It was chilly last week, but now it’s just plain grim, as a bitterly cold North wind is freezing everything it blows through. I have taken to wearing a most unattractive, enormous thick dressing gown that hubs refers to as the sleeping bag. He is wondering when it will be pried off. Not in the immediate future, that’s for sure.
There are frequent sleet and hail storms that send people running in all directions, but also beautiful blue skies with cold glittering sunshine.
The birds are actually eating the bird seed while I’m still putting it out, they feed quickly, and intently now.
Over the last few weeks, hubs and I have heard the pitter patter of feet tearing around the kitchen ceiling. At first it was just two or three critters scampering around, but now it sounds more like a dozen. Some sound FAR heavier than others…….hmmmmmm.
I pretended not to hear the scurrying at first. When hubs finally mentioned the elephant in the room I had no option but to agree that we did indeed have a major invasion of rodents. The scratching worried me a little, I suspect nests are being built. I kept that thought to myself.
Each evening now, hubs’ eyes narrow with venom as he glares at the ceiling and mumbles dark threats under his breath, most of these threats require the assistance of Buddy.
Last night Buddy positioned himself next to the gas cupboard and hurled himself at it for two hours solid. The critters are expanding their territory. Sighs.
For now, I’m going to bury my head in the sleet sand and do nothing, hoping they all go away, when, or if the weather improves. It’s that or humane traps unless hubs resorts to more deviant tactics with the Jack.
In other news, we enjoyed an evening out with some of hubs colleagues who are over from the Philippines and India. Mae, Anitha and Memat. We cheerfully trundled off in the cold to watch Queen, headed by Adam Lambart. What fun.
We were all scattered far and wide. I ended up in a row with a gay couple, we danced our socks off! Adam is deliciously theatrical! A woman next to me told me to sit down, I politely informed her that I intended to dance having been restricted for the last few months, I expected a little argy bargy, so was pleasantly surprised when she joined in the dancing too.
And Finally……
Remember that awful leak we had? Well, the water had to go somewhere, turns out it’s destroyed the floors in the bathroom and WC that we had replaced last year.
Everything has to come out again! Grrrrrrr…..AND we’ve just replaced the front door and side panel as it had rotted. What is it with this house? Frankly I don’t get what the rodents see in it!!!
Hmmmm, yes, maybe that’s how they got in! I’m sure Buddy would like to do more than scare them! Thanks Casa. Hope the move went well, looking forward to hearing more!xxx
Maybe all that rotten wood is why they like your house so much. It’s easy to chew through! Hopefully the dogs will scare them away.
I do not like rodents in the house. But perhaps it’s better than rodents in cars. So sweet that you are dancing now. A good recovery!
I remember your car issues! Yes, maybe the house is better. I do hope they move on soon. It’s good to be getting back to normal. Thanks Brenda.xxx
Tell the rodents they should raise their standards! Glad to hear you are so much better.
Hahaha, yes, I’m sure the nippers could find a more upmarket property! Thanks Jason.xxx
Dancing at the concert gives us a clue that you’re definitely on the mend – and why not? It’s good to let your hair down and takes you mind off what needs to be sorted back home. Sorry to hear about the leak causing more problems and your invaders up in the roof space. A nice photo of Hub’s work colleagues on your night out and also you with your daughter posing in front of the ice king?/Neptune. Both of you look very glam. As always, take care and keep well.
I am certainly on the mend, it really is fantastic getting back to normal!! Leaks are a pain aren’t they? It would have been a miracle to get away with such a huge leak, I suppose it could have been worse. Thanks Linda. You take good care of you too.xxx
Just remember — where rodents roam, disease can follow. You do NOT want to be breathing any of the mousie dust that can get kicked up when they settle in. Better to get them out now, plug up any holes, and adopt a take-no-prisoners approach if more appear.
Remember: mice that have moved indoors will mate year around. Here’s a paragraph that should give pause: “Your original two parent mice may be around for two years and are able to produce as many as ten litters – approximately sixty mice – each year. And don’t forget, with every litter comes a new batch of mice ready to procreate after another six weeks. Unless you’re breeding them, these numbers show how a small mouse problem could develop into a serious situation in no time.”
Not only that, some of the diseases that mice carry could affect the other animals in your house. Point, set, match. 🙂
Anyway, I’m so glad to know you’re doing well enough to dance. I can’t believe that weather, though! We’re still cruising along in nice autumn temperatures, and the leaves are just starting to turn. One of these days we’ll get swacked, but for now, you’re the one having to take the brunt of real winter. Ah, well. At least it’s good for a cozy read and a cup of tea!
