Giant F You For Leaving, You Bastards

[dixienormous]

We had a fantastic time at Burning Man. We relaxed, we reconnected, we had a really great time together. PF had fun with my mom and all was well.

Until we got home.

Bedbug infestation. I'd been getting bitten for a few weeks but inspection of the bed showed nothing when we first looked. Then Tuesday night one was walking across the bed as I was ready to get in.

The exterminator is coming tomorrow (building is paying for it) and then again in 3 weeks. In the mean time, H and I have been sleeping on an air mattress in the living room, we had to empty out EVERYTHING and bag everything we own. We ended up renting an extra storage unit for a month. We've got 3 bags of clothes (one of each of us) to live out of for the next several weeks.

Here are some highlights from this adventure:

1) emptying, washing, bagging and vacuuming everything we own even in not-infested rooms.
2) Saturday night our air mattress busted an internal rib and we ended up on a giant balloon. We had to get a new mattress yesterday.
3) Friday night the cat started walking funny. Like his back half was trying to catch up and be even with his front half so he's walking sideways. Every few steps he needs to sit and rest. He's been sleeping a LOT and only eating or drinking when I hold the plate/bowl to him. We take him to the vet tomorrow. We're preparing for the worst.

I will say, at least during all of this we haven't fought, which is amazing. We've been working together and getting things done as a team. But seriously, this blows.

[captainmel]

Getting bed bugs is one of my worst fears. I am so sorry for you.

[Chirp]

At least you're working together and getting shit done? And your building is paying for the exterminator, so yay.

Sorry about your kitty. Hopefully everything comes out ok.


Otherwise, living out of garbage bags and an extended stay on an air mattress after already spending a week in the desert... I hope you're stocked up on booze. Or something. I'd be going crazy if I had to live out of bags for 3 weeks.

[Muddled]

OMG. That sucks so bad. Is Oscar coming to your house?

[dixienormous]

Sept 9, 2013 13:45:15 GMT -5 Muddled said:

OMG. That sucks so bad. Is Oscar coming to your house?

The grouch?

We'll only be on the floor until probably Friday. We bought vinyl mattress and box spring bags for our bed and PF's bed. Still sucks hard. I'm so over all of this. 

[Muddled]

Oscar the bedbug sniffing dog, of course.

You don't have those commercials? "Yo Oscar!" "Where's Oscar?"

[dixienormous]

Sept 9, 2013 13:51:23 GMT -5 Muddled said:

Oscar the bedbug sniffing dog, of course.

You don't have those commercials? "Yo Oscar!" "Where's Oscar?"

Nope. Guess Oscar doesn't like the 'burbs.

No need to sniff them out. We've seen them and found their hiding place. Plus they're spraying the whole place. I just really want to sleep in a bed again. And have my house not be in trash bags.

The one good thing about the bed bug issue is that we're able to purge and organize as we put our home back together again. H has finally admitted to his hoarder tendencies. 

and I'm desperately hoping for better than expected news about the cat.

[cuddlyevil]

What a wonderful welcome to come home to.

I hope the kitty is okay and that those little beasts are eradicated quickly.

[partiallysunny]

Ugh. Sorry your dealing with all this. I how your kitty is okay

[Muddled]

Now that I am thinking about it, there is a good chance his name is Rosco. I am confusing myself.

[Deleted]

Oh no. We were just listening to a This American Life podcast the other day about bedbugs and I was horrified by it.

[dixienormous]

It's a horrid epidemic. You can pick them up anywhere. H and I both ride commuter rails, he's in clinics and doc offices all day every day, we go to the movies... they could have been in the building or a neighbor might have them.

WHAT IS THEIR EVOLUTIONARY PURPOSE?!?!?!

[Chirp]

Sept 9, 2013 15:08:52 GMT -5 dixienormous said:

WHAT IS THEIR EVOLUTIONARY PURPOSE?!?!?!

They're here because we provide nice cooshy living conditions and an endless supply of food (they eat our blood).

According to the internet, they were nearly eradicated from the developed world back in the 1940's, but they came back with a vengance since we're all worldly travelers now.

[Muddled]

Sept 9, 2013 15:08:52 GMT -5 dixienormous said:

It's a horrid epidemic. You can pick them up anywhere. H and I both ride commuter rails, he's in clinics and doc offices all day every day, we go to the movies... they could have been in the building or a neighbor might have them.

WHAT IS THEIR EVOLUTIONARY PURPOSE?!?!?!

Same as ours? Reproduce and kick the bucket.

[dixienormous]

You guys aren't helping my rage.

[Muddled]

Is that what we are supposed to be doing? Hmmmm...

At least you have a clean and organized house now.

Better?

[dixienormous]

They're so grooooooooossssssssssssssssss

and yes, we're taking the opportunity to purge and clean. But still GROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

[captainmel]

I was catching up on this post and I started scratching uncontrollably. I would probably have to move if I were you.

[tiramisu]

I think the most supportive thing I can say is EWWW! Yes, bedbugs are gross, and I'm so sorry you guys are dealing with all that.