#Squeaky Stair Repair

[dreamsdevelopment]

How would Maksim and Emilio react to discovering that MC can sing and/or has musical inclinations with an instrument (like if they discovered MC singing or playing music)? (Use a translator, I don't know if it was understood)

Thank you so much for sending in an ask! I hope you enjoy this! Apologies for the late reply!

Maksim

At first, Maksim doesn't really notice how often you hum to yourself when you're making dinner together. It's actually your rhythmic tapping against the outdoor benches during your bird watching dates that makes him wonder if you're insane, trying to communicate via morse code, or if you play an instrument.

He gets his answer when he catches you singing at the top of your lungs when you think he isn't home. He nearly drops his groceries, thinking an intruder has snuck into his house and is using his bathroom, until he realises it's you.

"My… My love?"

Suddenly, your singing stops. You cover your mouth and squeak, but the noise ricochets off the walls and he chuckles.

"It's the birds!" You reply, but Maksim chuckles.

To be honest, Maksim doesn't urge you to sing more. He's familiar with birds, he knows they come around in their own time, but the second you start humming absentmindedly, he is horrible at concealing his eager expression. He might as well be dancing about with a lightstick, had it existed in that era, he probably would.

Eventually, you become more comfortable within your living space with Maksim, and your hums become light songs, to full blown performances in your kitchen. Maksim is especially fond of hearing you sing whilst he's sick, the sensation of your hand running through his hair and the vibration of your voice lulling him to sleep. He likes your songs very much, but sometimes, you'll make up silly songs about how Maksim has tripped on the stairs to make fun of him, and it costs you your dignity as he pinches your cheeks from cuteness-aggressive. Your nearly opera-level performances often occur when you're cleaning, and Maksim intentionally situates himself upstairs to appreciate the acoustics of your voice echoing across the house.

All in all, Maksim enjoys your music. He's fascinated that a voice could enchant someone, but something tells you it's not just your voice that puts him under your spell…

Emilio

Emilio is a fine enjoyer of the arts, so he may appreciate street performances during his free time. That's how he initially met you, a violinist on the side of the road. A new instrument at the time, so rare to find, but you seem so well acquainted with it, you've serenaded half the street.

In a more domestic setting, Emilio will often beg you to play as he does menial tasks like cleaning.

"Wouldn't it be faster and less boring if we did it together?" You ask, but Emilio pulls out the "pretty please?" and who are you to refuse him?

He may waltz around the kitchen, and it's hilariously stiff. He will not stop until the house is spotless whilst he dramatically wipes down the counter or brandishes the bedsheets on the bed. He has stubbed his toe once, and you will never let him live it down.

Emilio is very supportive, and his job allows him to tinker with your violin. It's one of your prized possessions and you're trusting him to fix it? Does he need to find a wedding venue now, or..? If you have any repairs needed, he's the man to ask, especially because he's always wanted to know how it worked. He might ask to try and play it once or twice, but after a ridiculously squeaky note that almost shatters the sun, he sheepishly grins and returns the violin to you.

He prefers your slower pieces, where he can just stare at you lovingly as you concentrate.. He enjoys the face you make as you play, the calluses on your hand from holding your bow, how confident you become. Emilio is enthralled, enraptured and completely immersed in every performance. He will absolutely drop everything if you play for him, whether it be for the first, second, or thousandth time. As long as he can hear you play, or even see your face, he's going to be there.

[supernova-garbage]

Short story: “Letters from the lighthouse”

The lighthouse stood like a weary guardian at the edge of a cliff, its stones weathered and scarred by years of salt and wind. Within its aging walls, a lone keeper tended to his duties, his movements methodical, his life tethered to this solitary tower.

The lighthouse was old, much like him, and as the keeper worked, he often thought of how they had seen so many fierce storms together. Time had left its mark on the building, as well as his face. Lines of endurance and loneliness were etched into him, just like they were etched into the stones that made the lighthouse.

When he had finished his tasks for the night, he put on his aged coat and stepped out into the windy air of the morning. He made his way to the old mailbox, that stood near the edge of the cliff. Inside the mailbox, he found a single white envelope, the address scrawled on it with messy handwriting that brought the hint of a smile to his eyes.

Back in his modest quarters, he lit a dim lamp and opened the paper with care, his calloused hands shaking slightly. The words spoke of wonderful people, a voyage to distant lands he had never heard of, dangerous seas that had claimed many lives, and the eagerness to return home. The letter described the warmth of tropical rains, the scent of unknown spices in the air, and the friendship of a crew bound by adventure. The letter ended with a simple, heartfelt wish: "I hope to see you soon, brother.”

Another day passed asleep in the squeaky bed that was probably older than the world itself, the lighthouse keepers dreams as solitary as his life, and another night was spent in the quiet rhythm of his work. At night, he tended the light, ensuring its steady beam pierced the darkness and warned distant ships of the dangerous rocks below the waves.

That evening, another letter was waiting for him in the mailbox. He opened it eagerly, the familiar handwriting a small comfort in his solitude. Once more, the letter spoke of adventures far and wide, but this time, it included an odd detail: a mention of a leaky window the keeper had repaired just yesterday. He frowned, trying to recall if he had written about it in his reply. Perhaps he had—it was hard to remember. Shaking off the thought, he wrote his response and left it outside for the mailman.

The following day brought a more pressing concern. The storm was drawing closer, its dark clouds already looming on the horizon, and the oil reserves were dangerously low. The delivery, delayed by rough seas, might not arrive in time.

That evening, another letter awaited him. He read it by the dim light of his desk lamp, his fingers lingering over the paper. The letter offered reassurances, even addressing his fears about the oil shortage.

The handwriting was unmistakably his brother's, but for the first time, he noticed its uncanny similarity to his own.

The keeper's unease grew, but he pushed it aside. It was just a coincidence, he told himself. Family members' resemblance to each other.

The storm finally started with ferocity, its winds rocking the lighthouse more and more as the storm grew with each passing moment. Waves crashed against the cliff, sending water high into the air. Inside the lighthouse, the keeper worked tirelessly, fighting against exhaustion to keep the light burning.

In a brief lull, he checked the mailbox once more. Another letter was there, soaked at the edges by the rain. It was full of comforting words, speaking directly to the fears that gnawed at him in the darkness of the storm.

Back at his desk, he began to write a reply but was interrupted by a worrying noise from above. The light needed tending. He left the unfinished letter on the table and hurriedly climbed up the stairs, his joints protesting with each step.

In the dead of night, when the storm was at its fiercest, the keeper descended to his quarters for a brief moment of rest from the storm.

His eyes fell on the letter he had left on the desk. It lay open, the ink still gleaming faintly in the dim light. He picked it up, his gaze reading over the lines he had written earlier. Something about it nagged at him, like an itch beneath his skin.

He reached into the drawer where he kept the letters from his brother and laid them side by side with the one he'd just written. A chill, colder than the wind outside, seeped into his bones as he scanned the words. The handwriting was the same—not just in style, but in every loop and flourish. His brother's voice, his comforting words and tales of far away adventures... they were his own.

The realization came slowly at first, creeping like the tide. But then it surged, a flood of memories crashing over him.

His brother's face, sunburnt and smiling, waving as he boarded a ship many years ago. The news of the wreck that followed months later, delivered with trembling voices and quiet condolences. The grave on the hillside where the town had buried an empty coffin, marked with his brother's name.

His legs gave way, and he sank into the chair. The letters, they were all his. His own mind, desperate to fill the void that his brother's death had left, had conjured them. He had been writing to himself, answering himself, clinging to the ghost of a loved one that no longer existed.

The storm outside howled like a vengeful spirit, ready to take its revenge on the world, rattling the windows as if mocking his grief. His chest tightened, the weight of years of solitude pressing down on him. He clutched the letters to his chest, a choked sob escaping his lips.

Then, a flash of light filled the room, so bright it seemed to tear through the air itself. A thunderous crack followed, and the world around him shuddered violently. The walls groaned as the stones began to give way.

He had no time to run, no time to save himself. The last thought that passed through his mind, as the world collapsed around him, was of his brother.

The memory was fleeting but vivid: two boys laughing as they ran along the rocky shore, their mother calling them back before the tide came in. A warmth, a presence, a love that was real.

Then everything was swallowed by the dark.

When the storm cleared the next morning, the townspeople came to investigate the ruin of the lighthouse. They sifted through the rubble until they found the keeper's body, clutching a crumpled, smudged letter in his hands.

The words were illegible, but the sight was moving without the knowledge of what had been his last thoughts. The keeper was buried beside his brother, their graves overlooking the sea. The lighthouse was never rebuilt, its light extinguished forever.

But sometimes, on stormy nights, sailors swore they could see a faint beam of light cutting through the darkness—a final act of devotion from the keeper and his brother, reunited at last.

the end

[alexthebordercollie]

To Love at all is to Love Entirely

Chapter 2: Debut

︵‿୨ - November 1 1950 - ୧‿︵

Mirabel rocked too and fro on her toes a moment before knocking again.

Nothing.

“Vaya.” It couldn’t be helped, she supposed. Bruno’s room was enormous, it wouldn’t be shocking if he couldn’t hear her. Abuela had asked her to go talk to him. It had been like this since her tío returned to the family. Whenever conversations between the two of them were uncomfortable Mirabel would inevitably become the middleman. Middlewoman? Nonetheless, she figured it would be better to try and get this over with now rather than later.

She nudged the wooden door with Bruno’s likeness open just a crack. The small entryway echoed with the sound of falling sand. She called out tentatively.

“Tío Bruno?”

Only the soft echo of sand replied.

Mirabel tip-toed gently inside, closing the door behind her and calling out a bit louder.

“Tío Bruno! Abuela wanted me to talk to you!”

Mirabel took a deep breath knowing this wasn’t going to be a fun conversation. The fact she was barging into his room unannounced was likely not going to help. She’d tried asking Casita to get her uncle's attention for her, but Casita still had very little control over this room's interior. She tapped on the wall by the curtain of sand like her uncle had taught her and watched the curtain part just enough for her to pass through. Her shoes tapped softly on the metal grate that caught the curtain before padding down creaky wooden stairs to round tile floor. The base of the tower was still a bit empty, but it was cleaner now, so that was something. Looking at the tall winding stairs made her momentarily grateful she never got a room of her own. The thought of scaling this tower every day sounded like a nightmare. Bruno seemed unphased by it though. Man must have had legs of steel. At least she didn’t have to make it to the top this time. Her uncle’s bedroom was only halfway up.

She eyed the stairs and counted the flights she’d have to scale.

“This is gonna take a while.” She sighed.

Twenty minutes of climbing and her breath was getting short. She did her best not to let the frustration get to her, but could feel the complaints escaping her mouth in breathy grumbles.

“Great way to scare away the visitors, huh?”

Mirabel stopped for a second to catch her breath when a familiar sound caught her attention. It was Tío Bruno, he was talking to himself, sort of.

“Carlos, what are you saying?” It was a squeaky falsetto, but unmistakably her tío’s voice.

“We can’t keep doing this, Juanita. Think of what it will do to the family!” Came a gruffer equally exaggerated declaration.

“Tío!” Mirabel called up, a bit more annoyed than she intended. She trotted up a couple more steps to her tío’s bedroom.

Bruno stood awkwardly hunched over a small table with a couple of his rats in hand and stared wide-eyed for a moment. Her tío was a strange man with strange hobbies. At first, she had assumed it was just the isolation talking. The more time she spent with him the more she started to suspect he was just naturally a bit…off.

“Oh, hey Mirabel.” He smiled awkwardly. “I was just, you know,” he set the rats down and wrung his hands together before awkwardly gesturing towards the cardboard sets he’d built for them, “Just watching mis novelas He chuckled.

“You’re still doing those?” Mirabel asked skeptically and she invited herself into his space and began eyeing his chair greedily.

“You can sit if you want.” Bruno nodded to his chair as he noticed the sweat on his sobrina's brow.

“Gracias a Dios.” She gasped as she flopped down in his seat. It was warm. The chair was old but seemed to have been repaired since the last time she was in his room. Bruno’s old poncho was draped over the back of it. Rather neatly, as though he hadn’t touched it in a while.

“You know we can get you a real television. You could watch real telenovelas.” Mirabel reminded him playfully.

“I know,” He whined, “But, we have fun with it.” He turned to Carlos and Jaunita, the stars of the show. “We have fun right chicos?”

Juanita merely blinked up at him while Carlos began grooming under his foreleg. Or perhaps it was the other way around. Mirabel has a hard time telling the small furry creatures apart.

“Yeah, you guys get it.” He smiled as he picked up Juanita and scratched lovingly under her chin.

Mirabel sucked in her lips and drummed the arms of the chair as she thought. Her tío needed more human friends. That was a given. Unfortunately, she kind of doubted he’d be inclined to make many after what she was about to say next. The topic had come up at more than one town meeting now and she was hearing the same question from folks on the street. Abuela didn’t want to ask because she knew her son was still sensitive. Maybe this was Mirabel’s gift this whole time. Being the only person who could just say things outright.

“Folks in town are starting to ask about you.” Mirabel announced.

Bruno put Juanita down. “That so?” He replied nervously. He didn’t turn to face her. She could see the ruana she’d made for him pull tight around his shoulders as he tugged the front closed.

“Yeah.” She replied gently as she leaned forward. She rested her elbows on her knees and tilted her head to the side. She tried to get a glimpse at his face. “People are wondering when you’re going to start doing visions again.” She said matter of factly.

Bruno mumbled something and looked down. She could tell he was still fidgeting with his ruana.

“Could you speak up a bit?” She asked as sweetly as she could.

“Never…” He muttered a bit louder. Shooting a brief glance back that passed by in a flurry of mad curls.

“Jamás de los jamases?” Mirabel tried to sound playful and kind. She knew this was a big ask and truthfully she wasn’t sure it was a fair thing to ask of him.

“No!” He snapped as he spun around before recoiling and saying again with less conviction, “No, no...”

He paced the small space anxiously ringing the embroidered fabric around his neck. He tugged so vigorously she almost worried the stitching would come loose. “I’m not going back to that.” He said fearfully, “ I can’t,” unsure, “I won’t.” angry.

His pacing continued to get more frantic. She could see him spiraling downward. She stood up to go steady him. Placing her hands on his shoulders she held him gently as she could.

“Tío, respira.”

Bruno loosened his grip on his ruana and took a deep breath in, then out. She could feel his shoulders relax a bit under her grip. He looked in her eyes and she regretted asking. There was so much sadness in those eyes. This profound heartache that she could feel in every muscle.

“I-I can’t go back to that life.” He said sadly before looking down at his feet and sneering bitterly. “Me niego a ser el chivo expiatorio de el pueblo otra ves.”

“I understand.”

Her tío pulled loose from her and continued to complain as he paced over to his bed. His hands dropped down to his side and his body relaxed however which reassured Mirabel. He sat down on the bed slouching forward and resting his cheek in one hand as he gesticulated with the other.

“No one wants to hear what I have to say. People always think they do, but they don’t.” He waved his free hand dismissively. He wasn’t looking at Mirabel really. He seemed to stare off into space as if lost in his own thoughts.

Mirabel sat on the bed next to him, inching closer till he snapped out of his irritated trance to look at her. She snuggled her head under his arm forcing him upright.

He smiled.

“It’s ok Tío. No one was going to force you. I know I was stubborn before.”