Goodness me, you have me racing to find the humane traps!!! We have constant mouse and rat infestations at the rescue, all the feed and grain attract them and no matter how well stored the feed is the rodents find a way in. Yes, they sure breed fast, pinkies are everywhere all year round there!
Good to hear you are still enjoying mild weather, long may that last! Thanks Linda.xxx
We talk about 4 seasons in one day where I live. I usually love it. But we are in Summer right now and a heatwave was followed by floods of almost biblical proportions. Lots of towels soaking up lots of drips in this household. I know you know what I mean when I say, how frustrating.
Oh goodness, heatwaves and floods….I do hope you’ve seen the back of both. The weather is becoming terrifying worldwide now! The clear up is awful, frustrating is a mild word for it. Hope all is back to normal now!xxx
For sure the rodent love the good vibes you have there! 🙂
About house-problems, I guess each one of us has it from time to time… This house is 22 years old, and every single year there is something new to replace, change or repair. But at least, we don’t have to pay the rent…
For sure the rodent love the good vibes you have there! 🙂
About house-problems, I guess each one of us has it from time to time… This house is 22 years old, and every single year there is something new to replace, change or repair. But at least, we don’t have to pay the rent…
The little robin-house is still empty. My husband said I put it in the wrong place… how sad… but today I changed place and tomorrow I will keep an eye on it to see if some little one will come to take some food or rest in there.
Yesss, as I already said, finally winter arrived! Tonight it was pretty cold (-2°), we were (the whole family with my mom as well) to a charity concerto for an association helping young women with breast cancer. It was given in the St. Antonio Church. Massimo (cello) and Emanuele’s girlfriend (she played the harp), were playing in the Orchestra da Camera del Locarnese… it was lovely and at the same time heart touching.
Hugs and kisses :-)c
There is always something to fix in our houses for sure, this house is about 70 years old, I suppose we’ve practically rebuilt it now. Hopefully next year nothing will need doing.
I find it always takes birds a few weeks to use a new birdhouse, they seem to be wary of them initially. I do hope you get some residents soon.
That concert sounds just wonderful, how I would have enjoyed it. Hugs and love to you all.xxx
Sorry to hear about leaks, rodents & wild weather … Everything that happens in winter is harder to deal with I always think … Good for you dancing at the concert, that would have cheered you up! Lovely pic of you and your daughter too.xxx
Winter certainly has it’s challenges! I am hoping the floors are sorted quickly, with the minimum of dust!!! How I hate dust! It was marvelous being out and about and having a dance. Time just keeps moving on. Thanks Gerrie.xxx
I LOVE the photo of you and your daughter: SO BEAUTIFUL, Dina!
How funny that you have snow and cold and sleet, and we have sunny warm days. My willow leaves are coming back and today, I was outside gathering pinecones, wearing just a sweater over my t-shirt! (Well, I mean, I had jeans on, too! Gad.) I hope we’ll get snow soon, though it’s not in the forecast.
Ooooh, the mouse invasion, on top of the leak damage, especially after all that beautiful remodeling! It’s always something with our homes, isn’t it? So far, the roof we replaced last year is working well, but we do get occasional mice in the basement, when the weather is really cold. Fiona is a fierce hunter, but we try to capture and release.
I would have danced my socks off at the concert; good for you: it made me sooooo happy to picture you feeling that well and celebrating like that!
Off to local Christmas markets this weekend; wish you were here!
Sending love,
K
The weather is certainly confused isn’t it? We are due snow and gales in a couple of days and here the trees and shrubs are full of buds! I do hope you get snow soon, I know how much you enjoy it and those plants need a good freeze!
I was laughing at your jeans comment, so glad you have your strides on!
We had a major mouse invasion many years ago, we bought lots of humane traps and caught and released endless mice, I’m sure the same mice kept on finding their way back!!!
It was lovely being out and having a dance, you forget how wonderful ordinary life can be, I am really appreciating the little things now!
Oooooh…Christmas markets!!! How I wish I was with you too….one day!!! Thanks Kitty, love and hugs to you, my dear friend.xxx
We did once have the central heating go off because some animal chewed through the electric wire….and I think some field mice slept out last winter in my old sheepskin slippers having removed the fleecy=e too.I’m afraid of opening the wardrobe door now.You seem to be well back to normal life.
Oh goodness! I do hope you take the bull by the horns and open that wardrobe door! You may stumble across Narnia! I am beginning to get back to normal life thanks goodness. Thanks Kath.xxx
I love the header picture…you look like two movie stars….and your final line is a classic and so you :):) One things for sure – there is never a dull moment…and to know that you were able to dance in the isles gives me great pleasure because it means the hip is healed….Fantastic .
