I finally got around to bombing the crap out the spiders under the house, the ones that have been creeping up through the heating vents in ones and twos. I closed all the vents I could find, but they must have a super secret spy way in, because the house was chock full of casualties of war when I got home tonight. Several of them the ping-pong sized variety. All of them requiring squooshing. What fun.
My sisters and I played fun little games, attempting to manipulate each other into doing things for us. It usually came down to who wanted it more, and me being the easy going gal that I am, I usually caved and brought Rachael the damn banana. I shocked her once, though. There was a giant spider on the floor in the rec room (actually our garage). She was playing the "no, you do it" game, sure I was playing along, not aware of the fact that I am close to hyperventilating, and wigging out in a big way. I finally attempt to smoosh it, don't quite succeed, and instantly burst into tears. She was very helpful with spiders after that. See, I like smooshing even less than I like the spiders. It's just not pleasant, and if I mess up the first whack, I'm a mess.
Luckily I got all the ones today on the first whack. What really terrifies me now is this; spiders like dark corners, right? So for all the dozens that invaded the visible spots on my walls, how many are lurking under my covers? Crap. I have to go tear apart my bed now.
My knitting content is being replaced with handiness content. I finished laying the concrete board yesterday, and today, with many curses and bandaids, I managed to almost get back together the sink/vanity. I just have to replace one little piece of wood that I managed to turn into splinters, and then hope that the jerry-rigged bottom will hold the weight of the sink. I think it will. The frustrating part is that it is an ugly, chintzy little vanity, held together originally with staples (you try making staples re-attach). Seriously thinking about replacing the whole thing. Of course, if I have this many issues with a vanity-in-a-box, do I really think I can fabricate a whole new one? Mmm... no.
I don't even remember that spider incident! Surprised? Of course not. But I'm sorry...
xo :)
Posted by: Rachael | September 27, 2004 at 08:46 PM
I just read Rachael's blog. She needs you over there right away to kill ants!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: grace | September 28, 2004 at 11:20 AM
You go, handywoman! I feel ya re the spiders. A while back, I pulled on my 501's one workday morning (casual day). They had been draped across the ironing board (but needless to say, there was no ironing involved...I just hate to put away my clothes). I made it to the living room before I felt a tiny tickle behind my knee. I thought: hmmm, that's odd...that almost felt like there was something IN my.... And then like some "I Love Lucy" episode I began frantically trying to get those suckers off. They're old, my Levi's, but that damn denim just wouldn't cooperate. Meanwhile I was trying not to hyperventilate...although I do recall saying over and over, "Oh my god! Oh my god!" When I finally got them off, THE LARGEST SPIDER I'VE EVER SEEN came leaping out. It was gigantor!! Then the screaming and shrieking and true hyperventilating started...as I ran back and forth through the rooms (I was home alone) while simultaneously trying to look at the back of my knee to see if there was a bite. There wasn't. But I hope I never see one of those humungous (weird brown/orange-y) tropical spiders ever again...
Posted by: Marilyn | September 28, 2004 at 03:53 PM
Do you ever catch and release? I know, not practical right now, given the vast numbers involved, but I find that trapping them in a glass, sliding a piece of paper underneath and releasing outdoors grosses me out far less than smooshing them.
Posted by: Ann | September 30, 2004 at 12:21 AM
Gnocchi and wine... ahhh.. A favorite combo over here.. My mom used to make the best Gnocchi.
Posted by: amy | October 05, 2004 at 08:46 PM