Little Friends

So when we got this house, there was a washer and dryer under the back deck. The "office" was apparently an addition, and it juts out of the house next to the deck. There was an electric range under there. The washer and dryer were gotten rid of after a few months, but I kept the range. I kept saying I was going to bring it inside to see if it works. It's actually a nicer range than the one in the house- it has a ceramic glass top- and when you spill on the stove as often as I do, that's wonderful. It's a Frigidaire. The one in the house is a Hotpoint. The Frigidaire is all pristine white. The Hotpoint is white and has a black door and the coils are all crooked and it's kind of ugly. And the thermostat in the oven is off by like, 25%.

So today I finally brought that range inside. Guess what? It works just fine! The oven thermostat is a little off, but it's closer than the current oven. I was really happy. I spent about 5 hours cleaning it (God knows how long it had been out there- we've been here a year and a half), and it looks really good! But... one of the things I cleaned out was a rat's nest on each side of the drawer. It was no problem to clean out. Of course, it's all sanitized and stuff. And of course, when it gets hot in the oven, you smell- you guessed it- mouse pee.

Now, I had a mousy-smelling oven once before, in Murfreesboro. I managed to get rid of the mouse, and after a few days, the smell went away. I don't think this smell is going to go away. I've got to open up the back of the range and clean it out. That's not too big a deal. If the insulation is soaked, I can actually replace that. I found a place online that sells it (I'm a little worried that the website doesn't show prices).

So then I started thinking... what if there are mice in there right now? The last thing I need is to bring mice into my kitchen! I'm sure the cats would be pleased. But I wouldn't. So I lugged the thing out onto the deck and it's staying there overnight. Anyway, wish me luck with my new (free) range. I feel like I was on The Price is Right! "What's Curtis won, Rod Roddy?" "A NEW RANGE!!!"

Plus, I have a friend I think might need a new range herself. She told me that she cooks on the woodstove at home. Now, if she cooks on the woodstove because she wants to, that's one thing. But if she's cooking on the woodstove because she needs a new range and can't afford it- well, hopefully I'll have one to give her soon. If she doesn't want it, I'm sure it'll just end up on the curb for a passerby. I can't imagine selling it quickly through the classifieds.

That's all. Be good!