New Faces at the Graham House

After we let our little river frog, Susan, go back to the wild, we felt an emptiness within ourselves.

So to replace the burning desire for pets, we caught a caterpillar yesterday. She is the biggest caterpillar on the earth. Oscar named her Vinegar.She is living in the habitat where Susan used to live.

And then, my great pal Rehannon, (the one who caught us Sasha the snake last year), caught us a handsome young salamander today. Shelby named him Luigi. We have a nice big habitat for him and are feeding him some tasty slugs and earthworms.

As you can see, the Graham family loves to take on pets. But fear not, we usually only keep them for a couple days... until Oscar makes us return them to their real home down by the river to ensure they don't get too sad.

Bridezilla! Run for your lives!!

It’s been well over 5 years since I got married but I still get the burning question every now and then as to WHY…..oh WHY would I run away to get married in a small private ceremony?

So, without further adieu…HERE are my reasons.

-I hate big fancy weddings.

-I hate balloon arbors or balloony-ribbony lined aisles. It’s not supposed to be a circus.

-I hate shoes having to match the dumb tiaras and ribbon on the bouquets.

-I hate the same old strapless puffy dress that every bride wears. (Yeah, even I had one.)

-I hate matching bridal party dresses. Why clone your friends rather than allowing their individuality? And don't say..."It's the kind of dress you'll wear again!" No we won't. Not ever.

-I hate the garter, the “wedding party only” dance, the obligatory drunk uncle toast, the fish bowl centerpieces that SO outdid the last bride’s chocolate fountain centerpieces….ARGH!!!

When you spend your family’s savings on a wedding planned clearly to impress your friends and outdo the last wedding you attended, you risk forgetting why you’re there.

Which is supposed to be to declare your undying love and commitment to the man of your dreams. How can you focus on that when you’re in a panic over the shade of pink rosebuds on your 50 tiered bad tasting wedding cake not matching the ribbon on the knife to cut it?

Someday, I may renew my vows to my husband. My wedding will hopefully not reflect any of the above.