I'm Alive (I Promise)

For the past few days, my internet's been wonky.

It wouldn't let me log on and it wouldn't connect anywhere in my house.  My grandpa and grandma had internet though, and they were sitting further away from the motem than I was.  Finally, grandpa got it to work today while I was at school.  (Gotta love him.)

I was so excited to get back on deviantART too.  I see that there's now a video for Professional Griefers and I'm about to watch it.  Squee!

P.S. I'm almost finished with F.E.A.R. Extraction Point, so yay for that.  I have to say.  Perseus Mandate was probably the least freaky of them all... well, no... F.E.A.R. was.  It was F.E.A.R., then Perseus Mandate, then Extraction Point.  Extraction Point was really freaky.  I loved it though and once I beat F.E.A.R. 2 and 3, I might play it again.

Sorry about the short blog post, but I have either way too much to list or not nearly enough, so I'm just kind of highlighting.  Like... tomorrow, that's my last day of school for the week.  Friday I'm heading up to Illinois to see my sister.

But yeah.  I might update later.  Don't hold your breath.

Future... Right Around the Corner?

I can't fathom the idea that, in two years, I'll be out of high school.  That's scary when you really think about it.

(Just as a warning, this post may be longer- much longer- than normal.)

I want to make something of my life.  I have a fear of rejection and socializing (to some degree), but two of my biggest fears are of dying alone and not making something out of my life.  By dying alone, I don't mean, like, unmarried or anything like that.  I just mean, perhaps, being home alone and passing away.  I'd like for someone to be there holding my hand.  As for accomplishing something, well, I don't see myself curing cancer or anything like that.  I do, however, hope that I make an impact.  That at least a small group of people remember my name; that I'm a role model for future generations.  I don't want to be like the average person.  

There's nothing wrong with the basic, you know, grow up, get married, have kids dream, but that's not for me.  My grandparents were married at sixteen and had two kids.  One died at the age of sixteen in a car accident, leaving my dad.  Neither of them, or my dad (or even my mom, until recently) went to college.  They all held down manual labor jobs and had to work hard for everything we've got.

Now, there's nothing at all wrong with that.  I'm actually very proud of my family for making it the honest and right way; without stealing and conniving for everything we own.  I just want to be able to do something different.  

For example, I have two half-sisters.  One from my dad and the other from my mom.  Both of them are twenty years old and graduated in 2011.  Neither of them had a job until this year.  Neither of them have their driver's license.  I don't want to be that.  I love them to death, but... I'm scared of not making an impression.  

I know office work isn't for me, but I also don't want to have to break my back every day of my life, just to get by.  No one does, I suppose.  Any-how, I want to be the difference made.  That's what I want.

To do that, I want to be compassionate.  I want to be an example.  I want to be a diamond in the rough.  

Not many people these days are honest or caring.  That's what's wrong with the world.  There's too much prejudice and heartache and cruelty and misery.  Why can't we all just realize that we want the same thing?  And the worst part is, we don't need money or power to get it. 

We all want to be happy.  We want to be secure.  We all want to belong.  We all want to feel wanted.  

But instead of trying to make that better place, we take out our angers and frustrations in negative ways.  I know it's easier said than done, but if we all simply tried to be better people, we could change the world.

Now, let's stop daydreaming.  I know that's not ever going to happen.  Hatefulness and crime are just characteristics of the world we live in.  We live on for that matter.  The Earth has it running through the soil.  It's inescapable.  We could downsize on the amount of it running through the streets, though.

----

I've said all that to say this.  I want to go into a career with animals.  They are givers, not takers.  They love unconditionally and know what it is to be honest and loyal; characteristics most modern-day humans lack.

Still, they somehow end up being cruelly treated or ignored.  They're beaten, killed, and neglected.  They don't have a voice to stand up for themselves.  All they know is that they're being hurt and don't know why.  That's the thing; there isn't a reason.

