Well, June seems to have been my month of change. There will, of course, be a month overview post WHEN I finally catch up this darn blog, but I feel like I should just jump in and share my stuff.

Anyway, I finally caved and dealt with the hair that I totally fried dying it a year ago (remember the blue hair? Yah, not my best adventure). Sadly it was over bleached in places so there was no fixing it, I grew it as long as I could and then went into the salon. I chose a place referred to my by Renee, had a loose image of what I wanted and threw in a lot of trust. Snip snip and my curls are back, one product and some scrunching and my look is done. Simple enough that even I can do it, and my hair skills are… sad!!!

This coincided with a VERY busy weekend – our anniversary – number 17, and Father’s Day. This year our present was special and already introduced… Check out Momo HERE.

We went out to dinner the night before, Broadway Pizza and kept it low key. Choices had to be made… spendy night or kitten. No brainer right? My original plan was to head out to a hotel for a night, but Ken is in the middle of a massive project that also cancels our July 4th plans. Maybe in the fall we will sneak in a tiny get away? Any sitters offering???

Father’s Day was also a rather quiet day. There was a kitten to enjoy and Ken’s wanted quiet. He also made a cat post for Momo. Which OF COURSE had us to Home Depot for some small random things and Ken and the kids making Momo her own scratching post. We celebrated Dad by enjoying time together, quiet moments and working with our hands. OH and No Name steaks and brats for dinner. YUM!

My birthday was on the 24th! It fell on a Sunday so of course I ended up at the YMCA to workout with my usual R.I.P.P.E.D. class. In the morning Renee and Chris came over and spoiled us with birthday pancakes! And Renee got in some kitten snuggles.

I got in my own snuggles and nap.

And ended the day with poutine made fresh by Ken. It was an amazing day. 39 feels absolutely amazing.

Now for the final big change… I finally found the right image for myself and jumped in with both feet. My very first tattoo, and it is very meaningful to me. I chose to go with a semi colon (a symbol for depression) butterfly with maple leaf wings (Canada, of course). In honor of Ken’s and many of my friend’s struggle with mental image and of course my own roots which are deep in Canada.

Even better – Shandai, who has been with me since high school, been involved in so many of my big changes and fun choices, was able to not only help design but take me and basically hold my hand while I had it done. I couldn’t ask for a better partner in crime.

This is the face of a kitty put out cuz I felt the need to play with my niece

And the face of my niece when I had the audacity to pet the cat! I couldn’t win!

And the artist and staff at the tattoo parlor – Rose in No Man’s Land Tattoo and Piercing were amazing. I could not have been happier with Marx Berry. Amazing! And a lot less painful for the most part than I expected. No regrets here… except for 2-3 weeks of no shaving a portion of my leg in the middle of summer. Oh well, worth it!

So June has been my month of actually doing some things I have not only wanted but at times been a bit scared to do. And funny enough, my kids are super PROUD of me getting the tattoo and the day after told EVERYONE at the YMCA that Mom had a new tattoo… I joked with Shandai, good thing I didn’t get it in an intimate place!!! What a month!

So many things to catch everyone up on, but first time to introduce the newest Reinsch-Johnson to join the family… Momo the Destroyer, informally known as Momo or simply Mo.

Born April 13, 2018, Momo was previously known as Lucy and one of 3 adorable surrendered kittens. She was rescued by the group Angel of Hope. We got her at 9 weeks old and she is a purring, snuggly ball of love.

We have wanted a new cat since we had to say good bye to my beloved kitty Griswald who could not handle the twins at the crawling stage in his senior years and had to be re-homed with an elderly couple. This is a kitten who can really keep up with the kids, though we are gradually introducing her to the house and the existence of our original fluffy addition – Neko-Chan, formally known now as Neko-Chan the Fluffy Overlord.

Gavin (Zander took a day or so to warm up to her)

On our way home to surprise the kids we also stopped by and surprised Chris and Renee, they got first snuggle and pet with our new family member and she got to meet their youngest cat – Mystro (who is one of my favorite cats to photograph). 

So watch the cascade of adorable kitten pictures as I gush and fall deeper in love with our new baby! No apologies here.

Which I should have posted about LAST YEAR but, oops. So anyway, Ken and I went solo this year. A full on day with just the two of us while Chris and Renee and their 3 boys were sweet enough to keep our 5 occupied and out of trouble. It was a great day of shopping, snacking, walking and just being together and having fun. I have really moved away from costumes and into just a super comfortable but more revealing outfit. The only time beyond a swimsuit where I bare the midriff. So sit back and enjoy the pictures!

This year’s outfit.

We go to the mermaid cove every year. 

This year we visited the fairies as well.

There are travelling characters as well.

Drop spindle! They are spinning wool into yarn.

Morris Dancers

A new addition to the festival was a baby unicorn.

There was so much to see and we had such a great time together.

lunch

And here are a couple things we purchased… lollies for the kids and a silk scarf.