Dog and Bird make Eight

At what point does the number of animals on one's property change it from a "single dwelling home" to a "small farmet?"

We have OUTSIDE PETS. . .

Captain Jack and his "girls" . . . (yes I have chickens :-/ and I enjoy them. Did you know that Roosters crow at all hours?? He better than a watch dog!)

. . Bailey our white/yellow lab mix (the most friendliest dog I've met - she's no watch dog, but I got the rooster! We tried having her in the house, but I just couldn't do it - all the hair and the smell and did I mention the hair?) . . .

and . . .

1 VERY old hamster who is at least 4 years. (sorry no pictures) Don't they only live for about 2 -3 years? That's why we left our daughter get it - it's supposed to have a short life span!!

THEN last night we received my parents INSIDE PETS:

Sophie is a 4 1/2 month old Schnauzer . . .(she came with her bed mate, Moose. He's as big as her!!!) She is house/crate trained , cute as ever and VERY spoiled! but is very much a puppy!!

and . . .

Snuggles, a Green Conure, who I might add does NOT like noise!!! Sorry Snugs- it's going to be a LONG week here at our home :-/ Or maybe it will be a long week for me

My parents left for Tennessee today and will be gone for the next 10 days. "Nichole" (with my help) will be in charge of caring for grandma and pappys animals who will be in the house with us!

Please note: I'm not fond of house pets - they make a lot of dirt. Our animals, (with the expectation of the hamster who lives in a cage in Nichole's room and I WILL not touch!!! It looks too much like a rat), are OUTSIDE where they can make all the dirt they want! Do you see what I'm getting at my friends? I have enough trouble cleaning up after my own family I don't need inside pets to clean up after too. I LIKE outside animals - there is very little clean-up (talking about the dog) required!! Are you hearin' what I'm sayin' friends?

I'm trying to be the very best SAHM I can be - you know having everything in it's place, the children clean, supper ready and on the table, hair done and makeup reapplied, and running to greet my hubby (in heels, pearls and my best Sunday dress) with a kiss and his slippers when he walks in the door - oh wait! Silly me :-)that's not my life! I'm failing miserably! There are large dust bunnies on the floor and dust messages written on the furniture, piles of laundry both clean and dirty acclimating in bedrooms, and oh the bathrooms - I'll spare you the visual. I can't even find space on my desk to place my coffee cup!

So I'll throw the idea of becoming Susie Homemaker out the window for this week, maybe the bird too if he soon doesn't zip it - just kidding mom, Snugs fine ;-) and I'll adopt a saying from my favorite TV mom, Kate Gosslin from *Jon & Kate Plus Eight.

She says, "Today I could very well loose my mind" . . then she talks about having two sets of multiples and since I don't but have a total of 8 animals - the bold letting is my own version "and although my house is in disarray and I'm hosting a petting zoo, which won't bring out the best in me . . I'm part of a family and we'll do this together !"