Matthew and Butterscotch (a friend's pup) at my niece's birthday party last year. Since this photo was taken Butterscotch's fur went completely snow white making her name rather unique and unusual now.

Hope you are all enjoying the weekend. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

For more great Camera Critters please visit here.

I came across this crazy retro looking baby stroller, and just had to share it with you!

It almost makes me wish I had a baby to put in it....ALMOST being the operative word on that.

You have to admit it looks really cool!

Speaking of baby strollers please pardon my ignorance on this as my youngest is a teenager now, but what is up with those gigantic baby strollers I keep encountering on city streets? I'm not talking about double strollers designed for multiples, but gigantic single seaters that take up the entire sidewalk. Surely these behemoths of baby conveyances are cumbersome, and impossible to maneuver in most shopping stores, never mind public transit!

I can tell you it certainly gets annoying having to jump out into the street or on someone else's lawn when one of these giant strollers lumbers by. Has anyone else noticed this or am I just being a bitchy pedestrian?

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

Since last week's TT of 13 Dilbert one-liners got such a positive response I thought what the heck, lets do it again! Here are thirteen more Dilbert one-liners to make you hopefully chuckle!

1. A printer consists of 3 main parts: the case, the jammed paper tray and the blinking red light.

2. The guy who invented the first wheel was an idiot. The guy who invented the other three, he was the genius.

3. The trouble with being punctual is that no one is there to appreciate it.

4. In a country of free speech, why are there phone bills?

5. If you cannot change your mind, are you sure you have one?

6. Beat the 5 O'clock rush, leave work at noon!

7. If you can't convince them, confuse them.

8. It's not the fall that kills you. It's the sudden stop at the end.

9. I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder!

10. Hot glass looks same as cold glass. - Cunino's Law of Burnt Fingers

11. The cigarette does the smoking, you are just the sucker.

12. Someday is not a day of the week

13. Whenever I find the key to success, someone changes the lock.

Hope these gave you a smile! Happy Thursday Thirteen, and thanks for stopping by!

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

This is a pic of the kiddos Christmas tree that she keeps in her room. She really enjoys getting it decorated, and it looks really cool in the dark as the branches are laced with fiber-optics.

This entry is for both my Tuesday and Wednesday editions of WW. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

For a list of other Wordless Wednesday participants please click here.

You'll probably think this is kinda sappy, especially coming from me, but it is heartfelt. I think that one of the greatest things....

....that we can do with our hands is to hold someone else's hand in love, and/or friendship, to give strength, and comfort, and to just let someone else know you care. Often hubby and I hold hands while taking a walk, shopping, or just watching TV.

Happy H.O.T. day and thanks so much for stopping by!

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

For more Heads Or Tails please click here.

I want to leave a quick note to let my visitors know that if you have left a comment or are here for one of the memes I regularly participate in that I will be away from the PC off and on for the next few days. I will be seeing the urologist about the kidney stones, and have a few other projects that I have to get to, and complete.

I will be checking in on a regular basis, and I will reply by paying a return visit to your blog to everyone who does leave a comment, and their linky for me.

Later,
Sue
XOX

When we see a child or young person do mean-spirited, thoughtless, immature or stupid things it is easy to take a look at the parents, and to assign blame to those parents who are obviously lacking in parenting skills.

We all encounter them...dreadful kids that either make us think I hope my kids will not turn out to do such things or if that were my child I'd be very embarrassed at the least.

As people age, and gain life experience they tend to mature, and mellow out, at least that has been my observation with only a few exceptions. I have met, and know several people from horrific family circumstances that grew up to be nice, thoughtful, and decent people.

So I guess my question is based around when should this naturally occur? At what point should people have to take responsibility for their own actions, and not hide behind the poor me, look at my bad upbringing excuse for their own bad behavior?

And if they cannot see how their own lack of compassion, maturity, and empathy affects others at what point do we say this person is just a jerk that seemingly does not care a wit for anyone else's feelings beyond their own no matter what their upbringing?

