I really know how to get myself into all kinds of trouble. Sometimes I just have to laugh at myself because I continue to do these crazy things. I love looking at Craigslist. I look at it several times a day. I always check out the Farm and Garden section because I like to look at all the animals advertised. I check out all the horses, goats, sheep, and anything else that seems interesting. I not only check the Athens area, I check Atlanta, Macon, Augusta, and Savannah. You never know when you might find just what you are looking for.

I am really not buying anything – I just like to look. I also like to send my friends (especially Kim and Janet) interesting animals that I find. They love animals just as much as I do, if not more.

Well, I almost got myself in big trouble last night.

I was checking out the Atlanta Craigslist when I found an ad for a $50 housebroken monkey. I sent it to Kim and Janet. I had a smile on my face when I sent it because I thought they would not believe that someone would put a monkey on Craigslist.

I got their responses this morning. Kim was upset about the poor monkey. But Janet sent a message saying she wanted me to go get the poor baby! Well, first – Janet’s daughter Chelsy hates monkeys. She has good reasons for this, because they had a monkey before. So I wasn’t sure if Janet was serious and I asked to make sure. Yes, I needed to rescue the monkey and she would pick it up when she gets back (in about seven days).

Okay . . . What in the hell am I going to do with a monkey for seven days?  I was in a little bit of a panic. I am not sure if the panic was about keeping the monkey for Janet or the thought of facing Chelsy. I dutifully started trying to contact the people about the damn monkey, but my mind was racing.

How will I get the monkey home?  Will my friend Cheryl go by and pick up the monkey for me and bring it to Athens?  Will the monkey freak out when it gets to my house and is greeted by all my dogs?  What do you do with a housebroken monkey?  Does it use the toilet?  Will I have to change diapers?  Where will it sleep?  What does it eat?  Oh my God – What have I done??????

Janet sent another text – “How is my monkey?”

I finally reached the guy with the ad by telephone. “I’m calling about the ad on Craigslist.”  He says, “It was a prank. My brother pulled a prank on me.”  I just start laughing and so does he. He wants to know if the ad is still up on the list – I am not sure because I found it late last night. He is a good sport and I tell him so.

I am a little relieved that I will not have a furry little house guest for the next seven days, and even more relieved that I will not have to face Chelsy. But now I have to let Janet know. She thought it might be a joke but that it was best to check it out.

These are my friends and I love them. Hearts as big as can be. I would have done it, too. I would have taken care of the monkey and given it to Janet, even though Chelsy would have cursed me.

You see life can always be interesting and adventuresome. I can just close my eyes and see it now: Me and the monkey hanging out, sitting on the couch together, checking out Craigslist to see what other interesting creatures we can talk Janet into getting!

I love my life and would not trade it for anyone else’s. I really mean that – even with the cancer diagnosis, chemo, radiation, and all the rest. Because my life is full of these wonderful people, people who have loved and supported me not just in the easy times, but through the hardest of times. You are the best – you make my life complete.

Thanks to all of you who are reading this blog and especially to you crazy animal-loving freaks like me. Love you!