Care to bet on that, kids?

Today was not the best day in the world around here.

I haven't talked much about how I discipline my kids, mainly because I don't feel like being criticized by those who don't agree with me and because unless you know my specific situation I can promise you that you don't know the best way to deal with my kids. Being a single mother with this many kids and fathers with different levels of involvement in their lives makes it harder to use one form of discipline with all of the kids. There are times when I have to handle each kid differently, even within the same situation.

I am one person and I am not a perfect parent by any stretch of the imagination. I know that, and I admit that. But at the same time, I do the best that I can at any moment in time. So if you want to trash me for my parenting skills, I'm opening myself up for it tonight.

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I have not been in the best mood today, and that was made worse by the way that the kids acted for about 95% of the day. They would play nicely for about a minute, and then the next thing I knew they were screaming at each other or beating the crap out of each other or taking each others' toys or whatever. I mean, I know we all have bad days, but holy wow this one was ugly.

Just a small portion of the mess.

And when they get into moods like this, they do NOT listen to me. At all. The boys had gotten out a ton of toys and had them spread all over the living room. I told them numerous times to put them away and they literally just laughed at me. I tried a couple of different tactics, but none of them worked.

Finally I told them that if they didn't pick up the toys, I would do it for them, and the toys would be gone. They looked at me like "whatever!" and continued playing. So I just let it go....

After they were given a final chance to clean up before bedtime and refused, I made up my mind. I got a hold of The Dude to see if he had any big trash bags that he could bring over (plus it gave me an excuse to see him) - so he came over after they were asleep and helped me bag up every. single. toy. in the living room. All of them.

And then we stashed the bag deep in the garage.

Whenever I've gone on a garbage bag rampage before, I've always just left the bag somewhere around the house where they could see it, and then eventually when they straightened up they could get the stuff back. This time, it's not visible. As far as they're concerned, the crap is gone, never to be seen again.

They're going to be mad at me when they realize it in the morning. And at this point, after the way that they acted all day today - I don't really care.

Maybe it's a bit harsh. But then again maybe it's what they need to realize that I expect more of them. I expect them to pick their crap up when they're told to do it. I expect them to listen and to follow directions. I expect them to respect each other, their toys, and me. And if they can't do that, they lose their stuff. Period.

I'm quite sure that we can find any number of places to donate the toys to if they don't figure out how to behave.

I'm back! So...you want to see the quilt?

I've been kind of MIA for the past couple of days - my computer monitor decided to die on me, and while I could still play around on my facebook page, it's just way too hard to blog from my phone. So I just took a break. But now, thanks to The Dude and his spare monitor, I'm back up and running!


I did finish the quilt, and I delivered it yesterday. But, before I show you that, I have a couple of other fun pictures first.

 This is my crazy rosebush in front of my house. Apparently, the rose did not get the memo that it's already mid-October and we've already had below-freezing temperatures a couple of times. I don't know why I'm surprised - I have pictures of it blooming last year (or was it the year before?) in November or December.  Silly thing.

For a more seasonal look, my mums are also blooming. They actually don't look that fabulous though - I had planted them last year in pots on my front steps, and never did anything with them. I figured that I'd just have to replace them every year, because I didn't realize that mums were the kind that came back (I can never remember if those are annuals or perennials). Anyway, they started growing again this spring, and they're really tall and scraggly because I didn't pinch them back or whatever it is that I was supposed to do with them. Oh well - live and learn, right?

Later this afternoon, we heard a bunch of sirens - which to be honest, is not that common in this town. I looked outside and realized that there was something happening, but I couldn't tell what it was at first. And then I heard the roar!

Yep, it's Toy Run time again!

Hundreds of bikers were cruising past, so of course the kids and I ran out to watch. They definitely had a beautiful day weather-wise to do it.

Kids walking back to the house after watching
the Toy Run.

So, the quilt.

It's done. I'm not 100% happy with it, because of the issues that I had with my machines. But, I was able to borrow another machine from a friend and got the quilting done on it. But I think all in all, in came out ok.

Here are a few shots of it in progress:

Still on the frame, but done with the quilting.

Quilting done, off of the frame, ready to be trimmed.

Trimming the batting/backing to size

Attaching the binding.

And, voila! Done.

I miss my clothesline. That always made it so much easier to get pictures of finished quilts! But many thanks to The Dude, Emily, and Jared for helping me to get this shot!

Also, I did shoot some video of the actual quilting process so that those who were wondering could get a better idea of how the whole quilting frame gizmo worked - BUT, because of my slow internet connection, it is taking well over an hour to upload a 5ish minute video. Once that's uploaded though, I will post that as well. And if you want to see it, and don't see me post it, feel free to nag me about it.

Tigger's Chin

This is Tigger's chin.

And this little piece of plastic is going to be the death of me. It is going to be the final straw that makes me lose what little bit is left of my tattered mind.

And what exactly is it? Besides Tigger's chin......?

It's a puzzle piece. We have had this plastic, sort-of 3D puzzle of Tigger ever since the girls were little, along with several other puzzles. The other ones are the typical cardboard ones that have maybe 4-6 pieces, and there's a wooden one that used to be mine. I took all of the puzzles away from the kids a while back because the pieces were just constantly getting thrown all over the place and I was tired of dealing with them. I know, bad mommy. Whatever.

The Tigger puzzle has been missing his chin (obviously). So I stashed the puzzle somewhere until the chin appeared. I have occasionally seen the puzzle - somewhere in the house. I even saw it a few days ago.

Now that the chin has magically reappeared, do you think I can find the puzzle?

Nope.

I have looked in all of the obvious places. I've looked with the other puzzles - it's not there. I've looked with the other toys that are packed away - not there. I've looked in the furnace room, where I've stashed some other stuff - not there. Seriously, I've looked in all of the normal places - and I can't find the rest of Tigger.

I know what's going to happen. I'm going to put the chin somewhere 'safe' - and it's going to disappear - and then I'll find the puzzle. And then I'll put the puzzle somewhere 'safe' - and it's going to go on and on and on and on.....

And how do I know that's going to happen? Because this isn't the first time that either the chin or the remainder of the puzzle has appeared.

So, in an effort to end this horrendously vicious cycle, the chin is now taped to the inside of the door on the upper left-hand side of my disk, right by the Tooth Fairy pillow, which also tends to disappear occasionally.

Maybe, just maybe, I can connect the puzzle and the chin. Someday.

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In other news, I went to Emily's school this morning for the Honor Roll Breakfast.

Just in case my editing job sucks as bad as I think it does, that says that she has a 4.0 average...

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And how is it that I remember to do some of the things that I need to do? Easy. I have a number of pens stashed on the visor of the van. And when I remember something, and get to a place where I can stop (for instance, while at Sonic getting a drink today), I write myself notes.

Where I can't lose them.