Is the debt worth it?

So I have applied for my homeloan and I am buying the unit (wish it was a house) but you cant always get what you want can you? But in all I am actually quite happy with the decision. I am 20 and a home owner. All me. Sure my olds helped alot in making this happen and its all thanks to their forward thinking and doing whats best for me.

So yeah.

Pretty exciting really.

But this whole thing has got me thinking. Mark actually got the idea stuck in my head on getting a new car after the mortgage guy was like take another $10,000 or so on the loan and make it combined with the homeloan and get a new car but I declined at the time but it has since kinda stuck in my mind. Soo I have been thinking, what car would I get? I want something kinda like my current Astra. Size wise anyway minus the few problems it has. I am in love with the Mazda 3 exterior, I think that car 'is hot' and I also want a car that isnt a fad kinda car. Like I will always get a sedan as I dont like hatches and wagons are for families. But I want a car that can get me through to family stage, like a lasting car. My Astra, I am sure could do that but it kinda looks old (its a '98) in that the bumpers are black and most if not all newer cars dont have that. So I just want an update that will last me the next 5-10 years. More so the 5 haha.... I am also looking Holden Viva and the Hyundai Accent. Viva is the more appealing and while I would love love love a Mazda 3 they are still out of my price range being at around $20,000 - $ 25,000. So yeah....

Another thing I keep talking about doing it travelling. I want to go to Italy (rome, venice, tuscany, milan, etc) Paris, London, Germany.... but there is like no chance in hell I will actually manage to save the $$ to do so. Why not a travel loan?? I can then do a world trip or at least a trip of Europe and see all the places I wanted to.

Credit is so readily available to anyone and everyone, loans are usually easy to access and it is all v.tempting. But I know it can also be v.dangerous. There are only so many times you can refinance or extend your limit. So is the debt worth it? I came to the conclusion if in 5 years I am still just working, paying off my mortgage with no new car or anything to show for just working - I will get a travel loan and I will go see the world. The car thing can wait, I'll just have to put mine in for a service more often to keep it going in an alright condition. Or just wash it (looks like a different car then) It's the travelling and seeing the world thing before I am to old that is the main target. I guess I should've perhaps held of buying the unit before deciding that but thats a life long asset that I can use to my advantage in a good way or my disadvantage. But in 5 years who knows what could have happened....

Global Warming may have accelerated further and we could all be dead *shrugs*

I'll take two thanks!

So after much thinking I have managed to come up with two future dog breeds I would like to own when I get my house.

First being a Golden Retriever. I love love love big dogs and this gentle creature is quite large. But also gentle, having lovely temps and all out wonderful personalities. Sure it varies being dog to dog but in all, you cant really flaw them. They seem to be the ultimate family dog and just by looking at any picture you just melt into those big chocolate eyes....

Second being a Cavalier King Charles. Whats not to love about these little gems? Sure they are a much, much smaller dog but are as equally as wonderful in everyway to larger goldy above.

So yeah, when it comes to that time I will be out scouting refuges/breeders for my perfect companion, maybe I can pursue Mark to come one of each haha. But there really isnt anything as wonderfully great as the bond and love between a pet and its owner. Same thing with Ty, when she's laying there purring away and she looks up you lovingly, animals say so much more with a simple wag of a tail or quiet purr than we can ever express ourselves either with or without words. I love my cat, she is my baby girl but I am more of a dog person and while I cant imagine not having Ty anymore there is just that little something else a dog does and can offer. Eh I dunno, I just miss that canine interaction so much......

Ahwell. Well that should be the end of that for awhile :)

Not ya mother!

Yet again I have come here to make up another whingy blog about my beloved other half.

