Take a Xanax if you need to. And be upset if you need to. Trying to *not* be upset makes it worse, in my experience. And how you feel is totally legitimate and a natural response, like Liese and Plei said.

Thanks. I really can't tell you how helpful it is to just get that affirmation. I t heart Buffistas.

Pix,

I would lose my everloving shit and I have no known phobias of which I'm aware.

In fact, I think I would have a "kill it. kill it with fire" reaction.

I kind of did want to take a blow torch to the kitchen, honestly.

But not enough to say it twice. Oops.

Note: Please do not kill your house with fire.

I was pretty close.

I chose kill it with bleach. And I still feel pretty nasty, and I probably have more work to do when I move the bins that are out there now. Hi, denial!

Ugh, Pix, I had to deal with similar in the house I rented before I bought my place. And I literally have screamed and jumped on a chair when I've seen a mouse in the house. I remember spending an evening crouched on the arm of my sofa at the old place, rocking back and forth and crying while listening to mice scrambling around in my cupboard where I stored plastic bags. I just couldn't deal! I wish I had had a xanax at the time!

I finally, for the first time in my life, bought rat poison (which being the total animal-lover I am, was upsetting) when I heard them in my attic. They eat through wire and cause havoc and though I actually like rats a lot (I blame Templeton), I can't risk the damage to my house. They're all gone now.

TOTALLY normal reaction, Kristin.

I lose track of who posts where, but my heart is with Sean, Scrappy, Askye, and a whole slew of other lovely folks who are struggling right now. Hugs to all of you. Sorry I am so intermittent in here now - the full time job is sapping me. But it's a good job and I am enjoying it a lot. It's just overwhelming right now. I am working more flex hours now, so the commute is down to less than an hour each way.