I took a few days off of work last week to just hang with my kids--something that I don't get the opportunity to do now that I work outside the home. I typically don't mind working, but summers and Christmas break get me, I just miss hanging out with them like I did when I was at home all those years.The only one who loved me being home more than me was Grace. Dang, if girlfriend didn't follow me around everywhere. If I sat down, she was on me. If I laid down on my bed or on the couch, she was on my chest. When I baked gingerbread houses, she sat on the counter and watched me. If I took a shower, she sat waiting for me to get out. We were stuck like glue this week, she and I.
Hey, my fish both died Christmas Eve. Bummer, eh? Apparently getting a friend for my fish wasn't such a great idea--it ended up killing him. They were looking pretty sick early in the week, but then they rallied. I actually thought they were gonna make it, but alas, I cannot fix fish.
Friday was looking a little grim and I made the rule that anyone who went past the tank had to cheer them on to live. Em and I went through our litany of cheers from all those basketball and football games we've been to and even resorted to changing words to Christmas songs to keep them afloat (no pun intended). It was a tad more difficult to get the boys to cooperate, but Joe said a kind word or two to the dying fish as he went past.
So, sad as it may be, both fish went with Santa to live at the North Pole. But they did give us the gift that keeps on giving---counter space. As much as I miss those floaty guys in the laundry room, I do like having my counter back again.
We have now officially written fish off the list as things we do not want anymore. Minnows are great for the pond, but anyone who needs to come in for the winter is not on the "to buy" list anymore. Pond inhabitants have to stay IN the pond--no more coming in to die/look sick/cost me money/make me clean the tank/feel sad about. Done with that.
My kids are just hoping that I learned a lesson from all of this--that sometimes no friend is better than a bad friend. And no matter how loud you cheer "REBOUND!" to your fish, it doesn't make him better.
Bummer.
20 comments:
Fish will do that. Sorry for the loss of fish; but I celebrate your new counter space. (Beloved Beautiful says there is never enough of that.)
oh...I am sorry you lost your little fishy friends.The activity around there sounds a little suspicious... Grace following your every move...the competition..err..I mean fish going to live with Santa....OK maybe I have been watching to much Animal Planet followed and crime shows!
aw sorry about the fish. Nice try on cheering them on though.
Sounds like Grace has been happy to have around to hang with though.
Fish went off my list years ago. To much work and too many things can go wrong. Except for the koi outside and hopefully they are taking their winter nap.
And birds... no birds!
So sorry to know about the passing of your fish.
I could remember that my relative used to take care of a gold fish but it died when other fish came live with it.
I am sorry you are sad.
I hope you get back to smiling soon.
The way you "fix" fish is to bake them in the oven and then serve with tartar sauce. (Here's hoping that my heartless statement will make you angry at me so you won't feel so sorry about the loss of your finned friends.) Happy New Year.
First, that is a very scary title especially followed by a pic of Grace - sheesh, I don't need that kind of moment at my age.
Second, so have to agree with "Secondary Roads" re: fish. Honestly, the only way I can work up any enthusiasm for fish is on my plate broiled or fried - I prefer just lemon juice to tartar sauce...or a nice garlic-butter sauce - that's good too!
I'm sorry Lin. Fish are delicate like that... sigh. I had betas for a while and then I just said, no more when the last one went.
Tracy
Sorry about your fish but it was nice they knew you were pulling for them before they went off with Santa.
That's so sweet that Grace loved having you home with her! I just love kitties and even though they want to appear independent they really do love being around us too. But I do agree with the other Grace, that title and photo together did make me very nervous until I read more.
Fish are hard... Sorry that they didn't make it. That is sweet about Grace though :)
Sorry about your fish. Guess you could say he kicked the tank, eh? :( Bad joke, sorry. :(
Livvy is just like Grace. And I am home all the time. She follows me EVERYWHERE. It's kind of nice, except when I'm in the bathroom and she butts the door wide open (you know how cats are with doors), or when I just DON'T WANT to be covered with cat fur all the time... the kids say that when I leave the house, she wanders the rooms, moaning and crying until I get back. It's so nice to be loved. :D
Rest in Peace dear fish...
xo Catherine
Bummer to hear about the little guys. But you're right...sometimes too much is too much and you have to draw the line and prioritize. Glad you got to have a relaxing holiday break with your family and Grace:)
Glad you had a nice break at home, and sorry about the fish! I gave up on my tank last month after the last fish passed on. I packed it away for now, and may bring it out later next year. They sure are a LOT of work for such little fellas!
Vanilla--I don't like fish. They are just too darn hard to fix. Counter space is much easier to figure out. :)
Melodie--Hee! Hee! Nah, actually the cats could care less about the fish. Although the raccoons of the summer sure enjoyed them. :(
Ann--It was funny because when we would cheer the fish on, he would actually upright himself and swim again. It didn't last long though, unfortunately. :( At least he'll be happy with Santa.
Highway--Thank you, Highway. At least I am not alone in the fish department. Once they show they are sick, it is usually too late for them. I've learned that the hard way.
Zach--See?! Bringing in another fish friend is the cause of death! I guess they carry a lot of diseases, but still, I felt bad.
Pricilla--I'm not too sad, as you can see, I didn't even name the darn things. I just felt like I killed it by bringing in a new fish. Do we get points for trying?
Chuck--I don't even like fish THAT way! Ugh. I like to watch them swim in the pond, but other than that, they are just too much work. No more fish for me!
Grace--Ooops. Sorry we scared you, Grace! Nah, kitties are fine. It's the darn fish that croaked. I was never really fond of the fish anyway--they just look pretty in the pond.
Tracy--They are so much work! I hated cleaning them all the time and feeding them. And when you finally see that they are sick--it is usually too late. What a pain they are. They will be much happier living with Santa I think. I hear he likes fish.
Beaded Tail--Uh oh. Sorry about the scare. No, my Grace is okay. She is the silliest thing ever--although nobody would guess it. She appears very crabby but is actually really silly. She was sitting on the counter in all the flour while I was making gingerbread houses.
Stephanie--I felt bad about the fish, but in a way I am relieved to not have to take care of them anymore. I just have a wee bit of guilt for bringing in the sick fish. :(
Rebecca--Oh, I have a bathroom buddy too. She is just everywhere I am! Crazy. I'm okay about the fish. I felt sad for awhile and I sort of miss them, but NOT the cleaning and all that.
Catherine--Poor, poor fishies. I think they will be happy with Santa. He lives right next door to Happy Raccoon Village. ;)
Nancy--Now that the kids are grown and we are running so much, I want to simplify. The fish are definitely something I can do without. We still have minnows in the pond, but I don't really have to care so much for them. No cleaning or anything.
I never realized fish were so delicate! They are probably happy to be at the Rainbow Trout Bridge now. Swimming upside down is pretty hard.
Daisy--Right after I left you the note that they were doing better, it all went downhill fast. Well...not fast enough, really. They lingered for DAYS. Ugh. It's sad, but I'm glad they aren't still suffering. :(
O Lin- I've killed a lot of fish in my day. Horray for counter space!
Aw, Lin! So sorry for your loss.
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