I have a number of friends and colleagues who make fun of my fastidiousness.

• They provide me a difficult time over how important cleanliness and order means to me.

I hear all the time how, due to my preference for keeping things quite clean, I must be a serious germaphobe. This is where I happen to disagree. It’s true, I do like to have my dwelling and office easily clean. I recognize that being severely organized is a little bit strange for several people. But, to recognize I walk around in constant worry of coming into contact with germs is a bit too much. Although I did have a terrible incident with my Heating and A/C appliance that gave me the chills due to germs. I went to the basement to pick up a box of files when I noticed something completely strange about the air ducts. The air ducts downstairs are overhead. However, at various angles from the stairs or a ladder, the tops of the air ducts can be seen. I quickly noticed what I thought was something the cat had dragged up onto one of the ducts. However, upon further examination, I saw that it was an actual nest for rodents. What’s worse is the fact that there was a little gap in the air duct joint. The rodents were easily going in and out of the air ducts. Now, germ-wise, that was as revolting as it gets with something in my own dwelling. Fortunately, I have a good relationship with the Heating and A/C appliance contractor in town. All I had to do was call and they set up an appointment to have a crew come out and clean out my air ducts.

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