It’s 12:48 am, Friday morning. But really, I still consider it to be Thursday night.

Since the weather started warming up, we’ve had a fan going in our bedroom at night. For whatever reason, it wasn’t on tonight. I was a little warm, but not warm enough to get out of bed and turn it on. I kept hearing noises.

A slow drip in the bathroom.

Abby’s bird, Pretzel, for whatever reason was making a ruckus. Not much, but more than a bird should at night. (Though, I’ve noticed for quite awhile that he seems sleepier in the daytime than a non-nocturnal bird should be. I think he’s up to something).

But there was more. Something I couldn’t put my finger on. I started to wonder if I’d just gotten so used to the fan being on, I’d forgotten how my house sounds at night. But then I heard something a bit more distinct so I got out of bed and stood in the black hallway for a few minutes, perfectly still, listening.

I heard a soft rustling. It made me think of the hamsters. I went in Veronica’s room to check on Buddy, her golden hamster only to find that he wasn’t in his playground. I checked his cage, and the door was open, as it had been for days ’cause he’s been living in the playground full time. (The hamster playgrounds are large, clear Rubbermaid bins with lots of space and toys. Because they’re so tall, we leave the lids off).

Then I noticed that his playground had been pushed a bit into her closet, and some of the sleeves of her long sleeved shirts were hanging over the bin. And one of them had been pulled half off the hanger and was hanging rather low.

Fabulous.

So I started rummaging. This is somewhat unfortunate for Veronica, because I now know that while she is really good at cleaning up her room quickly without complaint, she stashes stuff everywhere. In every corner. Behind every piece of furniture. Around the entire perimeter of her “clean” room. There are clothes, papers, rocks, bags, hangers, knicknacks and the like absolutely everywhere. I started to doubt I was going to ever find the little guy. I left her room and looked around the living room, kitchen, dining room, etc. No luck. I searched what I could of her room (full of a zillion hiding places) again.

I prayed.

Then I decided to try listening again. And I heard something small in the hallway. A scratching noise on the stairs. I turned the flashlight that direction and there he was. Trying to climb back up the stairs (and failing quite spectacularly).

Amazingly, he didn’t even move as I made my way down to him and scooped him up. I actually kissed the little rodent because aside from the inevitable freak out of dear dad in the morning, and the fact that I wouldn’t have got a wink of sleep all night, Veronica would be heartbroken if Buddy was gone.

But he’s not. And everyone will be overjoyed in the morning, being lucky enough to have missed out on the heart attack the night before.

How nice for them.

In other news, tomorrow I’m meeting with my brother to try to record a couple of my songs. He set up a meeting for Monday with a bass player, lead guitarist, and possibly a drummer so they can get a feel for me and my music and I can tell them what I want them to do with my songs.

That’s both thrilling and terrifying at the same time. I’ve never jammed with anybody. Ever. I totally choke under pressure. This is going to be humiliating. But, it could also be great, and a lot of fun. I’m guessing it’ll be all of the above.

All through this music venture, I’ve had to step out of my comfort zone, and this is the next step I suppose. And I really want to record a CD, for which I need a bass player, lead guitarist, and drums. And a cello player, actually.

Now that I’ve found the rodent and know what was making the soft little noises that were keeping me up, and have decompressed about the whole thing, I might be able to go to sleep.

At 1:30 am.

Quite possibly right before Max wakes up for his first feeding.

I’m gonna be tired.

Thanks, Buddy.