Mr. Gump (No, not Forrest)

When we first bought this house, 8 years ago, it was a funny little cabin with a great fireplace and a turquoise ceiling in the living room. One of the first things we did was remodel the bathroom, which was from 1942. I was afraid that someday, while i was in the shower, the floor would give way and i be standing in a broken tub in the basement, wet, naked and very surprised, and maybe with a broken leg to boot. Our contractor found dead rats in the walls among other charms.

Right after we moved in, I found this guy at a store and i just had to buy him. The people who lived here before us had a real moose head on the wall and this one just cracked me up. Em named him Mr. Gump after a creature in one of the Oz books. He looks fetching at Christmas with shiny red balls on his ears, a santa hat and lights strung across his antlers.

After living here for 18 months, we moved out and did a massive remodel that took another 18 months. But after the remodel, the house was ever so much fancier, and the Mister did not want to put Mr. Gump up on our fancy new walls. I, who has much less refined tastes, pouted for 3 years about Mr. Gump not residing over our house. Finally, some people came over a few months ago and we pulled Mr. Gump out of the basement. We were going to give him away to someone who could provide him with a suitable home. These people (whom i had secretly paid $20 each, or i would have if i'd thought of it), fussed and cooed over Mr. Gump so much that the Mister relented.

And so he is back in his rightful spot, amusing me every time i glance his way. I can't wait until Christmas!