Cheated and took the Munchkins to the Mall...

On one hand, it's totally cheating, and I really missed the good old fashioned Trick-or-Treating mascaraed. On the other hand it is a totally brilliant idea! For people with short Trick-or-Treaters, going to the mall, where it is light, and you can see every one's costumes, and you get a reasonable amount of candy for minimal effort, the mall is just not a bad idea at all! Bennett was too tired, post swimming, to do much Trick-or-Treating anyways, as we only made it through half the mall before he was totally done! Next year we will hit the streets sans persons under three! Because you don't have enough candy until you can no longer hold up your pillow case!

Bizarre by Any Other Name...

Just when I thought things could not get any stranger, they manage to get...stranger. I am going to bed...because I fear that the dream world is actually more sane than the freak show that I seem to be experiencing here in reality!

Oh Baby! (October Edition)

Congratulations to Laurie & Jason!
Baby ~Danika Payton~ was born on October 5th, at 9:22 a.m. Weighing in at 9 lbs, 4 oz and 51 cm long; a baby sister for Brendan. (BC)

October in a Blink

My Niecie Girl is TWO Today!!

Life has been a steady stream of homework, kids (mine and other peoples'), homework, more homework and more kids. I'm really living on the edge...cough. Two exams down, one more next week. A short road trip this weekend and a trip to the pumpkin patch next weekend.

October isn't passing me by this fast, is it?

Thanksgiving Weekend (North of the Border)

Two Excellent turkey dinners; one with family and one with friends. 'Twas a really yummy weekend! Lots of good company and lots of good food. Now, back to the grind stone: two exams in the next three days. Full steam ahead...
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A few shots that did not get sent to the recycle bin...

Two quiet children (amongst 14 adults)...rare moment indeed!

A Sampling of the Post Turkey Crash...

Turkey Dinner, Round Two:

First Thanksgiving at Laura & Derek's new house....had a very nice time with friends, old & new...

John Edward: Tiny Dude with One Killer Smile!

Hyper Pumpkin!

Bennett & Wendy

I like how Bennett looks all ghosty in this shot...

Smallest Hockey Fan!

~My Big Brother & His Baby Boy~

Cousin Pride

A few days ago, I had the nerve to refer to the new baby cousin as, "Uncle J.'s baby..."

Bennett immediately protested, "It's not J.'s baby! Uncle J. does not have a uterus!"

"My apologies, son. Auntie N.'s baby..."

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Tonight, my camera arrived safely back home (so did Nana!), loaded with beautiful pictures and video of The Nephew! (& of the very proud parents!) Bennett hogged the thing for half an hour, watching the videos of his new baby cousin over and over...then he declared, "I want to go to ******** and see him right now!"

Not up for the ten hour drive tonight, I used the best excuse in the world..."You have school tomorrow!"

I wondered how Bennett would react to the idea of a 2nd cousin...it would appear The Nephew! will be landing into open (cousin) arms!

Only in Australia

Europe vs. MIddle East

Interpretation...

A couple attending an art exhibition at the National Gallery were staring at a portrait that had them completely confused. The painting depicted three very black and totally naked men sitting on a bench. Two of the figures had black penises, but the one in the middle had a pink penis.

The curator of the gallery realized that they were having trouble interpreting the painting and offered his assessment. He went on for nearly half an hour explaining how it depicted the sexual emasculation of African-Americans in a predominantly white patriarchal society. "In fact," he pointed out, "some serious critics believe that the pink penis also reflects the cultural and sociological oppression experienced by gay men in contemporary society."

After the curator left, a Scottish man approached the couple and said, "Would you like to know what the painting is really about?"

"Now why would you claim to be more of an expert than the curator of the gallery?" asked the couple.

"Because I'm the guy who painted it," he replied. "In fact, there are no African-Americans depicted at all. They're just three Scottish coal-miners. The guy in the middle went home for lunch."

