And I am a responsibility addict.
Currently, I have a more-than-full-time job, two badly-behaved dogs, a crumbling Victorian, a deeply underwater mortgage, a giant vegetable garden, and a one-year-old baby.
But it's not enough. I need even more crushing obligations and responsibilities. Two dogs, a baby, and countless tomato plants aren't enough - I need even more living things depending on me for their very survival.
I need more things to worry about! I am currently far too carefree.
If I can still get out of bed in the morning, I am clearly just not EXHAUSTED ENOUGH.
And I have way too much free time. Yeah, that's my problem. Too much time on my hands!
So clearly, I need chickens.
Unfortunately, Steve suffers from the same problem. I thought he would talk sense into me (as he did when he declared the Pit Bull Adoption Moratorium of 2008 - thank goodness, right?). Instead, he is reading up on chicken varieties and learning how to construct a chicken coop.
There is a word for this type of enabling behavior: Codependency. Sorry, Steve. It's true.
Luckily, you can't buy baby chickens on impulse in the check-out lane. We have a year of planning and preparation ahead of us. That shed and potential coop area are one big hot mess. We would also have to clear space for a brooder somewhere in our house (a house that has no garage or basement). Some major projects.
Maybe we'll do everything we need to do and introduce a couple of chickens to our household next year.
Or maybe we'll wake up one day and laugh at our prior insanity. "Chickens!" we'll guffaw, "What the hell is WRONG with us? Because a toddler, two dogs, and EIGHT tomato plants isn't ENOUGH? Ha ha ha ha."
Only time will tell. I'll keep you posted.
See, my secret ambition is to get all my friends to keep flocks of chickens. That way I can visit to watch them and mooch free eggs, yet not actually have to take care of them.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way about dogs, babies, and tomato plants, now that I think about it.
Hmmm... time for an intervention? Well, I am like Linda. I WANT you to have chickens. Except that I'm not sure you'll still have time to email me in my moments of parenting panic. !! Aren't I needy enough for you? I could be more needy if you want me to!
ReplyDeleteyay! chickens! I keep telling myself it is like having a kid... there is never "perfect" or "right" time..so might as well jump right into the chaos! =)
ReplyDeleteI have been dreaming of chickens too. I saw these years ago, and can't get them out of my head: http://www.omlet.us/products_services/products_services.php?cat=Eglu+Classic&subcat=The+Goodlife
ReplyDeleteHello! This is hilarious and I related to almost everything you wrote.
ReplyDeleteI think it'd time you add learning French and bonsai growing to your list, you slacker. ;)
Ooh, bonsai! Good idea!
ReplyDelete