Bruno wrapped his arm around her and put his hand on hers. “It’s ok Mija. You had good reason to be.”

“Besides.” He said waving his hand enthusiastically. “It was a crisis! What was I supposed to do? Not help in a crisis?” His playful inflection let her know he’d be alright. “I could never do that.”

“Perdón por pedirte. Abuela wanted an answer for people so they’d stop asking.”

“Así que te mandó a comerte el garrón, eh?” Bruno quirked an eyebrow and Mirabel let out a little half laugh.

Mirabel was about to think of a witty retort when hurried petite footsteps could be heard rushing up the steps. The disruption caught Bruno’s attention too as they both turned to see who the sound belonged to. Dolores stood panting in the doorway. Her delicate fingers brushed against the stone frame for support as she tried to catch her breath. Her brown eyes were wide as dinner plates.

“Are you ok? Is something wrong?” Mirabel was sincerely worried as she stood up to go support her prima. Dolores however flew right past Mirabel whose supportive arms swung through the empty air.

“Por favor, por favor, por favor, tell me what happens next?!” She pleaded as she invaded Bruno’s personal space. She gripped at her dress desperately and leaned in close to his face.

Bruno was noticeably taken aback. “Cómo?”

“Are they breaking up or not?! They’ve been putting off this conversation for three years, Tío Bruno! Three years!”

An awkward though rather charmed smile tugged at his lips. “You mean Juanita and Carlos?” He asked.

“Of course Juanita and Carlos!” Dolores replied irritably as if she assumed it was obvious.

Mirabel groaned audibly and her tío laughed.

“That’s what this is about? I thought something serious had happened, but no you ran all this way just to ask about his novelas de ratas?” She chastised.

Mirabel crossed her arms and puffed out her cheeks. Bruno’s face lit up.

“You’re a fan of my telenovelas?” He beamed in disbelief.

Dolores seemed to become more aware of herself again and returned to her usually quiet demeanor. The silliness of it all seeming to dawn on her. She clasped her hands bashfully in front of her chest. “I’ve been listening to them for years.” She admitted.

Dolores fiddled with her delicately manicured nails and looked down at her hands shyly. “I always liked your stories.”

“That’s really sweet of you mija.” Bruno smiled before a sudden look of realization dawned on him. “Wait… how long have you been listening to mis novelas?” 

Mirabel cut him off before Dolores could elaborate. “I still can’t believe you knew he was here this whole time and didn’t say anything.” She complained.

Dolores's eyes flicked back to Mirabel beneath thick eyelashes though she didn’t turn around. “With a gift like mine, you learn a lot of things that are better left unsaid. If tío didn’t want to be found I trusted he had a good reason.”

“Sure didn’t trust me.” Mirabel’s blood boiled a bit. Perhaps she was tired from all the stairs but the thought of that horrible dinner still filled her with stress and frustration.

“Mirabel.” Bruno soothed.

“Bruno can hide in the walls for years like el rey rata but you can’t just talk to me before blabbing to the whole family.” Mirabel chastised her cousin. Dolores looked like she might have said something before their tío intervened.

“Mirabel, that’s enough.” He asserted as he rose to his feet.

Mirabel looked down at the floor.

“What’s done is done. Everything worked out in the end right?”

Mirabel sighed. “Yeah I guess.”

“Then just leave it for now alright?” He asked as he put one hand on her shoulder and the other on Dolores. He looked her in the eye and she could tell he didn’t like seeing his sobrinas argue. For his sake, she agreed to let it go. Mirabel still shot Dolores a look only to receive a shrug and a small squeak.

Dolores looked back up at Bruno. “So do you think they can make it work?” She asked him pleadingly.

“Well, it’s complicated.” He replied as he launched into a tangent about plans for future plotlines only to have Dolores cover her ears. Bruno stopped, surprised by the sudden gesture.

“No lo estropees.” She insisted and thier tío laughed.

It got Mirabel thinking. Bruno seemed pretty pleased to find he had a fan. He liked talking about his stories. He was obviously a creative person. He was funny and compassionate. Folks in the village only ever talked about his powers. It was all they ever seemed to see. She needed some way for the rest of the town to see him the way she did. She just might have had an idea.

Mirabel crept quietly back out onto the stairs as her tío recited the rest of the “episode” he’d been performing to Dolores. She needed to work quickly if she wanted to get everyone on board before the night was out.

︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵

After another twenty-minute descent and a quick snack break in the kitchen, she went to talk to Antonio. He was still little and went to bed early though he’d likely take the least convincing. His skill with animals would no doubt be a big help. She asked Luisa about her new woodworking hobby and if she might be willing to do something fun with it. Camilo laughed at her proposal but said it was the funniest thing he’d ever heard and simply had to be involved.

Mirabel hesitated at her sister's door for a moment. They’d been getting along a lot better since Isabela opened up but she still wasn’t sure if she’d be interested in something so silly. Not to mention she knew she wasn’t the biggest fan of rats. Eventually, Mirabel worked up the courage to knock and Isabella answered with some surprise.

“Is there something you need?” She asked, considerably less irritated than would have been expected before.

Mirabel fumbled a bit “So Tío Bruno...”

“Yes?” Isabela replied quizzically.

Mirabel took a breath and belted out. “So Bruno hasn’t left the house since he came back. Except he didn’t really come back since he never really left… That’s not the point. He’s still super closed off and he needs to get out more right? So I have this idea to help get him out of the house but I don’t think I can convince him to do it on my own so I thought if I got everyone in on it…” Mirabel trailed off as she watched her sister shift her weight and cross her arms thoughtfully.

After a moment of contemplation, Isabela replied, “So what’s your plan?”

At the dinner table, that night the kids kept exchanging knowing glances with each other. Antonio couldn’t help but snicker. Abuela seemed confused but didn’t press the issue. Mirabel was sure her mamá knew something was up. Thankfully Bruno seemed to continue obviously devouring his sister's fried plantains. Dolores shot subtle frustrated glares around the table that hushed her primas and hermanos. Thankfully Papá and Tío Félix really carried the conversation at the dinner table that night and Bruno seemed not to notice the kid's suspicious quiet too much.

Once everyone had dispersed and the dishes had been washed and put away the kids gathered back at the table to discuss.

“You all are terrible at keeping secrets.” Dolores flustered. She stood beside Mirabel with her arms crossed.

“You’re one to talk.”

Dolores cleared her throat and Mirabel rolled her eyes.

“Right, right. Agua por debajo del puente.” She turned back to the rest of the entourage. “So everyone is clear on the plan?” She asked.

“I suppose I can help with the decorations.” Isabela replied coolly through a playful smile threatened to escape her as she thought about what they were trying to do.

“I’m not sure if I’ll be able to make anything impressive.” Luisa worried as she rubbed at the back of her neck.

“It’s fine Luisa. This is just for fun, so no pressure, ok?” Mirabel reminded her.

Her middle sister smiled back softly. “Yeah, of course.” She thought for a moment. “About how big does it need to be?”

Mirabel leaned back and crossed her arms as she thought. Sucking in her lips she tried to picture what she had in mind and compare it with the size of her tío’s rats. Before she could think of the answer Dolores drew a rectangle on the table with her finger.

“It needs to be big enough to fit at least a few actors at once. It’s better if it’s a bit too big than too small so something like this should give us enough extra space.”

“So you’re in on it too then?” Mirabel clarified. She hadn’t actually explained the plan to Dolores but when they had all gathered for dinner it had been clear Dolores had heard at least one of Mirabel's many pitches.

“Nope.” She squeaked. Mirabel was surprised given her prima's enthusiasm earlier. “I want it to be a surprise.” She clarified.

“How are you ever surprised by anything?” Camilo griped. The mild frustration of years of ruined pranks was evident.

“I choose what to focus on. I’ll just have to keep myself distracted while you work.”

“So it’s decided. We’ll ask him tomorrow then?” Mirabel asked the group.

“Sure.” “Yep.” “Sounds like fun.”

“This is gonna be so much fun.” Antonio chirped as he bounced in his chair.

“Tonito, go brush your teeth.” Tía Pepa called from upstairs.

“Coming Mamá!” Antonio called back. He trilled excitedly as he hopped down from his seat. “I can’t wait for tomorrow.”

︵‿୨ - November 2 1950 - ୧‿︵

The next day at school dragged on. Mirabel couldn’t help but sketch out some patterns in her notebook. Camilo snickered when the teacher pulled her notebook away and she had to explain that she was designing dresses for rats. The whole class had a laugh and Camilo couldn’t stop smiling ear to ear. Mirabel was usually a good student. Thankfully the teacher returned her drawings with a very confused warning. After class let out there were chores to do of course. Formerly agreed to obligations around town. Though the workload for the Madrigal children had eased up considerably since Castia had been rebuilt which left a lot more time at the end of the day for recreation. One by one they finished their tasks for the day and gathered outside their tío's door. Camilo couldn’t stop grinning mischievously. Antonio bounced up and down though he tried to resist the urge. Luisa seemed confident while Isabela still seemed a bit skeptical. Mirabel gave the door a knock and hoped her tío wasn’t too distracted to notice.

“Ready guys?”

“Let’s do it.” Luisa and Antonio chimed.

“He’s not gonna go for it.” Isabela maligned.

“I think it’s worth a shot.” Camilo replied.

“Only because you wanna make fun of him.” Isabela glared.

Camilo morphed into a tiny Isabela and fluttered his exaggerated eyelashes. “Who me? I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Come on Camilo, we're doing this for Tío Bruno. This isn’t a prank, it's supposed to be fun for him too.”

Camilo returned to his normal height and grumbled. “My pranks are fun.”

Dolores stopped and listened a moment as she passed by the narrow hallway cluttered with Madrigals.

“He’s heading downstairs.” She squeaked and fluttered off so as not to entangle herself too deeply in their mischief.

Mirabel crossed her fingers and smiled. The excitement waned a bit however as she considered it may take a minute for him to reach the door. After a few awkward minutes of silence, she knocked again and pressed her ear to the door.

“Vengo, vengo!” She heard echo off the walls of the tower.

She tried to listen for his footsteps and heard the sand curtain part. She was too slow to react however and nearly fell over the threshold when her tío finally opened the door. In hindsight that was fairly quick given how many steps there were. Bruno may have been scrawny but he was surprisingly quick when he wanted to be.

Bruno looked down at the gaggle of youngsters and cocked an eyebrow. “Is this some kind of intervention?” He inquired.

Mirabel hopped to her feet, took a crate from Luisa and slammed it down in the entryway. She stood atop it and excitedly announced.

“Tablas!”

“Uh…” He leaned back.

“It was Mirabel’s idea!” Antonio squealed excitedly and he ran to tug on Bruno’s hand.

“Tablas?” He asked looking down at Antonio and back at Mirabel.

“Mi hermana’s a big fan of your dumb novelas de ratas and we want in.” Camilo clarified, though he really didn’t explain anything.

“They’re not dumb.” Mirabel reprimanded shooting daggers back at Camilo. She stood upright and brushed her hair back with both hands.

“We thought it might be fun,” Mirabel explained. “If maybe you could take your rats out to town square and put on a little show. You know, something silly for the kids. We could help you put it together. Luisa agreed to make you a little theater and Camilo can help with voices. Isabela and I are gonna work on costumes and sets…”

Bruno pulled back a moment and stopped her. “Perdona?” He screwed his face up a moment and rubbed at the back of his neck as he tried to process what his niece had just proposed.

“You want me.” He said slowly. “To do my telenovelas. In public. Where other people can see me?”

“Yes. That is what I said. That is correct.” Mirabel replied as her resolve began to falter.

Bruno chuckled awkwardly, “Well that’s certainly an idea isn’t it.” He stood on tiptoe to peer over the kids towards the kitchen. “You know I think Beatrice could use some fresh water. I should go get her a clean saucer.” He pointed with his hand pulled close to his chest and began to push past the kids.

“I told you.” Isabela whined.

“Sé bueno con tu hermana.” Bruno called back as he scurried down the hall.

“Come on Tío Bruno, it'll be fun.” Mirabel pleaded. Trotting along behind him.

Bruno hopped down the stairs skipping steps and putting space between himself and the small army of his sisters' children.

“We have a very different definition of fun mija.” He chuckled awkwardly, speed walking into the kitchen. Mirabel was persistent.

Bruno never left Casita and barely left his room most days. He needed something to break him out of his shell and what better way than to show off his talents doing something he loved? He was anxious about people and she understood that but any reputation would be better than bad luck Bruno.

“Tío.” She breathed as Castia caught her with the kitchen tiles before she could fumble her stop. Bruno reached up for a saucer. “I really think people will enjoy it. You could finally be known for something other than your visions.”

Bruno looked back at her as he struggled to reach the high shelf. Casita seemed to be pulling it just out of reach to redirect his attention. “No one wants to hear my dumb stories, Mirabel.” He said dismissively before glaring at the disobedient wall fixture.

Isabela elbowed Camilo harshly in the ribs as the crew caught up with them. Luisa came over and pulled down the small saucer Bruno had been reaching for.

“Gracias.” He replied.

“I remember the stories you used to tell us when we were little.” Luisa said, gesturing toward Isabela. “You always seemed to be having so much fun. I bet other kids would love to hear your stories.”

Bruno looked to his older sobrinas as he gripped the saucer thoughtfully. Mirabel watched him attentively as he thought. “I dunno niños. I’m not sure other people would find mis ratas as endearing as I do.” He replied as he reached for the faucet.

“That’s too bad.” Antonio looked down at the floor. “I was really looking forward to practicing with them.”

The disappointment in Antonio’s voice made Bruno flinch. His tiny sobrinito who had never had a chance to know him but still showed him unconditional kindness. Bruno’s hand recoiled from the faucet. He set the saucer down and rested his weight against the countertop. His head hung low for a moment as he thought. Mirabel’s breath caught in her chest as she watched him think. It was a very silly idea and his reaction had made her second-guess herself. She had sincerely thought it would do him good. Perhaps it was cheating though, gathering up her primos and hermanas to tag team him like this.

Bruno threw back his head and groaned. “Está bien, me tienen.” He surrendered.

Mirabel squealed with delight before composing herself.

“I know it’s silly but what harm could it do? Besides, if you're not having any fun we can always call it off.”

Bruno crossed his arms and eyed her up and down skeptically.

“Tú prometes?”

“Lo prometo.” Mirabel assured confidently.

Bruno fidgeted a moment before compulsively knocking on the cabinets beneath him. He crossed his fingers and puffed out his cheeks.

“I guess we’re doing this.” He gasped out.

“Gracias Tío, you won't regret this.” Luisa patted him gruffly on the back. “It’ll give us a chance to spend more time together. Really catch up, right Isabela?” Luisa turned to her colorful sister.

Isbela flipped her hair. “Maybe we’ll learn what’s got Dolores so excited.”

“I call dibs on co-writer.” Camilo chimed.

“You did always say your real gift was acting.” Mirabel quoted Bruno’s words back to him playfully.

“I did say that.” He whined reluctantly.

︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵

For the rest of the week, the group would gather in a different magical room each afternoon to work on their play.

Camilo, true to his word, kept hovering over their Tío’s shoulder as he wrote the script. They argued over jokes and line delivery. The constant onslaught of laughter and goofy voices made it clear he was far from a nuisance. Antonio sat with them and helped explain to the rats where they wanted them to stand and how to move. Rats being rats of course only have so many gestures they can do but Bruno was no stranger to making do and always prioritized his furry friend's comfort. He seemed enraptured by the chance to hear what they had to say. Mostly they talked about food.