Just the usual things. He is a lazy slob and the 'excuse' I'm sick may be true at the start of this week but what about all the other times? AND I have been sick as with a stupid head cold shitty thing since friday (oh he had the shivers and felt cold and fair enough yesterday had tummy bug) YET on Monday, when I had the day off as I couldnt bloody move other than to blow my nose of throw up some, I still some how managed to get up and since I was crook all weekend (and he did NOTHING!) the mess was to bad and I did the dishes (which he couldnt even put away tuesday/wednesday - just the cutlery was left as well) I cleaned up the bathroom and the loo and vaccumed. Did I mention the 2 loads of washing that was washed/dried?? All this while I am struggling to breath with a red peeling sore nose!?

I HAVE HAD IT!!

I feel like a Mum, "Mark, please put you cup in the sink when your finished ok sweety? Ah thats a good boy!" - "Mark hang up your wet towel over the rail so it dries and isnt stinky ok?" - "Mark sweety, when you have finished eating something with a wrapper, it goes in the bin" -- and when he hasnt got someone there encouraging him to do the right, simple and NICE thing to do, I am left cleaning up his mess as if I dont (weekend a prime example) no one will.

I made him watch the breakup and for like a day I thought the message had got through. I have been patient and I have been trying so hard but if he really can not change and do something for himself, or at least say "thanks for keeping the house clean and not letting it look like a pig sty" instead of walking in and making it look worse than before, can I really stay in this relationship?? I love him and all, and there are plenty of good things but the dutiful housewife is not my role. I want a partnership, where we do things equally. Sure he cooks BUT I am left to do the dishes with every dish in the house having been used. I love him and stuff but I am really questioning if I can live with him and if the answer ends up being No... where does that leave us??

I just hope when I get home tonight the house is still clean as I am serious on the threat that if its not - tonight he will be sleeping at his mothers.... until such a time he can pick up after himself! If he ever will!!

How much is that puppy in the window??

I have always been an animal lover (reptiles and insects don’t count) and will gladly hand $$ over to animal shelters/refuges/organizations than give to human related groups. Animals cannot speak for themselves and are left at our mercy – usually for the worst way to often.

It wasn’t until a little while ago when I heard something about the rhino’s becoming practically extinct that my urge to help and support these groups became more constant. I now donate to the WWF monthly and do things more local by supporting local shelters such as the RSPCA, K9 Dog Rescue and the Shenton Park and yeah. I have my Christmas cards coming from SEDA and a few things from RSPCA, if it involves helping animal welfare for the good, I am there.

Anyway last week I was talking to some people about getting a dog. The only place to get a pet from is a shelter or a true recognised, responsible breeder. Not a pet shop. I admit, seeing one of those to cute puppies rolling around or all piled up on each other in the corner – in a pet shop makes you go “aaawww” and you can’t help but want one. Same with the kittens that are rolling over each other play fighting and there’s always the one little scared guy alone in the opposite corner to its siblings that makes your heart melt. But as adorable and to cute these little guys are, what is it exactly they are representing? Irresponsible pet owners who suddenly found their cat pregnant and instead of being stuck with the kittens discover people actually buy them and make them their problem? Some idiot who doesn’t so much as give a rats ass about animals and has a concreted backyard filled with expecting dogs, who are not only breeding their kind but disease and illness as well? These mums are made to breed until such a time its just not profitable and then they are put to sleep, not usually humanely either or surrendered to pounds/shelters – if they’re lucky. Even so approximately 130,000 dogs and 60,000 cats are killed at pounds every year. So why go to a pet shop when you can find puppies and the breed you may be after ‘designer’ or ‘pure’ when they can be found at a shelter?

Not only that but the health problems these pups can face. I heard through a friend, who’s friend who brought a puppy and ended up spending nearly $2000 in vet bills as the puppy had slipped knee discs or something, I can’t remember what exactly. The pet shop claimed it was something she must have done as they look after all the pups and they come from registered breeders. So a mixed breed came from a registered breeder. Yeah – ok. And I have heard many stories of sick puppies who die soon after being brought home and when doing work experience at the local Vets, most sick puppy cases are due to pet shop brought puppies. So what registered breeders supply you pet shops hey??

