Meet Sister Agnes Greenie Monster Legs Beetle Eater

 So my mother likes to bring
weirdunique gifts when she comes to visit. This last one was a gift for my garden, but after a day and a half we decided we couldn't risk not ever seeing her again, so...

...after a bit of research (and a few bonus swagbucks!) we brought her in and introduced her to the family.

 We tried to catch Mr. Spider (another family friend) so the two could duke it out, but he had heard rumors of the prowess of the European Mantid and went into hiding.

 Apparently they will also eat small amphibians, but this toad did not seem to fit the bill, so he got a pass as well.

Crickets, caterpillars, and smaller spiders (all caught by the budding entomologist/second grader) seem to satisfy her quite well thus far, and we are thoroughly enamored.

 Here's hoping that giant abdomen is full of eggs and that Sister Agnes likes her new home enough to lay that ootheca somewhere where we can retrieve and refrigerate it for spring.

I foresee lots of mantid printables in our future.

Thanks Granny B =D

Benjie and Boo visit (some of) the animals

 *note: all narration provided by the 2yo, several weeks after the fact.*

Benny is feeding the chickens mom! He is dumping some food, it is weally messy and he is in trouble.  Gan' Boo gave him more food. Come here, Chickie, 'mere! Do NOT run away.

 They like it mom! I fwow more.

 He needs a coat, Mom.  Chickens say, "ba ba bawk bawk!"

 I chased them and gave them more food...

 ...but they went inside to lay an egg.  Benny is looking for one egg.

 The sheeps like their food, Mom.

 Benny will give them more food.

 So soft, Mom! Gan' Boo says "move over, Sheep!"

 Sheeps say "BAAAAAA BAAAAAAA!!!!" and I can pet them.

 Right there, sheep.  You need to eat your dinner!

 Benny is petting the so soft sheep.  Boo says "time to go." I like the sheep bewwy much. The blue one likes me.

the end.

too big for my britches

 so... I got dolled up Thanksgiving weekend to have dinner with my inlaws.  "new" skinny jeans, "new" cowgirl boots...and I don't remember the rest of the outfit because I was that happy about the first two items.  well.  Before we even started eating I ripped the seat of my pants open!  Either I needed bigger pants (ahem.) or this was a classic case of the most comfy pants are probably also threadbare. 

 Now, some people have moms that baked cookies with them in grade school, and now they make great cookies.  Those of you who know me know I tend to put weird things like applesauce in my cookies, so that tells you how much training I've had in *that* department ;-p  However, my mom didn't leave me totally lacking in the skills department.  After years of watching her repair work jeans for my brothers and dad, I like to think that when the need arises I can mend a rip almost as well as she can.  And, Mom, if you are thinking of this as a challenge, I have a pile of boy jeans in the mending basket just waiting for your competitive fingers.)

I'd show you the inside, but apparently Max is enjoying the morning sun.

fish filter on the cheap

so...we have this fish tank. In Mississippi, it was home to a blue gill and a placo for a long time while D was a single sailor. After we were married, a couple of crayfish were added to the mix and ate up just about everything else, so we started over with some cheapo Walmart guppies and goldfish. They were easy first pets, and kept both us and our other first pet (a precocious kitty) well entertained. Before too long Katrina hit and 2 things happened: the fish all died and precocious kitty turned into crazy kitty.


Fast forward a few years and we're in a new house with new kitties and new fish. Same tank. After a few batches of fish, I think these ones are finally going to make it (apparently tropical fish like warm water. Who knew?!). New problem: these guys are DIRTY! Filters are ridiculously expensive, but thanks to the internet, padding ripped from some (new) prefolds, hot glue, and a carton of carbon, I have a solution. They seem to like it =)