Staring down death and cucumber peels

Greetings.  I'm very new at this writing thing, but have heard from Lisi that it is a good place to come and complain about the care given around here.  This is Beanie Bart Jr.  I am a Betta fish.  This family lovingly adopted me about two months ago.  Life has been swimmingly good.  The lady here makes sure my water is clean and just the right temperature.  They religiously feed me morning and night the perfect amount.  They even hold up mirrors and pictures of fish to help me get exercise so I live a long and prosperous life.  Until...

... tonight.  I was swimming around near the top looking and hoping another pebble of food would miraculously drop down from above.  It didn't.  But something else happened.  These big hands surrounded my cozy home and whisked me over to the other side of the room by the kitchen sink.  Soon I knew what was happening.  The lady put me in a small little bowl and then gave my house a good cleaning.  She does this every week.  Sucks up my dirty stuff, wipes down the walls, rearranges the furnishings like she does in her own house and then... it happened.

She picked up my little bowl of water with cute little ol' me in it and this is what I saw:

An abyss.  And I slipped right down to the bottom.  Inside that super-scary realm were unspeakable and dirty things.  Cucumber peelings, lettuce leaves, rotten tomatoes, and lots of slime.  I heard a scream from above.  I started to flop.  I think I even saw a light far in the distance.  So this is how I'm gonna die!  HELP!  HELP!  HELP!  I didn't know what to do.  I flopped and flopped and this humongous hand was scooping frantically.  She scoops out some of the goo.  She comes back for more.  I think she's looking for me, but I'm worried that huge hand is going to squish me.  She feels slowly around.  Pulls out more icky stuff.  Then finally!  Finally!!!  She scoops me up.  Ouch!  She pulled on my tail feathers.  They rip a bit.  Oh well.  So much for looking magnificent.  I might have a chance here.  She dumps me in a pail of water.  Lettuce is floating along beside me.  Then she takes me quickly back to my home and plops me in there.

I collapse at the bottom.  All is see is these huge eyes lurking through the glass.  She looks terrified.  But that lady has no clue how scary it was for me in that big abyss of yuck.  I am sooooo thankful to be home.  I finally get enough energy to swim slowly.  Then I feel a hunger pang and head for the top.  That lady looks utterly relieved and gives me a couple pebbles.  Whew!  We both lived to tell it.  Here's a picture of me after the saga.  Well, back to swimming and making bubble nests.  And feeling very thankful for living to tell it!

She's meaner than you think

Well it's my turn again.  I've got some things to share that you might not know about.  Hello!!!  This is Lisi again.  It seems that the Big Lady that yells but loves me anyway gives you the impression that she's all about nurturing and love and sweetness.  Um.  No.  I asked one of the smaller ones to document the abuse that goes on in this house since sometimes they fall under her wrath too.  Now I have some evidence to back up my story.

Yesterday, I just got home from being with Debbie.  I go to this place after I see the suitcases come out.  I just know it is happening.  Then one of the small ones get all my kibble in little bags and off I go.  I enjoy it there where I stay, but obviously home is better.  

Debbie worked with my ears while Big Lady was away.  You see they stink and are itchy and I heard the word 'infection' mentioned when Big Lady and Debbie were talking.  So I get home and settle into my bed.  But Big Lady keeps looking at me in a weird way and it makes me nervous.  After school I heard the word 'bath' in a sentence so I started to slink away and pretend to be invisible.  Didn't work.

She grabbed me by the collar and took me to the mud room for a brushing.  

Then as she was hauling me up to the nearest bathroom I went into the 'mercy' position so it would be impossible for her to get at me.  

Didn't work.  That Big Lady is one strong thing when she's determined.

She marches me upstairs to my doom.  Seems weird since normally I would never consider going up those stairs.

  

Notice how Big Lady is grabbing at my head to haul me in to the tub.  She's mean like that.

Just plain awful... and look how sadistic Big Lady is... smiling at a time of distress.

