SO, WE BOUGHT A HOUSE & I KINDA STARTED A BUSINESS

Crazy, right?

We bought a 1959 brick split level, and every day, I'm all like, "Omigyahh, I need to blog about this!" But I would then pick up a paint brush, or go buy a mannequin, or get on Craigslist & find a 50's Formica dining set, or get sucked into Pinterest instead. Also, somewhere in the mix I had carpal tunnel surgery. (Came with a really cool foam thingie that looked like a piece of one of those cat mansions.) And, I chopped all my hair off and it feels FABULOUS. Also, we mayyy get a dog. Anywho, a lot goin' on, and before I knew it, it was October. Praise the Lord! So sick of sweatin'!

We knew from the beginning that we didn't want anything new, and we didn't want a house in an HOA hood. That eliminated a bunch. I've always dreamed of an older house with tons of character, and that, my shugs, is what we found.

And, I am all up in some love over it!

I am starting to feel anxiety about all that has happened and how there is no way I could communicate it all through pictures, but we will do what we can in baby steps, mmmk? Today, let's discuss the living room.

 Top is how it looked in the listing // Bottom is how it looked when we bought it

 I like to call this color Shiny Earwax. It was in the living room, and all the halls. Woof.

Jewel tones aren't really my thing either.

Meanwhile, we found this mid century love seat at an estate sale for $40.

I liked the color the way it was, but it had some sun damage and some stains, and I hated the skirt.

IMO, paying to have something reupholstered is only worth it if a piece is vintage/antique or has some kind of sentimental value because upholstery can get expensive quickly.

Here's the before and after:

I lucked up and found a fabric almost the exact same avocado green, and it was dirt cheap at a discount fabric store! 

Here's the living room now (complete with Halloween decor):

  The couch is from a Habitat ReStore.

The gallery wall is a mix of my work, and thrifted pieces hit up with some spray paint.

The Halloween garland above is fabric scraps I already had, and the skulls are from Michael's. (Styrofoam, $1.59, couldn't find them online.)

And the sideboard is to the right (not visible in the above photo):

It was a splurge purchase, but it was worth it. 

A) It's gorgeous B) I can decorate the top! C) I hide lots of stuff in it.

We hit up the IKEA:

Stockholm rug

Lack side tables 

(as coffee table)

Stockholm 'cushion' pillow & Sanela 'cushion' cover & Lappljung Ruta 'cushion' cover 

(pillow forms sold separately from covers)

... and West Elm:

Cotton Canvas Bazaar curtains

(tip: Hanging curtains the entire height of the wall, with only the edges of the windows being covered, as opposed to hanging them over the windows completely, makes the windows & the room look bigger! Check it out here. Huge difference, y'all!)

Another tip:

A live plant will do wonders for the look and feel of a sitting space!

We still need:

* a light fixture (ordered from Restoration Hardware, not here yet)

* a chair for the left corner that you can barely see in these pics ... TBD

* art for this hole:

We already picked it out ... ;)

Oh, and the business.

I realized I like to paint!

Check me out on Facebook and on Instagram @shuginboots.

I paint whatever tickles my fancy, and I also do customized pieces with text/colors of your choice.

 

Y'all remember Brody? Him is so handsome!

Have a lovely Wednesday, shugs!

I'm off to steal one of the hubs' Cherry Lemon Sundrops from the fridge.

if you knew me ...

... you would know that i value family and relationships more than anything else (except Jesus)

... you would know that i am a very sensitive person, especially when i think someone else is hurting, but at the same time, i will make it real clear when i've had enough of your shiz.

... you would know that i love this creature that came into our lives as a surprise after me crying my eyes out, and that he makes my heart so full. i love him so, so, so much. the way we came to meet mr. bo bo is a reminder that God is in control, and He knows just what (who) to send us, and when. when i look at this picture, i desperately want to kiss bo bo on the sides of his little snout where his cheeks/lips {??} hang down.

