No, I'm Not Kidding

This is a real conversation between Rick and Aren this morning on the way to school...

Rick: Aren, why are you so sad?
Aren: I just feel really bad because I totally forgot Lily's birthday last week.
Rick: Oh, buddy. Seriously you shouldn't feel bad about it. It happens alot.
Aren: I know, but it makes to sad when I forget things like that.
Rick: Aren, please don't feel bad. I mean, come on. I forget mom's birthday all the...Oh crap. Aren, get the phone and call your mom. It's her birthday.

I better get something really good when that dude comes home from work.

Crazy

Here's a conversation between my sister Sarah,you can check out her blog HERE, and her son, which would be my nephew, Henry while riding in the car this afternoon...

Sarah: Henry, do you know how to get to basketball practice?
Henry: No.
Sarah: Oh great, now we'll never get there.
Henry: Sigh. Mom, you are the craziest mom I know.
Sarah: Really? I know some pretty crazy moms Henry.
Henry: Like Aunt MaryBeth?

Nice. Really nice.

And Then There Were Four

I am really starting to dread when I see Aren come running into a room and randomly burst out phrases that don't make sense until thought upon. Last time it was, "Mom, Chester's a girl!" Today it was, "Mom, I think it ate a baby!"

Yeah, you heard me. That thing Aren picked up at the pet store went and ate a baby. We're not quite sure when, but we do know two things...it happened after the 26th of February when this last picture was taken and the four little suckers that are left were witnessed playing with a tiny set of legs connected to a nice back bone in the wee hours of the morning.

Nasty.

A Different View

So, women complain a lot. Oh we try and say we just need to talk about things because that's how we deal with life, but let's call a spade a spade. We are really good at bitching and moaning but sometimes we take it a bit too far. While getting ready for church this morning I realized that with a little tweaking, I could have a different view...

I'm grateful we have no money in our checking account because it means we've payed for our trip to San Diego outright and didn't have to put it on a credit card.

I'm grateful that Rick has been working twelve hour days because it means he has a good secure job.

I'm grateful I have about five loads of laundry to fold because it means my family has clothes to wear.

I'm grateful we took Aren to the ER on Wednesday when we thought he broke his arm because it means we have insurance and weren't worried about a bigger bill.

I'm grateful that I have to buy a whole new wardrobe for Tatiana because it means I have a little girl that is growing like little girls should.

I'm grateful for all of the anticipated costly home repairs because it means I have a home that is mine and I can do what I want to with it.

Sometimes we all need to be reminded that life isn't that bad. So tell me, what crappy thing are you grateful for today?

He Said She Said

So, a little over a week ago Aren had finally saved up enough money to get a hamster and since I was the idiot that said, "Save your money and you can get one," I took him to the store where Chester was purchased. You can read my thoughts HERE.

This afternoon we found out that Chester is not a he, but a she. Yup. Apparently this little hamster was never told about rodent birth control and the little hussy went and got herself knocked up and we've become the baby daddy. For the love of all that is good and holy.

The pet store slut...

Her multiple offspring

Just Say No

Just say NO! has always been my policy when it comes to animals. I don't like them really. I figure if I'm going to invest that much time and energy into a living thing I better reap some of the benefits like being taken care of when I'm old. Dogs just can't do that.

If I hadn't pushed Aren out myself I'd swear he wasn't mine. He loves animals. Loves them. He's always asking for a dog, a cat, something, ANYTHING that he can take care of. I told him he could have Tania but he didn't want her. Last year I finally caved and said, "If you can save up enough money to pay for all the supplies, I'll buy you a hamster," knowing full well this kid can't save money to save his life.

Well yesterday it happened. He walked up to me with money in his pocket telling me he had enough and he wanted his hamster today. Dammit. So we went and now Chester is living with us. I refuse to say he's part of our family because my hell, he's a freakin' hamster. He's cute and all, but I have no connection. Like most things in life, the Simpsons pretty much sum up my feelings...

Slow and Steady

All the do it yourself shows have told me that you can't remodel your kitchen a little at a time but seriously, who has thousands (sometimes tens of thousands) of dollars just hanging around so you don't have to go into debt and do it all at once? Not me. That's why I'm telling those tv shows to shove it and doing it bit by bit.

This weekend we started with the paint because we had a few extra surprise dollars come in. I'm asking for paint for Valentine's Day so I can do the cupboards, and then maybe after saving for a few months I can get my new sink and then finally new countertops. We'll see how it goes.

But until then, this is our before and afters...



For the record, I'm very aware of the touch-ups that need to be made...remember I said this was bit by bit :)