I don't know whether getting ready for work in the morning is more of an adventure for the ferrets or us! Well, for us, "adventure" isn't quite the word I'd use. After getting them all up, they head for the kitchen, of course. Wiping up water off the floor where Oliver went swimming in the water bowl is my first task. (He use to be able to curl up in it when he was a kit.) This normally happens 2 to 3 times every morning (nighttime is no exception). Getting nipped on the ankles--Hay you up there give me some treats! Sometimes you just get "the face" looking up at you instead (my preference, or the cold wet nose like Rowdy use to do). Trying to get all the gravy dished out and make sure the right ferret gets the right bowl with medicine in it. No, wait, that's Harley's yours is in the microwave. As Chico is scratching at the cupboard door where the freeze-dried liver treats are. Taking a shower is always, umm interesting. Fighting your way in the shower without them. Holding on to the door while Funny tries to open it and water goes spewing out on the floor or he jumps in. Kinda hard to wash with one hand and hold on to the door at the same time (oopppsss too much information). Trying to get out of the shower while they're all jumping in is not so bad as trying to dry off before they discover watery ankles-the lick, lick, chomp. I call that the "shower dance". Sometimes there's not even enough room to stand on the bath mat and dry off. I've learned to hurry and roll my hair up in the towel, dry feet and ankles first, and hurry and slip on sandals. Of course, we could shut the bathroom door, but what's the fun in that. Brushing teeth, straddling a ferret or two (usually Harley and/or Pooh) on the rug between the legs. Sadie likes to dig on my leg to be picked up. I'm brushing my teeth, leaning over the sink and bending down to pet her (no she's not spoiled). Meanwhile toothpaste is running down my chin, oopppsss won't go there. Then it's "bed time". They all get thrown up on the water bed for frolicking. They snorkel under the sheets and blankets, get in the pillowcases, pounce on each other (wish I had a video camera). The purpose of "bed time" is so you can get in the drawers without any help or crawling in the drawers to that hidden space underneath the waterbed they all love so much. You think, aha, now I can quick get to the closet without more help. As soon as you open the door (I think their ears are in tune to that sound) to rush in grab cloths, rush out and close the door.they all jump off the bed like at a swim meet after the gun goes off. The rest of the crew who were off playing/sleeping somewhere appear out of no where (imagine that). OK, so you grab a few ferrets and carry them out of the closet, go back for the others at the same time the first ones go back in the closet (get the picture). Guess we'll have to put up yet another barrier to climb over, sigh (but that would be too easy). You get them all out and close the closet door, whew. The next task is to get dressed without help. Ha! Putting on nylons is not an easy task with them climbing up my legs, not to mention a dress-waahooo, lets hang from mom's dress. After you put your shoes on (like they have never seen them before) they clamp on and you end up dragging them along as you leave the bedroom (especially Brandy if they have tassels or woven leather she can sink her little teethies into). The next task before you leave for work is to find them all and put them in their cages while they're trying to get out as fast as you put them in. They give you "the face" again (Mom, we weren't do'in nothin', we'll be good we promise). This is where I feel guilty and wish I could stay home with them instead of going off to work. But then, where would the "adventure" be? Mary and The 12 Munchkins (Mom, Dad, we were just helpin' ya!) [Posted in FML issue 3147]