The Shrillest Shriek

My definition of The Shrillest Shriek:  an involuntary sound your body makes when startled.  The Shrillest Shriek often times hangs in the air moments after you've made it.  It's a universal sound and everyone who hears it, knows the person making the sound has been startled.

When we first moved into the Munger house, it had rats and I made that sound often.  After being there for a while, I was no longer startled by the rats.  When we put the good poison down, I'd open a door, a dead rat would be there and I would just close the door or move the piece of furniture back in it's place till my husband got home. 
 
A few months ago, we were having horrible problems w/ rats.  I had forgotten the shrillest shriek, but became acquainted with it again quickly.  We couldn't find the good poison anywhere.  Yes there is a "good poison" they (rats) apparently use the poison from the grocery store as a snack.  Once you crossed the threshold of the kitchen, you were in their territory.  I quit going in the kitchen after a certain time of evening.  They were also trying to come through the wall in the bathroom.  Pretty soon, the whole house would be theirs.  One night, after dark, I heard Abbey make the shrillest shriek.  I didn't get scared, I knew what the sound was.  The next day, I went online in search of the "good poison", and I found it.  We mounted an assault against the rat hordes.  After a couple of days, I knew we were winning.  The smell of dead animal was so strong, it made me nauseous.  I had to open the few windows we have and turn on every fan.  We've been rat free for a few months now but Spring is here, the rabbits are back and I'm sure the rats will follow.  

Maaan do I miss Crackheads

We've been in this house for quite a while now & I've decided I really miss Crackheads.  Crackheads would do anything you needed them to do, for ten dollars.  If it was a big job, I'd give'em twenty dollars.  Our trees needed to be trimmed, the leaves needed to be raked up and a plethora of other odd jobs, need to be done.  Unfortunately, since there aren't any Crackheads around, I have to pay through the nose, for things to get done.  My gutters are so full, they've actually sprouted weeds.  If there was just one Crackhead around, all of my outdoor problems would be solved.  Oh well.

OW! That hurt my heart!

Time again to catch up w/ the Mason kids.  My kids are aged 11, 8 and 4.  My 4 year old Dash, is quite a little pistol.
A few months back, I was sitting in the living room and heard these words, coming from my daughter: "Ow, that hurt my heart!"  I started laughing, because those words coming from a 10 year old, just don't fit.  Then I remembered Dash, the Diabolical, so I thought I should investigate.   In the hallway, I found my daughter, doubled over clutching her chest.  Dash, the Diabolical had struck again.  He jumped up and kicked Abbey dead in her chest.  No, I didn't go after Dash, to whoop his behind.  I was more concerned with watching Abbey and making sure her heart didn't stop.  It probably did hurt her heart.  Her heart probably skipped a beat.  If she would have been on a heart monitor at that moment, she might've flatlined for a second.  Everyone has seen the electric paddles doctors or EMS people use to revive a patient.  I imagine his tiny foot contacting her heart, most likely jolted it, somewhat similar to the way those paddles work.  Needless to say, she was just fine.