Luisa worked on building the stage. Isabela and Mirabel worked together on costumes and props. She had a fun time doing arts and crafts with her sisters. It felt nice. Getting to bicker and smear glitter on each other's faces. She couldn’t remember the last time she and her sisters had just sat down to spend time together like this. Perhaps this wasn’t just for Tío. As she whittled more and more afternoons away this way Mirabel realized how much she needed this too.

It turns out spending ten years alone gives one a lot of time to indulge in their hobbies and Bruno had a variety of artistic skills he’d dabbled in. He would get up from wherever he was situated to write, stretch, and check on each of the Madrigal children. He’d always find ways to involve himself in whatever someone was up to. Helping Luisa with some of the stage's finer details, giving advice on set pieces, or sharing his enthusiastic thoughts on the costumes. He had a way of making everyone feel like their contributions were appreciated.

Dolores would always come and collect them for dinner. All the while she insisted her brother try not to spoil the plot for her. She always seemed charmed by the conversation when they set the table. News of this hair-brained scheme, of course, took no time at all to spread to the rest of the family, and suspiciously a few folks in town heard about a mysterious surprise in the plaza. Realizing he might actually have an audience certainly rattled her Tío but he wasn’t ready to call off his evenings of crafting and jokes with his sobrinos.

Occasionally Mamá , Papá, Pepa or Félix would pop in to see what they were up to. Most seemed supportive even if Pepa took the opportunity to take potshots at her brother. Bruno never seemed bothered by Pepa’s jabs though and always shot back with little hesitation. Camilo would provide backup and his mother would storm off in a huff. Mirabel always caught him making it up to her later. Mamá seemed to be a bit put off by the concept but was nonetheless very supportive. She seemed to be happy just to see her brother being more involved with the family.

︵‿୨ - November 8 1950 - ୧‿︵

Friday night rolled around. Thanks to Dolores a handful of folks were now expecting something come Saturday evening. Despite the nerves, Bruno still seemed to be thoroughly enjoying putting together the finishing touches with his family.

Luisa had constructed a more sizable stage than originally planned. Bruno seemed happy with the room it freed up for rat choreography. The stage was about half the size of a bathtub and sturdy enough to support a single adult's weight. With some ingenuity from Camilo a small trap door had even been constructed in the middle to allow for some very rudimentary special effects. Isabella had made pods from her plants that could be crushed in one's hand to create colorful puffs of “smoke”. The crew were performing a dress rehearsal while Dolores was spending the evening with her novio to keep herself distracted.

“Mirabel can you make the sleeves bigger?” Antonio pushed a little pink dress into her lap. “Juanita says it’s too tight.”

Mirabel had drastically underestimated the difficulty of sewing clothes for rats. Small, four-legged, picky clients. She was already struggling to finish the last costume before dinner time. She sighed as she looked down at the dress.

“I’ll see what I can do.”

The rat in Anotnio’s hand squeaked. “She says thank you.” Antonio translated sweetly before trotting over to the stage with the others once more.

“I make no guarantees.” Mirabel called to him.

They decided to spend the last night in Luisa's room. A sandy beach with palm trees and an inexplicable breeze that Mirabel found deeply soothing. The family had offered to build her own room when they rebuilt the Castia but she instead opted for an extension onto the nursery. When the magic returned the door to her little expansion lit up with her name. Her likeness burned into it holding la familaia's flame. She was proud of that door. The room itself was comfy, with a space for her to sew, but modest. More importantly, she was nested right beside the nursery still. She loved being there for Antonio and decided she’d rather be able to help look after any future sobrinos. With how things were going she suspected Dolores might find herself rather busy someday.

Today she was content to sit back and watch the others as they crowded around the stage that had been set up in the gazebo. Everyone seemed to be having a blast. She was glad she could bring the family together like this.

“Mirabel, come over. I want to show you something.” Her Tío called out to her.

Mirabel carefully pinned the suit she was working on in place and collected her supplies in her bag before heading over. She could always finish it in her room after dinner. She may have had a late night ahead of her but it seemed like a small price.

“Qué onda?” She asked. As she got closer she could hear stifled snickers and Bruno looked… taller?

“Can I run a set by you mija? I’m just not really sure if this joke is gonna work.” He said with an anxious smile, tugging at his ruana.

“Uhm, sure?” She sat down between her sisters hesitantly. Antonio couldn’t stop snickering. Something wasn’t quite right.

Bruno’s face lit up as he excitedly began reciting an opening narration gag from behind the stage. He hovered over the top of the curtains waving his fingers and making exaggerated faces. A bit too exaggerated. Before long someone came up from behind and gave him a light swat on the back of his head.

“Stop trying to steal my lines!” the real Bruno scolded.

Camilo shape shifted back. “I wasn’t.” He insisted, “My impression is getting better though, right?” Camilo turned to Mirabel.

“Oh, not even close.” Mirabel mocked as she leaned back on her hands.

“Oh come on, that was perfect!” Isabela laughed.

Mirabel rolled her eyes as Luisa and Antonio could no longer contain their giggles. Bruno sat down cross-legged behind the stage. He had to lean to the side so his face could be seen.

“Still too tall.” Bruno corrected as he tested the pull cord on the curtains.

“It’s not my fault you're so short.” Camilo grumbled.

“Seven-foot frame.” Bruno retorted.

Isabela laughed even harder and Camilo turned beat red.

“Well come on! How are you supposed to be scary walking around at like five-foot-five.” Camilo whined.

Mirabel laughed as her tío eyed his sobrino mischievously.

“Oh, so I’m not scary enough for you?”

“You’re not even a little spooky.” Camilo pouted. “Honestly tío you really let me down.” Camilo crossed his arms and shook his head, clicking his tongue disapprovingly.

Mirabel stifled a giggle as she watched Bruno sneak up behind her primo. Bruno quickly rapped his fingers up Camilo's back making surprisingly believable angry rat sounds. Camilo let out a high pitch squeal as he jumped and almost tripped over the stage.

As everyone was enjoying a laugh at poor Camilo’s expense Abuela’s voice came lofting over the breeze.

“Dinner is ready.” She called.

Everyone began collecting up their things. Abuela pulled up her skirt to avoid the sand and made her way over to the gazebo. Mirabel was surprised to see her actually come over to inspect their project. They’d been working on it a little over a week and she’d yet to take much interest. She watched as her adult son helped to detangle a rat from a bespoke suit and Mirabel's heart sank a little.

Bruno had sand in his hair and rat hair on his ruana. He spoke to his tiny actors like little children. He was happy. Odd but happy. Abuela wasn’t.

She could tell Abuela thought this whole idea was ridiculous and embarrassing. The matriarch had been doing her best not to say anything. It hurt that despite her son's joy it seemed she still struggled to look past his quirks. At least she was trying.

“Bruno.” She commanded softly. Bruno dropped what he was doing to look up.

He hadn’t noticed his mother’s approach and scurried to his feet. He shook the beach sand from his hair and patted fur off his clothes

“Sí, Mamá.?” He asked nervously.

Abuela looked down at the stage where Mirabel finished untangling Carlos the rat. Her expression was pensive as she rubbed her palms together.

“You built this?” She asked.

Bruno looked down at the stage. “It was more of a team effort really. Luisa did most of the woodwork.” Bruno looked like he might say more but stopped himself so as not to overwhelm his mother with his usual rambling.

The stage wasn’t perfect. It was crude and a little uneven in places. It was, to its credit, more ambitious than originally planned. No doubt because Luisa wanted to stay involved with the production and kept looking for more work to do. She didn’t have to of course no one would have minded if she simply sat and watched and talked with the others once her part was finished.

“It's… interesting.” Abuela replied. “And you’re going to be performing, in the plaza tomorrow?” She asked. The way she said performing sounded probably more patronizing than intended.

Bruno pulled his ruana closed and shrunk in on himself. “Sí pues... We didn’t have a date set exactly but Dolores kind of forced our hands.” He chuckled nervously.

“Ya veo.”

Bruno rung the fabric in his hands. “We can always call it off. I know it’s silly and it really isn’t that important.”

It felt like she’d been stabbed. Seeing how quickly her Tío was willing to throw out all their hard work to appease his mother. She might have been angry if she didn’t know all too well how he felt. It still hurt.

“No, no.” Abuela replied and put a gentle hand on her son's shoulder. “I can see you’ve all been working very hard on this project. I’m just glad to hear you’ll be leaving the Casita for a bit.” Bruno seemed pleasantly surprised by her response but said nothing.

“As long as you make sure everyone is getting their chores done and this little hobby doesn’t get in the way.”

“Sí, sí, desde luego.” Bruno assured. He straightened up in an attempt to look more responsible.

He paused.

“Will you be stopping by to watch?” He asked sheepishly.

Alma looked a little surprised by the question and did her best to let him down gently. “Oh no. I have a prior engagement tomorrow, but you have fun.”

“Bueno.” Bruno looked down at the ground.

Alma left to go wash up for dinner and instructed Bruno and Mirabel to do the same.

“She’s embarrassed by me.” Bruno maligned once his mother was out of earshot.

Mirabel stood up and dusted off her dress. “She’s not… Look, we're all still figuring things out right now.”

She took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Estará convencida. Baby steps.”

At dinner that night the crew couldn’t help but enthuse about the upcoming performance. Abuela said very little though Mamá, Papá, Pepa, and Félix all seemed to enjoy hearing about the project. Papa and Félix especially. They’d always been a bit less uptight than Abuela and her daughters and seemed to find the whole affair quite charming.

︵‿୨ - November 11 1950 - ୧‿︵

When Saturday rolled around people were in a hurry to get their chores done. Abuela made sure no one cut any corners. The plaza was busier than usual and some folks milled about. Curious to see what the mystery surprise they’d heard about would be. Bruno shuffled anxiously with the box of equipment in his hands.

“I didn’t expect there to be so many people.”

Mirabel could tell he wanted to back out. She had promised he could at any time. Mirabel was about to say something when Dolores beat her to it.

“You’ll do wonderful.” she insisted as she hooked her arm around his.

Bruno smiled nervously back at her. He held his breath and shifted the weight of the box so he could cross his fingers. People were starting to stare as the crowd of Madrigals flooded the space and began setting up in the middle of the plaza. Bruno sat behind the stage placing props down for the first scene while Dolores and Luisa found a comfortable place to sit. Antonio seemed to be talking with one of the actors though Mirabel knew the rest were hiding under Bruno’s ruana.

Bruno seemed to be muttering neuroticly to himself as he started setting up. Yet again Mirabel was about to take action but Antonio seemed to have it handled. He whispered something to the rat in his hands who scurried off back to their papá. Juanita, the romantic lead of their comedy of errors, scurried onto Bruno’s shoulder and nibbled at his face. This made him laugh as he cupped her in his hands and held her close to his face. The rat's affection seemed to calm him down considerably and Mirabel started to think maybe she could just sit back and enjoy the show.

She hadn’t realized just how much responsibility she’d taken on when it came to Bruno. He was the adult, she knew it wasn’t her job to take care of him. She couldn’t help it. He gave up ten years of his life to protect her. On some level, she felt maybe a bit… responsible? Guilty?

“You sleep alright?” Isabela’s voice broke through her trailing thoughts. Her hermana mayor sat down on the cobblestone beside her. Her hair was green today. A deliberate strip had been colored in the front. No doubt as a show of support though she’d never say as much out loud.

Mirabel took her glasses off to clean them with her dress. “Oh fine, I was just up late last night finishing the costumes. Everyone’s worked so hard on this. I couldn’t just leave you all hanging on opening night.” She replied.

Isabela nudged her playfully. “Don’t kill yourself over some dumb tablas de ratas.” Her sister teased. “You’re not usually so uptight.”

“Since when did you start paying so much attention to me?” Mirabel rolled her eyes.

“Since you're mi hermanita.” Isabela replied sweetly. She looked down at the ground a bit ashamed. She could tell her sister wasn’t proud of the way she’d treated her growing up. Unfortunately apologies didn’t come easy to her. She got that from Abuela.

She had to hand it to Isabela. She didn’t know her sister could be so much fun to hang out with. It had been so long since they really acted like proper hermanas. “Even if this is a flop I’m glad we got to spend time together.”

“Me too.” Isabela rested her head on her shoulder.

Camilo apparently decided the crowd wasn’t big enough. He shape shifted into a larger man with a booming voice and flashy suit. Cane in hand to wave around for emphasis he drew in the stragglers.

“Habitantes de El Encanto! Amigos! Vecinos! Come one, come all, to witness the debut performance of Los increíbles Madrigals en La Rata y la Hija del Quesero.”

Bruno’s eyes looked like they’d pop out of their sockets. He glared up at his nephew with puffed cheeks. Camilo simply winked playfully at him. Bruno’s eyes darted about the gathered crowd before his head ducked back down behind the curtains.

Mirabel started to stand up but felt a hand on her arm. “Where are you going? The show's about to start.” Isabela asked.

Mirabel looked at her sister then back towards her uncle who’d sufficiently hidden himself behind the stage. She took a deep breath and sat back down. He’d be ok. Everything was going to be fine. Children began to huddle around on the ground in front of the stage and adults found places to sit, stand, or lean within view. Camilo settled out of his announcer persona and took a seat behind the stage with their tío.

Mirabel’s breath caught in her throat and she found herself crossing her fingers in her lap.

The curtain rose and a low mumble could be heard from behind the stage. The townspeople murmured amongst themselves. She could faintly make out Camilo whispering to Bruno.

“Tu habla mas alto, they can’t hear you.”

Bruno’s opening narration came out shaky and stiff at first. He fumbled a line or two as he pushed props onto the stage with a little wood hook that had been designed for that purpose. When the lead actors stepped out onto the stage Mirabel could hear a few disgusted sounds make their way through the crowd.

Bruno’s narration paused for a moment and she heard Camilo give him his line.

The narration resumed. Mirabel had to resist the urge to run back there and make sure everything was ok. But then...? The first joke of the play landed. To her surprise the crowd was sent into shocked raucous laughter. The air seemed to clear.

︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵

Bruno’s voice became clearer, more confident. He sounded like he did at their rehearsals. Once the story began proper Bruno and Camilo both would stick their heads out from either side of the stage. Accompanying their dialogue with wild faces and other comedic flourishes. Camilo would shape-shift for each character he played. He played all the female roles. Bruno voiced the narrator, the romantic lead, and the love interest's stern father.

The story was of a pair of star-crossed lovers. Carlos in this story was a rat who’d lost his nose in a terrible fire and couldn’t smell. The rest of rat society shunned him, save for the lovely Juanita who was charmed by his many antics. Her father however was a world-famous cheese maker and would never approve of their love. Bruno preferred not to change his rat's names in his stories as it just confused them most of the time. Carlos and Juanita were obviously his favorites at the moment, though he claimed not to have favorites. As the play wore on and Bruno got more laughs from the crowd he grew louder, bolder. Camilo was a natural fit for his role being probably the only Madrigal who could keep pace with Brunos’ theatrics.

The whole performance was very cheesy.

