Hello, I cannot say that it is a good morning. I am terrified to go back downstairs and start this day. Last night while I was cooking supper, I heard a noise from the kitchen. The noise was the lid from Alvin’s wet food tin falling onto something, which I had left by the sink with some dirty dishes. I had put some water in the sink and was going to do dishes after I ate. Both Alvin and Cookie were with me in the living room. My heart sank, I knew what it would be. I stood up and walked around the sofa and to the end of the kitchen counter and on the other side of the sink I saw the creature that I fear the most, bigger than a spider and faster, a mouse. I can barely type those words. My throat is dry as I am so scared to go back downstairs to start this day. Poor Alvin. Anyway, when I saw the mouse, I grabbed my phone from the charger and ran to the door, screaming as I ran to the farthest point from him/her. It took me a few seconds or perhaps even a minute to actually text my neighbour Jessica, and all I could type was HELP followed by the word Mouse. I believe that I was hyperventilating. It felt like my throat was dry and I was crying and screaming. The poor dogs were frozen in positions on the sofa. After I texted Jessica, I texted another friend quickly as I know that she is not afraid of these creatures but I also knew that she has a sore back. It wasn’t long before I heard I heard a noise on the porch, so I scooped up Cookie so that she would not run outside. I surely did not need something else wrong. My neighbour came into the house and immediately went into the kitchen, the mouse was still on the counter. It ended up behind the stove but when she moved the stove, it was gone. It did not appear that there was any place for it to go. Somewhere in between all of this my friend and her daughter arrived. It may have been before the stove was moved, I don’t really remember. I was beside me. My friend had brought a mousetrap with her and the girls were trying to set it behind the stove. But after several tries it would not work. Someone googled to find what could be done in interim. Apparently they do not like tin foil, I did not know that. My neighbour had stuffed tin foil around the entrance points by the stove and counter and floor. I knew that they do not like bounce sheets or dryer sheets and I have them all over the furnace room, well not all over. In a few spots. Anyway, after several minutes of not seeing the mouse, my friend and her daughter went home and my neighbour suggested that she go to Walmart and pick up some traps and other supplies. I feared to be alone but it was the best thing to do. I had the pups there. Also Cookie’s family were on their way home. What a mess. My dinner had been cooking in the oven. So it was on the kitchen table but my appetite was not there but I did have a couple of carrots and roasted potatoes. I held Cookie while the girls were there and she was shaking. I can only imagine that I scared her half to death. Alvin just kept staring at me. It was not long before my neighbour was back. She pulled out the stove, set two traps, just like that and pushed the stove back. At this time, I have no idea if the mouse was caught or not. I cannot move the stove. I will need help. I had to take a day off work as I am so petrified to be downstairs. Anyway, my neighbour stayed for a few hours. We threw away some items from my counter that I could not easily clean and sanitized the rest. We washed, well she washed dishes and I dried. We did a load in the dishwasher. Bless her heart, my neighbour accidentally put the coffee perk in the water before I noticed, it is electric and cannot be submerged in water. How could I be mad? She was in autopilot mode trying to keep my spirits up and help. The pot actually needed to be replaced. Anyway, Cookie’s family got home and picked her up just before 11:00 p.m. and shortly after that we came upstairs to my safe place. Alvin is whining now so I must go. He likely has to pee. He has been so good. My neighbour is going to bring me coffee and stay for a bit while I figure out what to do. I still have to take down Christmas decorations. What a mess! Well not a mess, I feel like a mess. It would not have been so bad if the creature had not been on the counter, that freaked me out bigtime. Note to self, never leave the lid from his food uncleaned on the counter. It was not there long but enough time.
Breathe. Oh and I spent some time on the phone with my daughter while my neighbour was at Walmart. Oh, I am surrounded by strong women. I am so grateful. I wished that I could have the essence of CAT in the house so that they would stay away.
I am going to text Jessica and she will bring over some coffee. I definitely need coffee. I will put my winter boots back on, they give me a false sense of security but a security nonetheless. I put them on right away last night when this all started. I had to take the bag of garbage out to the garage and then they were covered in snow so I had to put on slippers. Not quite as good.
What a night. I pray and hope that it is gone forever and never to return.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, understanding, love, laughter, gratitude, focus and possibilities.
Always, Carol & Alvin
PS I am thinking that I may set up my workstation in my office for the rest of the week. Not sure if I can work in the kitchen at this point. I am even afraid to open cupboard doors and drawers. All the things we washed are cleaned and sitting on the kitchen table.
My New Life @ 51 