The whole “designer dog breed” craze where the cuter the name the more popular “the breed” is something else that gets me a little annoyed. First of all, I am not against mixed/crossed breeds. Some of the best dogs are ‘mutts’ but it’s a shame when most of the animals in pounds/shelters are filled with them. They claim doing this is making the dog stronger, less likely to inherit diseases in each breed and what not. That’s not true. What about the two or three or all of the litter that are unfortunate enough to inherit all problems/diseases of the breed? Especially with the Pugalier. Both breeds to some extent; more so the pugs have breathing problems. One site declares their pugaliers to be like this:

Cavalier x Pug:
These retain the Pug features but have a slightly longer nose, which reduces the eye and breathing problems of pure Pugs. Most have short hair like the Pug, but can have a scruffy coat. Colouring is usually fawn with a black mask, but may have white patches.

Maybe one or two will fulfil this description. There is no guarantee what the pups or how the pups will turn out. It’s the same with the

Cavalier x Beagle:
A very attractive short-haired family pet, this cross will reduce the Beagle desire to sniff at every scent to some extent.

So it’s only going to take the traits of the cavalier? And what about when its more beagle than anything and the owners are left unhappy and don’t want the dog anymore – it ends up at a shelter.

Cavalier x Poodle
Cavaliers are gentle and loving family pets, with soft, cuddly features. They can have eye and heart problems, and shed their coat. Poodles are one of the smartest of all breeds, with miniatures being a good and stable family pet. However, their coat does require a lot of maintenance, needing shaping and clipping regularly. They also suffer from genetic problems such as eye disease. By crossing these two breeds many genetic problems are greatly reduced. The coats will be soft, wavy, and can be clipped by owners without great skill. The shedding will be reduced, depending on the coat length. (The more poodle-like the coat, the less shedding.)

How can the site make these claims? This is what they hope they puppy will turn out like but Mother Nature has her own plans. Sure dogs have been cross breeding and mixing it up for centuries. Most ‘pure-bred’ at some stage in their blood lines would’ve started out as two separate breeds but how it is being done these days is ridiculous! People are doing it for profit. One site even claims if they don’t have the breed you want, (like spanador, beaglier, grendle, bostillon, pushon, cockalier, maltalier, cavoodle, labrottie pugit isn’t enough to choose from!?) they will go and source that breed for you (in other words find someone who can be paid the right price to go and breed a Labrador with a Chihuahua? Great temperament, family orientated dog in the perfect pocket pal size that loves water and can have a lovely golden coat. Kidding guys!) Just the other weekend Mum and I were at Pets Paradise and they had Maltaliers for sale. Cav x Maltese. 2 looked like normal Maltese’s and one had the distinct head shape/ears of a Cavalier and the rest was like a Maltese. You just can’t predict the pup or believe what it should be like since its part this and part that or what problems will arise further along the track, same with the pure’s and I don’t mean to sound bias on it but it’s that kind of misinformation that makes people who impulse buy from pet shops give up their dogs or let their cats run wild outside as they don’t care about them now their new sofa has been shredded or it howls all night. Breeders at least, should care about where their puppies are going, usually have some say about having the animal sterilised and offer ongoing support and advice to the new parents where I have heard stories of pet shops merely ‘swapping’ puppies/kittens if they become ill. You can’t just exchange an animal. It’s a living breathing emotional creature! It’s not like a new pair of shoes or new shirt! It’s a life long commitment and people should start thinking more about that than “oooh puppy”

In the end it comes down to the owner. A dog can have as many problems as it can handle, it can be the ugliest or the cutest. It could be of the longest lineage or the muttiest of mutts but as long as it gets a ‘forever home’ and is loved, cherished and cared for … what more is there? Where your baby comes from can be something to think about. If you truly cared for animals think about what the purchase from the pet shop details with puppy mills with irresponsible inhumane conditions where most pet shop puppies come from, think of all the animals who eventually may end up at rainbow bridge way before his/her time because someone wanted the puppy in the pet shop window not the older dog in the shelter or a puppy who were born from a neglected mum in a refuge.

