Incentive (aka having a hissy fit)

Usually I consider myself a pretty low-key, non-pushy person. I try not to incite conflict. I try to find peaceful resolutions. I try not to be too controlling.

And then there are times when you have to force the issue, damn the consequences.

Case in point: our wasp problem. Although six of the eight ventilation holes are now screened over, we are still finding wasps inside the house. This is a big problem because, well, WASPS INSIDE THE HOUSE. Also, Terri has funky immune system so a wasp sting and all the associated stress, pain, etc., would be really bad for her. Sadly, our landlady does not see the urgency. In fact, she said, “I asked the other neighbors and they said the wasps weren’t a problem for them.” Well, they ARE a problem for US. Especially when they are INSIDE. Especially when we pay this high rent just to have a porch, which we are unable to use, because of wasps.

I’m thinking they are getting inside because there are still wasps trapped inside the ventilation spaces. I know they are there, because I see them on the other side of the screen (inside the eaves). It’s sad, but, sorry dudes. You had your chance. However, this means that there are still live nests and wasps inside there. Finding their way inside our apartment.

So, I sent the landlady still ANOTHER email about this. I’m sure she is getting really tired of hearing from me about the wasps. *I* am getting really tired of this problem not being solved. Not only did it take months (including months left over from LAST summer) to get the holes covered, now there’s only six of the eight covered. Plus, live nests still inside the ceiling. Nothing like a half-assed extermination job. Meanwhile, I sprayed two more visible nests and threw out my neck sweeping them down over the weekend.

I tried to be really, really super nice, because I know we are not her favorite tenants (for whatever reason… oh, let’s see… could it be because we were not thrilled when she asked us if Terri’s medical problems were “mental”? Or because I have complained for months about the wasps? And the leaking washer? And the clogged sink? Which she did not fix for months? We are pesky, oh yes.) So I used my nicest, sweetest, bestest writing skills and suggested perhaps someone could come see where the wasps are getting in. Or, could we please split the cost of an exterminator?

I haven’t heard back, but I’m sure she’s not pleased. I don’t really care. I’m mad. And really, really ready to do this househunting THING! Let’s DO it! I’m so sick of renting. I realize that owning our own home means we have to pay for, or figure this out, ourselves. But really, I’d prefer that to having to grovel each time something isn’t right. Because here’s the thing: I really wouldn’t mind fixing this myself. I like to fix stuff. I’m a problem-solver. I would gladly just take care of it and she’d never have to hear about it. But it’s not our house. And we have neighbors, who might need to be notified of exterminators, or, at the very least, might not like me spraying wasp poison into their ventilation space. But wasps inside the house are NOT OKAY and I guess I’ll just have to risk her being annoyed with me to get this stupid issue taken care of.

Ah yes. Back to the real world!