My Striped Friends

Okay, so it all started at about 1:00 AM on September 10th. I couldn't sleep and was reading a book all cuddled up in our bed when I heard a sound coming from the laundry room area. I thought Drew had been sleepwalking - as he often does - and called out his name. There was no answer, but another huge racket. At that point, I go toward the laundry room, certain that we had a rat (of which I am terrified). I proceed to carefully open the laundry room door and turn on the light. Then, I peered through the door to see the vent cover completed removed from the floor and about a foot away from its proper place. At the same time, I see a huge skunk meander by...no kidding! I proceed to close the door and scream for Phil. I was literally shaking - and I think he thought I was crazy. Of course, I bug him until he calls every number in the yellow pages for an animal control person. We finally reach a guy who has a 24-hour service. Over the next three weeks, we caught 7 skunks and a possum. They were digging under our porch and climbing through a hole leading to our crawl space. After we were sure they were all gone, we repaired the hole and had the a/c guy come repair the damage to the ventilation. While he was at it, I had him screw down all the vent covers in the house, so I wouldn't have to worry about any critters ever getting in the house again.

Here are a few pictures from the first time around. Phil was brave enough to take them. :0)

Well, guess what...last week we hear a horrible racket coming from the air vent by the tv, and over the past several days "something" has been hissing and screaming at us from the vent. We have found and repaired another entrance, and hope to lure the skunk out of the house. Oh yeah, we know it's a skunk because it's spraying. Yikes! I don't know about critters... We live in the city, but are being invaded!!!

Christmas 2008

Meridieth (12 years old)

Megan (9 years old)

Drew (8 years old)

So, I've never done anything like this before - and wonder who would even care to read it - but I thought I'd give it a shot! We had a great Christmas this year. The kids are growing up fast, and I love watching them enjoy the holidays. My mom came up for a week, and then we celebrated on the 26th with the Cooks. There are 22 of us now, and it is always so much fun when we get together. It's especially entertaining to watch the younger cousins open gifts and have fun. More to come...