I kinda lost the point a few times, sorry if most of its dribble… dam customers kept interrupting my train of thought haha. But seriously, think before you buy. Even if its based on an impulse buy from dare I say it, a pet shop – go home google the breed and see what you’re in for so in 6months + time you find yourself giving up your pooch as it just wasn’t what you had wanted or planned or expected it to be.

http://www.saynotoanimalsinpetshops.com/ <- great site.

Dog Days

I don't understand how people who have lost their dog go back to another of the same breed. Sure if its coats different, opposite sex, its own personality etc I can kinda see it but with Chock, all his breed look the same. Some have a white mark on their chests. But when at the beach or when I used to go to the oval (which i don't for this reason) and come across another one of this gorgeous weims, they are all like Chocky. Lovely, good natured, playful, affectionate idiots haha. Sure they're highly intelligent and all that but they rarely show it - except when they're up to mischeif and no good (like getting the rubbish, or treat on the bench)

Anyways, lately I have been thinking of the future, about houses and family and all that. The one thing I couldnt imagine not having in all is a dog (bigger the better) Growing up I always wanted a Dalmation or a Siberian Husky/Malamute. Now there a few different breeds, the previous two and also a Cavalier King Charles, Golden Retriever and a Beagle.

Here is the problem, all I think about is Weimaraners. I have looked at Weim Rescue sites, seen the refuge's notices and located a couple around Perth. Thing is, I want a puppy so you really can have them all their life.I am not sure if it is the breed or the fact its Chock. I want a girly one, I will call her Nilla (as in Vanilla) It is to easy to see my baby in them, and i think that is not good in anyway. But they are such an adorable bunch and all I can now imagine owning. And I still dont undestand how people can get another of the same breed of a past dog. In my heart I am wanting one sooo bad but in my head i'm like "Jen you're setting yourself up for major issues"

I dunno hey. Hopefully when the time comes for me to have a pooch of my own, I know I will love it and cherish it no matter what it is. Just yeah.. been thinking again.

Oh Snap!

I was reading this months cosmo and there is a feature on whats in your coffee etc klj wise.

No wonder I find it hard to loose weight and shit. My vanilla late (no sugars or anything) is the same as a bigmac! So each day I am taking in up to 3 Big Macs (depends on how ba - sometimes 4 if i have one for lunch/dinner or something.

How insane is that?

So I have cut out my vanilla late... orange and passionfruit/5 juices - juice or water for me!!

Just thinking again....

So I have been thinking about life (again, still, I know get over it Jen) and after a few wedding like dreams I was thinking about what it really does take to stay out the divorce statistics. If I get married, I want it to last 100 years plus like my olds. I want it so we still annoy the shit out of each other but wouldn’t trade it for anything. I want it to be in sickness and in health, for all our bad stuff and all our good.

Having had a great relationship with both parents growing up, I want the father of my kids to place them before anything, to come home from work and take them for a walk to the park or out the back for a game – even just to sit and watch TV with them. I want baby pictures in his wallet, for the weekends to be about going out on picnics or just anything so he can show of his kids to the world. Any free time should be spent teaching them to finger paint or taking to many photos. You may think I am being unrealistic but I am not. I have seen it done – I have experienced it. It was how my dad was with me and I want nothing less for my own kids. I don’t ever want them to be placed second to a stupid TV show, drinking with the boys or a computer game. There are times and places for everything but a mother is not the only parent – you make em together you raise em together.

So even if you meet someone who you fall so madly in love with, don’t screw it all up. Have patience and see where it all goes. Don’t rush off and get hitched, marriage is only a little bit about love. It’s about being able to function together, getting the bills paid and working towards goals together. Being a team. Being ok with waking up next to the same person every morning. It’s about finding someone reliable and trust worthy who you would do anything for and although you don’t expect the same in return, you just know they would do the same for you. It doesn’t seem that hard, but obviously somewhere along the line it must do hence why divorce lawyers are in such high demand. Thing is, is it really that hard or are people just to lazy these days?

