it is too hot to sterilize china, but...

it had to be done. I'm pleased to announce that now, my china & crystal and entire dining room area is clean. You must be wondering, why did she need to sterilize her china? Ahh... no, there was no fun dinner party at the Kenobis. I wish it were so, but I'm afraid not.

Yesterday was another in several hot days we've enjoyed (and by hot, I mean, um, 90+ degrees). I like hot, summer weather. Mr. Kenobi was miserable, though, and decided it was time to put our AC unit into the dining room window. We use this window, mainly because it's easiest to get to & gives us the most space for cool air to circulate. Also, the thermostat is in that room, so it gives us the illusion that our house is not over 85-degrees. :)

(Side note: I do not like the window AC, mainly because it's loud & only cools that one area, and it uses a lot of electricity. That said, I don't like Mr. Kenobi to be miserable, either.)

In order to put the unit in the window, my china hutch had to be moved. In order to move the china hutch, all of the china & crystal needed to be removed and set on the dining room table until we could reload the hutch. Then, Mr. Kenobi got the AC unit out of our shed, and hauled the 100+ lb bulky machine into our dining room & placed it carefully in the window. After plugging it in and turning it on, we (and everything in the room) were sprayed with dust, fuzzy pieces of lint, and these little charcoal-looking bits.

At this point, I kept trying to remember Llama Momma's recent comments about grace in our homes. So, we pulled out the vacuum & started cleaning out the vents. As we did this, large chunks of fuzzy batting-like material was coming out, and I commented that it looked like somebody (or something) had stuffed it in there. Mr. Kenobi didn't seem concerned, but then again, he was very hot.

After sufficiently cleaning the filter & every opening we could find, he plugged it back in & turned it on. Again, dust & debris sprayed us & all of the dining room. Remember, my china & crystal is sitting there on the table beside us. Mr. Kenobi went back to the shed to find something, and came back quite shaken.

There were - and I caution you, please stop if you're squeamish (like me) - two dead mice in our shed. Those little "charcoal" bits were mouse-droppings. The mice had evidently gotten into our shed, made little homes for themselves in our AC unit, and then met their demise trying to leave.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!

Everything in my house, especially that room, has now been sanitized & scrubbed. Including all of that hand-wash-only crystal & china. Over a very hot, steamy sink on a very hot, steamy day. When the boys decided they were NOT interested in napping. I am so grossed out and tired and frustrated that I had to just come write this for some sympathy. So feign sympathy. Or laugh. Whatever.

So, here's the real ticker for me: every day, I clean up cat poop from our yard & gardens. Every Day. I even have to install a lattice system around my deck, rather than use the space for storage, because it is a favorite neighborhood litter box spot. I do not have a cat, and never have, actually, although many of my dearest friends do have cats. Don't misunderstand, I love them & I don't mind their animals.

I truly try not to get frustrated with my friends and neighbors (whom I LOVE) who let their cats roam free to do their business in my yard. I often think of the grace I've received, and figure it's is the least I can do for the neighborhood.

Except this: if I'm going to provide litter service for the neighborhood, can't the darn cats keep the mice away from my AC unit?!?

Thank you. That was me, MamaToo, ranting. And now I will return to a nice tall glass of ice tea while I soak in the kiddie pool.