mamaiscrazy2's Profile

In our case, things got a little mousy during an intensive next-door renovation. A few stragglers in search of new digs found the vent to our restaurant-grade oven/stovetop and suddenly we were experiencing some new night-time sounds.

While my husband and I debated sticky vs. snap, our 11-year old son quietly stepped around us to place an empty 5-gallon trash can in front of the stove. He smeared a little peanut butter on one end of a piece of cardboard measuring about 2" wide by about a foot long. After sticking a tiny piece of cracker into the peanut butter, he carefully balanced the cardboard strip on the stovetop, with the peanut butter-cracker end hanging out over the trash can.

My husband and I were both skeptical, until the next morning when we noted the "plank" had tumbled directly into the can, along with one little mouse. Our son gleefully carried the little guy outside, dumping him out far enough away to ensure no further visits. This was repeated twice more with complete success, ending our rodent travails (and trap comparisons) for good.

The same kid is now in high school excelling at physics and engineering - who knew what a few mice could do?

Sounds crazy, but look for the THERMOSTAT; if you don't see one, run! I fell in love with my current apartment (one of four in a lovely antebellum home turned quadruplex) and snapped it up. Got sweaty from moving boxes and went to turn the heat down... uh, no thermostat controls. The reason the cost of all utilities, cable and internet were included in the rent? My landlord "forgot to mention" that the HVAC wasn't split off. Ditto for the cable/wifi, Oh, and no emergency land line wiring either. Thank goodness for cell phones and a nice enough tenant in unit 1 who suddenly found herself responsible for the heating, cooling, cable and wi-fi reception for all 4 units! (Not sure which is worse, her plight or mine...) Learn from my blunder and check all systems before signing, folks.

I do believe in Craigslist Karma. Having moved into a new apartment with my son, our dog, a few toiletries and 2 changes of clothes apiece, we have set up a cozy and complete home thanks to many amazing people - all on Craigslist.

Most memorable was a bike my son purchased with his own money. He did the research, bargained reasonably to stay within his budget, and asked me to drive him to meet the seller to pick up the bike, which he now rides to high school daily. The seller was patient, gave tips on the bike, a record of repairs and part changes, and contacts for a local non-profit bike cooperative that deals in inexpensive parts, etc. The seller could not have provided a better life lesson for a young teen if he'd tried.

As a buyer, I like to think of Cragslist as Trustlist. I respond to well written and clearly photographed ads that project the same level of care and attention to detail I'd put forth were I placing the ad myself. I treat each seller the way I'd like to be treated, try to buy in (or close to) my neighborhood to avoid added fuel consumption and trust in the best. All transactions have fallen nicely into place with great people willingly doing the right thing every time.

Soon I'll be a seller too - I look forward to paying forward the kindnesses we have received.