling. This will prevent the tree from tipping. (uh ok, but that is kinda creepy, not to mention unjust to hang your tree without a trial isn't it?)


Put any valuable ornaments somewhere in the top two-thirds of the tree. That way the cats can't reach them. (but then when the tree topples over those priceless ornaments shatter first- uh no thanks - I just put them deep into the recesses of the branches, nestled around a cacoon of artificial pine)


Hang ornaments by using wire ornament hangers. Use a pair of pliers to clamp the hook part around the branch. (ok this one would make the taking down part of the tree, which is already tedious enough an even greater chore - who wants to untangle wire from around each branch for every ornament?)


Use duct tape. If the tree is shorter than 6', use duct tape to tape the legs of the holder to a piece of wide ply-wood and put the whole thing on a short, sturdy table. This keeps the tree above their level and the cats won't be as interested. (this one is HILARIOUS - it brings to mind Jeff Foxworthy and the redneck Christmas song)


Plug the tree lights into a short indoor extension cord and tape the plug into the socket with electrical tape. Simply unplug the lights from the extension cord to turn off. (This one brings to mind the Lampoons Christmas)

Tips
Keep a small spray bottle full of water near the tree. If your cats still go after the tree, a light spritz of water on their back and a stern "NO!" will get the point across. (Now where the heck did that water bottle go? ...Oh yeah I took it from the kids when they were using it as a squirt gun)

Purchase several ornaments that are bells and hang them on the lower branches. If your cat tries to pull on the tree or hide underneath it, you will hear it. (Also suggested by Dusty on a post a few days ago, and it works great - Thanks Dusty!)

Cats naturally hate the scent of oranges, so keep orange peels under the tree to repel your cat.
If its a plastic tree, a small amount of Citronella oil shaken into a bottle of water and misted on to the tree makes it smell unpleasant to the cat but fresh and citrus-like to you. Where can I find some Citronella oil?

Consider getting a Scotch Pine. They have extremely sharp needles. Also works for curious small children. ( oh but those extremely sharp needles are extremely hard to get out of your carpet too - messy messy that is why I don't do real trees, besides the fact that I am scared to death of the tree going up in flames because it has dried out and the lights have become a thousand little torches and the presents underneath a pile of fuel - shudder)

For small kittens wrap tinfoil around the trunk. They don't like putting their nails into it and it will keep them from climbing the tree. (He hasn't tried climbing the tree yet - that I am aware of anyway)

Spray some pine cones with citronella and pile them around the base of the tree. Cats do not walk on pine cones! (also works great to put pine cones in the base of your houseplants). Oh, i gotta try this one - he is forever getting into the houseplants too and they have been moved into a room that is kept closed from his access)

Spray the bottom limbs with tobasco sauce to keep them from chewing the bottom branches. They wince and run away! (yee haw and ya'll have a very Merry TexMus with ya'll's gifts)

Decide to make it your cat's Christmas, too. Decide you are not going to get frustrated trying to outsmart your cat this year. Secure the tree to the wall or ceiling to keep it from toppling. Clamp ornaments to the branches with the metal hooks using pliers. Take pictures of your cat sleeping in the Christmas tree branches, and SMILE! >"< Hope this has brought a Smile to you too :) Have a great day!
Love,
Kim

Open House Review

Rejoice, REJOICE in all things REJOICE - As I was so humbly reminded this morning, we should rejoice in ALL things. I was not seeing many positives last night but today I see that I have shoppers (plural) and I am grateful to God for the blessings He has given in the fellowship that I shared last night in the company of 7 friends.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." Phillipians 4:4-5

Open House Jitters

In a few short hours hubs and the kids will head off to the inlaws for the weekend and I will be left to finish planning for the consummation of an open house event which I have scheduled for Sat between 2 to 5. So anyone feeling the urge to pray for someone in need, please indeed let it be me :)

I have been prepping for this for ages now (or so it seems) and have invested quite a large chunk of our funds into making this business grow outside of my circle...so I am hoping that this weekend will be a success. Meeting a few neighbors would be nice too since during winter there is not a tendency to linger out by the mailbox much.