Despite her worry, Mirabel had a blast along with the rest of the crowd. Mamá, Papá, Pepa, and Félix shuffled in and struggled to find room to sit as they arrived late. The play wasn’t terribly long and in the grand scheme of it, the crowd wasn’t enormous by any means. It was about as big as could be managed for such a small stage. When the story concluded there was a round of applause and Bruno and Camilo stepped out from behind the stage to take a bow. Pepa cheered the loudest. Her vibrant rainbows lighting up the growing twilight.

Their little show had been a bigger success than anyone expected. It took no time at all however for parents to start collecting up their children and the crowd to disperse. Pepa went over to plant a kiss on her son's cheek.

“Mis chicos.” She cooed and her brother blushed and wrung his hands together.

Pepa gave him a sly grin. “You did good hermanito.”

“Good, they did fantastico!” Félix cheered as he lifted up Antonio and praised the performance of the furry actors.

“I’m amazed you kids built all this.” Papá remarked as he inspected the stage and its various moving parts. Luisa beamed as she explained to their father how she built it.

Mamá patted a hand on Mirabel's cheek. “This was a wonderful idea mija.”

That night marked a noticeable shift in the town and in her Tío Bruno. While Isabela and Luisa more or less went back to their own hobbies. Antonio lost interest having already taught Bruno’s rat’s more than enough stage commands. Camilo continued to write and perform with their Tío every Saturday. It began to blend into the ebb and flow of local life. The crowds were never as big as that first night, but local children would gather excitedly to settle in every Saturday evening to the playful antics of the tables de ratas. Parents would laugh as they caught passing jokes, sometimes more than the kids. People started asking about Bruno’s visions less and less. Parents would thank him as they carried off sleepy little ones who’d worn themselves out laughing. Rocco, the owner of the bar with the only working television in town, invited him over for drinks. People spoke more kindly of the man who had lived behind Casita’s walls.

For once people were talking about Bruno, and that wasn’t a bad thing.

[ethanlmiller]

Transform Your Home with the Best Handyman and Carpentry Services in Redmond, OR

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Handyman Services in Redmond, OR

Home Remodelers in Redmond, OR

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Investing in your home should never be stressful. With Master Carpenters, you can rest easy knowing your project is in the hands of Redmond’s most trusted professionals. Whether you need expert carpentry services, detailed drywall work, or comprehensive handyman services in Redmond, OR, we deliver excellence every time.

Trust our experienced home remodelers in Redmond, OR to bring new life to your living space with precision, care, and craftsmanship that stands the test of time.

[sandiegohomeremodeling]

The Hidden Benefits Behind Home Elevator Cost: More Than Just Convenience

When most homeowners hear about residential elevators, the first thing that comes to mind is convenience. While that’s certainly a big part of their appeal, there’s so much more value tied to the home elevator cost than people often realize. Beyond simply moving from floor to floor, a home elevator can quietly transform your day-to-day life, make your home safer, increase property value, and even help you age in place with dignity.

At San Diego Home Remodeling, we’ve worked with many homeowners who were hesitant about the price at first—until they started to understand what they were truly getting in return. If you’re wondering whether the cost of a home elevator is worth it, consider these hidden benefits that go far beyond convenience.

Improved Safety for All Ages

One of the biggest, yet often overlooked, benefits tied to home elevator cost is safety. Stairs pose a risk for many people—especially young children, seniors, and anyone with balance or mobility issues. A home elevator reduces the risk of falls by removing the need to navigate stairs altogether. This can bring peace of mind for families caring for aging parents or anyone recovering from injury or surgery.

It also allows people with mobility limitations to move through the home independently. That’s not just a lifestyle upgrade—it’s a confidence booster. Being able to live safely and comfortably in your home without relying on others makes the investment even more valuable.

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Many people choose to downsize or relocate as they get older, often because their homes no longer suit their needs. But what if your home could adapt with you?

A major hidden value of the home elevator cost is that it supports aging in place. With the right setup, you don’t have to leave the home you love. This saves not only emotional stress but also the costs of selling, buying, and moving to a new place.

At San Diego Home Remodeling, we’ve helped many homeowners include elevators as part of full home updates. We often bundle these installations with other features like widened doorways or bathroom safety improvements to create a complete aging-in-place strategy. It’s a smart way to plan for the future while enjoying your home now.

Increased Home Value

Another benefit of a home elevator that often goes unnoticed is its impact on property value. While the home elevator cost may seem high at first, the potential return on investment can be significant—especially in higher-end neighborhoods or multilevel homes.

Buyers looking for accessible, future-ready homes see elevators as a major plus. In many cases, a well-designed elevator can even set your home apart in a competitive real estate market. If you’re planning to sell someday, that extra feature could make a big difference in both sale price and buyer interest.

Better Design and Accessibility for Everyone

A home elevator doesn’t just help people with mobility issues—it benefits everyone in the house. Think about carrying laundry, groceries, luggage, or heavy furniture upstairs. With an elevator, these once-exhausting tasks become easy and safe.

Elevators also make your home more inclusive for guests and family members of all ages. Grandparents, small children, or anyone with temporary injuries will appreciate the added accessibility. When done right, a home elevator can blend beautifully into your interior, acting as both a design feature and a practical tool.

That’s where services like Handyman San Diego Services come in handy. Whether you need drywall repair, trim adjustments, or finish work after installation, a trusted handyman can help make your elevator fit seamlessly into your home’s style.

Reduced Wear and Tear on Your Home

Every trip up or down the stairs adds minor stress to your home’s structure—especially in older buildings. Over time, this can lead to squeaky steps, cracked drywall, and loose railings. By shifting traffic to an elevator, you reduce the strain on staircases and hallways.

Even basic maintenance work—such as small touch-ups or cosmetic upgrades—can help your home stay in great shape. Our team often works with a local handyman San Diego homeowners trust to manage smaller tasks that keep their homes looking and functioning their best.

Customized Solutions for Your Lifestyle

Another hidden benefit of the home elevator cost is flexibility. Today’s elevator options are more advanced than ever, allowing you to choose from compact lifts, pneumatic tubes, or traditional cable systems based on your space, needs, and budget.

From basic models to high-end glass cabins with custom finishes, you’re not locked into a one-size-fits-all solution. Whether you’re upgrading a two-story home or building a new one, there’s a style and configuration that will suit your space—and make the cost feel much more worthwhile.

Final Thoughts

Yes, the home elevator cost is a significant investment. But when you take a closer look, it offers more than just floor-to-floor transportation. From improving safety and supporting independence to increasing your home’s value and reducing daily strain, the benefits go far beyond simple convenience.

At San Diego Home Remodeling, we believe in helping you see the full picture. If you’re considering a home elevator as part of your renovation or accessibility plan, we’re here to guide you through every step—from design and permits to installation and finishing touches. With the support of our expert remodelers and trusted local handyman San Diego providers, your home can become safer, smarter, and more enjoyable for years to come.

Ready to explore your options? Let’s talk about how an elevator can fit into your home—and your future.

[perigeedirect]

Say Goodbye To Hollow Flooring And Stair Issues: Easy Repair Tips

Hollow flooring and squeaky stairs are common household issues that can quickly turn into long-term problems if ignored. These issues not only disrupt the peace of your home but can also lead you to expensive repairs in the future. Thankfully, there are practical and affordable solutions available that make repairs easy. From DIY fixes to professional solutions, restoring your floors and stairs is now simpler than ever. In this post, we will know the causes, tips, and top solutions for wood flooring repair kit needs.

Why Addressing These Issues Matters for Your Home

Hollow and creaky floors or stairs may seem like minor inconveniences, but they indicate underlying structural problems. Over time, these issues can worsen, leading to:

Increased wear and tear on your flooring

Safety risks such as loose boards or tripping hazards

Reduced property value and aesthetics

By addressing these problems early, you can save money and extend the life of your hardwood or other flooring types.

Causes of Hollow Flooring and Stair Issues

Hollow floors and stairs occur for various reasons, ranging from improper installation to natural wear and tear. Here are the primary causes:

Poor installation: Improperly installed flooring often leaves gaps that create hollowness or instability.

Aging materials: Over time, materials like wood and adhesives can degrade, causing voids and squeaky noises.

Moisture exposure: Excess moisture causes wood to expand or contract, leading to loose or uneven flooring.

Heavy foot traffic: Frequent use can wear down the subfloor, making it hollow or creaky.

What Makes Floors and Stairs Hollow? Key Causes Explained

The hollow sound you hear under your flooring occurs when there are gaps between the floorboards and the subfloor. These gaps often happen when flooring material becomes loose or is not properly secured. Similarly, stairs develop creaks and hollowness due to:

Loose screws or nails

Separation of boards over time

Movement caused by high humidity or fluctuating temperatures

Addressing these underlying issues is essential for maintaining the stability and longevity of your flooring.

When to Call in the Experts: Professional Floor Repair Tips

While minor hollow or squeaky floor issues can be fixed with DIY solutions, severe damage may require professional help. Experts use advanced tools and materials to ensure long-lasting repairs. One reliable solution involves using specialized kits such as the 3m hardwood floor epoxy repair kit. These kits allow for precise repairs, filling gaps and voids effectively to eliminate movement and noise.

Professionals can assess the severity of your issue and recommend solutions that suit your flooring type, ensuring the repairs blend seamlessly with the existing material.

Affordable Repair Solutions: Save Money Without Compromising Quality

If you are looking for an affordable and reliable solution, products like the Maven Hardwood Repair Kit offer exceptional results. Available through trusted providers like Perigee Direct, these kits are made for a wide range of flooring repair needs.

Maven Hardwood Repair Kit Overview:

The Maven Hardwood Repair Kit is perfect for fixing hollow and squeaky floors or stairs. Each kit includes:

50ml (1.7oz) cartridges suitable for hardwood, PVC, LVP, ceramic, porcelain, and stone flooring

Configurable epoxy set times: 5, 15, 30, and 60 minutes to match your repair needs

Mixing nozzles and green needle tips for precise application

Applications Include:

Filling hollow areas in floors and staircases

Eliminating squeaks by setting or freezing movement

Repairing split boards, knots, and holes

Fixing moldings or tiles without compromising aesthetics

The epoxy dries clear, allowing the natural beauty of your flooring to shine through, making it an ideal choice for both cosmetic and functional repairs.

Why Choose Perigee Direct?

Perigee Direct stands out as one of the most trusted providers for hardwood repair kits, including the wood flooring repair kit options. With high-quality products like the Maven Hardwood Repair Kit, you can tackle repairs quickly and efficiently without breaking the bank.

Their kits are versatile, user-friendly, and suitable for a variety of flooring types. Whether you are a DIY enthusiast or hiring a professional, Perigee Direct’s products make repairs accessible to everyone.

Conclusion

Hollow floors and squeaky stairs don’t have to disrupt the comfort of your home. With effective solutions like the Maven Hardwood Repair Kit and expert advice, you can quickly resolve these issues. Whether you opt for a DIY fix or seek professional help, addressing flooring problems early will save you time and money while maintaining the beauty and stability of your home.

[newlifehandymanservicesnj]

What Are the Common Carpentry Repairs Handymen Handle in NJ?

As a homeowner in New Jersey, you know how crucial it is to keep your property well-maintained. From minor repairs to major renovations, there's always something that needs attention. One area that often requires professional assistance is carpentry work. That's where skilled handymen come into play, offering a wide range of carpentry repair services to keep your home in top shape.

In this article, we'll explore the common carpentry repairs that handymen in NJ handle, shedding light on the expertise they bring to the table. So, let's dive in and discover how these professionals can help you maintain the beauty and functionality of your home.

Door and Window Repairs

Doors and windows are essential components of any home, serving both practical and aesthetic purposes. Over time, they can become worn, damaged, or simply outdated, requiring repairs or replacements. Handymen in NJ are well-versed in addressing these issues, ensuring your doors and windows operate smoothly and efficiently.

Some common door and window repairs include:

Fixing stuck or misaligned doors and windows

Replacing broken glass panes

Adjusting hinges and locks

Weatherstripping to improve insulation and energy efficiency

Repairing or replacing rotted frames

By addressing these issues promptly, handymen can enhance the functionality and curb appeal of your home while preventing further damage and costly repairs down the line.

Stair and Railing Repairs

Stairs and railings are crucial safety features in any home, and their proper maintenance is essential. Handymen in NJ are skilled in repairing and replacing various components of these structures, ensuring they meet safety standards and aesthetic preferences.

Common stair and railing repairs include:

Tightening or replacing loose balusters

Repairing or replacing damaged handrails

Reinforcing or rebuilding weak or rotted steps

Installing new railings for added safety and style

By entrusting these tasks to experienced handymen, you can have peace of mind knowing that your stairs and railings are secure and visually appealing.

Flooring Repairs and Installations

Flooring is a significant investment in any home, and it's essential to keep it in good condition. Whether you're dealing with scratched hardwood floors, loose tiles, or outdated carpeting, handymen in NJ can help you restore or upgrade your flooring.

Some common flooring services offered by handymen include:

Repairing squeaky or damaged hardwood floors

Replacing cracked or chipped tiles

Installing new laminate, vinyl, or engineered wood flooring

Laying down new carpeting or refinishing existing floors

With their expertise in flooring materials and installation techniques, handymen can transform the look and feel of your living spaces while ensuring a professional and long-lasting finish.

Trim and Molding Installations

Trim and molding are essential elements that add character and sophistication to any home. Whether you're looking to update the existing trim or install new moldings, handymen in NJ have the skills and experience to handle these projects with precision.

Common trim and molding services include:

Installing baseboards, crown molding, and chair rails

Replacing damaged or outdated trim

Mitering corners for a seamless finish

Painting or staining trim to match your desired aesthetic

By working with skilled handymen, you can enhance the visual appeal of your home while adding value and a touch of elegance to your living spaces.

Shelving and Cabinet Installations

Proper storage and organization are essential for maintaining a clutter-free and functional home. Handymen in NJ can help you maximize your storage space by installing high-quality shelving units and cabinets tailored to your specific needs.

Some common shelving and cabinet services include:

Installing built-in shelves and bookcases

Mounting floating shelves for a modern look

Assembling and installing kitchen cabinets or pantry units

Creating custom storage solutions for unique spaces

With their expertise in carpentry and attention to detail, handymen can transform your living areas into organized and visually appealing spaces, making the most of every square foot.

Deck and Patio Repairs

Outdoor living spaces, such as decks and patios, are popular features in many New Jersey homes. However, exposure to the elements can take a toll on these structures, necessitating repairs or renovations. Handymen in NJ are skilled in addressing these outdoor carpentry needs, ensuring your outdoor spaces remain safe and enjoyable.

Common deck and patio repairs include:

Replacing rotted or damaged boards

Reinforcing or rebuilding structural components

Resurfacing or refinishing the deck or patio

Installing new railings or privacy screens

By working with experienced handymen, you can extend the lifespan of your outdoor living areas and create a beautiful and functional space for entertaining or relaxation.

If you're in need of any of these carpentry repair services or have other home improvement projects in mind, don't hesitate to contact the professionals at new life handyman services. Their team of skilled handymen in NJ is ready to tackle your carpentry needs with expertise and attention to detail, ensuring your home remains in top condition for years to come.

[menardsblog]

Give Your Home a Back-to-School Makeover with These 3 Projects

Back-to-school season is already here! Whether you’re a teacher, a parent, or a student, this is an exciting time of year. Before you start sharpening those new pencils and planning those first-day-of-school outfits, finish up any lingering home improvement projects.

After all, starting the school year with a clear to-do list and a functional living space can help set your family up for success.