Wisdoms from I've (whomever that is...)

As I’ve Matured…

I’ve learned that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is stalk them and hope they panic and give in.

I’ve learned that one good turn gets most of the blankets.

I’ve learned that no matter how much I care, some people are just jackasses.

I’ve learned that it takes years to build up trust, and it only takes suspicion, not proof, to destroy it.

I’ve learned that whatever hits the fan will not be evenly distributed.

I’ve learned that you shouldn't compare yourself to others – they are more screwed up than you think.

I’ve learned that depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.

I’ve learned that it is not what you wear; it is how you take it off.

I’ve learned that you can keep vomiting long after you think you’re finished.

I’ve learned to not sweat the petty things, and not pet the sweaty things.

I’ve learned that ex’s are like fungus, and keep coming back.

I’ve learned age is a very high price to pay for maturity.

I’ve learned that I don’t suffer from insanity; I enjoy it.

I’ve learned that we are responsible for what we do, unless we are celebrities.

I’ve learned that artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.

I’ve learned that 99% of the time when something isn’t working in your house, one of your kids did it.

I’ve learned that there is a fine line between genius and insanity.

I’ve learned that the people you care most about in life are taken from you too soon and all the less important ones just never go away. And the real pains in the ass are permanent.

In Lieu of Gymboree

Make me Laugh in the Middle of the Night...Thx Matt

As of 8:30 this morning...

SIL is at the hospital, water broke on it's own! Nana (my Mama) is en-route with a truck load of baby gear and my camera (personal paparazzi!)

How Hairy is your Woman?

Conversation with Service Manager while picking up my car from the mechanic (yes, again...)

After a fellow frequent customer made a teasing remark to the Service Manager about his inadequate ability to meet a satisfactory number of "hot chicks"...

Service Manager: "Actually, I'm seeing someone right now."

Heza Hekele: "Please tell me she doesn't have a beard."

Service Manager: "Naw, Naw, she's not Italian."



The Service Manager and Most of the Mechanics at the shop are Italian-Canadian;-)

To Further Along Baby Central Week...... Miss Mae Pics!

Welcome to the world! July 31st, 2 lbs, 3 mos shy of Halloween due date:

13 days old:

18 days old:

My Baby Cousin & her Baby - Kangaroo Care (27 days old):

Mae with Mommy & Daddy (27 days old):

44 days old, 3 lbs & wearing clothes!

Apparently, it's Auntie Pride Week......... so, some more Faceless Niecie Girl Pics are in order...

2 days & 2 weeks 'til she's 2...


Drinking Milk from a Cup...most of it ended up in her lap...
Can you see the milk en-route to said lap?

Close Up:

Milk drops on her hand...

Milk on her arm, next to her shoulder...

I don't think she is quite ready for fine dining...

Inner Family Relations...Redefined.

Bennett says to me, "I want to sleep at Nana's house tonight."

I reply, "You can't sleep at Nana's house because Nana is going to ******** to see Uncle J. & Auntie N. because the baby is ready to come out of Auntie N's uterus and that means that you and **** (The Niece!) are going to have a new baby cousin!"

Bennett immediately jumps up, and with great excitement, yells, "I'm going to be a Daddy!"

It would appear that he is over the fact that he will never be a Mommy...
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SIL finds out tomorrow if she will be induced on Thursday or on Friday...

Cheap Laugh

TV commercial that made me giggle out loud:

Guy and Girl rolling through mud whilst making out; announcer says, "How Dirty Boys get clean: Axe Shower Gel."

(I know, it doesn't take much...how sad...)
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SIL is 5 days overdue...currently at the doc...induction date likely to follow...

Oh Baby! (September Edition)

Congratulations to Jeremy (Very Proud Daddy!) & Sara!
Baby Kai Takeshi William was born on the 23rd at 1:03 p.m.
21" long & 7 lbs 11.5 oz
(First time parents, BC)