I've been making baskets of goodies all week and trying to come up with ideas to make this party rememberable...so my question of the day for all you out there in bloggerland is what do you remember the most about a party that you have attended? Clean answers please...there will be no running Columbo through the snow!

I am Thankful

Our Sunday School class was issued a challenge at church yesterday to come up with a list of things that we are thankful for and scriptures that go along with or motivate thankfulness. I have a list about 10 pages long of things to be thankful for but I may need help in finding scriptures to go along with them...so if anyone has any inspirational verses to share as you read through my list I encourage you to please leave a comment...in order for me to officially "do my homework" just leave the chapter and verse and I will find the scripture and post it here (if that's ok with the person sharing) These are not sorted in any special order, just as I think of them...although God, family and friends are right up there on the top of my list :)

1. Almighty God
"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him" (1 John 4:16).
2. Jesus Savior
"For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son, that whosoever shall believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life" John 3:16
3. Holy Spirit
"For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth" (Ephesians 5:9).
4. Family
5. Friends
6. Wisdom
7. Kindness
8. Love
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians13 Thank You Dusty!
9. Compassion
10. Laughter
Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." Psalm 126:2
11. Generosity
12. Food
13. Clothing
14. Shelter
15. Hope
" For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 Thank You Dusty!
16. Patience
We are "strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness" (Colossians 1:11).
17. Perserverence
18. Peace
19. Freedom
20. Health
21. Happiness
22. Forgiveness
No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the LORD. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." Jeremiah 31:34
23. My Country
"I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing." Genesis 12:2
24. Veterans
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31
25. Strength
The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him." Exodus 15:2

"a bit of snow"

As per Jared's observation this morning, we got "a bit of snow" last night A light dusting - not the blizzard that the weatherpeeps were hoping for/expecting to come our way. So its not quite a white winter wonderland outside but it is pretty darn cold and the wind is blowing so that makes it feel all the more chill. Good day to stay indoors - hubs is still here; he was going to go visit family with the kids last night and take our excess "stuff" to his brothers storage shed but the trailer lights weren't working so plans were thwarted at the last moment and I am not all alone this weekend after all...which is nice :) I plan on cleaning and pulling out holiday decor to set up for my open house being held next weekend. I am hoping this will "kick start" the business and get it going since I am buying waaaaaay more than I am selling and at this rate I will have to get another part time job to pay for this one....hopefully not. Someone out there has to love Avon just as much as me...hopefully more ;)

Just brought out a few boxes of holiday lights and you'd think by that smile it was the happiest day of his life - I LOVE that smile! He is such a sweet kid he said to me tonight "Mom, our house is looking so awesome!" I soooo love you Bear! (our house is a total disaster right now because I have been building gift baskets all day and there is stuff everywhere) He went out and shoveled the snow this morning, while his dad was gone, all by himself; he even asked if he COULD shovel...like it was some sorta treat to do so. He's one great fella! We are so very blessed and thankful beyond all measure for this sweet boy.

this is our doggie Chloe...getting the traditional antler donnage on decorating day. Sorry sweetie, its a tradition in this household.

Here's the gals of the house wearing our traditional santa caps :)

Intervues continue...

I am "auditioning" artists for the Christmas Joy playlist I have running over there at my blog store....there are so many versions of those old familiar classic tunes that I am having a hard time desciding which ones to keep and which ones to delete. So I'm asking for your help here. Can you tell me your favorite Christmas song and the artist that sings it the best?

If your in the mood to listen to some Christmas tunes, go check out my Avon blog --->

Have a great day! It's FRIDAY!!!!!!

A "present" for you

Ok, I am soooo sorry! I need to apologize to my friend Heather. I didn't mean for my post to sound like THAT. I thought it was great that we picked the same design when there were literally hundreds to choose from! Please check out Julia's blog if you would like to see what the heck I am talking about. (We both chose this background at the same time) It's sooo CUTE!