... you would know that in the last 4 months i have been consumed by a fear of my own body, and how it's going to betray me. i also feel guilty about this almost constantly because i know that God gave me this body, and there are things out there that i can do to take care of it, and feeling sorry for myself isn't one of them.

... you would know that i can easily go all week without turning on the tv (even longer if i watch PLL online)

... you would know that my husband cooks more than i do. and he does a great job.

... you would know that i hate to read "books" on a piece of technology. i like to hold real paper, and turn real pages. i also love the way real books smell.

... you would know that the only two relationships i've ever had were both with guys who had the same name. thankfully, one of them went by a nickname. i married the other one.

... you would know that this combo is one of my favorite things on earth:

... you would know that my mind is filled day and night with thoughts of bein' a mama ... and that i sometimes can smell the baby in my dream.

... you would know that i literally look at my husband while he sleeps and wonder when i'm going to snap out of it. i cannot believe that it's real. that God actually picked this man to be MY husband!

... you would know that i've never broken a bone

... you would know that i've only tried yoga twice. and i liked it both times. i really think it's my kinda deal. i also finished both of those nights with chocolate. let's hope that part doesn't become an every time kinda thing.

... you would know that i thought of my friend ashley tonight when a man farted, twice, in yoga class. i felt sorry for him. i am terrified it's going to be me next time.

... you would know that i rip gray hairs out by the root, and dread the day that i actually have to pay someone to put color on my hair. on this same note, i hate it when people who have been coloring their hair for damn ever say, "oh, i don't have any grays." wellllll, sugar, i would hope not. i mean, damn, what is the point of hair color if you still got grays?!

... you would know that sometimes i wish this blog was anonymous so i could really say what i think ... and that i would still probably feel guilty after hitting publish .... hmmm ... we'll see

... you would know that i function best on ten hours of sleep ... and i don't care if other people who function on 6 think that's a lot ... to each her own

have a magical monday, sugar lumps! 

and thanks, katie, for being my inspiration for this post, and to keep on tryin'. ;)

it's christmas eve!

 

 

twas the night before christmas, and all through the hizzle,

all the children were gorged on goodies bought at the stizzle.

 

the stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

saw snowflake pj's at target, and we all got a pair.

 

 

 

  

we been gettin our christmas eve on to the max up in heah:

christmas eve supper

hot chocolate bar with all the toppings

christmas cocktails

a nice round of 'would you rather'

a little crochet action

just finished watching 'it's a wonderful life'

 

brody's had a busy day as well. he started by paying the consequences of treat overindulgence -

 all of which he did not have permission to consume.

he 'paid the consequence' while we were eating breakfast. yep.

bounced back with the quickness, though. got his bath on - nice & shiny, smellin fresh as a daisy.

he got a little wound up while we were havin' game time. wound up as in doin' laps, divin' into the game spinner, throwin' himself onto people's laps.

the whole family here at one time?! it's just too much for the poor guy to handle.

eventually {14 hours later} he was able to bring it back down to earth.

 

 

love my bobo.

i hope santa is bringing goodies for his stocking too!

 

Happy Birthday Jesus!

 

 





Brody speaks out.

Whattup peeps?

Brody here.

I hope y'all have enjoyed the last few days of eating way too much, and lying around doing nothing at all, except letting your food settle so you can eat some more. I know that's what "Shug" has been doing.

You know what I get? Bits of dog food as "treats" while the humans are shoving ham, turkey, gravy, dressing, and God knows what else down their pipes as if they're about to go into winter hibernation. WTH?

The other night, this doofus on the couch held my ball for I KNOW three minutes to get a picture of me just sitting there. Really? Have these people never seen a black dog sit? And I've had hardly any ball throwing time. Seriously - it's only been like 15-20 times a day. The neglect is disgusting. Just look:

All of my humans are lazy SOBs. Straight sloth-style around here.

So, know what I say? To hell with this shit.

With a little research, I learned to cover my own self up with my blanket. Can't even get somebody to tuck me in. And then, they act blown away when they wake up and find me covered up. I mean, how stupid do they think I am?

