The clock on here is way wrong!

It is currently 1:02am!

Adventures in home ownership part one:

I'm currently very frustrated! I got home around 11pm tonight to find a weird chirping noise coming from upstairs. I was pretty sure it was a smoke detector so I went up to figure out where. I have a lot of smoke detectors in this little townhouse!!!! I think my neck is going to be sore from staring up at each of them while waiting for the chirp. That's not why I'm frustrated though. I figured out which one and decided to silence it so the neighbors wouldn't freak out. Assuming they could even hear it. I really have no idea what they hear from this place...anyway. I went downstairs to get my step stool. I am short. I quickly realized that the little one step was NOT going to be enough for me to reach. I decided to use one of my two chairs simply because they were taller and the only other thing I could think of. So, I carry the chair upstairs, climb on and reach as high as I can. I can barely touch the detector let alone twist it, etc. Then the light bulb comes on in my head. I went to my closet and surveyed the pile of shoes. I needed ones that would make me taller without much chance of falling over. Okay, so I put on some shoes and they are just barely enough for me to reach and twist the detector. It wouldn't come off the ceiling though. It just happens to be the kind that is wired to the ceiling. So, I feel like an acrobat about now with my big shoes on, and being on my tippytoes trying to figure out where the battery is. Finally, I open the side compartment and get the battery out. I listen for a chirp for a minute. Nothing happens. I started feeling proud of myself for being able to fix this problem...as I walk down the stairs the chirping starts again. Now it is more often. I decide to ignore it and begin getting ready for bed. It kept chirping, and chirping and chirping. Normally, I wouldn't even have bothered with the dumb thing and ignored it till morning or whenever...but I was still worried that it would wake other people. I got dressed again to go to Wal mart. I bought a step ladder and batteries, etc. I got home about 1215, carried the ladder upstairs. By then I really had no idea which way the battery was supposed to go in. After studying everything I gave it a try...while on the dandy stepladder. It went in...however, the smoke alarm started blazing. I'm surprised I haven't heard from the neighbors yet. Maybe it is a good thing I haven't hooked up a phone. Needless to say I took the battery back out as fast as I could. I can't very well try it again tonight. Now I'm stuck with the chirping and I really can't do anything about it. That is why I am frustrated! I honestly thought of calling my sister to tell her about it. Apparently we are allowed to call at any hour of the night. Okay, just kidding. That's an inside joke. I never ever thought that changing batteries in a smoke detector could be so much drama and cause me so much trauma!