Either way, I see a future with mark; I can see he holds the qualities I look for. Well potential anyways haha. Well off to lunch, just a quick thought.

Someday it'll be ok.

Someday it'll be ok, then I can laugh and smile again. I'll be able to speak your name without any tears, look at your picture accepting your no longer here.... But not yet. Now now.

Sunday I spent most the day at my olds. Luckily there was enough to distract me and when all else fails, annoying/arguing with Mark works. But when we were sitting outside out of habit i would put down my hand at the side of the chair waiting for a wet nose to nudge it or the smooth soft round head to push under my hand that I would then pat or the silky feel of his ears that i would rub and he would moan with delight as I got the right spot before shaking his head and look around all dazed before bouncing back wanting more.

When ever I leave, I still see him standing watching us, between the bench and the fridge and I now think, "bye chock" as I used to call it out after he got his kiss and cuddle when ever I went out.

*big sigh - cries*

But yeah. Its abit over 2 weeks and its harder than now than it was before. I broke down Friday night when we went around there, I miss him so much!

Anyways... I am so bored. Its the same old, same old everyday hey.... god i would kill for a bueno haha or a warm cookie sundae from macca's but as if they ever have any instore or have a working ice cream machine! Ahwell... under an hour to go now. TG!

Fat Day Be Gone!!

You know when you're having one of those terrible 'fat days'? You wake up and feel like overnight you turned into a whale (rather than ur usual walrus self) Your hair is a mess, nothing looks right - cant find your comfy shoes and you have a dead phone cause you didnt turn the charger on the previous night.... well that was me this morning.

Thankfully Fridayitis kicked in (tg for the weekend) and I thought no FUCK IT and I found my jeans, a nice top, the necklace I got from Mel for my bday, an old fav bracelet that I often questioned as to childish but I like it so *blows raspberries* and slipped on a pair of heels (may as well since we're not busy and I'm not at the counter all day) Just by putting on favourite items and a pair of heels (plus abit the previously mentioned fridayitis) and I was feeling sooo much better. And you know what - I dont think I look like a whale, or a walrus anymore. See instant change around! I did my hair nice, even did abit of makeup (just eyes haha) and I am v.happy how it turned out - and my day.

Despite finance being annoying, the clock being broken (its not, its on the comp - days just dragged) I have managed to keep my high going....

Personally I think its the heels! The world looks so much better in a pair of stiletto's! Haha...

When will the hurt go away?

So its coming up to a couple of weeks without my baby boy being in the world. I cant handle being at my olds for to long. It not right being able to on the sofa (especially with food) and sit their peacefully, not breaking some off and giving it to him or having to get up and get a tissue to wipe his mouth (while im there make him blow his nose - yes he did that) cause of the drool. I cant look towards the hallway as I look to long waiting to see him prancing through towards as, dummy in his mouth proudly holding it, trying to entice us to chase him or laying near us and nudging it with his nose so it rolled in a circle as he stared at it with immense concentration, waiting to 'crawl' after it or paw it back to him if he we went to actually grab it. God, so many times I've nearly said, "Where's Chock?" to mum as we sit at the bench but anyways. I am crying now and I am at work and this will be the time someone comes over and I'm sitting here looking like a crying fool.

So yeah, anyways, its hard and I miss him so much and I cry every morning in the shower and I can't wait not to feel like this anymore and it's so much easier just to imagine he's still at home and everythings how it was but that lie can only lasts so long and is exposed whenever I go to my olds. I'm so glad I dont live there anymore - I couldnt handle it at all if I did. At least being away I am able to trick myself that little bit.

God, I miss him. How long till the hurt goes away??