I can't decide which shot is my favorite.

Bye Bye Buddy Buck DeLong The Sequel

Just like all sequels this is worst than the first.  Despite a 3 day search party Buck never returned.  I keep hoping that he'll suddenly dash across the lawn, but........ So last Sunday we drove to a pet store to purchase another "Buck". We found a tri-color Guinea pig that looked a lot like Buck but with medium length hair.  He had a funny cowlick in the middle of his head and was very soft to the touch.  He had been handled more than Sr. so he was very friendly and would purr when held.  I kept telling Gunner how impressed I was with the demeanor of the Jr. (which was re-named to Beethoven).  Today when Karla and the kids came home they found Beethoven dead on the living room floor.  Hopper had (FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER) opened up the garage door by himself and "played" Beethoven to death. Despite the obvious shock and sadness there also was an enormous amount of guilt.  We were one of THOSE people- irresponsible pet owners sending little critters to their death. I feel ashamed to show my face in the local pet store again.  I told her the story of Buck- how could I return and tell her about Beethoven? I won't; I can't; I will drive to Portland (1.5 hours a way) and purchase another Guinea pig in complete anonymity. However this time we will keep the cage upstairs and behind closed doors.  Do you think this will cause commitment issues for Gunner?  Is therapy expensive? BLAH.... not a good feeling!

Could you be.......

 

The most beautiful girl in the world
You're the reason that God made a girl
Oh yes you are...........

Prince- 1995

Fun With The Edsel

My Grandfather purchased (or traded- I can't remember) for this 1959 Edsel when I was in elementary school and I fell in love with it right away.  I remember sitting in it holding on to the ENORMOUS steering wheel and dreaming about driving it, but most of all I can remember that classic old car smell. He was going to sell it one year and I asked if he could save it until I had enough money to buy it.  He made me a deal; if I graduated high school with honors it'd be mine.  After high school I drove it a few times before ripping out the interior to "restore" it and with that one decision I sentenced it to 20 years in a rainy Washington field.  20 years later and my Grandpa pulled it out of that field brought back to life.  I picked it up a few weeks ago and entered it in show the next weekend.  It was a lot of fun and will no doubt enjoy this gift from him for the rest of my life.

Sleep Talking

Calvin fell asleep on the couch tonight.  He started to talk in his sleep and Karla began asking him questions.  The answers were funny and made no sense at all.  I asked him who his favorite was and Karla and I both waited to hear, " Dad" or "Mom".  In a very soft voice we heard, "Scotty"- Apparently Dad and Mom take a back seat to American Idol.

This won't read as funny as it was..... but here it goes.

On the way to the beach the kids wanted to play "the quiet game".  Calvin started it by quietly saying, "Ready, go". 
Gunner asked, "What did he say"?
Tucker said, "Pause, Gunner's out he talked. Ready, go".
Gunner yelled, "Pause, No I'm not out I didn't know what he said. Ready, go".
Tucker replied, "PAUSE! Calvin ignore Gunner, he's out. Ready, go".
Calvin said "Pause. ACHEWWW!!! Ready, go".

Bye Bye Buddy Buck DeLong

Sometimes good days can turn so fast.  We began our day clamming and had a good time. 

Since we had to get up so early we decided to put the kids down for a nap, and when we did Hopper came in through an open door and tipped over Bucks cage.  We are unclear if Buck ran outside or if Hopper got him and.... did whatever a dog would do to a Guinea pig.  There was no evidence that Buck was killed so we're assuming he made it outside, but we can't find him.

What makes this very sad is Gunner has asked for his own pet for a few years now.  Every Christmas and birthday his first request was a pet.  I would always waffle and say we'll see, maybe next year, and other time buying phrases.  Before his last birthday broke it to him that we are just to busy for another pet and he should just be happy with Hopper. 

A few weeks later we found a newt on a gravel road.  He immediately asked if it could be his pet and I agreed.  He was so excited; named it immediately (Spike) and built a make shift aquarium.  He said I  can't believe I finally got my own pet!  Karla got on the intranet and learned that this particular newt was poisonous and carries salmonella.  He overheard us say we'd have to let it go and started to cry; and we buckled.

We welcomed Buddy Buck in our house a few weeks ago and he's been a fun pet to have.  I came home today and Gunner said Buck is gone and started crying.  Poor guy.