Here are three home improvement projects perfect for back-to-school season.

Set Up a Study Spot

A dedicated workspace can help you start your semester off on the right foot. Here are a few ways to create a workspace, depending on what your school year looks like.

● Teachers: The life of a teacher is as busy as it is rewarding! Grading papers, lesson planning, and other administrative tasks tend to happen at home. Setting up a home office, whether you have a dedicated room or a small desk in the living room, can help you get your homework done with ease.

● Parents: Help your kiddos build strong study habits by creating a homework nook. Simply adding a shared workspace table to your home office or building your teen a vanity that doubles as a study space for their bedroom can help your kids feel excited to do their homework.

● Students: Each new semester is a chance to improve your study habits. Adding a few enhancements to your workspace, such as a power strip or drawer dividers, can help you keep your space functional and distraction-free.

Make Mornings Seamless

Starting the school year on the right foot starts with a great routine! Make your mornings seamless by keeping your bedrooms, kitchen, and entryway organized. Adding a few functional features, such as child-height hooks for backpacks and jackets or snack cubbies in the kitchen, can help everyone start their days with high spirits.

Upgrading your closet or pantry with a more functional interior door can also make a big difference. Whether you swap your obtrusive closet door for a space-saving bi-fold door or simply add hooks to the back of your pantry door for your reusable bags, you’ll thank yourself for thinking outside the box for organization solutions.

Catch Up on Quick Fixes

Every home has a few squeaky hinges or leaky faucets. While a few quirks add character to your home, if any issues are becoming a nuisance, be sure to fix them before the busy school year kicks into gear.

Whether you’ve been meaning to repair those cracked stair treads all summer or just noticed that one of your towel bars is loose, most small home improvements can be easily fixed. Swing by your local home improvement store for any necessary supplies, and start checking off that to-do list!

About Menards®

Since 1958, homeowners have trusted Menards® to help them Save Big Money® and finish big projects. Menards® has you covered with reliable tools, friendly service, and the materials you need for your next home improvement project. Whether you’re finally tackling that bathroom remodel or fixing a few leaks and squeaks, their knowledgeable staff and useful resources can help. Swing by the Design-It Center to map out your plans, or ask about how their handy Budget Calculator can help you find the best deals and most competitive prices. Surfing the web instead of shopping in-store? No problem! You’ll find helpful resources and project planning tools on the Menards® website to help you with anything from sealing out moisture with Flex Paste to sealing in heat with batt insulation. 

Find A+ worthy home improvement supplies at https://www.menards.com/

Original Source: https://bit.ly/3X3cz0e 

[acrepairdallas2]

Who do you call for home maintenance issues?

Maintaining a home can feel like an overwhelming task, but it’s essential to ensure your living space remains safe, functional, and comfortable. From minor repairs to major overhauls, home maintenance issues can arise at any time. Knowing who to call for specific problems can save you time, money, and a lot of stress. Let’s dive into the common home maintenance issues and the professionals you should reach out to when they occur.

HVAC Problems

Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is crucial for maintaining a comfortable indoor environment. Common HVAC issues include inconsistent temperatures, strange noises, and poor air quality. If your system is not heating or cooling properly, or if you notice an unusual spike in your energy bills, it’s time to call an HVAC technician. These experts can diagnose and fix issues, ensuring your system runs efficiently.

Plumbing Issues

Plumbing problems can range from minor leaks to significant water damage. Signs of plumbing issues include low water pressure, slow drains, and unusual noises from your pipes. If you notice these symptoms, it's best to call a professional plumber. They have the tools and expertise to handle everything from unclogging drains to repairing broken pipes, preventing potential water damage to your home.

Electrical Problems

Electrical issues can be hazardous, posing risks of shocks or fires. Common signs include flickering lights, frequent circuit breaker trips, and burning smells. For any electrical problem, it’s essential to hire a licensed electrician. They can safely diagnose and repair electrical faults, ensuring your home’s electrical system is up to code and functioning correctly.

Roofing Problems

Your roof is your home’s first line of defense against the elements. Common roofing issues include leaks, missing shingles, and sagging. If you notice water stains on your ceiling or see visible damage to your roof, it’s time to call a roofing specialist. Regular inspections and prompt repairs by a professional can extend the lifespan of your roof and prevent costly water damage.

Pest Infestations

Pests like rodents, termites, and ants can cause significant damage to your home. Signs of an infestation include droppings, gnawed wires, and visible nests. Contacting pest control services at the first sign of trouble can prevent a small problem from becoming a large infestation. Pest control professionals can identify the type of pest and implement effective treatment plans to protect your home.

Structural Damage

Structural issues can compromise the safety and integrity of your home. Common signs include cracks in walls, uneven floors, and doors that don’t close properly. If you suspect structural damage, consult a structural engineer. They can assess the extent of the damage and recommend the necessary repairs to ensure your home remains safe and stable.

Appliance Malfunctions

Household appliances are vital for daily convenience, and when they malfunction, it can be quite disruptive. Common appliance issues include refrigerators not cooling, ovens not heating, and washing machines leaking. When appliances break down, it’s best to contact an appliance repair technician. These professionals can diagnose and fix problems, often saving you the cost of replacing the appliance.

Water Damage and Mold

Water damage can lead to serious problems, including mold growth, which poses health risks. Signs of water damage include stains on walls or ceilings, musty odors, and visible mold. Addressing water damage quickly by calling mold remediation specialists is crucial. These experts can identify the source of the moisture, repair the damage, and ensure your home is free from mold.

Carpentry Needs

Carpentry problems, such as broken cabinets, squeaky stairs, or damaged woodwork, require the skills of a professional carpenter. A skilled carpenter can handle repairs and custom projects, enhancing both the functionality and aesthetics of your home.

Painting and Drywall

Over time, walls can get scuffed, paint can fade, and drywall can get damaged. If your home needs a fresh coat of paint or drywall repairs, hiring a professional painter is the way to go. They have the expertise to ensure a smooth finish and can help you choose the right colors to update your space.

Window and Door Issues

Windows and doors are critical for security and energy efficiency. Common problems include drafts, broken locks, and difficulty opening or closing. A window and door specialist can repair or replace damaged components, helping to keep your home secure and energy-efficient.

Landscaping and Lawn Care

A well-maintained yard enhances your home’s curb appeal. Regular lawn care, tree trimming, and landscaping can keep your outdoor spaces looking their best. Professional landscaping services can help you design and maintain a beautiful yard, tailored to your preferences and climate.

Flooring Problems

Floors endure a lot of wear and tear, leading to issues like scratches, dents, and stains. Whether you have hardwood, carpet, tile, or laminate, flooring specialists can address these problems. They can repair or replace damaged flooring, ensuring your home looks and feels great underfoot.

Conclusion

Regular home maintenance is key to preventing small issues from becoming major problems. Knowing who to call for specific maintenance tasks ensures that repairs are done correctly and efficiently. Keep a list of trusted professionals handy, so you’re always prepared to tackle any home maintenance issue that comes your way.

[oru-kathai]

Cycle all the way!

Mr. Vasan and his wife Annapoorni lived in a peaceful locality in Chennai surrounded by canopies of trees and mild traffic plying even during busy times. The apartment was mostly occupied by senior citizens and one could hear a suprabhatam in the morning and Vishnu sahasranamam audio in the evening. The apartment was usually quiet and maintained a high level of orderliness. Occasional loud laughter of men with jokes from the 60s and some TMS songs could be heard on Sunday evenings when some of the apartment men meet at Mr. Vasan’s residence.

A loud jarring clinking of the cycle bell and a loud scream of a ten-year-old shook Mr. Vasan early one morning as he was having his hot cup of coffee and reading the newspaper. He almost dropped the newspaper. The strange sounds tintinnabulated the whole apartment. Mr. Vasan rushed to the gate to see where the noise came from. His eyes could not believe what he saw. He saw a 10 year old plonked on a cycle bigger than his size, hooting and cheering expressing excitement at his new cycle. As he saw Mr. Vasan freeze in a sense of trauma at the clangour, he raced forward almost standing and riding it.

A human touch set Mr. Vasan free from his frozen state, it was Mr. Krishnamurthy, his neighbour from the first floor. He introduced his grandson Vicky and declared that the little boy would stay with them. While Mr. Vasan was not very happy about it, he tried his best to show some excitement to Mr. Krishnamurthy to extend his camaraderie.

Vicky’s seemed thrilled about everything in the apartment, he enjoyed breaking the serene silence, as he ran down the stairs he rang the bell of the houses he passed by; he sat on the handle of the stairs holder and slided down; he cling clanged with his cycle bell even when there was no traffic. Mr. Vasan found the new normal of the apartment and the locality annoying. But he had to be nice to his neighbours, so he decided to keep quiet.

After about a month, Mr. Vasan was quite used to the hurly-burly in the morning. But suddenly one day, he waited and waited and almost longed for Vicky to disturb his routine, but there was silence and serenity reestablished. Mr. Vasan walked up to Mr. Krishnamurthy to find out what had happened. Vicky had an accident, he was thankfully safe, but the cycle was damaged. No one knew where to take the cycle to service it. Vicky turned to Mr. Vasan and asked in his squeaky voice, “thatha, can you please do something?” Mr. Vasan melted at the request.

He knew someone who could help, he called OK Boss to check if they can get the cycle services. A personal assistant was immediately deployed, he took the cycle to the nearest local service person, got the quote for repair, got it approved by the cycle owner and dropped the cycle back to Vicky in as soon as it was ready. Mr. Vasan and Vicky’s friendship began with that and has lasted for a long time now.

Have you ever imagined asking help for things like this? We at OK Boss provide you the best possible personal assistant solutions. Just ask and we shall get it done for you.

Call +91 63856 02677 / 82480 33134 or download the App

[gloriabomfim]

Certainly, here's a description of the first part of your scenario where Dee Dee mistakes pig places for the house in 9 non-attempt montages:

Part 1: 1-9 Non-Attempts Montages

2. Locations:

Montage 1: Dee Dee wanders into a pigpen, thinking it's the entrance to the house.

Montage 2: Dee Dee tries to squeeze through a pigsty gate, mistaking it for the front door.

Montage 3: Dee Dee ends up inside a pigsty, expecting to find the living room.

Montage 4: Dee Dee gets stuck in a pig tunnel, thinking it leads to the kitchen.

Montage 5: Dee Dee climbs a haystack, believing it's the staircase to the bedroom.

Montage 6: Dee Dee tries to open a pig's shed, convinced it's the bathroom door.

Montage 7: Dee Dee explores a pig barn, hoping to find the dining room.

Montage 8: Dee Dee accidentally activates a pig feeder, thinking it's a light switch.

Montage 9: Dee Dee encounters a piglet in a pen, assuming it's a family member.

3. Thinking Mistakes: Dee Dee's thinking mistakes involve confusing elements of the pig's environment with those of a typical house. He misinterprets the pigpen as the house's entrance, the pigsty gate as the front door, and the pig tunnel as a path to the kitchen. These errors continue as he associates the haystack with a staircase, the pig's shed with the bathroom, and the pig barn with the dining room. In his confusion, he even tries to interact with objects like the pig feeder, believing it to be a light switch.

4. Titles with Actions and Dialogues Transcript:

Title: "Pigpen Puzzles"

Action: Dee Dee wanders into a pigpen and looks around, puzzled.

Dee Dee (confused): "Is this the way to our cozy home?"

Title: "Gate Gone Wrong"

Action: Dee Dee attempts to squeeze through the pigsty gate but gets stuck.

Dee Dee (struggling): "Why is our front door so narrow today?"

Title: "The Pigsty Paradox"

Action: Dee Dee finds himself inside a pigsty and explores, perplexed.

Dee Dee (muttering): "I don't remember our living room being this muddy."

Title: "Tunnel Trouble"

Action: Dee Dee crawls into a pig tunnel, thinking it leads to the kitchen.

Dee Dee (confidently): "Shortcut to the fridge, I hope!"

Title: "Haystack Hurdles"

Action: Dee Dee climbs a haystack, expecting to reach the bedroom.

Dee Dee (climbing): "Stairs to our cozy nest, here I come!"

Title: "Shed Confusion"

Action: Dee Dee tries to open a pig's shed, believing it's the bathroom.

Dee Dee (puzzled): "Why is our bathroom door so squeaky?"

Title: "Barn Blunder"

Action: Dee Dee explores a pig barn, hoping to find the dining room.

Dee Dee (confused): "I thought our dining room had better lighting."

Title: "Feeder Fiasco"

Action: Dee Dee accidentally activates a pig feeder, mistaking it for a light switch.

Dee Dee (surprised): "Oops, I didn't know our lights were automatic now!"

Title: "Piglet Problems"

Action: Dee Dee encounters a piglet in a pen, assuming it's a family member.

Dee Dee (friendly): "Hey there, cousin! You changed your appearance!"

Certainly, here's the continuation of Part 1 with the next set of 10 non-attempt montages where Dee Dee mistakes pig places for the house:

Part 1: 10-19 Non-Attempts Montages

2. Locations:

Montage 10: Dee Dee stumbles into a pig mud bath, thinking it's the swimming pool.

Montage 11: Dee Dee attempts to open a pig's pen, believing it's the garage.

Montage 12: Dee Dee explores a pig shelter, confusing it with the basement.

Montage 13: Dee Dee tries to use a pig trough as a bathtub.

Montage 14: Dee Dee mistakes a pig's cozy hay nest for his bed.

Montage 15: Dee Dee confuses a pig's food bin for a refrigerator.

Montage 16: Dee Dee thinks a pigsty is the backyard and tries to play there.

Montage 17: Dee Dee attempts to fix a broken pig fence, thinking it's a house repair.

Montage 18: Dee Dee finds himself in a pile of pig manure, believing it's a comfy sofa.

Montage 19: Dee Dee takes shelter under a pig's umbrella, mistaking it for a patio umbrella.

3. Thinking Mistakes: Dee Dee's thinking mistakes persist as he continues to misinterpret various elements of the pig's environment as parts of his own house. He mistakes a pig mud bath for a swimming pool, a pig's pen for the garage, and a pig shelter for the basement. His confusion extends to trying to use a pig trough as a bathtub, thinking a pig's hay nest is his bed, and confusing a pig's food bin for a refrigerator. He even attempts to play in what he believes is the backyard, fix a broken pig fence as if it's a house repair, and relax in a pile of pig manure, thinking it's a comfy sofa.

4. Titles with Actions and Dialogues Transcript:

Title: "Muddy Pool Mix-Up"

Action: Dee Dee stumbles into a pig mud bath and splashes around.

Dee Dee (enthusiastic): "Time for a refreshing dip in our pool!"

Title: "The Pen Predicament"

Action: Dee Dee tries to open a pig's pen, thinking it's the garage.

Dee Dee (determined): "Our garage door must be jammed today!"

Title: "Sheltered in Confusion"

Action: Dee Dee explores a pig shelter, mistaking it for the basement.

Dee Dee (curious): "Why is our basement so…snouty?"

Title: "Trough Troubles"

Action: Dee Dee tries to use a pig trough as a bathtub.

Dee Dee (splashing water): "Time for a nice, relaxing bath!"

Title: "Hay Nest Napping"

Action: Dee Dee mistakes a pig's hay nest for his bed and lies down.

Dee Dee (content): "Ah, home sweet…hay?"

