What a good lookin' guy!
I'm kind of cold-hearted when it comes to domesticated animals. The nature/nurture debate double whammied me at a young age.
Nature: I'm allergic to anything with fur. (Bunnies, doggies, Brad Walker.) Scott likes to tell the story about how I hid under my Aunt Lara's bed in a game of hide and seek and my eyes were nearly swollen shut when I emerged. Apparently that's where the kitties slept.
Nurture: Both of my parents grew up with animals, decided against inflicting the accompanying duties on themselves as adults, and coerced us into "liking" fish as pets. I vividly remember watching my mom kick a stray cat. That's right. DeAnn Lee kicked a stray cat circa 1992. Call PETA.
I (usually) don't have anything against other people's animals. I admit to liking Sasha, Frank, and Bronx. I just don't want my own animal. I'll use my allergies as an excuse when Kaiya is begging for a puppy in a few years, but really, I just don't see the point in being a pet owner. I'd rather get a jet ski.
But I digress. There have been a few times in my life when I HAVE truly wanted a pet. And it's no surprise that this temporary insanity has come from movies. Because come on...
Who wouldn't want to dress up her kitty in doll clothes and push her around Scotland in a buggy after watching The Three Lives of Thomasina?? And there's no need to be sad when one's kitty dies, because part of this movie was filmed in kitty heaven and it looks awesome.
And I know that "cats rule and dogs drool"... but who wouldn't want to take all three of these guys home after watching Homeward Bound? If I had a dog/cat, it would totally trek through the wilderness to find me. And it would talk.
Now, here's my point. This morning I watched Marley and Me and I cried like a little girl. For 90% of the movie I was like, "See, that's why I don't have a dog!" (I think I even said that out loud, directed to the TV screen.) But at the end, I was like "Marley is so special! Every family needs a dog. Look how much he loves them. Blah, blah, blah."
Don't worry, I came to my senses when I got mad at Kaiya for spitting up on my newly-washed jeans and imagined how much worse it would be if it were doggy vomit. Or if it were doggy feces all over my carpet and chewed up shoes all over my closet. But for a few brief minutes there, I almost had a heart.
I'm looking out the window on this fine Sunday afternoon and I'm seeing two of my neighbors' boats glistening in the sun. Brad and I have talked about how we love boating and would love to own a boat. I can just imagine us gliding across the romantic water, sipping on something that has a little umbrella in it, and of course, I would be wearing a wide brimmed, Pretty Woman hat (but I'd also be able to stay up for more than 90 seconds on a wake board when called upon). Everything seems so glamourous.
But then, common sense kicks in. 1)Where would we store it? HOA rules forbid us to park it outside... plus that's kind of white trash. 2)How would we tow it? I don't want to drive a truck and I can't afford an SUV. 3)Besides the obvious lack of funds to purchase a boat, how could we afford the upkeep? The gear? The gas? The insurance? 4)Even if I moved, bought a new car, and came into a bunch of money, I'm still pretty sure this would happen if I was given the keys.
So, I think we'll settle for making friends with our neighbors.
Alicia already put this picture on her blog (since she actually remembered to take pictures in Washington and I am lame)... but I like it.
Coca Cola plus cold pizza equals favorite breakfast.
Daily shampoos are overrated.
As is yardwork.
To-do lists are second to Buffy marathons.
I'm scared to check my school email account.
I was kidding myself when I bought that treadmill.
I'm writing from Washington where Kaiya is sick. She threw up all over Doc Harris Stadium last night at graduation and has alternated between sleeping and crying all day today. She doesn't have a fever but she doesn't have an appetite either. We'll see how she does tonight and we'll probably overpay for an out-of-network doctor tomorrow. Boo.
