special guests at new year... while the cat's away

Here are some random pictures of new year.

We have survived the first two days back at school and I feel in control, I think: I have done washing, put the kids to bed, facebooked, and will be in bed by 11, all being well.

Yesterday morning I thought I'd never get up. I hadn't been sleeping properly since new year's eve, when I as up till 4.

Also there was the rat problem- noisy rats, keeping us awake at night. I discovered them a few weeks ago, pulled the plinths off the kitchen cupboards and cleaned everything out, and got a cat. So far so good. Then the cat ran off. And back they came. I actually saw one in the kitchen and that was it- I called in the DIY man to fill all the holes in the kitchen walls. Sor far so good, or so I thought... a few days later on news years day, when my kitchen was full of people, I had a special guest appearance making scratchy noises in the wall, but now higher up. And then they were under the bath... I thought I had to wait till the council was open, so cowered all weekend, after seeing one upstairs. (I still hadn't properly recovered from the flu at this point.) I moved all the children up to the attic and emailed a private pest control company in Keighley. They responded very quickly and came on Monday morning. So that is that, I hope. I really didnt want to use poison, but that is the only way, apparently.

Oh by the way, the council don't do it for free, it cost the same as the ones I got in. There is still a bit of noise, but not much- I can sleep, and Joy's back in her room now. The boys are staying in the attic now- it's finished! Just need to take the bed frames and bigger stuff up... manana...

And as for the cat... he was from the cat protection league, and had mental health issues, and I had to let him out after a few days as he was doing my nut, and I haven't seen him since. Someone actually phoned today after seeing the poster. I have already knocked on all the neighbours. But this was on the street at the back, which we are separated from by our garden and a huge communal garden and allotments. i went up there with Freddie this evening with more posters and knocked on a few doors, and had a snoop around some sheds. I had actually given up, knowing he is a ferral cat. The cat people told me I had to get a catflap, after the event, but I explained that this was not practical (I had already told them about the rats, and that was why I wanted him) (EF dont you have a cat?) So they said they were going to come and pick up the cat!!! I did point ut that they may have a problem finding him. I am considering going over to Haworth Cat Rescue, and being a bit more discerning, ie, don't just choose one that looks cute in the picture, and when you go to pick him up he is the one growling behind the sofa!!!