Hedgehog Pusher

Audrey really, really wants a hedgehog.  Now upon first mentioning this, I thought:  a hedgehog?  Really?  What is wrong with you?
Then I saw a myriad of baby and full grown hedgehog pictures like the one above.  Then I read about them.  They are docile, don't stink, resistant to disease, make wonderful pets and pocket friends, don't make much noise (they purr - omg!), live as long as a big dog (ie: not really long enough, but about 6-8 years), and they eat bugs.  SOLD!  
Plus, just look at him.  LOOK at that face, those ears, those tiny little semi-human looking creepy feet.

They even love cilantro.


I have now become not only a hedgehog fan, but a hedgehog pusher.  Well, so long as he is rescued.  There is no reason any creature this cute should be homeless or peddled like a commodity.

If you are hooked like I am, feel free to check your local exotic animal rescue.  We found one in Houston that looks like a great group.  Meet Quilly Nelson: http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/18141210 .  Seriously, Quilly Nelson?  That is possibly the most fantastic pet name we've ever heard.   Audrey will still visit them and check them out thoroughly before they get any adoption fees, but they look legit.
Quilly Nelson.  Ahahahaha!  My sides.

For more hedgehog fix and your daily zen, watch Shming swim.

Blowing Blubbles at the Fun Box

Lyla, the master of relax, watches happily as bubbles float about her patio space.

One of my favorite things about this house is that the bubbles truly match the nature of the place.  And the Bubble Queen demonstrates here.

In the neighborhood at sunset.  The Austin skyline sits in the background, jealous of our happy bubbles.

This is Why Craigslist is the Shiz

First off I would like to thank the rich guy in West Austin for selling us this awesome computer chair that my butt is now very comfortably in.  Why you felt it necessary to take the time and post such a nice chair for the low low price of $10 on Craigslist while you were sitting in your $800,000 house with perfect views of the city skyline is beyond me.  But I am quite thankful that you did.  Let me know when you are selling your house.  I may be interested.

Secondly - Thanks to the cool guy who sold us a 1 year-old couch in nearly perfect condition for so little money.  I refuse to post the amount we paid on the internet for fear the couch will not get the respect it deserves.   All I can say is it is lovely and grayish and does not try to eat me when I sit like my last couch did - and that, my friend, is priceless.

My number 3 thanks goes to the guy who is selling me his huge and extremely cool standing wardrobe in mint condition today for $150.  Words cannot express how happy I am to not be paying full price for this item.  I have priced them new before, and lets just say that you and $10 Chair Guy must be getting your resale values from the same insane source.   From now on every time I don't have to cram myself into my tiny closet and fight invisible hanger tangling trolls for ownership of my clothes, I will think of you.  My husband also thanks you, as I can now finally give him space to hang his pants again.

And last but not least  - a big fat greatful "go team!" to the folks who wrote that Android app that notifies me every time something awesome goes up for sale on Craigslist.   Between the stuff I actually want to buy, the hilarious posts like this one, and the posts offering to trade sex for couches (yes, there was one posted just yesterday and she likes large red teddies and thinks you need a sensual massage) - heck, I may never look up from my phone again!

My obsessions are often unhealthy, but at least this one is green.    I may never buy anything new again.

Sanity At Last! - and some more favorite things

If you view the post prior to this one, you'll understand the title very well.   Not only did we downsize from 2600 square feet to 1400, but we managed to unpack a cluttered jungle of boxes in just a few weeks!  Aside from that nervous eye twitch I now get at the mere sight of a cardboard box, I think we did pretty well.  Who says obsessions aren't healthy?  Ha!

By the way, now is a pretty good time to visit the Salvation Army of South Austin.  You'll find half of our old shit there - some good shit, some just shit.  All of it thrown hastily in garbage bags as I cursed loudly at the gods for allowing me to purchase way too much shit over the years.  All of it lucky it wasn't set ablaze in the front yard.  Enjoy.

Observe, the living room of champions.  My favorite part: The rockin' orange lamp, of course.  It's so warm and cozy in the evenings.  Great for movie time.  Jason's favorite: the Hajime No Ippo original illustration cells on the far wall by the door.  He loves him some Ippo!

