Bad News... and Another Funny Bird

So the bad news is I need a new boiler. Do you KNOW how much that costs?!?!?!! Our first quote was:
$7500 + $975 tax + $450 Energy Audit - $1350 gov't rebate = $7575 (not including warranty). AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

But last night we met with the boiler guy who happens to be a good friend's brother, and he was at least able to swing us a bit of a deal - so now our official quote is:
$7400 (includes tax AND 10yr warranty) + $450 Energy Audit - $1350 gov't rebate = $6500

That's a little better. Thank GOD (or - thank ADAM... that's the boiler guy.)

Let's hope that Deaner get's a decent tax refund this year (me too I guess, although I never get a decent one, EVER.) --- and if anyone feels the need to help, donations will be greatly appreciated! :o) hahaha

So after much thought, I have come to the conclusion that having to put $6500 on our line of credit (therefore maxxing out our line of credit) for an unforseen boiler purchase is not ALL bad... I mean, it's not like I crashed the car and we need to buy a new vehicle. THAT would be a stupid waste of money. The boiler is actually an investment. Obviously it will increase the value of our house, not to mention save us a bit on utility bills (including water heater rental - because the boiler has a built in water heater) AND it's much much safer than our existing boiler, which is 40 years old (life expectancy: 20 years) and is missing a low-water shutoff valve (which means if there's a water leak, the boiler won't shut off and will run dry and explode) --- so I mean, let's look at the bright side of things... right?

I still don't feel much better about it though. I think another funny bird picture will cheer me up. Ohhhh funny bird pictures...

He's so cute!!! No - SHE'S so cute!!! Look at those eyelashes and the pink eyeshadow, that's definitely a girl bird. Or a cross-dressing male. No, it's a girl. I can tell by her "I'm looking down my beak at you because you're an inferior being" look.

OH FOR FUCKS SAKES - I JUST SPILLED MY TEA ALL OVER MYSELF!!!!!!!!!!!!! ALLLLLL OVER MYSELF!!!!!!!!!!!!

Things I Loved When I Was a Kid That I Probably Had and Want Back Now

Hugga Bunch. I had a puzzle, which I can NOT find online, that was my most favourite thing of my life. They were these cute little stuffed cartoon dollies living in a soft cushy pink pillow world sliding down a curly slide and landing on a pile of pillows - and every time I played with that puzzle (daily) I imagined it was real and in my memory, it is totally real. I remember the pillow tree and the curly pink slide and the stripey pillows at the bottom... and I WANT IT BACK!

I can't find the puzzle, but I can find these and I want them ALL.

The Hugga Bunch Movie:

The Hugga Bunch View Master:

The Hugga Bunch Dolls:

And a Hugga Bunch Button:

















And this is all I have thought about for the last hour and a half.

LIAR

That last post totally lied. I posted it like ten minutes ago, NOT on January 7. WTF?