Jackpot Times Six

I'm pretty sure that everybody in the world has at least a few things in their life that did not turn out the way they wanted or expected.  I have my fair share of those bothersome things, and the older I get, the more I realize that some of them are just not going to change, no matter how much I dislike them. I am also really good at dwelling on all of those things I have not, and feeling sorry for myself.

Today though, it hit me hard that there is one big part of my life where I got everything I hoped for and more.

I have great kids.

 Whatever areas it shorted me in, Life was kind enough to bestow upon me six terrific kids.  More than anything else, I always wanted a herd of kids, and that is exactly what I got. The older they all get, the more I just really like them. Every single one of them. I wish I could take more credit for what wonderful people they are, but I really can't. They mostly just came that way. I will take some credit for the fact that none of them are ax murderers, but beyond that, I think I really just got lucky.

They are kind, intelligent, level headed, hard working, thoughtful, funny, honest, motivated, and of course, beautiful. Right now, they are all doing exceptionally well, achieving great things, and giving me much about which to brag and boast. I have been a parent long enough to know that I could wake up tomorrow and all six of them could be in dire straits. But no matter what happens tomorrow, I have six good, decent human beings on my side. What else could a girl ask for?

Menagerie

There are times in life when you are just tripping happily along, doing the best you can, and suddenly, something gets thrown in front of you that you never wanted, never looked for, and never expected, but it's there, so you just grab on to it and run.

I keep hoping that one day it will be a million dollars that trips me up, but this time, it was just a dog.

The last thing we needed, wanted, or planned on was ANOTHER animal, and yet, here we are.

Meet our latest addition.

 This is Bandit, now unofficially known as Bennett or Benny on the records of the Metcalf family, because he doesn't look like a Bandit. I really wanted to call him Dwight. He is a sheltie shitzu mix as far as we can tell. He is an old puppy, around 10 or so, we think, He lost his first person to a care center when they got too old to keep him. He bounced around the animal shelters for a while, then bounced around various members of our extended family before we just decided to bite the bullet and adopt him. He is cute and mellow, but he also has terrible separation anxiety, and wreaks havoc if he is ever left alone. But even having just another dog around for him is enough to calm his fears, so, since we have Piper, he does great at our house.  And oddly enough, we all really enjoy having two dogs, which is something I NEVER thought I would say. He isn't any more work than having one dog, and he and Piper play off each other great. Plus, he is old, so it's not like we've made a lifetime commitment or anything.

So I am going to say this one more time, and this time, I really mean it: THIS IS OUR LAST ANIMAL. No more exceptions, not ever. Mark my words.

Especially no more birds.

If you want to know the truth, this lousy parakeet here is the one that really rules the roost. We are all terrified of him. He is really mean.  I keep suggesting that we let him outside, just to see what would happen. Or that we let him fly into the microwave, then accidentally nuke him, just to see what would happen. Nobody thinks I am funny. I am not funny. I am serious. I almost had Audrey talked into pulling an Ozzie Osbourne moment, but she chickened out at the last moment. The bird's head was in her mouth. All she had to do was.....never mind. I better quit before the ASPCA starts calling.