Brain Dump . . .

Yes, that is what I’m about to do. Dump my brain all over this post. Sorta gross visual, but you know what I mean. There is just so much pinging around up there and I thought I would drop it off right here and right now. AND I’ll throw in some art photos too – basically because it is art that I’ve done for gifts over the past year that really don’t have a “number” which makes it hard to find a time to blog about them since I’m trying to keep my numbered art in some type of order!!! {That was definitely a run-on sentence.}

for those wondering if I ever draw out the design.

All three boys are starting a new school in the fall – I am so excited. They are, too! I found out a few weeks ago that the principal that I was so excited for us to have, got a HUGE promotion and will not be there. I laughed. Because what else can I do. I am so happy for her because really, this new job is awesome – but dang, it sucks for the students losing her!!!

Since summer started, my kids have not got into bed before 10. Not one single time. And I hate myself for it because we are usually very routined people. But there have been pros to this slacker-like behavior – the biggest one is my kids sleep in. But to tell you the truth people, we are having too much fun at night. It has been fantastic. They love playing board games and we have so many. So, we play these cheezy games what seems like all night long. We have one kid that really is a sore loser. And it is bad. The others want him to win so they don’t have to hear it. But with four kids, we don’t cheat. If you win – it is fair and square.

The kids’ rooms have been picked up {cleaned} every night before they go to bed for over 4 weeks! Down to the tinniest of legos, it is all picked up and put away {in their labeled bin – because I am that kind of mom.} This is huge in our house. And that is two rooms that I don’t have to worry about other than dusting and vacuuming. They might be going to bed late, but their rooms have remained cleaned. Awesome feeling.

I have my first bona fide nephew. Lonnie’s brother and sisters have kids, but this sweet babe came from my side of the family – my brother. Me and a few of my crazies visited him at the hospital. Gahh, he is so cute. But you know you are done having kids when you have zero baby fever when you see such a cute baby. After my kids terrorized the room, it was made known that that was the only kid he was having. I couldn’t imagine why. I mean, Ems thinks she is a ninja right now and she is proud to use her skills. Carson will forever be a super hero in his heart and firmly believes they trump any ninja and tries to prove it all times. And Lawson, well, …. he is just Lawson and at least he didn’t start doing math sequences and freaking everyone out – because that is what usually happens.

my nephew

It has been so hot here – as everywhere in the south – other than the beach. I keep hearing how the beach goers are having 80 degree weather. Well, ain’t that just nice – while we have drought-like 110 degree weather. But today, a we are finally getting  a break in the heat. And I heard that on Wednesday, it is suppose to be 81 as the high. I might have to break out a sweater for such frigid weather!! But that is also a couple of days away. The one thing you can depend on here in the beautiful Middle Tennessee is change – there is a huge chance that forecast will change before then.

a neighbor had a baby! AND this was an old cabinet door bought from a yard sale already painted this shade of green!

I have been laughing at how all these people have been reading the Shades of Grey books. Here is my current stack of books on my night stand – The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun, The Out-of-Sync Child, Your Daughter Needs a Hero and I just ordered Ten Things Every Child With Autism Wishes You Knew. Now, there would have been a time I would have been all over some Shades of Grey, but right now my mushy brain cells are focused elsewhere. After all these kids, I only have a few good ones left ya’ know! Back in the day, I read romance novels all the time – like 5 or so a week! My favorite author was Johanna Lindsey. My first romance novel to read was her Falcon and the Flower – I was in 7th grade. It was during TCAP testing. They told us to bring in a book so we had something to do after each test while waiting for the time to run out. This book had over 500 pages, so I had plenty to read! haha! I was hooked then. And for the record, I also read classics. Just not so many once I found out about romance novels! haha! So, you guys have fun reading your dirty books as I’m over here reading about how to help my daughter with body image!! hah!

a few weeks later, another neighbor had a baby! Do NOT drink the water on our cul-de-sac!

I have not had pasta in over 4 months. But I finally had spaghetti squash a few weeks ago – o my. Yes, it does have a crazy little crunch, but it is fantastic! For those wanting some of my recipes I have been using ….. Here is how I prepared the squash, this is my sauce and I had to have mushrooms! And I also ate a salad with spinach, a little baked chicken, strawberries and a smidge of this dressing. Of all the ways to cook the squash, this was the best for me. As for the dressing – I do 1 Tbsp of vinegar to 1Tbsp of  olive oil. And any balsamic or apple cider vinegar is great! I freeze the sauce and can get 3 meals for our family of 6 from the exact recipe above. Since I am the only one eating the spaghetti squash, I pan fry it all and then freeze it in individual portions and I got 6 total out of 1 squash. I know it sounds like a lot of work, but so much of it was prepped before hand. So, really it is an easy meal! I’m now at a size 2 or 4 {depending on the brand} and as of this morning, I’m about 1/2 a pound from 110. And I’ve still not exercised {*cue eye-rolling} – I will eventually! haha!

I have painted for this fabric several times. True "sweet nursery" bedding.

And as a friendly reminder ….. Thursday, August 2nd at 8 pm on the small words facebook fan page!! Just in case you don’t know what I’m talking about, go here and you will see! {Unfortunately, I have more random art pictures to post – I guess I’ll have to have another brain dump soon!}