My best friend Katelin wants to become a vet.  She's one of the few people at our school who kept that dream.  Y'know, most little girls around here do want to become vets.  I did.  Then, they grow out of it.  Katelin's the small percent that didn't.  We've got this plan (I know plans don't always work out, but it's okay to dream).  It's that we're going to attend Auburn University, if we can get in.  We're working on her grades to get them up to par and we're asking around at animal shelters and vets offices' to see if we can get some volunteer hours in.  Since Auburn University is in the top 15 and just so happens to be in our state, why not try to go there?  I want to take veterinary sciences and criminal justice.  I'll be  a certified vet technician, but also have the credentials to investigate cruelty cases.  That'll be my specialty.  Since my dog was shot and the man was never caught, I want to help other victims of abuse and neglect.  

Basically, Katelin and I will be in business together.  Hopefully, we can start our own shelter/vet office and help the animals around here.  They're usually kind of... forgotten.  Most people don't see the importance of heart worm prevention or the threat that fleas pose.  Or that fences aren't cruel- they're there to keep your dogs alive.  I learned that the hard way, so I want to educate the community and stress the need for these items.  Owning dogs isn't cheap and we all need to realize that.

Okay, so, there's my career choice.  Vet technician/cruelty investigator.  I also hope to adopt a few kids.  Personally, I don't see the intrigue with giving birth.  I do see why we do it.  I see how the bond is with mother and child, but it just doesn't appeal to me.  I guess I'm just odd. 

The way I see it is, there are thousands and thousands of children out there without parents, so why not give it to them?  Even if you want to have your own kids, make room for one adopted one!  Do you know what a difference that would make in the world?

I want to (for sure) adopt a Native American orphan or one that's been taken by the state.  Do you know how many minority children there are in America?  It's insane!  We're trying to help people in Africa and Asia (that's good and all) but there are starving and homeless children here in the United States!  That needs to be fixed first.  No questions asked.  We can't help others if we're struggling ourselves.  That's common sense.  

Adopting kids has always been something I want to do and look forward to it when I'm older.  Really and truly, "older" is coming up really quickly.  Two years and I'll be out of high school.  Four to six years after that, I'll be out of college.  It is right around the corner... six to eight years and I'll be on my own, paying bills, and have a driver's license.  That's scary.  Can I cry and hug my stuffed unicorn now?  

No, but seriously, it's terrifying, but exhilarating all at once.  I hope I can really do all these things and more.  Just keep dreaming and anything is possible.  Don't let it break your heart and get you down.  Just stand on top of all the pieces and build something greater!

Updates are the Bomb

Who doesn't like updates?  I know I do.  It's been a long, long (did I say long?) week.  I am so happy for the el fin de semana.  Wait- no.  You don't rest this weekend either because you've got a list of things to do!
Silly girl; thinking you can rest!  Pssh, as if.

I've got- hold up.  My grandpa just called one of our toy poodles "Double D".  His name is Dude, but... Double D?  What has the world come to?

Anyway, back on track here, I had to go to two volleyball games today after school.  I thought I'd be able to get a jump on my homework because the game started at 5 p.m.  Wait, what's that?  Oh, the game has been moved to 4 p.m. so that means you get home and check your email, grab a snack, and get back to the school.
So, I sit through a Junior Varsity game (our school won) and all.  Then, the Varsity (the one my friends are on) play.  Midway through, one of my old friend's cousin comes up.  She's all, "Please take me and my friends out to the playground."  I am just so nice- and stupid- that I agree.  We go out there and I'm having to get onto them for everything.  To top it off, the Varsity girls lost their game.
Finally, I'm home.  I still have homework and on top of that my grandpa wants me to do almost every chore he can think of and my grandma's super irritated.  Everybody, let's make my life miserable! 
It's a little... stressful.

Then, tomorrow, at 9 a.m., my friend Katelin and I are volunteering at a dog rescue.  I don't mind going and all, but I know I'm going to be tired.  After a full week of school and a loaded Friday like I've had, anyone would be exhausted.  No more energy here.
Plus, her dogs are rescued, after all, so they're completely untrained.  They'll jump, pull, bark, scratch... everything you don't want them to do.  I've still got scratches from last Saturday.
That doesn't mean I don't want to go.  I just know that after tomorrow, I'll be lucky if I wake back up before next Friday (that's an exaggeration, folks).