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

Hope you are all enjoying the weekend. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

For more great Camera Critters please visit here.

Last night the kid, and three of her B.F.Fs had the opportunity to see the new Twilight movie that actually opens today in theaters around North America. The four are big fans of the books so this was a big deal for them. If you are planning on seeing the movie I won't be adding any spoilers here, but I can tell you the kid was not disappointed.

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

1. I say no to alcohol, it just doesn't listen.

2. A friend in need is a pest indeed.

3. Marriage is one of the chief causes of divorce.

4. Work is fine if it doesn't take too much of your time.

5. When everything comes in your way you're in the wrong lane.

6. The light at the end of the tunnel may be an oncoming train..

7. Born free, taxed to death.

8. Everyone has a photographic memory, some just don't have film..

9. Life is unsure; always eat your dessert first.

10. Smile, it makes people wonder what you are thinking.

11. If you keep your feet firmly on the ground, you'll have trouble putting on your pants.

12. It's not hard to meet expenses, they are everywhere.

13.. I love being a writer... what I can't stand is the paperwork.

Hope these gave you a smile! Happy Thursday Thirteen, and thanks for stopping by!

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

Image Credit: Wiki

This entry is for both my Tuesday and Wednesday editions of WW. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

For a list of other Wordless Wednesday participants please click here.

My favourite season is Autumn, and therefore some of my best memories are from the Fall.

Today I will share in photos of each one of my kiddos.....

.....a sunny, warm Autumn day from about 10 years ago.

These are some shots taken at Pumpkin Fest, which has all sorts of activities including hay rides, and pumpkin carving. The event is held in October, and it is a great way to get into the spirit of Canadian Thanksgiving, and Halloween. When the kids were little all three of them looked forward to the Pumpkin Fest.

Happy H.O.T. day and thanks so much for stopping by!

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

For more Heads Or Tails please click here.

Big yawns! This is my niece's dog Casper. He is getting on in years, but for an older gent he is still pretty spry.

Hope you are all enjoying the weekend. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

For more great Camera Critters please visit here.

I thought the Liberal party of Canada was supposed to provide a kinder, gentler alternative to the reigning Conservatives that seem these days to be a party tolerant of exclusionary views, racism, homophobia, and in general everything that I thought Canada was not.

I thought the Liberal party was supposed to be a party of inclusion, and progressive thinking something that Canada has, and always should be.

While I do not in any way ever want to turn my little bit of cyber space into a political blog I will on occasion feel compelled to voice my views. Two months ago I vented about that horrible Sarah Palin woman in the USA and her dangerous views....now I feel I must for the sake of my family speak out against the possibility of Michael Ignatieff taking the leadership of the Liberal party of Canada. Here in a very small part is why....

Some quotes from Mr. Ignatieff from his 1993 book "Blood and Belonging":

"My difficulty in taking Ukraine seriously goes deeper than just my cosmopolitan suspicion of nationalists everywhere. Somewhere inside I'm also what Ukrainians would call a great Russian and there is just a trace of old Russian disdain for these little Russians. "

"From my childhood, I remember expatriate Ukrainians nationalists demonstrating in the snow outside performances by the Bolshoi Ballet in Toronto. 'Free the captive nations!' they chanted. In 1960, they seemed strange and pathetic, chanting in the snow, haranguing people who just wanted to see ballet and to hell with politics. They seemed fanatical, too, unreasonable. Hadn't they looked at the map? How did they think that Ukraine could ever be free?"

In an interview Mr. Ignatieff describes Ukrainian culture as "embroidered peasant shirts, the nasal whine of ethnic instruments, phony Cossacks in cloaks and boots."