Title: "Fridge or Food Bin?"

Action: Dee Dee confuses a pig's food bin for a refrigerator.

Dee Dee (searching): "What's for dinner in our high-tech fridge?"

Title: "Backyard Blunder"

Action: Dee Dee thinks a pigsty is the backyard and tries to play there.

Dee Dee (playful): "Time to enjoy some outdoor fun in our backyard!"

Title: "Fence Fixation"

Action: Dee Dee attempts to fix a broken pig fence, believing it's a house repair.

Dee Dee (determined): "We can't have a broken fence around our home!"

Title: "Comfy Manure Misstep"

Action: Dee Dee finds himself in a pile of pig manure, mistaking it for a comfy sofa.

Dee Dee (disgusted): "Our sofa is…oddly squishy today."

Title: "Umbrella Escape"

Action: Dee Dee takes shelter under a pig's umbrella, thinking it's a patio umbrella.

Dee Dee (dry and relaxed): "Rain or shine, our patio is the best!"

Of course, here's the final part of Part 1 with the last set of 11 non-attempt montages where Dee Dee mistakes pig places for the house:

Part 1: 20-30 Non-Attempts Montages

2. Locations:

Montage 20: Dee Dee attempts to enter a pigsty through a window, thinking it's his bedroom.

Montage 21: Dee Dee tries to turn a pig's water trough into a swimming pool.

Montage 22: Dee Dee hides inside a pig crate, mistaking it for a closet.

Montage 23: Dee Dee thinks a pile of pig feed sacks is a stack of books.

Montage 24: Dee Dee explores a pig's cozy straw bed, believing it's his own.

Montage 25: Dee Dee attempts to cook a pig's slop, mistaking it for a gourmet meal.

Montage 26: Dee Dee takes a "shower" under a pig's mud puddle.

Montage 27: Dee Dee tries to relax on a pig's wallow, thinking it's a hammock.

Montage 28: Dee Dee confuses a pig's hoofprints for a path to different rooms.

Montage 29: Dee Dee mistakes a pig's oinking for his own voice.

Montage 30: Dee Dee accidentally knocks over a pig's water trough, thinking it's a doorway.

3. Thinking Mistakes: Dee Dee's thinking mistakes continue as he persistently misinterprets elements of the pig's surroundings as parts of his own house. He attempts to enter a pigsty through a window, tries to turn a pig's water trough into a swimming pool, and hides inside a pig crate, thinking it's a closet. He even confuses a pile of pig feed sacks for books, explores a pig's cozy straw bed as if it's his own, and attempts to cook a pig's slop, believing it's a gourmet meal. His confusion extends to taking a "shower" under a pig's mud puddle, trying to relax on a pig's wallow like a hammock, and mistaking a pig's hoofprints for pathways to different rooms. In his ultimate mistake, he even confuses a pig's oinking for his own voice.

4. Titles with Actions and Dialogues Transcript:

Title: "Window to Wonder"

Action: Dee Dee attempts to enter a pigsty through a window.

Dee Dee (climbing): "I wonder what's happening in our bedroom today?"

Title: "Pool Transformation"

Action: Dee Dee tries to turn a pig's water trough into a swimming pool.

Dee Dee (excited): "Let's make a splash in our fancy pool!"

Title: "Crate Confusion"

Action: Dee Dee hides inside a pig crate, thinking it's a closet.

Dee Dee (whispering): "Time to organize our closet, quietly."

Title: "Bookish Sacks"

Action: Dee Dee thinks a pile of pig feed sacks is a stack of books.

Dee Dee (studious): "I need to catch up on some reading!"

Title: "Straw Bed Siesta"

Action: Dee Dee explores a pig's cozy straw bed, believing it's his own.

Dee Dee (comfy): "A quick nap in our comfy bed."

Title: "Slop Surprise"

Action: Dee Dee attempts to cook a pig's slop, thinking it's a gourmet meal.

Dee Dee (culinary enthusiasm): "I'm feeling like a gourmet chef today!"

Title: "Mud Shower Mix-Up"

Action: Dee Dee takes a "shower" under a pig's mud puddle.

Dee Dee (sputtering): "Time to freshen up in our luxurious shower!"

Title: "Hammock Dreaming"

Action: Dee Dee tries to relax on a pig's wallow, thinking it's a hammock.

Dee Dee (relaxed): "This hammock is perfect for an afternoon nap."

Title: "Hoofprint Hike"

Action: Dee Dee confuses a pig's hoofprints for pathways to different rooms.

Dee Dee (exploring): "Let's follow these paths to new adventures!"

Title: "Oinking Opera"

Action: Dee Dee mistakes a pig's oinking for his own voice.

Dee Dee (singing along): "I love a good sing-along in our home!"

Title: "Trough Tumble Trouble"

Action: Dee Dee accidentally knocks over a pig's water trough, thinking it's a doorway.

Dee Dee (apologetic): "Oops, wrong door. My bad!"

Certainly, let's continue with Part 2, where Marky mistakes fox places for the house in the first 9 non-attempt montages:

Part 2: Marky Mistakes Fox Places for the House

1. 1-9 Non-Attempts Montages:

2. Locations:

Montage 1: Marky approaches a fox den, thinking it's the front entrance of the house.

Montage 2: Marky attempts to use a fox's burrow as the door to the basement.

Montage 3: Marky climbs a tree with a fox's nest, mistaking it for the bedroom.

Montage 4: Marky tries to turn a fox's hunting den into the kitchen.

Montage 5: Marky confuses a fox trap for the garage.

Montage 6: Marky finds a fox's hiding spot under a rock and thinks it's a closet.

Montage 7: Marky explores a fox's tunnel system, believing it's the hallway.

Montage 8: Marky encounters a fox's stash of stolen goods and assumes it's his own belongings.

Montage 9: Marky tries to start a campfire in a fox's secret hideout, thinking it's the living room.

3. Thinking Mistakes: Marky's thinking mistakes involve consistently misinterpreting various elements of the fox's environment as parts of his own house. He mistakes a fox den for the front entrance, a fox's burrow as the basement door, a tree with a fox's nest as the bedroom, and a fox's hunting den as the kitchen. He also confuses a fox trap for the garage, a fox's hiding spot under a rock as a closet, and a complex system of fox tunnels as the hallway. His confusion even extends to thinking that a fox's stash of stolen goods belongs to him and trying to create a campfire in a fox's secret hideout, believing it's the living room.

4. Titles with Actions and Dialogues Transcript:

Title: "Den of Delusion"

Action: Marky approaches a fox den, thinking it's the front entrance of the house.

Marky (excited): "I'm home! Oh, wait, why is the door so furry?"

Title: "Burrow Basement Blues"

Action: Marky attempts to use a fox's burrow as the door to the basement.

Marky (confused): "Our basement feels more…burrow-y today."

Title: "Nest Nap Nonsense"

Action: Marky climbs a tree with a fox's nest, mistaking it for the bedroom.

Marky (settling in): "Time for a cozy nap in our treehouse!"

Title: "Cooking in the Den"

Action: Marky tries to turn a fox's hunting den into the kitchen.

Marky (chef's hat on): "Let's whip up something delicious in our hunting-themed kitchen!"

Title: "Trap Trouble"

Action: Marky confuses a fox trap for the garage.

Marky (puzzled): "Why is our garage so…tricky to get into?"

Title: "Closet in the Rocks"

Action: Marky finds a fox's hiding spot under a rock and thinks it's a closet.

Marky (organizing): "Time to tidy up our hidden rock closet!"

Title: "Tunnel Trouble"

Action: Marky explores a fox's tunnel system, believing it's the hallway.

Marky (adventurous): "Our hallway is quite the maze today!"

Title: "Stolen Goods Surprise"

Action: Marky encounters a fox's stash of stolen goods and assumes it's his own belongings.

Marky (proud): "I knew we had some valuable treasures!"

Title: "Living Room Firelight"

Action: Marky tries to start a campfire in a fox's secret hideout, thinking it's the living room.

Marky (campfire sing-along): "Gather 'round, everyone! It's time for stories by the fire!"

Certainly, here's the next set of 10 non-attempt montages where Marky continues to mistake fox places for the house in Part 2:

Part 2: Marky Mistakes Fox Places for the House

1. 10-19 Non-Attempts Montages:

2. Locations:

Montage 10: Marky attempts to use a fox's underground den as the bathroom.

Montage 11: Marky confuses a fox's rock hiding spot with a study or home office.

Montage 12: Marky thinks a fox's riverbank hangout is the backyard.

Montage 13: Marky tries to cook a meal over a fox's hidden campfire, believing it's the kitchen stove.

Montage 14: Marky explores a fox's tree trunk hideaway, thinking it's the attic.

Montage 15: Marky mistakes a fox's scratching post for a guitar.

Montage 16: Marky attempts to open a fox's secret door in a hollow log, thinking it's the front door.

Montage 17: Marky takes a nap in a fox's cozy pile of leaves, believing it's his own bed.

Montage 18: Marky tries to use a fox's food cache as a pantry.

Montage 19: Marky encounters a fox's underground tunnel, thinking it's a secret passage in the house.

3. Thinking Mistakes: Marky's thinking mistakes persist as he consistently confuses different aspects of the fox's habitat with parts of his own house. He attempts to use a fox's underground den as a bathroom, mistakes a rock hiding spot for a study or home office, and thinks a fox's riverbank hangout is the backyard. His confusion extends to trying to cook a meal over a fox's hidden campfire, believing it's the kitchen stove, and exploring a fox's tree trunk hideaway, thinking it's the attic. He even mistakes a fox's scratching post for a guitar, tries to open a fox's secret door in a hollow log as if it's the front door, and takes a nap in a fox's cozy pile of leaves, believing it's his own bed. In his ultimate mistake, he encounters a fox's underground tunnel and thinks it's a secret passage in the house.

4. Titles with Actions and Dialogues Transcript:

Title: "Den of Discomfort"

Action: Marky attempts to use a fox's underground den as the bathroom.

Marky (uncomfortable): "Our bathroom seems a bit…cozy today."

Title: "Rock Office Riddle"

Action: Marky confuses a fox's rock hiding spot with a study or home office.

Marky (working): "Time to get some serious work done in our rock office!"

Title: "Riverbank Backyard Blunder"

Action: Marky thinks a fox's riverbank hangout is the backyard.

Marky (outdoor fun): "Our backyard has a river now, how cool!"

Title: "Campfire Cooking"

Action: Marky tries to cook a meal over a fox's hidden campfire, believing it's the kitchen stove.

Marky (chef mode): "Let's whip up a feast on our trusty kitchen campfire!"

Title: "Attic Tree Adventures"

Action: Marky explores a fox's tree trunk hideaway, thinking it's the attic.

Marky (exploring): "Our attic hideaway is simply enchanting!"

Title: "Post-Scratch Serenade"

Action: Marky mistakes a fox's scratching post for a guitar.

Marky (strumming): "Time for a jam session with our special guitar!"

Title: "Log Door Illusion"

Action: Marky attempts to open a fox's secret door in a hollow log, thinking it's the front door.

Marky (welcoming): "Welcome to our humble abode!"

Title: "Leafy Nap Mix-Up"

Action: Marky takes a nap in a fox's cozy pile of leaves, believing it's his own bed.

Marky (sleepy): "Our bed has such a natural touch today."

Title: "Pantry Puzzles"

Action: Marky tries to use a fox's food cache as a pantry.

Marky (organizing): "Time to stock up our pantry with these tasty treasures!"

Title: "Secret Passage Surprise"

Action: Marky encounters a fox's underground tunnel, thinking it's a secret passage in the house.

Marky (adventurous): "Time to explore the hidden depths of our home!"

Certainly, here's the final set of 11 non-attempt montages where Marky continues to mistake fox places for the house in Part 2:

Part 2: Marky Mistakes Fox Places for the House

1. 20-30 Non-Attempts Montages:

2. Locations:

Montage 20: Marky believes a fox's garden burrow is the entrance to the backyard.

Montage 21: Marky thinks a fox's collection of rocks is a fancy display in the living room.

Montage 22: Marky tries to cook breakfast on a fox's large flat stone, mistaking it for the kitchen stove.

Montage 23: Marky confuses a fox's collection of feathers for a pillow.

Montage 24: Marky finds a fox's sunbathing spot and thinks it's the rooftop.

Montage 25: Marky mistakes a fox's stash of acorns for a snack cupboard.

Montage 26: Marky attempts to use a fox's fallen log as a bench.

Montage 27: Marky explores a fox's thicket hideout, believing it's a secret room.

Montage 28: Marky tries to play a game of cards with a fox's collection of leaves, thinking it's the game room.

Montage 29: Marky confuses a fox's underground tunnel as an escape route from the house.

Montage 30: Marky mistakes a fox's tree hollow as the entrance to the attic.

3. Thinking Mistakes: Marky's thinking mistakes persist as he consistently misinterprets various elements of the fox's environment as parts of his own house. He believes a fox's garden burrow is the entrance to the backyard, mistakes a collection of rocks for a fancy living room display, and tries to cook breakfast on a large flat stone, thinking it's the kitchen stove. His confusion extends to thinking a fox's collection of feathers is a pillow, finding a fox's sunbathing spot and believing it's the rooftop, and mistaking a stash of acorns for a snack cupboard. He even attempts to use a fallen log as a bench, explores a fox's thicket hideout as if it's a secret room, and tries to play cards with a collection of leaves, thinking it's the game room. In his ultimate mistake, he confuses a fox's underground tunnel as an escape route from the house and thinks a tree hollow is the entrance to the attic.

4. Titles with Actions and Dialogues Transcript:

Title: "Garden Entrance Guess"

Action: Marky believes a fox's garden burrow is the entrance to the backyard.

Marky (excited): "Time to enjoy our lovely garden entrance!"

Title: "Rocky Living Room Decor"

Action: Marky thinks a fox's collection of rocks is a fancy display in the living room.

Marky (appreciative): "Our living room decor is truly unique!"

Title: "Stone Stove Surprise"

Action: Marky tries to cook breakfast on a fox's large flat stone, mistaking it for the kitchen stove.

Marky (cooking): "I'll whip up some delicious breakfast on our trusty stone stove!"

Title: "Feathered Pillow Fantasy"

Action: Marky confuses a fox's collection of feathers for a pillow.

Marky (comfy): "Our feathered pillow is perfect for a cozy nap!"

Title: "Rooftop Relaxation"

Action: Marky finds a fox's sunbathing spot and thinks it's the rooftop.

Marky (relaxing): "Time to soak up some sun on our rooftop oasis!"

Title: "Acorn Snack Surprise"

Action: Marky mistakes a fox's stash of acorns for a snack cupboard.

Marky (snacking): "Let's see what delicious snacks we have in our cupboard!"

Title: "Log Bench Lounging"

Action: Marky attempts to use a fox's fallen log as a bench.

Marky (sitting down): "Our new log bench is surprisingly comfortable!"

Title: "Thicket Hideout Hunt"

Action: Marky explores a fox's thicket hideout, believing it's a secret room.

Marky (curious): "What secrets await in our mysterious hideout?"

Title: "Leafy Card Games"

Action: Marky tries to play a game of cards with a fox's collection of leaves, thinking it's the game room.

Marky (competitive): "Let's have a friendly card game in our game room!"

Title: "Tunnel Escape Trick"

Action: Marky confuses a fox's underground tunnel as an escape route from the house.