But wait- I'm not stopping there!  (Now, I feel like I'm running an infomercial...)  On Sunday, my grandma's going to church.  That's a good thing, I suppose.  Not for me though!  The deal between us is that when she goes to church, I do her normal chores while she's away.  That includes, but is not limited to, laundry, dishes, sweeping, mopping, taking care of the poodles, making the beds, and cooking.  Don't forget to add on my usual chores.  Sunday isn't a relaxation day for me.


So.  After all of that, I've got school on Monday which includes a science test.  My life is just amazing, right?
Well, I'll quit whining on here and get on that homework.


P.S. I'm starting a new story (or a few).  This one in particular I have with me is called The Taste of Ink.  It's about a girl who just... she's all rebellious and doesn't understand why people won't leave her alone and let her do what she wants... then, she sort of "sees the light".  It's gonna be great.  Any-who, until next time, farewell.

(Was that corny?)

¡Me no habla Español!

Jeez.  I've got a quiz tomorrow in Spanish.  First period. 
Not only do I have to know the alphabet and pronounce their names correctly, but I also have to know the following phrases (P.S. it's an oral test).

¡Hola!                               Hello!
Buenos días.                     Good morning.
Buenas tardes.                  Good afternoon.
Buenas noches.                Good night.
¿Qué tal?                          How are you?  (informal)
Muy bien.                         Very good.

señor                                Man
señora                              Married Woman
señorita                            Single Woman
joven                                Unmarried Man

¡Adiós!                             Goodbye!  (for an extended amount of time)
¡Chao!                              Goodbye!  (used in most South American countries)
¡Hasta luego!                    See you later!
¡Hasta pronto!                  See you soon!
¡Hasta mañana!                See you tomorrow!

Por favor.                          Please.
Gracias.                            Thank you.
De nada.                           You're welcome.
No hay de qué.                 You're welcome.



Mmhm.  I'm screwed because I'm yawning as I'm typing this.  Nothing more in the world would be better than taking a nice long nap.  If I do that, though, I won't sleep tonight. 
I just hope I don't bomb the first test of the year.  That would be killer. 

By the way, I've gotten a Mexican/Spanish name.  Rosalina.  It's actually pretty. 

Also, in history, I'm having a test on Friday.  All the states and their capitals have to be placed in the proper place on a map.  No word bank.  When my sisters said high school wasn't easy, they meant it.

(P.S. Today in study hall, we had to write a story/paper/letter.  We could choose our own topic, or choose from the two provided.  They were a place you'd like to go or the person you'd like to meet most, dead or alive.  I wrote about Gerard Way and how I'd love to meet him.  It was a pretty awesome paper, if I do say so myself.)

Schooooooooooooool's... Back?

It's the sad, sad truth.  Today, I ventured into my sophomore year and boy was I wrong to be excited.

I don't get to sit near any of my friends except for one girl named Bella.  She's nice, but I don't know her that well.  Thankfully, my last name starts with a "Sm" and hers starts with a "Sp".  We are normally right next to one another.

But seriously, my schedule sucks (for lack of a better word).  You can tell I'm tired and frustrated because my vocabulary is usually much more extensive.  *takes deep breath*

Back onto my schedule, it is as follows:

