John Jr and other tragedies...

OK, gluttons for punishment that we are, we made a Wal-mart run last night after the Redhawks game to buy a new fish. After a little 'guidance' from Mom and Dad, Colin decided on a fat Fantail Goldfish.

So without further ado, please meet John Jr. (and no, I'm not kidding about the name.)

We have had him for almost 36 hours now and he seems to be doing just swimmingly. (Yeah, I know that was a bad one.)

I am still a little nervous about letting Colin move him up to his room. My concern is if he wakes up in the morning to see John Jr. doing the dead man's float, it may traumatize him for life.

Needless to say, each night when we say our prayers, at least for a while, John Jr. will be at the top of the list.

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OK - I think blogging about fish is bad luck.  I had no sooner finished this post than the boys came running out of the house (I was out on the front deck) shouting "Mom, Colin's fish is DEAD!"  Sure enough, there was JJ floating in his bowl.  
Ugh...we are so done with fish.  

I commented to the boys that I "didn't think fish were our thing."  
Of course, with a big smile Colin immediately responded with "I think we should just go ahead and get that cat."

I just don't know.  I'm thinking maybe a hamster or gerbil.  
Or maybe a turtle - after all the money we've invested in a tank, etc I'd like to get more than 36 hours of use out of it.  

Thoughts anyone? At this point, I sure am open to suggestions...uff-da!

John's a good name for a fish, don't you think, Mom?

Since Chris left for the Marines and Isaac moved into a different bedroom, we have had a few struggles with Colin - to say the least.  The other night he had another tearful meltdown and confessed he doesn't like being in his new room 'all by himself'... and that he's lonely... and if he had a cat that would make things ALL better. Well, even though he really wants a cat, we are not sure the dog is ready for one.

So after some hugs and compromising, we agreed to take the plunge and invest in a fish - with the idea that, if he takes good care of it, we'll talk about a cat next summer.

I just pray this fish lives until then or we'll have another situation to deal with!

Oh, and yes, Colin named the fish all by himself.

 

"John" the fish.

Ever feel like you're living life in a fishbowl...?

AJ thinks something smells a little fishy...

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"Mom, I really loved that fish..."

Update:  Not too long after I posted this we noticed something a little, well, fishy, about our new fish.  He seemed to be taking an uncomfortable looking nap along the bottom of his bowl.  A slight poking and stirring of the water confirmed our fears that, yes, John was dead...already.  At this point we are listing the cause of death as a result of Mom's driving and the very inconvenient road construction detour on Highway 210. (Long story but here's a hint: If the sign says 'Minimum Maintenance Road' what it really means is "Danger! Do Not Enter! Run The Other Way!"  Enough said.)


We made another run to the store for some more supplies and to have a chat with the 'fish man'.  He was very helpful and after making some preparations at home tonight, we will be trying another fish tomorrow.


Of course, this whole experience was not without some sorrow.  Colin tearfully informed us that in the short time he knew "John" he truly grew to love him.  We buried him in the back flower garden.  Colin lovingly placed a flower on his grave so "we wouldn't forget where we put him" and we said a short prayer. (Something like "Thank you, God, for John.  He was a great fish - while we knew him.")


Could be a long winter.  I am thinking maybe we should just go get that cat.

He was a great fish...

Reason 1,001...

After picking and selling corn for 3 1/2 hours this afternoon, I dropped the boys off at VBS and headed home to put up my feet and cool off.

I walked into my messy "still-have-not-had-time-to-unpack-from-vacation" kitchen and what to my weary eyes did appear but this:

Flowers - for me! Not from my husband or one of my 3 boys but from my oldest son's girlfriend, Karli. 

Now you know the 1,001th reason I love her so much. (And yes, that beautiful girl in the picture is her.) She has been such a blessing to me and my family and I sure will miss her when she heads off to college in the fall.

Plus, while she is gone who is going to come over and help balance out the testosterone levels at our home? Oh, dear...