ORIGINAL PAINTINGS

SUNFLOWERS: Sold

WATERMELON: NFS

ANTIQUE MILK PITCHER: Sold

STRAWBERRY: For Sale $35

TRACY'S FLOWER: NFS

Fighting like Cats and Dogs

Oh my. Really?! Two years since my last post? I just realized that I might need to start blogging again. Or, drop it all together. So here ya go: It's the end of another school year and my kids are fighting like cats/dogs. I sat all three down last night for a "come to Jesus" meeting and sent them to their rooms. And from what it sounds like, I'm not the only one in this situation. Practically everyone with school-aged kids seems to be suffering the same escalation in sibling rivalry. But all is not lost. I've discovered that May is that special time of year when the number of projects and school events multiply exponentially. So between that, and the fact that kids are staying outside longer enjoying the weather, the poor things are totally spent. Not unlike their mothers who feel that way every day of the year! Except Mother's Day. When it's actually worse! (Just kidding)

So how do you deal with end of year stress besides the usual advice of getting enough sleep, eating a healthy breakfast, blah blah blah. First, you acknowledge that it's typical and not unique to your household. That is comfort in itself for me! Then, you remind the kids that you realize the source of a lot of their stress and it's okay to feel that way. But then you have to explain that what ISN'T okay is treating their siblings disrespectfully. Because that is how the fighting starts.

For example, my oldest is the instigator. Well behaved and sneaking under the naughty radar he knows his brother and sister's triggers. So he is the pot-stirrer. The bear-poker. And then he sits back and laughs while he watches his sister cry and his brother scream. So what's the message to him? 1) Look kid, I'm on to your ways – so can it. 2) If your brother or sister asks you to stop tormenting them, then respect it. And stop. 3) If you don't stop, then you can start your punishment cycle by cleaning your brother's room, or folding your sister's clothes, or staying home instead of hanging with your friends. Or relinquishing your cell phone.

The middle child, aka the CEO, is the boss. The one who seeks out who is disobeying rules, reports them to the Commandant, and is quick to tell anyone/everyone under the same roof how to operate on every level. So, the message? (If you can get a word in with this one), 1) You are not the boss. When you are an adult with a family of your own, THEN you can be boss. Right now, I/dad am/is your boss. End of story. 2) Do not tattle. If you witness something that causes harm, come tell us. Otherwise, be on with ya. 3) If your siblings ask you to stop bossing them, respect it and stop. 3) If you don't stop, then you can start YOUR punishment cycle by writing down the steps by which you shall be punished. And considering this is your favorite way to control a situation, this should actually be a fun project!

Ahhh. The third child. The one who throws caution to the wind. Farts in the face of reason. And is quick to anger. Message: 1) Separate yourself in a safe/quiet place when your anger starts to flare. If someone asks you to calm down, respect it and go to that safe/quiet place. When you have calmed down enough to speak to others respectfully, you may do so. 2) If you can't control your anger, your punishment will be whatever feels necessary at the time. I say this because this child has no specific "weakness" that you can exploit. Meaning, that taking things away doesn't necessarily solve the situation, and spanking is just wasted effort. You have to find the one thing that really is a sacrifice to them in order to make the punishment effective. Good luck. When I find my son's, I'll let you know.

So, that's it. That's all I got. Oh, except, do thank your spouse for having your back. It's a team effort. And sometimes they're the only ones in your corner!

Question: Will my kids be fighting when I get home today? Lucky 8-ball says: Ask again later.

Bursting with creative energy

I suppose you all are crying foul. It's been what, a mere 5-6 months since I've posted?! I blame it on moving and settling, football season, school starting, the fair, and I could go on. But as the saying goes....excuses are like....oh, nevermind.

So to get back on track, I went to Thepioneerwoman.com and found a downloadable set of actions for Photoshop. I am so stoked! I practiced on one of the photos I took at fair this year. It turned out so adorable!

The one I posted is called "Old West". It's one of about 50 different actions you can use on your photos. I love the way it turned out. And since I still don't have any art on my walls, and because football is FINALLY over....I now have time to do all the fun photo stuff I want to do! Yay me!!!

If I told you the list of projects I want to do your head would spin. But thanks to a mandatory furlough at my "place of employment", I have a couple of weeks to do the things I really enjoy. And no, that does NOT include cleaning the toilets.

So I'll keep you posted on how my Creative Furlough goes and I hope you all are enjoying the great, and predictably unpredictable, Kansas weather!

NEW DIGS!

I promised photos, and by goodness, you shall have photos. We're all moved in and living large. However, it's going to take me about a year to unpack all the boxes. But that's okay! I've locked up the trailer, said goodbye to the hill, and settled nicely into my new open floor plan. Murdock is much happier to have humans around and the kids love all the mud/dirt. So how do we celebrate? I go into a moment of insanity and agree to allow my 11-year old to have a birthday sleepover in our basement. Eight of them. 11-year-old boys. Who still think farting and talking about "butts" is funny. Maybe I can just lock the basement door and unlock it after the party is over. Oh wait, we don't HAVE a basement door. Hmmmm.....didn't think about that when planning the house. Excuse me while I think up a Plan B. In the meantime, enjoy the photos:

Happy Birthday Brett!

My baby is 7 today! So here's to you son...thanks for all the humor you bring to me and the creative/funky imagination you share! Have a great day!

SO, last night Brett was so excited that his birthday was *practically* here. He wanted the whole family to sing happy birthday to him at dinnertime and nobody was indulging him. I could see how much despair he was in when he couldn't get anyone to sing Happy Birthday just one night early. So, after everyone left the table, I pulled a Ho-Ho out of the cupboard, stuck a blue candle in it, lit it and "whisper" sang Happy Birthday to him out of earshot of the rest of the clan. The smile I got was priceless.

Today I dropped him off at school with one of those cool new gawd-awful iced cupcake/cake thingies. The frosting is just absolutely disgusting. But kids love it and it prevented me from having to miss the "Grissom is leaving" episode of CSI in order to bake cupcakes last night. By the way it was a good ending....Grissom and Sarah reuniting. Nice touch.

Well, work is calling and I need to go for now...but have a great day!

Calling all Door Knob artists! CONTEST!

It's not a secret that most of my friends, if not all, are extremely creative animals! So, I plead with you....help me! One thing I really wanted to save from my old house was a set of antique doorknobs (metal/oval) to somehow incorporate as a piece of art/utility into my new home. But I'm really not quite sure what I will do...and I'm having a hard time finding any creative ideas online.

Here's your challenge:
Whoever comes up with the best idea that I actually END UP USING will receive a small gift. [Very small since I will be paying for a new house.] But never-the-less it will be something tres cool!

So put on your creative thinking caps and send your ideas to me. I will post the winner, when I receive one. Not to mention this will be a good way to see who REALLY follows my blog without me begging them.

DEADLINE: JANUARY 31!

Question: Will I be overwhelmed with wonderfully creative responses?
8-Ball says: MOST DEFINITELY!!!!

It was like this giant dinosaur from outerspace....

In a mere 15 minutes, what I once called home, was a pile of rubble left by a giant Godzillian arm of metal destruction.
Wow, I should really be a writer! Today we brought down the house. In preparation of course for a newer, safer model. It was so cool to watch the Goliath (I'm into G metaphors) machine work it's magic on the 100 year old lumber and horse-hair plaster we called home. Even cooler, was seeing the holes where once my shower stall and much-too-small kitchen resided.
SO now, without further ado, I give you the photos you've been waiting for...(can I get a drum-roll please?)