I am the daughter of one of those pathetic peasants. I am the granddaughter of a pathetic peasant who lies in an unmarked mass grave somewhere we believe near Odessa. And finally I am the great grandaughter of a pathetic peasant who starved to death because of a genocidal famine known as Holdomor. Therefore I will find it impossible to support a party that would elect this person as their leader. I am sorry if our right as Canadians to peacefully protest upset someone going to a ballet. Oh heaven help if their evening out, was ruined by some pathetic peasants wanting to bring awareness of the plight of their former home.

For those interested here is a review of the same book that was published to Peace Magazine. It is called What Michael Ignatieff Left Out. If you are a supporter of Mr. Ignatieff and have not read his books maybe you should, and see if you still agree with him.

Hopefully saner heads will prevail in the Liberal party as it did just a couple of weeks ago in the United States when they elected Barack Obama. Surely there are far better candidates to lead the Liberal party, and hopefully this country one day.

I have also heard (but am not 100% certain on) that Mr Ignatieff has spent most of his adult life in the USA and U.K. Huh?!

And to sign-off entry on the very slim chance that this may be read by someone close to the Trudeaus -> Justin please run for the leadership and soon!

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry, Novembre the Musée Condé, Chantilly

1. The youngest kiddo's birthday

2. The Royal Winter Fair opens

3. Remembrance Day...Lest We Forget....

4. Ancient Ukraine exhibit opens at the R.O.M. can't wait to check it out!

5. USA has a historic election

6. Obama wins!!!

7. USA has their Thanksgiving Day celebrations

8. Time to start getting the Christmas cards written up

9. Weather is turning cold, and dreary

10. Leaves have now fully fallen off the trees

11. Parent-Teacher interviews coming up

12. Hubby's office Christmas party coming up

13. A few more weeks of Christmas shopping left

Happy TT and thanks for stopping by!

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

In the past couple of weeks my often naive self has had a rude awakening in regards to some people's thoughts on gay, and lesbian relationships. I really thought that over the past few years there had been positive change..........

First on the PSICAN message board where the day before Halloween a user was teasing a friend of mine about whether or not she had a boyfriend. The user who was doing the teasing is a woman, and has been on our forums for at least 7 to 8 years now. While the message board is mostly on topic (paranormal subjects) we do have an off-topic section where on occasion there is ribbing etc in a good natured way. We moderate heavily in order to insure everyone's comfort. To that end, I am also very careful with which users I might joke with. I do not wish to offend people who sign up to our forums.

Anyway getting back to the teasing...after about five posts mentioning "what does your boyfriend think about such, and such" (my friend is single) I asked this female user "why are you fishing, are _you_ interested in her?" It was meant as a tease with no thought as to this being offensive. I felt comfortable with both users.

That simple question, which was meant in a fun nudge, nudge, wink, wink, fashion, and in no way meant to cause offense was met with several very aggressive outbursts where I was labeled as low class, unprofessional, out on a smear campaign etc....The user went on an extreme attack for the mere suggestion she may have a crush on another female (the user goes by a user-name and could not have been identified by anyone casually reading, so that was not the problem). All she had to do was say hey, I don't think that was funny, or this is making me uncomfortable and I would have gladly stopped, and deleted anything that she found bothersome.

I had no idea the user was homophobic...and yes, felt pretty naive, and dumb afterwards for what I thought was innocent teasing about a crush.

The second reality check came in with the passing of Proposition 8 by Californian voters, and I thought they were a progressive forward thinking state. How cruel is it to give people the legal ability to marry only to take it away....Disgusting, and shame on you California!

My friend Jackie Sue then directed me to this post on the Faces Of Gay Adoption Please go have a read.

And finally, yesterday I went to read my friend Andy's blog and came across a post on how his husband faces abuse from children every day while on his way to work. The post is called Barbarism Begins At Home and should be must reading for all parents. Are your own little prejudices seeping through to your kids?

Sorry I needed to vent my spleen on this.... If you are here for WW it is below.

Sue
XOX

This entry is for both my Tuesday and Wednesday editions of WW. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

For a list of other Wordless Wednesday participants please click here.