Now do you believe me?  The suffering and anguish I face here sometimes?  

I do think my ears are not as stinky.  At least Big Lady and the others around here aren't shunning me as much.  I just hope they stop itching pretty soon.  Because we all know 'itching ears' isn't something to be desired...

Mopey Monday Musings

Red eye flights are not for sissies.  I got a nap on the plane and then a couple more hours in our own bed.  I'm sipping coffee as I type.  But muse I must.

You probably guessed that we have been gone.  Maybe the pictures will suffice for some words since my brain is firing only about 1/3 the pistons.

First stop was at this guy's house:

He almost was promoted to the next title of "nice older brother", but then he would regress and do silly things like this:

Psst.  Between you and me, I honestly really admire and love this guy and his wonderful family.  So much that it hurts to say goodbye.

Glad this guy put forth effort to drive south some hours from college to be with us a day and night:

We got to this place:

And had a lovely meal and visited some special friends that are now far away:

We also did this:

Celebrated this birthday:

And even saw where Snoopy's brother Spike was from!

But wait!  The fun didn't end here.  We then headed for Phoenix to spend time our niece and husband:

They took us on a hike to this place

Which gave us views like:

But all good things must end.  And so we headed on a midnight ride back to dairyland.  The laundry pile resembles the hill we climbed.  Lisi is very anxious to go sniff all the smells she missed the past six days.  And I'm thinking a quick nap would be delicious this afternoon since my sporadic three hour night isn't going to cut it.

One final note.  The Chairman and I agreed that our MYP are incredible travelers.  We love to share journeys to places with them.  Having them a part of trips like this makes everything better.  We are making wonderful memories that will stay with us through our days.  As I dropped their sleepy little selves off at school this morning, I felt a tinge of sadness.  But one of them said to me as she hopped out, 'separation can be a good thing too mom'.  Yes indeed.

Think this is enough of the Chairman and company's latest venture.  Hope you enjoyed the trip!

Saturday (happy) Sighs

I've missed you all! But I'll be back soon. Hopefully in time to muse on Monday. I got to see my mostly nice older brother. And now we are looking at cactus. I thought of Snoopy's brother Spike today as we passed the sign for Needles, CA. (if you are under the age of 30, well never mind.)

Chat with you soon!

Monday Musings

Not much time to muse this Monday.  But I can't possibly let your week go by without musing.  I'm sure some of you rely on it for your weekly dose of boredom amusement.

I find it frustrating when I want to quickly download a couple pictures and it is taking ages of time because some unnamed young people took lots of movies of themselves.

getting started

because I can't resist hydrangeas

things suddenly not going so well

Yes, the MYP colored some eggs.  Then the eggs suddenly turned into 'people' and there was a wedding and twins were born and they were carried around in blanket-lined baskets.  It all was fun and games until brother came in and ate "Alex".  Then the mayhem really started.

Speaking of babies.  Facebook gives you ample opportunity to see lots and lots of babies.  Babies of your friends.  Babies of your friends friends.  Grandchildren.  You name it.  There are some very, very cute little babies out there in Facebook world.  After we were bombarded with babies a few years back, I didn't think I'd ever want to even hold one again.  But I must admit.  A snuggle of some chubby cheeks would sure be sweet.

Any reviews out there on the smartest smart phone out there?  Is the Apple 4S worth the commotion?  Is there a better one that the Apple?  I'm soon to be eligible for something different.  Not sure what would be best.

My mostly nice older brother is going to soon be able to prove once again if he is 'mostly nice'.  Really looking forward to it...  but before that happens, there is MUCH to do.

Have a great week!  I think we will!

Words on Wednesday

Probably my favorite google search to hit this blog so far:  "Chairman of the gerbils".  Heh heh.  I wonder if that's what the MYP and I seem to be to him some days...  It came from a fancy place - City of London, England.  How cool is that?

