r.i.p. brutus...

Brutus

June 1st, 2010 - October 18th, 2010

Brutus was a great fish.

He enjoyed laying on his hammock and making bubbles in the top corner of his tank.

He liked to spread his fins out really wide while he slept.

Brutus could spend hours swimming down to his rocks and slowly floating up to the top over and over again.

He found it very entertaining to dodge his net when it was time for his tank to be cleaned.

He liked to swim circles around his leaf hammock and make popping noises on the surface of his water.

Brutus was a brave fish who dared to swim upstream even when there was less than a centimeter of water.

He was a very resilient fish who had the strength to beat the odds when he went down the sink drain.

He was always there to welcome me home after a long day at school and work.

Brutus had quite the personality and lived to the beat of his own drum.

He was a fish like no other and could never be replaced.

He will be sorely missed.

I love you, Brutus.

Rest in peace little guy.

xo

lauren 

the one you have all been waiting for...

So...remember how I had that awesome story for all of you? I have decided that I better tell you finally...

Last weekend (on the day of the big move) Lauren was packing up all her things when her dad came into the room asking what the future held for her little fishy, Brutus.

"I'm taking him with me," Lauren replied.
"How are you going to do that?" Dad asked.
"Uhh...with the vase between my legs?"

Lauren's dad laughed at her foolishness and told her that for the drive to her new home, it would be wise to empty out some of the water and securely place him in a box. So, Lauren went to the bathroom to do as her dad had suggested.

Now, Brutus is a fish with a mind of his own. He likes to make things difficult for Lauren when she tries to take care of him. Brutus likes to swim down and wedge himself between the rocks despite the danger he faces of being crushed. He also likes to swim upstream when the water is being poured out of his vase until he is laying flat on his side in the smallest amount of water possible despite the danger he faces of suffocation and immobility in the open air. Because of this, Lauren was not surprised when Brutus swam down to the very bottom of the tank while she was emptying out his water.

But...on this specific occasion...a small rock slipped from its spot and clanged against the glass, terrifying Brutus! Brutus swam as fast as he could away from the rocks and JUMPED RIGHT OUT OF THE VASE DOWN THE SINK DRAIN!!

"BRUTUS!!" Lauren screamed in fear.

She stood there shocked at the tragedy she had just witnessed and called to her dad holding back tears at the loss of her fishy friend. Lauren's dad gave a slight chuckle when he saw Lauren's traumatic situation and told her to quickly step aside.

Like a knight in shining armor, Lauren's dad went to action quickly unscrewing the pipes under the sink. Lauren was instructed to plug the drain and fill the sink with clean water as her dad dumped out the dingy muck sitting in the pipe. And then Lauren beheld a marvelous sight! BRUTUS WAS ALIVE and swimming frantically in the dirt! She quickly scooped him up and placed him back in his home. Lauren thanked her dad for being so awesome and saving her little fishy.

Brutus was a lucky fish to survive and probably the only one of his kind to live and tell his tale of the journey down the dark sink drain.

The End.

xo
lauren

you never realize...

...how many clothes you have until you are packing them all up

...how many dang pairs of shoes you have until you pull them all out of your closet

...the tetris skills required when packing your car until you try to move everything in only one trip

...how awkward it will be to move your fish until you are in the car trying not to spill his water everywhere (good story coming soon)

...how lucky you are to be surrounded by people you love and how much you will miss them until you leave them

you've got mail...edition 1

Dear Brutus,
I am so glad you decided to end the hunger strike and finally start eating the food I give you...I was getting ready to plan a funeral for you. I also enjoy watching you swim around and be active now that you have food in your belly. You are a new fishy...keep it up.
Love, your mama.

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Dear Miguel The Yoga Teacher,
You kicked my ace last night. I can barely move today...why do you have to throw such crazy poses in my direction and then sit and watch while we try to contort our bodies like yours? I am sorry that I look so awkward when trying your stalls...and that I fall on my butt. Please don't laugh at my foolishness.
Love, the spaztic girl from your yoga class

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Dear Toe Nail Polish,
I am seriously digging this color right now. Thank you for making my tootsies look awesomespice and tan.

Please don't chip too soon, or else I will have to steal you from my cousin Sarah.

Love, the awesome girl who picked you out

ps. you look better in person...just sayin'

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Dear Tree Cutter Man,

No I am not the owner of this house, and no that 10 year old boy is not my son. I do not look old enough to own such things...who do you think you are? Will I tell my parents to hire you so you can give my tree a hair cut? Ummmm...I think you should ask the tree first, but I guess I will ask the parentals for you because I am that awesome.

Love, the girl who is not offended even though you made such haneous accusations.

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Dear Me,

I am so excited you are taking me to the pool again today. Let's go get our tan on! Also, thank you for having no work on Fridays...you are so smart.

Love, Me.

brutus

Well, what do you know?

Fish really do like hammocks...

Awesome.

xo

lauren