Marky (determined): "Time to make a grand escape through our secret tunnel!"

Title: "Attic Hollow Misstep"

Action: Marky mistakes a fox's tree hollow as the entrance to the attic.

Marky (climbing): "I'll explore the attic today from this convenient entrance!"

Certainly, let's begin with Part 3, where Joey mistakes wolf places for the house in the first 9 non-attempt montages:

Part 3: Joey Mistakes Wolf Places for the House

1. 1-9 Non-Attempts Montages:

2. Locations:

Montage 1: Joey tries to enter a wolf's cave, thinking it's the front door.

Montage 2: Joey mistakes a wolf's den for the basement entrance.

Montage 3: Joey explores a wolf's forest clearing, thinking it's the backyard.

Montage 4: Joey attempts to cook in a wolf's campfire, believing it's the kitchen.

Montage 5: Joey confuses a wolf's collection of bones for his own belongings.

Montage 6: Joey thinks a wolf's rock hideout is the attic.

Montage 7: Joey takes a nap in a wolf's snow-covered den, believing it's his own bed.

Montage 8: Joey tries to use a wolf's tree stump as a chair.

Montage 9: Joey explores a wolf's cave tunnel, thinking it's a secret passage in the house.

3. Thinking Mistakes: Joey consistently misinterprets various elements of the wolf's environment as parts of his own house. He attempts to enter a wolf's cave as if it's the front door, mistakes a wolf's den for the basement entrance, and explores a wolf's forest clearing, thinking it's the backyard. His confusion extends to trying to cook in a wolf's campfire, believing it's the kitchen, and confusing a wolf's collection of bones for his own belongings. He even thinks a wolf's rock hideout is the attic, takes a nap in a wolf's snow-covered den as if it's his own bed, tries to use a wolf's tree stump as a chair, and explores a wolf's cave tunnel, thinking it's a secret passage in the house.

4. Titles with Actions and Dialogues Transcript:

Title: "Cave Entrance Confusion"

Action: Joey tries to enter a wolf's cave, thinking it's the front door.

Joey (enthusiastic): "I'm home! What a unique front entrance we have!"

Title: "Den Basement Delusion"

Action: Joey mistakes a wolf's den for the basement entrance.

Joey (bewildered): "Our basement seems a bit…wild today."

Title: "Backyard in the Woods"

Action: Joey explores a wolf's forest clearing, thinking it's the backyard.

Joey (outdoor fun): "Time to enjoy our backyard wilderness adventure!"

Title: "Campfire Kitchen"

Action: Joey attempts to cook in a wolf's campfire, believing it's the kitchen.

Joey (culinary excitement): "Let's prepare a feast in our cozy kitchen campfire!"

Title: "Bone Collection Belief"

Action: Joey confuses a wolf's collection of bones for his own belongings.

Joey (proud): "I always knew we had an impressive bone collection!"

Title: "Rocky Attic Adventure"

Action: Joey thinks a wolf's rock hideout is the attic.

Joey (exploring): "Our attic hideout is simply rock-solid!"

Title: "Snowy Bedtime Mix-Up"

Action: Joey takes a nap in a wolf's snow-covered den, believing it's his own bed.

Joey (cozy): "Our bed is exceptionally chilly today!"

Title: "Stump Seat Surprise"

Action: Joey tries to use a wolf's tree stump as a chair.

Joey (sitting down): "Our new stump chair is surprisingly comfortable!"

Title: "Cave Tunnel Confusion"

Action: Joey explores a wolf's cave tunnel, thinking it's a secret passage in the house.

Joey (adventurous): "Let's follow this mysterious tunnel to new discoveries!"

Of course, here's the next set of 10 non-attempt montages where Joey continues to mistake wolf places for the house in Part 3:

Part 3: Joey Mistakes Wolf Places for the House

1. 10-19 Non-Attempts Montages:

2. Locations:

Montage 10: Joey believes a wolf's forest cave is the entrance to the backyard.

Montage 11: Joey mistakes a wolf's forest stream for the basement.

Montage 12: Joey tries to cook in a wolf's outdoor pit, thinking it's the kitchen.

Montage 13: Joey confuses a wolf's fur-lined den for his own bedroom.

Montage 14: Joey thinks a wolf's tree hollow is the attic.

Montage 15: Joey attempts to use a wolf's fallen log as a chair.

Montage 16: Joey explores a wolf's snow-covered thicket, believing it's a secret room.

Montage 17: Joey tries to play cards with a wolf's collection of leaves, thinking it's the game room.

Montage 18: Joey confuses a wolf's underground tunnel as an escape route from the house.

Montage 19: Joey mistakes a wolf's den entrance as the attic access.

3. Thinking Mistakes: Joey's thinking mistakes persist as he consistently confuses different aspects of the wolf's habitat with parts of his own house. He believes a wolf's forest cave is the entrance to the backyard, mistakes a wolf's forest stream for the basement, and tries to cook in a wolf's outdoor pit, thinking it's the kitchen. His confusion extends to thinking a wolf's fur-lined den is his own bedroom, a wolf's tree hollow is the attic, and a fallen log is a chair. He explores a wolf's snow-covered thicket, believing it's a secret room, tries to play cards with a wolf's collection of leaves, thinking it's the game room, and confuses a wolf's underground tunnel as an escape route from the house. In his ultimate mistake, he mistakes a wolf's den entrance as the attic access.

4. Titles with Actions and Dialogues Transcript:

Title: "Cave Backyard Charade"

Action: Joey believes a wolf's forest cave is the entrance to the backyard.

Joey (cheerful): "Time to explore our beautiful backyard cave entrance!"

Title: "Stream Basement Blunder"

Action: Joey mistakes a wolf's forest stream for the basement.

Joey (confused): "Our basement got quite…streamlined, it seems."

Title: "Pit Kitchen Pretense"

Action: Joey tries to cook in a wolf's outdoor pit, thinking it's the kitchen.

Joey (culinary enthusiasm): "Our outdoor kitchen pit is perfect for a barbecue!"

Title: "Fur-Lined Bedroom Bliss"

Action: Joey confuses a wolf's fur-lined den for his own bedroom.

Joey (comfy): "Our bedroom has never been cozier with all this fur!"

Title: "Hollow Attic Ambiguity"

Action: Joey thinks a wolf's tree hollow is the attic.

Joey (exploring): "Time to uncover the secrets of our tree hollow attic!"

Title: "Log Chair Lunacy"

Action: Joey attempts to use a wolf's fallen log as a chair.

Joey (sitting down): "Our log chair is surprisingly sturdy!"

Title: "Snowy Secret Search"

Action: Joey explores a wolf's snow-covered thicket, believing it's a secret room.

Joey (curious): "Our secret room is beautifully covered in snow today!"

Title: "Leafy Card Challenges"

Action: Joey tries to play cards with a wolf's collection of leaves, thinking it's the game room.

Joey (competitive): "Let's have a card tournament in our game room!"

Title: "Tunnel Escape Trickery"

Action: Joey confuses a wolf's underground tunnel as an escape route from the house.

Joey (determined): "Time to make a dramatic escape through our hidden tunnel!"

Title: "Den to Attic Illusion"

Action: Joey mistakes a wolf's den entrance as the attic access.

Joey (climbing): "I'll explore the attic from this unique entrance!"

Certainly, here's the final set of 11 non-attempt montages where Joey continues to mistake wolf places for the house in Part 3:

Part 3: Joey Mistakes Wolf Places for the House

1. 20-30 Non-Attempts Montages:

2. Locations:

Montage 20: Joey believes a wolf's forest clearing is the entrance to the backyard.

Montage 21: Joey mistakes a wolf's rocky streambed for the basement.

Montage 22: Joey tries to cook in a wolf's stone hearth, thinking it's the kitchen.

Montage 23: Joey confuses a wolf's moss-covered den for his own bedroom.

Montage 24: Joey thinks a wolf's hillside cave is the attic.

Montage 25: Joey attempts to use a wolf's fallen tree as a chair.

Montage 26: Joey explores a wolf's hidden snow cave, believing it's a secret room.

Montage 27: Joey tries to play cards with a wolf's collection of sticks, thinking it's the game room.

Montage 28: Joey confuses a wolf's underground tunnel as an escape route from the house.

Montage 29: Joey mistakes a wolf's thicket entrance as the attic access.

Montage 30: Joey believes a wolf's cliffside ledge is the entrance to the backyard.

3. Thinking Mistakes: Joey's thinking mistakes persist as he consistently misinterprets various elements of the wolf's environment as parts of his own house. He believes a wolf's forest clearing is the entrance to the backyard, mistakes a wolf's rocky streambed for the basement, and tries to cook in a wolf's stone hearth, thinking it's the kitchen. His confusion extends to thinking a wolf's moss-covered den is his own bedroom, a wolf's hillside cave is the attic, and a fallen tree is a chair. He explores a wolf's hidden snow cave, believing it's a secret room, tries to play cards with a wolf's collection of sticks, thinking it's the game room, and confuses a wolf's underground tunnel as an escape route from the house. In his ultimate mistake, he believes a wolf's cliffside ledge is the entrance to the backyard.

4. Titles with Actions and Dialogues Transcript:

Title: "Clearing Entrance Charade"

Action: Joey believes a wolf's forest clearing is the entrance to the backyard.

Joey (enthusiastic): "Welcome to our backyard clearing entrance!"

Title: "Streambed Basement Bluff"

Action: Joey mistakes a wolf's rocky streambed for the basement.

Joey (confused): "Our basement appears to be…rockier than usual."

Title: "Stone Hearth Cooking Craze"

Action: Joey tries to cook in a wolf's stone hearth, thinking it's the kitchen.

Joey (culinary excitement): "Let's whip up a feast in our cozy stone hearth!"

Title: "Mossy Bedroom Bliss"

Action: Joey confuses a wolf's moss-covered den for his own bedroom.

Joey (comfy): "Our bedroom has taken on a lovely mossy charm!"

Title: "Hillside Attic Adventure"

Action: Joey thinks a wolf's hillside cave is the attic.

Joey (exploring): "Time to uncover the mysteries of our hillside attic!"

Title: "Tree Chair Trick"

Action: Joey attempts to use a wolf's fallen tree as a chair.

Joey (sitting down): "Our tree chair is surprisingly comfortable!"

Title: "Snowy Secret Room Quest"

Action: Joey explores a wolf's hidden snow cave, believing it's a secret room.

Joey (curious): "Our secret room is beautifully covered in snow today!"

Title: "Sticks Card Tournament"

Action: Joey tries to play cards with a wolf's collection of sticks, thinking it's the game room.

Joey (competitive): "Let's have a card tournament in our stick-filled game room!"

Title: "Tunnel Escape Fancy"

Action: Joey confuses a wolf's underground tunnel as an escape route from the house.

Joey (determined): "Time to make a grand escape through our hidden tunnel!"

Title: "Thicket Attic Delusion"

Action: Joey mistakes a wolf's thicket entrance as the attic access.

Joey (climbing): "I'll explore the attic through this unique thicket entrance!"

Title: "Cliffside Backyard Bluff"

Action: Joey believes a wolf's cliffside ledge is the entrance to the backyard.

Joey (enthusiastic): "Our backyard entrance has quite the scenic view!"

[ethanlmiller]

Enhancing Your Home with Expert Handyman Solutions in Boylston, MA

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[khardwoodflooring-blog]

K Hardwood Floors Fairfax, VA, 22032 (703) 988-3965 Stair Contractor, Stair Installation, Wood Stair Repair, Stair Railing Repair, Squeaky Stair Repair

http://khardwoodflooring.com

[perigeedirect]

Say Goodbye To Squeaky Floors & Stairs: Magic Of Hardwood Repair

Squeaky floors and stairs don't have to be a permanent fixture in your home. With a hardwood floor repair kit, you can address the root of the problem and enjoy a quieter, more comfortable living space. Whether you're dealing with hardwood, laminate, or stone flooring, the right repair kit can make all the difference. So, say goodbye to those annoying noises and hello to peace and quiet. Read more - https://perigeedirect.godaddysites.com/blog/f/say-goodbye-to-squeaky-floors-stairs-magic-of-hardwood-repair

[bennydwight]

And Baby Makes Five (A Ghost and Molly McGee Oneshot)

Summary: Settling in for the first night in their Forever Home, Pete and Sharon talk about the elephant in the room.

Or, rather, the ghost in the attic.

(AO3 format here!)

Draughty windows, peeling paint, that squeaky third stair, get wiring checked and call a plumber for the downstairs bathroom. The routine was so familiar to Pete that he found himself taking stock of all potential expenses automatically, dividing them by matter of importance. The same habit in every house, instinctive and methodical. Hopefully, this would be the last time he had to perform this little song and dance.

Not even a single night into their Forever Home and already the expenses were piling up. He knew they’d gotten the house on a bargain, but they’d probably be paying the difference in repairs alone.

Something to think about another day. For now, all their things safely inside (they’d learned their lesson after the first time their car had been broken into), the McGees had settled for the evening, enthusiasm growing with every item that found a place on a shelf or on a wall or in a corner. Their new house, their last new house, claimed by knickknacks and reminders.

The sound of socked feet pulled Pete from his reverie. Molly made her way down from the attic, taking the ladder facing forward in a display of agility that he himself had long lost to age. Had he ever been that young? “Brushed your teeth already? I think the toiletries are hidden somewhere under mom’s decorative pillows.

She smiled widely, showing off a gleaming grin. “Nope, already done! I’m just going down to make Scratch some tacos.”

Ah, yes, the other unexpected expense. Pete had thus far put ‘exorcist’ into the ‘possible’ category. While the ghost (an actual ghost!) had made himself a nuisance during the move-in, tossing items around and doing his best to make things as inconvenient as possible, an uncertain feeling stilled Pete’s hand whenever he thought to reach for the phone. Scratch had never actually made any threats against his family, much less followed through, and Pete remained cautiously hopeful. “Ah, bribery! It’s always worked for me!”

“Also I think he just hasn’t had a home-cooked meal in a long time.”

None of them knew how long, despite Molly’s persistent questioning during the day, and Pete sobered at the thought. He held out a hand to pause her descent down the stairs. “Molly, I know you’re excited at having a ghost friend, I would be too.” He set a hand on her shoulder, oddly aware of the way his brow furrowed as he held his daughter’s searching stare. “But remember, if he ever invades your space, or makes you feel uncomfortable in any way, I want you to come tell me or mom, okay?”

He was being a diligent father, taking necessary precautions with a stranger around his children, but something unpleasant curled in his chest as the words left his mouth. For some reason, irrational and naïve as it was, he felt this conversation was unneeded. The impression he’d gotten from Scratch, while surly and churlish, was not one of malice. His head said you’re being too trusting while his gut said Scratch would never harm them.

Molly seemed to agree, expression growing increasingly scandalized with every word, and by the end of the sentence she was shaking her head vehemently. “No, no, dad, he would never hurt me, we’re best friends!” (Something about that sat oddly too.) “And besides, we barged into his house. If anyone’s feeling uncomfortable, it’s him! He says we can stay on a trial basis, but we have to be good neighbours if we’ll be sharing our Forever Home.”

Parenting on the whole was a mixed bag of anxiety and mistakes and panic, but moments like these soothed Pete’s fearful heart. With a kid like Molly, he and Sharon must be doing something right. “Well, if anyone can get through to him, it’s you. Still, I’ll be here if you ever need me. And tell him thank you, for giving us a chance.”