1. Spanish I                               This class... it's alright.  Everyone's nervous and kind of embarrassed.  There are two Spanish speaking students in our class, so we all feel a little dumb.  I'm trying to get the tongue roll down and all, but it's a little difficult.  Though strict, I really do think our teacher, Mrs. Gonzalez, is there to help us.  She made it very clear that she would do whatever it took.
2. Basic Skills                           Okay, you might better know this one as "Study Hall".  It's instructed by some guy by the name of Mr. Chapman.  He's alright, but... it's always a little harder warming up to a male teacher, for me, as a girl.
3. English                                 Yeah, right out of the gate!  I've got Mrs. Murray and she's alright, but our class is loud. She's pregnant.  The two don't exactly get along.  Not five minutes into the class, she's yelling at us.  Oh, how I wish I was the only one in the class.  She also made us introduce ourselves, even though all but two of us knew each other from previous years.  Jeez.
4. Human Anatomy                  Alright, this (though difficult) is probably my best class.  I'm usually good at science-y things.  Plus, I've had this teacher since sixth grade!  She's the bomb and I really couldn't contain my happiness when I saw "Mrs. Lindley" on my schedule.  
5. Geometry                              Okey dokey.  I've never been good at math nor will I ever be.  Something just doesn't "click" right, no matter how much help I get.  It's really quite confusing.  To add to it, we have assigned seats and I'm not around my friends who usually help me.  That's what saved me last year, for sure.  Then, the new guy is behind me, whistling the whole time.  That's got to stop.  Lastly, the teacher, Mrs. Schatz, is super strict.  There goes whispering for help.  She also photographs sleeping students and emails it to their parents!
6. American History                I like history.  Or I did when Mr. Murphree was teaching it.  He was my history teacher since sixth grade and I'm going to miss him.  Now, Mrs. Murray is doubling as an English and History teacher, so I have her twice.  She's ten times better in history and I think it's because a) our class is quieter and b) she adores history.  It's her favorite subject.
7. Yearbook/Web Design        I've taken yearbook since I was a seventh grader.  That makes this my fourth year of doing it.  That said, I know the teacher and procedure well, so it shouldn't be bad.  It's also a pretty good end to the day.  However, I'm used to operating with around six-seven people on staff.  This year, what with web design being added, there's sixteen!  That means that there are well over five new people that need to be trained and instructed.  This'll be fun, I just know it.  Today, I set up their accounts and told them not to share their passwords.  I sure bet they won't.  The first thing they'll do is run to their friends and show them all the cool stuff they get to do.  I bet we have to change the password at least once this year.

Anyway, I'm kind of excited, but mostly not.  There are a few points of light in my day, but it's mostly a storm cloud.
 That said, I'm exhausted.  I'll post again sometime this week.  

Cool Products (I Can't Have)

I really need to stop browsing the internet.  I always find things that are just ingenious or simply adorable.  They're usually expensive, or, if I'm in a place where I'm saving money for everything else, they're on sale but I still can't get them!

I do give myself credit this time.  The ad for Threadless Tees did pop up at me while I was on deviantART.  They are having a $9.99 tee sale right now and I just had to check them out, even if I cant buy them.  *facepalm*

I'll just show you guys how cute they are anyway.  Maybe you could buy them in my name and use them well. 

First, there's this kick-arse water bottle:

I made it a larger size so you can better see the design.  At the end of the post, I'll add the links so you can check the items out.  This one is of a girl; her bike is behind her and she's got an open bird cage.  That green design you see is like... particles.  They're taking the shape of a phoenix-looking bird.  It's really inspirational and I'd just feel really cool toting that around.  

Next up is an iPhone 4S case:

Alrighty.  I really like this one because it looks magical, beautiful, infinite... inspirational.  It's like, really hopeful and just magnificent.  Since I've been wanting an iPhone, why not?  I'd want to show this off, though I couldn't at school...

Lastly, another iPhone case (though there were many more before I narrowed it down):

Look at that!  It's not hopeful or imaginative like the previous case, but it sure looks cool.  It's like, post-apocalypse.  There's plenty of scavenger birds coasting around just looking for someone to chomp on.  The red brush strokes are really dramatic, too.  

Alright, so those are the products that stood out amongst all the others.  Here are the links to the above items I will never be able to own.

The Emancipation Water Bottle  The Keyhole Nebula iPhone Case  Sadness Fall iPhone Case

P.S.  My super awesome backpack arrived today!  The site said it was large and now I believe them.  They don't lie!  It's okay with me, though.  Just think... soon enough, it's gonna be all pimped out!

