Michele

No sleep at the office, just some irate clients who behaved like Freida Mama 'Coon....sigh.... I get home, and Esse is sitting outside the hall closet, tapping and maiiooowing insistently. I am NOT opening that door....besides, there's no possible way Mama could be in there...it's stuffed... All I can say is THANK GOD! Someone else has experienced the invasion of the crafty, noisy, wily critters...everyone is still laughing at me; the more tired I get, the more they laugh. The traps are out, and I am waiting for the shrieking to start tonight. Poised. Anxious, even...anything is better than the scrabbling of death...and at least I'd know it was over. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Last night. Man, oh what a night. I decide to take a bath, calm down, relax.....dunk my head under water, and hear the cooing humwhistle through the water...pop my head out, and, wide eyed, stare around. Think, nah, no way, no how, I didn't hear that...drop my head back under the water, and yup....I did hear that. So I start singing....this is not normal for me. I can't sing. Maybe singing (the way I sing) will chase it away. So I sing loudly, making up the words. Lalalalala, this 'coon will make me nuts Ohohohoho, I will be psychotic One more night spent sleepless One more day with burning eyes, LALAAAAAAA, I'm going crazy... And of course Esse, thinking I'm trying to make friends with Fred the 'coon in the wall like she is, decides the edge of the tub is her playground...and she climbs onto me and sings along... Chew scrabble crunch scratch hum all night long....burying my head under the pillow doesn't help. The cats don't help, either. Esse thinks we have a new friend, keeps trying to help it through the wall, "hey, Fred, come play, the food is over here"; Charlotte keeps leaping onto me to alert me of the incredible danger of this fuzzy rodent in the wall. I have scratches from her on my scalp.... 8 am, the chewing and scratching and cooing whistle continues. I brew the 2nd pot of coffee, and pray. "God, please let me keep whatever's left of my sanity. There's not much, it shouldn't be too hard...please, God?" 10 am, the pest control guy gets here. He's nice, and walks the building. There are easily 5 entrance places this coon can access the crawl space. We discuss the noises, times (ongoing, day and night) I hear them, and he decides I have a Mama 'coon who has either already had, or about to have, a litter. He sets out three traps, telling me that if he is successful, there will be an awful racket when Mama Freida 'Coon gets seperated from the babies. He tells me that if I hear something like a woman screaming from under my house, to not call the police, but call him, and he will come out at night and get Mama and babies...and take them to the hills and release them. He baits the humane traps with catfood, and tells me that unless and until the landlord gets the openings closed off, there will be continuing nesting (especially at this time of year). He's nice, he won't kill them, and if the traps don't work, he's got those drops... I'm heading to the office to get some sleep.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

And in addition to those, Ed, remember two things... 1. You jump out of planes. That can kill you. Doing a presentation will not. Not one person in that audience will threaten you, hurt you, or otherwise create intimidation. The worst that will happen is you may bore someone. Big deal. So they get a nap! There is nothing to be concerned with, afraid of, or worried about. 2. Enjoy what you're talking about. If you really enjoy it, that will communicate itself to your audience, and to the instructor. Play, have fun, and bring that enthusiasm to your audience... And if you get scared, remember the door, the joy, the freedom, and take a breath and leap! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Not yet, Jan. Have submitted several pieces, but no luck yet...and I will tell everyone. I promise.... This interlude, though...I dunno....it might go....the local free paper may want this one.... That is, if I don't land in jail for illegal discharge of a firearm within city limits or something... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

No, if I shoot it, it will go into the papers as an "incident", taken from the police blotter..... I don't mind kitties who insist on lovin' in the middle of the night....I have serious issues with a raccoon wigging in the wall. My cat Esse is now attempting to make friends with it, however. She keeps approaching the wall, patting it, and maioooooowing at whatever lurks in the drywall...which just encourages the scrabbling and whistle-hum... I wonder how sane I'll be in 12 hours? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Katie, the problem is, it's a funny story. Only it's happening to me. In my house. And everyone keeps laughing at me. And at work, everyone is asking how my new pet 'coon is, and wouldn't it be nicer if I just let it out of the walls.... I'm thinking, depending on what happens, this one gets rewritten and sent to a local newspaper. 'Cause even though it's happening, I do see the humor. It's also very creepy. I hope I will see the humor at 4 am tomorrow morning....... Ciels- Miichele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

