Bigger in Texas
So apparently, it’s true what they say. Everything’s bigger in Texas. Including spiders. Let me set the scene. Last night. Pantry. Plastic bread wrapper moving unexpectedly [there’s no breeze in the pantry]. HUGE spider [2 inches in diameter] on the floor. Me panicked since husband is out of town. Two teenage boys mocking panicking mom [yet backing away from amazon spider].
It took almost thirty minutes to garner up the courage [15 year old son and me– 13 year old son filmed situation on his phone =/ ] to strategically move the broom and mop where the spider was hiding and trap it under a clear plastic cup, then ceremoniously carry the doomed arachnid to its watery grave [ie. the toilet].
The mocking eldest son ratcheted up his mocking when I insisted they drop and flush at the same time [“The spider can’t get traction on porcelain, mom,” he said. “Ha,” I said. “I don’t care. Drop and flush. Do it. Just do it.”]
They did, and immediately reeled backward, both amazed and slightly unnerved that the spider DID get traction and tried valiantly to climb out of the toilet bowl despite the fiercely swirling water. The spider lost [did I mention it was HUGE?].
The point [aside from realizing that things ARE bigger in Texas] is that my boys were heroes once again. Even in their mocking glory, they came to the rescue of a damsel in distress [me] and saved the day [or me from a sleepless night]. They’re good boys.
Question of the Day:
Did you know there is such a thing as a Spider Vac? I did not [until my sister in law told me]. I promptly jumped on-line and ordered one.
The other question of the day is are your children ever heroic in every day life?
July 28th, 2008
Misa 
in
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July 28th, 2008 at 10:08 am
All my children have been heroic in my life at one time or another. Most recently it was my oldest grandson. Donny is 20yrs old and in his third year of nursing school. He went to visit my daughter in the hospital after the birth of her daughter and found her very up set. My son-in-law and I both had gone home to rest, with her assurance she could handle everything. She had a nurse who was upsetting her, and driving her blood pressure to dangerous heights. Donny, went to the head nurse and complained, and demanded the nurse in question be banned from carrying for my daughter. The head nurse complied, and the rest of her stay went without incident, all because of Donny. He is my daughter’s hero and mine. He’ll make a excellent nurse.
July 28th, 2008 at 10:48 am
I think you mentioned Danny in relation to another post, Lee. He sounds like an amazing young man. Good for him for standing up for what’s right. It’s hard to do in any situation. I think you’re right–he’ll make a great nurse.
July 28th, 2008 at 11:26 am
My son is 38 and my daughter is 35. They have always been heroes in my eyes. My son, Rusty was in the Marine Core when his Dad got sick. He was transferred closer to home to a Recruiter job so he could help me. He sat with his Dad every night for 6 weeks and then went to work. I couldn’t have made it without him. My daughter, Maggie worked every day and then sat with her Dad until my son got there. They were 18 and 16 at the time. We were all together as a family for those last few weeks . They put their lives on hold just as I did. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for them. They are so special to me. Sounds as if you all have special families also. Aren’t we so lucky to have this kind of people in our lives? Have a great day and hugs to all.
July 30th, 2008 at 10:47 am
I feel for ya on the giant spider. We have humongous ants here in Montana, but an eight-legged web maker is way worse. Never heard of a spider vac. I take it, it sucks the spider in and gives it a happy home with others who’ve gone before it?
August 1st, 2008 at 8:26 am
Exactamundo on the Spider Vac. It zaps them before or as it sucks them up [supposedly]. It just came in the mail and I’ve charged it up and have it at the ready.
Apparently we also have fire ants here in the Lone Star state. Argh!!!