Poss-um-bilities

The Possum Story Part II

Special thanks to my mom and sisters that called and when I had to put the possum stuff into words, I broke down and cried. Sorry. Didn't know those tears were waiting there for you. Some of you got this by email but the end is added onto so fast forward:) I did not know critters would freak me out so much, but I do know, that this is Australia, baby. I also know, I never really went camping before and suspect I probably should stick to that...

Here we go:

Hey people,

Part A

I called the pest control guy myself, because this erradication process was not speedy enough for me! Supposedly has been trying to reach me. Now that the realty finally gave me the info. to contact him, I did. I do think I've been in every evening...He is the same guy that did spraying outside and roach stuff but I did not know this was the guy until today when the realty finally gave me his number. He calls back and says he deals with rats but not possums...like I really know what the hell it is...I don't want it to be anything!! Oh and he informs me that they have had rats in the past. Nice. He doesn't think it's rats. I guess based on my description. Stampede over my head...

Part B

Last week the son in law of the owners, Niko, was here dealing with some wood delivered to repair the fence...I'm out in the driveway talking to him and look up...and what do i see? A freaking possum looking down at me from the top of the roof. So glad he saw it....so he can tell his in laws. That possum seriously stared for a while. Umm yeah and they are supposed to be nocturnal.

Part C

I call realty after pest guy calls at 5 of 5 and tells me he's not the man for the job, I need "The Possum Man". Yes, this is the name of the BIDNESS. Asks me to apologize to realtor and it is Thurs. Australia is in full blown vacay and party mode for the three week Easter break for schools and Good Friday, Holy Monday long weekend for the rest.) Stuff shuts down here on Good Friday. Remember we live in way back land...not just outback.. I called with my report on MONDAY!

Get voicemail and leave a sweet sounding message expressing my disappointment that this is taking so long and understand it is now a holiday but I want this resolved by the beginning of the next week...and though I don't sound upset..I am really not happy about this...didn't expect to hear back so soon, but Bernadette(Irish married to Aussie and principal of realty,  but not the prop. Manager and not living in Sydney so long herself I get the impression) calls  me.

Should have known all along it was the freaking property owners and their reluctance...and insistence that they have had rats before but not possums...(yeh, right) and I've spoken to Liz the owner on two occasions this week, she never asked about it or anything so I didn't either since I decided to handle business with the realty as I don't know there travel schedule and Liz particularly seems annoyed by my complaints regarding the cockroaches. But she knew I called both times we talked.

You can see where the shingle has been moved, right in front of the house nearest my bedroom...I dont think they are always in there, but they have been visiting, maybe it's a love shack or a hotel...but they 've been here. And it's possible they are just on the roof and not under it. Oh, now I wish!

So this is what she tells me, the possum man will come and look at the roof and inspect the point of entry. He will be able to tell if it is possum from the fur and smell. Then he will come back at 1000 at night and cover the hole so that they can't reenter. Since they are supposedly nocturnal. Yah, that little guy today wasn't so damn nocturnal. Wide awake having a staring contest with me. The ones I heard Sunday morning...were they sneaking in or out??? Possibly on top of the roof...they say they use the rooftops as landing strips as they run from tree to tree. They sound like people running.

All of this, my friends, is typical Sydney.

Let you all know who we share this charming home with...soon as I know for sure"(

Part D

Tuesday comes and no call for me. I talked to realty they sent an email that The Possum Man will be in touch. I think I am on week 3 and this has been going on for a while I was just too ignorant or in need of it to not to be something so I wouldn't lose my mind or some combination of these two...Tuesday goes. Today I call him. Leave a message. Email realty and tell them no word from the Possum Man yet. PM office calls. Email realty that we are on schedule for tomorrow. Alleluia. She confirms for me that they do have multiple homes so I am right, they aren't here all the time. Lovely. Multiple homeowners, real estate moguls...offers. Get outta my heaaaddd, I mean house.


P.S. My Sanity

It indeed was getting scary. But I feel better since I convinced myself they weren't permanent residents and I was right. Also, they just removed the old roof next door and replaced it with new to match the new addition. So they may have house hopped for a bit. Some days are better than others. I am trying to move my mind into a more positive direction, this is once in a lifetime, one day we will laugh about it, right? Or at the very least, this too shall pass.

So glad to know that my bionic ears detected them a while ago and that I've heard it a few times, but not everyday or night. I am going to be okay. Maybe I can catch a break on the critters for the fall. I never knew I was so skittish, and SOMEONE thinks I may be overblowing all of this...but I am just giving it to you the way it is being experienced by me. So what if I am a big baby. I am not just thinking of me but my children. So there!