1969 Plymouth Valiant. Loved that tank. Saved my bottom in a drunkdriving incident - her, not me...she jumped a stopsign and totalled her car against the side of mine. There were dents and things, but nothing of note to the Plymouth, but her Datsun was about half the size of it's previous size. She was alright, too drunk to tense up... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Problem is, I haven't discovered the hole it crawled in. That would take crawling under the place, with a flashlight; this is not a place I choose to encounter something with really big teeth and a nasty temper... The good news is that someone will be out tomorrow. I called the landlord about 8 million times, and they finally gave in and agreed that they'd pay the overtime. I spoke with the exterminator guy, and he will put drops down that will make the 'coon leave. I'm wondering if it's fox urine... And it won't kill it. He also swears that it won't kill me. The bad news is that he is not construction, and won't block the holes. The landlord thinks he can get someone out mid week next to handle the holes...which means as soon as those drops dissapate, the damn thing will be back.... Sigh. Wingi, thanks for the offer of the pistols and florine gas...I think I'll pass on that for now. But who knows in the near future - I may need that!! Chris, I didn't figure it's terribly normal...problem is, I don't think the other city dwellers understand...they just keep laughing at me... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hey - just 'cause you're moving from VA doesn't mean you're leaving this place. Right? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Most of the time I wait...it's like cruising through a loud rambunctious bar - meet and greet, lift a glass, get a hug, tell a joke, and then off to the corner booth to converse with close and dear friends....unfortunately, sometimes cruising through the bar takes a few days... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Jan, me and the cats are on my way... Richard, my cats are indoor girls only. They never get out (well, when they do I get them back inside quickly...) so no real worries there... Jess, I won't kill it unless there is no option. Sadly, I am running out of options very quickly. I don't want to kill it... Seriously, guys...does anyone think it will come through the wall in the middle of the night? Or the middle of the day? Last time I was home was around noon, and it was still scratching and scrabbling around, happily chewing on the walls. Huge fear here....wake up at 3 am with the 'coon peeing on my bed or attacking the cats or something. I know how mean they are...and I don't want to have to deal with it. Especially in the middle of the night... This has really creeped me out. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Yes, well, 'coons love catfood and absolutely adore stupid, simpering cat owners who are dumb. Thus the origination of this problem.... Shotgun. Or an exterminator who has the courage to go under the house, into the dark, spidery dankness and capture this little nasty 'coon... Yeah. Yikes....and I thought I only needed a luck bucket when jumping out of airplanes or driving through the city... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I still have several hours to get the "damsel in distress" thing going...and I kid you not, if there's another night of this rigamarole, I will lose my mind. I've shut off the bedroom and bathroom so in case it gets in it will be trapped in there. 'Course, this also means I can't use the potty or go to bed tonight.... I am checking varmint laws as soon as my broker comes back in (he's the expert on varmints...), and will be looking into making sure I get this critter gone. Soon. By sunset.... Thanks for the recipes...they may come in handy. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

The Landlord can't (won't???) get anyone out any earlier than Monday. And they won't allow me to call any of my sources, unless I am willing to pay for it. Great. 'Coon won round 2. But there's 10 more rounds to go.... ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Yes, Darlin', you are. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Echoing Cora's statement... DoD numbers available starting now... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hugs, Mike. Many hugs... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hey, why don't you ask Grasshopper about our technique, JP? He was smiling..... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

And I'll hug you again, JP!!!! (BTW-I didn't know I was your "first"..)! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Nope. But see my Tired thread, and you'll understand. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

O.K., I have the number to Animal Control...you can call there. All the assholes work there. I know this firsthand. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

There's a 2 week waiting period here in CA....and you know what? If I don't get sleep for 2 weeks, and I have a new gun....there could be serious issues. Just off the phone with Animal control. Here is the conversation: Me: There's a raccoon in my wall. Please come help. AC: That's not our job. Me: What? AC: Not our job. And how do you know it's a raccoon in your wall? Me: (Relates the story of the invasion, and last night's adventures). AC: (Laughing) Sorry, Ma'am, but we can't help. We can rent you traps if you want. By the way, do you live in Burbank? Me: Of course I live here! Why else would I call you??? So let me understand this. There's a big rodent infestation in the City of Burbank, and you won't come help me? AC: No. We can't open the walls. Me: There's obviously a hole where he got in. You don't need to open the walls. Can you use that hole? AC: No. We don't go under houses, into walls, or in attics. If you have a snake on your porch, we'd help...but we don't go into dark areas. Me: Somehow, this is not making any sense to me. I'll give you a flashlight, o.k.? AC: Let me give you the number for a service who will come out. (Gives me the number). AC: Good luck. Me: Gee, thanks. I call the number, and it's wrong! Somewhere in Colorado Springs. Hell, I prolly got a MOAB on it's way or something. I call AC back, and inform them the number's wrong. AC: Are you sure? Me: Yes. AC: Well, when you get the right number, let us have it, o.k.? WTF? I'm stranded. Alone, no help, no white kight in shining armour, the City won't go into the dark, and I've got a freekin raccoon living in my walls. But you can bet your patoot that should I shoot the wall, there would be lots of "assistance" from the City Police. Maybe if I just start screaming. Maybe Chad my goofy neighbor is all there is. Oh heaven help us all... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Oh, great. The Revenge of The Raccoons....my life is a poorly shot, grade B movie. . It's light out, and he's still scratching around. Aren't they nocturnal? I was thinking I'd go lay down for a brief nap. Just went into my bedroom, and the creepy rodent f&*ker is still scrabbling around in my walls, making that humming whistling whirring noise. God, this is really creepy. It's really creepy. I mean, yuck. AUGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Sorry, not clicking a link after that reference.... Happy birthday again, JP!!! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Ed, dewd, just what kind of cartoons are you watching????? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~