Went to Kensington Market in Toronto yesterday. Love the smells in the market - all the fresh produce and spices. Wandered around China town - bought some Chinese PJs for the kiddies. Went to this fantastic place for Thai food and then bought a dreamy jacket from Lululemon on Queen Street. Fabulous day.

Toronto is seriously one of the best cities in the world to people watch. Crazies are everywhere. And they don't know that you know that they don't know that they happen to be crazy, you know? -- and that makes it much more fun.

Anyways - I'll leave you with this...I learned the art of Chinese handwriting.














(now tilt your head to the right...)

So.... is this good?

Lizzies Highway Hobotown 3 Bewilderment Avenue 17 Tower of Commitment 49 Bog of Eternal Marriage 111 Fame City 448 Please Drive Carefully

Username:http://www.go-quiz.com/roadsign/roadsign.php">Username:%20name="uname">

School Starts...

So - my son's school started today. He was very excited. Lot's of cute girls this year. He walked up to one kid, extended his arm for a handshake, told the child his name and then added, "I'm a fan of video games." This made me bubble with laughter. Such a funny kid. Then they ran off into the playground to play with sticks and dirt until school commenced.

On the way out the door, my poor daughter kept telling me that she was big too - and getting her backpack stuffed full of everything she could find so that she could go to school with her brother. Soon enough, I'm afraid.

Other fun stuff.... nope. Sorry folks, nothing else just now. OOOH - cept I found a really good recipe for meatloaf. I think I'm going to make it for dinner. Yippee. (never EVER thought I'd ever make meatloaf....)

To Lighten The Mood...

Some more dog costumes for you... (something kind of wrong with dressing the dogs like this, isn't there?)

Again - there is sad news from Afghanistan for we Canadians. Again - the sarcasm and humour that I so lean on to guide me through things around my blog - are not fitting in this post.

I am hard pressed to find words to express my thoughts and feelings. I think that I , however, ought to try. My own brother knew some of the boys killed - that makes it more than just my being Canadian that causes me to pause and write this. It feels like in some indirect way that I knew them. That it could have been - and still could be since he will tour again- my own brother. It is that I don't want these lives to be in vain. I want them remembered and talked about. I want us to be proud of them - and to give them the respect they and their families so deserve. Does it matter that only a handful of people read this - not so much as it matters that it is written.

It seems sadder still that one of our own Hamilton boys - a former Olympic contender - was killed by friendly fire. Graham died on Monday when an American jet mistakenly mistook our soldiers for the Taliban. Please don't get me wrong - I don't hate all Americans nor do I blame the soldiers flying the plane directly responsible for this mistake. I believe that a mistake in protocol is evident. I think the people higher up need to re-examine their methods and our manner of communication with our allies needs to be looked at. Sadly, Graham is not the first to die this way - in 2002, four other soldiers were killed in a combat exercise in Kandahar. Although deaths by friendly fire are an accepted thing in war - it is none the less very disheartening when it happens. I certainly don't know all the facts but, I hope someone out there re-examines the measures taken to assure that everything possible is done to prevent a repeat occurrence.

Four other soldiers will come home this weekend draped with our flag as they are put to rest and forever held in our hearts; Sgt. Shane Stachnik, Warrent Officer Frank Mellish and Warant Officer Richard Nolan (all based at CFB Petawawa, Ont) and Pte. William Jonathan James Cushley.

As I stated earlier - I myself didn't know these men. But something about their deaths touched me so deeply, that I found myself sitting on a bench with tears streaming down my cheeks while my children played at the playground this afternoon. Perhaps something to do with the empathy inherent in every Mother's heart when she thinks of a mother somewhere who will never again get to hold her child. I thought of the children who had to learn that their Daddy wouldn't come home to them. I listened to my children laughing and I felt my heart breaking. I held the kids hands so tight on the way back to the car - I think they thought I'd lost my mind. I must have hugged them a hundred times. I figure I might as well just hold on as tight as I can for as long as I can - simply because I can.

As Stef suggested, when 911 comes let's offer up our thoughts and prayers to all of the people who were victims of the original attacks -- and all of those that have given or lost their lives since as a direct or indirect result. Each and every one of them was someone's child.

I didn't used to get headaches... and other bitching...

