The Glamourous Life of a Stay-at-Home Mom

I decided to give the help the day off today and tackle a few projects myself. You know, get my hands dirty, get in touch with the common folk.

Right.

You may remember I started remodeling our basement at the end of September. What was supposed to just be new flooring has turned into new flooring, mold mitigation (cursing the contractor who remodeled this house and finally understanding why Violet has been so sick), new drywall, and finally paint.

I say finally paint because it has taken me the last 3 months to commit to colors.

But, I am determined to finish this project before the new year. I have 30 hours.

So, here I am, covered in pumpkin and chocolate paint flecks, trying to get as much done as possible today, when down wanders that most precious of smallest children. Violet proceeds to sit on the stairs as I paint and talk to me. For 30 minutes.

Please excuse my eye. No, it doesn't always twitch. Just today.

As I'm thinking I have had just about enough of the wind up toy that is my youngest, she proceeds to inform me that I need to change the sheets on her bed.

Why?

Because she had diarrhea during her nap.

And just sat in it on my stairs for the last half hour.

My life is full of Chanel and Dior, I tell you.

Merry Christmas!

Praying God's blessings, peace and joy for you and your family today.

From the fireplace guardian and package quality control.

Sugar + kids = Chaos!!!!!

One of my fondest childhood memories was making candy with my grandma. This is my first Christmas without her, and all of our traditions seem bittersweet.

We certainly were missing the world's best candy maker, but I think my helpers and I did a pretty good job living up to her memory.

We made toffee, pecan brittle, dipped pretzels and peppermint sticks, peppermint fudge, chocolate rum balls, peanut butter balls, and popcorn balls.

The candy is finished, the presents are wrapped. All that's left is for us to go to Christmas Eve service and spend precious family time.

And, yes Mr Daddy, your candy is in the mail! Merry Christmas Eve everyone!

The Contents Of My Purse

This is my purse.

I had to clean it out this morning.

I found:

1 wallet, stuffed with coins

3 Christmas presents, ready for delivery

1 headband that changes color in the sun

God only knows how many pieces of paper

Violet's new wallet, containing only a plastic toy

my current cross-stitch project, my sunglasses, and Nina's extra glasses case.

And a close up to prove that it is a cross-stitch project and not a random plastic bag.

4 nail files, 3 packs of gum, 2 hand sanitizers, 1 pack of kleenex, random medicine and my inhaler

The remnants of the tampon box that exploded in my car (wish I could make that one up)

Two pocket knives (doesn't everyone?)

5 pens, 1 permanent marker, 1 Rudolph nose, 1 jingle bell from the dog's collar, 1 calculator, and a hair clip

2 playing cards and a broken honey stick

and a tampon angel from a friend.

I have two thoughts:

No wonder my back hurts.

I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried.

What's in your purse?

Of Biscuits and Bruises

We got a dog two weeks ago.

Actually, we bought a horse with identity issues.

Meet Ty.

He is enormous. 94ish pounds of muscle and tongue. We think he may be German Shepard, hound of some variety, perhaps a bit of Airedale, and maybe some Shetland pony thrown in for good measure.

He is incredible. Loves every single last person on the face of the earth. Ignores the girls' food at dinner time. Tries as hard as he can to obey. Likes the cats, but not to the point of terrorizing them.

Except the crate. Hates the crate. Is terrified of the crate. Turned my body into a PSA for domestic violence the night I got caught between him and the crate. Aren't you glad I took one of those cheesy "iPhone in the bathroom mirror" photos as proof for you? And yes, my first thought was "blog fodder" when I saw that bruise.

Actually tore apart the crate the next day trying to get out of the contraption of doom.

So, we gave up on the crate. He sleeps in the living room at night. He pretends like he sleeps on his bed but we both know he climbs on the couch as soon as he thinks it's safe. He also stays in the house when we have to leave for a few hours. And he has yet to mess with a single non-doggy item.

I am so glad we brought him home. Our family was ready for another dog. And he was ready for us.

As long as the crate of doom stays in the shed and the biscuits stay on the floor.

Wordless Wednesday

Ninja assassin training or extra-long nap time gone horribly wrong. You be the judge.

Things I Never Thought I Would Say...

... we don't sing songs about our private parts.

... please don't pick your sisters nose.

... please don't chew on the letter u.

... We do not moon the check out line.

... Why am I washing poop off this rock?