April 22, 2005

Ticks 101 otherwise known as Not for the Faint of Heart

OR Not much excitement going on in my life at the moment!

 So my story today is kind of a continuation of the fishing story below.

When the boys go fishing, they take our "big dog" KC (as opposed to "small dog" Max). KC loves to run around the woods and roll in dead things and stinky poo and splash in the water chasing the fish away. Basically dog heaven for a lab.

See exhibit "A" - KC - AKA: "BIG DOG"

 So when you take a dog out in the woods around here, you should always be aware of the chance of picking up ticks.

Now, I am definitely one for bugs. In fact, when I was little I used to collect bugs. ALOT of bugs, I was obsessed (and bored, remember I grew up without brothers and sisters to bother me on a farm - i.e. - not close to other kids to play with. So hey, why not bugs - there were plenty around! In fact, when I would run out of jars, I would occasionally stick them in my dresser drawers. So sometimes we had butterflies coming out of their cocoons and chrysalis and flying around the house.) But I don't like ticks! UG!

Oh yeah, so back to the story. So we really should have checked KC over for ticks when they got back from fishing but somehow that was forgotten......

Yesterday I was walking by a table, one that has many of my beads strewn all over it. And I saw this grey looking thing on the floor. At first I thought it was a bead - albeit an UGLY one. Then it looked more like a lead sinker (fishing gear stuff). And as I bent over to pick it up I realized this thing had LEGS AND THEY WERE MOVING!!!!!! A TICK! (Thank god I have excellent eye site or by this time I would have had a handful of tick!)

I'd never seen one this big before (or I COULD say full of blood, but that's gross). So I picked it up with kleenex and put it in an empty jar (for the boys to check out later you know) and then checked KC over and found 2 more ticks on her. Small ones. Normal gross ones.

One thing I know from living on a farm and growing up with creepy crawlers like these is - if you find ONE tick, especially if it has started to expand with blood - there will be another one directly below it. And don't believe the old wives tales of petroleum jelly or a hot match to get the tick to "back out". Just get some tweezers and gently pull that sucker out. Believe me, it will all come out along with a piece of the hosts skin! And then check for others in the exact same spot. You know, I have always wondered about that and I spent maybe an hour last night trying to find information on that phenomenon and couldn't find a thing. 

So - Anyway..........you all knew this was coming. You know how I like to take pictures......

Here they are! The TICKS!

Don't scroll down if you are weak of heart.........

Exhibit B - THE TICKS!

GROSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!

So anyway - I had to show the boys when they got home. They weren't as impressed as they used to be when they were smaller.

One other thing you maybe should know about me. Another little quirk from when I was smaller.... I used to LOVE to take things apart. Like jewelry (gasp!) It was almost impossible for me to leave a stone in a ring. I would take dad's tools (needle nose pliers were a favorite) and dig the stones out of my cheap kid jewelry. And I kind of liked taking alot of things apart......so this may prepare you for what's coming)

The kids weren't too impressed with the ticks. So I decided to asked them if they wanted to take my exacto knife and cut into the big tick! I mean, I'm a little curious.....

Well, I have to tell you, this curiosity to take things apart must have skipped a generation because they all (including my husband) looked at me like I had lost my mind. (hmmmm, has happened before - so you never know!)

Anyway....from my internet study on ticks, I found out that this big monster is a female and will probably lay eggs in the near future. So she is stuck in a jar - (NO, not in one of my dresser drawers!) with me patiently awaiting the arrival of her brood. (all to be flushed down the toilet when I get bored with the whole deal!)

Aren't you glad you decided to stop by today?

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April 18, 2005

 Long time - no update! No real excitement going on here in the Midwest this last week.

I did get a chance to check in on my sisters ducks....They are starting to "QUACK" now instead of a sweet little "peep". And they have turned into the proverbial "Ugly Ducklings". They are starting to get their real feathers but yet still have their furry down feathers. They follow her outside for a stroll - to pick at the grass and eat their mash (or whatever it is) like lunatics until they are bursting and completely filthy! Yes, I truly believe she has lost her mind. I told her husband she really needs a dog.....

So.....I decided to hire a handyman to seal our deck. Our HUGE deck that wraps around 2 sides of our house plus a second story deck that we haven't ever used. (note to others: unless you are a very romantic couple with no children and time on your hands, A second story deck off your bedroom becomes a maintaince nuisance.)

Anyway, Too much work, not enough time to do it myself........so I buy the stain yesterday. Then I start to panic.....tooooo much money! So after work today I decide to stain the deck myself. I AM SO SORE already ....But I didn't get the rails done, So Mister Handyman - I have left the fun part for you!  Plus there's a gutter with your name on it too!

I think with the money I saved, I will buy myself a new porch swing. My old one bit the dust last year and I have been swing-less. I do believe I definitely feel the need to start swinging again!

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April 10, 2005 (cont.)

 In keeping with the redneck theme (see below) - My husband took the boys fishing today. They each caught a few fish - here are a some of the trophy winners!

The bag is full of minnows.

 My oldest and his big perch-

 My youngest and his Crappie

 A friend and his Bass

April 10, 2005

When the Midwesterners Come Out to Play

As much as I've tried to prevent it, somehow my kids have seen the "Redneck Comedy Tour" that's been on comedy central lately. (I'm sorry, but the guy with the black suit that smokes cigars and drinks too much is just creepy!)

I think it all started at my sisters house on Easter. You know, the sister that's lost her mind and bought 6 ducklings for her pond....and is raising them in her NEW HOUSE!

Anyway, I'm know that's where they saw this show. So now Ted-Bob-Larry-Jimbo (whatever his name is) the Cable Guy is their hero of the moment. (and my sister used to think I was the bad influence!)

So yesterday the boys were out at the edge the yard rolling around in the grass and yelling as boys will do. I didn't think much about it until they came running up to me holding the KC's collar....The collar with the invisible fence shocking unit on it.

So being the curious mom that I am, I ask them what they've been up to. And they inform me that they've been SHOCKING themselves and "It's not that bad Mom!" So I as them why the heck they are doing that - and my youngest (the freshly turned 10 yr old) says proudly, "BECAUSE WE'RE REDNECKS MOM!"

AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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April 8, 2005

Boy, time is slipping through my fingers today! I've been sitting in front of this computer since 8:30 not getting much of anything done! I haven't even had breakfast yet. Only my coffee and my stomach is starting to turn. Or maybe that's because I just finished paying our taxes.......!

Here's my lazy big dog after a nice sunbath this beautiful spring day.

 Little Max (my yorkie) is acting like it's about 90 degrees outside and needs to be in the cool house! Spoiled brat.

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