There are no words.

If any of you others are interested, I got in touch with my cousin Ezzell, and I learned how to handle my own business. Hopefully y'all's humans are at least competent and caring enough to leave a blanket layin around somewhere in case you get cold while they are off stuffing their faces and shopping and watching sports.


I'm hoping that at least that fat dude with the red suit will leave me a new ball in my stocking. Anyone besides me think it's straaaange that people willingly let an old dude who wants random kids to sit in his lap, come into their house in the middle of the night while they are sleeping? And to top it off, they leave him a snack! While I am begging for a damn bone!

Anyway, my ball - see, I had my ball and my back up ball. But somebody threw one of them on the roof, and this is the shape my other one is in:

The shit we go through, right?
I'm off to plead for my bedtime bone, and then I'm getting some shut eye.

Until next time,
Brody

if there were gift cards for junk/antiques/flea markets

 it would so be my go-to request for every gift-giving occasion for the rest of time.

hope y'all are havin yourselves a FABulous friday.

as i mentioned before, yesterday {technically, since it's like what, 12:18 am?} was my junkin day!

whoo hooo!!

bobo totally gets my over-stimulation/excitement:

i actually got some stuff on my list!!

and i had some bad daddy's tater tots and dippin sauce, shit-tons of diet coke, and the frostin off a chocolate cupcake!

i came home and moved shiz around in preparation for our massive tree, whilst sippin on some cranberry & ginger sans jack. i am feelin straight up elf-tastic.

i will share the deets with you shugpies later after my hizzle is decorated like santa's headquarters and not lookin like this train wreckage:

but I am optimistic.

annnnnnd, I got some bomb specially-made gluten-free lasagna made by the MIL to fuel my overhaul.

thanksgivin's early this year, which means, more time to soak in the christmas magic!
we bout to be puttin on tha dog - christmas edition up in this piece, sugarpies.

yours truly,
SIB

dear bobo ...

dear bobo, 

how can i ever thank you enough? after coming home from the hospital, i just knew you'd make me feel so much better. you were as happy as ever to see me, but you didn't jump up. just licked and wagged and walked circles around the room. you know how you do.

you see, humans are great, but they sometimes don't know what to say, or how to act. but it would be weird if they didn't say anything because they know how to talk, you know? with you, it's so much simpler. you know that distracting me and just snuggling up with me is the standard, fail-proof cure-all. 

at first you were a little confused. i guess no one had the decency to explain to you what had happened. but they didn't need to. that next morning, you came into the room where i was sleeping, all happy, and "hey, get outta bed already!" but then, you heard me crying, and immediately, you came around to my side of the bed, got inches from my face, and threw your ball {which i know you love more than life itself} right into my nose, and you said, "here! take my ball! it always makes me feel better!" but, i was insensitive to your offer, and i said, "brody, i don't want your ball!" {sorry, i was a little emotional.} but, you didn't give up, you just came around to the other side of the bed, hopped up on the new comforter {i won't tell} and laid your head on my side while i cried and cried. it was just exactly what i needed.

we played outside some more, throwing the ball, basking in the sunshine. you let me rub your belly. you did awesome tricks for me. but, then, when i was having another down moment, you hopped right up there with me, laying your big ole snuggly self right on my legs, and laid your head on my belly {gently of course}, and stared into my eyes for what seemed like days.

you would've been a great dad, bobo. too bad someone took that option away from you.

but, in the meantime, you have done wonders for me. thanks for cheering me up, and being an awesome nurse when i needed one. 

love, 

me

greetings from brody.

if bobo could talk ...

what would he say right now?

Playa, do you KNOW what time it is, comin in here wit dat racket?


Aww, naw - she look CRA-ZY AS HELL.
 

Whatchu talkin bout, Willis?

Uh oh. Y'all know what happens when she hear "Play that funky music, white boy".

Whatchu mean, you can't find my ball?

