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Up to some of my old tricks . . .

May 25, 2011 By Kim Filed Under painted furniture

I have a fabulous antique secretary that sits beside my front door. Unfortunately when I bought it from my grandparents estate sale, it was in need of repair. My husband did the best he could for a temporary fix. But the leg is about to come off at this point, so she has been retired until I can afford to have her repaired AND refinished.

But the thing is, I need something desperately in that spot! Mainly for storage reasons and just because it looks empty without anything there!

I don’t know if you are like me, but usually I can just walk around my garage and find something – Ha! {Wish I was kidding, but I’m not!!!!} I really have every intention to go through it all this summer and sell off everything that isn’t what I consider a family heirloom. Which really shouldn’t be anything in there!! I probably could furnish a small apartment. {Pure ridiculousness!!}

During my walk around the garage, I spotted an antique dresser that I was determined had to be sold just days earlier.

And it actually fits on the wall that was holding up my secretary – literally.

I don’t usually paint the hardware. But this time, I didn’t want to take it off. And it is easy to remove paint from the hardware – so really it isn’t a big deal.

While posting these pictures, I realize I didn’t get a full view one?! When I think about it, I’ll take one to post – later.

This is true color. Only, it wasn’t this color about 10 am this morning. It was stained – a really bad stain job. I dreamed of painting her since I found her many years ago in a antique store in Bell Buckle, TN. Just never got around to it. And I never had a reason to . . . until now.

Fortunately, not only do I have furniture laying around, I have paint, too. I’m pretty sure this is a Sherwin Williams color – Leap Frog.

This has more yellow than the original color, because I sanded it. I had every intention of waiting till tomorrow to sand it, but I couldn’t wait. {Could you?}

I was also planning on rubbing stain on her – forget that! I like the way she turned out! I’ll seal it tonight and call her “done.” This is what you do on your child’s last day of school. Because summer is about to begin. And I don’t know if you noticed, but I got a lot to do this summer.

And for those wondering – she’s still for sale. I just want to get my secretary fixed up right!

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The best place to find a baby name . . .