I think that getting older starts all of a sudden. Things like headaches, indigestion, back pain and bouts of insomnia/narcolepsy seem synonymous with the aged. Or perhaps it is the ravages of pregnancy - the one that I cannot see - but certainly feel. Besides the fact that people no longer call me after 9 pm - because sometimes I actually am asleep. The other day I literally fell asleep before I got the covers up. My head hit the pillow and it was la la land. I woke up several hours later shivering- and sadly holding a bowl of melted ice cream in my hand. What a heinous crime.

Yes, today I feel old and wonder when all of that exciting stuff you get to do as an adult starts. You know, all that stuff you spend your childhood and angst filled teen years looking forward to. Perhaps it's happening right now but I won't notice till it's over? That would be fitting somehow.

The worst part though - hands down - is the fact that I can no longer throw a temper tantrum to vent in public. I would give anything some days to melt down completely in Costco and it be acceptable because it is deemed age appropriate. Or maybe to tell someone I was never going to snuggle with them again because I was mad at them - only to have forgotten this and crawled into their lap five minutes later and happily nestled in close feeling safe and warm.

Ahhh - that's interesting. Seems, when I was younger I looked so forward to getting older BUT as I get older I wish I could regress. I might not be the first to feel this - but this is the first time I've felt it out loud*.

While I'm at it, I also wouldn't mind going back to a time when every little accomplishment was so huge - and there was always someone there to hike you up upon their shoulder and dance you around the living room because you made it all the way through nap time without an accident in your pants. And I miss Santa, but the Easter bunny always creeped me out - so did the tooth fairy. I always thought it was gross that she wanted my old teeth. What kind of person collects spent body parts? Yeuck.

Anyways, lately I think I've gotten my first inkling of what the old people meant when they said that youth was wasted on the young. The perfect person would be 100 on the inside and 20 on the outside - painfree and just past the pimple stage.

*(This being the out loud - though to be literal this is just an extension of my thinking self - and that means that all of you people are more or less.... in my head. See now - the headache is back...)

My favorite holiday is coming...get out your wizard costumes...

and wash away the smell of mothballs.

I love Halloween. I dressed up all the way through highschool in elaborate all hallow's eve garb and went trick or treating. Now - not only do I get to dress myself -- but I also get to dress my short people. I have just completed the most incredible fairy princess costume that ever was - or will be. Now onto the Pirates of the Caribbean costume my son wants... me thinks I might be a pirate too.

Anyhoo - for those of you without kids here are some ideas for your dogs and stuff.... (thanks for the inspiration Amy)

September is almost here...

and that means so are the season premiers of all of my favorite shows...get your calendars...

Survivor: Cook Islands- Thursday, September 14 at 8PM
Grey's Anatomy - Episode 3.01: Thursday September 21 at 9 PM
Desperate Housewives - Sunday September 24 at 9 pm (check out the website for a refresher on last season)
Lost - Wednesday, September 27 at 9 PM
The Bachelor: Rome - Monday October 2 at 9 PM (what the heck - might be funny)

Did I miss anything?

This one might have potential - but that's a tough timeslot!
Thursday, August 31 at 8:00 p.m. "Duets" (2-Hour Series Premiere)


Anyways - in the spirit you will note that I have posted two clips with Ellen Pompeo from Grey's (my absolute favorite show). I always sort of figured she was sweet like her character - boy was I mistaken. Oh well. Sucs when that happens though. (just like 90210)

ellen pompeo punk'd

Listen to the accent! And she's such a bitch - who knew?

...and now look! She's all perky again! Too funny.

'Unfortunate' photo wasn't tampered with: IKEA

Updated Fri. Aug. 25 2006 1:53 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff

An IKEA catalogue with a photo that appears to show a dog with a larger-than-normal, human-like appendage has not been tampered with, according to the furniture giant's Canadian office.
The first photo in the 2007 catalogue -- a two-page, front-cover foldout -- shows a young family lounging on a bed with a dog.
The dog, which appears to be a greyhound or whippet, seems to have one distinctly human male characteristic, prompting some to suggest the image had been tampered with by a mischievous employee using a program such as Photoshop.
Ikea Canada says that's simply not the case.
"The picture has definitely not been tampered with," Debbie McDowell, corporate communications manager for the Swedish retailer's Canadian office told CTV.ca.
She said the photo was shot in Sweden, where the catalogues are put together.... continued here... (ps. thanks Victoria for bringing this to my attention!)

This is way better than the old penis in the palm tree Zoodles can of yesteryear... (I actually looked at this upsidedown once from where it was stored in what we called "the Ikea cupboard" in our family home. Coincidence?) It did really and truly look like a penis.