Where would you possibly be able to wear these?

And could you where them???? I would be afraid to try!

Happy H.O.T. day and thanks so much for stopping by!

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

For more Heads Or Tails please click here.

That is what the kiddo said about her 13th birthday party.... Epic!

How cool is that! Something any parent would want to hear after all the planning that went into her dance party that included 18 of her closest peeps.

My Sis, and BFF were on hand to help out, and the ex-husband, and his lady love were also there to help celebrate.

The only person missed was my middle kiddo who is away at University over three hours drive away, although she did call first thing in the morning to wish her little sister a happy birthday, and late that evening to find out how the party went.

There was one disappointment, but it was not a surprise. My former sister-in-law the girl's Aunt was again too lazy to pick up a phone, and wish her niece a happy birthday, and too cheap to even buy a card at the dollar store despite claiming to make an executive's salary...bah...

The woman is extremely vain, and shallow, and claims Ann Coulter is the greatest thing since sliced bread (yep, one of those) in a word horrid, and her niece is far better off not knowing her.

In fact the kiddo never even mentions her (because she has never bothered to try to get to know her own niece, and she conveniently forgets birthdays, Christmas that may require some effort such as picking up a phone where she will not directly get something out of it for herself)....but I would be lying if I did not say she irks me...even though I know I really should just pity her.

I do not want to end the post on a sour note, but I had to get that off my chest so to speak.

I will end off by saying the party went great, the kiddo loved it, and Matthew, Sammi, and Steph were awesome Dee-Jays! I think we'll wait until Sweet 16 before trying to pull off such a big party again.

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

There's Something About Mary Part Two

Nap time, cuddled up with my stuffed Sasquatch doll. I've shared this pic before on this blog, but it is one of my faves of Mary so I thought I'd post it again.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

For more great Camera Critters please visit here.

Today my youngest baby turns 13 years old! Where has all that time gone by?! Tomorrow we will be celebrating with 18 of her closest peeps....and yes, I got the headache tablets at the ready for the adults in the house.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

1. History was made in the USA last night!

2. It was cool to be a part of it by watching over the internet

3. And chatting with my American friends

4. I hope all Americans will come together now because you really do have a cool country

5. Went to get the results from my abdominal scan I had two weeks ago

6. Good news... my liver is fine!

7. Bad news... I have kidney stones!

8. Kidney stones scare me because I've seen both hubby, and the ex-husband go through them, and they HURT!

9. So far they are not bothering me, but now I have to see a urologist

10. Oh, and speaking of health my thyroid numbers are perfect. Woo Hoo!! This means the atomic solution will be put on the back burner for now and I can continue the meds through December

11. December....Christmas is a coming!

12. The kid celebrates her 13th birthday this Friday

13. On Saturday we are hosting a big party with 25 guests mostly pre-teens...I think I'll get some Tylenol for headaches ahead of time

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

My fave Halloween decoration! One last photo, before I put all the spooky decorations (ok most of them) away and start getting ready for Christmas.

This entry is for both my Tuesday and Wednesday editions of WW Thanks so much for stopping by!

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

For a list of other Wordless Wednesday participants please click here.

This one came to me right away.....

My dog Max a.k.a "The Captain Of The Guard" here at the dreaded Didier-Darroch compound! And you bet he takes his guarding duties seriously never mind that he is very wee, he has a very big, deep bark I assure you.

Happy H.O.T. day and thanks so much for stopping by!

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

For more Heads Or Tails please click here.

I'm off to the hospital this morning to have some more blood work done. I wonder if once they do the atomic solution, and leave my thyroid dead if I will still need to go in for monthly blood testing? I guess I'll find out soon enough. Yuck, and ouch!

Happy day!
Sue
XOX

There's Something About Mary

Named after Mary Queen of Scots our Queen Mary is just as much a diva, and loves the camera.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

For more great Camera Critters please visit here.