May 24, 2011 By Kim Filed Under just small words business . . ., keeping it real
  1. S. Baker {Katie} 1
  2. C. Burrahm {Jack} 1
  3. M. Stafford {Grayson} 1
  4. A. Vestal {Lela} 1
  5. NCF {Hannah Mae} 1
  6. C. Monroe {F} 1
  7. J. Elwell {James} 1
  8. L. Hajovsky {Callen McKray & Avery} 2
  9. D. Humphrey {Elizabeth} 1
  10. A. Jenkins {Abby Lu} 1
  11. K. Walden {Reagan & Olivia} 2
  12. J. Guzman {Emma, Ellie, E & M} 4
  13. L. Langhans {Carsten} 1
  14. E. Fikes {Henry} 1
  15. L. Youngman {Dylan} 1
  16. J. Miller {Roderick & Jeressa} 2
  17. A. Hatfield {Madison & Laney} 2
  18. J. Jones {Jackson & to be announced} 2
  19. K. Friedrichs {Harper} 1
  20. A. Dacis {Landon} 1
  21. B. Stoks {Landin, Colin & Kadin} 3
  22. S. Koppes {Joaquin} 1
  23. E. Lassiter {Avery OR Turner} 1
  24. A. Morris {EMM & WLM} 2
  25. K. Gilliam {Jackson} 1
  26. R. Millner {TNM} 1
  27. L. Miller {to be announced & Jackson} 2
  28. E. O’Reilly Jakan {to be announced & to be announced} 2
  29. S. Nunn {Claire & Mason} 2
  30. K. BeVelle {Deacon} 1
  31. C. Dallhoff {Charley & Andie} 2
  32. R. Hill {C} 1
  33. E. Haley {Barnes} 1
  34. H. Hullinger {Elena, Efia & to be announced} 3
  35. L. Holker {Gabriel & Claire} 2
  36. J. Rivers {Harrison/Sullivan & Keilah Grace/Sophie Claire} 2
  37. B. Lloyd {Nathaniel} 1
  38. S. Gaines {William, Matthew & G} 3
  39. L. Curtis {Ryanne (Annaliece)} 1
  40. A. Crawford {Zoe & Egan} 2
  41. R. Murphy {Ella} 1
  42. E. Choate {Gracie, (2) birds & (2) bird cages} 5
  43. C. Long {Sarah} 1
  44. S. Graham {to be announced} 1
  45. R. Thirkettle {Matthew} 1
  46. K. Reed {Finley Belle} 1
  47. A. Brian {Addison} 1
  48. A. Brandes {Carson} 1
  49. M. Rosado {to be announced} 1
  50. J. Turner {Michael, Annalee, Isabella & Elayna Mae}  4
  51. N. Steagal Hill {Brynne} 1
  52. L. Miller {Sloane} 1
  53. L. Prather {Stephen} 1
  54. T. LaPointe {Linley Claire} 1
  55. A. Ford {to be announced} 1
  56. A Keesee {to be announced} 1
  57. C. Fowler {to be announced}1
  58. J. Stoebner {Abigail} 1
  59. S. Raines {to be announced} 1
  60. A. Newport {Newport} 1
  61. H. Deal {D} 1
  62. J. Lamberth {Jere} 1
  63. A. Teeter {T} 1
  64. M. Clark {to be announced} 1
  65. L. Geist {Lillie & London} 2
  66. A. Whittenburg {Maddox & to be announced} 2
  67. K. Hogg {Brynlee & Becton} 2
  68. M. Stokes {to be announced} 1
  69. K. Miller {Tate} 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . NOW THAT IS A GOOD NAME.
  70. S. Southernland {Addison, Parker & Halle} 3
  71. K. O’Connor {Caroline} 1
  72. K. Gregory {to be announced/twin boys} 2
  73. T. Ludlam {to be announced} 1
  74. C. Crawford {Aniston} 1
  75. K. Evans {Garret & Hudson} 2
  76. S. Leach {Peter} 1
  77. M. Murray {Brittany} 1
  78. C. Pedroza {to be announced} 1
  79. L. Allerkamp {Abigail, Katie & Mia} 3
  80. M. Pierce {Kodi OR Grant} 1
  81. A. Souliske {Mary Kate} 1
  82. L. Sultmeier {S} 1
  83. R. Bouchard {Renee} 1
  84. K. Dawson {H & T} 2
  85. K. Wilson {Cameron & Connor} 2
  86. R. Carpenter {Jack & Harrison} 2
  87. L. Hopkins {R, L & H} 3
  88. C. Gruebel {Avery & Camden} 2
  89. C. Sigrist {Cash} 1
  90. M. Feagley {MEF} 1
  91. L. Dusek {Dusek} 1
  92. M. Womble {Jack} 1
  93. J. Youngblood {Sage Anita} 1
  94. A. Lavinder {Lauren} 1
  95. K. LaNasa {Peyton & Luke} 2
  96. D. Henlsley {Paye} 1
  97. W. DeWitt {Connor & Jordan} 2
  98. E. White {Tyler & Harper} 2
  99. L. Cruthis {to be announced & TCL} 2
  100. C. Mackey {4 to be announced} 4
  101. J. Saugen {Forest & Olaf} 2
  102. K. Trock {Danny & Emily} 2
  103. D. Smith {to be announced} 1
  104. A. Mitchell {Carly OR CRM & Katie OR KJM} 2
  105. K. Goedke {Jay} 1
  106. S. Russenberger {to be announced}1
  107. K. Gordon {Mia} 1
  108. M. Baker {MBE} 1
  109. N. Richmond {to be announced} 1
  110. M. Edler {Anderson & to be announced} 2

So I miss-counted! 110!

I still have to email everyone. And I apologize for any misspellings. But to sum up what you are looking at . . . .

  • the name of the person who ordered – first initial then last name.
  • the name that will be painted in the “{}.”
  • and the total number of canvases for that order.