....and if you are interested please check out my Avon blog as well :) Happy Shopping!

Caution: Be prepared to get into the Christmas spirit :) I know its only November but Christmas is my favorite time of year. We put our lights up last weekend...I have an open house scheduled on the 15th so I will be putting up the Holiday decor inside this weekend...hmmm that should be interesting because Jak really likes to attack anything that moves. I had to move our cookooo clock because he kept knocking the pendelum down. He loves to climb trees....hmmmm wonder how many times we will have to yell "TIM-BER" Anyone know how to keep cats off furniture and things were they shouldn't be?

messing around...

I am trying out some new looks for my blog. Please let me know if it is not sized proportionately. I am trying to find one that "fits" just right. Bear with me! ;)

If you want to start your holiday shopping early or just want to get into the Christmas spirit, go over and visit my Avon blog ----> gotAVON? Tell me what you think.

As for me and my family we shall serve the LORD

We work for the federal government so the election this year has been a bit stressful. But in spite of it all we know who is in charge. So we may need to re-prioritize some things this year. I will start with some goals for myself and my family.

1. Love thy neighbor...we hardly even KNOW our neighbors so I am putting this goal at the very top because it is a very important commandment and in this day and age a very neglected one. I pledge to make an effort to not only love them but to get to know them too. How will I do this? Random acts of kindness? Have them over for coffee? Not sure, I will be praying for the answer.

2. Make sure the kids brush their teeth better. Yes this may be a weird priority but after paying over $300 in copays this last couple of weeks for fillings this has trumped a lot of other seemingly more important things. So we are not going to fret about buying new toothbrushes, we will not skimp on toothpaste, floss or rinse. This is very important and we have to address the need for clean healthy mouths.

3. Read a book. Reading has always been a favorite pastime of mine but it seems to be lost on todays generation where tv watching and video games often takes priority. I would like to see my kids reading more so I need to set the example for them to follow. When they come to me with a book I will embrace the opportunity for this moment of learning, growing and a nice cuddle too. I may return to my original childhood favorite this winter "Little House on the Prarie" I've been wanting to re-read the series and relive the wonder of that long lost era.

Ok that is the top 3...I'm sure I will add more but for now that is a good start. I am asking for ya'll out there to please pray for our family during this next few months. It is getting more and more stressful trying not to think too hard about what will happen once Scott is retired from the Air Force and how long we will be here...its all in God's hands.

uh I can't watch please tell me when it's over...

oh I shouldn't have but I just hit the yahoo home page again and they are tallying up the electorials already...uh I shouldn't watch this stuff...it makes my belly hurt...so much is riding on this election and who will be our next president but I am trying to focus on the one truth: God is in control and IN GOD WE TRUST Amen No matter what happens...no matter what

The Name Game

I saw this on Three Dumplings and thought it looked like fun!

1. YOUR REAL NAME:Kim

2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (first 3 letters of real name plus -izzle.)Kimizzle

3. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color and favorite animal)Yellow Horse

4. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (your middle name and street you live on/or neighborhood if it's a number)Yvette SouthPoint

5. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name) Kleki

6. YOUR SUPERHERO/CRIMINAL NAME: (Your 2nd favorite color, and favorite drink)Blue Kahlua

7. YOUR IRAQI NAME: (2nd letter of your first name, 3rd letter of your last name, 1st letter of your last name, 2nd letter of your moms maiden name, 3rd letter of your dads name, 1st letter of a siblings first name, and last letter of your moms first name). Iekcvka

8. YOUR WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (parents' middle names)Riley Katheleen (sounds very familiar, I think people could find me)

9. YOUR GOTH NAME: (black, and the name of one of your pets) Black Jak

10. YOUR HOOD NAME:....first 3 letters of your first name plus iqua: Kimiqua