Would You Know If a Man Were Living in Your Attic?

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

30 Dec 2008 02:53 PM

One very interesting news story that has appeared in our local news (and perhaps nationally) concerns a family that had a stranger living in their attic for days undetected. This man came down from the space while they were sleeping or away from their home, ate their food, dressed in their clothing and stole various things for his own personal Christmas list to himself (yes, he actually wrote a wish list and then went shopping through the family's things). He was only caught when the family noticed some items missing and reported them to the police. The police dog then sniffed out the intruder, tracing him to the family attic.

The mom in the story said that she heard noises but assumed that it was a result of her three kids running around. Now, I would hope that I would realize if there was a stranger living in my attic, but at the same time, at this very moment, I can relate a bit.

You see, my own three kids, along with their friends, are running around like crazed creatures throughout my home. They travel up the stairs, release a pack of elephants from some secret closet and then run back downstairs again. They run around and around the kitchen-dining room-living room-hallway-kitchen, also known as "the loop." Here they pick up more elephants, along with at least three couple of monkeys and a hyena or two.

So while at first I can question how on earth someone would not know that there was a stranger in the house, I now question if I would know if there were a handful of tribal villagers living in my attic performing loud stomping dance rituals and using my tubs of summer clothing for percussion instruments.

Is your home noisy or quiet today?

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog, caring for little ones in the Baby Blog and now relationships in the Marriage Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here or subscribe to the blog using the subscription box on the right.

Related Articles:

Santa Talks Dirty, and Other Computing News for December 6th

Attack of the Stinky Trash Monster

How Are You Spending the Day After Thanksgiving?

Spending Christmas in the Family Room

Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger

Starrlight (5255) 31 Dec 2008 06:31 AM

There was another news story not too long ago about a man who didn't know a woman was living in one of his closets. If I remember correctly she lived up on a shelf and even had dragged in bedding. She'd come out during the day, while he was at work, to eat. Finally he noticed too much food seemed to be missing.

So creepy! I hope we'd notice. We have 2 indoor dogs so I'd hope they for sure would notice.

Mary Ann Romans (26886) 31 Dec 2008 06:55 AM

OOh, a closet is even creepier I think. I am usually home during the day, so I would hope that I would spot someone. The dogs sure would, I bet!

drnewmom (307) 01 Jan 2009 09:05 AM

Our home is quiet, for now. When the dogs are running around barking like maniacs, not so much. My little guy has a paralysed vocal cord, so his loudest isn't all that loud. Combine that with creaky floors throughout the house, and yes, we would surely know if someone were living in our house. Although, I can't say it would be a wise choice of locations for anyone (except the occasional field mouse) b/c we are in NY state in an older house and it gets COLD upstairs. If I were to choose an attic to live in, it would be in a newer house or a warmer state!

Samual (11722) 01 Jan 2009 09:53 AM

Me and Frank live in our loft!

Mary Ann Romans (26886) 01 Jan 2009 11:21 AM

I hope it is insulated Samual! Our attic is very cold. In fact, my husband keeps threatening to insulate it and seal it up. Anyone living up there in winter would surely freeze. BTW, a sort of unrelated story, my husband's truck had the check engine light on. The service man found a nest and two dead field mice in the filter!

Samual (11722) 01 Jan 2009 11:54 AM

Yep it is, it has our hot water tank in and lots of hot water pipes under the floor so that with the heating makes it quite toasty. I like how the car knew there was something wrong!

Mary Ann Romans (26886) 01 Jan 2009 04:46 PM

Yeah, we should get a check mouse light on the dashboard