Woohooie: **LABOR** Day Weekend at Home for the Better

Hmmm. That's odd. Why in the world would Sam and Jacci have half their belongings in the middle of the driveway?

There isn't a yard sale? How strange.

And why are their children running around like little scantily clad ragamuffins, playing with a pint-sized version of a clothes line... all day long? (Well, and bikes, too... and water).

I'll tell you why. But, here's warning, the next pic is a little gross. And if you're from PETA, sorry, sista - but this guy crossed into my turf.

Are you ready??? Don't say I didn't warn you.

That's why.

To keep myself from looking like a completely cruel human being, I must let you know that I carried a nursing mama mouse out in a recycling bin... alive and well... along with her three hairless babies. Yeesh. We put them in the woods. They'll probably crawl right back in.

This garage has basically been asking for mice since we moved in. Everything that was on hold, waiting for a place to be, was waiting in there. Nasty, nasty business, y'all. Lots of scrubbing and tossing sweeping and bleaching.

Oh, and lots of peppermint-ing. I read online that mice really despise the smell of peppermint oil. The children and I headed over to the local health food store and picked up a bottle of 100% pure peppermint essential oil (not extract!) for around $8. I dripped some on half a dozen cottonballs and then placed the cottonballs along the walls and in corners. I really hope it keeps them out. I'd rather not snap 'em if we can avoid it.