Mousehole update: ok, I have looked everywhere in the kitchen that I suspect of of harboring murine access points (I had to look up that word, it's a good one!). The hole above the stove that opens into the attic I have sealed with foam. There's a hole under the sink (to inside the wall, may or may not be accessible from the outside by small critters, checking all that is a project for another day) that I think should not be permanently sealed. IIRC it turned out to be necessary to access some of the plumbing for the kitchen faucet. My plumbing is...idiosyncratic. Anyway, I'm thinking I should just patch it over with something, a small piece of plywood or even plastic attached with screws so I can easily open it up again. I'm suspicious of the gaps on either side of the base of the dishwasher but I can't figure out a better way to get a good look under there (current technique is lying on the floor and peering with the aid of a headlamp) unless I start taking bits of the dishwasher off. Not sure if that is an okay idea or a terrible idea. Not going to do it right now, anyway.

So I guess I should go to the hardware store? That would mean getting dressed. But if I don't go today I can't go until at least Saturday, right? I don't want to start putting clean dishes back on the shelves until I've patched that one hole at least. and I'm down to my last empty plastic tote.

I also need drawer slide hardware. I can't figure out how to get the one drawer to come completely out of the cabinet, either - is it possible that it just doesn't? But maybe if I look at some at the store I can figure this one out.

That might be all I need right now. OK, a few measurements, get dressed, hardware store, Starbucks, and I'm done with the outside world for a bit. Sounds doable.

Good lord, tornado near Sacramento.

-t, remember, determined mice and rats can chew through anything. Plywood and foam may not be enough to prevent them opening up the egress again on their own. Pro exterminators may be necessary. I wish you luck with it!

Amyth, that's enormous--not just that you coped with the circumstances as well as you could, but that you carried the growing load of that secret as long as you did. I'm so sorry about the circumstances--fairly, nobody should ever have to deal with that, especially on their own. But I'm grateful and glad you were eventually able to make your confessions and shed that weight. You're an impressive individual, and I'm proud to be able to say I know you.

And I hope your holidays are good ones.

Why can't people understand that tornadoes in places and at times there have never been tornadoes before might mean something is amiss with our atmosphere? Is that such a hard sign to read?

Guess whose a/c just went out?

I don't think they are that determined, but we'll see. I'd hate to bring exterminators into it; I don't mind them living in my yard just not in my house.

Got plastic outlet covers to go over th under sink holes. Not sure how I will attach them, but I think they are the right size, anyway.

WTH, Dana's appliances?

Stuff steel wool into small holes and seal with duct tape. That can help.

First my dad was sick. Then the next day my mom was sick. Last night my brother was sick. So we banned him from coming over tonight and told my parents they couldn't touch anything. But it was too late! Now the 4 year old is sick. I worry I cannot avoid it. Maybe I should just go find a hotel?

Thanks, Scrappy, I would not have thought of that.

Not-getting-sick-ma, ,meara.

I have a couple more hours of work on my agenda but I don't know if I want to keep going now that the sun is down. Dinner and then I'll decide, I guess.

Run away, meara! Run away!

A/C~ma, Dana!

I am at my dad’s house in Fort Lauderdale. There have been multiple developments, but there’s too much...so to sum up:

• Mold report came in. Yep, whole lot of mold, some dangerous. At least four distinct strains.
• The pets are all in temporary homes away from home. T is trying to at least get the remediation done before we get back. It may be up to a month before we have a workable bathroom (assuming she has the money to do the reconstruction, which she’s still working on). Our angel friend B has volunteered to keep the cats until construction is done. We should be able to corral the dogs in the back house since there’s no allergy issues there. Unclear whether we will be able to sleep in our own house. We will have to use the bathroom in the back (along with our five full-time employees) definitely -- we can sleep on a sofa bed in one of the offices if we need to. So not ideal, but also not homeless.
• Wilson kitty had a CT scan and exploratory nasal surgery on Tuesday. He came through well -- the only downside is that they haven’t found a smoking gun yet as to why he isn’t responding to the anti-fungal meds (they expected to find polyps, but there weren't any). They are hoping more time will help. Cross your fingers. B is taking really good care of him in the meantime.

Lots of other stuff, but that’s enough for now. But MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE to those who celebrate, dammit! Thanks for all your good wishes. We are focusing on enjoying our time in Florida and hoping for the best with everything back home.