I ran into a 60something year young lady today on the bike path.  I see her and her also-thin husband nearly daily out and about in their sneakers - sometimes miles from home.  I asked her just how far she walks each day.  "Oh.  Sometimes five miles or so.  But I feel better if I go six or seven."  Made me slouch a little bit in my Asics.  She asked how far I go.  I mumbled 45 minutes a day is my usual.  She said brightly, "well that's more than most people go!".  Thanks.  I think.

I was waiting in a parking lot today and this little car zoomed up and parked in the disabled spot right out front.  Out popped a 30something lady and she walked without a disability to the close-by door.  I started to think not-such-nice thoughts about her taking advantage of a priority parking.  Not to mention it is illegal.  About five minutes later, out she comes guiding a 80something shaky man and leads him to her car.  I stood sat corrected.  Jumping to conclusions is usually not a very good thing.

Spring break starts for the MYP tomorrow.  They are very excited.  I'm somewhat excited.  We have some great plans ahead of us.  One of the plans is to have the older two of the MYP spend a day with grandparents.  Recently, there were tears as I tucked in the smallest chin.  She was wishing she was adopted so that she'd have a 'Gotcha Day' and time alone with mom and dad feeling special.  Well, she is special - a Miracle actually.  And if she had any inkling on how many countless worried moments I had carrying her before her birth... well, she'd know.  But she doesn't.  And so we will take her out and give her alone-time and make her feel as special as her unique siblings.  Maybe life isn't all that fair sometimes, but as parents, I think the most important gift we can give our MYP is to be fair in our love, care, and interest towards them.

I think I'm weirded worded out.  Sorta.

Best Breakfast Yet!

She's such a big, reliable, lovable, gullible Big Lady.  She is onto me and my ways, yet, she's so clueless.  Yep, it's my turn to be writing again.  And pssst.  Between you and me.  I think I'm better at it than the Big Lady that yells but loves me anyway.


This morning Big Lady comes stumbling out of the bedroom like she always does in that hideous robe.  I'm lying on my bed like I always do.  But I don't get up.  I don't see a need to.  You see, the first one of the MYP came down very early this morning.  She kindly fed me and let me out to do my sniffing and business.  Big Lady doesn't know this.  I was lying there looking just like this:  

She stares at me a moment.  Then gets down on her knees.  Murmurs some sweetness and then asks, 'are you not feeling good?  What's the matter?'.  Well Big Lady, nothing is the matter.  I just ate some yummy food and went to the bathroom and I'm ready for my nap.  But since we dogs don't talk and she's kinda clueless, she keeps rubbing my head and then pushes kinda funny on my belly like she's feeling for something.  

I think she worries too much.  It probably is because she loves me so much.  If I show the slightest symptom of distress, she is all over it.  Even takes me for rides to see another Big Lady that gives me shots.  

Then she says, 'Lisi, don't you want your supper?'  She always calls my meals supper even at breakfast time.  She's weird like that.  Really???  You want me to eat again?  Of course I do!  I get up slowly since my belly is already satisfied and lumber to the door.  I sit properly while she digs yet another scoop of food.  I gulp it down.  And soon I'm back again on my comfy perch that oversees all activity in the kitchen.  

Big Lady smells rat.  Well not really.  But she's starting to be suspicious.  She asks the littlest of the MYP.  Did she feed me?  No!  I told you twice mom the little one says.  She asks the middle one when he comes downstairs.  He says he hasn't been out of his room yet.  Looking good... she's still clueless.  Then the older one comes down.  She ratted out on me.  The first thing she says is, 'mom, I fed Lisi already, so you don't have to'.  OH NO!  

Big Lady whirls around and glares at me.  'You ate already?  You ate twice you big galoot.  You fooled me!'  Of course I did.  You are a bit dense around the edges.  You don't know how to read signals.  And you jump to conclusions way too fast.  

She's thinking it is time for our walk.  I'm thinking I need to lie around and digest my 'supper' times two.  Hope you have a good day.  Mine started out just wonderful!  **urp!**