Paranoia/Phobia Whatever

Good Morning.

Yes, it is still morning, but not as early as I usually write.

Instead of getting up with Larry, Libby and I cuddled an extra hour.

Laundry is swirling. (It IS Monday)

and

the oven is cleaning itself for the first time

while I monitor its schedule.

It would so sad if it blew up while I was out walking.

*PARANOIA ALERT*

All of my senses are on high because the ignorant rodent

is still partying all night in my house.

Larry's attempts have been for nought,

and this afternoon Rodney my most favorite

Terminex man will come to save the day!

WAIT, let me go check the oven. Be right back.

(3hours 5 min till it is clean)

Rodents.

I hate them so much. I am driving poor Larry crazy.

The winter of 1980, we lived in the cutest house in Memphis, TN.

Pregnant with our first child, we experienced our first rodent visitor.

I handled it much as I am doing this time but much less mature.

Laugh.

Each night Larry would set the traps.

Each morning, he would check them, they were always empty,

and placing them on top of the fridge so the dog would not get into them.

Larry would go off to the grocery store he managed,

I would go to the Flower shop I managed.

One day, before coming home, I stopped at the market,

buying bags of grocery's for our little kitchen.

At Home, unlocking the door, letting my dog

Winston outside. (Winston Churchill is one of my idols)

I started unloading the grocery's.

All done, puppy inside, I was happy to be home on the cold, dark night.

Putting food away while I played with Winston.

THEN I heard it.

A snap from the top of the fridge.

Then a tumble off the fridge onto the kitchen floor,

in front of me.

I am still traumatized by that, rodent squirming in the trap.

It is making me sick telling you of it.

Well, I had a problem.

Larry was closing up the store that night.

Would I have to look at the rodent for hours in the trap?

I was going to be sick.

It was then I heard it!

I heard children outside!

Looking out the front window,

3 boys about 9 years old, playing on the sidewalk.

( Larry still teases me about what I did next)

I went outside and told the boys that I would give them $2.00 each

if they would get the mouse and trap out of my kitchen.

You should have seen their happy faces.

Larry and I had lived in the neighborhood for about a year,

the neighbors all knew each other, the boys were safe coming inside.

They come inside. I gave then each $2.00 and told them

where the trap was.

I stayed in the other room while the boys carried the rodent out.

You know, I was exhausted after that.

The next day, I had a visit from the mother of one of the boys.

I thought, oh no....she is probably mad at me.

But,

she came in smiling, tell me that she was glad that her son could help,

and proceeded to add,

At dinner after the "Great Rodent Incident" 

Her son informed her that getting the rodent was so cool,

he would have done it for Mrs Tolbert for FREE!

She and I laughed about that for a long time....

little do they know,

I would have paid $20.00 each that night!

***

Last night we did have Sunday Dinner & Movie

I marinated salmon steaks, grilled onions and mushrooms

had a fresh green salad, and bread.

We ate in bed because of the you know what problem.

Movie: one of our top ten favorites....

DONOVAN'S REEF!

***

I have enjoyed sharing this today so much,

I have forgotten about the OVEN!

Have a happy day.

Pay people for jobs well done,

now I must go check the oven.

Love you for sharing a moment with me!

Me