A visit to Willowbrook Wildlife Clinic

My mom, Sam, Henry, Jane, and I all visited Willowbrook Wildlife Clinic in Glen Ellyn on Friday. I'd been there before, but it had been a few years. The big news was that Willowbrook had a bobcat on the premises, which caused much excitement among the visitors.


First, we strolled around inside the clinic where we viewed both living and not-so-living residents, like this coyote.


Henry was fascinated by a snake that kept going in and out of a glass bottle.


A patient


My mom and Jane—Jane was smacking my mom on the head in this photo, which is why my mom is laughing.


A somber mourning dove


Sam and Henry check out some more birds.


Henry watches the turtle swimming around in its tank.


Mom and a post-cry Jane


Making our way further through the clinic


After finishing our tour of the indoor clinic, we stroll through the outdoor exhibit.


This volunteer was sharing interesting information about this owl. The owl had a thing about Jane and locked its eyes on her for several uneasy moments.


Some pretty purple flowers on the grounds


Mama Sam kissing Jane


Henry, Sam, and Jane looking at an eagle exhibit


Mom and Sam hold Henry as he checks out some animals.


An eagle (I think)


Some owls


Mom lifts up Henry so he can get a better look at...


...these raccoons.


The much-hyped bobcat, who seemed bored and somewhat tired.


Sam, Jane, and Henry in the butterfly lookout


Pretty koi swimming in the koi pond

Target storage ottoman vs. Crate and Barrel ottoman

I finally found a leather(ette) storage ottoman for Pete's music room. I had seen this one at Target for $79, but hesitated, thinking I'd find something cheaper.



Anyhow, I ended up getting this Crate & Barrel ottoman at the C & B Outlet for a steal. It was originally $149 and marked down to $59, listed as "worn" on the sale tag, but I can't find any wear. But, I don't think it's quite what Pete had in mind.

So when I saw the Target ottoman on sale for $59, I snatched one up.



And look, it's got storage for Pete's music books!



The C & B ottoman can go in our living room for extra seating, for which we are always lacking. And we live in a shoebox, so small and portable is good.



I would love to buy an actual nice, leather ottoman, but a) they're too much money for us to spend right now, and b) it would be mauled and nicked and stained from all our animals and visitors. A friend of mine once said he spends extra money on quality things, so that they last a long time and don't look crappy. But I have trouble spending money on nice furniture because it all gets so beat up in this house. If it's something I can literally lock away, like my china and vintage tea cup collection, then fine, I'll spend some extra cash. But I don't want to have a house of museum-quality furniture that I'm still paying for long after it's beat to death.