Wednesday, May 27, 2009

The FREAK I am

If you know me at all, you know I DO NOT LIKE bugs.... in fact, I am a TOTAL and complete FREAK when it comes to a bug.  I have embarrassed myself on NUMEROUS occasions because a bug surprised me or something and I screamed.  

One quick story...  
In 1996 I went on a mission trip to Honduras with my church.  On this trip it soon became apparent that I did not like the rather LARGE beetles that were there.  A friend of mine... DAN ... found my fear of this beetle quite funny and taught the little Honduran kids to scare me with them.  One night at a church service, Dan or one of the kids... but I am SURE Dan was the master mind... was playing with my braided hair.  The next thing I felt was this tickle... I reached behind my neck to scratch it and it was a BEETLE.  Who ever it was, placed a BEETLE underneath my braid.  I SCREAMED and ran like the wind.... 

I still have nightmares to this day... 
Just kidding... but even telling the story makes me squirm.

So This morning, Jim wakes me up asking me to come into the bathroom for a minute... First off I am NOT a morning person and to call me up out of bed means something is up.  Jim knows better not to wake this beast earlier then needed... :)  I walk into the bathroom to see this beetle like bug in our sink... Jim tells me he found it in his arm pit... ARM PIT... (I also have issues with arm pits but that can be another post)  It was this big ol' nastiness... It woke me up!  
I took a shower, got dressed and instantly got on here to try and prove to Jim that what he found wasn't a tick.  It was too big.  

This is what I found (along with a million other pictures).  Now looking at the photo, I am THINKING and HOPING that what Jim had in his pit was a beetle and not a tick... but we will see.... the bug he showed me was as big as the dime... (it was big.. and I know I can tend to exaggerate when it comes to a bug and its size... but it was closer to the size of the dime itself HONEST)

How to avoid ticks .

..

  • Wear light coloured clothing, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks and shoes. Tuck your pants into your socks.

  • Avoid walking in the long grass.

  • Use an insect repellent with DEET.

  • Check yourself each day for ticks (include armpits, groin, scalp and the back of your body).

  • Protect your pet with a flea/tick collar and check them for ticks.


    If you spot a tick ...

    • Don’t squeeze the tick or try to burn it off or put anything on it.

    • Grasp the tick by the head as close to your skin as possible.

    • Pull it straight out, gently but firmly. Use tweezers if possible.

    • Disinfect the bite with rubbing alcohol.

    • Save the tick in a jar and contact the Health Unit to have it identified and tested.


      Lyme Disease and Ticks ...

      • Lyme disease is caused by the bite of a black legged tick infected with the bacteria.

      • A red rash may appear within 3 days to several weeks following the bite, a bulls-eye rash may be present in the area of the bite. You may also have a fever with the rash.

      • Symptoms of the disease may include fever, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint pain. These may disappear within 10 days. But if left untreated, Lyme disease can progress and affect the nervous system, joints and the heart.

      • Consult your doctor if you have been bitten by a tick. Keep the tick for identification and testing.

      The tick responsible for the spread of Lyme disease is now found in some locations of the 1000 Islands region of Eastern Ontario and in the Eastern seaboard of the USA and New York State as well as Long Point and Point Pelee areas of Ontario.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Mom's appreciation Day

Bet you didnt know today was Mom's appreciation day.  Haley decided that today needed to be a day where I got appreciated.  :)  She made all the boys write cards for me :)  It was cute... (Note... it was JUST teacher appreciation week and I am sure that is where the idea came from)  She is sweet.

Haley's last day of School

Haley's last day of kindergarten...again :).
Above is Haley's teacher, Mrs. Merritt and below is Haley's parapro Mrs. Sewell.  Haley just loved these two women.  They did a great job in Haley's adjustment with our move!  

I broke Joe's bed

I had a frustrating day and decided to take my mind off of my day and move Jonah's bed to Haley's room.  I have had it with Jonah and Hunter sharing a room (LOOOOOOOOOOng story) and Haley wanted Jonah in her room.  It is ONLY a sleeping arrangement... his clothes and toys and stuff are still in Hunt's room. 

Anyways, when I went to move the crib I broke it... and in a way that wasnt fixable... so now he is converting to a toddler bed... Joy Joy... the last few nights have been LATE.  I hate the transition to big bed.  I wanted him to stay in his crib FOREVER.... oh well, I guess this had to happen sometime
This was a class project Haley had... Very sweet!

Duck Derby

The Lake that we are closest to is Lake Lanier.  They had a plastic Duck Derby where you buy a five dollar rubber duck and then it races.... then the winner wins money....  

At the Duck Derby there were booths of free advertisement but also activities that the kids could enjoy for free!
It was fun, but Haley got a tad whiny told the end :)

The ducks being released... It wasnt a very fast race :)  IT was funny

From the road

These are pictures I took while driving along a dirt road in Jefferson.   I can't imagine the amount of ticks there might be in there. 


I love these old buildings that are randomly out there... 

Birthday count down







I got this idea from Jessica and Jane... I made a count down to my kids birthday... 15 days before their birthday... they get little notes and/or goodies to help count down until their day!  I made theirs out of pockets.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Moms and Muffins

For mothers day, haley's class invited all the mom's in for muffins.  It was very sweet.  At their desk was art that the kids have done and a present for us moms.... It was very nice.

Sunday, May 03, 2009

How to catch the Swine Flu

A friend of mine sent me this picture in an email, thanks Pat.  It made me laugh... So I guess if you don't want to catch the swine flu you probably should stop licking pigs...