Drama with Military Housing

As I said before, being a military spouse has its good points and its bad points. You would think one of the good points would be relatively "free" housing almost anywhere you go in the world. Think again.

When Erick and I first moved in to Bolling we were moved into the old units that were basically labeled "condemned". The floors were tiled in mismatched industrial linoleum and the walls were an icky buff white that made them look like they were in desperate need of a good scrub down. The light fixtures were equally atrocious. I decided I would do what I could to spruce the place up, so paint was used on the walls and much later, I retiled the floors with peel and stick tile and used carpet remnants and rugs in other areas. For three and half years we have lived in more comfort than would have been possible without those upgrades. (Linoleum is frickin hard to clean). Granted, the ceiling in my kitchen leaks after a shower in bath in the bathroom upstairs. Our windows aren't sealed very well and here lately, we have been having issues with mice - but all in all I have enjoyed my house, mainly because of all the work I put into it.

When the military housing was privatized on Bolling a little over a year ago, there was a mass exodus to move off of base. Everyone living in our neighborhood, Doolittle Park, was told that though we lived in sub-standard housing, we would still be charged the full BAH (Base Housing Allowance) rate. Most privatized companies gave residents the option of moving into a new unit, doing upgrades on their current housing, or charging them less BAH per month as an incentive for staying on base despite the fact that they would be living in condemned housing. This was an outrage - and moving trucks could be seen on every block for the next several months. Erick and I even looked at moving off of base at this point. We ended up staying - housing told us we would not have to change anything back in our current home when we moved and that Doolittle Park would be last on the demolition list and wouldn't be touched until 2012.

Two weeks ago there was a giant trash bin placed in front of one of the houses on my block. Since my last neighbor's departure, there are only two other families living on my street and they were both moved in just several months ago. My initial thought in seeing this gigantic trash bin was that they were beginning to salvage useable materials from these houses and "junking" the rest.

About a week ago, I came home from work to see that they were putting on new doors and windows on that unit and I could tell from the open windows that they were updating the light fixtures as well. As I got out of my car, my nearest neighbors (several houses down) approached me with "Do you know they are going to make us move?" I think I stood there with a look of absolute unbelief on my face for a full minute before I stuttered out, "We're scheduled to PCS (Permanent Change of Station) in July." Imagine my shock when they answered "All of us are." Turns out, housing didn't even inform us of this development - my neighbors were told by the workman that "you aren't going to be living here much longer." They went straight down to the housing office and had it confirmed and then told me.

The next day, housing called Erick and told him they were moving us over one block - not into a new unit, but back into the crap that we are being forced out of. The difference? At least my crap has updates! I called housing and asked them why they were moving us when everyone on my block was scheduled to move in July anyway and why they felt it necessary to start on Doolittle Park when there are two housing areas that have been vacated for YEARS and have not been touched. Their answer was basically, "well, this is coming from the big bosses and we can't do anything about it."

Well, we looked at what they had to offer and we had to demand a house with a fence for the dogs (they weren't going to give us one). They are also going to carpet and give us a concession of one month's rent, so we're dealing. It's just kind of a bummer to move twice within 6 month - but hey, it's the military some folks have to pick up and move after three months of being in a new location, so I guess I should be grateful it's just a move around the corner.

Release the HOUNDS!!!!!!

Apparently my dogs cannot see in the dark....that, or they are just lights out when lights go out. My nearest neighbors moved out the week of Christmas...and apparently their furry little friends moved in to find warmth, shelter and food in the closest place possible...my house.  Yes, I am speaking of another mouse (mice, I should say).   

I awoke a few days after their departure to find that something had been nibbling on the dog food bag stowed away in a cabinet in my dining room.  So, before I left for Christmas vacation in PA, I  set the old school traps and went on my merry way.  I came home to find a crushed little body in a trap but had a sneaking suspicion that there was another mouse still at large.  

So I set another trap and waited.  

Still at large

Sure enough, one of the Ziploc bags that I had used to reseal the dogs food had been nibblethrough...this mouse, however, was not to be caught.  While at Ikea - the most fabulous store on earth - I bought a huge rubbermaid container to stow the dog food in so it would be doubly protected and to drive my furry squatters out in desperation for food.  

The most fabulous store on Earth

For about a week, nothing.  Then, last night I heard from Erick - he was FINALLY getting a flight out of Afghanistan.  I was so excited that in my joy I left every single light on downstairs...something I don't do EVER.  Well at about 4:30 this morning I was awakened by Han wimpering at the stairs.  I rolled over to check the time and thought, "Gee whiz, dog, it's too early to go out" and rolled back over to get some more shut eye.   

Then the howling started.  Luke was bellowing so loud that I was quite happy I didn't have neighbors anymore.  I figured something must be up, so I grabbed my robe and my slippers and ran down the stairs.  My first thought was "Ooops, I left all the lights on!" After that initial shock, I noticed that the dogs were trying to get my attention.  They ran down the hall, through the kitchen and into the dining room....I then realized that they had cornered that elusive rodent.  As soon as I spoke the fateful words "Get it" - I saw a little streak come flying through the kitchen into the living room where I was standing.  Doing my pansy dance and screaming like a little girl, I jumped on the couch.  Luke and Han were on it though.  Before I knew it the mouse was dead - Luke poised over it in a triumphant stance, positioning himself between me and the carcass - Han, turning it over with his nose and his paw to make sure it was dead.

Han and Luke attacking a lollipop - but the attack on the mouse was much the same!!

I was never so proud of my puppies.  Then, I realized that I would have to somehow remove the dead thing off of my floor and discard of its little body.  Thoughts of thick yellow gloves, a dust pan and broom were sweeping through my brain.   As if reading my mind, Han scooped up the mouse from the floor with his mouth and stood at the door - I opened it and he promptly took it to the corner of the yard and dropped it running back in the house for a treat.  Quite obliging of him, I thought.

  

Killing machine

The dogs sleep downstairs, so why they never noticed the mouse before this time escapes me....I must only suppose that leaving the lights on downstairs was the key to their finally noticing our guest.  If there are any more furry little creatures roaming around - they best be warned.  My dogs are highly trained and capable killing machines!!!