No one freak if you are towards the bottom. Things happen and some people get tired of waiting. So, I’m sure there will be a few that will drop off. Again, Ashley {my sister and babysitter} is coming at least 2 times a week this summer. And during the time she is here, I’ll be locked up in my room painting. My goal is to knock it out!

I can’t thank you all enough for all the kind words and for all those pushing me through or pulling me up! I am so excited and amazed for all 110 orders. Fortunately, this time I am really not stressed like the last time I got so overwhelmed with orders. Then, it really came unexpectedly and add on the fact that Hudson got diagnosed with that crazy kidney issue. I don’t know who of you have been following me since then, but after a horrible experience at the children’s hospital {a hospital that apparently has never heard of sensory issues,} Hudson wouldn’t let me leave his side for weeks – including when he was sleeping. Then throw into the mix a nursing baby AND upteen thousand therapy appointments we had recently started. I was up the creek without a paddle. My life spun around at warp speed and when it stopped, we were going in a different direction! If it wasn’t for my art {and medication – haha,} I don’t really know how I could have made it work! {I’m kidding! haha!} {Okay, not really! haha!}

This time, we all have a plan and some different expectations. I really don’t think {please, Lord} that this is a year’s worth of work due to the summertime help aaaannnnddddd in the fall, all 4 OF THE KIDS WILL BE IN SOME KIND OF SCHOOL 5 DAYS A WEEK!!! Did you hear me?! Mind you, one of them is in only a 3 hour program and two in a 4 hour program, but I’m thinking I can make it work better than what I’ve had this year!

Looking at the list above, I’m blown away. The biggest thing is how many of you are repeaters! You came back! Even ones that waited forever last time! THAT is why it has taken me some time to get back to you all. The shock of all the ones who are coming back for more has been the most overwhelming to me – not the length of the list. All of you rock! But to see the ones come back is really the best feeling in the world.

thank you.

8 Comments

The total!

May 24, 2011 By Kim Filed Under just small words business . . .

105.

You read right, 105 orders!

Some of the “chosen design & size” descriptions were awesome. There were many who did not know the sex of their baby because they recently found out they were pregnant. I had a couple that were hoping they were pregnant by the time I got to their name. I had a real life friend that filled out an order form with a random kid’s name because he is out there somewhere – waiting for his forever family. And how about the one that isn’t married {or expecting} but surely will be both when I get to her on the list! {haha!}

Love it!

I had every intention of sending out a personal email this weekend to every person who submitted an order. But I was expecting a “couple” less orders than what actually came through. And it is now 2 am on Tuesday morning, and I’m still typing out the names! Speaking of names, I was just going to type in the names/initials I’m to paint, but that’s not going to work because of all the “unknowns.” Expect to see YOUR name {first initial/last name} in a blanket email. I promise that I will send you an email just for you when I’m about to start. If I’ve never created any art for you, I’m actually very personal. We will practically be best friends by the time you receive your art!

And who is watching Real Housewives of New Jersey ? This show is nuts! Like a train wreck! And just in case any of them read my blog. . . . because I know they have to be huge fans of mine – Yes, this southerner is horrible at cooking pasta! I do just pop open the top of the RAGU and the one time I tried to make home-made sauce it was nasti-O! And spaghetti and lasagna is the only Italian I’ll even attempt. But you name any southern dish, I’m confident I can whip it up {especially potato salad!} So much whip it up, that you would think I cook all the time!!!! {I hate cooking.}

If you think you have a dysfunctional family, do yourself a favor and watch this show – especially the opener from this season. It will be the best {and cheapest} therapy ever. And if this is what happens at “church” events – OH.MY.WORD. I want to be invited to a family reunion. “Thank ya, Jesus,” as I kiss my hand and throw it in the air.

And how many Joes and Joeys are in one family????? This coming from the person who has a few Joes in her family – haha, okay – I think we might have as many as they. Only this is the south – our women are named Jo, too!

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