Brighter Days

My summer is drawing to a close what with school starting back on the 20th.  Oddly enough, I'm okay with that. 

Today, my father and I spent some dad-daughter time together on the lake.  I caught no fish whatsoever and he only caught three.  I find it ironic that I said to him, "here, Dad, you catch something with this lure; it's hopeless", and then he catches one on the first cast.  I suppose it's all a learning process.  I also got to drive the boat a little bit which was mostly exciting. 
Just as a note, the lake is down a lot.  My dad says it's the lowest it's been in about six years.  That isn't all bad though.  We drifted close enough to a rock shelf that was out of water for me to jump on it.  Normally, it's under water, so I seized the opportunity to explore a little!  I found plenty of flat rocks- perfect for skipping.  There was also one rock that is hollow!  It's got a perfect hole in the bottom; needless to say, that one came home with me.  Freshwater mussels were also in abundance and when I chucked one in a bottle of water, it opened as if to say thanks.  Though I didn't catch anything other than some aquatic plants, I think the trip was pretty fun. 


My day tomorrow is pretty packed too!  I am supposed to call the director of a local animal rescue about volunteering there.  I've always loved animals and they need people to clean, exercise dogs, and even just play with the puppies.  That's my kind of volunteering. 
Also, I've got to go to the school tomorrow evening for the open house.  As an ambassador, it's our duty to shed a good light on the school name and welcome parents to the facility.  It's not exactly exciting, but whatever.  It's all good experience, anyway.
To add on to my list of things going on tomorrow, my dad's going to call Sprint (his cell phone provider) and see if he can upgrade.  He's been with them for over five years, so I think it's a really good possibility.  If he can, I'm going to get a new phone!  (Thank God, because mine is just the absolute worst.  I've said it before, but I'll say it again; don't buy the LG Optimus V!)  I owned an iPhone 3GS about a year or two ago and loved it.  Now, I'm wanting another; obviously the iPhone 4S, so this is good.

You shall be mine!

 And lastly, if I make it through everything else: tomorrow, my new backpack I mentioned in an earlier post is due to arrive!  I'm super excited to actually see it and get my things put in it.  The patches I mentioned will have to wait, but that's okay too.  It's a gradual thing. 


Looking up at that paragraph... it's really long.  Sorry- I'll go now.  Night!

FML.

Every time I write the abbreviation "fml" it has to have the period afterwards.  Caps is also kind of mandatory.

Anyhow, onto why I should eff my life- expense.
Life is expensive.  At least when you try to buy things that entertain you.  Also, it seems like they come one after the other.  You don't get a break!

I decided I want a ferret.  It's going to cost me over $600 for the ferret and all of it's necessities.  That's okay because I'm willing to save for it.
Then, my phone starts malfunctioning more than usual.  I've known since about three months after I got my phone that it sucks.  (Note to readers: don't buy the LG Optimus V.  Apparently, there's a reason it was on sale for $99.)
Then, there's a strategically placed Virgin Mobile- my service provider- ad that is advertising the iPhone 4S. New for Virgin Mobile customers!  Lovely.  I had an iPhone 3GS when I was with AT&T; back then it was around $300.  The bill for AT&T just became too much for my mom.  After all, she was paying hers and her two daughters' on one income.  It's a little tight-budgeted.
To make it easier on her, I switched to Virgin Mobile because they have reasonable service in my area for only $35 a month.  That is unlimited text, internet, and 300 minutes.  Since I despise talking on the phone, this plan was perfect for me.
Then, I see the phone I now have, Optimus V, and it's on sale!  Coincidence?  Government conspiracy?  Aliens?  In any case, I thought it was my lucky day.  I wish I'd just... I don't know... somehow found another iPhone for another carrier or something.  This new phone isn't worth the money.