Another view of the living room, from the kitchen.  That's the john straight ahead.

Up until today the dining room has been such a crap catcher, I had forgotten what the top of the table even looked like.  Ah...so pretty. 

And now for some more of our favorite things:

"Drink up darling... It's so good for you."  Original collage art right next to the morning crack maker.  Love it.  Thank you, DaDaDreams.  You are a creative genius and wonderful maker of weird things.

These super bad ass shower curtains are actually really long drapes I got and sprayed with water repellent anti-mold stuff.  They add a really cool dramatic effect to our compact bathroom and hang from a zip line curtain holder. 

This is some really cool fabric that we framed for some interesting living room art.  I think I'll do a few more of these and make a set.  Different multi-colored patterns for the other ones maybe?

I found these little tea light holders at Hobby Lobby a year ago and finally have a home for them.  Aren't they cool?

Yep, it's more weird dog art.  This pervy pooch is hanging up in the bathroom now (along with the outhouse dogs), staring down anyone who dares to think they're alone while sitting on the loo.

Funky blue carpet in the kitchen update:

While Mr. Blue (our most favorite fuzzy kitchen carpet ever - as modeled here by Jack), fared well to start, he eventually got dirty and had to be washed.  It was our mistake not realizing his limitations.  Once a foofy foot heaven, his consistency is now more like a mangy old stuffed animal who's been washed too many times. No amount of brushing will save him either, and I only have myself to blame.  I should have realized his hair was a lot like my old stuffed kitty, Foofers.  Foofers didn't wash well either, and came out of the dryer with a natty white dread fro.  I cried then for Foofers, and I cry now for Mr. Blue.  Jack looks forward to inheriting him though. 

Unrest Within

Many, many projects underway here at the box-o-fun.

The key word for the day?  MINIMALIST!  Let's see how that is going...

Oh dear.

I see bonus cabinet installation in our very near future. Fancy glass items collecting dust on top of cabinetry is definitely not my thing.  Also, observe the non-existent pantry to the left of the fridge.  Nice, eh?  Apparently the famous architect who designed this place is so superior to human kind that he does not require food for survival.  We lower beings require sustenance though, and therefore must pile mounds of canned chick peas and stale baking flour next to the fridge that houses all of our Chinese take-out.  Oh how I look forward to the days when I can hide the food I'm supposed to be cooking again!

There is one overwhelmingly cool object in this room though.  Can you find it? No, no - not the mammoth pot on the floor (need soup?).  I found that little blue fuzzy rug at the el cheapo discount store around the corner.  All alone and unwanted, it was the only one of its kind next to a sea of neutral nasty wal-mart themed snob rugs.  I purchased it in haste, not sure if it would match or fit, only knowing that I simply loved it.  Seriously, it is quite possibly the most magical kitchen rug to have ever existed.  All who step upon it smile.  It is pure coo-face inducing joy at the kitchen sink.   Oooh... ahhhh.

 
AAAIIEEEE!  This is supposed to be the living room, but I fear instead this is minimalism's version of a screaming child.  Lyla doesn't seem to mind, so long as the couch is free, but Mo is exhausted with all this moving mess!  Ok, maybe he is always like that and we occasionally have to shake him to make sure he is still alive.  But still!  What a catastrophe! Mo, it's ok buddy!  Hang in there!  We'll make it through this together, pal.  Gee, I better get crackin'!

True, I should be unpacking boxes and de-cluttering that nightmare of a living space, but I was so excited to hang this, I just couldn't wait! 

This room is complete.  Completely AWESOME with asdfk@*%&*  dogs in @*&(#*%ing  outhouses!  YES!

Happy Happy Parallelo Pad is Only Gray on the Outside

Home sweet home is a 1400 square foot modest box.
Tall walls and big windows hide all the color on the inside.
While the outside is painted gray against a blue sky and green hills.

Sunset skies go to sleep over the heart of Austin  just six miles down the road.
What a lovely view.