Ribeyes?! Is that what I smell?

Leave a good one in the comments ...

please come back.

I don't understand.




Where do you go for so long?



Do you not love me anymore?






OH THANK GOD YOU'RE BACK!



I thought you'd never love on me or play ball with me again!



Or scratch my back.

 This is the best day of my life!

Isn't it nice to feel loved?

a conversation with Brody

It went like this: 

Mama was in bed, reading her Kindle, and I came in to say hello, and naturally, Brody was layin in there with her. Brody jumped in on the conversation. As I began this post, I thought, 'How can I put Brody's voice into words?' ... Well, friends, here's the best I can do ... imagine a black lab, wearing a robe and slippers, smoking a cigar in his study. That's how Brody's voice sounded. 

Anyhoo ...

We started talking about our pasts, apparently, because Brody casually disclosed that he had nine kids.

Mama and I look at each other, like, "I know damn well he doesn't. After all, Brody's manhood was taken at a pretty young age." 

So, we decide to question him further. "What are their names?" Mama pried. He rolled off some names, but the only one I recall is 'Tennessee'. {??!?!}

I further investigated, "Were they all from the same litter or more than one?" 

"They were from two litters - and I had more on the way in a third litter, when I got the call." 

"The call?" I asked.

"Yes. They called to tell me that I could no longer have children," he said solemnly. (I guess maybe he slept through the surgery, and when he woke up, didn't realize what had transpired, so the phone call was a shock?)

WEIRD dream, y'all. And I didn't even eat dairy before bed.

Linked up:

Brody: Carley Sue came to visit ...

And that B is cray.

First, she tried to eat my food, drink my water, beg my humans for food.

Shiiiiiit.

Then everything broke loose :

And I can't even TELL y'all how many times she licked all up in my mouth. Girls don't make sense.

I finally had to escape upstairs. (Carley Sue's mama doesn't allow her upstairs. Thank God.)

I know Carley Sue has a gnarly psycho side. But, sometimes she is aiight.

See? 

Have a good weekend, friends. Watch out for crazies.

work out. life according to brody.

Whattup, peeps? How's life treatin y'all? Ballariffic, I hope.

Well, I thought on this glorious Friday, I'd share with y'all some tips on how to get and maintain a sleek physique. I feel fortunate to own peeps who take me out and throw my ball on the regular. But they are lazy sho nuff when it is rainy, cold and totally dreary outside. Somethin about muddy paws and the carpet and whatnot. I thought that was what a towel was for, but whatevs.

Anyhoo - for starters, I recommend your humans getting one of these ball throwers. Sure humans have arms. But the thing is, if you get them to get you a ball thrower, they don't have to touch the mud and slobber on the ball - which apparently is a huge deal breaker for some of them. Also, it helps the ball go way farther and way faster - which is a plus for the leg muscles and cardio workout. But - you can't be all lazy and take your sweet time gettin to the ball. Gotta get there with no more than one bounce, or YOU SUCK.

I mean run! Give it all you got.

Even if you are lard-ish from too many table scraps, you gotta do your best so you can get better and better. Faster and faster. Know what I'm sayin?

And be ready. Even if you gotta get your lean on and you can feel your muscles burning in anticipation. Remember, you don't wanna be lard-like forever. DO IT MAN! (Hey! Annnnnd all you ladies! Big ups to a girl who cares about her figure!)

After a good workout, you gotta come in and get all the kinks out so you can rest. This could mean a few laps up and down the steps, or around the house, a few rounds of tuggin on the rope, or an up and down jump session from one of the humans' beds. 

Bonus points if you can make them squeal/shriek/yell/laugh. DOUBLE bonus points if you can tear some stuff off the wall, like curtains or somethin.

And, of course, at the end of your workout, you'll need to get some proper rest and give your muscles about 5 minutes to heal before starting all over again. I recommend choosing a different human to throw the ball this time, though. They seem to get all irritated after they "just came back in". Whiners.

Keep it real.

Bo-bosky.