A really useful engine...err...costume

oct 31 034, originally uploaded by red_canuck.

I don't like to toot my own horn...much...but in this case, I feel obliged. I deserve it 'yo. Cause I am THAT good, I tell you.
This, here, is the product of hours and hours of sweat. tears. blood and yes, swearing. I earned a new brownie badge... Hand to hand combat with a temperamental (my guess is hormonal) hot glue gun. My nemesis. Arch nemesis if you will. We danced the funky chicken and I emerged victorious!!

Here that glue gun?! I WON!! wipe that smirk off your little glue gun face, I won baby, i won. But yeah, I do have my war wounds. 8 war wounds, nice shiny burn marks.
The things I do for my loved ones, i swear.

Shit happens

Today, my son was bitten while at Preschool.
Today, we both learned some things about people.

I learned that no matter how protective I am of my son, and no matter how much I love him, he will still get hurt.
My son learned that playing with others can sometimes bite you in the ass...err...arm. While I do wish neither of us had ever had to learn these lessons, after some angry words and even angrier thoughts, I realized I have to keep in mind that I am thankful my son was able to live for 3 1/2 years without that lesson. And I had 3 1/2 blissful years where I was blissfully naive enough to think that I could ALWAYS protect my son.
But I can't.
He's growing up
And you know what? That sucks.

So. Today. Shit happened.

What matters now is what we do with the things that today offered us, good AND bad.

There is no logical explanation for this.

october 15 011-1, originally uploaded by red_canuck.

This...this is a praying mantis.

In my backyard.

In October. Mid October.

In Canada

(that's in the northern hemisphere, just so's we're clear)

Never, EVA in my many years walking these streets, have I ever seen a praying mantis. Until this little guy started insisting that my kids outdoor playhouse was *his* house, thankyouverymuch, goodbye.

wait, what?

yeah, dude was all macho trying to get us to leave his little green butt alone. I tried to point out to him that he would fit comfortably under my big, descending foot, but he dissented.
So the big softie that I am, I used the fly swatter to....move him. yes, move him, I promise! He now resides under my sage plant.

He's a weird dude.

*edit*
Do yourself a favour, and do not wiki praying mantis. The words "sexual cannibalism" should never ever be linked. Ever. like...ever. Save yourself, and you sex life. No wiki-ing, please. You're welcome.

Life is like a china tea cup.

october 15 006, originally uploaded by red_canuck.

There's nothing stopping you using it everyday but fear.


haha, got you there, didn't I? Ok, so I am no philosopher ut I sure do love my formal china, and since I had some pieces out taking pictures of it, I thought I'd try and be all philosophical and impress you. So...did I? Impress you?

No?

well. Tough crowd!

Wait, can one person be classified as a crowd? I'd like a verdict on that when you get a moment. Thanks.

no? well. tough person!

So. Did you miss me? Mourn my long absence? Tear your hair out, bite your nails to the quick?

no?

well. Tough crowd!

I've been...well, I've been right here, at my new house, just not blogging. Why, I have no real reason. Procrastination, business, laziness...yup, all of the above. It's classic me - go gung ho into something, then drop it like a hot potato. My bad. Did that with student politics in University. Drawing. Knitting. Personal hygiene. ha! Kidding...on that last one. Promise.

I'm clean, I swear! My pits smell...yum, vanilla.

ok, ew. sorry.

Was there even a point to this? I'm feeling all discombobulated. ohhh, fun word. AND I spelt it without aid. I'm a rockstar, I know.

wait, what was I saying? I'm confused. Confused should be my middle name.

Red Confused Canuck.

Has a certain ring to it, doens't it?

June 27 150, originally uploaded by red_canuck.

The "Mommy, make "him" STOP!" face.


or maybe...

The "mommy, put down the black box and pick me UP!" face

...or both. They kinda blend together, lol

We have arrived, oh we have arrived!

June 27 154, originally uploaded by red_canuck.

The day I have been waiting for for about14 3/4 months. ponytail.

WOOT WOOT!!

ok, so it's a pretty sorry excuse for ponytail, and it was ripped out by it's wearer nanoseconds after this picture, but it was there. It was photographed. Therefor...

it counts!!

Isn't it cute?

I've been dreaming about the ponytail days since this little muchkin shot straight outta my girlie bits. The ponytail. and then in a bit we'll graduate to the frenchbraid (*shivers of excitement*) and then...wait for it, wait for it...NAILS!

I love having a daughter :D

Oh yes I did!!

June 27 237, originally uploaded by red_canuck.

All that glorious red goodness is indeed what you think it is.

Prime, in season, local strawberry JAM!! Which I made all by myself!

...with my MIL's help, of course, lol. what, you think I'm superwoman or something? Ha! Nope, just superwoman-in-training

Now that my freezer is stocked full of glorious red goodness, I can cross jam making off my life's list, and proclaim myself an expert!

P.S - Do experts wear white shirts while making bright red strawberry jam?