I also found the image of "sex" in the dust in the Disney movie Lion King - so I assure you it is there...it is blatantly there - there is no room for contention on this. Take my word for it. Or if you need to see for yourself - you unbeliever see below. Disney still acts like maybe it was just a coincidence but I have a feeling that someone got their ass canned over that...ha ha - get it - sort of a reference to the "can" above... (groan)

Coming soon....

Get your funnygirlfromcanada t-shirts, mugs and tote bags!!

Bolivia Bug

A few things - remind me not to go to Bolivia. Also - tell me why I keep thinking it will look up and have a person's face?

ADAM & JOE'S CRYSTAL MAZE

Is that Ozzy or Obi?

Here are some really (un)interesting things I've been up to...

Potty training is well into it's 3rd week of success. Yesterday was the first day I ventured out without the handy dandy pullups. We went on the carousel. I always get misty eyed on the carousel. Don't know why - just do. I chose a goat (just to be different) and munchkin got a lovely dapple grey pony. (I actually wanted the giraffe but some little kid stole it from me....don't worry I "accidentally" tripped him on the way off the ride). The horses actually have real horse hair for tails - cool hey? And the carousel ride is only 5 cents - isn't that amazing? The look on my daughter's face when the carousel started was pure magic. Kids are awesome.

Hung out at Jennifer's birthday party on Saturday - and spent about 3 hours in her pool. I love the pool. It's so wonderful and warm. It was too cold to get out of the water. If I could have figured out a way to sleep in there, I would have. For her 30 th birthday - I very kindly gave her a cd entitled "Cougar Cuts" since I laughed so hard I almost fainted when I read it. Who knew Walmart would have something so funny? OOOOOOH - unless it wasn't supposed to be funny - but then that actually makes it funnier doesn't it?

I canned 18 jars of stewed tomatoes. Though - they are actually in jars so I'm not sure why we call it canning? But anyhoo - I dressed the part with the hair in a bandanna and an apron (the only thing missing were the high heel shoes! LOL). Anyways, now grandma will have tomatoes for the winter - and I won't feel so guilty stealing her jam.

Allergies have begun - and if I am to use the beginning to measure the severity of this years season - I believe it will be horrific. My eyes are so itchy I want to scream - as are the inside of my ears and the back of my throat - and actually just about everywhere else. Sneezing and runny nose added to the mix and I am pretty much done for.

I bought season 1 of Grey's Anatomy since I only started watching it near the end of the season. What a great show. I watched it right from the first episode through the last episode to fill in any mental gaps. I know have a much more intimate understanding of each of the characters. AND bonus features are cool. Then I figured I might as well pre-order season 2 just in case I want to refresh my mind for the start of season 3. YES - I know my social life isn't that interesting.... but I don't care.

Speaking of my underwhelming social accomplishments.... did anyone watch the season premiere of "House"? (Just saying "season premiere" sends shivers of anticipation down my spine... my favorite time of year...)Anyways, back to House. What the hell? That was really really terrible. Thank god that condition isn't real or I would never EVER leave the house again. For more than one reason actually - first, just in case it was catchy and second, in case I had to see anyone with it. If I saw someones eyeball vacate someones face in that manner, I would go instantly and irrevocably insane. The rest of it was icing on the cake - though food was more than likely the last thing on my mind when I watching that show.

Well - enjoy the sunshine (or the rain) wherever you are in the world...

Happy Feet Trailler

oooooh....more talent! You so know I'm buying this when it comes out right?

Baby Mumblez of Happy feet

Talented penguins...

Wazzzzzzzuh

During the Falklands war British pilots reported that penguins toppled over backward while gazing at the planes. British navy pilots were then banned from flying low over penguin colonies. It led to a UK government study of the "penguin-toppling effect". For just over 2 weeks a couple of helicopters were flown from varying directions and heights over the penguins.

The result? It's official: penguins DO NOT topple over backwards while gazing at aeroplanes. Phew, glad we cleared that up. They just fall sideways for no apparent reason. (and wassup with the "This video may contain content that is inappropriate for some users, as flagged by YouTube's user community" warning?!) Or sometimes...

Now onto more important things - Your mouth produces 1 litre (1.8 pints) of saliva a day.

A person remains conscious for eight seconds after being decapitated. Well... that's just horrible, isn't it?

One day - learning all of this will make be master of Trivial Pursuit.

baby octopus

I'm so glad that I didn't grow up having to watch this...