I'm telling you guys, it's super slow, freezes all the time, and gives me the "failed application" message at least three times a day.  I've cleared it off of all my content and it still runs like a piece of crap.  To add to the poop pile of the Optimus V, I haven't even had it for a year!  Don't tell me that it's worth the $100.

So, uhrm, anyway... when I saw the iPhone ad for Virgin, I jumped for joy.  I went pretty high and when I saw the price, I dropped like a ston- no, boulder.  The thing is $649.99!  I couldn't fathom why this phone was so much so I checked at the Apple Store Online.  They have the same phone for the same price.  The reason it's so pricey is that it's unlocked.  This means it will work with any carrier that isn't Sprint or Verizon. Those you absolutely have to have contracts with.

Virgin isn't carrying them.  They're just... telling people that they can buy unlocked iPhones that will work with their service!


No matter- I still want it.  The only issue is that to get that much money, it will take at least a year!  I don't know if my bundle of scraps will last that long and I don't want to go that long with it.  The sooner it's gone, the better.  To see if I could earn some cash, I checked out those sites that buy your cell phones.

Do you know how much they will pay for my piece of dung?  Twelve measly dollars.

Literally, FML.  My grandmother suggests that I save up for a phone instead of a ferret, but... that still doesn't help me!  I can't wait for a whole year before getting a new phone!  Since Virgin Mobile is a no-contract provider, there aren't any upgrade reward plans or anything like AT&T had.  I'm screwed and have no clue what to do.

Even if my grandparents can scrounge up $100, my mom pitches in $100 as well as my dad, I'll only be half way there!  I know my other grandma won't help (she barely acknowledges my existence) and my aunt is in less than a stable situation.  My sisters just got jobs so they're no help and... I'm screwed.  Did I already say that?  If so, it's the truth!

I'd need to raise $350 on my own and... so tight... such terrible... FML.

Goodnight.

Ferret Frenzy

Those little creatures are what I'm buzzing about, as of late.  I am planning (elaborately) my next furbaby and I've got a long road to travel before the day comes.

All I know about the future guy or gal is that it's going to come from Petco.  They're the only pet store in the area that carries them!  I have yet to visit their store so I don't know what genders or coloration types they've got, but to be honest, I'm not too picky.  My previous ferret was a Siamese type, but I don't think their colors have anything to do with their temperament... right?  (I sense future research coming...)

 

But, anyway, as you can see, there's a wide array of choices.  Though the colors won't affect my decision when adoption day comes, I have to admit that the Blaze, Panda, and Marked White color variations are really making me melt.  

Before I get ahead of myself, I think a checklist is in order.  (Checklists are the bomb!)

1.  Prepare the cage.  Thankfully, I can dodge a bullet on this part of preparation.  Most people have to purchase one and I have to say- they aren't cheap!  The Marshall Mansion I've got is around $160 (on sale) at Petco.  I know that the Ferret Nations (top of the line cages) are around $250-$300 or more.  However, our cage which has four levels came with my previous ferret.  I believe we payed $25 total for the ferret, food, cage, and other supplies.  It was definitely a steal (especially since Tilly had such a great temperament).  The only problem is pure negligence.  I left the cage out by the shed for about a year and there are some pretty severe rust places on the bottom and it needs some maintenance.  The cost to repair it is still cheaper than a new cage, so I'll be going with the refurbish option.  To do this, I will have to sand down the rusty spots so there isn't any excess rust hanging around.  Then, I'm going to paint it using non-toxic spray paint.  Here's a picture of a cage like mine, color and all:

                                                              
 The wheels are missing and I'm still debating on whether or not to replace them.  To give it a more modern look that would fit in any room, I'm going to paint it black instead of blue again.
The bottom tray, you know, the plastic one, is gone from mine.  We had it outside of the cage (I have no clue why) and when a storm came, it got blown around and cracked up.  We had to throw it away.  Now, I've got to find another one and that isn't going to be cheap.  Also, for some reason, my grandfather "borrowed" one of the three ladders.  By "borrow" he meant cut in half and throw away the bottom.  Add an extra ladder to the list of cage needs.


