Sammy, The Rambling Raccoon here again. Ms. Jodi. HELP! If you are able to receive this message will you PLEASE (as in you MUST) double check that I was routed to the correct address. I certainly hope (and pray) you kept the tracking numbers that were issued me upon my dispatch. I suspect that very well may be the only way you’ll be able to locate me. Did you remember to change the batteries on my global positioning system’s tracking device? I sure HOPE SO! I’m so homesick for all of you. I’m worried I might never see you again. I wasn’t worried until I was let out of my travel box. THEN…. this is what happened.

The salutations did NOT go as I would have envisioned given the glowing recommendations we were given of this host family. Within the first few hours of my arrival, I noticed a few discrepancies that I’d like you to check out immediately!

1. I was supposed to go to a family with four children and this family appears to have six as nearly as I can tell.
2. At times, my db meter has hit the ear-deafening 110 mark. This family plays their music VERY LOUD and I thought we were told Multi-Tasking Mommy didn’t like “noise clutter.” I see some of the children wearing ear protectors when they emerge from the room that produces the largest amount of racket. I’ll sneak in there later to see what causes all of the ruckus.
3. The girls are supposed to be 14 and 18 years old, but the only girls I’ve seen so far are guessed to be about one and three years of age, but I hear these younger girls calling for the older girls so they must be around here somewhere. I’ll keep my eyes open for them.
4. The house is in complete disarray. In fact, it appears that this family is in the process of moving.

There are a couple of things that seem to match the supposed description of my host family.

1. This fine young man gracefully weilds a knife! He sliced right through the glutinous binding on my travel box like a PRO! Admittedly, I was a bit apprehensive when I heard a sigh followed by OOPS. Evidently, this young man wasn’t supposed to open my travel box until everyone could gather together for formal salutations. I, for one, am thankful he didn’t know he was supposed to wait. I must forage TONIGHT! I hung out upside down on that mailbox for so long it MUST be near dark, I would hope. I digress. This young man seems to resemble the descriptions of the boy named Josh in our reports.

2. The younger boy is definitely as described in the reports. He talks non-stop and is your typical four year old boy. He’s very playful and full of energy. He has taken quite a liking to me and it’s a good thing because no one else seems to have noticed that I’m here given the state of confusion they seem to be in at the moment. I can’t quite tell if they are coming or going. And, honestly, I’m not sure if THEY know either.

Colin and Tristan forwarned me that I should be prepared to sleep outside since they had the inside scoop on Multi-Tasking Mommy. They were able to find out that it might take awhile for her to warm up to the idea of a raccoon inhabiting her house. You remember all of the dunnage I ate on the way here? I didn’t eat it just because I ran out of chocolate. I suspected that Multi-Tasking Mommy wouldn’t be very fond of dunnage knowing how it wreaks havoc with vacuum cleaners so I decided to start our relationship out on the right foot by not making a mess of her house right from the start. Ms. Jodi told me before I left that the ladies who communicate via some sort of coded loop called SHS call Multi-Taking Mommy the Vacuum Cleaner Queen!

We’ve also heard through the blogosphere grapevine that she’s not really “into” animals and that she doesn’t even let their cats or dog inside.

Well. You can see for yourself. My first night and I’m IN THE HOUSE! I wonder what will happen tomorrow when Multi-Taking Mommy finds out I slept inside right next to her four year old son ALL NIGHT! I was really looking forward to some foraging tonight, but it’s so cozy and quiet now that all of the little ones have gone to bed. I think I’ll have a look-see tomorrow.

In the meantime, I’ll try to do some investigating to see if this is really the right home and host family. It’s all so confusing… too many kids, the girls’ ages aren’t matching up, the house is in complete disarray, etc. But at the same time, I’m certain the boys are right so I think I may be in the right spot. Perhaps the description was amiss? I must get to the bottom of this!

Until next time,