Oh, Jilli, I hope it's that simple!

Ugh, meara, I'm glad you have a doctor's appointment.

And ugh, Jilli, I hope it is that simple!

For my part, I was just sitting on the porch and heard an animal behind me in the yard. It sounded bigger than a squirrel, so I thought it might be that asshole cat, but no! Raccoon.

Ugh, meara, I'm glad you have a doctor's appointment.

And ugh, Jilli, I hope it is that simple!

What Jesse said.

Happy belated to sarameg and HB to hippocampus! Hope it's a fabulous day.

Birthday happies to sarameg and hippocampus, belated but heartfelt nonetheless.

We have critters under our house. H keeps wanting to crawl under there with a flashlight to see what they are, and I'm all, "And then what? You taking a gigging fork in the other hand?" The gnawing under the living room floor is getting old and past anxious-making. I either call critter control tomorrow, or I start blasting at the floor with the shotgun. His choice.

(She did say, "Tell me you're going to print these out and frame them?", and I replied, "Of course I am!")

And put them on your blog! A new icon!

I either call critter control tomorrow, or I start blasting at the floor with the shotgun. His choice.

Maybe take the gun outside, though?

Happy birthday, hippocampus, birthday neighbor!

Endodontist called to check up on me. I appreciate that. Just kinda the usual soreness still. It'll be fine. I did find out why it turned into a 2 visit project: that fifth root was a big surprise, uncovered only in the clearing out of scar tissue from the original root canal. When the original work was done, it probably wasn't visible, cause it kinda zigs. And wasn't infected then. So that took longer & he wants to let the tissues soak in meds for a bit before packing the roots, given the extent of the work. Which is annoying from a scheduling perspective over the next week& a half, but my vacation plans also played into the choices. They wanted to get everything clear & stable so I don't have issues in Alaska.

Also, given my previous issues with their desk staff, I *did not* crack a joke about cursing them with a plague of locusts when I arrived to find the whole office park was suffering a sudden beetle & ant infestation (they were frantic on the phone with office park mgmt and swatting things.) But I really wanted to.

Well, if I aim down, I got nothing to hit but possible critter and ground. Outside I have to fire sideways through the foundation skirting, and who knows what I'll hit?

No, it's the exterminators, at least for assessment and estimate.

The image of firing a shotgun through the floor reminds me of a true story. A friend grew up in Wilmington, NC, poling a fishing skiff through the swamps and marshes, and hunting through tall grass and woods. Something to always be on guard for was cottonmouth moccasin snakes--unlike copperheads and rattlers, they're not shy. Step over this line, you die kind of attitude. Charlie and his bro hated moccasins. They were out in the boat one day, passing under some trees, when a moccasin fell from a branch into the middle of the boat. Bro grabbed up the shotgun and promptly blew the snake to kingdom come. And, coincidentally, the bottom out of the boat.

I don't want to sink my house firing through the floor at some critters. Exterminator it is!

ETA: sara, I'm glad they're taking extra care, and checking up on how you're doing is above and beyond. Glad you got the good dental guy.

Happy Birthday, hippocampus! and happy birthday sarameg

And, coincidentally, the bottom out of the boat.

HAH. Awesome story, Beverly.

I gave up on work after the third try to log into the network, and have spent the day lounging on the futon, reading The FitzOsbornes at War and listening to some of Dad's jazz cds.