Keep very warm….and as I always used to say when there was a suspicious noise in my car engine….’just turn the music up ‘ 🙂 xxxx
You do make me laugh! Daughter is certainly the movie star! I was serious…what do the rodents see in this place????
Dancing was marvelous, I think I’m well on the way to being better than I was before surgery.
Oh….yes…I shall just turn the music up! You are a girl after my own heart!!! Thanks Janet, friend of mine!xxx
Ouch! Water tracks, pity it wasn’t outside; that leak is unspeakable……I am so very sorry.
You Danced!!!! Wow. That’s real progress.
I envy your bright days. It would have been a real boost for us if we’d had a bit of that.
Rodents in the roof; can they move through to anyone one else’s rafters? What do you need to do? A relative had to sort out roof space happy grey squirrel lodgers once. It’s similar I suppose.
Take care. Keep up the splendid progress. xxxxxx
Water will always find a path, I was surprised that we seemed to get off so lightly given the magnitude of that leak. Hopefully it’s just those floors….fingers crossed.
The concert was fantastic and having a little dance, even more so. Getting back to normal is just fantastic, it’s getting easier each day now.
Your weather is so much more grimmer than ours, here’s to a few bright skies for you too!
Our house is detached, the rodents have accessed the roof, we just have to figure out how they got in. It has happened before, last time I caught and released them all. It wasn’t easy though, still hoping they just move on when it’s warmer! Thanks Menhir.xxx
Oops!!! Drastic action may soon be needed to deal with your invaders! I suspect ‘Hubs’ might be embarking on some furtive intervention. 🤓
Yeah! Grrrrr……Winter up north…or not so north an be hard! Good to hear you are doing well; however, take care in icy conditions. Hugs!
I’m hoping the mice move on as they are difficult to catch…..sighs…. I have a feeling we are all in for a pretty cold and long winter. Time to hunker down. Thanks Bushka, Hugs to you too.xxx
It’s been a cold week here. Let’s hope it warms up soon.
I’d get the rodent problem sorted out quickly before they start chewing cables, etc. Hidden water damage is a real pain.
Good to see you boogieing again. xx
We could do with warmer weather, it’s perishing here. I’m hoping the mice move on, otherwise it’s back to humane traps and releasing. The little nippers are hard to catch. I thought it was too good to be true re that leak, water does get everywhere. Thanks Flighty.xxx
That’s bad news on the water leaks. And oh how familiar are the scratchings of the rodents. Every winter it is the same. The epicentre of their territory here appears to be the roof space above my desk. Provided there is no evidence of damage or territory enlargement I shall let them be. Otherwise Himself will be up there with the Little Nippers and imagine how awful that would sound from down below.
We had to catch and release mice many years ago, it was a really cold winter and I’m sure they came in for a warm. I’m hoping mine move on as yours do, catching them is not easy! I’m sure the ones we released found their way straight back! Thanks Jess.xxx
We’ve got snow here, it took me by surprise as although it’s turned really cold, I never expected snow. It’s no wonder really that the rodents are looking for somewhere warm to live. The concert sounds brilliant, I bet you’re glad now that your hip’s in better shape allowing you to boogie along.
I do enjoy seeing snow, lucky you. We’ve just had sleet and hail. I’m sure the cold weather is causing the mice to come in. Hopefully they’ll move on as it warms up. Queen were brilliant, I did enjoy watching them and having a dance. Thanks Jo. Hope all is well with your mum.xxx
It’s cold enough for snow here but no signs yet. How annoying about the leak and the timorous beasties – I suppose they’re feeling the cold too! The concert sounds wonderful and I’m glad that the hip was up to a bit of boogying. xx
I think we’ll all be getting snow over the next few days, I do enjoy it, well untill it turns to ice and slush! I have noticed the mice coming in during cold weather over the years, thankfully they haven’t settled in, apart from once many moons ago. We had to catch them in humane traps and release them elsewhere. It was fun having a boogie, at least I haven’t forgotten how to do that. Thanks Veggiemummy.xxx
Yes, the weather has turned really, really cold. We haven’t had any snow yet but who knows what the coming few days will bring.
So sorry to read about your critters invasion and the damage the leak has done … I think you were most controlled when your wrote Grrrrrr…
The concert sounds excellent.
I’m being serenaded by Christmas songs from the grandchildren as they learn their songs ready for the school Christmas concerts etc. that they’re doing.
Stay safe, keep warm
All the best Jan
How lovely that you are being serenaded, Christmas is all about the litt’uns!
I’m getting used to the endless repairs, hopefully all will be sorted soon! I didn’t think we’d get away with such a huge leak! Thanks Jan.xxx