Molly clicked her tongue, shooting him a fingerguns before continuing her happy skip down the stairs. What had he done to deserve such amazing kids?

And of course, an amazing wife. As Pete entered into their room, Sharon knelt on the floor by the mattress, folding the last of the day’s laundry into the loose dresser drawers stacked against the wall. Right, first thing on the docket tomorrow was reassembling the dresser. Who wanted centipedes in their shirts?

Sharon glanced up at his entry. “That was Molly? How’s she doing?”

Pete hooked a thumb over his shoulder, indicating through the closed door. “Just passed her, she seemed chipper as ever. Was going to make our phantasmic friend some tacos.”

Sharon sighed. “I’ll go clean up the kitchen when she’s done.” Her eyes strayed up to the ceiling even as her hands occupied themselves with pulling a pant leg rightside out. “At least he’s stopped screaming.”

At the tail end of the day, after it became clear he couldn’t scare them out, Scratch had retreated to the attic and taken to creating the most horrible, hair-raising noises without pause, moans rattling through the support beams like the whole house was coming alive beneath them. Pete just hoped he hadn’t shifted the supports too much, the foundation was sketchy enough as is.

“I know that look,” Sharon interjected as Pete lowered himself onto the edge of the mattress, knees clicking in complaint. “You did the checklist, didn’t you. How bad is it?”

Any other house, Pete would’ve gone through the list of expenses, and the first night would be spent with Sharon, huddling over their monthly budget and prioritizing bills until the wee hours of the morning. But this was their Forever Home. They could go one night without worrying about money.

He tried a reassuring smile. “It’s not awful. Look, I know it’s not exactly what we were expecting, but it won’t be all bad.” His grin widened to something realer, cheeky. “And the neighbours are definitely a spectre-cle—”

Sharon beaned him in the face with a balled up shirt, but even though the folds of soft, laundry scented cotton Pete could hear her stifled snort. He folded the shirt, working alongside his wife in neat, even movements before speaking again, this time more serious. “If he’s really a problem though, honey, we can—”

She turned on him, eyes blazing, brandishing a sock like a sword. “Peter McGee, we are not kicking that boy out of his own house!”

His hands shot up in defense. “That’s not what I was suggesting!” He backtracked, erasing ‘exorcist’ off the expenses list. (Definite pros there, apparently they weren’t cheap.) “Besides, have you seen how protective he is of this place? It would be like having a bodyguard.”

Sharon hummed in agreement, settling back on her haunches again. “Molly seems to like him.”

There was more there. Pete gave a pointed pause. “And what do you think of our new houseguest?”

“I think he’s here to stay, and we won’t get anywhere near a peaceful place with him if we consider him a houseguest. He’s a resident, just as much as we are.”

Pete recognized the purse of her lips, and sat quietly and patiently as she gathered her more complicated thoughts. She blew a deep sigh out through her nose. “Please don’t think I’m crazy.”

He put a hand over his heart, serious as the grave (ha ha). “I would never!”

She rewarded him with another shirt to the face. “Hardy-har har. In Thai culture, ghosts usually stick around either because they’re protecting something, or they’ve met an ugly end.” Her hands stilled, a cardigan unfolded over her knees. “Whatever Scratch’s reason is, something about him strikes me as… incredibly sad.”

Pete rested his cheek on a fist. “You too, huh?”

“I don’t know what it is,” Sharon resumed her folding with more force than strictly necessary. “But he’s here, and so are we. As long as he doesn’t hurt the kids—and I don’t think he will—” she interrupted at Pete’s opening mouth, “then Scratch is just as home as we are.”

A thump above them indicated Molly had closed the attic hatch, followed closely by her energetic speech. While too muffled to make out whole words, Pete heard Scratch’s excited answer, much more diluted than his previous screaming.

“She soothed the savage beast,” Sharon commented amusedly, apparently having noted the exchange too. She finished with the folding and joined him on the mattress, turning off the light on the way.

“Kitchen?”

“I’ll do it tomorrow. Maybe Scratch will want a midnight snack.”

They crawled under the covers, still musty smelling from the moving van, listening to the conversation above their heads for a moment. Nice as it was now, they’d probably need to soundproof the attic somehow. Add that to the expenses list.

“She sounds so much happier,” said Sharon in a tone so caring that Pete’s eyes welled up.

Beneath the blankets, he reached for Sharon’s hand. “Maybe this’ll be a blessing. Molly’s been without a steady friend for so long.”

She snorted again, the sound made quieter by onset drowsiness. “Maybe her perspective will start to rub off on him.”

Somehow, the acceptance eased a tightness in Pete’s heart he hadn’t before realized was there. “So it’s official. Whether he likes it or not, Scratch is a McGee now.”

“He’s under our roof, he takes our name.”

“Figuratively, if he likes his own surname better.”

“I was trying to be poetic and metaphorical, Pete.”

Despite the thumps and laughter from above, a sleepy fog settled over the two of them. Eyes drooping, already starting to succumb to the exhaustion of the day, Pete huffed a laugh. “You know, I always thought we’d planned to stop at two.”

Sharon matched his chuckle, curling up against his side. “Well, you know what they say: the third is always a happy accident.”

           END      

[alondradina]

The beginning of Domaystic 2023!

Day 1: Housewarming

Fandom: Harry Potter

Pairing: Harry Potter/Tom Riddle

Rating: T

https://archiveofourown.org/works/46893625

-

Harry wasn't sure what he had expected of Hogwarts university, but the reality was better than he had dreamed. Hermione would have told him it was because he lacked imagination — which was rich considering how much effort she had to put into art and creative writing in high school — but he knew the real issue was that he'd had so few good experiences in life.

"What d'ye think?" Ron asked, shifting the box of Harry's belongings he was carrying.

Harry looked around the ground floor of the dorm he'd be living in for his Freshman year. It was comfortably worn in, but not threadbare or in poor repair. It just looked like what he thought a home should be. The carpets were a warm maroon with flattened trails where students walked. The wooden walls glowed dully in the subdued lighting.

He had grown up in the Dursley's house; white and beige with gray accents. There were no fingerprints, no squeaky steps, no muddy welcome mats. Harry himself had ensured that. He had spent years slaving away in that house. It was strange to think that someone else would be cleaning here.

"It's nice… real nice," Harry finally answered. He shrugged at Ron's incredulous look. "Kinda like your place."

Ron wrinkled his nose. "I don't know about your house, but most people don't think mine is great."

"It's a home. People live there. People who love each other. That's better than what I had."

Rolling his eyes, Ron gestured towards the line of people waiting for the elevator. "We doing that, or going up the stairs?"

"It's only one floor up. We can do that."

"You'd hope so," Ron grumbled, leading the way towards the door marked 'stairs,' "Mad eye keeping us running all summer and all."

"Coach Moody has a point, you know. Not going to win if we don't have any stamina."

Ron scoffed in response.

The carpet on the stairs was not nearly as worn as the lobby, and Harry had the feeling people avoided taking them. Their loss, he thought; only just now hearing the elevator head back downstairs.

"What's the apartment number?" Ron hollered over his shoulder, opening the stairwell door and stepping through without holding it for his friend.

Harry rolled his eyes and pulled it open — juggling the two boxes he was carrying — and followed after. "Two oh three."

"That's convenient. It's right here."

Harry shifted to look around his friend. His apartment was one over from the stairs, which was, indeed, convenient. "Guess I will take the stairs then."

"Your funeral."

The elevator dinged and a few people stepped out. One of them was Hermione. She was animatedly speaking with a dark haired boy, who was listening with cool politeness; face blankly staring until she glanced over at him. His dark eyes briefly met Harry's when Hermione pointed him out.

"Harry!" She called, grinning her familiar bucktoothed smile. Trotting down the hall, she quickly gestured between the boys. "The tall redhead is Ron, and the other is Harry. This is Tom"

"A pleasure," Tom intoned, tone as neutral as his smile.

"He's the other scholarship winner!" Hermione exclaimed.

"So another know-it-all?" Ron snarked, rolling his eyes at Hermione's glare. "Nice to meet you or whatever, but we're here to help Harry drop his shit off, remember?"

Hermione frowned. "You're being rude, Ronald. I'm not the late one."

"The apartment is right here, Hermione," Harry interrupted, pointing his shoulder at the door.

A flicker of something crossed Tom's face before he held up a key labeled 203. "That's my apartment."

"Oh. Guess you guys are roommates," Hermione smiled, stepping back so Tom could unlock the door.

Tom gave him a quick once over, and Harry fought the urge to flinch. He plastered a fake smile on his face, wishing he had bothered to wear more presentable clothes. He hadn't expected his roommate to be so standoffish and critical.

"Your stuff already in there?" Harry inquired as Tom politely held the door open for them.

"Yes."

"Didn't know they gave the keys out any earlier than noon."

"I had extenuating circumstances."

"Like what?" Ron demanded, thunking Harry's box onto the kitchen counter.

"None of your business," Tom answered calmly. He paused at a nearby door and locked eyes with Harry. "This is my room."

Harry shrugged. "Sounds good."

Tom nodded and gave Hermione a neutral smile again. "A pleasure to meet you, Hermione. I'm sure I will see you around."

"We have a lot of the same classes," Hermione agreed, ignoring Ron as he made faces. "We should study together sometime."

"Perhaps," Tom allowed. He shot Harry another inscrutable look before opening his door and stepping inside. "Have a good afternoon."

Ron snorted as the door closed. "Good afternoon? Who is this freak?"

"Ron!" Hermione scolded, crossing her arms and glaring.

"What? He's acting all hoity toity," Ron turned to face Harry. "Offer still stands for you to stay with us."

"Where's he going to sleep, Ron?" Hermione scoffed, "at the foot of your bed?"

He flushed a brilliant red and scowled. "We'll get one of those inflatable beds or something."

"If I wanted to live with someone else, I would have taken Sirius' offer," Harry pointed out, setting his boxes on the counter next to the one Ron had carried. "I want to do my own thing for a while."

"With someone like him?"

Hermione aimed a kick at Ron's shin, who easily dodged it. "There's nothing wrong with Tom. I'm sure he will be an excellent roommate."

"You would think that-"

Harry rolled his eyes and decided to ignore their argument in favor of examining his new home. Immediately to the left of the entrance was the kitchenette.

Against the wall there was a white countertop — a microwave and an electric kettle taking up most of the space — and a single sink. The cabinets underneath were medium brown with golden knobs. A mini fridge stood off to the side.

Past that was a small brown table with two matching chairs. The room then opened up into a medium sized living room with a maroon loveseat in the middle. A small TV stand with a 32' TV sat in front of it. There were two bookshelves on opposite sides. Directly across from Tom's room was another door.

"What's in there?" Ron asked.

Hermione snorted. "I assume it's Harry's room."

"She's right," Harry said, stepping in. The room was about the same size as Dudley's second bedroom, but much more open without all of his cousin's trash. There was a brown three drawer dresser to his right, and a bare twin sized bed to his left. A desk sat under the only window.

"Pretty bare," Ron commented, peering over Harry's shoulder.

"We'll have to go shopping," Hermione agreed.

"There's some stuff over here," Harry said, opening the closet that was right behind the bedroom door. Inside there were sheets, blankets, and pillows, sitting beside a laundry shoot.

"They clean your laundry here?" Hermione inquired.

Harry shrugged. "I think just the bedding and stuff. Not personal laundry."

"Better than me," Ron sighed. "The twins said I have to do their laundry and stuff, since they're letting me stay for free."

"That seems fair," Hermione said, moving out of the way so the boys could exit. "What next?"

"Unpack?" Harry suggested, glancing at Tom's closed door. "You think he's going to stay in there?"

"You wanted to do your own thing," Ron pointed out grumpily. "Easy to do if you never see the guy."

"I suppose…"

"He'll come out eventually," Hermione said decisively, already at the counter with Harry's boxes. "Is there any organization to this? What goes where?"

A few hours later — half an hour spent on dispersing Harry's sparse belongings and the remaining time spent going to various stores — the three of them leaned against the kitchen counter and surveyed their work.

"Well, it looks like someone lives here now," Ron said, staring at his phone.

Hermione smiled at Harry. "Think this will work for you?"

"Yeah," he smiled back, "better than it would have been without you guys."

"My brothers want to come over. They said they'll bring a pizza; have a little party."

"That's not such a good-"

"Not right now, Ron," Harry protested. "I haven't gotten a chance to talk to Tom yet."

"About what? Having friends over?" Ron scoffed. "He can't tell you no."

"That's not the point, Ronald," Hermione interrupted. She shushed him when he opened his mouth. "The point is that it's rude to just throw parties without checking. It's Tom's home as well."

"Well, he can have his friends over sometime. If he has friends."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Maybe another time, Ron. I'm not going to spring the twins on him with no warning. I have to live with this guy."

"Already said you don't HAVE to," Ron grumbled, shoving his phone in his back pocket. "You could still come live with us."

"I want to stay here. I like this dorm and I like being on campus."

"It'll be fine," Hermione said, with a special glower for Ron. Checking her phone, she raised her eyebrows at Harry. "You ok with us going, then? I want to get to my dorm, and I'm sure Ron has something he needs to do as well."

"I do? Shit!" Ron winced when Hermione kicked his shin. "I guess I do have to go; somewhere far from her."

"Ronald!"

Harry escorted the bickering pair to the elevator and waited with them until the door closed. Sighing, he returned to his dorm.

Tom leaned against the wall between his room and the bathroom. The electric kettle was on, and Harry could hear the water beginning to boil.

Tom raised an eyebrow at Harry. Gesturing towards the Hogwarts football banner on the wall, he inquired, "Are you a player, or just a fan?"

"A player," Harry cautiously answered. He had been leery of decorating their shared space, but even Hermione had thought having a school poster up would be alright. "For the Gryffindor team."

Tom's aristocratic face formed a sneer more naturally than it did a smile. The kettle's whistle distracted him from whatever he had been planning on saying. Striding across the room — brushing past Harry so closely that he stumbled back into the wall — Tom pulled a mug from one of the cabinets and filled it. He pulled a tea packet out of a white box, set it into the mug, and set a timer on his phone.

Harry stood still, warily watching his roommate. Tom seemingly ignored him, though, and Harry relaxed enough to step away from the wall. When that elicited no reaction, he took another step towards the kitchen. Tom didn't look up until his timer went off, and he'd pulled the teabag from the mug.

Harry cleared his throat as Tom took a pensive sip; eyeing him over the top of his mug. "So, Tom-"

Tom set his tea down and stepped into Harry's space, backing him into the counter. "You may keep your poster, but do not decorate anywhere else from now on."

"That's fair-" Harry began, pressing as far into the cabinets as he could.

Tom used the few inches of height he had over Harry to loom. "I appreciate that you sent your companions away. There will be no parties here."

Harry scoffed, meeting Tom's unblinking stare. "You can't say no to my friends coming over."

"There is a difference between having friends over and throwing a party," Tom pointed out calmly, before returning to his tea. Taking a slow sip, examining Harry the whole time, Tom swallowed and pushed away from the counter. "But I'm sure we will work it out."

"I guess…" Harry said, keeping his body turned to Tom's as the other boy returned to his room.

Pausing halfway through the doorway, Tom lifted his cup in a friendly salute. "Goodnight, Harry."

"Goodnight," Harry replied, but Tom's door was already closed.