Although all of that sounds like a lot of money (it is definitely not going to be taken care of for under $10), it is still cheaper than a new cage.  When you're an unemployed fifteen year old working on allowance and dog-washing money, you need as cheap as you can go.


After the ladder and pan are replaced, minor repairs are finished, and it's painted, the cage will be ready for use.  That's only about 1/4 of the battle.




2.  Purchase supplies for the ferret.  Honestly, I want to have everything for the little critter before I buy him/her.  I don't want to have to make a million emergency trips to the pet store in search of an item.
Just for the heck of it, I'm going to post a list of everything I intend to buy for it.

• Corner Litter Pan
• Ferret Litter
• Carrier
• Collar
• Harness
• Leash
• Water Bottle
• Portable Water Bottle Stand
• Food Bowl
• Dry Food
• Ear Cleaner
• Nail Clippers
• Skin and Coat Supplement
• Brush
• Conditioning Spray
• Shampoo
• Vitamin Supplement
• Cage Cleaner
• Bed 
• Toys
• Treats
• Jester Hat (trust me, it's adorable)
• Sweater
  
•  "Born to Dook" Tee (dook- just google it)
• Personalized Fur Coat

Alrighty then.  That's a rather long list.  It's easy to see why this would cost around $200, right?  If I get fifteen dollars every time I wash the three dogs and I bathe them every week, it would take me about four (4) months to earn enough money for those materials.  That is if I get to bathe them every week and the money stays consistent... and all of it makes it to the "Ferret Fund".
Odds are, since school starts in a few days, portions of that fund will have to be put in school.
We're going to say that a good six months will be taken up on just the supplies.


3.  Put back emergency money.  You never know what could happen to you little balls of joy.  They could fracture a bone, get impacted, catch the flu, etc.  Any number of things could happen, so I'm going to put back at least $100 for emergency situations.  That's only responsible pet ownership.  What's the point in owning a pet if you can't properly care for it?  My point exactly.
That's going to be another 2-3 months right there.


4.  Pick out the new family member!  This is the point I'm super excited for.  Though it might be a longs ways off, I still can't wait!  Once, steps 1, 2, & 3 are completed, I have to save up $100- $160 dollars for the cutie.  I hear that Petco usually has the ferrets on sale for around $99, so that's good.
Like I've mentioned before, this amount of money will take 2-3 months to earn.



Just to see about how long it will take to achieve my goal, I'm going to list out just how much money each step will take and the amount of time required to come up with the funds.

Step One: Non-toxic Spray Paint (around $6 per can and I'll need three or four)
                 Replacement Ladder (no clue how much this costs, so we'll allot $20 to be on the safe side)
                 Replacement Pan (the plastic one is $20 and the metal one is $27 with shipping; we'll  go on and say $30 for the pan)
Overall cost of Step One: $74
If I make $15 a week washing dogs, it will take just over a month to get the cage fixed and ready.




Step Two: That Massive List of Supplies (I'm going to spare you and just estimate that it's around $250 for all of it, not counting shipping if I buy some online)
At $15 per week, I'll have the supplies within five months.  Just shy of five, actually.




Step Three: $150 in Emergency Funds
For the $15 a week allowance I'm getting (if it stays steady, of course), I will have the emergency money stashed back in three months' time. 




Step Four: Ferret (they cost up to $160 at Petco, so we'll allot for the max)
To get $160 it will take me precisely three months to raise that amount at $15 every week from washing the poodles.


When we add up all that time, it will take one year or twelve months to get this ferret.  It seems like forever away and actually hard work.  That only makes me want it more for some reason.


Earning $634 seems impossible too, but then again... once I achieve this feat on my meager allowance, I'll know I can do anything!  This will be a really good lesson for me that has a pretty cool reward, if I do say so myself.


(I'm posting this entry at 3:00 a.m. and I have to wake up at 6:00 a.m. to go fishing with my dad.  I'm screwed.)

P.S. Is this not the longest blog entry ever?!